Shunyata Retreat/Day Spa — Attraction in Banks Peninsula Community

Hello all people in the world reading! I have had the most marvellous time with Paru - did the 3 day/2night Journey retreat programme. Let me break down my review into sections. ROOMS/LIVING Comfortable out of city living, two bedroom house, there might be another person with you on your retreat. I was paired with a wonderful person, and although part of me wanted to do this alone 1-1 with Paru, I see the wisdom in going with someone. Pushes your comfort zone, and you learn more about yourself and of course youre less alone in your path. Different people make us see the sides of ourselves we perhaps wouldnt have seen before. 10/10. Location wise, house has everything. Rooms comfy, I am hiiiiiiiighly unable to sleep and struggle with insomnia, so I was worried about how I would sleep. I slept great. And thats saying a lot. Bring comfy clothes, really, like soft warm. I brought pretty outfits, dont know why, but wore nothing but sweats. Something about Paru's energy and the house which makes you completely forget about makeup, looks or caring. Just you, just comfort. Bring slippers for ultimate comfy vibes chilling on the couch reading. I loved it.

FOOD Paru's food deserves another whole review - chef status earned! I am so happy with the food, as I am tending to be a food lover. Cooked with love, portions plenty, and im someone with a picky attitude. You will not go hungry here (unless on detox programme, which is kinda the point come on!) and you will be grateful for it, learning how to take care of your body is vital.

THE PROGRAMME I did the 3 day course The Journey. I loved it. It is exactly populated enough, and you have both plenty to do, and plenty alone time. After 7pm roughly you are free, so the inner critic in we which doesnt like to be bossed around in my time, loves it. Read if you want, relax if you want, browse the internet if you want. There are no rules such as "phones off" or anything of the sort. It is what you want. In terms of programme, I wasnt sure what I was getting into. This is my first experience of the sort, and I was pleasantly surprised. I was challenged, shown tough love, but also given space to reflect and take things at my own pace. I would recommend, do some reading on The Journey ahead of time, and maybe do an eneagram test ahead of time, so you know and come prepared day 1 on what youre supposed to do for yourself. Open up your heart, dont be a sceptic. This retreat is what YOU make of it. No rigidity. No forcing of opening up. If you come here, you gotta come in open mind and spirit. If not, you gotta come in willing to try, which is what I was. Im typically sceptical, and unable to trust, therefore I came in with the intention to just TRY and open up. Mission achieved. Paru is the perfect mix of soft and firm. A gentle person who is marvelously gifted with reflection and ability to see the person in front of them.

LIBRARY Now, separate note on books and library of self learning. I love my own experiences, and was always asking for homework hahaha and yes, the library of books was vast. You cant possibly read everything, so take photos as I did, and then research in your own time.

FINAL It is good. Effective. Strong experience. I walked away knowing more about myself, my patterns, beliefs. I was surrounded by loving energy, and I walk out a more self loving person. Paru's voice will stay in my soul for a long time, and I know I can come to her now and for the future, ask any question, and she will care about her answer, everything is done for the greater good. You know what, final note, you know what I also LOVED? Paru has excellent boundaries! If she is needing a break, she will take it. Result? A person who is able to care for herself, so she WILL be able to show you how to care for yourself the same way.

Okay thats it. Love, care, respect, thank you again...

I had the absolute pleasure of being in the presence of the energetic, magical Paru on a life changing 7day Ayurveda Panchakarma Detox Cleanse & Journeys Retreat. (6-12 April 2021) ||||When I arrived at The Retreat I was emotionally drained & struggled to find my Centre, I was completely depleted of my life’s energy.||Paru listened very compassionately & non-judgementally and instantly made me feel comfortable & at home in her naturally beautiful & sacred environment. Just being there, the aura, the jaw-dropping views from her home retreat & the beautiful sunrises & sunsets filled my tank up almost instantly. I had arrived.||||I arrived on day one by embracing my colon detox, the Abyanga Oil Massage & the Marma Point Massage followed by the amazing Ozone Sauna. I released, not only toxins by way of sweating but by releasing a lot of stored negative energy in my body, mind & soul. ||||Each day I released a little bit more with all that she offers: sunrise yoga, morning satsung, essential oil reading, The Journey Guided Meditation, The Card Readings, The Massage Treatments, The Craniotomy-sacral Massage, The Evening Videos and not to forget the delicious food personally prepared by herself according to my Ayurveda body type and detox requirements. And beautiful sunsets over delicious dinners. ||||Then there was The Enneagram (Any-a-gram) Personality Type Analysis. At first, I found this very daunting as I am a very linear & analytical person. But, when I just trusted with a full heart and let go of my expectations, I began to trust the process & all that Paru delivered. She has devoted her life’s work to this transformational healing methodology & she has a profound, innate, intuitive read on people. So, I surrendered to her guidance and her knowing. The results were amazing. ||||This is followed by The Journey Guided Meditation. I had two of these meditations. I had to dig really deep to some buried memories & was surprised by what revealed. This was rather ‘emotionally draining’ work for me but the benefits are great. ||(No pain, no gain). ||||I so admire Paru’s effortless ease with all that she accomplishes in her day. She has inspired me with her zest for life, her wisdom, her sharing of her home, her delicious recipes, her knowledge on alternative healing & her unbounded faith in spiritual healing. She has opened my eyes to Trusting the Flow of Life, in touching my Essence & allowing Grace to lead the way.||A whole-hearted thank you to Paru!||||Oh! I forgot to mention, her cat Luna. I used to be cat phobic & struggled with how needy Luna was, as she had just lost her mother and was just seeking love & attention. Well, Luna became my friend and a Mirror of my very own needs. She reflected back to me my Inner Needs & became my Teacher too. All I can now say, it that this retreat has brought ME back HOME to MYSELF! So I AM...

After many years of being a corporate high flyer, the first thing I was encouraged to do after retiring, was to find a retreat. My goal was a total reset, to put behind me all the years of accumulated stress, over-responsibility, lack of sleep and just plain hard work that had accumulated into a range of health issues. I was exhausted mentally, physically and spiritually and not in a good place.

I came across Shunyata Retreat via a Google search and was immediately interested in the combination of approaches, especially the underlying emphasis on Ayurveda, yoga and meditation. I booked an extended Ayurvedic Detox (6 nights/7days) which, compared with others I found in the same search, offered very good value for money in a superb location.

I felt at ease from the moment I arrived. The house is funky Bauhaus, filled with colour and a warm welcome. The library is extensive and, weather permitting, the outdoor living, especially yoga on the deck in the morning is fantastic: the view over the harbour is breath-taking.

Throughout my career, I had been exposed to multiple Personality Type Indicator processes, but not the Enneagram. Paru is a master of the Enneagram and The Journey, both very powerful tools. I was guided through these sessions with skill and deep insight, always ensuring I was being honest with myself and receiving all the benefits and value from doing them. The yoga, cranial therapy, ozone sauna, oils and massages all added to the overall experience that created deep therapeutic healing in me. The food is stunning, a real stand out for me. It’s fresh, tailored to your Ayurvedic type, nourishing and beautifully prepared and presented.

I leave the retreat knowing more about myself, feeling safe, with deep trauma explored and put to rest.

Paru is very knowledgeable and experienced in all that she offers. I highly recommend Shunyata to anyone looking for an authentic, mindful, nourishing and deeply healing experience.

I’ve loved and benefitted from every minute of being in Paru’s home and in her warm, loving, funny, no BS, masterful, beautiful presence. The world needs your skills and your energy more than ever before. In the words of David Bowie, ‘Shine on you crazy Diamond.’

Thank You Paru. - with deepest love, respect and gratitude,...