Upcoming events
The Long Exhale
Sanctuary Retreat
A Gentle Retreat with Lisa Jeffrey & Jane Whyte
Friday 18 September 2026, 4:00pm – Saturday 19 September 2026, 4:00pm
Sanctuary Retreat, Karaka
Limited to just 8 guests
There comes a point when life asks us to stop pushing, striving and holding everything together.
The Long Exhale is an invitation to pause.
To soften.
To reconnect.
Created for women who are ready to step away from the demands of daily life, this intimate retreat offers a gentle sanctuary where you can rest, reflect and return to yourself.
You’ll be guided through a carefully curated retreat experience designed to help you slow down, reconnect and simply breathe.
Together we’ll gather in circle, share intentions, enjoy ceremonial cacao, explore gentle breathwork, sound and movement practices, and create space to pause, reflect and reconnect with yourself.
As the evening unfolds, we’ll gather around the fire for meaningful conversation and a facilitated circle, allowing stories, insights and wisdom to emerge naturally.
The following day offers a beautiful blend of relaxation, connection, creativity and restoration, including guided relaxation, gentle Qigong, access to the sauna, spa and pool, nourishing food, creative expression and a deeply restorative sound bath to complete our time together.
Throughout the retreat you’ll be supported by Lisa Jeffrey and Jane Whyte, creating a warm, welcoming environment where you can take a breath, let go of what no longer serves you, and leave feeling lighter, calmer and more connected.
Your Retreat Experience Includes
• Welcome and intention setting ceremony
• Ceremonial cacao experience
• Shared dinner
• Evening fireside facilitated circle
• Morning relaxation and nervous system support session
• Guided breath work, sound and movement practices
• Gentle Qigong for balance, grounding and flow
• Access to Sanctuary’s sauna, spa and pool
• Nourishing lunch and refreshments
• A beautiful creative keepsake experience, creating your own bespoke decoupage memory box filled with meaningful reminders from the retreat
• Personalised retreat gifts, including a custom essential oil perfume blend
• Closing sound bath and reflection circle
Investment
Early Bird Offer — $350
Available until 31 July 2026
Payment Plan — 3 Payments of $125
Total Investment: $375
Secure your place with an initial payment of $125 by 31 July 2026. Two further payments of $125 will be payable prior to the retreat.
Accommodation
The Long Exhale is a non-residential retreat.
For guests travelling from outside the area, a selection of nearby accommodation options, including local Airbnbs and hotel accommodation, will be provided below.
Double Tree By Hilton - Karaka
Karaka Rural Guest House - 2 Bed
Is This Retreat For You?
The Long Exhale is for women who are ready to slow down and create space for themselves.
You may be feeling overwhelmed, navigating change, carrying the weight of caring for others, seeking clarity, craving deeper connection, or simply longing for time to breathe.
This retreat offers a nurturing space to rest, reflect, reconnect and remember what matters most.
With only eight places available, The Long Exhale has been intentionally designed to create an intimate and supportive experience where every guest feels seen, welcomed and cared for.
Come and release the breath you’ve been holding.
❖
The Thursday Exhale
A Thursday morning space to set the week down. Regulate, soften and release before the weekend begins.
To unclench your jaw
To drop your shoulders
To come back to your body
Be guided by Jane Whyte from the Whyte Connection.
Emotion Coach and Integrative Wellbeing Guide
Set in the beautiful studio at Sanctuary Retreat
Date: Thursday 10th September
Time: 9.30am to 10.30am
Investment: $30
❖
Sanctuary Sound
A small, intimate sound experienceheld at Sanctuary
A space to pause, soften, and create capacity for whatever life brings.
You will be guided to slow things right down, settling into stillness as sound and frequency move gently through the body, inviting a deeper sense of calm, ease, and quiet within.
Think warmth, softness, and space to fully relax.
You will be lying comfortably in the studio, wrapped in blankets, held by sound, with nothing to do and nowhere else to be. You are welcome to bring extra layers or a blanket if you love being extra cosy.
You will leave feeling softer, clearer, and more present, with a quiet sense of steadiness you can carry into your day, your relationships, and the world around you.
Intentionally limited to a small group to allow space, comfort, and a more personal experience
All Welcome
Date: Saturday 26th Setember
Time: 2.00pm to 3.30pm
Investment: $45
❖
The Giving Table
For our community, from the heart of Sanctuary.
A gentle morning of tea, conversation, community and an inspiring speaker.
Held every month, all proceeds from donations will go straight to "Good Food, Bright Minds", a community initiative between Sanctuary Retreat and Cafe Queen, Waiuku to feed 50 school children breakfast every week.
It's about connection, generosity and belonging, a way to give back while sharing warmth and good company.
If your heart sings while you are reading this please make sure that you come and support this cause. This is a koha based event with a suggested donation of $10 or more. All funds will go directly to Good Food, Bright Minds.
Your generosity helps nourish young minds and hearts. Thank you for giving what you can.
We would love to have you here and be part of this project. We need you.
Warmly,
Lisa