Nestled within the tranquil rainforest surrounds of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Kondalilla Eco Resort’s Picnic Creek event room was delighted to host the inaugural Rauha Rituals retreat, a thoughtfully curated wellness experience created by Katy Whitten, founder of Fiora Wellness.

Designed for twelve women, the retreat offered a full day to slow down, reconnect with the body and embrace a gentler rhythm away from the demands of everyday life.

The story behind Fiora Wellness

For Katy, Fiora Wellness grew from a personal journey. During the final year of her PhD studies, she discovered the restorative qualities of sauna rituals.

Inspired by rauha, the Finnish word describing the profound stillness that settles after a sauna, Katy began developing a philosophy centred on nervous system regulation, intentional rituals and thermal wellness.

Through Fiora Wellness, she hopes to share these practices with women who spend much of their time caring for others, managing responsibilities and holding everything together — offering them the opportunity to pause and reconnect with themselves.

Her approach recognises that wellbeing isn’t simply about escaping everyday life, but creating meaningful rituals that help us return to it feeling more grounded, present and restored.

A day of intentional rest and renewal

At the heart of Rauha Rituals was a carefully sequenced day in which every experience prepared guests for the next, gradually guiding them towards deeper relaxation.

The retreat began with grounding Pilates and pranayama breathwork led by Jayde Doody of Powerhouse Movement, helping guests arrive fully in their bodies. Sauna rituals and a magnesium soak followed, offering time to unwind at an unhurried pace.

A soothing sound journey with Santosha Leroux invited guests to let go and simply receive rather than. do anything at all, followed by gentle yoga and yoga nidra, bringing the day to a peaceful close.

Seasonal, organic and nourishing food was woven throughout the experience, while thoughtful details — including eco-conscious yoga mats made from biodegradable natural rubber by Second Earth — reflected Katy’s commitment to intentional, considered choices.

Welcome and closing circles provided moments for connection and reflection, with each guest encouraged to take the feeling of rauha beyond the retreat and into everyday life.

Discover more about Katy’s work and upcoming retreats at Fiora Wellness.

A setting that supports meaningful experiences

At Kondalilla Eco Resort, we believe our natural surroundings offer a special backdrop for experiences that encourage people to slow down, reconnect and feel closer to nature.

It was a pleasure to support Katy in bringing her vision to life. Her thoughtful approach to wellbeing and sustainability aligned beautifully with our own appreciation for mindful experiences and the restorative qualities of the rainforest.

Our retreat facilities, peaceful setting and accommodation options provide a welcoming environment for facilitators looking to create experiences that feel personal, purposeful and removed from the distractions of daily life.

Whether you’re planning a yoga or meditation retreat, a women’s wellness gathering, a mindfulness workshop or a bespoke group experience, Kondalilla offers space to bring your vision to life. With the option to combine retreat sessions with nourishing meals and overnight stays in our rainforest accommodation, guests can extend their experience beyond a single day.

We look forward to welcoming more like-minded facilitators and communities to share their own unique experiences here.

We’d love to hear about your vision and explore how Kondalilla Eco Resort could be the setting for your next event. Contact our team to enquire about our retreat spaces, facilities and accommodation options https://kondalilla.com/functions/#enquire