This powerful retreat is open to those who have served in frontline roles—whether in the police, medical, fire, army, navy, or air force. It’s designed to provide a safe, supportive space where you can unwind, reconnect, and gain mindfulness tools to use in everyday life.

Veteran’s Mindfulness Retreat

Step away from the demands of service and take this time for yourself.

Connect with others who understand your journey, and walk away feeling renewed, with a glad bag of strategies to support your well-being.

Veteran Mindfulness Retreat Dates

Dates RG TEST - Programs Book Now
March 28 - 30, 2025 Veteran Mindfulness 3 Day Weekend Retreat

Prices start from $910 including program, massage, all meals and 2 nights accommodation.

Retreat Highlights

Friday – Arriving & Grounding

The Veteran’s Mindfulness Retreat runs from Friday 3pm to Sunday 3pm. You are welcome to arrive anytime on Friday to settle in, book in for lunch, and begin unwinding at your own pace. From 2pm Friday, you can meet your retreat host and access your room.

  • Opening Circle – Connect with fellow veterans and set intentions for the retreat.
  • Trauma-Aware Yoga – A gentle, supportive practice designed to release tension and promote relaxation.
  • Yoga Nidra – A guided deep relaxation practice to ease stress and support restful sleep.

Saturday – Mindful Awareness & Self-Care

  • Morning Activity – A mindful start to the day with a beach walk, breathwork, and yoga.
  • Workshop: The Benefits of Breath – Understanding how breath influences the nervous system and overall well-being.
  • Workshop: Healthy Eating Concepts & Yoga Sequence – Exploring the connection between nutrition, movement, and mindfulness.
  • Yin Yoga – A restorative practice to release tension and promote deep relaxation.
  • Guided Meditation – Cultivating inner peace and mindfulness through stillness and breath.

Sunday – Integration & Moving Forward

  • Morning Activity – Another refreshing start with a walk to Byron Bay’s lighthouse, breathwork, and yoga.
  • Workshop: Lifestyle & Healthy Eating for Vitality – Sustainable habits to support long-term well-being.
  • Workshop: Daily Practice for Inner Peace – Learn how to create a personalised daily routine integrating yoga, breathwork, and meditation.
  • Breathwork, Movement & Meditation – Bringing it all together into a holistic practice.
  • Closing Circle – Reflect, connect, and set intentions for life beyond the retreat.

After the closing session on Sunday, you may continue to enjoy the centre’s facilities—whether that’s a dip in the therapeutic mineral salt pool, a visit to the nearby beach, or a peaceful stroll into town.

Nourish

A highlight of the retreat is the delicious, plant-based meals, crafted with fresh, seasonal ingredients—mainly sourced directly from our onsite organic garden. Meals are designed to support overall health and well-being, reinforcing the connection between mindful eating and a calm, balanced mind.

Take Home Practical Tools

Beyond relaxation, this retreat provides practical strategies you can integrate into daily life—whether it’s breathwork, movement, meditation, or nutrition—to cultivate resilience, balance, and well-being.

You come as you were, and leave as you should be.

– Anastasia from Queensland

Byron Yoga Centre is an amazing place for you to go back to yourself, and to what matters in your life. You’ll feel nourished in many ways in this beautiful place with such kind beautiful people.

– Priscila from Brazil

I just loved coming here. I learn something new every day. Meet amazing people. Incredible food! I love the variety with classes as well!

– Shannon from Queensland

“Byron Yoga Centre really offers a unique experience for guests. You get the chance to completely switch off, but without feeling like you’re on a strict/disciplined retreat. You learn whilst practicing, you’re given guidance and advice, without it being pushed onto you. And most importantly, everything you do is of your own choice and at your own pace, which I found really unique. The location, facilities and people made you feel like you were part of a family and I would come back in a heartbeat.”

– Emma

I came in very stressed and anxious with a busy mind. I am leaving calm and feeling on the ay to being restored.

– Chelsea from Victoria

BYC is a fabulous retreat, offering excellent yoga instruction in a non-judgemental relaxing environment. For me an additional bonus is the beautiful mineral swimming pool and close proximity to Byron for a beach walk and swim.

– Alison from Victoria

About your hosts

Together, Rich, Tom, and Erin bring a wealth of experience, compassion, and lived wisdom to the Veteran’s Mindfulness Retreat, offering you the tools and support to cultivate resilience, balance, and lasting well-being.

Coming to the Yoga way later in life, he has now embraced it completely, and wants to assist others to do the same. Level 1 Teacher, Trauma Aware,
Remedial, and Seniors qualified through Byron Yoga Centre, with over 500 hours of teacher training completed. Rich is a Veteran and served 25 years in the Australian Army, and has been drawn to yoga to address mental and physical injuries, without the requirement for prescription drugs and alcohol. His own personal experience with Yoga has had a profound effect on his quality of life, and he wants to pass on this experience.

Tom has served over 4 years in the army as an Infantry soldier and 17 years as a PTI, completing 21 years in the uniform. After his discharge, Tom focused on teaching yoga and meditation which greatly assisted with his transition from defence. His deployments and overseas trips included the Sinai and Malaysia, and he is currently recovering from a hip resurface in early 2025 from such an active role in the army. Tom is very passionate about all things health, whether they be physical, mental, spiritual or emotional and sees this as a major priority in his life.

Erin guides a holistic yoga practice and holds a nurturing space for deepening presence and insight. She believes yoga is a technique for transformation and that by developing awareness, we create opportunities for shifts towards greater well-being and fulfilment.

Erin has been teaching yoga since 2010. She also draws on 20 years’ experience facilitating positive change for clients in their health and wellness. Her background and educational accomplishments bring together yoga, exercise and health science (BSc), psychology (MSc Coaching Psychology), and mindfulness training.

She discovered yoga in university, finding it a compliment to playing competitive sport and studying exercise science. She later realised the importance of a dedicated practice in dealing with the adverse effects of sustained stress. She decided to deepen her yogic knowledge through teacher training.

Her teaching is influenced by her mentors and the styles of traditional Hatha, Vinyasa flow, Restorative and Yin Yoga. She regularly teaches on teacher trainings and retreats.

Retreat Inclusions

  • 2 nights twin shared accommodation (single and ensuite rooms subject to cost and availability)
  • All meals: nutritionally-balanced, delicious, vegetarian menu (allergies and preferences catered to)
  • Unlimited herbal teas and fruit
  • 1 massage or treatments
  • Use of onsite bicycles
  • Use of heated 20 metre mineral salt swimming pool
  • Option of up to three daily yoga classes (flow / classic hatha / restorative or Yin)
  • Workshops on yoga and meditation, yogic philosophy and nutrition
  • Evening program such as guided relaxation

This retreat is best suited for

This retreat is designed for veterans and frontline personnel—including those from the police, medical, fire, army, navy, and air force—who are seeking a safe, supportive space to unwind, reset, and reconnect.

  • It is especially beneficial for those who:
  • Want to explore mindfulness, breathwork, and movement as tools for well-being.
  • Are looking for practical ways to manage stress, improve sleep, and enhance focus.
  • Appreciate the power of community and connecting with like-minded individuals.
  • Wish to develop a sustainable daily practice for a calmer, more balanced life.

Create a practice that is your own, your time, your peace, your space.

No prior experience in yoga or mindfulness is required—just an open mind and a willingness to explore new ways to support your well-being.

The schedule is flexible, all sessions are optional, it is designed to maximise your retreat experience whilst allowing free time to enjoy being in Byron Bay.

Arrival Day:

8:00am - 2.45pm - Arrive anytime and settle in to your accommodation
12:30pm - Lunch (optional)
3:00pm - Welcome Circle
4:30pm - Trauma-Aware Yoga Class
6:00pm - Dinner
7:00pm - Guided Meditation / Yoga Nidra

Second Day:

6:00am - Beach walk, breath and yoga
8:00am - Breakfast
9:00am - Benefits of breath on the human body
10:00am - Morning Break
10:30am - Healthy eating concepts + yoga
12:30pm - Lunch
1:30pm - Relax / Treatment
4:30pm - Yin Yoga Class
6:00pm - Dinner
7:00pm - Guided Meditation

Final Day:

6:00am - Morning lighthouse walk, breath & yoga
8:00am - Breakfast
9:00am - Lifestyle and healthy eating for vitality
10:00am - Morning Break
10:30am - How a daily practice creates a place of peace + yoga
12:30pm - Lunch
1:30pm - Breathwork, movement & meditation in a daily practice
2:30pm - Closing Circle
3:00pm - Departure

* Daily program may vary slightly

The yoga taught at Byron Yoga Retreat Centre is called Purna, meaning integrated or complete. We offer a holistic approach to yoga integrating not just the physical postures but also meditation, pranayama and philosophy. You can learn more about Purna Yoga here.

The following items are not included in the Yoga Retreat prices, but can be added by request:

For returning guests who are looking for a varied experience, or for those wishing to combine the retreat with more adventurous activity or to explore the local area – we have several program options and activity partners (subject to availability, minimum numbers and additional costs). You can also choose to book extra options when you purchase your retreat. See below for more details.

ActivityAvailabilityMinimum numberAdditional costBooking process
Surf Lesson Could be 9am or after lunch for approx 4 hours, tide and weather dependentNo Minimum number$99 per person per lesson (board and wetsuit included)Book with your retreat (refunded if cancelled due to weather)
Kayaking Could be 9.30am or 2pm for approx 4 hours, weather dependentNo Minimum number$99 per person Book with your retreat (refunded if cancelled due to weather)
Crystal Castle Mon, Wed or Fri, pick up at 12.20pm return by 5pmMinimum 2 people required$109 per person (includes transport, entry fee and the peace meditation)Book with your retreat (refunded if not Minimum number)

Accommodation

At Byron Yoga Centre, we believe that where you stay is an integral part of your wellness journey. Our accommodation options are simple and comfortable and cater to various preferences and budgets.

Whether you choose a twin room with a shared bathroom, or a private ensuite room with a verandah, you’ll find a harmonious space to recharge and rejuvenate after a day of yoga practice and self-discovery. You can find all of our Yoga Retreat accommodation options and inclusions here. 

Vegetarian Menu

We boast 3 acres of beautiful organic gardens, which supplies most of the food for our vegetarian menu. Our meals are meticulously crafted to be nutritionally balanced, cleansing, and nourishing.

Our commitment to SLOW means sourcing super-fresh produce from our own organic gardens whenever possible and opting for local, organic, and in-season ingredients. This ensures not only the exceptional taste of our meals but also provides toxin-free food with maximum freshness, delivering optimum nutrients to the body.

You can find out more about our vegtarian menu here. 

Explore
Byron Bay

Our Yoga Retreat guests love spending time at the beach, walking the iconic lighthouse trail, whale or dolphin watching, hanging out in cafes and browsing the unique shops in this funky town known for its alternative and laid back atmosphere. Byron Yoga Centre is conveniently located within walking distance from town. We’ve put together a list of a few of our favourite activities to do in and around  Byron Bay during your stay.

Read more here.

Virtual Tour