Summer’s Promise: A Yoga, Massage and Nature Retreat at the Quadrangle Farmstead in Kent – from 16th to 18th June 2017

Find your centre and your inner fire, with restorative yoga, gentle Ayurvedic massage and an introduction to shamanic journeying to take us through this midsummer passage.

We’ve put this retreat together for a chance for you to become one with the spirit of summer, and to connect to its essence as the part of us that it is. Summer is the season of revelry and celebration, and it casts the longest shadow; you may be looking to draw on more of the summer’s energy for what’s to come, or perhaps be reminded of your inner strength, compass and light.

The narrow bud opens her beauties to
The sun, and love runs in her thrilling veins;
Blossoms hang round the brows of Morning, and
Flourish down the bright cheek of modest Eve,
Till clust’ring Summer breaks forth into singing,
And feather’d clouds strew flowers round her head.
– William Blake

Each day will consist of a gentle rhythm of rejuvenating yoga, fireside meditations, walks in nature, and delicious seasonal food. During the retreat you will receive a 40 minute Ayurvedic yoga massage with Steve, leaving you deeply relaxed in mind and spirit, and an introduction to shamanic journeying. 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.

We invite you to our home-from-home, the Quadrangle – a Victorian farmstead built in 1870. We’ve had retreats here before, and it’s the perfect place to quietly observe and reflect on Mother Nature, in a beautiful rustic farmhouse setting, away from the hustle and bustle, to slow down and connect.

Run as a centre for sustainable living and the creative arts, the Quadrangle has beautiful elements with which to enjoy our stay: the main barn for our group practices and communal dining, the shepherds barn with woodburner to put your feet up with a cup of tea, the garden for fireside meditation and contemplation, a living permaculture forest garden, and a stream running through for some wild dipping! The hills and vales of the Pilgrims Way are in reach just a short walk cross-country.

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

Cost

Dorm – £255 (£215 early bird)
Sharing twin room, Airstream or Bell Tent – £315 (£270 early bird)
Private room, Airstream or Bell Tent – £375 (£315 early bird)
Own tent or camper van – £215 (£185 early bird)
Early bird 15% discount if booked before 1st May.
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
katy-robinson-300px

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
steve-taylor

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

Emma

As I sit down to write this, I begin by questioning myself, what truly inspires me? I think food should be enjoyable, delicious, low impact, simple and massively social. For me, Mediterranean-inspired-long-meals, big tables, friends, laughter, bowls bursting with colours and flavours is what it is all about. It’s an element of each day that can incorporate and pull us right back to some of the biggest joys in life. I dearly hope wholesome, seasonal, predominately plant-based diets will be the future. Both, physically for our bodies and the planet as a whole. I am a self taught chef, I’ve spent many years learning from my family, friends and many cookbooks (my current favourite is still Ottolenghi’s Jerusalem). I have worked in events (festivals, cafes, retreats, and theatre shows) for the past 8 years, feeding and looking after performers and producers. I am really happy and excited to come and be part of this retreat with you all. I hope to create some simple meals that we can share and enjoy together.

The Quadrangle

The Quadrangle is a large Victorian model farmstead built in 1870 near Shoreham in Kent. Part of it is owned and managed by The Quadrangle Trust which is run as a centre for sustainable living and the creative arts. The garden runs down through an orchard to the River Darent and a field and small woodland beyond. It’s setting in the valley is extraordinarily rural and peaceful in that it is only 20 miles from Piccadilly Circus as the crow flies. thequadrangletrust.com

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.

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.

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!