AWAKEN SOFT STRENGTH & INNER BEAUTY
Self-compassion retreat for the female-identified will guide us to tune into our bodies, ask ourselves what we need, and give that to ourselves.
4 days or 5 days journey of self-discovery and self-kindness. We’ll explore how to turn toward challenges with kindness and understanding rather than judgment.
We’ll discover how to motivate ourselves with kindness rather than self-criticism. And we’ll befriend our bodies.
Your experience includes a 3 nights stay in the minimalistic yet luxurious chalets or safari tents, daily mindfulness and relaxation practices, nature immersion, and stargazing.
All fitness levels are welcome. Meditation & yoga experience is not required. or
THE DATES
4 - 7 AUG 2022 (WAITING LIST) | 5 - 9 OCT 2022
10 - 13 NOV 2022 (WAITING LIST) | 12 - 15 JAN 2023
PRICES & ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
The entire experience is included in the stated prices. We never have extra “hidden” charges.
CHALET DOUBLE | 2 PERSONS
R25,000 | 4 DAYS | SA & AFRICA
R30,000 | 4 DAYS | REST OF THE WORLD
R30,000 | 5 DAYS | SA & AFRICA
R40,000 | 5 DAYS | REST OF THE WORLD
CHALET SINGLE | 1 PERSON
R16,500 | 4 DAYS | SA & AFRICA
R23,500 | 4 DAYS | REST OF THE WORLD
R21,000 | 5 DAYS| SA & AFRICA
R26,500 | 5 DAYS| REST OF THE WORLD
TENTED CHALET DOUBLE | 2 PERSONS
R19,500 | 4 DAYS | SA & AFRICA
R27,500 | 4 DAYS | REST OF THE WORLD
R26,000 | 5 DAYS | SA & AFRICA
R32,000 | 5 DAYS | REST OF THE WORLD
TENTED CHALET SINGLE | 1 PERSON
R12,500 | 4 DAYS | SA & AFRICA
R17,500 | 4 DAYS | REST OF THE WORLD
R16,500 | 5 DAYS | SA & AFRICA
R21,000 | 5 DAYS | REST OF THE WORLD
THE PRICE INCLUDES
4 days | 3 nights (or 5 days | 4 nights) accommodation in our chalets or tented chalets
Daily meditation, mindful movement, and relaxation practices
Daily mindful walks
1:1 guidance | Mindful Conversations
Cacao Ceremony
Guided stargazing sessions
Snacks & beverages served throughout the day
3 balanced and nutritious meals a day
Clean & biodegradable skincare products
Free access to 1,350 ha of wild & pristine nature
MEET your GUIDE
I have been raised believing self-compassion is for the weak ones. I convinced myself, self-compassion will stand in a way of achieving what I have planned to achieve. This path led me to self-neglect, self-abuse and burnout. The more I opened my heart towards myself and created space for self-love, creativity and courage flourished.
Daria Rasmussen
SELF-COMPASSION RETREAT IS FOR YOU IF:
You would like to connect more with the qualities of the heart, such as compassion, kindness, and gratitude
You find yourself criticising or judging yourself harshly
You want to learn wiser and more helpful ways to relate to difficulties
You want to awake your soft strength
You want to re-empower your feminine
You want to connect with other women and share stories & experiences
"I have been sitting with this message in my drafts, thinking if the words but bo words could ever describe the 4 days spent with your kind souls.
It was beyond my expectations and a memory that will last for many lives to come.
Thank you for you. Thank you for doing what you do. Thank you for taking care of me, my soul has been nourished. This journey was so needed and it couldn't have come at a better time in my life. I am ever so grateful Daria.
Please keep doing what you and Heine are doing as it works. You guys are super special to me and we came to Bliss and Stars as friends but left as the family. I can't wait to visit you guys soon. My next time will be with my husband and when the flowers bloom.
Lots of love, love, happiness, and eternal gratitude. "
Sheni
DAily flow
The days are designed to give you plenty of time to nourish yourself
There are guided meditations, relaxation sessions, and periods of silence and quiet contemplation
Mindful movement, nature immersion and stargazing
Cacao Ceremony
There will also be plenty of time to relax by the pool or the river, listen to the birds sing and watch the water flow
BENEFITS
Build Resilience
Boost happiness, alleviate anxiety and depression.
Accept Yourself
Meet yourself with kindness and no judgement. Meet yourself as you are.
Thrive
Reconnect with your core, your heart, and your wisdom.
CUISINE
Our serene days are complemented by nutritious and delicious vegetarian/plant-based food.
The food is a highlight for guests and a key component of balancing the nervous system, it heightens your senses, grounds you in your body, and connects you to the Earth.
We use ingredients sourced from our onsite organic garden or nearby local farms. Our menus are full of vegetables, grains, legumes, and seeds while excluding alcohol, caffeine, processed sugars to aid the rejuvenation process.
Meals are enjoyed in a communal setting with magnificent views either at the dining table or out in nature.
We accommodate most allergies and cater to most dietary requirements.
Come as you areWe take care of the rest
BLISS & STARS EXPERIENCE
Rest assured with COVID-19 safe protocols
Rest in spacious chalets that seamlessly mesh with nature
Be amazed by nature and observe the night sky through our state-of-the-art telescopes
Saunter in secluded mountainous areas
Relax & breath deeply with mindfulness practices
Discover Bushmen cave paintings
Build bonds with others in small groups of a maximum of 10 people
Share the living space with elands, baboons, Cape leopards and many more beautiful animals
Travel light with daily laundry service
FAQ
Bliss & Stars about a 4.5-hour drive from Cape Town to the Bliss & Stars meeting point. Bliss & Stars is 60km north of Clanwilliam. From Clanwilliam, it is a 45-minute drive on a gravel road to the meeting point. At the meeting point, you can safely park your car and we take you the last bit of the way in our vehicle.
You are welcome to drive all the way to Bliss & Stars. Please note that after the meeting point the road is sandy and rocky at points and you will need a vehicle with high clearance as well as confident driving skills.
If you need a transfer from the airport / Cape town, let us know.
Please aim to check in before 2 pm. On the last day the retreat ends at 11 am and you will be able to check out from 12 pm onwards.
If you fly back home, we recommend booking your flight after 4 pm alternatively you can break your travel and stay in Clanwilliam before you head back. We recommend the Yellow Aloe guesthouse in Clanwilliam.
Upon reservation confirmation, you’ll be sent a welcome letter giving lots of useful information about the retreat & this includes a helpful guide on what to pack.
These experiences are designed to be a more intimate experience. We limit the size to 6 -10 people. In this way we ensure you receive a full attention from the team.
Yes, we are very happy to welcome couples at this retreat.
Bliss & Stars is not conducive to children. We have a minimum age requirement of 21.
We don’t have any check-in or check-out times as soon as you arrange with us your arrival and departure times. Please arrive no later than 2 pm and plan to leave no earlier than 12 pm.
We can provide specific nutritional, dietary requirements, food allergies, food intolerance’s etc. Vegan, vegetarian, gluten free options are always available.
Everyone is welcome at all of our experiences regardless of the meditation, yoga experience or fitness levels. We cater for different levels, so that you will be supported, challenged & encouraged to learn.
You don’t need to participate in everything; you can pace yourself to find the perfect amount of activity for you. We support you in doing as much or as little as is right for you, depending on how you are feeling. Personally, we wouldn’t want to miss a thing.
It’s not possible to stay on at Bliss & Stars. We ask that you leave by 5pm on the closing day.
No, we don’t have facilities to cater for disabled access and people with limited mobility. Bliss & Stars is located in the wilderness and the nature of the terrain doesn’t allow for wheelchair access.
For the benefit of everyone, we ask that all participants commit to attending the entire retreat, arriving for the beginning of the retreat and staying until the end. Your wholehearted commitment supports your fellow retreatants and expresses respect for the retreat staff.
We offer personalized payment plans for all our retreats up to 2 month before the start date of your stay.
Please read our terms & conditions for our cancelation policy
We always strive to make our experiences available to everyone, therefore we have a bursary programme. Learn more here.
No, there is neither mobile coverage or WIFI available. There is a computer with guest access available in case of emergency. And you will be provided a phone number, you can be reached while staying at Bliss & Stars.
MAKE YOUR RESERVATION
Please answer the questions below so we can tailor the experience to meet your needs.
We require a 50% deposit to confirm your reservation.
If you are not committed to making a reservation yet and have some questions, contact us here.
"It was an absolute privilege and honour to share in your dream - you have brought so much beauty, dignity and honor to the cederberg and you will continue to be rewarded for the integrity that you are holding in this space.
I enjoyed receiving the fruits of your labour and love - I felt at home and extremely guided, guarded and held by you both.
You are both beautiful, remarkable beings. Thank you for everything and for allowing me to re-member to self so that I can be of service to the world. "
Kele M.