In a world that often demands constant productivity, it is easy to lose sight of something essential: joy.

Not the fleeting kind that comes from checking off a to-do list, but the deeper sense of joy that emerges when we reconnect with ourselves, with nature, and with a community that supports growth. The Return to Joy Retreat, taking place in Mauritius from 16-22 MAY 2026., is designed to offer exactly that: a space to pause, reflect, and rediscover the lightness within.

A Journey Back to Yourself

The philosophy behind the retreat is simple yet powerful: joy isn’t something we need to search for; it’s something we remember. The retreat invites participants to reconnect with their true essence, the part of themselves that knows how to laugh, feel deeply, create freely, and simply be.

Through guided reflection, creative expression, and immersive experiences in nature, participants gently release what no longer serves them and rediscover the magic of presence. Rather than escaping reality, the retreat focuses on returning to it with clarity, purpose, and renewed energy.

A Week of Exploration, Reflection and Adventure

Over seven days, participants will move through a carefully designed journey that blends personal development with nature-based experiences.

Highlights include:

• Sunrise hikes overlooking Mauritius’ breathtaking landscapes
• Swimming beneath waterfalls in lush tropical settings
• A dolphin and snorkelling experience in crystal-clear ocean waters
• Creative workshops, including mandala painting and reflective journaling
• Heart-opening cacao ceremonies and meditation practices
• Sharing circles and integration sessions to deepen personal insights

These experiences take place in iconic locations across the island, including La Tourelle, 7 Cascades Waterfalls, Benitiér Island, Minissy Waterfalls, and Le Morne, creating a unique balance between inner exploration and outer adventure.

The Power of Nature as a Teacher

One of the retreat’s core themes is reconnecting with nature as a guide for self-awareness.

Whether hiking at sunrise, meditating beneath waterfalls, or floating in turquoise waters, nature becomes a mirror for reflection. In these moments away from daily distractions, many participants rediscover clarity, creativity, and a sense of inner rhythm that modern life often disrupts.

Guided by Transformation

The retreat is facilitated by Tina Ruppl, a creative transformation strategist who blends creativity, psychology, and soulful exploration to guide people back to their authentic selves. Her work focuses on bridging the mind, body, and spirit, helping participants reconnect with the sense of joy many remember from childhood.

Her approach transforms personal growth into a conscious and playful journey where awareness meets adventure.

Who This Retreat Is For

The Return to Joy Retreat is designed for those who feel there is more within them waiting to be explored.

It is particularly suited for:

• Individuals seeking clarity, purpose, or renewed inspiration
• Professionals needing space to reset and reconnect
• Creatives looking to rediscover their flow
• Adventurers who enjoy both inner and outer exploration
• Anyone ready to slow down and reconnect with joy

A Space to Rest, Reflect and Reimagine

Participants will stay at Kaz’alala B&B in Mauritius, surrounded by nature and the calming energy of the island. The retreat includes accommodation, breakfast and dinner, workshops, ceremonies, and guided excursions designed to support both rest and transformation.

More than a holiday, the retreat is intended as a personal reset, an opportunity to pause long enough to hear what your inner voice has been trying to say.

Returning Home with Something More

By the end of the week, participants often leave with more than just memories of beautiful landscapes.

They return home with new perspectives, meaningful connections, and tools to bring more presence and joy into their everyday lives.

Because sometimes the most important journeys are not the ones that take us somewhere new, but the ones that bring us back to ourselves.

Tools for Transformation

Throughout the retreat, participants will explore several core practices designed to support personal reflection and emotional integration.

Creative Expression

Creativity becomes a gateway to self-understanding. Through mandala painting, journaling, and art-based reflection, participants transform emotions and experiences into meaningful insight. These practices encourage intuition, imagination, and self-awareness.

Meditation & Reflection

Daily meditation and reflective exercises help cultivate stillness and clarity. These moments create space to integrate lessons from each experience and deepen connection with personal intuition.

Cacao Ceremony

One of the retreat’s most meaningful experiences is the cacao ceremony, a heart-opening ritual used in many cultures to support emotional connection and vulnerability. The ceremony creates a sacred space for participants to connect more deeply with themselves and with one another.

Nature-Based Exploration

The retreat embraces nature as both a teacher and a mirror. Waterfalls, mountains, beaches, and forests become places where participants reconnect with presence, freedom, and flow. Experiences in nature encourage participants to slow down and rediscover their natural rhythm.

A Transformational Journey Across Seven Days

Each day of the retreat is structured around a specific theme designed to guide participants through a gradual journey of awareness, connection, and empowerment.

Day 1 – Exploration

Participants begin by exploring their current sense of self through guided meditation and reflection. Activities at the 7 Cascades Waterfalls include grounding exercises, swimming beneath waterfalls, and creative mandala painting to express personal insights.

Day 2 – Wisdom

The second day focuses on reconnecting with inner strength. Participants prepare the evening before with stretching and reflection before embarking on a silent sunrise hike to La Tourelle, allowing space for inward reflection. At the summit, a sharing circle and gratitude practice close the experience.

Day 3 – The Ultimate Joy

A playful day dedicated to emotional flow and connection with nature. Participants take a dolphin trip and snorkelling excursion, followed by lunch on Benitiér Island. Optional paddleboarding or kayaking sessions offer an opportunity to enjoy the ocean at sunset.

Day 4 – Purpose

Participants deepen their connection to their values and inner wisdom through meditation, a cacao ceremony, and water-based reflection activities at Minissy Waterfalls.

Day 5 – Vision

A day dedicated to imagining the future self. Through meditation and a creative workshop, participants write a love letter to their present self from their future self, helping clarify personal vision and intention.

Optional experiences on this day include:

• Island cooking classes
• Horse riding
• Quad tours
• Beach paddleboarding or kayaking

Day 6 – Superpowers

Participants connect with resilience and strength during a physically demanding hike at Le Morne, followed by lunch and reflection at the beach. The day focuses on embodying personal power and recognising growth experienced throughout the retreat.

Day 7 – Bloom & Farewell

The retreat concludes with celebration and integration. Activities include:

• A joyful meditation session honouring the inner child
• A creative flower crown workshop
• A “love jar” ritual, symbolising the qualities participants want to carry forward
• A farewell picnic and closing circle by the beach

These final moments allow participants to reflect on their journey and celebrate the transformation they have experienced.

Accommodation and Retreat Setting

Participants will stay at Kaz’alala B&B, a peaceful accommodation space in Mauritius that offers a relaxing environment surrounded by natural beauty. The retreat includes eight nights of accommodation from 16-22 MAY 2026, allowing participants time to settle in and integrate their experiences fully.

The retreat programme itself runs from 16-22 MAY 2026 and includes:

• Accommodation
• Breakfast and dinner
• Guided excursions
• Workshops and ceremonies
• All materials used during activities

Flights, travel insurance, transport to and from the retreat, and optional free-day activities are not included but can be arranged separately if needed.

Investment and Booking

The retreat offers two accommodation options:

• Single occupancy: €2600 per person
• Double occupancy: €1800 per person

To secure a place, participants complete an application form and reserve their spot with a 50% deposit. The application deadline is 14 February 2026, and spaces are limited to maintain an intimate retreat experience.

Taryn Tolmay – Specialist Wellness Counsellor 

Contact: taryntolmay.counsellor@gmail.com || Instagram: @heal_in_counselling ​