Somerset Retreat Reflections

This last weekend I hosted my annual yoga retreat. We were just an hour from here, deep in the Somerset countryside in a beautiful country estate. The theme of the weekend was peace. To cultivate peace in life, body and mind.
 
Let's pause
We are always so busy 'doing' our lives. Working, shopping, fixing, supporting and caring, and then recovering from the demands of it all. At the end of each day, our energy is spent, we end the day flat out, then we sleep it off, and begin all over again the next day.

Create space
The space created this weekend was much-needed by everyone. The sublime location in the Somerset countryside, the sessions of yoga, the wonderful food, the inspiration and energy of the birdsong and spring bursting out in all directions.

The weekly class upgraded to full immersion
Cast your mind back to your last yoga class. You reached the end, and felt much better than when you arrived. Then you left and carried on with the rest of your day. 
 
When your on retreat, you don't go home and carry on with the day. Instead you are are in a beautiful location, not asked to do anything, offered nurturing practices, fed well, listened to, then you get to relax again, but more deeply in a candlelit evening relaxation / meditation. Then a night of peace, the occassional owl hoot, relaxation and sleep in a comfortable bed. 
 
Woken by the abundant morning chorus, pre-breakfast yoga to energise and revitalise. Fed more wonderful food, deepening gentle practices, and a chance to discuss and explore the wider elements of yoga that we often don't find time for.
 
A spacious glimpse
This allows us to glimpse the transformative qualities that yoga helps bring to everyday life. We stay immersed in this calm, vital spaciousness all weekend, letting it seep deeply into every aspect of ourselves. The vibrancy of nature, internal and external, is revealed and rediscovered.
 
Through making space, practicing yoga, laughing, listening, chatting, crying, sitting, lying, eating and everything in between with new and old friends. And we bring this spaciousness home with us, and so it ripples on. ​

We retreat from...
Day-to-day demands
Usual routines
Distractions
Noise
Work
TV and phones
Traffic and city-life
Stress and tension
Fast pace and being constantly busy
Doing life
 
We retreat into...
Tranquil countryside
Sanctuary
Abundant birdsong, spacious vistas of the Somerset levels
Nature
Slowing down and breathing
Yoga practices to nurture and cultivate vitality, stability and peace
Spacious time
Being cared for, cooked for, encouraged, listened to
Community of friends
Spiritual connection
Ourselves, tuning in, listening
Quiet
Being
Peace
 
Feedback from this year's retreat:
"Thank you so very much. It was perfect and as I had hoped / needed"
"Such a special time"
"Really inspiring weekend. Great to reset and rethink yoga."
"Loved the pace and balance of practice, breathwork, time for walks. Perfect for noticing and nourishing the whole of me"
​
Stay in touch for info on next year's retreat which I'll start planning soon.