A Journey of Healing in the Heart of Zimbabwe by Tyler Cullen.

Tucked away in the peaceful landscape of Ruwa, Zimbabwe, is a place that left me feeling lifted and free, Awakened Roots Retreats. It wasn’t your typical escape or weekend away; it was a meaningful, grounding experience that reconnected me with myself in the most unexpected and beautiful ways.

I first met Chelsea and Yolandi through my brand Soul Media, during a meeting to discuss designing their website and organising a few photoshoots. From that very first conversation, their warmth, sincerity, and vision struck a chord with us. As we got to know them more, we quickly came to love them as clients. I was incredibly lucky, and so deeply grateful to be offered the rare and special opportunity to actually attend one of their retreats myself. It is something that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Over the course of three days, I immersed myself in a deeply spiritual process. From the very beginning, there was an unspoken understanding that this was a space of safety, vulnerability, and profound self-exploration. Each workshop was carefully crafted to peel back the layers we often protect ourselves with, layers that hide our pain, our stories, and ultimately, our true selves.

We began with Breathwork, which opened something in me and in all of us that we didn’t even realise needed releasing. There’s a quiet power in connecting to your breath, in using it as a bridge to reach the parts of yourself that words alone can’t touch. It was raw, intense, and deeply moving. And that was just the beginning.

We flowed into a Sound Healing Meditation, where vibrations seemed to echo through the very core of my being. Each sound created space for stillness, clarity, and sometimes, tears, but, always healing. One of the most sacred experiences was the Cacao Ceremony, a heart-opening ritual that allowed me to reconnect with emotions I had long buried. There was no pressure, and no judgment, just space to feel, to reflect, and to release.

And all of this unfolded in one of the most breathtaking settings I’ve ever seen. The space itself was a sanctuary. Set against a backdrop of untamed Zimbabwean beauty, the retreat grounds were graced with beautiful green landscapes, open skies, and towering trees that whispered comfort in the breeze. A peaceful mirror-like dam set the scene too, offering a sense of peace and reflection. A beautifully crafted firepit became our gathering place at night, a sacred circle where stories, laughter, and quiet connection occurred as the stars appeared overhead.

At night, the sky came alive with stars, casting a quiet brilliance over the retreat grounds. There was something timeless and grounding about it, a subtle reminder of our place in the universe, and of the deep, quiet connection that exists between all things.

As if the landscape wasn’t magical enough, zebras, warthogs, wildebeests, and antelope roamed freely across the grounds, making it feel as though we had stepped into a living painting, one where nature itself was holding us in our process.

And then there was the food. Every meal was a blessing, wholesome, nourishing, and made with so much love! After releasing so much of ourselves during the workshops, our bodies craved grounding and comfort, and that’s exactly what each bite offered. Fresh, vibrant, and deeply satisfying, they reminded us to slow down and savour even the simplest of moments.

But what made the retreat truly unforgettable wasn’t just the setting or the ceremonies, it was the sacred space Chelsea and Yolandi held for us all. Their energy was nurturing and intuitive, yet strong and steady. They created an environment of safety, vulnerability, and compassion that allowed each of us to soften and surrender.

We were invited to look inward, to sit with our truth, and to rediscover the pieces of ourselves that we had forgotten. In that quiet, natural space, I remembered how to breathe deeply, how to listen to my body, and how to be still. I remembered what it feels like to be fully present and fully myself.

Before the retreat, I was swept up in the speed and noise of everyday life. Always reaching, always doing, always chasing. But in those still moments surrounded by the trees, by the fire, and by the stars, I found something truly priceless: perspective. I remembered the importance of gratitude. I remembered presence. And I remembered what it means to truly feel alive! Awakened Roots Retreats is a space that changes you. If you’re ready to meet yourself in new ways, to heal, to grow, and to rediscover life with clarity and compassion, this is your invitation.

We were so excited to launch the Awakened Roots Retreats website and to write this article as one of the very first contributions to their blog. It’s been such a joy and honour to help bring their vision to life.

To Chelsea and Yolandi, thank you. Your work is sacred. To anyone who feels the pull, listen to it.

To learn more about Soul Media and the creative work that we do, visit us at www.soulmedia.zw or follow us on Instagram @soul.media.zw.