Flow Into Freedom Retreat
Feat: A Transformational
Sweat Lodge
Sweat Lodge Retreat
Nestled in the heart of nature at Waihōanga Retreat Centre, this immersive experience invites you to reconnect deeply with yourself and the land. Through the ancient power of the sweat lodge, the heart-opening essence of cacao, the profound release of breathwork, movement and the profound silence that is gained through sound healing. We create a space for healing, renewal, and transformation. This retreat is collaboration with Te Awa Journey Retreats.
The Sacred Sweat Lodge
At the core of this retreat sits the sweat lodge, an ancient purification ritual practiced for centuries from our brothers and sisters of the First Nations. The sacred ceremony allows you to release physical, emotional, and energetic blockages through deep heat, breath, and intention. The lodge sits beside the river, offering the perfect contrast—intense heat followed by an invigorating cold plunge in the flowing waters of te awa o Ōtaki.. This practice fosters clarity, resilience, and a profound connection to wairua ~ (wai = water, rua = two. Meaning where body and spirit meet)
Benefits of the Sweat Lodge Experience::
Purify the body through deep sweating.
Release emotional burdens and stagnant energy.
Cultivate mental clarity and spiritual insight.
Strengthen resilience through contrast therapy (heat + cold river immersion).
Connect with nature, inner wisdom and community.
All Inclusive
Step into a sacred space of deep healing, connection, and renewal. This all-inclusive retreat at Waihōanga Retreat Centre offers a powerful blend of ancient and modern wellness practices, all set in the lush, tranquil landscape of Ōtaki.
EARLY BIRD All Inclusive $750 per person
Daily Yoga Sessions – A combination of dynamic, grounding, and restorative yoga, including, Vinyasa and Yin & Restorative Yoga. All classes are optional and suited to all levels.
Breathwork & Cacao Ceremony – A guided heart-opening cacao ceremony paired with breathwork, to prepare for the sweat lodge, deepening your connection to self and spirit.
Sweat Lodge Experience – A powerful purification ritual guided by an experienced facilitator, combining deep heat therapy, intention setting, and cold river immersion.
Cold River Immersion – A refreshing contrast therapy practice to regulate the nervous system, enhance circulation, and awaken the senses.
Pranayama & Meditation Practices – Daily breathing techniques and meditations to calm the mind, increase vitality, and cultivate presence.
Plant-Based & Gluten-Free Kai – Vibrant, nourishing meals crafted to support your body throughout this transformational journey.
Sound Healing Therapy Sessions – A deeply immersive experience using harmonic frequencies, singing bowls, and soundscapes.
Shared Accommodation – Women share with women, men share with men, and we can accommodate couples and private group bookings
Earth and Fire
We invite you to experience the deep cleansing and rejuvenation of a traditional Turkish sauna. Rooted in centuries-old healing practices, this immersive heat therapy works to purify the body, relax the mind, and restore vitality.
This magical wood fire sauna from The Sauna Project ensures you can access the profound benefits of heat, no matter the conditions. In very rare occasions the sweat lodge may not be able to run if the weather is bad. This sauna is also an incredible option for those that chose not to participate i the sweat lodge.
Heat therapy supports circulation, muscle relaxation, stress relief, and deep cleansing, making it the perfect complement to our retreat’s breathwork, sound healing, and river swims.
Experience the deep healing of heat therapy with our wood-fired sauna, a new addition to our wellness retreat in Ōtaki.
The Kai
Experience food cooked for total mind and body balance, plant based, refined sugar free and mostly gluten free dishes that not only tantalise the taste buds but also heal and nourish the body.
The dishes are inspired by Ayurvedic principles, global flavours, and colours. The creations bring a symphony of healing energy to the body, by fostering a holistic approach to wellness through mindful, plant-powered living.
The Vision
Our Vision: The Sacred Dance of Balance & Renewal
Our Sweat Lodge experience is a journey of rebirth, purification, and deep remembrance—an ancient ceremony that guides you back to the essence of who you are. This sacred space mirrors the womb of the Earth, a place where the masculine fire meets the feminine waters, where breath and heat soften the body, releasing what no longer serves.
Through breathwork, sound healing, yoga, and cacao ceremony, we weave together the energies of Shakti and Shiva—the feminine flow and the masculine presence. The intensity of the Sweat Lodge cracks us open, dissolving barriers, while sound vibrations ground and soothe, restoring harmony within.
This is a space of surrender and awakening, where the fire purifies, the breath liberates, the sound anchors, and the cacao connects. A place where you come to sweat, pray, sing, and be held in the rhythm of nature’s balance—emerging lighter, clearer, and deeply attuned to yourself and the world around you.
The Offerings
A Sanctuary of Stillness, Sound & Breath
Step into a space where ancient wisdom meets intuitive healing — where sound becomes medicine and breath becomes your guide. Our offerings are rooted in the powerful synergy of sound healing, pranayama, yoga, meditation, and holistic well-being practices designed to reconnect you to your essence.
Allow the healing frequencies of crystal bowls, handpan, harp, and sacred voice to dissolve layers of tension and bring you home to a place of deep peace. Each sound journey is woven with intention, inviting emotional release, nervous system regulation, and energetic alignment. When paired with breathwork and pranayama, these sessions become portals to clarity, heart-opening, and profound stillness.
We honour the cycles of nature and the wisdom of the body. Through grounding yoga practices — from slow, somatic movement to more dynamic vinyasa flows — we cultivate awareness, strength, and presence. Our guided meditations offer a gentle invitation to pause, listen, and awaken the inner landscape.
This is more than a healing modality — it’s a remembrance. A return to wholeness. An immersion in soul-nourishing practices that invite you to slow down, breathe deeply, and live in harmony with your true nature. Whether you join us for a one-on-one session, a group ceremony, or a retreat, you’ll be held in a nurturing space of care, connection, and transformation.
The Space
Waihōanga Retreat Centre
Tucked away in the lush greenery Waihōanga Retreat Centre offers a tranquil sanctuary for deep rest and transformation.
Beautiful Yurt: Some of our nourishing offerings will be held in this sacred space.
Shared Accommodation: Comfortable, cosy, and designed for connection and rest. We have a few spaces that can be booked privately if booking in groups of two or more.
Riverside Location: Wake up to the sound of birdsong and the soothing flow of the river.
