They say that what you put out into the universe is what you get back. I’ve obviously been putting out an energy that says I need to relax and take some time off – yes, I know it’s only February, but the treadmill of publishing a bi-monthly magazine never stops! Enter Health Miracles Te Puna, previously VILLADONNA retreat. It’s literally a 15-minute drive from the centre of Tauranga but you feel a world away.
Gordon and Donna Bodell are the inspiring owners of this beautiful establishment, set in the Te Puna countryside. With very different backgrounds in health and wellbeing, their passion is to educate and inspire through their practised disciplines and to help clients enhance the connection between themselves, others and their own health.
We relax into our private accommodation – it’s simple, peaceful and comfortable with views over the rolling Minden hills and, at night, the lights of Tauranga twinkle in the distance. It’s not long before we’re settled on the verandah, engrossed in conversation with Donna, sipping tea and sampling her delectable homemade Bliss Balls. Accommodation is only available for one couple or a group of four, which means guests get exclusive attention.
Donna reminds us that we’re here to relax and asks us about our expectations and desires for the weekend. There are myriad options available – Psych-K (a technique to rewrite the powerful mind/body connection), hypnosis, NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), yoga, QiGong, nutritional coaching, healthy meal preparation, mindfulness and massage. It’s the latter that we choose for our first treatment – blissful, therapeutic massages for both of us. Back in our cabin, Donna delivers a freshly-prepared and delicious vegetarian meal to our door. Even though it’s barely dark, our eyes soon begin to droop and we head off to bed for an early night.
A very important part of the retreat encompasses mindfulness and, during the course of the weekend, Gordon takes us through exercises covering our habits, lifestyle and thoughts and how these impact our physical, emotional and mental self. He’s not only a mindfulness coach but also a qualified remedial massage therapist, reconnective healer, Reiki master and Qi Gong instructor and teacher.
Donna, a highly qualified yoga teacher, personal trainer, wellness coach, hypnotherapist, nutritionist, and massage therapist, sees herself as a facilitator, empowering people on their journey to restoring balance and living a happy life. She takes each of us through a Psych-K session and then a guided meditation in breath work, which helps with stress management, depression and to increase energy.
“The retreat is very much about clearing subconscious patterns and emotional blocks – physical, mental or both – that may be sabotaging or toxic, and stopping you from moving forward and living a healthier, happier life… it’s about the ‘you’ that you have been searching for,” says Donna. “My life has been filled with highs and lows – sexual abuse, low self-esteem, obsessive eating and exercise habits, smoking and alcohol – but I’m now in the best physical, emotional and spiritual place than I’ve ever been. It’s my life experience that helps me to connect, identify and, ultimately, help our guests.”
Many of the Health Miracles guests choose to stay longer than a few days so that they can experience the full bouquet of treatments on offer or, in some cases, take time to switch off and recharge. The choice is theirs. For Gordon and Donna, it’s important that their guests decide the direction for their stay.
Over the course of the weekend, we are privileged to experience many of Gordon and Donna’s teachings. This couple, with their selfless, caring and kind souls, give so much of themselves and certainly live their passion. We leave feeling reinvigorated and can’t wait to revisit down the track.
WHAT’S ON OFFER?
The private accommodation is exclusively yours for the duration of your stay and can house a maximum of four people (two queen beds). A cooked vegetarian breakfast is included daily and guests can choose any activities on offer.
COURSES
• Two-day massage course
• One-day Reiki course
• Three-hour nutritional cooking course
HEALTH COMPONENTS
• Massage
• Reiki Attunement
• Yoga, meditation and mindful breathing • Mindfulness
• Psych-K
• Hypnotherapy
• NLP (Neuro-Linguistic-Programming)
• Qi Gong
Health Miracles currently offers the retreat at $500.00 per person, for two nights. This includes cooked vegetarian breakfasts and your choice of health components. The courses are a separate cost and subject to availability. There is no online booking system so you will need to email or call Donna – the retreat is often booked out weeks in advance.
021 769 221
healthmiracles.co.nz
healthmiracles2believe@gmail.com