The Trauma Recovery Day Retreat at Kundalini House
Return to Self: A Held Space for Nervous System Restoration
Sunday 26th of July – 10:30am to 3:30pm
Investment: $345
This half-day retreat is designed to support you to re-establish your connection to yourself and gently restore an exhausted or overwhelmed nervous system, while building a deeper understanding of your inner world and what you need to feel supported, safe, and resourced.
This is a trauma-responsive, clinically grounded therapeutic experience, held within a clear and intentional safety structure. The day is carefully paced and guided to ensure you are not overwhelmed, exposed, or destabilised. Instead, each element supports regulation, choice, and a sense of control within your own experience.
Facilitated by sisters Billie Atherstone & Pip Atherstone-Reid
Two highly experienced practitioners in trauma, mental health, and nervous system regulation, offering a safe, structured and deeply supportive therapeutic experience.
You will be guided through psychoeducation, somatic practices, and integrative therapies in a way that supports both understanding and embodied change—without pressure to share or go beyond your capacity. This is a space where your nervous system is supported to settle, your experience is respected, and safety is actively created and maintained throughout.
The Retreat Includes
- Gentle trauma responsive Kundalini Yoga
- Experiential psychoeducation with a personalised Polyvagal Profile Care Plan
- Individualised Acupuncture and Auricular Therapy with senior TCM practitioner, Pip Atherstone-Reid
- Sound & Mantra
- Guided journaling and integration
- Movement and Qigong for regulation, vitality and grounding
- Meditation
- A nourishing lunch with time to rest and connect
- A take home goodies bag
A Multidisciplinary, Therapeutic Approach
This retreat is held by a multidisciplinary team, integrating complementary medicine, trauma-informed yoga therapy, and mental health-informed care.
The space is clinically supervised, with over 20+ years of experience each in working with trauma, mental health, and nervous system regulation.
This experience is equivalent to receiving individual therapeutic support from both practitioners, with the added benefits of guided integration, education, and community connection.
Who This Is For
This retreat is suitable for those experiencing:
- Stress, burnout, or nervous system exhaustion
- Anxiety, overwhelm, or shutdown
- A desire to better understand and support their nervous system
- The impacts of trauma, in a safe and supported environment
No prior experience is needed. There will be a maximum of 10 participants.
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Facilitators
Billie is a Yoga Therapist with over 10 years of experience working with trauma in both one-on-one and group settings. Her work integrates Kundalini Yoga, somatic awareness, and nervous system education. Billie is actively engaged in research-informed approaches to trauma recovery, bridging clinical understanding with embodied practice. She has extensive experience facilitating group programs and is known for creating spaces that are safe, structured, and deeply supportive of transformation.
Pip is a senior practitioner with over 26 years of experience working in mental health and trauma. A Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner and yoga teacher, Pip has also undertaken over a decade of dedicated study with a master of Qigong. She brings a depth of clinical expertise and a grounded, attuned presence, supporting regulation and healing through acupuncture, movement, and integrative care.
They are sisters 💓
Support Beyond The Workshop
Kundalini House offers a range of supportive services and classes to help you continue your healing journey, including Yoga, Pilates, Acupuncture, Bowen, Osteopathy, Massage, Naturopathy, Counselling and Meditation.
We also host regular workshops and events focused on nervous system regulation, emotional wellbeing, embodiment and holistic health in North Fitzroy Melbourne.
Trauma Recovery Day Retreat FAQs
Who is this retreat for?
This retreat is for anyone experiencing the effects of stress, anxiety, overwhelm, burnout, trauma, PTSD, complex trauma, nervous system dysregulation, or simply feeling disconnected from themselves. It is suitable for beginners and no previous yoga, qigong, or meditation experience is required.
Do I need to have experienced major trauma to attend?
No. Trauma exists on a spectrum. Many people attend because they feel chronically stressed, anxious, exhausted, emotionally overwhelmed, or disconnected from their bodies. The retreat offers practical tools for nervous system regulation and emotional wellbeing, regardless of your history.
Is this a therapy group?
No. While the retreat is informed by current trauma research, polyvagal theory, somatic practices, yoga therapy, and Chinese Medicine, it is not group psychotherapy. Participants are never required to share personal stories or experiences.
Will I be asked to talk about my trauma?
No. There is no expectation that you disclose personal experiences. Everything we offer is invitational, and you are free to participate in whatever way feels supportive and comfortable for you.
What if I feel anxious about attending?
This is very common. Many people who attend are initially nervous about joining a group. We place a strong emphasis on creating a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment where you can participate at your own pace.
What will we do during the day?
The day includes trauma-informed yoga and qigong, nervous system psycho-education, grounding practices, breathwork, mindfulness, guided relaxation, acupuncture and ear seeds, practical take-home resources, and opportunities for rest and reflection. All activities are offered as invitations and can be adapted to suit your needs.
Do I need any yoga or qigong experience?
Not at all. The practices are gentle, accessible, and designed to support nervous system regulation rather than physical performance. Everything is offered with choice and flexibility.
What is trauma-informed yoga and qigong?
Trauma-informed yoga and qigong are gentle and empowering approaches to movement that prioritise safety, choice, body awareness, and nervous system regulation. Rather than focusing on achieving particular postures, the emphasis is on helping you reconnect with your body in a way that feels safe, supportive, and sustainable.
How can acupuncture help with trauma recovery?
Acupuncture may help support nervous system regulation, reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep, calm the body’s stress response, and promote a greater sense of wellbeing. During the retreat, participants receive a gentle acupuncture or ear seed treatment designed to support relaxation and integration.
What should I bring?
Please wear comfortable clothing and bring a water bottle. Yoga mats, bolsters, blankets, and all other equipment are provided.
What if I need to take a break during the day?
You are welcome to take breaks whenever you need. We encourage participants to listen to their bodies and honour their own capacity throughout the retreat.
What will I take home from the retreat?
You will leave with practical tools for nervous system regulation, a personalised Polyvagal Map, simple yoga, qigong, breathwork and mindfulness practices that you can use in everyday life, a greater understanding of your stress responses, and a deeper sense of connection to yourself.
Can this retreat replace therapy or medical treatment?
No. The retreat is designed to complement, not replace, professional medical, psychological, or therapeutic care. Many participants find it works beautifully alongside counselling, psychotherapy, psychology, or other health supports.
Who facilitates the retreat?
The retreat is facilitated by Billie Atherstone, Somatic Therapist, Yoga Therapist and Trauma Recovery Program Facilitator, together with Pip Atherstone-Reid, Chinese Medicine Practitioner and Yoga Teacher. Together they bring over 40 years of combined experience supporting people through healing, recovery, and nervous system regulation.
What is the size of the group?
We intentionally keep numbers small, with a maximum of 10–11 participants, to create a supportive, comfortable, and personalised experience for everyone attending.