chozen

Winter Solstice

RetreaT

YIN RITUALS AND THE ART OF CEREMONY

Hosted by Colin Hudon and Gemma Newman

DECember 19 - 22

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A transformative four-day journey of healing and introspection led by Dr. Gemma Newman and Colin Hudon. Set in the serene beauty of a nature preserve, this retreat blends ancient wisdom with modern holistic practices to guide you through deep inner work during the quiet, reflective Yin time of the year. The experience will include mindful tea ceremonies, meditation, Qi Gong, and healing practices that connect you with nature and your essential self. Dr. Newman will share her expertise in holistic health and plant-based wellness, offering tools to heal the body, mind, and spirit. Colin Hudon will guide you through the ancient art of tea ceremony, a meditative practice that moves stagnant energy, calms the mind, and opens the heart. Held over the Winter Solstice, this retreat is designed to support introspection, stillness, and spiritual cultivation, helping you reconnect with your deepest wisdom and live in alignment with nature’s cycles. This unique experience will leave you feeling grounded, rejuvenated, and inspired to carry these practices into your daily life.

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Healing Through Tea, Nature, and the Power of Yin.

Meet your hosts

Dr Gemma Newman is a doctor, speaker and author. She has worked in medicine for 20 years and is the Senior Partner at a family medical practice. She has a specialist interest in holistic health, plant based nutrition and lifestyle medicine. Another passion is planetary health, and she has spoken on this topic at a debate at Imperial College, on the ‘Rhitrition’ Podcast and at the Food 2030 Conference at the European Commission in Brussels. She was also one of the experts featured in the documentary film ‘Eating Our Way to Extinction’ narrated by Kate Winslet.

Dr. Gemma Newman

As a presenter she has been featured on ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Sky News Sunrise as well as BBC Radio with Gaby Roslin and the Chris Evans Virgin Radio Breakfast Show. She has spoken on many podcasts including The Rich Roll Podcast, ‘Feel Better Live More’ by Dr Rangan Chatterjee, The Deliciously Ella Podcast and Mo Gowdat’s ‘Slo-Mo’ Podcast. She hosted five seasons of ‘The Wellness Edit’ podcast with Holland and Barratt which was nominated for Podcast of the Year by the PPA Awards during her tenure. Dr Gemma has written two books – ‘The Plant Power Doctor; a simple prescription for a healthier you’, which became a number one bestseller in Popular Medicine and Green Living and ‘Get Well, Stay Well: The Six Healing Health Habits Everyone Should Know’ (Ebury, 2024).

Colin Hudon, founder of Living Tea and Mountain Gate Teahouse, brings a profound connection to Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tea Ceremony, Qi Gong, and 5-Element mindfulness practices. As an expert in the ancient art of Cha Tao (the Way of Tea), Colin offers a unique blend of meditation and healing through tea ceremonies centered around wild-grown, old-growth, and aged teas. His approach to tea as a therapeutic and spiritual practice invites participants to calm the mind, open the heart, and reconnect with the natural world. With deep roots in Taoism, Colin’s teachings inspire daily practices that cultivate inner peace, mindfulness, and a harmonious connection to nature.

Colin Hudon

Your Retreat Experience

Discover a transformative wellness retreat led by Dr. Gemma Newman and Colin Hudon L.AC., blending the best of holistic health and ancient wisdom. Dr. Newman, an expert in holistic health, plant-based nutrition, and lifestyle medicine, emphasizes healing the body, mind, and spirit by addressing the root causes of illness, stress and disconnection. She teaches the power of plant-based nutrition to doctors and the public, helping others to achieve wellness from the inside out.

Colin Hudon, founder of Living Tea and Mountain Gate Teahouse, brings a deep connection to Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tea Ceremony, Qi Gong, and 5-Element mindfulness practices. Traditional tea ceremony, centered around wild-grown, old-growth and aged tea, offers a moving meditation and living art. This therapeutic form calms the mind, opens the heart, moves stagnant energy and reconnects us with the natural world. Colin’s experience in Taoism and Cha Tao (the Way of Tea) invites participants to experience tea not just as a beverage, but as a transformative, daily practice.

Together, Dr. Newman and Colin Hudon guide you through a journey of deep healing, inner peace, and reconnection with nature through holistic wellness and the ancient art of tea. Held over the Winter Solstice in a stunning nature preserve, this retreat will focus on introspection, stillness practices, inner cultivation and connection with nature. The retreat will emphasize practices appropriate to the quiet, inward, yin time of the year, supporting participants to come into deep contact with their essential selves and deepest wisdom. The practices and wellness guidance from the retreat are universally beneficial to living a life of optimal health and deep spiritual cultivation

Day 1:
Arrival & Grounding
(December 19)

Guests will arrive at the retreat and check in during the afternoon. The experience begins with an opening circle and welcome ceremony, creating a space for connection and setting intentions for the retreat. In the evening, a nourishing plant-based dinner will be shared, followed by a calming Yin Yoga session to prepare for the inward journey ahead, concluding with a time for setting personal intentions.

Day 2:
Subtle Energetics & Tea Ceremony
(December 20)

The day begins with a serene sunrise meditation and Qi Gong practice to center the mind and body. After a wholesome plant-based breakfast, guests will join Colin Hudon for a transformative tea ceremony, where they will explore the depth and mindfulness of traditional tea practice. The afternoon brings a special session with Dr. Gemma Newman, focusing on healing practices that address body, mind, and spirit. A meditative nature walk in the late afternoon leads into stillness meditation, followed by a shared plant-based dinner. The day concludes with fireside reflections and storytelling, creating a sense of community and introspection.

Day 3:
Winter Solstice Celebration
(December 21)

The Winter Solstice day opens with a peaceful sunrise meditation and Qi Gong, setting the tone for deep introspection. After breakfast, guests will participate in a special Solstice tea ceremony with Colin Hudon, fostering reflection and connection with nature. The afternoon features a healing circle led by Dr. Gemma Newman, where participants can share their experiences and insights. As the day transitions to evening, a candlelight meditation and Solstice ceremony will take place, celebrating the energy of the solstice and cultivating inner light. The day concludes with a plant-based dinner and a closing gratitude circle, sealing the transformative experience of the day.

Day 4:
Departure
(December 22)

On the final morning, guests will greet the day with sunrise meditation and a final tea gathering, offering a moment to reflect on the journey. A nutritious breakfast follows, after which an integration workshop will provide tools and guidance for bringing the retreat’s teachings into daily life. As the retreat comes to a close, guests will say their farewells, carrying with them the healing and insights gained over the solstice retreat.

Day 1: Arrivals
3:00 PM onwards – Settle in, enjoy a welcome smoothie and snack
5:00 PM – Tea Ceremony: Colin introduces the concept of Yin and discusses weaving healing practices into your life from a Yin perspective
7:00 PM – Dinner: Welcome feast and meet your tribe for the weekend
8:30 PM – Group Introductions Circle and Intention Setting
Day 2: Yin Exploration
7:00 AM – Meditation
7:30 AM – Tea Ceremony
9:00 AM – Breakfast
10:00 AM – Gemma discusses the GLOVES overview in relation to Yin, addressing the darkness in the shadows through group exercises
12:00 PM – Journal Prompts
1:00 PM – Lunch
2:30 PM – River Kayaking or Journaling/Walking in Nature
5:00 PM – Tea Ceremony
6:00 PM – Dinner
8:00 PM – Release: Fire ceremony with a Dharma Talk on Remembering Yourself and Liminal Space
Day 3: Yin Integration
7:00 AM – Meditation
7:30 AM – Tea Ceremony
9:00 AM – Breakfast
10:00 AM – Gemma’s talk and interactive session
12:00 PM – Journal Prompts
1:00 PM – Lunch
2:30 PM – Forest Walk or Yoga
5:00 PM – Tea Ceremony
6:30 PM – Dinner
Evening – Live Music
Day 4: Yin Nurturing
7:00 AM – Meditation
7:30 AM – Tea Ceremony: Closing reflections on Yin and moving into winter energy with intention
9:00 AM – Breakfast and exchange contacts
10:30 AM – Closing Circle
12:00 PM – Checkout

Get in touch.

We’re excited to help you learn more about our upcoming retreat experiences and booking options! Please fill out this quick form so we can send you tailored information and help make your journey with us truly special. 🌿✨

OR CALL: 772 200 3679

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Accomodations

THE SANCTUARY

The Sanctuary is an off-the-grid eco-glamping experience with outdoor showers, composting toilets, vertical garden and open-air gathering tent. A coveted neighborhood, where urban living meets eco-tranquility, The Sanctuary offers guests a serene retreat within the heart of Wild Florida where they can explore lush trails through ChoZen Paths along the San Sebastian River in our Dome Village, Safari Camp & Cosmic Airstreams.

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The pricing includes accommodations, meals, program participation, access to the spa, and access to trails; however, travel and taxes are not included.