Reviews of our Ayurvedic Retreats

by Sarita Blankenburg

We love, love, love the reviews we have been given for our amazing Ayurvedic Retreats on Kawau Island. Thank you so much to everyone who has joined us already, contributed, and shared the experience! Scroll down to read the written reviews. 

Some of our retreat guests also took the time to tell our videographer why they came, and how they found the retreat. Here are their stories.

"WOW!! best sums up my experience on my four day Ayurveda retreat I was lucky enough to share with Sarita. She is the authentic and her Ayurveda knowledge and practice is breathtaking. After indulging in the five Panchakarma's treatments during my stay I have returned to 'normal life' with a magical combination of vigour and calm. Do yourself a favour, if you are lucky enough to find a spot on one of Sarita's incredible Ayruveda retreats, grab it with both hands."


- xxx Meg

"The four day Ayurveda Panchakarma retreat was something I will never forget. I felt like I was vortexed to another planet for four days, I felt held, loved and had such a beautiful, deep connection with every person there. It truly was life changing."

- Tinelle Langdon

 

 

"I feel very blessed to have experienced a 4 day Ayurveda retreat with Sarita and her lovely team recently on Kawau Island. Sarita was an amazing host, her knowledge of Ayurveda her energy and her compassion towards others, was a pleasure to be around. I cant wait to do the next one and continue to implement her teachings into my daily life. Thank you Sarita!"

- Sophia Carew

 

 

"I recently attended an Ayurvedic Retreat with Ayurveda New Zealand - my first! - and had the most wonderful time. Sarita is just so passionate about what she does, and this combined with a wealth of knowledge makes for a very special experience."

- Helene Ravlich

  

"I was fortunate enough to be able to attend Sarita’s amazing Ayurvedic Retreat last November. I grabbed this fantastic opportunity to get away from the craziness of life and get some well needed restoration. This was the best Ayurveda retreat I’ve been on so far. Staying in gorgeous Scandinavian inspired cabins, surrounded by bush and sea on Kawau island was just wonderful. To be able to wake up and attend a yoga session on the wharf with sounds of gentle waves and chirping birds and to then jump into the sea for a refreshing swim, was a real highlight. It was so nourishing for the soul! 
I’m no yoga expert and the yoga sessions were well suited for all levels. It felt just right and you could do as little or as much of it as you wanted. The yoga can also be tailored to your specific needs. If you have any restrictions, aches or pains in the joints, there was no pressure to do all the movements. 
Kawau Island is so convenient to Auckland so that was a big draw card as well. I didn’t know anyone going on this retreat but connected immediately with the a lovely of group of people. I find it incredibly uplifting meeting new and like-minded individuals and we all got on so well - many laughs, deep and interesting chats, and just a good all round feeling of connectedness. But you also had plenty of time and opportunity to just be by yourself, enjoying the surroundings - including a soak in the outdoor bath or a walk on one of the many surrounding tracks.
Sarita and her lovely team looked after us so well. We had daily yoga sessions, deep and relaxing massage treatments, the Shirodhara treatment (which is an unbelievable relaxing practice of pouring warm oil onto the forehead), the evening Ayurvedic teachings with warm turmeric lattes and of course, the three times amazing meals daily. I have to highlight the food, because it was absolutely outstanding! Every meal was a work of art! The attention to detail was evident in every carefully curated meal. Ayurvedic food is so good for the body and never has my digestion been so efficient. This helps immensely with sleep, energy, skin, mood……it proves that this way of living and eating is a great way to achieve overall health.
One tends to go on a retreat to heal, to cleanse, to relax - to essentially nourish the body and mind. I felt this retreat did exactly that and would highly recommend it to anyway wanting time out for themselves. Maybe you to just need to slow your pace down, take a moment for you and give your body the care it needs.
Thank you Sarita, Natasha, Samantha and Gawain for an amazing four days. I would go again in a heartbeat!"
 - Anna Porter, Auckland, mum of three

"This retreat was a game-changer for me
To be honest, I thought I was in for four days of hard-core deprivation. I had signed up for a lot of 'No's'. No caffeine, no alcohol, no sugar, no animal products. Feeling rinsed after a hectic few years, I needed more than an alcohol-free day or a home juice cleanse. I needed some soul restoration. Something deeper and more meaningful, and Sarita and her Ayurveda retreat came along at exactly the right moment in time, so I signed up. I had no prior knowledge of Ayurveda and was a casual Yogi at best. This retreat completely blew my mind. Rather than an exercise in deprivation, it was a complete joy. 
The connection with these 'strangers' that came from our time together and the isolation in nature was the most enriching and unexpected part of it.
The wisdom that passes between women of different generations and backgrounds.
The lack of judgement as you’re there with messy hair on a yoga mat at 7am; or walking around blissed out with a turban on your head after a magical hot oil treatment.
The laughter that comes as you eat together and share life stories, there were peals of laughter all night long and many aching-cheeks at bedtime.
The foooooooood. Gawain is a savante. I never knew vegan could feel so indulgent. We’d gather for meals and wait with the excitement of 5 year olds on Xmas eve.
It was the ultimate respite - from being to one who is always doing the feeding, to being fed in such a beautiful way, 3 times a day.
The morning and evening rituals that enveloped the day. The most ancient forms of self-care, centuries old, that make you feel beautiful and alive.
The Ayurvedic aspect was the wrapping, the glue, the scaffolding, the base from which everything else made sense. 
It wasn’t just yoga and vegan food, it was an education in a new way of living and being in our bodies that I have woven into my everyday life, and I've never felt better. So much fun, so good for the soul. Want to do it all again with this same group of stranger-friend-goddesses."

- Claire Bradbourne, Brand Strategist and mother of three

"Sarita and her team have been an integral part of my recovery from a chronic condition. Sarita has helped my return to good health and wellness. I attended the 4 day retreat at Parohe and loved every minute of it! Fabulous group of wonderful women, restful and health enhancing. Returned totally refreshed and informed on how to implement Ayurvedic lifestyle principles. Loved all the treatments and the food was incredible. I am nourished."

- Olivia Haddon, Auckland 

"I arrived at Parohe with a great deal of built up stress and inability to unwind. Sarita timed my treatments to perfection. I had time to relax, decompress, reflect and be open to the nourishment of Ayurveda.

My first treatment was Shirodhara. I’d never experienced this before but was blown away by the intense relaxation of the oil dripping onto my forehead. It’s rhythmic, meditative and extremely relaxing.

The next day I received an Abyanga massage from the very talented Natasha. This treatment is the most relaxing massage I’ve ever experienced. The dosha specific oil Natasha used was one that I have use regularly. To enhance the relaxation I spent time afterwards in between the sauna and outdoor cold shower. It was incredible… relaxation and invigorating!

Everything is quietly sorted behind the scenes… during my A massage, lunch was set aside for me (including the particular additions for my Dosha type) so that you do not have to think about timings or schedule. Although there is a schedule, you are free to opt out. I found this extremely beneficial on the first day as I spent time in nature, hiking up hills and allowing myself to breathe.

I came away refreshed, rejuvenated, completely nourished and with a different view on life. It was a great reset!

- Sharon Menzies, Tauronga

"I recently attended the Panchakarma and yoga retreat at Parohe, Kawau Island and it was an absolute joy! Sarita is extremely professional and well versed in all things Ayurvedic having studied it for years. Ayurveda goes to the cause of the dis-ease and heals from the inside out. She is also an exceptional and gifted yoga teacher. Her skill set and knowledge is vast. Each retreat participant received two Panchakarma Ayurvedic massage treatments offered by experienced and qualified therapists. We had our own vegan / vegetarian chef who delighted us with wholesome and nourishing Ayurvedic spiced creations. The retreat is located on a private estate surrounded by native bush with views out to the bay. It was the perfect restorative experience bar none!"

- Carol Marianne

"I arrived at Parohe with a great deal of built up stress and inability to unwind. Sarita timed my treatments to perfection. I had time to relax, decompress, reflect and be open to the nourishment of Ayurveda.
My first treatment was Shirodhara. I’d never experienced this before but was blown away by the intense relaxation of the oil dripping onto my forehead. It’s rhythmic, meditative and extremely relaxing.
The next day I received an Abyanga massage from the very talented Natasha. This treatment is the most relaxing massage I’ve ever experienced. The dosha specific oil Natasha used was one that I have use regularly. To enhance the relaxation I spent time afterwards in between the sauna and outdoor cold shower. It was incredible… relaxation and invigorating! 
Everything is quietly sorted behind the scenes… during my A massage, lunch was set aside for me (including the particular additions for my Dosha type) so that you do not have to think about timings or schedule. Although there is a schedule, you are free to opt out. I found this extremely beneficial on the first day as I spent time in nature, hiking up hills and allowing myself to breathe.
I came away refreshed, rejuvenated, completely nourished and with a different view on life. It was a great reset and I can happily say that since the retreat I have come off HRT treatment and approaching menopause in a more natural and holistic way."

- Sharon Menzies, Tauranga 

"I was fortunate enough to have a particularly rejuvenating, inspiring and learning filled experience thanks to Sarita and Ayurveda New Zealand. Having booked into one of their retreats, I spent just under an hour with Sarita to prime my understanding of the Ayuverdic philosophy, and explore my current state through this method. I found the session to be insightful, aligned with my own observations, and professionally delivered. The retreat itself was a superb balance of all of the things I was seeking: environment; replenishment; connection; and knowledge advancing. I highly recommend Sarita, Ayurveda New Zealand, and their retreats!"

- Nathan Taukiri
 

"I attended the first Ayurveda NZ Panchakarma Retreat run by Sarita on Kawai Island in April 2022. It was extremely well organized and thought out and had a lovely balance of yoga practice, nurturing Ayurvedic food, cleansing panchakarma treatments, socialising with like minded people as well as time to rest, relax and explore the beautiful bush and ocean surroundings. If you are interested in leaning about and immersing yourself in the ancient Ayurvedic practice of wellness, healing and detoxification or simply need time to rest and reset this retreat is a must!"

- Bridget McCracken
 

"An absolute pleasure hosting the first Ayurveda NZ retreat! It was a privilege to see their guests and team bonding and sharing delightful moments through their activities.

Sunrise yoga, Ayurvedic medicine and Panchakarma Workshops, delicious organic meals prepared by the Reckless Foodie - it was pure bliss to witness wholesome moments with laughter and love on our little island.

We are extremely excited for our future collaborations - thank you Sarita for trusting us, it is always a joy to be in your and your team's company."

- Rawinia Buchanan, GM Parohe Retreat

 
"Just got back from the most amazing Ayurveda Panchakarma Retreat hosted by Sarita. It was truly a life changing experience which centred around wellness and connection. I met the most amazing people, experienced the best, authentic Ayurvedic treatments, ate the tastiest, healthiest food and quite simply did not want to leave. Could not recommend Sarita and her retreats more highly."

- Dan Anderson
 

"I was lucky enough to attend an Ayurvedic Retreat with Sarita and her team. The location was beautiful, our accommodation superb and the food outstanding.

The combination of personal treatments, yoga classes, time to rest left me feeling rejuvenated and eager to return."

- Joanne Shearer
 
"Thanks again for creating and holding such a welcoming and confident space. You balanced being friendly with being in control perfectly."

- Lili Richards, Creative Director & Mother of 2

"I was fortunate to experience a retreat led by Sarita and the Ayurveda NZ team recently on Kawau Island. Sarita’s knowledge and gentle way of introduction to this ancient medical application was informative, enlightening and life changing. Every thing had been thought out and I feel very appreciative that it was Sarita that provided my pathway to a more healthier daily lifestyle. I can thoroughly recommend Ayurveda NZ for future retreats."

- Robyn Alexander

 

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