Retreat Days
Escape for the day
Saturday 17th August and Saturday 19th October 2024
Take a break from the treadmill of modern day life, and give yourself the gift of rest and relaxation on this retreat day with experienced yoga teacher Mel Skinner. Expect deeply restful restorative yoga and yoga nidra, inspiring and heart-warming poetry, and time connecting with nature. By releasing stress and tension, we can access a place within us that is already whole and at peace - all are welcome regardless of experience.
At a glance
Gentle and healing restorative yoga
Deeply restful yoga nidra meditation
Mindful nature-based creativity activities
The chance to share and listen to inspiring poetry
Delicious and nourishing home-cooked food
The day
The stresses and strains of everyday life can begin to take its toll on our physical, mental and emotional health, and despite our good intentions to prioritise our self-care, we can often find ourselves feeling exhausted, numb and depleted.
This retreat day is designed for everyone looking for the chance to deeply rest their mind, body and soul, and return back to life feeling refreshed and recovered.
The day will begin with a welcoming circle, and gentle yet effective restorative yoga to open and stretch your body, taking you out of fight or flight and into a restful state of being. We will have morning tea and snacks, followed by nature-based creative meditations, either outdoors, weather permitting, or in Hawkwood’s woodland sanctuary. Please bring pen and paper for this.
After this we will enjoy a nourishing lunch, followed by time sitting together in circle and sharing inspiring poetry and quotes, and there will be at least one yoga nidra meditation throughout the day. If you are new to yoga nidra, you are in for a treat - this is a deeply restful meditation which supports the nervous system, hormonal system and immune system.
By giving yourself permission to rest, you are telling yourself that you matter. You will be guided gently into deeply restful states with experienced and compassionate teacher Mel Skinner, and leave with a lasting sense of inner peace.
“Mel is a wonderful , empathetic and skilled yoga teacher. She also sets an inclusive and non-judgemental, non-competitive environment, which is not always the case in the world of yoga.”
The food
With morning and afternoon tea breaks includiong home-made biscuits, cakes and fruit, as well as a nourishing two-course lunch, your body will be restored and nourished.
Located within an enchanting 19th Century Grade II listed building surrounded by 42 acres of beautiful grounds, Hawkwood College is based just outside of Stroud, within easy reach from both the M4 and M5 motorways. A relaxed, quirky venue hosting a wide range of educational and nourishing courses and retreats and surrounded by woodlands, with simple accommodation, a generous kitchen, and a strong ethics at their core. I am always very honoured to be part of the vast and wonderful range of offerings here.
The venue
The Schedule
Please note timings of sessions and breaks may vary slightly.
10 - First session begins - welcome circle and restorative yoga
11am - tea break
11.30am - Nature meditation (outdoors)
1pm - Lunch
2pm - Poetry sharing
3pm - tea break
3.30pm - More yoga
4pm - close
Price
TBC
Please note travel, insurance and treatments (where relevant) are not included in these prices.
Booking is made directly through Hawkwood College for this retreat.
This booking is handled by Hawkwood College. Please contact them directly for further information.
Terms and conditions
Participants to bring yoga equipment if possible*, plus a journal/notebook, and at least one poetry/inspirational quote they would like to share with the group.
*yoga mat
*yoga bolster
*yoga bricks
*yoga blocks x2
*blankets
*cushion for head
Note: Mel will be providing some equipment, so if you are unable to bring your own please email her directly at mel@melskinneryoga.com. Mel will also have authentic Tibetan blankets to sell.
Prepare for your retreat
A note on self-care
A retreat can be wonderfully relaxing, allowing you time to focus on yourself and taking away the every day stresses of life. However retreats can also be times of emotional release, as slowing down often offers the chance for reflection and contemplation. It is recommended that you slow down before your retreat if possible, and also allow yourself time to return to the everyday world, perhaps taking an extra day off work if you can, and avoiding making any unnecessary social engagements or obligation.
It is good to prepare for all weathers, especially when retreating in the UK! For this reason, I recommend wellies and/or walking boots, waterproof clothes, comfy warm socks and slippers, a warm jumper or two, hat and gloves, sunscreen, and swimming clothes (when relevant).