Take a trip to Japan without even leaving Victoria on this incredible immersive Japanese weekend.  Step into serenity and SAORI weaving on this amazing Retreat.

Stay at the stunning Shizuka Ryokan & Wellness Retreat, a traditional Japanese accommodation in the heart of Victoria’s Spa Country while you immerse yourself in the relaxing, creative art of Japanese SAORI weaving.

Give yourself this incredible opportunity of time and space for solace and self-care and to leave your stress behind on this unique, truly transformational experience. Places fill fast, so don’t miss out on this opportunity of a Lifetime.

Join passionate, accredited SAORI artist and teacher, Prue Simmons, as she guides you through a variety of techniques to produce a beautiful woven cloth on the SAORI loom. Enjoy this creative weaving meditation, learn SAORI clothing design techniques and ideas and make an amazing woven piece to wear or cherish…

Immerse yourself in the beautiful Japanese culture, food and tradition as you relax in the gorgeous surroundings of your exquisite traditional Japanese accommodation. All rooms have a private garden and adjoining bathroom with a deep Japanese bath.

Learn SAORI weaving and discover the freedom and meditation of the SAORI loom and enjoy the exceptional, authentic Japanese surroundings, food and culture to inspire your creativity.

This is an exclusive retreat focusing on SAORI weaving, self-care and serenity, an opportunity to learn and explore this Japanese weaving art form amidst gorgeous Japanese-inspired surroundings with a small group of like-minded creative souls. This unique accommodation is exclusively available for our small group over this extended weekend.

Whether you are a complete beginner to SAORI weaving or a seasoned SAORI creative, this Retreat is for you! Absolutely no previous weaving experience is required, just an open heart and open mind for experimentation and creativity.

This is YOUR day to settle in, relax and get ready for the creative exploration that you will enjoy over the coming days. The Retreat officially begins in the evening of the first day at 6pm, to allow everyone the time and space to travel from near and far to arrive at the Retreat venue. However, if you can arrive earlier, you can check into your room and start your Retreat experience anytime from 2pm. Settle in, relax in your room, immerse in the bath with Yuzu bath salts, journal, wander the local walking trails, explore the surrounding Spa Region of Hepburn Springs and Daylesford or just sip Japanese tea overlooking your private garden. This day is for YOU, to enable you to let go of the craziness of life, the hustle and bustle of the world and calm your mind ready for mindful, meditative creativity.

In the evening, we will come together as a group for the official start of the Retreat, to get to know each other and to set our intentions for the weekend. During the evening, you will learn about the rich history and philosophies of SAORI weaving, and the unique beginnings of this beautiful craft. A light Japanese meal will be served.

After a delicious chef-prepared Japanese breakfast, it’s time for our creative juices to flow. In the morning, you will learn several techniques at the loom that you can experiment with throughout the weekend and begin to discover the breadth of creativity possible with SAORI weaving.

After a sumptuous Japanese lunch, the afternoon is yours to explore a range of SAORI weaving techniques, immerse yourself in colour and texture at the loom and tap into your creative potential. More guided weaving techniques will also be offered. Afternoon tea will be served to ensure your bellies are happy as you weave through the afternoon.

Our guided weaving session concludes in the early evening, and we come together for an amazing Japanese banquet dinner. Evenings are free time that can be spent back at the loom, relaxing or crafting in the lounge area, soaking in the outdoor private Japanese onsen or retiring to your room for a luxurious bath and an early night.

Today you will truly get the opportunity to deepen into your weaving practice and nourish your body and soul with more immersive meditative practices and time at the loom.

Enjoy weaving, journaling, relaxing and exploring both on the SAORI loom and within your surroundings. With more time for meditation and this wonderful extra day at the Retreat, you will be able to connect in more strongly with your creative process and yourself.

For lunch we will enjoy a nourishing Japanese meal and learn about healthy practices and simple daily techniques to calm and strengthen our mind, body and soul to take into our every day.

In the evening we will enjoy an incredible immersive Sound Healing experience. You will flow into a beautiful harmonic soundscape of layered notes, tones and vibrations and be taken on a sonic journey with gentle percussion and the distinctive calming tones of the sublime singing bowls. This deep relaxation settles you into a calm state of consciousness between waking and sleeping where your nervous system is gently relaxed.

Today is an opportunity to deepen your practice as you find your meditative flow at the SAORI loom.

After a delicious Japanese breakfast, you will reconnect with your loom and weaving practice through a guided weaving meditation and silent weaving session. Lose yourself in your creativity to find your true Self emerge.

Our chef-prepared lunch will keep our energy going for an afternoon of creative exploration as you continue with your woven piece. If we have time and opportunity during the day, we may also delve into the art of Sakiori – the Japanese art of slicing up cloth with the specially designed Sakiori fabric cutter to use fabric to weave and create with.

Spa treatments will also be scheduled for this day and a delicious freshly baked afternoon tea will also be enjoyed.

In the evening, we will celebrate our day of creativity with another incredible specially prepared Japanese banquet dinner, with the rest of the evening dedicated to weaving, socialising or relaxing for our final night at the Ryokan.

Another delicious traditional Japanese breakfast to start the day, then the morning will be spent finishing up our projects on the SAORI loom. We may also have time to go through tips and tricks for freestyle SAORI clothing design and a discussion of the exciting possibilities that SAORI cloth can offer in creating clothing and soft furnishings.

A final Japanese lunch will be enjoyed together as our amazing, immersive experience draws to a close and we emerge from our cocoon of serenity and back into the hubbub of the world outside.

The Retreat will conclude after lunch, where we bid farewell to each other and return to our lives and the hustle and bustle of the real world. (Truth Bomb: You won’t want to leave!!)