Simon Borg-Olivier 7-Day Retreat
25 - 31 January 2025
Byron Bay Shire, Australia
Retreats are also planned for later in 2024, but the specific dates are yet to be announced.
Dates can sometimes be pre-arranged in advance upon request
Description
My workshops & retreats generally include static to dynamic meditative practices of posture, movement & breath work, including Qigong (chi-gung), Neigong and most styles of Hatha Yoga. They also contain elements of dance, non-contact martial arts, self-massage and exercise-based physiotherapy. Following is more details on the general format of the course and its logistics:
CLASS TIMES:
The classes generally run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with about one hour in the middle for theory and discussion (please bring your own drink and food if you wish to eat).
Morning Sessions:
Morning sessions are usually about three hours long. They often begin with some breathwork with sound and chanting, leading to a seated meditation practice. Next are joint movements originating from your body's core. Then, I usually teach a spinal movement practice followed by some seated breathwork. The morning session usually concludes by integrating these practices into a fluid, dynamic, meditative session. These practices enhance energy and blood circulation while staying completely relaxed and supporting immune health.
Afternoon Sessions:
Afternoon sessions are usually about 3 hours long. In these sessions, I use the energetic aspects of the morning practice to develop a yoga posture, movement, and breathing practice. This aligns with the YogaSynergy system we developed in coordination with our understanding as exercise-based physiotherapists over the last 30 years. These practices build strength, flexibility and fitness while maintaining the energy and inner peace of the meditative state, akin to the elite athlete's zone or flow state.
Each part of the teaching is initially taught with verbal instructions and then repeated as a visually-guided meditative practice to various types of music.
CLASS SIZE:
Our beautiful geodesic Dome is limited in size, and I like to make these retreats very personal, so the numbers are limited to 12 people only. Please book in early so as not to miss out on your space.
COST
(for training only): AUD$1350 (or AUD$200 per day if space is available for partial enrolment)
PARTIAL ENROLMENT
: If your time is limited and you would only like to do a part of this retreat, then subject to space, I accept people who are new to working with me to come for the first few days, but they cannot enrol for the last few days of the course. People who have worked with Simon significantly can attend any training days. This is also subject to space and availability.
LOCATION:
Possum Creek (20 minutes drive from Byron Bay), Australia
NB, we only have an outdoor pit toilet. Our dome has an excellent new air-conditioning system.
ACCOMMODATION:
You need to arrange your accommodation and food for this week. There are many places to stay locally. Camping on our property is also possible, but facilities are limited. The nearest shops are in Bangalow, which is a 10-minute drive away. Having a car is the best option, but I regularly go to the shops, and I can often help with transport if needed.
Meet Simon Borg-Olivier
Simon Borg-Olivier, MSc BAppSc (Physiotherapy) APAM c-IAYT, has been practicing traditional forms of posture, movement, breathing, and mental control for 50 years. He has been teaching for 40 years and has been a registered physiotherapist for 25 years.
Simon works as a research scientist and a University lecturer. He has been regularly invited to teach about lifestyle, posture, movement, breathing, and meditation at conferences, festivals, and intensive teacher training courses internationally since 1990.
He is also co-director of YogaSynergy, one of Australia’s oldest and most respected yoga schools, which has a style based on a deep understanding of modern medical science and traditional forms of exercise and therapy from all over the world.
Simon has studied with great traditional masters from Tibet, Japan, India, and China. Along with his business partner and fellow physiotherapist, Bianca Machliss, Simon has co-authored many books and scientific articles including ‘Applied Anatomy and Physiology of Yoga’, which is the textbook for two courses they teach at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia.
Currently, Simon conducts intensive training courses in India, Bali, Europe, and Australia. He also teaches many online courses on the applications of posture, movement, and breathing for fitness, internal health, wellbeing, and longevity.
Simon Borg-Olivier 7-Day Retreat
25 - 31 January 2025
Byron Bay Shire, Australia
Retreats are also planned for later in 2024, but the specific dates are yet to be announced.
Dates can sometimes be pre-arranged in advance upon request
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