‘Yang To Yin’ Itinerary
May 20- 22, 2022 at The Farmstead in Yarra Valley
Friday, May 20, 2022
4pm It’s Getaway Time: Guests are welcome to arrive at The Farmstead from 4pm, giving you time to meet your hosts, Sarah & Jess, get settled in your room & explore the amazing property in which we get to call home for the weekend.
5pm Post-drive Stretch: Let’s kick off our weekend with an energizing 60 minute flow with Sarah to drop you into the present moment that is your Mat & Table getaway. Can’t make it to Yarra Valley by 5pm? No stress. We (& your drink) will be waiting for you whenever you can join.
6:30pm Bubbly, Bites & Billiards: Like any fabulous dinner-party, we’ll start with something to wake up our palettes & curb any post-flow hunger. Wear something you feel comfortable & great in, grab some bubbly & meet your fellow ‘Yang to Yin-sters’ over a game of billiards or a chat by the fire place.
7:45pm To The Table: “Coming together & sharing a meal would have to be the most communal & binding act around the world”- Food for Everyone. We agree completely- that’s why we centered a whole weekend around it. Grab a seat at the table & get to know each other over handpicked local wines & our first meal by our private chef & Melbourne hospitality legend, Tori Bicknell.
Saturday, May 21, 2022
Early riser or don’t like to practice on an empty stomach? No worries, we wouldn’t dare leave you hungry. The kitchen will have fruit, granola, yoghurt, fresh bread, jam & coffee by 7am on both mornings.
9am Rise & Sun Sal: We’ll start the day with a light-hearted & dynamic 75 minute flow with Sarah designed to kick start your Saturday on a high.
10:30am Fill Your Tank: Refuel your body with an abundant brunch spread full of sweet & savory options, fresh juices & local pastries. Oh, & of course, coffee.
11:15am The Valley Is Your Playground: The next few hours are completely yours. Winery hop throughout the Yarra Valley? Drive the Black Spur? Visit charming Healesville? Alternatively, why not take a long bath & snuggle up by the fire with a book? Yum. There’s plenty of time… use it however you fancy.
4:30pm Yin & Pin: “Moving from Autumn into winter, as the leaves fall from the trees to protect and nourish the earth below, our bodies too retreat in this way. We need more rest and more warmth, as we dial down our energy into conservation mode, as the shorter days and darker nights ensue. Whether it’s a winter in hibernation, or a good night’s sleep, the importance of rest cannot be overstated.” - Courtney Fisher. Join beloved Chinese Herbalist, Acupuncturist & Remedial Massage Therapist, Courtney Fisher & Sarah for a 90 minute decadent session combining the practices of yin yoga, yoga nidra, acupuncture, & massage therapy to move into the deep restorative energy of winter. We cannot wait to spoil you for these 90 minutes.
6pm Take Your Time: Post Yin & Pin, listen to what your body needs. There’s time to retreat to your room for a cat-nap, refresh with a shower, challenge a new friend to a game of billiards, or grab a pre-dinner glass before we re-group for the evening.
7:30pm A Bountiful Feast: “One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing & devote our attention to eating.” — Luciano Pavarotti. Join Chef Tori around the table as we feast on flavorful plates, pour wine, & share stories.
Sunday, May 22, 2022
9am Easy Like Sunday Morning: After a sleep in, we’ll start our day by finding connection with breathe & body in a nurturing 60 minute Slow Flow with Sarah. Cuppas on the mat are most welcome.
10:15am New Day, New Feast: “One should not attend even the end of the world without a good breakfast” - Robert A. Heinlein. You heard the man, before anything else on the schedule- it’s time for another brunch spread by Chef Tori.
11am What Are You Craving?: The next few hours are yours to unwind or do anything you didn’t have a chance to do yesterday. Receive a private massage from Courtney? Visit the Healesville Sanctuary? Explore the incredible grounds of The Farmstead?
2pm Awaken your Masterchef with Nornie Bero: “In Australia we have so many great power-packed natives, and we don’t use them. They grow naturally and we’re missing out on the amazing flavours that are here.” — Nornie Bero. We are honoured to have Nornie, the charismatic Torres Strait Islander chef join us at Mat & Table. She has been championing indigenous ingredients across Melbourne kitchens for 25 years. Nornie will teach us in a hands-on class how to make Torres Strait dish, damper. We’ll also leave with the knowledge of how we can incorporate indigenous ingredients & flavours into our own home cooking.
3:30pm Love You & Leave You: There is no rush. Take your time gathering your things & we’ll all regroup for a proper farewell before heading down the gravel road to Melbourne.
* Timings & itinerary are subject to change—as life naturally does all the time!
