Elemental Embodiment

You know your body is 60% water,
but flow isn't the only elemental quality you embody.

You are air - the sharp power of wit and thought.
You are fire - creative power knit into your cells.
You are earth - abundant and full of the pulse of life itself.

It can be easy to forget this magic in our busy lives,
feeling disconnected, unsupported,
and perhaps even a bit lost on our path.

Yet - no matter where you're at as you read these words,
the powers of the 4 elements already reside within your skin.

Now it's time for you to claim them.


You are made of eternal presence and magical power.


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If those words make you excited, tingly, maybe a little nervous, you're in the right place.

This retreat offers a blend of Qoya movement, vision quest, ceremony, community, pilgrimage, and deep rest in the heart of one of the oldest subtropical rainforests in the world.

It is a full reset for your mind, body, and spirit, engaging your creativity, awakening your senses, and restoring your soul.

The natural world and your place in it will be accessible to you through a blend of play, joy, and heart. You will awaken and reawaken the magic that lives in your bones, and remember that you are not only capable of creativity...


YOU ARE CREATION ITSELF.


On this retreat, you'll connect to the largeness that lives both in and outside of you.

By dancing with the elements that live within you,
you'll feel deeply connected to the bigger picture of creation.

You'll feel what you know is truth, but is often elusive to believe:

You are one with creation. There is no separation between you.

The journey to this place of faith is support:
from the land,
from movement and ceremony,
from the circle of sisters around you.

Using these things as both medicine and metaphor,
how might you use your inherent power to transform yourself?

How can you do good in the world by plugging into Mother Earth's infinite energy?


On this retreat, you will:

  • Feel pleasure in your body through daily Qoya classes
  • Nourish yourself with healthy, delicious food
  • Engage with your elemental nature in ritual and ceremony
  • Find clarity and power in daily vision quests
  • Make a pilgrimage to Lake Ainsworth, a traditional spiritual site for women
  • Get back in sync with nature's rhythms
  • Deeply rest and integrate all the epiphanies and changes within yourself throughout the week
  • Return home with a new community of supportive sisters through the retreat and beyond
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“I have been coming to QOYA now for about five months and I absolutely love it! Yes, I was a bit nervous on my first class as I really had no idea what to expect, but I soon discovered that it was such a safe space made by beautiful women with an amazing teacher. I came away from the class thinking WOW! Every woman should try this. The freedom of really being able to let go and move my body however I wanted has been a wonderful experience. There's something about the movement/dance/ritual that has really helped me release, transform and evolve. Oh, and I did I mention that class are so much fun?! Samar is one of the best facilitators I know and holds such a sacred space. I am grateful for her and these QOYA classes."

-A.D., Auckland, New Zealand


"Samar has been a hugely helpful guide along my path of healing. She is very kind, gentle and strong. She creates a safe space for sometimes difficult or painful issues to come up and be recognized. I've had movement in areas of my life that I haven't been able to get with other forms of healing. I've confidently recommended her to friends and will continue to do so." 

-W.N., Auckland, New Zealand


WHO AM I?

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Samar Ocean Wolf Ciprian

Teaching Qoya feels like a spiritual covenant to me, and one that I am continually grateful for and delighted by. Qoya came into my life when I needed it most. I felt like a volcano about to burst who couldn’t quite find the surface, and Qoya was the opening to the sky I needed. I am astounded and smiling wide daily that I get to share this! 

In addition to being a Qoya teacher, I am a Certified Practitioner and Self-Care Teacher of the Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy®, and a Mayan Spiritual Healing Practitioner of the same lineage, with additional training in advanced bodywork techniques and pregnancy/post-partum care with Dr. Rosita Arvigo. Being part of this lineage has changed me on a cellular level, and restored my respect for the depth of humanity’s inherent wisdom. It is a privilege to offer this work.

I have also had the joy of training with Tami Lynn Kent, author of Wild Feminine. I am honored to be a Holistic Pelvic Care™ and Holistic Pelvic Energy™ Provider. This work feels like such a missing piece, drawing together the earthy wisdom of the body with the wild winds of Spirit’s energy. 

These three exquisitely transformative modalities make up the core offerings of my practice, and have been the blesses structure through which I am able to offer my my soul’s inherent knowing - that we are the Earth and the Earth IS Love. 

In my life outside of work, my intuitive connection to the Natural world is thankfully always present, and is a source from which I draw support, love, inspiration an strength. I am also deeply grateful for my roles as poet, gardener, water baby, mother and beloved partner.


OPTIONAL QOYA INITIATION TEACHER TRAINING

Qoya Initiation Teacher Training will be offered during the retreat at an additional cost of $600. If you wish to enroll, simply add it on during the checkout process. Click here to learn more about Qoya Teacher Training. Note: you must complete the Intro to Qoya online training before the Initiation Training in order to participate.


SAMPLE ITINERARY (exact times may vary)

Day 1 - November 10, 2017
4pm - Arrival and settling in
6:30pm - Dinner
7:30pm - Evening Opening Ceremony

Day 2 - November 11, 2017
7:30am - Qoya class
9am Breakfast
10am - Optional Teacher Training
1pm Lunch
2pm - Vision Quest
5pm - Vision Quest Integration
6:30pm - Dinner
8pm - Evening Ceremony

Day 3 - November 12, 2017
7:30am - Qoya class
9am Breakfast
10am - Day Trip to Lake Ainsworth (includes Vision Quest, Integration, Lake Time, and Ceremony)
6:30pm - Dinner
8pm - Optional Teacher Training

Days 4 & 5- November 13 & 14, 2017
7:30am - Qoya class
9am Breakfast
10am - Optional Teacher Training
1pm Lunch
2pm - Vision Quest
5pm - Vision Quest Integration
6:30pm - Dinner
8pm - Evening Ceremony

Day 6 - November 15, 2017
7:30am - Qoya class
9am Breakfast
10am - Closing Ceremony
12pm Depart

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"It is difficult for me to quantify or put into words just how much Samar has guided me on my path. She has helped me to reinstate a level of personal health and well-being that I did not think possible. When I thought things were hopeless, she gave me hope and the result was nothing short of a miracle. I will always consider her my guardian angel and am grateful that our lives managed to intersect." 

-D.K., Vancouver, Canada


LOCATION

The Heart and Soul of Wellness Retreat Space is tucked away on 22 acres of subtropical rainforest. Created by Sali and her husband Ger, this peaceful haven comprises a retreat house, movement studio and various outdoor treasures. Sali is a Midwife, Arvigo Therapist, Yoga Teacher and lover of crystals. Her incredible service to women and love of Spirit has complete infused this space, which was completely renovated in 2016. 

This region of New South Wales is known as the Northern Rivers, and contains within it the oldest subtropical rainforests in the world. A short drive away is Wollumbin (Mount Warning), a sacred mountain to the Bundjalung tribe which is still used for ceremony and initiations. The Northern Rivers region of N.S.W is an area which encompasses the worlds oldest subtropical rainforests, magnificent beaches stretching from the Gold Coast to Byron Bay and mountains forged by ancient volcanoes more than 23 million years ago. A nearby stream has been traditionally used as a birthing place by Aboriginal women. 

An important feature of this retreat is daily Vision Questing, and the ancient power and memory of this beautiful natural backdrop is a profound opportunity. Remembering through movement is a deep tenet of Qoya. The focus of this retreat is to awaken another layer of remembering through moving through the ancient body of Nature. 

Another important part of our retreat is making the pilgrimage to Lake Ainsworth, a 100,000 year old body of water that also is the closest freshwater lake to an Ocean in the world. Lake Ainsworth is a place of great spiritual significant to traditional peoples, and was traditionally a women's lake, used for birthing. It is surrounded by Melaleuca (Tea Tree) trees, whose essential oils seep into the water and sometimes turn it a deep shade of ochre. The antiseptic quality of the lake water was revered as a way to prevent infection and heal post-partum. Women from all of the world who visit report feeling deeply moved by the spiritual presence of this sacred place.


COST + REGISTER

All bedrooms are shared (either three or four people to a room) in the retreat house. Pricing is per person. 

Your tuition includes:

  • 5 nights' accommodation
  • All delicious healthy meals and snacks
  • Daily Qoya Classes
  • Daily Vision Quests
  • Daily Evening Ceremonies
  • Excursion to Lake Ainsworth

Your tuition does not include:

  • Transportation from/to airport
  • Optional Initiation Teacher Training
  • Optional Massages or Healing Treatments

Register Today

Payment plans are available through September 3rd.

Cancellation Policy
If you need to cancel for any reason and we can find a person to take your spot, we will refund the amount paid minus a $250 non-refundable deposit. If we cannot find a person to take your spot, there are no refunds; however, you can transfer your paid spot to someone else, so you can send a friend or family member to the retreat in your place.


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

+ What time of day does the course start, and what time does it finish?

Please plan to arrive on November 10th around 4pm and depart on November 15th at 12pm.

+ How do I get to the retreat?

Fly to Coollangatta Airport. From Coollangatta Airport, you can travel to the retreat by car or shuttle:

1) By Car Rental: Price varies depending on car choice. Check online search engines such as Priceline, Expedia, Kayak, etc.

2) By Shuttle: $100 AUD roundtrip or $50 one way to and/or from Coollangatta Airport
Shuttle is run by Pavlos' Taxi Service, and is more affordable than getting a taxi independently. If an independent ride is desired, please contact Pavlos or the Murwillumbah taxi service: Murwillumbah Taxi Service +612 6672 5566 or Pavlos' Tweed Valley Transfers +612 66721444 or +61402916467

+ Is it women only? What age group?

This is a women only retreat for women ages 18 and up. There are no levels in Qoya, and all levels of movement experience are welcome. No experience with Qoya is required!

+ Do you cater to specific dietary requirements?

We will cater for any dietary requirements provided you let us know when booking. Please feel free to bring any special snacks you desire.

+ What is the Initiation Teacher Training?

Initiation Teacher Training is our second level of teacher training for those people pursuing the journey of becoming a Certified Qoya Teacher or who wish to form their own home practice. If you are a regular Qoya participant, Teacher Training is an amazing way to bring more structure and inspiration to your personal practice, and to go deeper into the fundamentals of Qoya. Similarly, if you are new to Qoya and wish to dive deep with the practices, teacher training is a wonderful way to submerge yourself in all things wise wild and free. For more information: http://www.qoya.love/qoya-teacher-training/

+ I have more questions. Who do I contact?

Any questions we haven't covered here? Email me at samar@moon-yoga.com.