Energy Healing & Movement Retreat in New Zealand's Southern Alps

The retreat runs Sunday afternoon through Friday lunchtime. You check in at 3pm — the lodge is close to some natural hot springs, so arriving early and soaking first is encouraged. Sunday evening kicks off with a traditional New Zealand BBQ outside, introductions around the fire, and an overview of the week ahead.

Monday through Thursday follow a similar rhythm: morning movement sessions (yoga, dance, whatever gets the body activated), then workshops on self-healing techniques, energy awareness, and how to raise your cellular vibration. Denie and Shelley teach together, drawing on 30 years of running these intensives around the world. Shelley's particular focus is using music and movement to free up stuck energy — she works with tracks that activate different chakras and builds up to full group dance sessions.

There's substantial individual processing time built in. Afternoons might be a nature walk, a swim in the lodge pool, or just sitting quietly letting the morning's work settle. Some people nap. The lodge is entirely private for the week, so you won't bump into anyone outside the group.

Friday is completion day: a Soul Merge process (the week's culmination), final group sharing, certificates, and a farewell lunch together. One participant, a 77-year-old farmer, described arriving exhausted and leaving in a new body — his words were 'my brain is learning to operate a new body'. That's the kind of deep reset Denie specialises in.

The setting matters here. Methven is a small town at the foot of the Southern Alps — ski resort in winter, quiet mountain base in summer. January is high summer in New Zealand, so expect gorgeous sunny days and warm evenings. The lodge has views of the mountains, a garden, pool, spa facilities, and wheelchair accessibility.

What's included

- 5 nights accommodation at Southern Cross Lodge - Daily yoga and movement sessions - Daily meditation classes - All workshops and group sessions - Nature hikes with a guide - Airport pickup from Christchurch - Airport drop-off to Christchurch - Transportation during the retreat - Water, tea, and coffee throughout the day - Professional event photos - Cooking class - Certificate of Completion - Free parking - Luggage storage - Wifi connection - Pre and post retreat support

What's not included

- International and domestic flights - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Meals (available as optional upgrade) - Additional activities not in the itinerary - Additional spa treatments - Extra nights before or after retreat