Yoga for the Animals: Charity Picnic Day Retreat

A day for charity and giving back to yourself and the animals.

Fill up your cup and, at the very same time ...fill up the cups of those in desperate need!

Sunrise Animal Rescue is a haven for those left behind and forgotten. From cows that like to cuddle, to ponies bought as birthday presents only to be forgot within the next year, to dogs found half-starved living on streets, to baby goats, to bunnies, to characterful kitty cats...

On this day we do yoga for all of them. We do yoga to raise money to make more space for more precious souls in need of our help.

All proceeds go to Sunrise Animal Rescue to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome the creatures we love.

 About Sunrise Animal Rescue

Sunrise Animal Rescue is a non-profit safe haven to all animals from goats to pigs to horses to cats to cows to dogs to geese to turkeys... Vanessa van Wyk, owner of Sunrise, and team, have saved so many animals from slaughterhouses, malnourishment, abuse and sure death.

They lead Outreach programmes in Witsand, the local informal settlement, where they take food parcels for the animals, sterilise and vaccinate stray animals, and educate the locals on looking after their beloved pets as many are malnourished even with loving homes.

The Day's Events

After a meet & greet and a short introduction by Aaron Jooste, Sunrise Animal Rescue rep, and international animal saver, find a quiet spot on the meadow, with your yoga mat and let the day begin...

You will be led on a slow, rejuvenating yoga flow fit for all abilities. With a backdrop of sprawling green ...far from the hustle bustle of the city, breath and movement will be married together to release any stored tension in body, mind and soul.

Nourishing, and centring...

Rejuvenating and replenishing...

...as the energy-balancing yoga postures merge with the soothing nothingness all around you ...hear the soft sounds of the animals, feel the whispers of the trees ...& completely go within.

After you finish your yoga flow, and your body is relaxed ...you will lie for a guided yoga nidra meditation.

Yoga nidra is a powerful form of deep relaxation, going into the deepest level of conscious awareness whilst in a sleep-like state. Through this, we access the subconscious mind, and are able to bring about deep replenishment of the psyche. 

After you have been guided deep within your Self, to bring about self-healing, you will then hear the mystical sounds of the Tibetan singing bowls, sourced from the foothills of the Himalayas, at the birthplace of yoga. 

It will be a truly magical day, in a truly magical place.

Once you are completely relaxed, lay out your blanket to lie on the grass and enjoy, at leisure, a handmade-with-love, scrumptious vegan picnic by Courtney Victor, owner and creator of From Me To You artisanal bakery/caterers, and the Best Chocolate Cake In The World (quoted by her patrons).

With your tummy happy and your cells nourished, full of loving soulfood ...amble around the farm and meet the animals!

Cuddle the friendly cow, stroke the dogs, scratch the pigs and watch the spring newborns find their sweet feet - from the fluffy yellow goslings to the curious little kids, this will open up your heart chakra - if nothing else will!

Then... Lay on your back... Kick up your feet...

...and watch the clouds pass you by.

About Tibetan Singing Bowl Sound Bath Meditation

The handcrafted bowls each have a specific frequency which targets diffrent places in your body, to clear blocked or stagnant energy. 

As we use sound healing every day in hospitals to disintegrate kidney stones, we know that the science of vibration is potent. You will lie and feel your energy field being washed, with Mother Nature all around, in this safe haven where all creatures are loved, respected and honoured, and so the energy around is quite profound.