Nectar Meditation Retreat

There is a particular kind of tiredness that a long weekend away rarely touches, the kind that comes from living at constant momentum. The Nectar Meditation Retreat on Bowen Island, BC is an invitation to step out of that pace and settle into something slower, quieter and more deliberate. Over three days and two nights, the whole system gets a chance to reset.

Led by Carolyn Anne Budgell, a yoga and breathwork teacher who has been sharing mindfulness, meditation and breathwork since 2009, this meditation retreat weaves together many types of practice: seated and walking meditation, guided breathwork, mindfulness teachings and self-inquiry. It takes place at Nectar Yoga, a sanctuary about 20 minutes off the coast of Vancouver, in the quiet of early winter. If you are looking to take stock, release what you have been carrying and listen with more clarity, this retreat makes room for exactly that.

What to Expect

The days balance guidance with spaciousness. Practice happens in a geodesic dome nestled into the trees beside a babbling creek, and the setting becomes part of the teaching: moving water, forest, and time in nature among like-minded people.

- Seated and walking meditations on the Nectar trails
- Guided breathwork practices
- Mindfulness lectures, journalling and self-inquiry
- Brief periods of silence
- Restorative and yin yoga, offered gently and not as a major focus
- A welcome gift
- All vegetarian meals and snacks by Nectar Catering
- Rest and unhurried time connecting with nature

For those who wish to go further, two optional offerings are available: an ocean meditation with a guided cold plunge on Day 2, and a thermal spa circuit at Mist Thermal Sanctuary, Nectar's sister property.

The retreat begins on a Wednesday afternoon and closes on Friday morning. Participants leave with a varied toolkit of meditation, mindfulness and breathing practices, along with the experience of having actually rested and listened.

About Carolyn Anne Budgell

Carolyn Anne Budgell has shared mindfulness, meditation and breathwork since 2009. Her experience includes presenting at Wanderlust and Lululemon festivals, being published on My Yoga Online and Halfmoon Yoga, instructing more than 20 yoga and meditation teacher trainings, and serving as a Lululemon ambassador. She credits Adyashanti, Tara Brach, Reggie Ray and many others for their relatable guidance. Carolyn encourages others to remember that it is never too late to breathe deeply, grow and change.

Venue & Logistics

The retreat is held at Nectar Yoga (Nectar Retreat Centre), 720 Gardner Lane, Bowen Island, BC, on the ancestral and unceded territory of Nexwlélexwm. Bowen Island is reached by ferry from Vancouver. Accommodation is offered in a range of lodge rooms and cottages, in single, double or triple occupancy, with a commuter option also available; prices are listed in CAD and start from $350. Those sharing a room should book together with their roommate or friend, as pairing cannot be guaranteed. After purchase, a sign-up form is completed and a detailed welcome email with all retreat information arrives within 48 hours.