Welcome to Sandhána, your Waiheke Island wellness sanctuary. The intention behind Sandhána is to come together and unite, heal, cultivate friendship, discover inner peace, be supported and receive.
Founded by Donna O’Connor, a passionate advocate for supporting humans to live an optimal life in a way that is approachable and sustainable. She has travelled the world with a sense of curiosity, exploring the wisdom of ancient traditions and how they can best be applied to modern day life. Having experimented, trained in and refined her learnings the tools and teachings she shares have had a profound impact in both her own life and those she teaches. Forever a student, she continues to be on the path of enquiry, seeking to find the key to thriving health throughout each life stage. Donna is inspired by stories of the great yogi’s living well into their nineties in able bodies and minds and tapping into the fountain of youth.
Namaste,
My name is Donna and I’m excited to be sharing Sandhána with you. I’ve been coming to Waiheke Island since I was a child gathering many precious memories here. I spent 15 years living overseas and travelling the world. Each time I came back to New Zealand I could feel the island calling me and I knew I was going to live here one day. That dream finally came into fruition in 2018 when I purchased this house, with the vision to hold yoga retreat experiences here and to create a unique space for people to stay. A place to completely reset the nervous system and find peace. A place to cultivate healing and allow great magic to filter into everyday life.
The Ultimate Island Getaway
Yoga on the Deck
Practicing yoga on this purpose-built deck, invites you to connect with the natural elements. Allowing the senses to be elevated by the surrounds, it can bring depth and awareness to your practice. Birdsong coming from the natives who have taken up residence in the fruit trees surrounding the deck contributes to the peaceful ambience.
Infrared Sauna
Whatever your health and lifestyle goals are, this Sunlighten M-Pulse 3 in 1 infrared sauna will help you achieve them. You can choose a clinically-backed health program or customise the near, mid and far infrared wavelengths to maximise health benefits as your needs change and evolve. Sit back, relax, heal and energise the body.
Icebath
Awaken your senses with the invigorating embrace of our cold plunge. Immerse yourself in the crisp waters, awakening every cell in your body. It's more than a plunge, it's a sensory awakening, a refreshing journey for your mind and body. And yes it is hard, it is challenging, but it is worth it! It’s hard not to become addicted to this ultimate life hack.
Accommodation
This Balinese inspired bungalow is nestled away in Blackpool, one of the oldest areas of the island, just 100 metres to Huruhi Bay and 500 metres to Little Oneroa. Away from the hustle and bustle of Oneroa, but a mere 10 minutes walk to get amongst the action, Sandhána is the perfect location for your island getaway.
Bespoke Retreat Experiences
BESPOKE WELLNESS EXPERIENCES by design
At Sandhána we offer a bespoke retreat programme to suit what you and your group desire. You can choose from a selection of modalities that Donna offers ranging from Breathwork, Yin Yoga, Meditation, Yoga Nidra, Hatha, Vinyasa and Qoya Inspired Movement. We encourage you to include a contrast therapy session as part of the day to enhance your experience.
Stillness
Movement
Sandhána Elemental Retreat Series
SEASON OF WINTER - power of the breath
august 31sT
2024
A dedicated to the magic of breathwork.
We’ve found that the breath is one of quickest access points inwards, to connect back into ourselves, to release layers of conditioning, to give us the courage to face our shadow selves. And yes it can be challenging, but the rewards reaped are far greater.
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“In every grain of sand is the story of the earth.”
