Where whales come to share their energy, our 1-day wellness retreats are offered by Fran Siebrits, at her boutique home-studio venue in De Kelders, Gansbaai.

The day starts with a Yoga Class to warm up the bodies and wake-up the minds, followed by a morning Wellness Workshop of fascia release, breathwork and embodiment practices for well-being.

There is a break for lunch at a local seafront cafe, which is a short walk along the coastal path, with some time afterwards to enjoy the whale sightings while connecting with the beautiful natural surroundings.

We meet again for a Cacao Ceremony in the afternoon, going inwards to meet our hearts.

VENUE

• Fran’s Shala, De Kelders (private venue)
  Gansbaai, Western Cape, South Africa

COST & PAYMENT

• R1500 for 1 person / R2500 for 2 people
• Full payment secures your spot
• We have a 24 hour cancellation policy
• Space is limited; booking essential

WHAT TO BRING

• You will be sent an email with all information for the retreat plus a Ceremony Preparation Guide to implement the days before; advance booking essential

HOW TO BOOK

• Click here to make payment to secure your spot
• Email info@fran-shala.co.za or WhatsApp +27 60 913 9559 to confirm your place

❤️

RETREAT SHEDULE

09h00-10h00 Yoga Class

All levels welcome to join for this Integrated Hatha Vinyasa class with Fran.

10h30-12h30 Wellness Workshop
(Fascia Release / Breathwork / Embodiment Practices)

The Fascia System, the Respiratory System, and the Musculoskeletal System are amongst some of the most important areas to address for health, wellness, healing and overall longevity.

Fran will take you through a practical exploration of this vast field of her expertise. In each workshop you will learn some theory to support the specific techniques she will present, which you will work through during the workshop.

The aim of each workshop is that you leave feeling more empowered in your body, with the awareness and skills needed to continue practicing at home.

13h00-15h00 Lunch and Whale Watching

Lunch at a local seafront cafe, which is a short walk along the coastal path (or drive if the weather is not great), with some time afterwards to enjoy the whale sightings while connecting with the beautiful natural surroundings.

15h00-18h00 Cacao+Sound Ceremony

We will share in the sacred heart-medicine of Ceremonial-grade Cacao as Fran facilitates Cacao Ritual Drinking and a Sound Journey, weaving the Nahuale energy of her initiated path in the Mayan Cosmovision into this Sacred Ceremony.

This Ceremony Includes:

• Opening Sacred Space, asking permission to the land & invoking the sacred elements
• Aligning ourselves with the Mayan Calendar and the sacred Nahuale energy of the day
• Cacao Spirit invocation and intention setting
• Ceremonial-Cacao receiving, cleansing & drinking ritual
• Breathing practice to cleanse & harmonise the energetic channels
• Guided heart opening meditation for spiritual connection & healing
• Sound medicine journey to assist openening the heart chakra
• Moon Cycle journaling reflection
• Sharing Circle
• Closing Sacred Space

PLEASE NOTE: Although this ceremony is being offered as part of our day-retreat, in the spirit of community we open it up to others to book, provided there is still space. If you are not able to make the day-retreat, you are still welcome to join for the ceremony as a stand-alone offering.

Are you ready to join us for a day of Wellness and Whales?

ABOUT THE WHALES

Every year from June to October the southern right and humpback whales migrate to calve in the warmer waters off South Africa’s coast.

Ranging from 2.6m to 29.9m in length and from 135kg to an astounding 190 metric tons in weight, whales never fail to amaze even the most experienced wildlife watcher. De Kelders is the picturesque suburb of the fishing village Gansbaai (also know for it’s shark-cage diving and marine safaris), and is situated on the Overstrand coastline within the Western Cape region. Many know Hermanus to be the whale-watching haven, but its quieter neighbouring village is just as prolific in sightings, without the crowds!

The type of whale that comes close to shore are mostly the southern right whale, migrating from Antarctica in June and remaining in the relatively warm waters of South Africa for a few months.

You do not need to venture into the ocean to see the massive mammals! The village has numerous cliff paths to walk with excellent view of the bays where the whales come to rest. There are many different points of access, so you can opt for a big hike or a shorter stroll.

During these months whale sightings are pretty much guaranteed as this coastline is considered the world’s best destination for land-based whale watching.

The southern right whales are not too difficult to spot, as they are on average 15m long and weigh up to 100 metric tons! They are dark grey or black, with striking whitish-grey callosities or calluses, patches of calcified skin, on their head, above their eyes, or around their blowhole. They have a broad back, with no dorsal fin. They arrive in the seas off this stretch of coastline in June and begin their breeding season immediately. Mating occurs under water, but you might spot a group of males surrounding a female on the surface before she is ready to pick her partner and swim with him into the deep. The gestation period is one year and many females have specific birthing zones, to which they return every three years. Mothers love playing with their offspring, sometimes for up to several hours. Walker Bay is particularly popular for breeding, calving, and bringing up babies, with a range of other whale behaviours on show as well! These include lobtailing, when a whale slaps its tail on the top of the water and makes a loud clapping sound, and spyhopping, when a whale emerges vertically from the ocean and has a look around. There is also sailing, holding the tail above the water, and of course the breathtaking display of breaching, immense leaps ending in the noisiest splash ever! Listen out for the ‘whoosh!’ of whales pushing water out through their blowholes too – and finally the grunts that carry for as much as a couple of kilometres!