3 Day Silent Fasting Retreats
incorporating Yoga, Meditation, Massage and Forest communion

Forest Fasts were created to give people an opportunity to connect with nature and themselves in silence, and to encourage rejuvenation through fasting and the healing arts in a non-sectarian nurturing, yet disciplined, sanctuary.

Fasting is an ancient practice for the purification of the body, mind and spirit that has been used for thousands of years in many cultures. It is, in fact, the oldest therapeutic method known.
Virtually every religious and healing tradition recommends fasting for health and/or spiritual advantages. All the great founders of religion, Buddha, Christ, Mohammed and Lao-Tzu, attained their greatest spiritual experiences after practicing fasting, detachment from desire and meditation.
Health benefits from fasting are many. During a fast, the eliminative and cleansing capacity of the the eliminative organs - lungs, liver, kidneys, bowels and skin - is greatly increased and masses of accumulated toxins are released. Fasting exerts a normalising,
stabilising and rejuvenating effect on all the vital physiological,
nervous and mental functions. The nervous system is rejuvenated; mental powers are improved; glandular chemistry and hormonal secretions are stimulated.

Reasons for Fasting

• To overcome emotional attachments to food.
• To cure physical and mental stagnancy, which manifests as poor appetite, digestive disorders, flatulence, constipation, apathy, fatigue, mental depression, and many other chronic ailments.
• For purification of the body before a change of diet to better one's health.
• As a seasonal cleansing : the foods eaten during summer and winter are more extreme. Some people find it beneficial to fast soon after the end of these seasons to make the transition smoother into the more moderate seasons of spring and autumn.
• For spiritual reasons: To strengthen one's spiritual practice, prayer or meditation
• To enhance one's mental awareness, sleep and dreams.

When Not To Fast

• In cold weather, an extended fast can be harmful.
• During serious physical or mental degeneration, unless advised by a knowledgeable doctor or other qualified health practitioner.
• During pregnancy or lactation.

Preparing to Fast

To obtain maximum benefit from fasting it is best to abstain from meats and dairy products one week prior to the fast. It is also
advisable to eat whole and raw foods as much as possible with the bulk of your diet being fruit and vegetables. In the day/s before the fast, in order to lessen the shock of outright fasting, try and eat smaller meals or have a day just eating fruit or steamed vegies

We use only organic produce for juicing. The water is filtered mountain rain water and we supply a wide selection of cleansing herb teas. You will receive 3 juices a day.

During the fast you may experience some discomfort or any of the following symptoms - nausea, headache, dizziness, spaced out feelings, depression, anger, back ache or constipation. Do not be alarmed. This is quite normal as your body starts to eliminate toxins or withdraws from caffeine, nicotine, sugar or other addictive chemicals or foodstuffs. Connected with these cravings and attachments are often old emotions and pain that has been suppressed with comfort foods and stimulants. Please feel free to approach any of the facilitators if you are worried about how you are feeling or need to talk about any emotional issues that arise for you.

Fast Programme

Participants are asked to arrive promptly at 10.00am on the first day. Please do not be late. The fast begins with a 2 km hike up the mountain road through the forest (we take your luggage). This is to get your lungs oxygenated and the metabolism stimulated. Wear your hiking shoes.
Apart from the first day the basic schedule is as follows :

5.00am Wakeup bell
5.30 - 6.30am Group meditation
6.30 - 8.30am Yoga
8.30am Morning juice
9.00 - 11am Free time - massage, drawing
11am-12noon Forest walking meditation
12noon Midday juice
12.30 - 3.00pm Free time - massage, drawing
3.00pm - 4.00pm Group meditation
4.00pm Afternoon tea
4.30 - 6.30pm Yoga
6.30pm Evening juice
7.00 - 8.00pm Group meditation
9.00pm Lights out

Participation in yoga and meditation sessions is optional but
recommended for optimal benefits. You will receive yoga instruction from a qualified and experienced teacher. If you would prefer not to participate in the class and do your own yoga practice, please feel free.

As this retreat is not aligned with any particular philosophy, we encourage you to use the meditation technique you are currently using or are familiar with. For those not experienced in meditation, a simple breath meditation technique will be instructed.

Massage

Massage treatments from a fully qualified masseuse are available during the retreat at an extra cost. Please notify us on your registration form if you would like to book one or more.

1/2 hour - $40
1 hour - $65
1 1/2 hours - $90

Accommodation

The retreats are held at "Funkey Forest", a 200 acre mountain forest sanctuary backing onto the Mount Jerusalem National Park in Upper Main Arm (15 mins. from Mullumbimby, 30 min. from Byron Bay). The retreat house is deep in forest, high up on a spectacular ridgeline with views to Wollumbin (Mt. Warning) on one side and Mt.Chincogan and the ocean on the other. Absolute peace and tranquillity is assured. Fasters can choose to either sleep in a dormitory or camp in the expansive gardens around the house . There is a maximum of 13 people per retreat. Please note that there is rainwater only and we ask that people keep showers short, feel free to pee in the garden and flush the toilet only for solid wastes. While on this property we ask that you respect the land, plant life and animals, and refrain from intentionally killing anything.


Cost
The cost of the retreat (excluding massage) for each participant is $295 or $250 concession. We have 1 place available each retreat specifically for local people under financial strain. These participants may apply to do part money/work exchange to be negotiated.

5% of the proceeds from each retreat will be given to charities and service organisations that alleviate hunger and malnutrition.

Registering Your Place
To register for a retreat please print out a registration form, complete and return it to us as soon as possible. You must return your form in order to secure your place. Unfortunately we cannot take bookings over the phone.


What to bring

• Sleeping gear, pillow (if in a dorm you will need sheets also)
• Tent (if you are camping)
• Loose comfortable clothing
• A yoga mat or towel/rug
• Meditation cushion/stool if you have your own
• Good hiking shoes
• Water bottle
• Enema kit - optional (available from chemists)
• Dry Skin Brush - optional (available from health food stores)
• Tongue scraper - optional (available from health food stores)

What not to bring
• Drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine or sugar
• Books, mobile phones, radios, CD players,
instruments or any other sensory distractions
• Pets
• Food / snacks (No sneaking now)

How to get to Funkey Forest

Coming from the Pacific highway from the North / QLD :
Take the Billinudgel turn off ( before Brunswick Heads ). Once through
Billinudgel town turn Right at the T intersection and then continue for
approximately 10 kms. After a winding section of road over a hill you
will come to an intersection. This is Main Arm Rd. Turn Right here and
you will drive thourgh Main Arm village past a shop on your right.
Continue until you reach a T intersection. Turn Right. Continue past
Upper Main Arm school on your left, then 'Macas' camp ground on your
right. You will then reach the Upper Main Arm Community Centre on your
right. After the centre you will go over 2 causeways or small bridges.
The entrance to F.F. is the first driveway on the left after the second
causeway.

Coming from the Pacific highway from the South / Byron Bay / Sydney etc.

Take the Mullumbimby turn off. Once you reach the town drive straight
through on the main street (Burringbar St.). This will take you past
the Post Office on your left. Continue straight. The road will then
veer to the right alongside a park and the river. You will then reach
an intersection. Turn Left and continue over the bridge over the river.
At the next intersection (500m on) turn Left again. This is Main Arm
Rd. Go straight past the showground on your left and continue for
approximately 10kms.
You will then reach Main Arm village and go past a shop on your right.
Continue until you reach a T intersection. Turn Right. Continue past
Upper Main Arm school on your left, then 'Macas' camp ground on your
right. You will then reach the Upper Main Arm Community Centre
(otherwise known as Kohinur Hall) on your right. After the centre you
will go over 2 causeways or small bridges. The entrance to F.F. is the
first driveway on the left after the second causeway past the Community
Centre.