Five Day Backbend Retreat

Join Senior Iyengar Yoga Teacher Frank Jesse for an immersive five-day exploration of backbends designed to deepen your yoga practice. Across the retreat, Frank will guide you in approaching backbends with greater ease and awareness, helping you avoid overstretching while supporting both your personal practice and your teaching.

With a maximum of 12 participants, the experience allows for generous individual attention, along with space for questions and discussion throughout the retreat.

This retreat is ideal for experienced yoga practitioners, teachers, and teacher trainees.

In your free time, you can walk or cycle through the Grampians National Park between yoga sessions and delicious gourmet vegetarian meals. Take time to rest, read, enjoy the company of others, book a massage, sample local cafés and restaurants, or simply absorb the sweeping mountain views from the peaceful architect-designed accommodation.

"Frank thank you again for an amazing five days. Frank, you are a truly empathic teacher, and your food and garden are as nourishing as yoga. Being able to sit on your verandah and stare at the mountains (or better yet walk on them) is a perfect way to reflect on the learnings from yoga and digest the delicious meals. I encourage everyone to treat themselves to this amazing experience." Kimina

A range of retreat packages is available, including accommodation in modern, luxurious mountain view king rooms with ensuite facilities or twin share rooms with shared facilities.

Yoga and food packages are also offered, giving you the freedom to choose from one of the nearby accommodation providers. A recommended list of accommodation providers is available under the Yoga and Food Package on the booking page.

Transport: Griffins Hill is located 3 hours west of Melbourne, making for a relaxing self-drive journey through Western Victoria’s magnificent landscape. You can select the ride share option when booking, and a carpool will be arranged to help connect participants.

There are twice daily VLine public transport services between Southern Cross Station Melbourne and Dunkeld, with free transfers from the Dunkeld bus stop to the retreat.

Food: Retreat meals are carefully prepared vegetarian dishes made with fresh produce from the kitchen garden. Tea and coffee are provided.

Your Retreat Schedual

Day One

• 12:00pm Welcome lunch. Retreat gates open
• 2:30 – 5:30 Coming Together Yoga Workshop
• 7:00pm Damn delightful dinner
• 9:00 Rest

Day Two and Day Four

• 7:30 Light refreshments
• 8:00 – 11:00am Deep Yoga Backbend Workshop
• 11:30 Brilliant brunch
• 1:00 Explore, rest or walk the mountains
• 4:30 – 6:00pm Restorative yoga
• 7:00 OMG dinner
• 9:00 Deeply satisfying rest

Day Three

• 7:30 Light refreshments
• 8:00 – 11:00am Deep Yoga Backbend Workshop
• 11:30pm Scrumptious brunch
• 1:00pm Explore, rest or walk the mountains
• 4:30 – 6:00pm Restorative yoga
• 7:00 – 9:00pm Divine dinner

Day Five

• 7:30 Light refreshments
• 8:00 – 11:00am Bringing it Together Yoga Workshop
• 11:30pm See you next time brunch
• 2:00pm Farewell (feeling fabulous)

Acknowledgement of Country

Griffins Hill Retreat acknowledges and pays respect to the Traditional Custodians of the land we are on, the Gunditjmara and Eastern Maar and their elders past, present and emerging.