a poetic life
a poetic life
a writing retreat
azumino, nagano japan
April 14th -18th & May 19th - 23rd
Sold Out.
When I first arrived at our retreat centre, I couldn’t quite believe it was real.
Nestled in the forest of Nagano (The Japanese Alps) surrounded completely by mountains, our retreat house is a magical place, untouched by the outside world.
Yojoen is a healing centre, designed to be an oasis, an escape. It’s a unique concept in Japan, where every detail has been considered for a complete and deep reset. A disconnection from everyday life, and a re-connection back into the self and the natural world.
A Poetic Life is a very small group retreat with a total of only eight guests.
Every participant will receive individual attention and care. Due to the nature of the intimate group, this retreat will be catered specifically to those attending.
In our fairytale treehouse, we have a shared communal space for writing circles and workshops, rest and movement practices and time for writing, creating, reading and dreaming, quietly, together. The surroundings are very, very still, with the sound of birds, the river and the occasional monkey in the background.
In our treehouse, everyone has the luxury of their own private room with a desk for when you feel you need for your own space and time to create or cocoon solo.
The centre has limited mobile phone access and no wifi, so it is the perfect, distraction-free environment to sink into your creative practice, or simply do absolutely nothing at all, which is often the most powerful step we can take for our work.
Our daily schedule is a fluid blend of movement and rest practices, writing workshops, sharing circles and bathing and beauty rituals in our own private hinoki onsen bathhouse looking out onto the forest. If you don’t get your next great idea there, I don’t know where you will.
Nagano is famous for fresh produce, fruits, grains and rice (and the best apple juice on earth)! Delicate and hearty macrobiotic meals in a traditional Japanese style are served twice a day and include local and wild vegetables, beans, pickles, rice and herbs. Meals are designed by a group of passionate local chefs and practitioners who create menus based on the seasons and establishing a peaceful environment in the body and mind.
In the lead up to our retreat, I will be in touch with a survey, to get a feel for where everyone is at to best prepare our writing classes and workshops. Rest and movement practices will be catered to the practice of being a writer / a creator and keeping the body, mind vital, vibrant, inspired and alive.
All participants will also receive complimentary access to the next intake of the writing course A Poetic Life (starting date TBD!)
We will also experience the Herbal Rebirth Sauna: a herbal steam in a hinoki sauna at a low (but still spicy) temperature of 50 degrees. The rebirth sauna includes a cycle of sauna → river bathing → open-air bathing → sauna → repeat while bathing your entire body in the aroma and benefits of the herbs and trees (and sipping on fresh spring water and herbal tea).
Massage and bodywork (including the trager approach, eselen, body rolling, reflexology and aromatherapy massage) can also be booked at an additional cost. Retreat inclusions are outlined below.
In the fertile space before the rainy season, we will be surrounded by nature in full bloom. Indulge in forest walks, make fresh herbal infusions directly from the garden, bathe in mineral rich water and take all the time you need to write, exchange ideas with an intimate group of women. This truly is an rare and unique experience in Japan: one very close to my heart and not to be missed.
You do not have to identify as a writer to join this retreat. You are welcome to attend this retreat and not write a single word, if that is how it unfolds. Maybe you read. Maybe you bathe in the stories of others. Maybe you meet your new writing bestie. Maybe you sleep and sleep and sleep. There is no pressure to produce any amount of work during this time, at all.
But you will have the space to talk about it, lean into it, learn more about your process, the process of others and the process of writing in general. Workshops cover various topics from writing online, to finding your voice / inspiration, to the practical stuff: actually finishing and/or sharing your work.
A Writer’s Cocoon
Inclusions
꩜ Four nights accomodation in a solo room
꩜ Daily rest & movement classes, writing workshops and circles
꩜ Local, plant based macrobiotic meals
꩜ Snacks, coffee and tea
꩜ Daily onsen
꩜ Herbal Sauna Rebirthing Experience
꩜ Guided walks and forest bathing (drink water directly from the natural springs!)
꩜ A Poetic Life online course
꩜ Relaxation Gift bag
꩜ A pre-retreat workshop to answer all your burning travel in Japan questions
Pricing and Reservation
A woman must have a room of her own if she is to write - Virginia Woolfe
Early bird Price: Single Private Room $2480 AUD (or equivalent in JPY)
$650 AUD non-refundable deposit is required to secure your spot.
✺ Frequently asked questions ✺
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This retreat is a woman’s only retreat, we will be in close circles and we know how much safety and inspiration it creates. Every woman is welcome, no previous experience needed, you do not need to be a writer, or have a business.
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Enrolments open Sunday September 22nd.
A $650 AUD (or JPY equivalent) is required to secure your spot.
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While I have always felt perhaps (too) confident with the term, a lot of people don’t. When I used to run poetry reading nights (a lot less lame than it sounds!) every time without fail, the best pieces, the loudest laughs, the stories that made everyone cry were written by people who had to be convinced - and didn’t believe themselves to be writers at all. It is our innate nature to be storytellers, if you’re drawn to explore the written word in more depth, I guarantee there is something here for you.
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The deposit is not refundable.
In case you would need to cancel, we kindly ask you to let us know as early as possible.
If we have not received your full payment by the due date, we won’t be able to confirm your participation to the retreat.
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Bring warm and cosy clothes, although it is the beginning of Spring it will still be cold in the mountains!
All yoga props will be provided and a full packing list will be shared in the lead up to when we meet.
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Nagano is very easy to access from Shinjuku Station in central Tokyo. Simply take an express train to Kumamoto and we will meet there together as a group to venture into the mountains together.