Do you need a break?
When was the last time you put yourself first and invested in yourself?
Have you always wanted to learn how to calm your mind, observe the reality as it is and develop equanimity so you are less reactive to life?
If your Answers are Yes, You’re in the Right Space.
This is a special time for your-self.
A special time to put yourself first and take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
A special time for you to disconnect from the outside world and reconnect to your heart and your soul.
You will learn the simple and effective technique of the Buddha, to focus the mind and start observing the reality as it is (and not as we would like it to be - through our filters), as well as learning how to develop equanimity and therefore be less reactive to life.
You will learn how our relationships are mirrors and how we can utilise them in order to learn deeper about ourselves, and let go of our conditionings.
You will have YOU time, and be guided, held, nurtured and seen. You will have time to journal and let go of whatever is not serving you.
You will have time to rest and wonder in the vast land of Fair Harvest Permaculture which is nestled on Wadandi Boodja (the aboriginal native name for Margaret River, WA) and enjoy the most nutritious food which comes from the permaculture farm straight onto your table.
A journey in the spirit of the Buddha's teachings,
To turn off the outside noise and re-discover your true nature.
To learn to observe the reality as it is and develop equanimity,
Whilst enhancing your self love.
| Meditation, Philosophy, Yin Yoga, Guided Imagery |
Enriched with Cranio-Sacral Therapy and Sound Massage.
How Ānāpānasati, a Silent Retreat was Born
After a surf injury in 2014, I started experiencing PTSD panic attacks in the water, underwater (diving) and on the land on way to the surf. It took years of understanding what I am experiencing and why, and trying different methods to liberate myself from these symptoms. In retrospective, I could also see how I started feeling lost, and fear was taking over larger parts of my life.
On the first Vipassana course I ever took, my life changed upside down. Everything became crystal clear to me. I understood how my subconscious mind and body work, and what was happening to me when I was experiencing these panic attacks.
Moreover, the meditation work I did on this course along with an outstanding Cranio-Sacral session I received after the course from one of my teachers, freed me from the burden of PTSD and fear. I couldn’t believe it, but from that point on, I was not only able to live more freely, I was also not reacting to life the way I was before.
I no longer experience these panic attacks, the most healing place for me is to be in the water, and if I identify layers of these conditioning and trauma, I have the tools to flow with the situation with ease and take ownership of my life.
As this technique changed my life after practicing it thoroughly, I felt the call to pass it on to others. I curated carefully different modalities I practice and believe to be supportive for Vipassana Mediation, and decided to make it a small, intimate and very nurtured environment.
After the first retreat I hosted in 2022, I saw how powerful this combination is, and I had a deep understanding that this is my calling in this lifetime.
I had a deep knowing of the places I wanted to host these retreats around the world, while creating a special connection with the retreat space owners, staff, culture and country.
This is how Soul, a Silent Retreat was born, 4-7 night silent retreats, but I felt there was still a group of people whom needed a slightly different retreat, a shorter retreat, to come back to themselves, learn tools to calm their minds, to invest in themselves, to put themselves first and enhance their self love.
I decided to create Anapanasati, so you don’t have to take many days off and go far away. It is a shorter retreat which is not compromising of how deep you can go, or the amount of tools you can learn.
I offer a feminine approach to the traditional teachings of the Buddha, combining with a hands on Biodynamic Cranio-Sacral Therapy and Sound Massage, learning to practice in stillness, movement, on a philosophical level but most importantly on an experiential level, in few of the most sacred and breathtaking places on earth.
Your Host & Teacher::
Amber Houbara,
Nice to Meet you
Amber has been practicing yoga and meditation since 2011 and started teaching in 2016. She started hosting Soul, a Silent Retreat in 2022.
She is hosting retreats, workshops, events, classes and private sessions around the world and have supported hundreds of people in her offerings.
Amber participated in a number of Vipassana courses and serving, Teacher trainings/ courses/ workshops of asana /pranayama /philosophy with great teachers such as; Maty Ezraty, Matthew Sweeney, AG & Indra Mohan, Mark Robberds as well as a deep practice with many great teachers from Israel such as Shirley Caspi, Sharon Kanor, Nancy Gardush, Galia Kornfeld, Eden Gershon, and a Yin Yoga TT with Noga Weiss.
Amber is trained in Cranio-Sacral Therapy and Peter Hess Sound Massage, and therefore you will experience some of this therapy throughout the retreat.
What are the Benefits of joining
Ānāpānasati, a Silent Retreat
Learn the Buddha’s powerful techniques, to calm the mind and observe the reality as it is.
Learning meditation step by step.
Detox from screens and outside noises, and re-discover your true nature and so you can connect to mother nature on a deeper level.
Come back and listen to your heart and feel more Self love, worthiness, kindness and compassion. and how to share love kindness and compassion to all living beings.
Understand the law of nature : impermanence.
And how to surrender to change.
Learn how to develop equanimity by being resilient to craving and aversions.
Receive Cranio-Sacral Therapy and Sound Massage during Yin Yoga.
Learn tools to utilise in different scenarios in your daily life.
Feel elevated few inches above the ground, liberated, transformed, rested, nurtured, seen and held.
Who is this Retreat for?
If you need a break from your busy every day life.
If you are looking for a transformational experience.
If you always wanted to learn how to calm your mind, observe the reality as it is and develop equanimity so you are less reactive to life.
If you always wanted to learn how to meditate.
If you always wanted to learn the buddha's tecniques but wanted a safe intimate and feminine space, where you are being seen held and nurtured before, throughout and after.
If you are willing to get out of your comfort zone.
Who is this Retreat NOT for?
If you enjoy living in ignorance.
If you are not willing to work diligently in order to calm your mind and improve your lifestyle.
If you are a person that always complains and never do anything about it.
If you don’t want to connect with your own body mind and soul on a deep level.
If you are not willing to get out of your comfort zone.
If you want to keep staying in the state you are now
Location :: Fair Harvest, Margaret River
Fair Harvest is an established permaculture farm 5km out of Margaret River in Australia’s beautiful South West corner.
Featuring extensive food gardens, a Farm Cafe, a beautiful Yoga Barn, farm and forest walks and campsite which is designed for people wanting a quiet, eco-friendly stay.
Fair Harvest has been a home to Amber's teachings since 2020 hosting classes, workshops, events and retreats. Amber continue to deepen her relationship with Jo & Do the owners and their family's beautiful land and creation.
We acknowledge and pay our respects to the traditional custodians the First Nations people and families of this land. We offer our respect and acknowledgement to their Elders past, present and emerging. To their continuing cultural and spiritual practices, to their vast knowledge, and to their efforts caring for land and people and the living breathing spirit of country.
Food:: Permaculture Farm
Fair Harvest is living on Permaculture principles, and Jodie Lane, the owner and chef is passionate about growing food, educating and cooking the most delicious, nurturing and wholesome food from her farm to table.
Jodie and her lovely team will make sure you are nurtured and nourished during the retreat so you can really go deep in your meditation practice.
You will enjoy a full board of:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Coffee & Tea and a Treat at the end of the day.
“We love sharing food with friends and family; there is nothing better than sitting around a table for a humble, home grown feast. We are also aware of the urgency with which we need to be growing food in every available space. We need to do this for the planet and for the expanding population. So while growing food is our love and our life it is also a conscious choice of ‘what we can do’ for the future.”
Schedule
Sat, 19 Aug - Anapana
Welcome Talk
8.00-9.00 am
The Shala Space
Breakfast Break
9.00-10.30
The Cafe Space & Fair Harvest
Meditation
10.30-12.00
The Shala Space
Lunch Break
12.00-13.30
The Cafe Space & Fair Harvest
Meditation
13.30-15.00
The Shala Space
Break
15.00-16.00
The Cafe Space & Fair Harvest
Dharma Talk/ Philosophy Class
16.00-17.00
The Shala Space / in nature (if weather allows)
Break
17.00-17.30
Yin Yoga, Cranio-Sacral & Sound Massage
17.30-19.30
The Shala Space
Dinner & Breaking Noble Silence
19.30
The Cafe Space / Fair Harvest
What is Included
Full board vegetarian/ vegan food:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Coffee & Tea and Treats.
Organic vegetarian meals based on permaculture principles made from farm to table from Fair Harvest's Permaculture gardens.
All yoga and meditation (roughly 7 hours)
Cranio Sacral Therapy and Sound Massage to each practitioner during Yin Yoga session.
What is not Included
Transport to and from the retreat
Accommodation.
As this is a 1 day retreat, accommodation is not included. Fair Harvest campground is closed for winter, however, accommodation can be arranged as an extra. I can recommend nearby accommodations.
* To be purchased and arranged separately.
Investment
Early Birds
AUD $225
Until Midnight the 12th of July
Full Price
AUD $255
An investment to liberate yourself from overthinking, stress & anxiety, and to learn how to observe the reality as it is
& develop equanimity.
By learning the Buddha’s powerful technique, in the sacred forests and country land of Wadandi Boodja in Margaret River, Western Australia.
Payment Plans Available
Cancellation Policy
-
Any cancellations before 11th of July will be refunded except of AUD$50 Deposit
-
Any cancellations from 11th - 30th of July will be charged 15% + AUD$50 Deposit
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Any cancellations from the 1st - 15th of August will be charged 50%
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Any cancellations from the 15th of Aug will be charged 100%
Some of the benefits reported by those practicing Ānāpānasati
Taken from Vipassana Research Institute.
Effective tool to deal with fear, anxiety, stress and nervousness
Improved awareness and alertness of the mind
Increasing concentration and focus of the mind
Support stronger memory
Increases self-confidence
Improves decision-making
Increases capacity and mental focus to work
Better the ability to understand and express oneself
Regaining mastery over the ‘monkey-mind’
Mind becomes healthy, wholesome and strong
One becomes full of good wishes for others
Gallery:: Fair Harvest,
Wadandi Boodja, Margaret River WA
Testimonials
From Soul, a Silent Retreat & Luminate a Full Moon Event
"I attended my first silent retreat with Amber after attending many silent retreats, mostly Vipassana retreats. My experience with Amber was one that was deeply nurturing and restorative.
I became aware that what Amber offers, in her retreats is the magical feminine essence that creates a safe and sacred place to go deep into the depths of your subconscious Saṅkhāras, while allowing for other ways to move energy, emotions and behaviours with beautiful Hatha style yoga, qi gong and restorative yoga featuring her divine sound healing and intuitive Craniosacral therapy.
One of my favourite parts of Soul - a silent retreat are Amber’s philosophy talks - her insights, her ability to breakdown the Vipassana meditation technique in a way that is through her depth of experience and faith, her passion for exploring the astrological forecast at the time of your retreat is just something very special.
Amber’s wisdom, integrity and ability to hold space is palpable. Her retreats are carefully curated in special places of nature and attending will be one of the most spiritually significant landmarks for your journey inwards, in a way that will feel safe, held and like, OMG can’t wait to attend my next one.
Thank you Amber, you are truly gifted at what you share into the universe and beyond <3"
Katie Green
"Phone detox; delicious healthy food; rising with the sun, to the deep reverberating sound of a gong; meditation classes; yoga classes incorporating sound and cranial sacral therapies; nature immersion; philosophy talks amongst boulders and tall trees; more meditation and yoga and then getting substantial sleep. Days of this, until one morning it just feels natural and nurturing to wake with the sun, to the call of the gong, to sit together,in quiet meditation and comfort.
Silence in a group is uncomfortable....at first
An hour of meditation is uncomfortable....at first
Thankyou Amber for the opportunity to truly realise how much my distractions rob me of seeing my life through quiet, unaffected, childlike clarity. I have found the time again to enjoy what I actually want to be doing and to draw myself to presence. It is a constant work but I have remembered that I can do it and you have offered me the skills to reset.
Thankyou for holding that space for us all."
Lisa Maier
"Amber, my beautiful friend & teacher,
Created the most soul filling, transformational experience for me and 12 other women and 1 man in
the most delicious setting in Denmark.
She guided us through a 4 day silence retreat and I came out of it feeling anew. Her knowledge & wisdom is inspiring and learning from her over the past few years has been invaluable. I'm looking forward to participating in another one soon."
Grace Fleming
A Testimonial from Luminate, a Full Moon Event for Women
"Trying to gather some thoughts and feelings about a wonderful yoga journey in which I’ve embarked myself last year with Amber.
I’ll start by mentioning how beautifully harmonious the place and ambience were set up, from the beginning of the journey I felt welcomed, at home and peace with myself and the women practicing next to me.
We started with a Qi Gong practice followed by a nutritious chat about the astrological moment we were living which already helped opening up myself and creating a clear intention for the practice and meditation, we continued by slow movements as we went through the calm summer evening and it all just accompanied perfectly to open up myself into deeper thoughts and questioning old beliefs. As we dived deeper into a meditative state, following the sound healing vibrations, I had one of the biggest awakenings of my life, had a strong connection with my inner guide and always felt loved and supported.
I guess after that practice, I had to go through a couple of weeks of journaling to understand what the practice and meditation were showing me, but always had that evening near my heart, as it was the first awakening moment that was showing me the path for big changes in my life.
Amber thanks for the love, the connection and the support.
Cannot recommend the Luminate journey and the retreats enough. Just a little recommendation, come with an open heart and be ready to surrender, as big movements happen on its own when we allow it to speak through us."
Florencia Moratorio
FAQ
Do I need any experience in yoga or meditation?
No. You don’t need any experience with Yoga / Meditation. You will be guided by Amber the whole time and if you struggle you can always approach Amber for support and help.
What is Nobel Silence?
Noble Silence is the fundamental permissions to dive in.
As sister Chân Diệu Nghiêm says in this beautiful article (highly recommended to read)- “Noble Silence does not mean that we are not allowed to talk. It means that we don’t have to talk, we have no obligation to talk during that period of the day or night.”
At the time of Noble Silence we keep our senses drawn inwards so we can focus on the inner world rather than on the outer world.
Noble Silence means no talking or non communication of any kind, it applies not only to speech but also to any signals, eye contact and written notes etc.
No internet or cellphones communications as well.
Of course you can talk and communicate with Amber, the teacher, for any question, queries and other emergencies.
Practising restraint (or inwards drawing) of the senses in this way provides an essential foundation for the powerful inner work which a meditation retreat facilitates.
How long are we staying in Nobel Silence through the retreat?
This is a one day silent retreat, which means we will commence our silence on the welcome talk and break the noble silence with dinner so everyone can share their experiences.
Can I ask questions? What if I have a problem?
Yes you can! Amber will be there for you at all times to ask any questions (so you can talk to Amber). You will be able to approach Amber during break times, or write a question on a piece of paper.
Is Amber the only teacher?
Yes, I will teach all classes, and will be your host for any question, query or problem.
Can I drink coffee through the retreat?
Yes you can!
Do I need any of my own props? or a meditation cushion?
I can supply you props but they are limited to 10 sets of all props.
So if you have your own props please bring them with you. If you have any extra props and you don’t mind, please bring them with you for others to borrow.
To conclude- *You don’t have to purchase any props for this retreat. We will either have some to supply to you / people will bring extra.
If the retreat is fully booked can I still be on a waiting list?
Yes, You certainly can!
Once the retreat books out there will be a waitlist button and you will be able to join the waitlist.
What if I need a ride?
I can't guarantee, but please state on your application form you need a ride and I will do my best to match you with someone whom is willing to give a ride.
What if I want to book accomodation?
As this is a one day retreat, and the campground of Fair Harvest is closed for winter, accommodation is not provided, but I can recommend some other places.
On your welcome email once booked I will provide a couple of accommodation recommendations, you can also reach out to me and I will give you my best advice about accommodations in the area.
It is up to you to find/ book your own accommodation if you are traveling from outside of Margaret River region.
Have a Question? Get in Touch
If you wish to know more or ask any question please contact - IamEndlessTrip@icloud.com