Relax, Refresh, Reconnect

A Retreat for Educators

This three-day retreat offers space to rest, reflect, and reconnect – with yourself and with others who share the joys and challenges of working with young people.

At the heart of the retreat are guided mindfulness and compassion practices, alongside opportunities to learn, reflect and share with each other. We will also enjoy ikebana flower arranging, mindful walks, gentle movement, and the quiet pleasure of being fully present in beautiful surroundings.

We will explore what truly nourishes us — personally and professionally — and consider how we can bring more of that into our lives and our work with young people.

It is a beautiful way to mark the end of the school year, gather inspiration, and head into the summer feeling more grounded and restored.

For whom

Open to all those working with and caring for young people, including teachers, lecturers, counsellors, and other educators.

Schedule details

• Tuesday morning: Relax and unwind with body-based practices
• Registration, tea/ coffee
• Relaxation and awareness of the body
• Self-care and well-being – what is currently supporting us
• Two kinds of happiness
• Mindful listening: aspirations for ourselves and others
• Sensory walk

Lunch

Tuesday afternoon: Refresh the senses in daily life

• Mindfulness of sounds
• Negativity bias, neuroplasticity
• Ikebana flower arranging
• Gratitude and joy

Tea break

• Mindful movement
• What nourishes/ depletes me
• Core values and purpose
• Mindful listening in pairs
• Mindful mandarin

Supper

Wednesday morning: Respond to emotions with kindness

• Mindful movement and breath
• Recognising emotions in the body
• Meeting difficulty with curiosity and kindness, R.A.I.N.
• Empathy, cutoff, compassion

Tea break

• Mindfulness of sounds
• Spontaneous calligraphy – recognising emotions as they arise
• Sensory walk

Lunch

Wednesday afternoon: Recognise emotions and respond with self-compassion

• Mind in the Jar – recognising thoughts in the mind
• Mindfulness of sounds into thoughts
• Being a good friend to myself – from self-criticism to self-kindness
• Loving kindness for self

Tea break

• Respond to others emotions with compassion
• Recognising emotions in others
• Emotional intelligence
• Sharing well-being with young people: self-regulation, mindfulness, compassion
• Loving Kindness for self and other

Supper

Thursday morning: Reconnect with our good heart

• Mindful movement
• Sharing well-being practices with young people, trauma informed mindfulness, power of embodied presence, co-regulation
• Communicating in challenging situations
• Just Like Me exercise

Tea break

• Breath & Movement exercise
• Compassionate presence
• A plan for continuing
• Sharing plans, aspirations, challenges
• Mindful chocolate & conclusion

Location

The retreat will be held in our Spiritual Care Centre with panoramic views over Bantry Bay.