Southern Alps Energy Healing & Movement Retreat in New Zealand

The retreat opens on Sunday afternoon with check-in at 3pm. Guests are encouraged to arrive early and soak at the nearby hot springs before the group gathers at 5pm for a traditional New Zealand BBQ, introductions and an outline of the week ahead.

Monday through Thursday follows a rhythm: mornings start with yoga, movement or dance sessions set to music chosen to activate the body's energy centres. Denie and Shelley teach self-healing techniques, meditation methods and wellness concepts drawn from their decades of practice. Afternoons include nature walks, pool time, cooking together and absorption periods — unstructured hours for rest, journaling or one-on-one conversations.

Group sessions run throughout, with circle sharing as a core element. The facilitators work with what they call 'vibrational wellness' — the idea that the body's cells can be freed up through movement, sound and intention to allow more energy to flow. One past participant, a 77-year-old farmer, described arriving exhausted and leaving able to fully participate in group exercises after Denie performed what he called an 'electrical reset'.

Friday wraps the week with a Soul Merge process, final group sharing, a group photo and certificates of completion, followed by a farewell lunch together. Check-out is at 1pm.

Denie Hiestand spent over 30 years teaching workshops and healing work internationally before retiring around 2015 to develop a skincare line and race vintage cars. This retreat marks his return to teaching — organised by Julie Cooper, a Christchurch-based practitioner who studied under him for 15 years. Dr. Shelley's specialism is the power of music and movement to shift energy; she's taught alongside Denie since the mid-1990s and holds a PhD from a philosophy programme focused on human sexuality.

What's included

- 5 nights accommodation (with tuition & accommodation package) - Airport pickup from Christchurch - Airport drop-off to Christchurch - Daily yoga and movement classes - Daily meditation sessions - Specialized workshops with Denie & Shelley - Group excursions and activities - Nature hikes with guided discussion - Cooking class - Water, tea and coffee throughout the day - Professional event photos - Transportation during the retreat - Free parking - Luggage storage - Wifi connection - Pre and post retreat support - Certificate of Completion

What's not included

- International flights to New Zealand - Travel insurance - Visa fees (if applicable) - Meals (with tuition-only package) - Additional activities not in the itinerary - Additional spa treatments - 60-minute massage (available as upgrade) - Extra nights before or after retreat (available as upgrade)