Awaken the senses with restorative yoga, gentle Ayurvedic massage, seasonal food, walks in nature, fireside intention setting and letting go, and shamanic journeying to take us on this passage through Spring.

Spring is an important time in the gardening year, as the days lengthen and the sun strengthens. It’s also a time when we can nourish our own garden – becoming energised by the sound of birdsong announcing Spring’s arrival, the sighting of the first little buds and flowers poking out of the dirt and blossoming on the trees, the fresh smell of air, and the hope of sunshine for a few days in a row at least!

We invite you to commune with us at Millers Farm, a permaculture smallholding in the Forest of Dean, where we can relax and unwind in a simple and beautiful environment and experience ourselves as at one with the land at this time of awakening.

Our home for the weekend will be the main barn space – a lovely cosy setting for our group, with under floor heating to keep us warm and views out over the fields. We’ll practice our restorative and energy-holding yoga, and share this space for meditations, our shamanic journeying session, sharing circles, communal dining and sleeping. We will venture outside for walks in nature and our fireside intention setting and letting go.

A color stands abroad
On solitary hills
That silence cannot overtake,
But human nature feels.
– Nature, Emily Dickinson

During the retreat you will receive a 40 minute Ayurvedic massage with Steve, helping you to unwind, relax and find your flow. We will share 3 delicious locally sourced vegetarian meals each day, and you will have time for relaxation and quiet contemplation. It’s up to you how much you participate; the space is yours to hold as you wish.

There are many beautiful elements with which to enjoy our stay at Millers Farm – 11 acres of sloping fields to explore with a stream running through, a small enclosed garden, a well, a fire pit, as well as bees, horses, and some cats and dogs. As well as using permaculture principles, this land has been worked on shamanically for years.

Millers Farm is the perfect place to quietly observe and reflect on Mother Nature, away from the hustle and bustle, to slow down and connect. It is the perfect setting to look away from the outside chaos and journey into our inner peace. In doing so we can become better aware of who we are and where we are headed.

Timings

Arrive from 4pm onwards on Friday
The retreat ends on Sunday afternoon after lunch

Sleeping arrangements

This is one big sleepover where we will sleep in the main barn space together!

There are also 3 beds available upstairs (with bedding provided) and also 2 beds available in the barn space at additional cost (see below).

We will each need to bring our own bedding, sleeping mat, wash kit and towel. There is underfloor heating so we should be toasty but you may want to bring some indoor shoes / slippers / thick socks.

What to bring

Bedding
Sleeping mat
Yoga mat / fleece
Blanket or shawl for meditation and cushion if you need one
Slippers to potter around in
Eye cover or scarf for shamanic journeying
Ear plugs if you’re a light sleeper
Towel and wash kit
Outdoor warm and waterproof clothing and boots, a walking stick if you need one as the land is quite steep in places
Notebook and pen
Any books or podcasts you’re currently reading / listening to
Torch for any walks after dark
Relevant chargers for any electrical equipment

Cost

Main barn space – £200 (£180 early bird)
Bed in main barn space (bedding provided) – £220 (£200 early bird)
Sharing twin/triple room upstairs (bedding provided) – £240 (£215 early bird)
Camping/own camper van – £180 (£160 early bird)
Early bird discount if booked by 20th March.
Please don’t let financial difficulties be a barrier to you coming to this retreat – please contact us to discuss your situation and see how we can get you here with us!

What’s included

Morning and afternoon yoga and meditation sessions each day, a 40 minute Ayurvedic yoga massage, a guided shamanic journey, 3 delicious vegetarian meals per day, accommodation, walk in nature, campfire.

Reserve your place

Email Katy to reserve your place or go directly to our registration form.

Previous feedback

Thank you so much to the whole team for truly nourishing and nurturing me.

Fantastic weekend. Great combination of relaxation, wonderful food, incredible massage and lovely people.

Thank you so very much for your incredible calming energy. You are a beautiful teacher and I would love to bottle you up and take you home!

This yoga retreat has been the BEST! Thank you all so much.

The most relaxed, loving, nourishing weekends imaginable with an affordable price tag!

Katy

I studied yoga and meditation under the direct guidance of Swami Vidyanand at the SriMa School of Transformational Yoga in India. I’ve been practising since 1999, leading me to deeper studies with different forms of yoga over the years including Transformational, Scaravelli-inspired, Sivananda and Yoga for Anxiety and Depression. I take an integral approach to teaching – incorporating physical postures (asanas), breathing practices (pranayama) and dhyana (mantra meditation), as well as meditation and deep relaxation (yoga nidra). Connecting body, breath, heart, mind and soul has brought an awareness and inner stillness I didn’t believe was possible before. I love being in this space of teacher and eternal student, and hope we can share the magic of yoga too. Take your focus inward, breathe and become present to your intention. All-comers welcome – from absolute beginners to yoga masters! When I’m not running a retreat or facilitating a workshop you’ll most likely find me working and playing in alternative communities and in nature, inspired by the more beautiful world our hearts know is possible (hat tip to Charles Eisenstein). facebook.com/mahayogaschool

Steven

Before Ayurvedic Yoga Massage (AYM) I trained in sports massage with a diploma from LSSM at Regents College London. Then, under the guidance of James Winstanley -pioneer of Ayurvedic Yoga Massage in the west and student of its creator in India Master Kusum Modak, I did the AYM Diploma. Over the last few years I’ve been building experience working with clients in London and the southwest. Now focussing on AYM and working with dancers, yoga teachers, personal trainers, cabaret performers, runners, and cyclists. As well as massage, I love running, old things, philosophy, festivals, reading, cooking, conversation, victorian stuff, ghost stories, carpentry, and films…. facebook.com/aym.steve

Millers Farm

Millers Farm is an 11 acre permaculture smallholding near Blakeney in the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire. The farm is home to artists, Sue Chudley and David Gooding, as well as a venue for Art Projects, Bronze Casting, Creative Breaks and Courses, Yoga and Meditation. millersfarm.co.uk

Ayurvedic Yoga Massage

Ayurvedic Yoga Massage is a unique, relaxing treatment for the whole body, combining deep tissue massage, coordinated breath-work and yoga stretching. Ayurveda is the ancient Indian system of natural healing. AYM combines deep tissue massage with coordinated breath-work and yoga stretching. Its founder Master Kusum Modak has combined traditional Ayurvedic Massage with yoga adjustments learnt directly from BKS Iyengar. It’s performed on a floor mat allowing for a full range of stretching. In addition; the deep tissue massage dissolves physical tension, while the assisted stretches and breath exercises realign the body and stimulate the natural flow of energy. Organic sesame oil (a tri-dosha balancer), and ground calamus root (invigorates the skin / stimulates the nervous system) are used in the treatment.

Transformational Yoga

Transformational Yoga is a truly integral yoga that goes far beyond just physical exercise. While offering a complete approach to wellbeing, it takes into account physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of health. It functions on a deeper level to stimulate kundalini energy to move up through the chakras, purifying and awakening the chakras. In this heart-centred practice we combine physical postures (asanas), breathing practices (pranayama) and dhyana (mantra meditation), as well as meditation and deep relaxation (yoga nidra), to purify your body, balance your emotions, heal your heart, focus your mind, and increase your spiritual wellbeing, helping you to let go and connect with your true nature.

Shamanic Journeying

The shamanic journey is the primary method used to access other realms, where guidance, insight and counsel regarding this realm can be found. The method for journeying may vary, but it usually involves the clear setting of intention, and the use of drum, plant medicine, ecstatic dance or other tool to allow the ego to step aside, to let spirit in, and let the imagination run free to travel and seek. During our retreat you’ll be introduced to these practices, with an explanation of the methods and tools used, and with the drum and a clear intention we will journey together – Please bring an open and curious mind!