Philosophy

Exercising at Health RetreatStudies show that changes to lifestyle can significantly reduce your risk factors and improve longevity. Combined with effective natural therapies you can regain your health and a new lease on life. Many chronic conditions such as Heart and Circulatory diseases (e.g. High Blood Pressure), Arthritis, Liver disease respond very positively to our program. Many of us know about what we ought to be doing for better health, but how to do it enjoyably and long-term is sometimes challenging. At Cedarvale you'll gain the experience and motivation you need to reach your health goals.

    
         

    

Doctor


Dr Paul Wood has a special interest in helping our guests make lifestyle changes to improve their health and well-being. You will often see him walking (a favourite pastime)with guests as well as joining them for some meals. Guests appreciate the time and care he shows in addressing their health concerns and interests.
Dr Wood has also run community based Depression Recovery programs with encouraging results. Dr Wood says that while a community based Depression Recovery program is successful, offering it on a live-in basis adds to the program's success and will improve access to the program for many people who cannot attend a locally town-based program.
Areas of interest to Dr Wood also include diabetes, obesity, stress and cardiovascular disease that tend to respond well to lifestyle changes. Dr Wood has a wife, Theressa, and three boys, Joshua, Caleb and Daniel.

Treatments

  • Massage
  • Hydrotherapy Treatments
  • Skin Treatments
    • With Cedarvale's strong focus on health education and health recovery, all treatments performed at our Centre have a therapeutic benefit as their primary aim. Accordingly beauty-based treatments such as manicures/pedicures, waxing, etc. are not offered. Many of our treatments have the dual benefit of imparting a state of relaxation, reducing the effects of various stresses for your particular condition to enable more effective healing in a wholistic way.

    To see our full range of treatments, click on one of the links in this column.

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A Day at Cedarvale Retreat

Daily Programs have been designed to offer a balance between scheduled activities and free time

Scheduled activities are not compulsory. You are free to take part in as much or as little as you like. However, the scheduled activities are designed and intended to help you receive maximum benefit from your stay.

Some activities vary from day to day. A typical daily program is outlined below.

Sunday to Friday.

  • 6.30 a.m. - Early bird walks for the keen and eager (Non-guided)
  • 7.00 - Wake-up call (breakfast is served to 8:15 for those rising later)
  • 7.30 - Thought for the Day
  • 7.35 - Hearty BREAKFAST
  • 8.30 - Guided walk according to fitness level
  • 10.00 - Health talk or cooking class
  • 11.30 - Exercise session (or occasional outings)
  • 1.00 p.m. - Hearty LUNCH (Wed. is often a picnic day)
  • 2.30 - Afternoon activities including treatments, consultations and health assessments, rest or free time (a good time to take advantage of health education resources on offer)
  • 6.30 - Light TEA
  • 7.30 - A range of evening activities is provided. For example: practical home remedy or hydrotherapy demonstrations; insights on herbs or poultices, glow worm and nocturnal wildlife outing; take a self-spa bath; watch a video; board games; etc.
  • 9.00 p.m. - Quiet time (Guests welcome to stay up and engage in quiet activities)

Saturday

A different day to the regular weekly schedule-a day to contemplate, relax and rest without schedules or timelines. Take advantage of the abundance of scenery and wildlife, rest in your room or read a book in the lounge area. There is a powerful healing attribute to regularly taking a sabbatical rest for the body and mind. Treatments are available Sunday to Friday.

Location

map to health retreat
Cedarvale is nestled amongst 150 acres of temperate rainforest in beautiful Kangaroo Valley in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. The environment abounds with wildlife, waterfalls and walking trails. Just an easy 2 hours drive from Sydney and Canberra and only 1 hour from Goulburn, Wollongong and the South Coast regions. For detailed directions, click here.
map to health retreat