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  • 13 - 15 October 2017 | Write Your Way In

    As winter fades, and spring takes hold, the month of October invites us to turn the soil of our imagination, and to plant more of what we want in life. If writing, stories, and poetry are among those things, then spend the weekend 13 – 15 October 2017, in the village of McGregor, writing your way into a deeper and more satisfying connection with your words. Write spontaneously to prompts and facilitated exercises in the company of other writers during the mornings. Spend the afternoons priming your imagination and writing on your own in a quiet nook, indoors or out. Meet fellow writers on Friday evening over a glass of wine, and on Saturday evening, join a reading of stories and poetry surrounded by books in the cosy Temenos library. This weekend workshop promises a gentle, set-aside time, an inspiring process, a beautiful setting, and a warm community – something for writers of all levels of experience, and of all genres. Bring a friend and join us. Dates: Friday 13 - Sunday 15 October 2017 Venue: La Galleria, Bree Street, McGregor Facilitator: Sandra Hill Cost: R2000.00 pp (excl. accommodation) If you would love to attend the workshop, but are unable to afford the full fee, please contact Jennifer to ask about a subsidy. More information: www.write-now.co.za or www.poetryinmcgregor.co.za Workshop Bookings: Jennifer at info@mcgregorpoetryfestival.co.za Accommodation: www.temenos.org.za or www.lebonheurmcgregor.co.za Programme: Friday: 20h00 Relax your way in: Meet fellow participants over a glass of wine and enjoy a couple of poems, in the Temenos poetry room. Saturday: 6h00 Walk your way in: A guided sunrise walk (optional) 8h30 Write your way in: Morning workshop at La Galleria 13h00 Lunch at Temenos Free afternoon for solo dawdling, puttering, moodling and writing. You are welcome to spend the afternoon at La Galleria, or Temenos, or anywhere else in the village that takes your fancy. 20h00 Story & poetry reading in the Caritas library, Temenos Sunday: 9h30 Write your way in: Morning workshop 13h30 Lunch at Temenos Free afternoon for solo dawdling, puttering, moodling and writing. You are welcome to spend the afternoon at La Galleria, or Temenos, or anywhere else in the village that takes your fancy. Facilitator Bio Sandra Hill is a Stellenbosch based, free-lance writer, editor and writing facilitator, working primarily within civil society, but also with those who write simply for the love of it. Sandra’s début collection of short stories, UnSettled and Other Stories, was published by Modjaji Books, in 2015 and won the SALA Nadine Gordimer Short Story Award in 2016. Her poetry features in journals and anthologies published by New Contrast, Aerodrome, Jacana, UWC and the McGregor Poetry Festival. Sandra has a Masters’ degree in Creative Writing (cum laude) from the University of the Western Cape, awarded in 2013. Read more about her work at www.write-now.co.za. download workshop poster

  • 27-29 Oct 2017 - Tango Weekend at Temenos

    Inviting empathy and mindfulness to dance: tango weekend at Temenos in McGregor This unique workshop designed by tango teacher Rachael Glaser focuses on the importance of a mindful connection with both your dance partner and the earth that supports and energises the dance. While learning the steps and techniques of the Argentine tango, students are also taught empathy - how ‘the other’ experiences the dance - by initially taking turns to be the leader and follower. This workshop is suitable for absolute beginners and no previous dance experience is needed. Rachael’s passion is to share the complex and subtle beauty of the Argentine tango - the way that it awakens us to a sensual, non-verbal communication with our dance partner. The weekend is co-facilitated with fellow dancer Lizelle Steyn. The workshop is offered in a group format with dancers working in pairs. Please bring a friend or partner to join you on your tango journey. About the teacher: Rachael Glaser has been dancing tango since 2001 and lived in Buenos Aires over two years where she studied the dance intensively with some of the world's best teachers. She teaches the tango as a form of meditation, creative fun and a connection between people. Booking details: R3 650 per person for single occupancy R3 250 per person sharing a cottage (max 2 people per cottage) This includes: 3 nights' accommodation (Friday, Saturday and Sunday night); 4 Meals: Dinner on Friday night, brunch and dinner on Saturday and lunch on Sunday (please bring your own breakfast and a midafternoon snack along - all cottages have kitchenettes); Seven tango lessons over the course of the weekend. Please contact Madie - 023 625 1871 or temenos@lando.co.za to book. Feedback from previous students at our Temenos retreat: ‘Rachael and Lizelle were gentle and kind, and helped put my tango dancing fears aside, by taking us into it step by step. I feel a tremendous sense of achievement in having taken the workshop.’ – Chris, Cape Town ‘At the end of the dance, when the music stops … in your soul you know you have connected with another soul. These two ladies showed me how to keep this connection with my partner.’ – Drikus, Citrusdal ‘What a wonderful way to get to know someone better. I understand now that my husband and I are two pillars. Sometimes one leads, sometimes the other… We’re inspired to dance more.’ – Annalien, McGregor Download Brochure

  • 1-2 September 2017 - A Step into the Infinite - Projective Geometry Workshop

    A journey into Infinity evokes a thinking that can flow with the movement of life itself. With pencil, paper and ruler experience how this geometry reveals the beauty of creation. Especially designed for the lay person - no previous experience necessary click over the image to download the programme Times: Those of you who are travelling from afar – enjoy the spring flowers along the way and arrive in time to settle in, have your meal and join us just before 19h00 so that we can all start together. Session 1 Friday 19h00 – 21h00 Session 2 & 3 Saturday 09h00 – 12h30 Lunch at Tebaldi’s at Temenos Spend the afternoon walking around the beautiful springtime gardens of Temenos and relaxing and enjoying the ambience of the streets and shops in McGregor. And return refreshed for our last session. Session 4 17h00 – 18h30 On Sunday you are free for reflection, rest, and enjoying the delights of the ‘village on the way to nowhere, at the foothills of the mountains, where time stands still…’ Cost: R540 per person – all equipment and materials supplied; includes lunch at Temenos; and Briar’s delicious tea time treats. Enquiries and bookings: kallosophiabg@gmail.com; 023 625 1009; 0728337228 About KalloSophia http://kallosophia-forsoulandspirit.blogspot.co.za/ #Diary

  • 20 - 23 October 2017 - Open the Heart and Still the Mind

    Finding Courage for New Beginnings This 3-night silent retreat is suitable for beginners as well as experienced practitioners and is held in a nurturing and containing atmosphere of contemplative silence. We will focus on the cultivation of life-affirming qualities of mind and heart which support the development of courage and self-confidence, necessary for growth and discovery. We will draw on the Spring theme of new beginnings to inspire and encourage fearlessness in the face of change and uncertainty. In addition to sitting, standing and reclining meditations, our embodied awareness will be enhanced by daily sessions of the ancient movement meditation qigong (Chi Kung), optional yoga and aromatherapy massages, as well as silent walking meditations through the beautiful Spring gardens of Temenos. There will also be time for restorative rest and short, individual sessions with Sue during the weekend. Delicious vegetarian/vegan food will be savoured in silence as part of our integrated practice. This retreat includes free accommodation on Sunday night. Embrace the season of Spring in the magical gardens of Temenos with awareness and silent celebration! 20 October, 2017 @ 6:00 pm - 23 October, 2017 @ 12:00 pm Further details: http://www.suecooper.co.za/event/spring-retreat-2017/ or please email sue.stillmind@gmail.com.

  • 30 June - 2 July 2017 - Creativity In Silence

    This Silent Creative Retreat is a supportive intervention based on the integration of Mindfulness meditation practice and Creative Guiding within an atmosphere of deep silence. The silence functions as a container of all activities: it facilitates an introspective approach and it allows the experience of meditation and creativity to reach a deeper level. The aim is to guide participants to get in touch with their inner strength and innate wisdom, enabling them to to shift to a more centered, resourceful way of being. Nourish your body, mind, heart and soul. Use marks, symbols, colours and writing to explore that which is difficult to voice. Work directly with your body. Access your creative power and intuitive responses. Receive useful tools to shift old unhelpful patterns. Enjoy the tranquil silence in the garden of Temenos Retreat, McGregor. Gain the heartfelt experience of trust and a non-judgmental compassionate space. Lila Ukabhai is a Leadership Embodiment Coach and Mindfulness Facilitator. Her 20 years of experience in the financial services sector has given her deep insights into the challenges that people face in the workplace. Lila believes that in cultivating moment to moment awareness, one becomes aware of the turning towards life which is filled with moments of pleasant, unpleasant and neutral experiences. We become aware of the thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations or our surrounding environment and this information promotes self understanding. We do Mindfulness practices with curiosity and compassion and in doing so we extend the gap between stimulus and response. This is an opportunity for a more wise response. Karen Nebe is a Creative Guide, an Ontological Coach and a Leadership Embodiment Coach. The shaping of who Karen is today began in the corporate realm, where she lived in her head and gained lots of practical and rational experience. She nonetheless felt a disconnectedness that moved her to explore other ways of being in the world. Having combined the various methodologies she has studied, encompassing multiple ways of working through the body, Karen guides clients to reconnect with their original voice and a more resourceful way of being. All of Karen’s work centers around creativity that connects: to self, to others, to the world, to a greater sense of meaning and purpose. karennebe.com Total Personal Investment: Single rate per person (1 per cottage): R4500 Sharing rate per person (2 per cottage): R3900 All Meals, Teas, Art Materials and Processes are included. No Alcohol Allowed To Book: Karen +27 82 828 2028 karen@karennebe.com Please Pay By 20 June 2017

  • 08-10 August 2017 - The Sacred Connexion Retreat

    Join us as we journey together to the place within, where Sacred Sound, Sacred Art and Sacred Communication ignites the soul, on a two and a half day “Life Inspiring Retreat” entitled: The Sacred Connexion Each day is filled with appropriate meditations, visualisations, practices, explorations and rituals, as well as deep healing. All specifically designed to let you discover, embrace and fully experience the Sacred You. Getting your Soul ALIVE... THRIVING... FLOWING... Finding it's own UNIQUE creative expression in ways that brings you great joy and delight! On this retreat you make the sacred connection between the true You, your Divine Purpose and living an Inspired Life. You don't need any special artistic, musical or communication skills to join in on this retreat. All you need to bring is a sense of wonder and an open heart and mind. Make this your journey of discovery ... to the sphere of the mystical, where union between heaven and earth takes place. The Sacred Connexion Retreat is presented by Dr Anna Slabbert (Ph.D in Religious Communication) and Maryna Kruger (BA Communication Hons), both with an extensive background in communication, but most well known as the owners of SOPHEA Gallery and Tibetan Teahouse in Simon’s Town from 2001-2016. This Cape Town landmark specialised in spiritual art and provided a sacred space where ‘food for body and soul’ was offered via a vegan and vegetarian restaurant and the hosting of a regular programme of spiritual events, talks and teachings. Anna presented both the weekly Meditation and the monthly Contemporary Spirituality Talk. Maryna presented two monthly Singing Bowl and Gong Healing Meditations as well as Sound and Reiki therapy for individuals, couples and groups. In 2016 they move to the De Rust in Klein Karoo to be closer to nature and to devote more time to their spiritual and creative persuits. One of these being the development of this retreat. Everything Anna and Maryna did over the past 40 years has honed their skills, distilled their wisdom and brought the passion for this… “The Sacred Connexion” Life Inspiring Retreats For more detail see their website: https://www.thesacredconnexion.com Starting Tuesday, 8 Aug at 4pm to Thu, 10 Aug at 4pm Temenos, McGregor, Klein Karoo, South Africa COST: Cost per person single supplement R3,860 (R1,900 for 2 facilitators + Venue R1,935**). Cost per person sharing is R3,800.00 ( R1,900 for 2 facilitators R1,900** for venue). **Accommodation and all meals included. A deposit of R1000 is rquired at the time of booking with the balance due 2 weeks before the retreat date. VENUE SPECIAL: The retreat starts on Tueday at 4pm and ends at 4pm onThursday. If you want to stay on for the Thursday evening. This extra night it is offered at 50% off the regular rate.

  • 24-28 July, 2017 - Rejuvenation Retreat with Dr. Hennie Geldenhuys

    A unique four day Experience combining Rest, Open Awareness & Inner Healing Rejuvenation : “to restore to an original, authentic or new state” Experience guided processes Learn powerful techniques Open yourself to discovery, renewal and change Dr. Hennie Geldenhuys ( www.innerheal.co.za ) is a medical doctor, health and wellness coach and researcher with training in diverse fields that include Mindfulness, Authentic Self Empowerment (ASE), Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Transpersonal Coaching and Hypnotherapy. He has a passion for facilitating inner healing by merging the latest scientific research on how the brain and mind works with age old wisdom traditions . The Rejuvenation Retreat follows a four phase holistic structure, integrating body, mind, and spirit: Rest: an opportunity for deep rest, and refreshing sleep Regeneration: guided meditations and mindfulness exercises to help clear unresolved issues and recharge the mind and spirit Resilience: fun and effective processes that establish harmony and strength in the Personal, Interpersonal and Transpersonal domains and integrate all levels of the psyche and body Resourcefulness: learn and experience simple and effective techniques to unlock your potential, smooth out stress, apply your internal resources, and find your purpose How it works: The retreat runs over four days from Monday evening to Friday morning. Morning and evening retreat participants gather for a 90 minute session. Sessions include gentle guided meditations, practice and discussion . There is healing energy in the group dynamic, and individuals need only share as much or little as they choose. In between group sessions participants can simply rest and relax , and make use of the venue facilities . Appointments at own cost can be made with resident therapists (yoga, massage, aromatherapy, Reiki). Complementary meditation sessions, walks through the gardens,and contemplation in the venue's various peaceful spots are recommended. Dr. Hennie is available for additional individual coaching or hypnotherapy sessions at special retreat tariffs during the four days. Breakfast/brunch and supper are included in the cost. Lunch is available at the venue's restaurant. Each unit also has self catering facilities. Please note that the first (Monday) evening is only self-catering, and that retreat participants qualify for an extended stay over the weekend at a special reduced price. Cost and booking: R6100.00 per person, including 4 nights’ accommodation, breakfast and supper, complete course participation, full use of the venue and gardens. Additional coaching sessions, or sessions with other therapists can be arranged at special retreat tariffs. The venue: Temenos ( http://www.temenos.org.za/ ) is the ideal country retreat location amongst the nature of the town McGregor in the Western Cape, only 2 hours’ drive from Cape Town. There are countless special spots in the beautiful gardens, the on-site accommodation is very comfortable, and the catered food is something special. For enquiries or bookings please contact: Dr. Hennie Geldenhuys www.innerheal.co.za henniegel@innerheal.co.za Tel. 0633434521

  • Review from BODY SENSE Alexander Technique Workshop-Retreat

    Thank you dear Margaret – For the little ‘reductions’… For Temenos TEAM’s constant , personal, competent and beautiful handling of everything – from the accommodation, wood for fires (in a time of cold), keys for rooms… for patience with the multitude of admin items, for MOST delicious meals, in famous Tebaldi-style for relating to the little group of disparate individuals with fortitude and kindness for all you/the wonderful staff at Temenos – dedicated to handling whatever is necessary, no matter what obstacles rise up ! APPRECIATION to the less-visible wheels – the gardeners, housekeepers, kitchen staff & cooks & servers/waitrons & cleaners - in all departments And to the ‘HEAD GARDENER ‘ – Deputy for ‘The Beloved ‘ in this very special and dedicated Gardens of Temenos, McGregor – for vision, steadfastness, fun and gentle steering of this Ship of State… I pass on the gratitude of all my group and myself as we danced in Closure at the end of our weekend – doing God’s work on Earth… Shalom Marguerite

  • 23-25 June 2017 - Feast on the Seasons Winter Retreat with Daniel Jardim

    The food we eat is an integral part of how we experience health and vitality. This weekend retreat explores how we can improve our well-being by simply living in closer harmony with the seasons – through the ingredients we select, the supplements we choose, and the spirit in which we conduct our lives at different times of the year. Winter food is naturally the heartiest of the year as the season invites us to come back to stillness, and deeply nourish the body. The retreat explores how to use the best seasonal and local produce to exquisite seasonal meals and health-giving comfort foods. In addition to demonstrating cooking techniques, Daniel shares a wealth of information from his extensive background in nutrition to help each individual make informed and sensible choices about the food they eat. The retreat includes: • Two nights’ accommodation at Temenos (plus Sunday night free should you wish to stay on) • Two inspiring cooking demonstrations with Daniel • All meals (breakfast, lunch and supper over the weekend) • Daily seasonal Chi Kung (Qigong) sessions with Daniel • Daily guided meditation sessions with Daniel • Informative discussion on current nutrition trends, and mindful eating • Access to Temenos and its facilities When: 23-25 June 2017 Where: Temenos Retreat, McGregor Pricing: from R3290 sharing (includes all activities, all meals, and accommodation) Contact Madie 023 625 1871 temenos@lando.co.za “Daniel embodies both great wisdom and enormous love in his offerings. Entrusting your wish for a healthy, balanced and nutritious life to Daniel may be the most joyful, rewarding and healing adventure of your life” Gavin Harrison, author of ‘In the Lap of the Buddha’

  • 18 - 22 September 2017 - INNER WELLNESS RETREAT with Celeste Du Toit

    Inner Wellness Retreat with Celeste Du Toit Holistic Wellness starts from Within…. A 4 day healing, growth and balancing retreat Perhaps you are… Feeling unfulfilled, stuck, in a rut or trapped Constantly making the same mistakes Experiencing major life changes or trauma Convinced you’re destined for more in life Lonely and unhappy inside Questioning your spirituality and want to deepen it Longing for joy and passion …then this retreat is for you! Take some time for yourself, and allow me to guide you on a journey inwards. Leave the outside world behind for a few days, in the beautiful, tranquil gardens of Temenos. What you will learn and walk away with: "What drives me?" - How to ignite passion Freedom, releasing and letting go How to identify your inner obstacles and blocks Balanced energies – mind, body and spirit Heightened self-esteem, self-worth and self-love How your thoughts create your reality The power of your emotions and getting in touch with it Inner healing techniques Meditation, breath work and spiritual practices Tips and tools on how to live a more spiritual and charged life Bonding and friendships that may last a lifetime Perhaps you’ve never focused on YOU. To get that *SPARKLE* back, some time-out and solitude may be required. And while you relax and recharge, I guide you to take your learnings and healing to a deep, sustainable level. Whether you wish to overcome issues, seek answers, get in touch with you inner being, develop your spirituality, or to grieve, I encourage you to look deep within. I provide you with tools to support you in your discoveries and growth, and equip you to continue your personal evolution and healing. The retreat also provides a space for bonding, emotional support and forming of friendships, to continue long after you leave. The retreat will be facilitated by Celeste Du Toit, Transformational Coach, Master NLP Practitioner, inspirational speaker and spiritual facilitator. “I guide you to discover, unlock and nurture your passion and potential to create more joy, fulfilment and a sense of personal mastery. My passions are people, personal development, travel and nature. I believe in holistic wholeness and alignment of Body, Mind and Spirit. I look forward to working and connecting with you.” Held at TEMENOS Retreat Centre, McGregor W Cape, 18 – 22 September 2017 R5,850 includes accommodation, breakfast and dinner daily, all retreat activities Reservations: Contact Temenos at +27 23 625 1871 or Temenos@lando.co.za For more info: Contact Celeste on 082 741 9578 or celeste@yesparadigm.co.za History of the Inner Wellness Retreat This is the 7th consecutive time that the Inner Wellness retreat is being presented at Temenos, testimony to its popularity. Past participants who are referring guests, will be glad to know the success recipe of the structure, flow and content has been retained, as that has proven invaluable. The duration and pace of the retreat also allows for full relaxation, immersion and value gained. However, we continuously allow for improvements, additions and growth, as well as consideration of participant feedback, therefore some activities may have changed. This allows for an even deeper level of participation, more connection with Self and a profound sense of joy, peace and love. Repeat participation is also welcomed, as the building blocks of inner wellness, growth, healing and enlightenment are applicable at all levels and areas of your life journey. Please note we can only accommodate a limited number of participants, due to the intensive nature of the retreat. What participants say: The most empowering and freeing journey ever! I feel like a new person who can do anything! Moving, spiritual and life changing. Thank you to you and the group for encouraging and inspiring me to allow myself to be more free. I am forever grateful for the experience and the simple yet powerful way you work with the mind, body and spirit to bring each person to their true essence. I met such inspiring people, and I learned so much. I am so excited for the rest of my journey! I felt so safe… Temenos really creeps into your heart and the food was delicious! This has been an amazing week! An unforgettable journey of self-discovery Thank you Celeste. This experience has been wonderful. You in particular, have such an easily accessible nature and communication skills per excellence. I value the journey. I arrived as a lost soul. I am leaving with renewed energy, direction for my life and utter joy The retreat was exactly what I needed at this time of my life. I now have tools to attain inner wellness and peace. Thanks for directing me as I start my spiritual journey! The inner debate which has so tired me, has stopped for a few days. I now have a starting point. I have been on a journey for years. Thank you with deep respect and gratitude for taking me deep within to an even deeper self-discovery Activities: Starting time: Monday 18 September 2017 at 16h00. Retreat ends Friday 22 after breakfast. Daily morning walks in the lovely surrounds of McGregor in the Western Cape. Daily workshops. Relaxed, flowing; structured to encourage a true understanding of yourself. Afternoon reflection, healing and rest. Use of all facilities, meditation and spiritual practices at Temenos. Yoga classes could be arranged at extra cost. Use of Temenos and area therapists at own cost – http://www.temenos.org.za/wellness (please enquire for best times to book for minimal impact on retreat activities). Optional additional coaching and energy balancing sessions available with Celeste at retreat at a reduced rate. Choose to discuss your discoveries or healing even further and to continue exploring. You can’t continue to give if you’re running on empty. You can’t share with others if you’ve lost touch with yourself. You can’t live a fulfilled life if you stay stuck… Reservations: Contact Temenos at +27 23 625 1871 or Temenos@lando.co.za For more info: Contact Celeste on 082 741 9578 or celeste@yesparadigm.co.za

  • 29 September - 03 October 2017 - The Joy of Sound ... The Joy of Silence with Tania Bownes

    Come and treat yourself this Autumn, to a very special goddess retreat at Temenos, in the village of McGregor. A time to come together in sisterhood and dance under a starry sky. A time to celebrate the joy of music and the joy of movement, through Nia. A time to laugh together, to celebrate life and the beauty of the human voice. A time to shake off stress with TRE. A time to walk in the hills, connecting to Mother Earth. A time for gentle, daily meditation. A time to laze in the gardens or walk the labyrinth, spiralling to our centre. And then a time to slow down, to turn within, to “slip beneath the blanket”, inviting rest and renewal as we enter the Sacred Silence together….. Have a look at the Programme Please Contact Tania Bownes 083 32663521 or taniab@celebratingfreedom.co.za for your bookings and enquiries.

  • 6-7 June 2017: Dr Arien’s Neuroplasticity Workshop

    Retrain your brain – enhance your right mind for whole brain functioning. Learn about the amazing malleability of your brain. Experience a day with some cutting-edge science explained, while exploring ways to improve brain function, with some time to reflect and relax in the beautiful gardens of Temenos. Your brain is remarkably adaptable. It never ever stops learning, depending on how your mind set (rigid, stagnant or flexible, adaptable, keen to learn) supports this natural ability, of course. It changes because it constantly optimises itself, reorganizing and adjusting, by transferring cognitive abilities from one lobe to the other, particularly as you age. After a stroke, for instance, your brain can reorganize itself to move functions to undamaged areas. Human beings can change their lives by changing their perceptions, attitudes, thoughts and limiting beliefs. This is key for neuroplasticity. Date: 6-7 June 2017 Venue: Temenos, McGregor, Cape Price: R2950 per person The fee includes 1 night’s accommodation, workshop venue, 1 breakfast, 1 dinner, facilitation fee and creative material. There’s very limited space, so please book and confirm as soon as possible. Full payment serves as confirmation of booking. You’re most welcome to extend your stay at this awesome venue, at your own cost, either before, or after the workshop. Registration: Please contact us to register – call 0123622422 or email: info@DrArien.co.za The objective of this 1 day retreat is to establish harmony and balance between science and nature. We address the needs of the left brain, but then explore practical right brain and whole brain exercises and experiences. We also do fun activities to enhance and encourage the neuroplasticity (malleability) of your brain. Once you grasp this, it’s a short skip and a jump to positively influencing the health of all your cells. We can influence the messages we send to every one of the 50 trillion cells within our bodies, through epigenetics. We’ll explore aspects of our 3 minds: the conscious, subconscious and superconscious mind, as well as the many ways of enhancing our inner physical, emotional and spiritual world for a happier, healthier, wholesome way of being. Some background information Old thought: ‘In adult centres the nerve paths are something fixed, ended, immutable. Everything may die, nothing may be regenerated’, written by Prof Santiago Cajal in his 1928 publication ‘Degeneration and Regeneration in the Nervous System’. He believed that brain neurons were unique because they, of all cells in the human body, lacked the ability to regenerate. New thought: published by the journal Nature Medicine already in 1998, a report indicating that neurogenesis (growth of new brain cells), does indeed occur in humans. As Sharon Begley wrote in her book ‘Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain’, ‘….the discovery overturned generations of conventional wisdom in neuroscience. The human brain is not limited to the neurons it is born with, or even the neurons that fill in after the explosion of brain development in early childhood’. Within each of our brains there is a population of neural stem cells which are continually replenished and can differentiate into different brain neurons. We can all do our own brain stem cell renewal and regrowth therapy every moment of our lives, by opening up to new learning, new experiences, exploring new horisons, possibilities, or elsewhere of thought! The ‘how’ is what my regular workshops on this topic, is all about. We lead busy lives, often on autopilot, therefore we almost never pay any attention to the fact that we can retrain our brains at any given stage. In medical terms, this ability of our brains to send the troops where help is needed so to speak, is called neuroplasticity. Plasticity means ‘mouldable’ with the ability to form new patterns and shapes, like clay or play dough. This is the potential that the brain has to reorganise by creating new neural pathways to adapt, as needed. Testimonials from the previous Temenos Retreat As participant in Dr Arien’s recent Temenos Retreat, Johann Van Greunen (Pastoral Psychologist & Reiki Master) said: ‘It was very inspirational, energising and informative. We must get your work known to a wider community! I loved the relaxed and informal way in which you explained complex concepts and made it practical and experiential. Being a medical doctor who specialises in holistic, integrative medicine and having done extensive research on natural remedies and optimal nutrition, you also gave us valuable information on nutrients that support body, heart and brain functions’. Nicky Lamprecht described the retreat as ‘most informative, beneficial, well-structured and well- presented and Dr Arien as an extremely competent, warm, engaging and passionate person. The weekend surpassed all expectations!’ Frances Hills, counsellor & Enneagram trainer had the following to say: ‘I would eagerly recommend this work to others as I found it extremely helpful in understanding my own mental blocks and how easily I can dismount this. The retreat was clear, concise and well delivered’. A short summary of feedback from participants from Dr Arien’s Pretoria Neuroplasticity Workshop Really enjoyed the workshop, would love more information on the subconscious mind Very interesting, keep new information coming! Thank you very much for a soul nourishing day More about the facilitator: Dr Arien van der Merwe MBChB (Pretoria) NHA (SA) RSPH (London) MISMA (UK branch) is a medical doctor, and internationally renowned holistic health expert, radio and TV personality, health coach and bestselling author of 22 books and training manuals on health and wellness. Her latest book is ‘Managing Diabetes and Related Health Challenges’, published by Human & Rousseau and available at bookshops and from her online health shop. She is registered by the Natural Healers Association (NHA) as Trainer and Ethno-Medicine Practitioner in the field of Traditional Health Care, is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Public Health (FRSPH – London) and Member of the International Stress Management Association (MISMA), UK branch. Arien is the Director of Health Stress Management Gauteng (Pty) (Ltd) and Co-owner (with Anri van Rooyen) of Ariani Health Solutions, based in Faerie Glen, Pretoria and online (www.DrArien.co.za). In her own words: My life purpose: to write, teach and support you while I’m forever learning, growing & applying what I learn, to myself! My motto: ‘We teach best what we most need to learn!’ – Richard Bach (Jonathan Livingstone Seagull) We often forget that our natural state as human beings, is to be healthy! However, we need some basic knowledge, and have to learn how to support our minds and bodies to be optimally well, to change unhealthy and maintain healthy, behaviour. This is precisely what my talks, workshops, courses and retreat are about! I believe in an integrative, holistic approach to manage health, and therefore develop and implement comprehensive and integrated sustainable health and wellness solutions. I am passionate about helping others find their way to wellness through learning and understanding about health matters for mind, heart, body and soul, then implementing what has been learnt into an integrative wellness lifestyle. For more information, please contact us on 0123622422 or info@DrArien.co.za #Diary

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