Our services have been featured in the following media.
A NORTHLAND LUXURY MINDFULNESS RETREAT IS A LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE
Kirstie Bedford | NZ Herald
I’m driving along a gravel road surrounded by farmland, convinced I must be lost.
I’m heading to The Landing, a luxury retreat on 400 hectares on the southwestern tip of Purerua Peninsula, for a wellness weekend, but for kilometres there’s been nothing but rolling green hills dotted with cows. I’m about to turn around when I notice an impressive stone wall and, as I head up the driveway, iron gates slide open. A staff member waves out. I soon learn that having no signage is all part of the exclusivity here, and besides, many arrive by helicopter.
We drive past rows of vines that roll into a glassy bay to my residence and it’s picture-perfect. There are four luxury architecturally designed residences, all discreetly dotted around the property. Mine, The Boathouse, was inspired by a colonial woolshed, but inside it looks anything but. There’s an open-plan lounge, commercial-size kitchen and two large bedrooms. The one in the loft has a waka hanging overhead. Bi-fold doors open to the bay, glistening under a perfect spring day; a complete antithesis to the blackened clouds that threatened to erupt into a thunderous storm within me. The last two months have been hard. My mother had major heart surgery and wasn’t expected to make it. The stress of balancing work, a young family, and having a gravely ill mother had taken its toll.
MATTERS OF THE MIND
Kirstie Bedford | Luxury Escapes
MASTERING MINDFULNESS
When I arrive early in the day, I’m taken to my residence where Barb greets me with a cheery hello and a big embrace. We talk about the importance of mindfulness in a busy world and she explains how she is most interested in the neuroscience behind it. Barb believes we can all influence our health and wellbeing, as well as the way we feel, and she has extensive research and personal experience to prove it.
“It’s scientifically proven we can actively calm our nervous system through breathing and meditation techniques,” she explains. “Research shows paying attention ‘in the now’ can be profound in helping with our response to stress
and depression.”
Barb’s personal motivation to move into mindfulness came from tragedy, having lost her sister to breast cancer and both her parents within a short period of time. She was then forced to make the decision to have a double mastectomy to save
her own life.
Mindfulness was a way to cope with the trauma, and reduce her stress as a busy architect. While we’re chatting we practise Yin Yoga poses – light stretches that involve being kind to yourself – and being present.
“As a society, we’re always trying to push harder and faster,” Barb tells me. “But there comes a time when it’s really important to just be kind.”
INTERVIEW WITH BARBARA DRAPER
Melinda Williams | The Landing
“Barbara Draper’s warmth and enthusiasm is catching. But a few years ago, the trained architect was at one of the lowest ebbs of her life. Pulled into depression by overwork, family illness, stress and people-pleasing, she lost interest in her work and passions. But in mindfulness and meditation, she discovered new reservoirs of resilience, creativity, health and enthusiasm for life. We talked to her about her journey and how she’ll be helping guests at this year’s Women’s Wellness Weekend to navigate their lives in a year that has brought unprecedented challenges to many.”
Writing a piece around wellness, meditation or yoga? We’d love to be included.