12 Retreat ideas for your custom wellness retreat in Torquay

Retreat facilitators always look for new and innovative retreat ideas to keep their participants engaged and interested. Check out our top 10 innovative retreat ideas that you might consider adding to your next retreat.

Custom Retreat Ideas

1/ Healthy Cooking Demonstration

Many retreat chefs have some great tips and tricks to share with attendees. Why not ask your chef to put together a quick and easy healthy lunch like a buddha bowl and let your guests share in the experience? This fun, interactive activity where guests can learn and engage with your chef.

2/ Silent Meditation Walk

A silent meditation walk on retreat is the perfect opportunity to slow down and focus within. Walks in nature also provide your guests with an opportunity for reflection and solitude. We offer five guided meditation walks that can be taken in silence at sunrise, so guests get to wake up the birds and discover the hush and awe of sunrise over the ocean. They finish on the beach, where guests can partake in a cleansing ocean swim, enjoy some group yoga or stretching or just chill out and enjoy the moment.

3/ Art Therapy

If you’re looking for a new way to engage your participants, look no further than art therapy! Something creative and mindful is always wonderful, so think of painting, ceramics or crafts as a way of connecting your group. Art therapy can be used with people of all ages and abilities and is a great way to get creative. Plus, it can help participants explore their feelings and emotions in a safe and supportive environment. 

So, what is art therapy exactly? Art therapy is  “the use of art and creativity in the therapeutic process.” It can be used to help people express themselves, deal with difficult emotions, or manage stress. Art therapists believe that “art allows people to access parts of themselves that they might not be able to access in any other way.”

4/ Sound Healing

Sound healing can be a powerful tool for personal growth and transformation. Sound healing is an ancient practice that uses sound waves to balance the body, mind, and spirit. It can be used to treat a variety of health issues, from stress and anxiety to chronic pain and insomnia. By using various sounds and frequencies, we can help cleanse our energy system and restore our minds and bodies to a state of equilibrium.

5/ Fire Pit Cacao Ceremony

If you’re looking for an unforgettable experience that will leave your guests feeling spiritually revitalized, look no further than a fire ceremony. This ancient ritual is the perfect way to connect with your inner self and experience the power of nature. Participants can gather around a fire to share stories, release fears, set intentions and even sing songs. A shared experience with cacao offering is truly special. It is now taken at many of our wellness retreats, and for a good reason. This powerful chocolate-like substance has been shown to provide a host of benefits, from improving cardiovascular health to reducing stress levels. A cacao ceremony is a beautiful offering if you’re looking to add deep relaxation to your retreat experience.

6/ Women’s Health

Topic-based workshops are on the rise, and themed wellness retreats focusing on health topics are of interest. (Let’s face it, there is no escaping menopause). Educational information about topics like menopause help guests better prepare themselves and discussion groups on retreats to allow guest to ask questions and stay informed. 

7/ Keynote Speaker

When it comes to owning and operating a business as a woman, there will always be challenges. Going on women-only business and wellness retreats gives women balance and self-care. Retreats that focus on giving women the tools they need to continue thriving in the business world and still maintain a balanced home life are popular now. Adding a keynote speaker on a specific topic that your guests are interested in can increase the value of your retreat.

8/ Stress Management

As the popularity of mindfulness and meditation continues to grow. With many people are looking for ways to incorporate these practices into their daily lives. Introducing your participants to basic meditation techniques is a great way to bring people to your retreat. Not only will they be able to experience the benefits of this modality at the retreat. Guests may even start an at-home practice and feel the benefits over time. Plus, you can follow up with your client to see how they are progressing. 

9/ Fitness Fun

Bringing in a fitness trainer for a morning exercise activity is a fabulous way to gently get your group moving. It also resets participants on your retreat who may not have exercised for a while. Plus, it reinvigorates the good vibes and endorphins many experiences while exercising. At Summer House Retreat, we have a fabulous fitness group that can come on-site. They offer circuit work to boxing and weight training, all done at your and your guest’s own pace.

10/ Art Classes

Something creative and mindful is always wonderful, so think of painting, ceramics or crafts as a way of connecting your group. Not only will this give you a chance to explore their artistic side, but it can also provide a fun and relaxing activity for everyone involved. What could be more refreshing than retreating to a painting workshop, surrounded by other creative minds, learning new techniques and gaining inspiration? 

11/ Breathwork

Breathwork has recently become a popular modality in the past year or so. It’s a beautiful modality to add to your custom retreat to focus on stress and anxiety management. But what exactly is breathwork, and what are the benefits? 

Breathwork is a mindfulness meditation that involves focusing on your breath to achieve a state of mindfulness. This can help your participants connect with their body and calm their mind. Breathwork improves your mood, sleep and stress levels. Therefore, if you’re looking for a new way to reduce stress, give breathwork a try!

12/ Connect to your Purpose & Spirituality

It is no secret that many people are looking for spiritual leadership. Therefore, retreat hosts who guide their guests through a journey of connecting to their True Self, stepping deeper into their intuition and Inner Wisdom are doing well with retreats. This type of retreat may offer a variety of activities that allow you to explore different aspects of yourself, including your spiritual side. You can live more fulfilling lives by embracing all aspects of yourself and finding deeper meaning and joy. 

These retreats provide an opportunity for guests to go deep within and connect with their authentic selves. Retreat hosts will have the opportunity to provide soulful techniques and explore connections with ancient wisdom that will support their guest’s journey.

Wellness Retreat in Torquay

Whether you’re a seasoned retreat facilitator or just getting started, we hope the above retreat ideas will help create an interesting and engaging retreat experience for your participants. 

No matter what sort of retreat you are planning, there are plenty of options to choose from. Understanding your client’s needs is key to bringing in the desired activities and modalities to complement your custom retreat in Torquay.

And don’t forget that we’re always here to assist if you need some help planning your business or wellness retreat. Summer House Retreat offers a wealth of extra modalities that can elevate your custom retreat along the Great Ocean Road. Book a connection call today to discuss how we can create the perfect custom retreat experience for your guests. 

Which retreat idea sounds most appealing to you? Let us know in the comments!