Kind Conversations Retreat

April 24-27th 2025 | Jan Juc

A self-compassion break for those ready to change the way they treat themselves.

across four days, Away from the hustle and bustle, learn to hold yourself lightly (in kindness and understanding) through enquiry, embodiment and common humanity.


This is for you, if you are….. 

  • FINDING THAT SELF-CRITICISM IS GETTING YOU NOWHERE

  • SEEKING THE CONFIDENCE TO SELF-VALIDATE AND SELF-AFFIRM

  • FEELING LIKE YOU MIGHT BE GIVING MORE TO OTHERS THAN YOURSELF

  • WISHING TO GATHER THE COURAGE TO ENFORCE STRONGER BOUNDARIES

  • FEELING TIRED AND BURNT OUT BY THE DEMANDS IN YOUR LIFE

  • DESIRING TIME TO RECONNECT WITH OR YOURSELF IN A SUPPORTIVE, SECLUDED SETTING

Nestled away from the noise of your day-to-day, this retreat has been thoughtfully curated to help you reconnect with your inner compassionate self. 

Nothing to do, nowhere to be, and not a single person to serve other than yourself.

You deserve this.

So this is it.

FOUR DAYS OF SELF-ENQUIRY, SELF-COMPASSION EMBODIMENT AND COMMON HUMANITY.

AND A RETREAT EXPERIENCE THAT STAYS WITH YOU FOR LIFE.

This all-inclusive cocoon experience, contains the opportunity for you to find your compassionate self through a variety of healing modalities and dedicated integration time.

You’ll leave, not only with a renewed sense of self but also the resources that support you to stay mindful, kind and caring with yourself as you transition back out into the world.

Bask in a space where you can feel seen and understood by like-minded folk (this retreat will take a maximum of 8 people).

...the content carefully created by Vivienne to nourish my mind had me come back a new person. I found myself much more available for my family members and clients upon return with a better idea around how to be compassionate to myself and how to avoid burnout in my health professional role
— Kelsey, Atlas Retreat 2024

Hello, I’m Vivienne

I’m a mental health nurse, meditation practitioner and trained mindful self-compassion facilitator.

…and I share my mind with an inner critic too.

For a long time rigidity, perfectionism, people pleasing and the most savage inner critic held me captive as I moved through the world mindlessly.

I won’t lie, on occasion these patterns creep their way back into my behaviour.

But it has been the practice of Mindful Self-Compassion that has turned things around for me in a big way. Over 5 days in Adelaide in 2022, I unravelled and came back together a kinder soul to myself and the practices haven’t left me since.

Having done the work intensely, the practice of checking in (asking myself: how am I and what do I need?) has become like second nature.

Mindfully holding myself in compassion has helped me navigate love, loss, new chapters, career and all the rest that comes with being a human.

Holding ourselves in kindness and understanding should not to be reserved for when we are in dire need or having ‘earned it’. And this is why I’m so keen to share Mindful Self-Compassion with you.

I wish for you to hold yourself lightly so you suffer less.

Inclusions

3 nights twin share accommodation at Summer House Retreat

Daily vegetarian breakfast, lunch, dinner and 1x snack or dessert

Unlimited selection of tea, coffee, sparkling water and kombucha

Daily self-compassion experiential workshops derived from the Mindful Self-Compassion program™ (twice daily on days 2 & 3)

2 x sunrise self-compassionate meditation & sound classes;

1 x Yin, Pin & Sound Experience*

1 x Self-Compassion Art Therapy workshop

1 x sunrise Stretch & Release class*

Opening and closing ceremonial fire rituals 

Opportunities for compassionate recovery i.e. plunge pool, beach swims, access to a tranquil courtyard for R&R time.

*Onsite props available for use

Meals

Self-compassion starts from the inside.

Our onsite chef Aliza from Shakti Fresh has got us covered with delicious vegetarian meals that will be sure to keep us nourished and nurtured. Aliza is a self-taught chef who turned her passion for a plant based lifestyle into her career. She cooks everything fresh, using only the best locally-sourced ingredients.

Eat with ease knowing that all dietary needs are catered for.

Location

Set on half an acre of soulful gardens at Jan Juc on Victoria’s iconic Surf Coast, an hour from Melbourne, Summer House Retreat is a stunningly renovated 100 year old original homestead.

Summer House Retreat has 4 bedrooms and caters for 8 guests. It features ocean views, a high end Hamptons-style kitchen, beautiful onsite yoga studio, fire pit, mineral pool and extensive living and dining spaces.

Rest assured, there’s plenty of nooks for reading or quiet time.

What to expect

thursday

2pm: Check in & relax

4-5pm: Opening circle & fire ceremony

6pm: Delicious vegetarian dinner

7.30-9pm: Yin, pin & sound experience

friday

Sunrise: Meditation & Sound (outside, weather permitting)

8am: Breakfast

9am-12pm: Self-compassion workshop #1

12.30pm: Lunch & integration time

2-5pm: Self-compassion workshop #2 (art therapy)

6.30pm: Dinner

8pm onwards: Campfire chats, games or integration time

saturday

Sunrise: Stretch & Release class

8am: Breakfast

9am-12pm: Self-compassion workshop #3

12.30pm: Lunch & integration time

2-4pm: Self-compassion workshop #4

Integration time

6.30pm: Dinner

8pm onwards: Campfire chats, games or integration time

sunday

Sunrise: Meditation & Sound (outside, weather permitting)

8am: Group breakfast (last meal)

9-10.15am: Relax or pack

10.30-11.30am: Closing circle & fire ceremony

11.45am: Check out

* Please note the schedule is subject to change without notice

Know that you are invited to participate, but never obligated. With all offerings optional, we encourage you to mindfully check in with yourself and engage in the retreat in a way that most aligns with your intentions.

Rooms & Pricing

Twin share w/ ensuite: $1999pp

This beautiful room boasting ocean views can be configured to accomodate 1 x king bed or 2 x single beds. Guests enjoy a generous private ensuite, complimentary luxury ASPAR bathroom products and bath robes.

Twin share w/ shared bathroom: $1849pp

3 beautifully - 2 x single beds or 1 x king available. Guests enjoy complimentary luxury ASPAR bathroom products and bath robes. The main bathroom (featuring roll top bath and walk-in shower) and additional toilet are shared between 3 rooms.

Book & pay in full before December 31st to save $150

Bring a friend and save $100 on the cost of your room (yup, can be applied in addition to the early bird)!

Let's make it official!

secure your place with a $550pp deposit.

Rooms are allocated on a first come first serve basis and you will be contacted within 24 hours of deposit payment to arrange this.

The Fine Print (T&C’s)

By paying your deposit, you are agreeing to the T&C’s outlined in the downloadable PDF below. Please take a few minutes to have a read before paying your deposit.

  • 24-27th April, 2025

    Summer house Retreat, Jan Juc

    Check in: 2pm on 24th April

    Check out 11.45am on 27th April

  • A $550 non-refundable deposit is required to confirm your booking. Once the deposit is received you will receive confirmation of your booking via email with a booking receipt. The amount of the deposit will be deducted from the full amount payable.

    The final payment, being the balance of the full price of the retreat, is due no later than March 14th 2025, except in the case of early bird rates (due December 31st 2024). Please contact Vivienne at vivienne@amindfulmind.com.au if you would like to arrange a payment plan.

    If you book after March 14th, 2025 then the total amount payable will be due in full at the time of booking. Please note that you are fully responsible for ensuring that booking payments are accurate and in accordance with the agreed schedule.

    If full payment is not received by March 14th, 2025 we reserve the right to cancel your reservation and fill your spot. Any payments including those made above the deposit amount will be subject to the same T&C’s outlined below. We will remind you of the date when the balance falls due.

  • If you wish to cancel your retreat you must notify Vivienne in writing by contacting vivienne@amindfulmind.com.au

    Your $550 deposit is non-refundable and will not be returned or transferred in any circumstances.

    Cancellations made on or before March 14th, 2025 will receive a 50% refund of any amount paid over and above the amount of the deposit.

    Cancellations made after March 14th, 2024 will receive no refund.

    No transfer of bookings can be made to any person.

    Exceptions to our cancellation policy cannot be made for any reason, including weather, terrorism, civil unrest, COVID-19, health changes, government mandates, personal emergencies or otherwise. There are no refunds/price alterations for arriving late or leaving a retreat early.

  • We reserve the right to make any changes deemed by us to be necessary, including staffing (teachers leading classes), class styles and disciplines, advertised excursions, arranged transportation, advertised meals, etc.

    We reserve the right to cancel the retreat prior to departure, in which case you will be offered a transfer to another future retreat or a full refund of any and all payments made to us. We are not responsible for any expenses or damages that you may incur as a result of retreat cancellation including, without limitation, preparation costs, travel costs or other expenses. We ask that you do not book any travel arrangements until we have confirmed that your retreat has reached the group size minimum to run. You will be notified of this at the latest, by March 16th, 2025. 

    You will not be entitled to claim any additional amounts or seek any compensation for any injury, loss, expenses or damages (either direct or consequential) or for any loss of time or inconvenience which may result from a cancellation.

    We will not be held responsible for any delay, additional expense or inconvenience that may be caused directly or indirectly by events outside of our control (ie: late arrival/departure of flights, civil disturbance, fire, flood, cyclones, severe weather, acts of god and acts of government, machinery or equipment failure, or cancellations for any reason.)

    No refunds will be given for “no shows”, days not used or where activities are not participated in.

  • To reserve your booking, you must state which room you are wanting to book (twin ensuite or twin shared bathroom) and if you are travelling with a companion, their full name. If you are travelling solo, you will be sharing with another retreat guest. 

    We will do our best to cater to your preferred room, however if this room is already taken we will contact you directly to organise the most suitable room for you. Rooms will be allocated on a first paid basis. 

    We want to ensure that everyone feels safe and comfortable, and will do our best to pair you with someone of the same sex, however this is not an absolute guarantee and may be discussed with you at time of booking.

  • It is your responsibility to make your own travel arrangements to and from the retreat unless otherwise noted.

    With your permission, we can connect you with other guests joining your retreat, to see if you can arrange your travel together. In this case you take full responsibility for your own travel plans.

    If you choose to share cars with other guests or whilst on a trip then please note that you decide this at your own risk. We are not responsible for any risk, injury or death occurred through car sharing.

  • When you participate in the retreat or in any of the activities that take place during the retreat, you agree that you do so at your own risk. We are not responsible, and do not have any liability for, any risk, damage, injuries, illnesses or death that occurs during or as a consequence of your participation in the retreat, whether by reason of negligence or otherwise. You must insure yourself against any such risk, damage, injury, illness or death.

  • You must provide us with full details upon booking of any existing medical and/or psychological conditions, disability or injury that may affect your retreat with us (including, any accommodation and participation requirements) at the time of your booking. If, in our reasonable opinion, the retreat is not suitable for your medical condition, disability or mental state then we have the right to refuse to accept the booking for your safety or the safety of anyone else.

    If you do not give us full details of your medical condition or disability upon booking we reserve the right to cancel the booking at any time, including at the beginning of or during the retreat, if, in our reasonable opinion, the retreat arrangements are not suitable for you. In this event, clause 3 will apply.

  • While we are able to cater for dietary allergies and intolerances, an environment free of allergens, including but not limited to food allergens, CANNOT be guaranteed on our retreat. It cannot be guaranteed that any particular food product is free of all traces of any particular allergen; that consumption of a food product will not result in some form of allergic reaction, or that the participant will not come into contact with any allergens while in attendance on one of our retreats.

I can’t wait to meet you!

If you have any questions that aren’t answered on this page please feel free to get in contact with me via email at vivienne@amindfulmind.com.au.

See you in April folks!