Read a recent Irish Times article about us (Jan 10, 2010. Scroll down to bottom of page) http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/travel/2010/0109/1224261936692.html

Recently at Cloona we have introduceda few variations to our standard detox retreats that may appeal to those of you who are already familiar with our retreats and to those of you who might be attracted to something beyond the ordinary reality of a good physical and mental detox! They are: Weight-loss retreat, Italian Retreats, Energy retreat, Mainly Men (or Fifty -Fifty) retreat, Continuation retreat, Fifty Plus retreat, Soul-care, Mindfulness, and Liver and gall-bladder Flush retreat.


Special six-day weight-loss retreat

Feb 12-18 and Feb 19-25, 2012.   Similar to our standard program but with special emphasis on losing weight. Due to the demand for this retreat we have introduced more of these throughout the season. Using all our Cloona tools we will dedicate this week to making great strides on the journey to a slimmer self. There will be extra walking, yoga with a particular emphasis, and some extra juice fasting. The beauty of weight-loss 'Cloona-style' is that you get detoxed as well, and, to be frank, attempting weight-loss without detoxing is a bit like painting your house without scraping off the old flakey paint first. Best of all...  as a special offer for Jan and Feb, this program will be a day longer and still cost the same as our standard five-day program! Note that the Green Program option is not available on this retreat.

"Much to my surprise, I lost 7lbs! I have to be honest and say that I didn't think such loss was possible, even in Cloona, but clearly I was wrong. Even better, everybody I've met has commented on how well and fresh and glowing I'm looking, many without knowing where I've been. And I am still caffeine and sugar free, and intend to stay that way for the foreseeable future. So Cloona has once again weaved its spell!" (M.G. May 2011)

"Thank you so much Dhara for a really enjoyable and beneficial retreat. I am 5 pounds lighter.... really delighted about that... but even more delighted at the feeling of well being as a result of the week." (D.C. March 2011)

 "As one of the ‘new to Cloona’ people, I found the program very beneficial in many ways. While the weight-loss was my primary goal (I lost 8lbs!!), I did get a lot out of taking time out to re-evaluate some aspects of my life.I’ve had a great kick start to the year and am planning to build on the success and the lessons learnt at Cloona." (I.C. Jan 2011)

"Thank you so much for the lovely photos,we all look happy campers! The week was, as per usual, fantastic." (T.L. Jan 2011)

Italy 2012

Cloona in Italy

Energy Week

Liver and gall-bladder flush

Sept 23-28, 2012 . This will be a very specific five-day program, and ideal for anybody who wants a good clear-out of their liver and gall-bladder. Most of us have congestion in the liver, and stones in the gall-bladder, and some more than others. Considering the liver produces up to three pints of bile each day it is all too easy for some of it to congeal and form small stones. They can block the bile ducts in both the liver and gall-bladder. Liver congestion is the background to a myriad of common health problems. They don't show up on scans because they are too soft, but nevertheless they can obstruct the flow of bile which causes digestion problems (and countless knock-on effects) and inhibit the absorption/elimination of toxins which causes blood and lymph toxification. Of course if you have gall-stones in your gall-bladder that you are already aware of this is an invaluable process and could save the need for surgery. You could pass up to a hundred gall-stones the size of peas, and completely painlessly. You will be truly amazed! This program has some pre-requisite preparation.

Possible signs of gallstones are:
• On skin, black spots or small/large brown patches colour of freckles (often on side of forehead, shoulders, between shoulder blades, backs of hands, forearms, between thumb and index finger...). They will slowly start to fade after a few flushes.
• Vertical wrinkles between eyebrows, or horizontal wrinkles across bridge of nose, green or dark colour of temples, oily skin on forehead (or excessive perspiration here), hair loss in central region of head.
• Thickening at end of nose, or red nose, or cleft tip of nose, or nose bending towards    left side.
• Skin colour under eyes is yellowish, dark or grey (kidney trouble due to liver prob)
• Bags under eyes (lymph/liver trouble)
• Cataracts
• redness in white of eyes (circulation/respiratory trouble typical of liver disorder)
• White or yellow patches in white of eye.
• Dull eyes
• Tongue coated yellow or white
• pimples on tongue
• cracks on tongue
• repeated mucus/phlegm discharge into mouth
• bad breath, burping
> • crust formations at corners of mouth
• dark spots/patches on lips
• swollen lips
• tooth problems/yellow teeth (due to saliva acid-alkaline imbalance, poor digestion,          liver/bile inadequacy)
• white fatty skin on fingertips
• dark red or whitish fingernails
• vertical ridges in nails
• hardness at tip of fourth toe
• curving of big toe
• hard protrusion at ball of foot
• white colour and rugged surface on 4th and 5th toes
• smelly stool
• pale colour stool
• dry/hard stool
• stool floats

If you are on medication this program may not be suitable. Consult your doctor if in doubt. Tell him/her you will be drinking a tablespoon of cider vinegar in water four times daily for six days, then on the sixth day on an empty stomach you will be drinking a tablespoon of Epsom salts in a glass of water, twice. Then you will be drinking 4oz of olive oil mixed with six oz of either red grapefruit juice or a 50/50 blend of lemon/orange juice.
The next morning you will be having another one or possibly 2 glasses Epsom salts in water. This finishes the flush.
It is not possible to do this flush if you are recovering from treatment for cancer, or have had cancer within the last 5 years, or if you are recovering from any recent illness. In order to clear out all of the stones you may wish to do further liver flushes which you will be able to do on your own, in your own home, every three or four weeks until you no longer pass any stones.

"I'd just like to thank you and the team for the pleasure and experience of an enlightening and uplifting time in Cloona,  it is a delightful spot to do this given the amount of areas for peaceful walks, the very tranquil setting and serene atmosphere.... its so neatly nestled away from all distractions. 
I must say the liver flush was slightly daunting and I was a bit fretful entering into something I've never experienced but I have to say the benefits far out weigh any apprehension I may have felt. It creates a great sense of awareness of your body especially the internel workings of it, that wonderful feeling of being cleansed and I am still feeling the benefits even though this week am back to the hustle and bustle of life I feel more energised and aware of my body than before. 
I'd like to thank Dhara for his ongoing attention and service to us all and his never ending source of excellent information so brillantly expressed and Catriona, her yoga classes were fun, relaxing, centring, challenging and energising." (C.S. Oct 2010)

"I was nervous doing the flush wondering would it work but Dhara provides you with lots of knowledge while allowing you to be at ease! Catriona's yoga sessions were just fab. She brings a real warmth to the sessions. Unexpectedly lost a half stone, couldn't believe it! Indulge yourself in the beautiful place for any of the weeks & you are in for absolute magic. Thank you so much Dhara for you warm hearted welcome & to Catriona for sharing her passion. It is a true awakening of the senses!" (B.L. April 2011) 
 

On my last visit I tried the liver flush, which produced such large amounts of 'gunk' - small stone-sized green lumps - that I resolved never to over-indulge again (I have, but I'm human - and that's what Cloona is there for!). I think it may be time for another visit! (Christine, May 2011)

"This year I decided to try the liver and gall bladder flush with some trepidation. Yes it was more challenging - the unknown always is. I am very glad to have done it. The program was very well supervised by Dhara. He was always available to answer questions and give encouragment which was a great help.
I really did feel a great benefit in terms of increased energy and a sense of well being." (C.B. Nov 2011)


Mainly Men / Fifty Fifty 

Sept 16-21, 2012 .  This will be our standard program but what makes it unusual is that it will be an even balance of men and women! 
 
Continuation Program

July 29-Aug 3, 2012.   These are for guests who have done our program before or have an above-average level of fitness. These programs will entail the following extras: an early 8am walk, a more boundary-stretching yoga class and a longer and more challenging walk in the afternoon. The program will have all the normal features also, such as wheatgrass, sauna, massage, optional treatments and juice-day... (Green program not available on this retreat.)  "Am delighted now that I did the advanced course as I had some trepidation - will plan to go again next year" (M.R. Aug 2010)    
                                        
Fifty Plus.
 
Oct 21-26, 2012.   This program will be for the over 50s and will have the standard format. A special concession rate of €690 (en-suite) and €550 (standard) will apply. Please note that this program requires a reasonable level of fitness!
 
Astrology

Date to be determined, 2012, w ith professional author, editor and astrologer Bill Shearon. This program will entail some changes to the usual daily routine... The evening time,  7-8.30pm, will be an astrology workshop. Guests will be able to use the sauna in the afternoon, in the free time between 4 and 6pm. Optional treatments (massage, reflexology, shiatsu, facial) will still be available in afternoon. Bill says... "I see astrology as a tool which can be used to illuminate the client's life. Astrology can be used to reveal more than is directly evident from using common sense and reason, and as such is a complement to rather than a substitute for rational analysis. It simply allows one to see more and further, which is why astrologers in the past were sometimes called 'seers'. " Check out his website at www.radical-astrology.com This promises to be a fascinating week, and a rare opportunity to work with Bill exploring the arcana of life. Also an unparallelled opportunity to have private consultations at a special Cloona rate. No prior knowledge of astrology is required, but this program will take you deep into the rich and meaningful world of symbols...and can be an invaluable tool for fuller relationships.
Please indicate if you are interested in this program. 
 
Raw-food Weekend Program
                                                
Date to be determined, 2012. This will be our first culinary adventure out of our classic detox diet and into the extraordinary and creative world of raw -food chef Marcus McMahon. You can expect such sunny delights as Stuffed 'Roasted' Tomatoes with Pinenut Terrine, Raw Pizza with Cashew 'Cheese', vegetable sushi... and desserts too (!) such as Lavender Ice Cream, Cranberry and Apple Pie...  And in case you were wondering... yes, this is also a Detox program. The incredible energy and power of raw living food is a phenomenon that is currently sweeping the world. The principle behind it is that nothing is cooked, so as to preserve the enzymes and life-force of the food which is also vegan, sugar-free and gluten-free. Hard to believe, but true! You can read a little more about raw food at this very good website http://www.healingdaily.com/detoxification-diet/enzymes.htm

Please indicate if you are interested in this program.

Laghoo Shankhar Prakshalana

This is an important Hatha Yoga practise that uses warm, saline water to cleanse and tone the entire digestive tract. More effective than colonic irrigation and much less invasive. Done by Catriona Wednesday mornings on 5-day program only. (Costs €30)

Renovation

We have completed the first phase of our renovation program. We now have en-suite bedrooms on the first floor. We think you will be very happy with the way they turned out, and have to pay our compliments to our builders, Oakbarn Construction Ltd, who did a first class job and went way beyond our expectations in terms of integrity, dedication and efficiency. Hopefully the next phases will be equally successful.

Wheatgrass
 
We now provide fresh wheatgrass juice daily to all our guests. This consists of a shot of wheatgrass first thing before breakfast each morning. You will be amazed at the results!
 
Wheatgrass is the young grass shoots of the wheat seed. The wheatgrass plant contains high concentrations of chlorophyll which helps carry oxygen to every cell in your body, active enzymes, amino acids, vitamins, and other nutrients. Wheatgrass is one of the richest sources of vitamin A and vitamin C, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, sulphur, zinc, cobalt, and protein. It is a blood purifier, cleanser, and detoxifier. People with wheat allergies need not be concerned when consuming wheatgrass juice. Wheatgrass is a leafy green and is different altogether from the grain and refined grain products to which people often develop allergies. Wheatgrass does not contain the gluten found in the grain, which is the component of wheat often causing people problems.
 
Wheatgrass juice is immediately absorbed into the bloodstream. After the water is extracted it contains over 70% chlorophyll, which is said to be Nature’s Greatest Healer.
 
Wheatgrass juice helps…
Energize and reduce fatigue.
Improve metabolism and digestion
Enrich the blood, remove blood disorders, & lower blood pressure
As antibacterial
Cleanse the liver
Prevent tooth decay
Improve the complexion, treat acne, and remove acne scars.
Keep hair from greying & helps remove dandruff
Boost the immune system
Calm the nervous system
Promote regularity & helps fight constipation


Juice-fast.

We now incorporate a one-day juice fast on Wednesday during the five-day program. Contrary to what you might expect, not only will you not feel hungry but you will feel a new level of energy and a lightness of spirit you had never dreamed possible.

Creative Writing

This is a new workshop which will be available on some of our programs as an optional extra. Led by Bettina Peterseil, she says...'it will draw you deeper into the pool of your own creativity and allow your soul to open up and express itself. The writing workshop will encourage and support you in the process of observing more attentively your mind's journey throughout the retreat and help you find greater clarity. You will also learn about the art of journaling, so as to continue the work during the days following the workshop.
No previous writing experience is required and it might be helpful if you brought a writing pad.'  Please indicate ahead of time if you are interested in this option. (Costs €15).

Chanting

Chanting, often described as ‘vocal yoga’, has been used for thousands of years as a means to connect withthe divine or your own personal spirit, using the harmonious vocalization of key words, names and phrases that are used in ritual to attune oneself, and become centred. It is also a means of preserving health and well-being. When we chant, we cleanse the mind like water cleanses the body. Psychologists believe that chanting and meditating enhance our sense of well-being and help the mind to focus. Chanting mantras helps us relax and has a considerable effect on our mental health as it helps to alleviate stress and gives rise to a “feel good” factor. A relaxed state of mind is a sign of good mental and physical health. This practise is only available on the five-day program. (Costs €10)

Volunteering

Special thanks to Teresa from Longford who was the first volunteer in what will hopefully be a successful volunteer program.... Also thanks to Marcus who did great work, and turned out to be multi-talented and supportive in lots of different ways. Most recently we have Lynda McFarland to be grateful to, who did a weekend of volunteer work in the kitchen just when we needed it! Currently we have Guy who is fantastic to have around. Volunteering allows people to spend time in the special environment of Cloona and be a fantastic support to us in our enhancement of the buildings, grounds and environment around Cloona. It is available to all past guests of Cloona, and details can be had on request.

Blog 
Our blog has some further reading...