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’re always so focused on what’s next that we rarely feel present right now. I think a lot of us are tired in a way that sleep doesn’t fix. Not exhausted from work, but disconnected from something quieter within ourselves.
This weekend is a gentle invitation to step out of the rush for a moment. Whether it’s through the slow, flowing movements of qigong or simply creating something with our hands, these practices have a beautiful way of pressing pause on everything. It’s a lot like watching tea slowly steep in a cup, or watching clouds drift across the sky. Those little, slow moments are a sweet reminder that things don’t have 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
Our time making art won’t be about creating a masterpiece; we will aim to enjoy the process, feeling a brush against paper, watching colors blend, and having the freedom to express ourselves without any pressure or deadlines. Ana will be there to offer a helping hand as we play with abstract watercolors, piece together small paper collages, shape little clay ocarinas…
Making things with your hands is one of the gentlest ways to come back to yourself. There is something so comforting that happens when your hands are busy and your mind finally gets to rest.
Between Ali’s grounding Qigong practice and our relaxed time making art together, we really hope this retreat gives you a safe space to slow down, take a deep breath, 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 retreat with a fee of $560 which includes all meals, shared accommodation (including bedding and towels) and art materials.
To book this retreat please click on the button below. We look forward to welcoming you.