A Weekend to Reconnect: A Qigong & Art Retreat
Where: The Baton House – 1565 Baton Valley Road, Woodstock, Tasman
When: Friday 30th October 2026 – Arrive anytime after 3pm for a 5pm welcome and orientation
to Monday 2nd November 2026 – After lunch (around 2pm)
Cost: $560 (includes all meals, shared accommodation and workshops)
Suitable for both complete beginners and those with experience in Qigong and art.
A Weekend to Reconnect:
A Qigong & Art Retreat
A creative and nourishing retreat at The Baton House, Baton Valley
We spend so much of our lives trying to save time, and so little of it feels present inside it. I think a lot of us are tired in a way that sleep doesn’t fix. Not exhausted from work, exactly, but disconnected from something quieter within ourselves.
This weekend is an invitation to step out of the current. Creating has always felt like a small pause in the rush of things, much like watching tea slowly color the hot water in a cup, or watching the clouds drift quietly across the sky. These simple acts remind us that not every moment needs to be productive to be meaningful.
What to Expect
The Flow of Qigong
Begin your mornings gently. Through slow, deliberate movements and intentional breathwork, Qigong acts as a moving meditation. It is a practice of relaxing and releasing tension, cultivating your internal energy, and bringing the mind fully into the body. No experience is needed, only a willingness to move and experience the life force within.
The Pause of Creation
Art here is not about the final product; it is about the process. It is about the physical sensation of a brush against paper, the blending of colors, and the freedom of expression without judgment or deadlines. Letting your hands take over allows your busy mind to step back, channeling the stillness cultivated in Qigong directly onto the canvas.
Making things with your hands – cutting paper, painting, building small worlds – is one of the gentlest ways to come back to yourself. There is something special that happens when your hands are busy and your mind finally gets to rest. Through the grounding practice of Qigong and the quiet focus of artistic expression, this retreat is designed to help you slow down, breathe deeply, and remember what it feels like to simply be.
This Retreat is For You If:
- You are seeking a gentle, supportive environment to explore mindful movement and creativity.
- You want to disconnect from screens, schedules, and expectations to reconnect with that quieter part of yourself.
Leave behind the to-do lists, the urgency, and the noise. Come share a quiet pause with us, and rediscover the gentle art of being you.
About The Baton House & The Baton Valley
The Baton House is a warm, comfortable homestead with a big open room perfect for group activities. It’s located at the top of the beautiful Baton Valley and run by the Baton Valley Trust, whose mission is all about sustainability, conservation, and community wellbeing.
The valley itself is a hidden gem, remote and peaceful, with farmland, forest, rivers and tracks leading into the Kahurangi National Park. It’s a perfect spot to swim, walk, bike, explore, or simply sit in stillness and soak it all in.
Being at The Baton House means you are immersed in Nature and you will have plenty of time to explore and enjoy the stunning surroundings, or just relax.
The Trust’s philosophy is simple: Ka ora te whenua, ka ora te tāngata – when the land is well, the people will be well. Every retreat here honours that connection.
Accommodation
There are a variety of sleeping options in shared rooms – we’ll choose beds on arrival. Your own tent is an option as well.
Food
Nourishing, vegetarian, wholefood meals are provided, along with snacks, herbal teas and coffee.
Giving Back During Your Stay
At the end of your stay, we ask that all guests clean their rooms and bathrooms and contribute to tidying shared spaces – this may include tasks like steam mopping the main hall floor or topping up the firewood supply. We also invite you to set aside 60 to 90 minutes to help out with seasonal work around the property, such as harvesting and processing produce from the garden, pulling a few weeds, assisting in the native plant nursery, or supporting general maintenance. Your contribution will help care for this place and sustain it for future visitors.
Meet Your Hosts
Ali Kay
Ali has been practising and teaching Yuan Qigong and Ren Xue for over 10 years. Based in Motueka, she has a background in teaching, design, and organic gardening. Her life has been transformed by this life cultivation system, and she loves sharing it with others in an open, supportive way.
Ana Solo
Ana is a self-taught artist and illustrator from Spain who’s been living on the South Island since 2010. With a background in music and design, she’s passionate about using natural materials to create art that honours the earth. She brings warmth, creativity, and joy to her workshops. Feel free to explore this website to see her full portfolio.
Testimonials from our 2025 retreat:
“I had a great weekend and felt freshly inspired and connected to life. The art and Qigong was a perfect match with a very natural, beautiful flow. I loved the ease of being there, meeting lovely people, and the new skills I gained.”
“The Qigong teaching was well-paced, thorough, and highly adaptable to the group’s needs. The creative time gave me the complete freedom to express myself, with a generous sharing of materials and resources. The process of connecting art with nature was incredibly fun and inspiring.”
“The food was an absolute highlight, and the venue itself is beautiful – especially the ballroom space, which was very inviting, light, and spacious for our group work. I was completely blown away by the generosity, knowledge, and skills shared by the facilitators.”
“At the end of the retreat, I felt so at home in myself after all the Qigong, art, and nature connection with everyone. It was truly heavenly! I left with a wonderful appreciation for the history and beauty of the place, feeling grounded, recharged, and inspired.”
“Ana and Ali are a dream team! Ali’s Qigong instruction was so gentle, thorough, and perfectly paced, while Ana brought so much passion, knowledge, and pure creative freedom to the art sessions. We were all just completely blown away by their open-hearted generosity in sharing their skills, resources, and experiences with us.”
Retreat fee
Limited to 8 participants, this is a relaxed retreat with a fee of $560 which includes all meals, shared accommodation (including bedding and towels).
To book this retreat please click on the button below. We look forward to welcoming you.