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Modern Life
How To Build Immune Strength
Mar 10, 2020 | Alcohol, Modern Life
This is such an important topic right now that we’re doing two posts on the subject in one week and some great information has just come out in this article by Amy Fleming. You can read it here or our summary below.... read moreFour Main Ways to Boost Your Immune Function
Mar 6, 2020 | Modern Life, Nutrition
Find out how to boost your immune strength to see off pathogenic virus and bacteria,.
read moreWhat to expect on a day retreat at Billabong
Feb 18, 2020 | Modern Life
Would you love to visit Billabong but taking a few days away from your commitments has been a bit challenging to organise? Come and visit us for the day! Not sure what to expect? Picture this: You arrive at 8:30am to be welcomed by our warm and smiley office staff who... read moreSeven DIY Christmas Crafts
Dec 18, 2019 | Modern Life
Christmas is upon us and for many people that means pulling out the plastic Christmas tree, decorating it with tinsel and other trinkets before packing it all up ready for the following year. Kirsty and Jess have been getting creative in the past weeks with recycled... read moreBillabong Christmas gift buying explained
Nov 19, 2019 | Modern Life
This year we are seeing a huge movement towards gifting experiences rather than things and we are totally on board. Often people buy gifts simply so that they have something to give and I know I am not alone in being given many gifts over the years that I never end up... read moreBenefits of bulk food purchasing at Naked Foods
Jul 22, 2019 | Modern Life
Being an eco retreat, at Billabong we are always trying to reduce the amount of plastic that we use. There has been a big push in recent times towards bamboo toothbrushes, stainless steel straws and canvas shopping bags and that is great. But, one of the biggest ways... read moreWhy do we find it so hard to do things that we know are good for us?
Jun 23, 2019 | Modern Life, Wellness
“There is no teacher that can teach us anything new, they can only help to remind us what we already knew.” Why is it we know many things that are beneficial to our wellbeing, however, for whatever reason we find it hard or challenging to do so? We know many of the... read moreBook: 12 Rules for Life
May 30, 2019 | Books, Modern Life
By Jordan Peterson, reviewed by Paul von Bergen # Warning: We have had reports that some people are offended by some of the things that this author has said in public. We make no judgement or support for the author. Below is simply a review of this one book # This is... read moreBook: This Naked Mind
Apr 5, 2019 | Alcohol, Books, Modern Life
Wow – this book is a game changer. This is going to do for alcohol what the Alan Carr book did to help millions of people come off the crazy addiction of smoking. I highly recommend listening to the audio book rather than reading it as the audio book is narrated... read moreDon’t search for happiness, create it!
Feb 4, 2019 | Modern Life, Wellness
I remember a few years ago walking past a colourfully painted mural of a rainbow sitting in a blue sky with a quote saying, “Don’t search for happiness, create it!” and I just stood in front of that mural thinking about what happiness means to me and whether I was... read moreFive reasons why parents should go on retreat, without the kids!
Feb 1, 2019 | Modern Life, Wellness
I am not going to lie, I don’t have kids. So perhaps I am not the best person to be writing this article. But, I have supported many students who are parents and I feel like I have a pretty good understanding of what it means to be a parent. You know: the guilt,... read moreTips for a Conscious Christmas
Nov 6, 2018 | Modern Life
Somehow 2018 has whizzed by and we are jetting towards Christmas at lightning speed. Given the state of our environment, the effects of the boom in social media and the increasing busy-ness of our lifestyle, it is more important than ever to be conscious of what we... read moreWhy guys should be going on retreat
Aug 27, 2018 | Modern Life, Wellness
Statistically, women are much more likely to go on retreat than men. There seems to be a stereotype that retreats mean eating rabbit food, talking about your feelings and getting pampered. Although you can talk about your feelings if you want and, of course, we can... read moreSpring Rejuvenation Retreat
Aug 21, 2018 | Modern Life, Nutrition, Wellness
Sunday 2nd to Wednesday 5th September 2018 Spring is about to arrive and we want to celebrate! Join us for our special Spring Rejuvenation Retreat to welcome the end of winter and the start of spring with open arms. Spring is a time when we awaken from the winter... read moreTen Ways to Practice Self Care in Spring
Aug 21, 2018 | Modern Life, Wellness
Spring is almost here! This is very exciting news as it means longer days and more importantly, warmer weather. Spring is traditionally a time of new beginnings and fresh starts. Did you know? In Australia we classify seasons in terms of calendar months which means... read moreJill Bolte Taylor: Stroke of Insight
May 2, 2018 | Mindfulness, Modern Life, Podcasts and Videos
Incredible story of a neuroscientist who had a left brain stroke and experienced what is what like to inhabit a pure right brain consciousness. This gives an amazing insight into the right brain’s connectedness with the energy all around us and as humans become... read moreYoga Dad presents What is Yoga?
Mar 21, 2018 | Modern Life, Podcasts and Videos, Yoga
Short video from Billabong Retreat founder Paul aka ‘Yoga Dad’ explaining why we all need to do yoga! read moreFarm Shop with a Heart
Mar 20, 2018 | Modern Life, Nutrition, Wellness
Warrah Biodynamic Farm at Dural supplies all of our organic fruit and vegetables and are a registered charity providing services to adults and children with disabilities in Sydney’s North West. They grow a wide range of certified biodynamic/organic seasonal produce,... read moreBook: Loving What Is
Mar 1, 2018 | Books, Modern Life
This book is extremely helpful if you ever find that you have disturbing emotional thoughts that are very hard to ignore or to get rid of. In this book Byron Katie gives format and formula for conversations which create breakthroughs and transformation. read moreBook: We’re All Going To Die
Dec 8, 2017 | Books, Modern Life
This is a beautiful joyful book that understands one of the keys to enjoying life is to come to terms with our own inevitable death. Written by an Australian medical doctor this book explains the wisdom that comes from reconciling ourselves with death, a skill that... read moreBook: You Can Heal Your Life
Oct 8, 2017 | Books, Modern Life
This book is designed to help anyone come to the realisation that we are the creators of our own suffering and we can be the creators of our own joy. This book has sold 50 million copies – think of all those lives helped. What a woman, what a life. Here are some... read moreTea Time Meditation
Sep 6, 2017 | Meditation, Mindfulness, Modern Life, Podcasts and Videos
How to Transform Your Tea Time Into A Meditation Practice by Billabong Retreat Basia Nowacki. Basia is a yoga and meditation teacher, known for her down to earth kindness, warm and calming spirit. She teachers and inspires acceptance of what is, living in the present... read moreForest Bathing is Scientifically Good for You!
Jul 28, 2017 | Modern Life, Wellness
We were fascinated by this article about some scientific research in Japan that actually explains why hanging out with trees improves your immune function! The Japanese practice of forest bathing is proven to lower heart rate and blood pressure, reduce stress hormone... read moreHow to Ease Your Stress by Paul von Bergen
Jul 5, 2017 | In The Media, Mindfulness, Modern Life, Podcasts and Videos
Interview between Dr William De Jean and Billabong Retreat founder Paul von Bergen about how to reduce stress. read moreInstinct vs Impulse by Paul von Bergen
Jun 19, 2017 | Mindfulness, Modern Life
On first look, an impulse can feel very much like an instinct. It comes from inside and seems to drive you to do something. Instincts also come from inside but are more a general gut feeling that you should follow a particular path. Impulses are not always good for... read moreFilm: The Living Matrix
May 15, 2017 | Modern Life
An oldie but a goldie! Great film that explains the importance of understanding the power of placebo and the energetic field that we all inhabit. Features interviews with leading scientists including one of our heroes Bruce Lipton. View the trailer AND then support... read moreKindness is King
May 15, 2017 | Modern Life, Spirituality
By Paul von Bergen Compassion and kindness starts with the self. This is not narcissistic or self-centred but the best contribution you can make to the universe. When you love yourself you will project love to others. When you hate yourself this is what you will... read moreWhat Are Your Wellness Goals?
Apr 4, 2017 | Modern Life, Wellness
We just did some great research to find out what bothered people in their lives and we had nearly 5,000 submissions. It really seems that in today’s world many of us want to find a way to calm our busy minds, reduce the effects of stress and improve our energy... read moreOur Food Philosophy
Mar 26, 2017 | Modern Life, Wellness
We believe that good nutrition is one of the foundations of good health and longevity and that it should not be complicated. We serve wholefoods, as nature produced them, free from artificial pesticides, chemicals and antibiotics. We serve vegetarian food not because... read moreLife After a Retreat – What Now?
Mar 23, 2017 | Modern Life, Yoga
How many of you have been on a retreat, especially a Yoga retreat, experienced breakthroughs, learnt skills and come out revitalised and inspired to practice on the ‘outside’? In reality, this often proves more challenging than that first day you go back into the... read moreSetting Quality Intentions: Top Eight Tips by Paul von Bergen
Dec 22, 2016 | Mindfulness, Modern Life, Spirituality, Wellness
By Paul von Bergen, Founder, Billabong Retreat Learning how to set high quality intentions rather than poor quality resolutions is an essential skill for anyone who wants to create change in their lives. How many times have you or someone else set a new year... read moreHow to Make New Year Intentions Stick
Jan 6, 2016 | Modern Life, Wellness
It’s that time of the year where new resolutions and intentions are set, but how do we actually make them stick? Here are some quick and easy tips. Limit how many resolutions you have to three (If you accomplish them early, then add more) Work out how you’ll deal with... read moreThe New Year: Are we evolving?
Jan 15, 2015 | Modern Life, Spirituality
For many of us, the start of a new year usually marks the beginning of a new cycle. It is often a time of reflection on the various events that have happened in the prior year, what we have achieved or not, and the setting for new resolutions based on what we would... read moreBig Fat Lies by David Gillespie
Mar 13, 2014 | Modern Life, Nutrition, Wellness
By Paul von Bergen There is a lot of confusion out there at the moment about what exactly is causing the high rates of cancer, heart disease, obesity and diabetes that we are seeing particularly in the Western world. Certainly the trend over the past fifty years of... read moreBiology of Belief
Feb 10, 2014 | Mindfulness, Modern Life, Spirituality, Wellness
By Paul von Bergen We have been fans of Bruce Lipton for a while now and the more we read and absorb, the more obvious and simple his teachings become. His core statement is that our thoughts affect our genes. We think thoughts which create emotional chemicals that... read moreHow to Set Intentions or Goals by Paul von Bergen
Jan 8, 2014 | Meditation, Mindfulness, Modern Life, Spirituality
By Paul von Bergen With the new year firmly established it is appropriate to reflect on the direction of our life and whether we are creating the reality we want. It is also a time when a lot of us set goals with the belief that this will more likely make them happen.... read moreTop Tips Supporting You Through Chemotherapy
Nov 20, 2013 | Modern Life, Wellness
Embarking on the road of chemotherapy treatment for cancer can be a difficult and trying time for anyone to endure. Having gone through chemotherapy and radiation for breast cancer just over 5 years ago, here are some tips that I can offer to support you through... read moreHealing from Cancer
Aug 15, 2013 | Modern Life, Wellness
My Understanding During the time I was having chemotherapy, I attended a local movie premiere of Sex In The City. The evening was a fundraiser for breast cancer. Given the nature of the movie, the cinema was naturally full of women with the odd token male. As I looked... read more10 helpful hints for gut health and strong winter immunity
Jun 12, 2013 | Modern Life, Nutrition, Wellness
Prebiotics and probiotics (prebiotics feed the probiotics) Fermented foods, kefir and saukraut. Make sure to start with small doses. Gluten free and wheat free diet Try a sugar free diet. Use stevia or Xylitol instead Cook with coconut oil, it is full of... read morePractice Makes Perfect by Paul von Bergen
Mar 14, 2013 | Mindfulness, Modern Life
By Paul von Bergen We have all heard this phrase a million times and know it to be true. It is a simple concept that us humans are able to grasp. We know for instance that if we practice a sport we will get better at it, if we practice the piano our skills will... read moreReuse Water Bottles
Nov 19, 2012 | Modern Life
Why yogis should use reusable water bottles. Yoga comes from the root Sanskrit word for yoke, which means to connect. This means connecting the different aspects of your being; your mind, body and spirit and connecting with your own nature, the nature of other people... read moreABC Radio ‘Practice Makes Perfect’
Jul 4, 2012 | Modern Life
ABC Radio ‘Practice Makes Perfect’ Great program about neural plasticity and the importance of regular practice – this is the science of why we need to do a daily yoga meditation practice! read moreA Beautiful Thing…
Jun 19, 2012 | Modern Life
What a beautiful gift. From one human to another. The gift of life. Just watched the last ten minutes of a SBS documentary with Caroline Quentin, Passage Through India. It featured an incredible place where babies are brought into this world in a safe and loving... read moreCity Life by Paul von Bergen
Jun 12, 2012 | Modern Life
By Paul von Bergen Why is it that when we have all this space in the world, most of us like to cram in together in cities. Is it just because of work opportunities? Is it because of the arts? Do we think we will miss out on something otherwise? Perhaps we get a buzz... read moreRead more“The breath is the link between the conscious and unconscious mind”
The Breath is The Link
Jun 2, 2012 | Modern Life
“The breath is the link between the conscious and unconscious mind” read moreIndigenous Wisdom by Paul von Bergen
Jun 1, 2012 | Modern Life, Spirituality
By Paul von Bergen If you have read the article on perspective, then you will realize that the amount of time that Europeans have been in Australia is miniscule compared to the time that indigenous people have. About 250 years versus 40,000 years – 0.00625% of the... read moreWhat is The Meaning of Life by Paul von Bergen
Jun 1, 2012 | Modern Life, Spirituality
By Paul von Bergen Many people have many different opinions on this, most of us simply don’t have a clue, some of us don’t think there is one and too many of us seem to thing that it is to collect as many material possessions as possible. The meaning of life is easy... read moreRead moreThe trick to life is not to live in the know but to love living in the mystery
The Trick To Life
Mar 29, 2012 | Modern Life
The trick to life is not to live in the know but to love living in the mystery Dr Fred Alan Wolfe read more