Otways Retreat 2026
This August we invite you to retreat with us to the beautiful forest of the Otways. The pristine setting of the Pennyroyal valley will be the backdrop to support our practices of rest, connection and renewal.
Gathering on the land of the Gulidjan and Gadubanud people, surrounded by rolling hills, lush greenery, and unspoiled bushland, King Parrot is the perfect location to restore and recharge.
Retreat gives us the time and space to experience the transformative and regenerative effects of yoga, and understand a little more of ourselves and how these ancient teachings are so relevant and supportive to modern life.
Retreat can be a time to allow for processing of ideas and feelings, integration of change and the fertile breeding ground for breakthroughs and confidence. Retreat can support us wherever we happen to be on our path of yoga, healing and self care.
DETAILS OF INCLUSIONS:
Arrive at our destination between 3pm and 6pm Friday August 14th - we will take a deeply nourishing practice and meal together to open the weekend.
Saturday we will offer 2 sessions comprised of gentle movement, pranayama and meditation. We will have the opportunity for exploring the surrounding forest with a meditative walk, free time for integration and reflection and enjoy nourishing and delicious meals together
Sunday morning practice, breakfast and a closing circle will complete the retreat. Checkout of rooms at 10am.
There are various options we can explore, for example massage, infrared sauna, late checkout, extra night accommodation, etc… (these options are not included in the pricing and will incur a seperate fee).
The investment for the retreat is as follows and is per person. Payment plans are available, and can be discussed by emailing Mell at chikinyoga@gmail.com. A non refundable deposit of $300 will be required to secure your place.
SHARED ROOM
A shared room within one of the shared cottages. These beds are in a room with 2-3 other people. Beds are made up with cosy white sheets and warm bedding + towels provided.
All rooms include:
- Shared kitchen within the house.
- Shared Bathroom
- Split system heating/cooling.
- Wood fire heater
- Private outdoors pavilion with BBQ
$830
Please note we have a few rooms with 2 single beds, 1 x room with 4 single beds and 1 x room with 3 single beds. Depending on your group please let us know your preference. (otherwise we’ll assign you an immersion mate or mates)
PRIVATE ROOM - TWIN SHARE
A shared room with in one of the shared houses on the KPC property. These beds are in a room with 1 other person. The bed can be made up as a King for couples or twin singles for mates. Beds are made up with cosy white sheets and warm bedding + towels provided.
All rooms include:
- Shared kitchen within the house.
- Shared Bathroom
- Split system heating/cooling.
- Wood fire heater
- Private outdoors pavilion with BBQ
$895
Please note we have a few rooms with 2 single beds, 1 x room with 4 single beds and 1 x room with 3 single beds. Depending on your group please let us know your preference. (otherwise we’ll asign you an immersion mate or mates)
PRIVATE ROOM
A private room with in one of the shared cottages on the KPC property. King bed all to yourself. Beds are made up with cosy white sheets and warm bedding + towels provided.
All rooms include:
- Shared kitchen within the house.
- Shared Bathroom
- Split system heating/cooling.
- Wood fire heater
- Private outdoors pavilion with BBQ
$1060
There has been an overwhelming amount of interest in this retreat, it is going to be a memorable event. To secure your place, we need 2 things.
1 - a non refundable deposit is to be paid via transfer into the following account. Be sure to include your name as a reference.
Melissa Hehir
BSB 633 000
ACC 163 981 335
2 - An email to Mell at chikinyoga@gmail.com stating which room type you are booking for
Full payments are required by July 24th.
Commitment
Cancellations made prior to June 1st- refund any monies paid EXCEPT non refundable deposit ($300)
Cancellations made from June 1 onwards - no refund
TRAVEL INSURANCE IS RECOMMENDED - secure your policy before paying your deposit.
The nitty gritty - check link for Terms and conditions
Breathe into calm - pranayama workshop
Breathe into calm - pranayama workshop
Join Dr Mell for a transformative Pranayama Workshop that will leave you feeling energised, centred, and calm.
Whether you're a beginner or have experience with breathing techniques, this workshop is designed to give you the tools of self regulation so you feel confident to take charge of your wellbeing and bring more clarity into your life.
Learn take-home practices that can be used whenever you need to find calm and self regulate.
WHEN Sunday April 13th 3:30 - 5:30
WHERE Chi Kin Yoga - 99a Main st Bacchus Marsh
COST $55
WITH Dr Melissa Hehir- Osteopath and senior yoga teacher
HOW DO I BOOK? https://chikinyoga.punchpass.com/classes/17263133
Pranayama, the practice of controlled breathing in yoga, offers a wide range of benefits for both the body and mind.
Some of the key benefits include:
Improved Respiratory Health: Pranayama exercises help to improve lung capacity, strengthen respiratory muscles, and promote better oxygenation of the body.
Stress Reduction: By focusing on the breath and using specific breathing techniques, pranayama helps to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and reducing stress and anxiety.
Increased Mental Clarity: The practice helps improve concentration, mental focus, and cognitive function by calming the mind and promoting mindfulness.
Enhanced Circulation: Pranayama can help improve blood circulation, increase oxygen flow to the tissues, and support overall cardiovascular health.
Boosted Energy Levels: Many pranayama techniques invigorate the body and mind, helping to boost energy and vitality, especially when practiced in the morning.
Detoxification: Deep breathing helps expel toxins from the body through the breath and can assist in cleansing the respiratory system.
Emotional Balance: Regular practice helps regulate emotions, reduce mood swings, and promote emotional stability by balancing the nervous system.
Improved Digestion: The controlled breathing involved in pranayama can help improve digestion and support the smooth functioning of the digestive system.
Better Sleep: Pranayama can help promote restful sleep by calming the mind and releasing tension in the body, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Mind-Body Connection: By focusing on the breath, pranayama enhances the awareness of the body and its sensations, deepening the connection between mind and body.
Regular practice of pranayama can lead to long-term improvements in both physical health and mental well-being.

