Find calm, connection and joy in the silly season

Sunday 6 December 2026

1.00–4.30 pm

The Sophia Centre, 225 Cross Road, Cumberland Park

December can be joyful, but it can also be a lot.

As celebrations, expectations and end-of-year responsibilities build, it is easy to put your own wellbeing at the bottom of the list. Yet taking time for yourself is not selfish. It can help you return to the people and things you care about with more energy, patience and presence.

The Joy Project – Summer is a playful and restorative afternoon designed to help you step away from the busyness, nurture calm and reconnect with the joy of the season.

Hosted by Yvette Colton and co-facilitated by Annie Harvey, the afternoon will weave together laughter yoga, practical wellbeing tools, guided meditation with live harp music, making your own Summer Joy Jar, and mindful time in the garden.

Come as you are. There is nothing to prepare, achieve or be good at. This is simply an afternoon to breathe, laugh, create and let yourself be looked after.

Your summer experience

Throughout the afternoon, you will enjoy:

Laughter yoga and playful activities led by Annie Harvey, creating space for lightness, connection and the simple pleasure of laughing together

Harpa Nidra, our signature guided meditation experience inspired by Yoga Nidra and accompanied by the soothing sounds of healing Celtic harp music by Yvette

Create a Summer Joy Jar filled with personal intentions and playful prompts to help you pause, recharge and make space for small moments of joy beyond the retreat

Practical, evidence-informed techniques from Annie’s wellbeing work and books to help you nurture calm, manage overwhelm and support your wellbeing through the festive season and beyond

Mindful time in the beautiful Sophia Centre garden, inviting you to slow down, engage your senses and spend time outside

Warm conversation and genuine connection with others in a welcoming, supportive setting

Tea and light nourishing refreshment

The afternoon will embrace the laughter, generosity and connection of the festive season while also creating space for calm and stillness within it.

You will leave feeling lighter, restored and better equipped to move through summer with greater joy and intention.

Who is this for?

This experience is for anyone who would like to:

Step away from everyday responsibilities for an afternoon

Recharge before the busiest part of the festive season

Feel calmer to embrace the joy and playfulness of summer

Laugh, create and connect with others

Enjoy beautiful live harp music and deep relaxation

Discover practical ways to support their wellbeing

Give themselves permission to receive, rather than always doing for others

You do not need any previous experience with laughter yoga, meditation, art or music. Every activity will be gently guided, and you are always welcome to participate in the way that feels right for you.

Come on your own or bring a friend.

Meet your hosts

Yvette Colton

Host • Founder • Creative Facilitator • Harpist • Artist

Yvette is the founder of The Joy Project, inspired by her belief that creativity, music and meaningful connection are essential to our wellbeing. As a consultant and business owner balancing work and family life, she understands how easily our own needs can be pushed aside.

A Celtic harpist for more than 20 years, Yvette performs with the South Australian Celtic Harp Orchestra and is also an exhibiting artist. She will thoughtfully host the afternoon, guide the creative experience and share joyful and healing harp music, including The Joy Project’s signature Harpa Nidra experience.

Annie Harvey

Bestselling Author • TEDx Speaker • Wellbeing Educator • Certified Laughter Yoga Leader

Annie Harvey brings together warmth, humour and practical, psychology-backed approaches to wellbeing. She is a TEDx speaker, bestselling author of The Little Book of STILL, creator of The F.U.N. Formula™ and a certified laughter yoga leader.

Annie will lead an uplifting laughter yoga experience and share practical techniques to help you feel calmer, more connected and more capable during the pressures of the festive season and everyday life.

Give yourself the afternoon

There will always be another task waiting. This afternoon is an opportunity to put down the list, step away from what needs doing and invest a little time in you.

You do not need to earn rest by reaching exhaustion.

Give yourself permission to pause, play and experience the joy of summer.

Want to know more

Visit the Joy Project website for further information.