Join me on a SAORI Immersive Weaving Retreat
Take a trip to Japan without even leaving Victoria on this incredible immersive Japanese weekend. Step into serenity and SAORI weaving on this amazing Retreat.
Stay at the stunning Shizuka Ryokan & Wellness Retreat, a traditional Japanese accommodation in the heart of Victoria’s Spa Country while you immerse yourself in the relaxing, creative art of Japanese SAORI weaving.
Give yourself this incredible opportunity of time and space for solace and self-care and to leave your stress behind on this unique, truly transformational experience. Places fill fast, so don’t miss out on this opportunity of a Lifetime.
Join passionate, accredited SAORI artist and teacher, Prue Simmons, as she guides you through a variety of techniques to produce a beautiful woven cloth on the SAORI loom. Enjoy this creative weaving meditation, learn SAORI clothing design techniques and ideas and make an amazing woven piece to wear or cherish…
Immerse yourself in the beautiful Japanese culture, food and tradition as you relax in the gorgeous surroundings of your exquisite traditional Japanese accommodation. All rooms have a private garden and adjoining bathroom with a deep Japanese bath.
Pamper yourself with a massage, enjoy delicious traditional Japanese cuisine
and weave in a relaxed, tranquil environment…
Learn SAORI weaving and discover the freedom and meditation of the SAORI loom and enjoy the exceptional, authentic Japanese surroundings, food and culture to inspire your creativity.
This is an exclusive retreat focusing on SAORI weaving, self-care and serenity, an opportunity to learn and explore this Japanese weaving art form amidst gorgeous Japanese-inspired surroundings with a small group of like-minded creative souls. This unique accommodation is exclusively available for our small group over this extended weekend.
Whether you are a complete beginner to SAORI weaving or a seasoned SAORI creative, this Retreat is for you!
“I learned the art of SAORI weaving in the heart of Japan, inspired by the beautiful surroundings, amazing food and aesthetic of Japanese culture. I want to share that immersive Japanese experience with you on these magical 4 and 5-day Retreats…without needing a passport or plane ticket! Join me for this incredible, meditative SAORI weaving experience…”
Prue Simmons, Founder of Dyeing To Weave SAORI Studio
What to expect at the SAORI Immersive Retreat
Over the 4 days (or 5 days for the extended experience) you will have the opportunity to step out of the busy hustle and bustle of life, relax in tranquil surroundings and immerse yourself in the meditative art of SAORI weaving. You will be given space and solitude to relax and to delve and deepen into this meditative creative practice throughout the weekend.
DAY 1 – CONNECT
This is YOUR day to settle in, relax and get ready for the creative exploration that you will enjoy over the coming days. The Retreat officially begins in the evening of the first day at 6pm, to allow everyone the time and space to travel from near and far to arrive at the Retreat venue. However, if you can arrive earlier, you can check into your room and start your Retreat experience anytime from 2pm. Settle in, relax in your room, immerse in the bath with Yuzu bath salts, journal, wander the local walking trails, explore the surrounding Spa Region of Hepburn Springs and Daylesford or just sip Japanese tea overlooking your private garden. This day is for YOU, to enable you to let go of the craziness of life, the hustle and bustle of the world and calm your mind ready for mindful, meditative creativity.
In the evening, we will come together as a group for the official start of the Retreat, to get to know each other and to set our intentions for the weekend. During the evening, you will learn about the rich history and philosophies of SAORI weaving, and the unique beginnings of this beautiful craft. A light Japanese meal will be served.
DAY 2 – DISCOVER
After a delicious chef-prepared Japanese breakfast, it’s time for our creative juices to flow. In the morning, you will learn several techniques at the loom that you can experiment with throughout the weekend and begin to discover the breadth of creativity possible with SAORI weaving.
After a sumptuous Japanese lunch, the afternoon is yours to explore a range of SAORI weaving techniques, immerse yourself in colour and texture at the loom and tap into your creative potential. More guided weaving techniques will also be offered. Afternoon tea will be served to ensure your bellies are happy as you weave through the afternoon.
Our guided weaving session concludes in the early evening, and we come together for an amazing Japanese banquet dinner. Evenings are free time that can be spent back at the loom, relaxing or crafting in the lounge area or retiring to your room for a luxurious bath and an early night.
DAY 3 – DEEPEN
Today is an opportunity to deepen your practice as you find your meditative flow at the SAORI loom.
After a delicious Japanese breakfast, you will reconnect with your loom and weaving practice through a guided weaving meditation and silent weaving session. Lose yourself in your creativity to find your true Self emerge.
Our chef-prepared lunch will keep our energy going for an afternoon of creative exploration as you continue with your woven piece. If we have time and opportunity during the day, we may also delve into the art of Sakiori – the Japanese art of slicing up cloth with the specially designed Sakiori fabric cutter to use fabric to weave and create with.
Spa treatments will also be scheduled for this day and a delicious freshly baked afternoon tea will also be enjoyed.
In the evening, we will celebrate our day of creativity with another incredible specially prepared Japanese banquet dinner, with the rest of the evening dedicated to weaving, socialising or relaxing for our final night at the Ryokan.
BONUS DAY (FOR 5-DAY RETREAT PARTICIPANTS) – NOURISH
Today – on your additional day of immersion (for 5-day Retreat participants only), you will truly get the opportunity to deepen into your weaving practice and nourish your body and soul with more immersive meditative practices and time at the loom.
Enjoy weaving, journaling, relaxing and exploring both on the SAORI loom and within your surroundings. With more time for meditation and this wonderful extra day at the Retreat, you will be able to connect in more strongly with your creative process and yourself.
For lunch we will enjoy a nourishing Japanese meal and learn about healthy practices and simple daily techniques to calm and strengthen our mind, body and soul to take into our every day.
In the evening we will enjoy an incredible immersive Sound Healing experience. You will flow into a beautiful harmonic soundscape of layered notes, tones and vibrations and be taken on a sonic journey with gentle percussion and the distinctive calming tones of the sublime singing bowls. This deep relaxation settles you into a calm state of consciousness between waking and sleeping where your nervous system is gently relaxed.
DAY 4 – EMERGE
Another delicious traditional Japanese breakfast to start the day, then the morning will be spent finishing up our projects on the SAORI loom. We may also have time to go through tips and tricks for freestyle SAORI clothing design and a discussion of the exciting possibilities that SAORI cloth can offer in creating clothing and soft furnishings.
A final Japanese lunch will be enjoyed together as our amazing, immersive experience draws to a close.
The Retreat will conclude after lunch, over a cup of green tea, where we can discuss the outcomes of our weaving experience and then bid farewell to each other and return to our lives and the hustle and bustle of the real world. (Truth Bomb: You won’t want to leave!!)
Whether you are a complete beginner to SAORI weaving or a seasoned SAORI creative, this Retreat is for you! Absolutely no previous weaving experience is required, just an open heart and open mind for experimentation and creativity.
Here’s what a few of our previous SAORI Retreat participants have to say about their experience
“The weekend was full of creative energy and very enjoyable – I wish we could have stayed longer! Well worth the trip from Sydney.”
Karen
“Thank you Prue for everything – for opening my eyes to SAORI weaving.”
Sue
“Great to meet other people interested in SAORI. I’m looking forward to making garments.”
Anne
“I loved the camaraderie, learning, Japanese customs and traditional Japanese rooms and sharing this experience with the other participants.”
Marlene
“Prue has good delivery to retreat participants, allowing them to develop at their own pace.”
Margaret
“The beautiful surroundings of the Shizuka Ryokan adds so much to the traditional nature of the experience. Well done Prue, you created a beautiful time for me – I am hooked on SAORI!”
Karla
Retreat Dates in 2025
21st – 24th February
2nd – 5th May
5th – 9th September
17th – 21st October
21st – 24th November
Did you miss out on getting a spot? They book out super quickly! Email hello@dyeingtoweave.com.au to go on the waiting list for 2025. Don’t miss out on taking part in this amazing experience.
Retreat Details & Inclusions
Who should attend: The SAORI Retreat is suitable for anyone wanting to step out of the busy hubbub of day-to-day life and immerse themselves in mindful, meditative craft through the art of SAORI weaving. No weaving experience is necessary. The Retreat is suitable for complete beginners to discover and delve into SAORI and seasoned SAORI weavers to hone and deepen their SAORI weaving practice and skills.
Prue Simmons is a fully accredited, passionate and patient SAORI teacher, who will gently guide you in your weaving and help you explore and dedicate time at the loom for self awareness and creative exploration.
Where: Shizuka Japanese Ryokan & Wellness Retreat, Hepburn Springs, Victoria
Cost: The all-inclusive cost for the 4 day program is $3200 and 5-day program is $4200.
If you would like to share the experience with a friend, twin share options are also available. If your partner wishes to stay, a non-weaver price for partners is also possible.
Inclusions: Your investment includes 3-night’s accommodation (or 4-nights for the 5 day experience) in traditional Japanese-style rooms at the exquisite Shizuka Japanese Ryokan & Wellness Retreat, all delicious chef-prepared Japanese meals for the duration of the Retreat as listed in the itinerary above, all alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, afternoon teas and refreshments, a luxurious day spa treatment, guided tuition in SAORI weaving and all weaving and workshop materials used. SAORI looms and all materials are provided for the weekend, threaded up and ready to go! You are also welcome to bring along any yarns or materials that you would like to weave with.
If you have a SAORI loom, you are welcome to bring it along to weave on and a complimentary loom maintenance will be carried out on your loom.
Please note: There are NO western style beds at Shizuka Ryokan. If you cannot sleep on traditional style Japanese futon bedding, please advise in writing at time of booking as alternative accommodation nearby can be arranged for your stay. You will sleep in a western style bed at this alternative accommodation but enjoy all meals and all other activities at the Retreat.
Booking and cancellation policy:
Please check out our full cancellation and refund policy here.
How to Book your SAORI Weaving Retreat
Email hello@dyeingtoweave.com.au to go on the 2025 Retreat Register to be one of the FIRST to get all the details for 2025 delivered to your inbox. Don’t miss out on taking part in this amazing experience.