Weekend Retreats

“Mickey and Cadia's retreats provide a vital service to one's mental health and general wellbeing during unprecedented and uncertain times. The retreats offer restoration for the entire physical body as well as being a safe space to put one's individual emotional needs first. I attended the winter solstice retreat during which I gained huge emotional support from both Mickey and Cadia. The retreat focused on nourishing the mind, body and spirit during a time that has presented a deep level of anxiety and uncertainty in our communities. I felt as though the retreat offered me a space to manage underlying anxieties and to be vulnerable, with the support to manage these challenges. It reenforced human need to be close to nature and to allow the beauty of nature all around to offer stillness and healing. I can not thank Mickey and Cadia enough for offering this incredible opportunity."
Zoe Keystone

"Mickey and Cadia’s retreats create a calming container which creates space between you and the world you have left behind. Always set in remarkable natural settings, the retreats are designed to connect you to your own instincts and the world around you. I have been to a few of these retreats and each time have been able to deeply connect to a sense of calm and feeling grounded. The solstice retreat in particular was really special - designed around a number of important astrological dates, supported by Leila, a highly skilled and intuitive shiatsu, acupuncture and cupping practitioner, which both added depth to the retreat. A detox, health-focused, yoga and spiritual retreat all in one - without the pretentiousness and unrealistic expectations of some other yoga retreats. All are welcome and supported at the retreat, and the smaller numbers ensure intimacy and connection. A big thank you to Mickey and Cadia for creating such magic! Xx "  
Jacinta Chavulak

"Stepping into the yoga retreat for the weekend with Mickey and Cadia is the perfect way to escape reality for a time.  Mickey’s music that accompanied the yoga was the best I have heard and took you to another level.   Great variety of yoga and easy to follow.  They both have a beautiful style and are clear and calming in their speech & delivery of yoga instructions.  The food on the weekend was delicious and to finish yoga and walk into the aromas from the kitchen is a delight.  Nurturing environment to stay in with beautiful walks and the views made you feel like you were in God’s country.  Really appreciated also that they had good coffee available for people who do enjoy a coffee fix in the morning”  Thank you again.  Xx
Eliza

Thailand Retreat

"Sparkly yoga retreat was an amazing life changing experience, you feel uplifted, happy for life you meet the most fantastic people with same goals in mind. The retreat was such a rejuvenating experience for the mind and the soul." 
Effie

"A wonderful challenging Yoga experience that I will never forget. The love and warmth of all the people involved, the locations, food and extra activities were beautiful and exciting. A life changing experience at 68 years of age." 
Bronwen

"Have been telling all my yoga students to go on a Sparkly Yoga Retreat because they are so AWESOME!"
 Jacqueline Dwyer

"A perfect mix of active and resting, pranayama and asana, massage and snorkelling. Baan talay is a beautiful and private setting with very generous and gracious hosts. I enjoyed getting to know such a friendly and fun group of people. Thank you Mickey for your teaching, for your quirky sense of humor, and for organising a lovely retreat in such an exotic location. Highly recommended!" Rachel, Melbourne

"A brilliant authentic experience and time to practice, learn and improve your Yoga, inner and outer strength. Thankyou for a wonderful period of self discovery, great friends and access to a hiden treasure in the Gong Valley."
Emma Smith

"I had a really beautiful week in Gong Valley, I have come away feeling lighter, happier and inspired. Great teaching, great food and great people, I highly recommend re-treating yourself in Gong Valley! "
Michelle

Pranayama Immersions

"I absolutely loved my Pranayama Immersion with Mickey. The effects it created within my body and mind were immediate.

Mickey has a teaching style that is well suited to my way of learning. When describing a technique, he guides you step by step through the process and will also draw on the technique with visualisations. This instantly created a picture in my mind and allowed me to recall the method with ease. He also discusses the benefits of each pranayama technique, so that when you’re practicing, you can also focus on its benefits within the body – creating a deeper somatic experience. 
 
If you are wanting to learn breathwork techniques and dive deeper into its benefits, I highly recommend joining the next Pranayama Immersion.
 
Thank you Mickey for your knowledge, wisdom, teachings and space holding. I will continue to practice these teachings as part of my morning ritual. "

Dee Lazaridis

"This practice has been so useful to get me out of my mind and into my body. Also to calm my over stimulated nervous system. Also I now start my meditation with brief pranayama practice.. it makes a difference!

Really appreciate this guided sessions also to just follow everyday. I enjoyed the community energy and doing this with a group of lovely people. 

Looking forward to the next one!
Much love and gratitude!"

Mitra Rashidi

"Much gratitude to you for guiding us through the pranayama sequence and being such an excellent instructor. Your sincerity and devotion to your practice shines through your teaching. You're the real deal!"
Kathrine Finn

More... Weekend Retreats

"First time on retreat with Mickey and will definitely be coming again. The energy he provides creates something more than simply getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city: it's like visiting another world. Thank you so much for this weekend, and look forward to the next time!" 
Nick Nelson

"Mickey creates a wonderfully warm and welcoming space for all yogini's, new and experienced. Between dancing ecstatically, sniffy pots, gong baths and satsangs, I was snorkelling in an ocean of bliss by the end" 
Mel

"I can't stop recommending your retreat! Oliveto is the perfect place for an inner connection with nature and body-mind. Give you the chance to experience yin yoga classes, sound healing, meditation, food made with love, all in a weekend not far from the city. Thanks again Mickey and Cadia for the time you spend organizing and running such a beautiful retreat."
Maria

Mickey has such beautiful energy. He is incredibly disarming and open. And was able to support the group well who are at different skill levels. Thank you Mickey "
Tegan

"The Sparkly Retreat set in a picturesque spot only an hour from Melbourne was a truly transformational experience for me. I arrived not knowing what to expect but discovered an environment of support and love. Mickey is a warm and caring yoga teacher who has created a nurturing space in which to practice yoga. It was a weekend of delicious vegetarian food, invigorating and restorative yoga sessions and the new friendships formed have given me some beautiful memories. I have come away feeling refreshed and clearer of mind. I am already planning my next visit! "
Anonymous

"This was my first yoga retreat experience and I absolutely loved every second of it. Feel blessed and would recommend Mickey's retreat to anyone."
Celine

"This was the first time I have ever been on a yoga retreat and I will definitely go again. It was a welcoming, safe, spiritual and very healing place. "
Will Thompson

"I try to keep a minimal public profile online - I’m reluctant to publicly put my name to anything online, especially something so personal. What you do is amazing, though. This is potentially life changing stuff. Thank you. What an amazing weekend :) Namaste,"
​Steph xxx

"Maitripa Retreat Sep 2011 provided me with an outstanding opportunity to work on and improve my yoga practice and knowledge. It was a wonderfully informative, enjoyable, relaxing and peaceful weekend with the perfect balance of activities and introspective time. Thank you to Michele and the group that attended for a truly memorable and rewarding experience in a perfectly tranquil setting. I look forward to the next one!"
 Alison

"The retreat was an amazing introduction to yoga, with just the right balance of interesting activities and alone time. I came away feeling cleansed and in love with the world and people."
Anonymous

"Michele's retreat charged me up on so many different levels. I intensified my practise in an unexpected way because he constantly challenged me, but not to a point of pain. He stimulated my spiritual practice with readings and recordings that were secular and applicable. He worked individually with me in the group by correcting certain postures but also encouraged the group to work together in a connected conscious way. Michele's smile and gentle enthusiasm made me feel safe and willing to try things I wouldn't possibly do on my own or in another setting. Nature's backdrop, and because it was Spring, was just a magnificent inspiration to be quiet and soak up the environment with all of my senses. Thank you kindly for sharing your knowledge with me Michele." 
Monica

"I thought the whole weekend was so thoughtfully planned and executed. Michele has such a beautiful and calming spirit, whilst maintaining a great sense of humour. The experience was a wonderful mix of silence and time with self, and getting to know some other lovely souls."
Anonymous

"A well needed weekend, full of great company, surroundings and sensory delights. Simply bliss."
Lisa

​Classes

"An amazing class! Perfect balance between tranquility, flexibility, balance and core strength. There is never a class that I leave unsatisfied. Michele is a wonderful person and teacher. He is helpful and is very encouraging."  
Emma Knowles

"I wish I had the time to attend more classes.... Mickey is such a fabulous instructor very easy going, relaxed and knowledgable. I started out as a total beginner and with Mickeys guidance I have improved so much and enjoy attending yoga every week. Each class is different and in such a relaxed atmosphere, I highly recommend Sparkly Yoga!"
Emma Kelly

"Michele is an awesome instructor.  These classes are everything I look for in a yoga class. Not too serious, not just about the physical, while still being challenging enough to work up a sweat (if you want to), great dose of the spiritual and energetic and the mindset of what yoga is in a practical way.  I want more from a yoga class than just a work out or a stretching class or a lecture, I want to leave feeling fabulous physically and emotionally and spiritually and I always leave his classes feeling like that.  Part of the appeal is he goes off and does the great retreats with inspiring people in far flung locations, and I get to live a little of that by learning from what he has learned."
Susie Petris

Early Morning Intensives

"Thank-you for your time and giving us the chance to learn yoga. i thought it was a good split between asana and pranayama/meditation. Awesome experience and was never confused by your explanations at any point."
Anonymous

"I really appreciated the warmth and giving/accepting energy coming from you, it made the class comfortable and supportive, and fun! Thanks for this week."
Kristin Namaste :)

"I liked the relaxed and friendly nature of the Sparkly yoga. It was informative/educational as well as physically beneficial."
Anonymous

"It was a very Special class/week, thank you Mickey. Even though i missed two classes i managed to make them up! I feel pretty damn rejuvinated thanks. Now to focus on the sygils! "
Cameron