The weather gods decided an additional night at the Earth Energies Sanctuary was necessary. No hardship, I assure you. Blessed, in fact, to be spending another evening in this secluded haven, cuddled up to my husband, contemplating life whilst watching the flames lick the inside of the fireplace.
To say that Earth Energies Sanctuary is relaxing is an understatement. Located in Mangatarata, an hour’s drive south of Auckland and set in the heart of a 200-acre rural estate with fantastic views, the sanctuary touts itself as
a spiritual, deep relaxation, rebalancing and mindfulness retreat, where guests can escape the stresses and anxiety of the outside world.
After many successful years globe-trotting with careers in the mining industry, Marie Latus and Duncan McKenzie realised that with all the stresses and challenges of their high-flying vocations, it was time to swap their steelcaps for gumboots and purchase some land. Then the work began. With no road, power or buildings and only a few paddocks, Marie, Duncan and the kids set to work reforming the estate.
The cabin, as it’s called (I can think of more eloquent words, such as lodge or chalet to describe it) was where the family first lived and where guests now stay. Some six challenging years later, work on their forever home – 800m up the road and perched on the property’s summit – began, and in May this year, Marie’s therapy rooms were ready.
Everything Marie and Duncan do is based around positive energy, whether it’s growing native kawakawa for their unique botanical range of creams, ointments, flower essences and other natural products, caring for their small herd of Red Devon cows, flock of chickens and beehives, or looking after their guests.
It’s this energy that is present from the moment Marie met us at the farm gate and whilst showing us around the ‘cabin’, the workshop where she creates her botanical range and the therapy rooms, and talking about the therapies on offer.
When asked why they only have one cabin and one group of guests at a time, Marie responds by saying that this is her life purpose – it’s more than just a business. She wants her guests to have a personalised, private and secluded experience where she can focus on their specific needs and tailor the right therapies to help them achieve their desired outcomes.
“When you are stressed, your brain generates beta brainwaves. These can lead to high levels of anxiety, which put you out of balance and can manifest as physical ailments. We do have the capacity to heal ourselves but, to do this, we need to restore and reset our balance and the mind outwards. All Earth Energies therapies have the common theme of bringing you to an alpha or theta brainwave state, thus restoring balance – essential for optimum relaxation, creativity, insight and mindfulness.”
THE CABIN
From the moment you enter the light-filled cabin, your eyes are drawn to the floor-to-ceiling windows offering never-ending views of rolling green hills, native bush and gullies, the Hauraki Plains, Firth of Thames and Kaimai Ranges. There are two bedrooms – one on the ground floor with a huge egg-shaped bath in the bathroom across the passage, and a mezzanine bedroom with ensuite, which is the one we choose. There are uninterrupted views everywhere – it is magnificent.
The open plan living area has a self-catering kitchen, dining room and comfy lounge which leads out to welcoming decks on every side. You’re welcome to bring your own food but I would highly recommend the option of ordering in delicious, prepared meals from Orchard Providores, which Marie can for you. They also do BBQ and kid-friendly menus. But wait, there’s more … a delicious farm-to-table breakfast with , eggs, bacon, sausages as well as fresh fruit and vegetables so that you can whip up a delicious smoothie.
If you’re staying two nights, let’s not forget the bottle of wine and welcome platter of pâtés, chocolate and crackers.
EARTH ENERGIES THERAPIES
No expense has been spared in the purpose-built luxurious therapy rooms, located beside the main residence
on the property’s summit. First up, we enjoy a delightful foot soak with essential oils and kawakawa, while Marie conducts an in-depth discussion with us to uncover any issues that may need to be rebalanced. “Through the right therapies will present themselves,” says Marie.
While Mark enjoys a session in Marie’s capable hands – he goes for Zero Balance and Secrets of the Skull therapies, which help clear major energypathways, relieve compression in the head, neck and back, ease headaches, sinus and facial pain – I enjoy my first encounter with floatation therapy. I turn off the music and light in the pod and hear my solid heartbeat and relaxed breathing as I surrender to the surreal feeling of weightlessness.
Completely relaxed, Mark and I swap treatments and Marie works her magic on me. A refreshing kawakawa tea follows with a light meal as wediscuss our thoughts, feelings and experience of the therapies. And, as
if we aren’t zoned out enough, Marie takes us through a final session of deep relaxation hypnotherapy.
Back in our cabin, we both pass out on the bed for a few hours. We haven’t felt this relaxed for ages. So when very heavy rain prevented us from getting through the property’s access road, we were delighted to our relaxed state for one more luxurious night.