SOuL cRAvE FOR. Viv Micklefield discovers where to feel nurtured
Shirodhara treatment at Essential Ayurveda in Lincolnshire
Give me sanctuary This year a short stay at a retreat could be just what your body and soul crave FOR. Viv Micklefield discovers where to feel nurtured. These days, many of us find our energy levels flagging and our stress levels rising, brought on perhaps by anxieties over our job, family or health. Whatever the root-cause, the chance to spend a little ‘me time’ outside of normal routines, dedicating attention to our own wellbeing, may be truly life-enhancing. Residential retreats can offer such a sanctuary, and there’s an astonishing choice within easy travelling distance. Most regular ‘retreaters’ agree on one thing, that it’s important to find somewhere that allows you to connect with yourself. The content and integrity of what’s on offer, is likely to be key to this. Retreats are often themed – yoga, weight-loss, and healing might feature, with complementary therapies and activities offered alongside the main programme. Even if you are a newcomer to, for instance, meditation, a retreat’s teacher-to-pupil ratio is likely to be high, delivering
12 | Take a Breath
maximum benefit. Those founded on religious principles naturally ask that their ideals be observed during a stay, which is usually more important than being a believer. Whilst many enjoy the opportunity to meet likeminded people, solo retreats offer the ultimate tailor-made experience. One Surrey resident, who visited Essential Ayurveda in Lincolnshire, described it as ‘an inspiration to come here!’, and the start of a ‘new journey through life.’ Whether it’s a spiritual detox of the mind or a cleansing of the body that’s the goal, or a combination of both, most retreats take a holistic approach and take pride in offering nutritious usually vegetarian - meals to guests. On group retreats these are often taken in communal dining areas, although self-catering options may be available. If you stay within a permanent community, some
involvement with residents’ daily life is encouraged.
Mindfulness & Meditation
Depending on the retreat, accommodation can range from converted stable blocks to country mansions and from eco pods to camping under the stars. You’ll find most are designed for over 18s, with discounts for shared occupancy.
DORSET Osho Leela
Less restricted by time, or budget, an extended sojourn might be an option. For one mother of four, a week-long retreat at Grayshott Spa left her feeling ‘the best I’ve felt for ten years.’ And, she says, just as importantly, her newfound approach to eating, ‘will improve not just my health, but that of the whole family.’ However, even if it’s a weekend re-boot that’s the practical choice, perhaps more of us should consider escaping the familiar, and exploring different ways of being. Whichever retreat you opt for, the chance to feel re-energised, re-balanced and re-connected is surely time well spent.
Striking a pose GLOUCESTERSHIRE Woodland Hills woodlandhills.co.uk 01453 767306 Experience a community that encourages its guests to celebrate life. Two, three or four-day meditation retreats suitable for all levels, include Dynamic,Vipassana and Kundalini meditation. Self-enquiry and Ratu Bagus shaking retreats are also run with massage and yoga, and humaniversity training included in a busy programme of annual activities and festivals. Meditation retreats from £120.
SUSSEX Rivendell, Buddhist Retreat Centre rivendellretreatcentre.com 01825 733764 Photo credit Benedict Johnson
Although physical surroundings are not necessarily the be-all and end-all, the opportunity to enjoy nature’s restorative powers by walking, cycling or simple contemplation outdoors, may be an added attraction. But don’t be surprised if mobile phones and other technologies are discouraged. Another Surrey retreater, who stayed at Woodland Hills in Gloucestershire, believes, ‘it’s really nice to have a chance to step out and reflect on things.’
osholeela.co.uk 01747 821221
the mindfulness of breathing and the metta bhavana (development of loving kindness). Previous retreaters can combine meditation with yoga or dharma. Introductory weekends £168.
Based on the successful Heartspring retreat in Wales, up to six individuals or friends can enjoy four-night, tailor-made stays. You can expect a combination of yoga-type movement, walking meditation, and healing through sound that brings deep relaxation, personal awareness and inner peace. Additional complementary therapies (extra) include tai chi, reiki healing and shamanic visioning. Retreats start at £380.
KENT Oxon Hoath oxonhoath.co.uk 01732 811071
If you are willing to free your heart and your mind, meditation weekends focus on the rituals of Triratna Buddhism, including
Take a Breath | 13
Retreat weekends at this country house are designed to lift the spirits. A ‘menu’ of options allows you to mix and match treatments and classes, including Indian head massage, shiatsu, chakra balancing, yoga, tai chi, astrology and energy medicine. Additional treatments can be pre-booked. There are various walks around the grounds and surrounding countryside. From £259 for retreat weekends.
SURREY Kilnhanger kilnhanger.com 01483 898853
your individual goals with health and nutrition consultants, an abdominal massage, yoga, tai chi and relaxation are all included. Neuro-linguistic programming, emotional freedom technique and a host of other holistic therapies are bookable (extra). A 7-day retreat costs from £1295.
Immerse yourself in this ancient healing tradition for up to seven days.Your individual progamme of daily Ayurvedic treatments includes four-hands massage, shirodhara and steam therapy, plus yoga, chi kung, meditation and relaxation. Demonstrations of Ayurvedic cooking, including how to use herbs & spices to aid digestion. Netra tarpana (ghee eye bath), basti (colon therapy), and nasya (nasal cleansing therapy) are also available (extra). A 3-day retreat costs £825.
SOMERSET Detox Plus detoxplus.org 01373 467668
With a range of yoga dayretreats and three-day wellbeing weekends run by visiting teachers, this Surrey Hills retreat allows you to enjoy meditation alongside regular yoga practice, together with opportunities for massage (extra). Residential accommodation, including selfcatering and camping in a natural setting is offered.
A healthier outlook SURREY Grayshott Spa grayshottspa.com 01428 602020 A seven-day digestive cleanse and rebalance using naturopathic self-healing, aims to improve health, wellbeing and weight management. Having agreed
14 | Take a Breath
WORCESTERSHIRE Heart of England Healing Retreat Centre ask4sanctuary.co.uk 01299 401407 There’s the chance to gain a physical and emotional detox on a seven-day juice fasting retreat. With nutrition high on the agenda, a raw food feast is designed to inspire you. A colonics programme (optional), plus yoga, meditation and astrology is included. Retreats run January to June, and September to November - from £875.
Hands-on healing LINCOLNSHIRE Essential Ayurveda essentialayurveda.co.uk 01754 830559
Photo credit William Rowland
There’s a chance to let go of deeply held, painful emotions as Shen therapy works with the body’s bio-fields and chi energy to release life’s tensions. Flexible stays, one-to-one retreats include private, self-contained riverside accommodation.VortexHealing® is also available. Rates on request.
Give me sanctuary This year a short stay at a retreat could be just what your body and soul crave FOR. Viv Micklefield discovers where to feel nurtured. These days, many of us find our energy levels flagging and our stress levels rising, brought on perhaps by anxieties over our job, family or health. Whatever the root-cause, the chance to spend a little ‘me time’ outside of normal routines, dedicating attention to our own wellbeing, may be truly life-enhancing. Residential retreats can offer such a sanctuary, and there’s an astonishing choice within easy travelling distance. Most regular ‘retreaters’ agree on one thing, that it’s important to find somewhere that allows you to connect with yourself. The content and integrity of what’s on offer, is likely to be key to this. Retreats are often themed – yoga, weight-loss, and healing might feature, with complementary therapies and activities offered alongside the main programme. Even if you are a newcomer to, for instance, meditation, a retreat’s teacher-to-pupil ratio is likely to be high, delivering
12 | Take a Breath
maximum benefit. Those founded on religious principles naturally ask that their ideals be observed during a stay, which is usually more important than being a believer. Whilst many enjoy the opportunity to meet likeminded people, solo retreats offer the ultimate tailor-made experience. One Surrey resident, who visited Essential Ayurveda in Lincolnshire, described it as ‘an inspiration to come here!’, and the start of a ‘new journey through life.’ Whether it’s a spiritual detox of the mind or a cleansing of the body that’s the goal, or a combination of both, most retreats take a holistic approach and take pride in offering nutritious usually vegetarian - meals to guests. On group retreats these are often taken in communal dining areas, although self-catering options may be available. If you stay within a permanent community, some
involvement with residents’ daily life is encouraged.
Mindfulness & Meditation
Depending on the retreat, accommodation can range from converted stable blocks to country mansions and from eco pods to camping under the stars. You’ll find most are designed for over 18s, with discounts for shared occupancy.
DORSET Osho Leela
Less restricted by time, or budget, an extended sojourn might be an option. For one mother of four, a week-long retreat at Grayshott Spa left her feeling ‘the best I’ve felt for ten years.’ And, she says, just as importantly, her newfound approach to eating, ‘will improve not just my health, but that of the whole family.’ However, even if it’s a weekend re-boot that’s the practical choice, perhaps more of us should consider escaping the familiar, and exploring different ways of being. Whichever retreat you opt for, the chance to feel re-energised, re-balanced and re-connected is surely time well spent.
Striking a pose GLOUCESTERSHIRE Woodland Hills woodlandhills.co.uk 01453 767306 Experience a community that encourages its guests to celebrate life. Two, three or four-day meditation retreats suitable for all levels, include Dynamic,Vipassana and Kundalini meditation. Self-enquiry and Ratu Bagus shaking retreats are also run with massage and yoga, and humaniversity training included in a busy programme of annual activities and festivals. Meditation retreats from £120.
SUSSEX Rivendell, Buddhist Retreat Centre rivendellretreatcentre.com 01825 733764 Photo credit Benedict Johnson
Although physical surroundings are not necessarily the be-all and end-all, the opportunity to enjoy nature’s restorative powers by walking, cycling or simple contemplation outdoors, may be an added attraction. But don’t be surprised if mobile phones and other technologies are discouraged. Another Surrey retreater, who stayed at Woodland Hills in Gloucestershire, believes, ‘it’s really nice to have a chance to step out and reflect on things.’
osholeela.co.uk 01747 821221
the mindfulness of breathing and the metta bhavana (development of loving kindness). Previous retreaters can combine meditation with yoga or dharma. Introductory weekends £168.
Based on the successful Heartspring retreat in Wales, up to six individuals or friends can enjoy four-night, tailor-made stays. You can expect a combination of yoga-type movement, walking meditation, and healing through sound that brings deep relaxation, personal awareness and inner peace. Additional complementary therapies (extra) include tai chi, reiki healing and shamanic visioning. Retreats start at £380.
KENT Oxon Hoath oxonhoath.co.uk 01732 811071
If you are willing to free your heart and your mind, meditation weekends focus on the rituals of Triratna Buddhism, including
Take a Breath | 13
Retreat weekends at this country house are designed to lift the spirits. A ‘menu’ of options allows you to mix and match treatments and classes, including Indian head massage, shiatsu, chakra balancing, yoga, tai chi, astrology and energy medicine. Additional treatments can be pre-booked. There are various walks around the grounds and surrounding countryside. From £259 for retreat weekends.
SURREY Kilnhanger kilnhanger.com 01483 898853
your individual goals with health and nutrition consultants, an abdominal massage, yoga, tai chi and relaxation are all included. Neuro-linguistic programming, emotional freedom technique and a host of other holistic therapies are bookable (extra). A 7-day retreat costs from £1295.
Immerse yourself in this ancient healing tradition for up to seven days.Your individual progamme of daily Ayurvedic treatments includes four-hands massage, shirodhara and steam therapy, plus yoga, chi kung, meditation and relaxation. Demonstrations of Ayurvedic cooking, including how to use herbs & spices to aid digestion. Netra tarpana (ghee eye bath), basti (colon therapy), and nasya (nasal cleansing therapy) are also available (extra). A 3-day retreat costs £825.
SOMERSET Detox Plus detoxplus.org 01373 467668
With a range of yoga dayretreats and three-day wellbeing weekends run by visiting teachers, this Surrey Hills retreat allows you to enjoy meditation alongside regular yoga practice, together with opportunities for massage (extra). Residential accommodation, including selfcatering and camping in a natural setting is offered.
A healthier outlook SURREY Grayshott Spa grayshottspa.com 01428 602020 A seven-day digestive cleanse and rebalance using naturopathic self-healing, aims to improve health, wellbeing and weight management. Having agreed
14 | Take a Breath
WORCESTERSHIRE Heart of England Healing Retreat Centre ask4sanctuary.co.uk 01299 401407 There’s the chance to gain a physical and emotional detox on a seven-day juice fasting retreat. With nutrition high on the agenda, a raw food feast is designed to inspire you. A colonics programme (optional), plus yoga, meditation and astrology is included. Retreats run January to June, and September to November - from £875.
Hands-on healing LINCOLNSHIRE Essential Ayurveda essentialayurveda.co.uk 01754 830559
Photo credit William Rowland
There’s a chance to let go of deeply held, painful emotions as Shen therapy works with the body’s bio-fields and chi energy to release life’s tensions. Flexible stays, one-to-one retreats include private, self-contained riverside accommodation.VortexHealing® is also available. Rates on request.
