Summer Yoga Retreat
Gratitude, light and abundance
Friday 19th - Sunday 21st July 2024
Early bird price ends 5pm, 26th April - early bird places now sold out!
As we move past the summer solstice, and fully into summer, this retreat is designed to help you find the ability to rest, restore, and reflect in the months of longer days and, hopefully, sunshine. We will use yoga and nature as tools to reconnect with ourselves and with the land around us, and find a sense of peacefulness and contemplation that may be otherwise difficult to access in our busy lives. In doing this, we will find gratitude for the abundance of light and beauty all around us.
At a glance
Early morning meditation walks to the woodland sanctuary (optional)
Gentle flow and restore yoga to create space for breath and stretch and move
Opening to stillness and introspection with restorative yoga
Deeply restful yoga nidra
Summer inspired ritual incorporating Hawkwood’s labyrinth and natural spring
Yoga to release stress and tension, and create space and ease
Deeply restful yoga nidra
The chance to pause, reflect and replenish one’s energies
To discover a sense of gratitude and light already within you
The retreat
This time of year is known as a time for renewal and abundance, as summer blooms in full glory. This yoga retreat will invite you to rest and restore your energies, to connect with the light inside of you, as well as the longer days outside.
With gentle Flow and Restore yoga to open up your body in the mornings and afternoon restorative practices to release long-held patterns of tension and create more space for breath, this is yoga proven to support our mental and emotional health, as well as improve our physical wellbeing. We will also experience yoga nidra, a deeply healing and restful form of yoga that is proven to decrease feelings of anxiety and depression, support chronic pain and insomnia, and resolve trauma.
As well as twice daily yoga sessions, we will also explore nature-based activities, including using journaling to connect with the landscape around you, and optional early morning meditations in Hawkwood’s beautiful woodland sanctuary. On Saturday we will have a special nature-inspired session devoted to the summer energy. This will involve optional barefoot walking on grass, lighting of candles, yoga nidra and ‘planting the seeds’ of our intentions as we prepare to move forward - plus a nourishing gong bath on Saturday evening.
There will also be plenty of free time for you to drop out of ‘doing’ mode, and to read, sleep, explore or whatever else you feel. This is truly a retreat to nourish your mind, body and soul, and all are welcome.
“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
The food at Hawkwood is mostly organic, mostly local, all homemade, and totally delicious! You certainly won't go hungry on this retreat as we start the day with a delicious breakfast including eggs, toast, muesli, juice and a selection of organic tea and coffee. Lunch and dinner are home-cooked with love, and include meat and vegetarian offerings, and the quality of the ingredients will boost and support your digestion (as well as the knowledge that someone else will be doing the washing up!).
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
The aim on this retreat is to slow ourselves down. I encourage you to let yourself move at the pace of your body. You may be surprised by how tired you really are, so afternoon naps, relaxing with a book, or enjoying a stroll to the meditation hut in the woods are all welcome here. You are free to do as little or as much of the yoga as you like.
Find the draft schedule here. Please note, this is the 2021 schedule but should give you a loose idea.
Bedrooms and pricing
Early bird price ends 5pm, 26th April - early bird prices - now sold out!
Non-residential (breakfast not included) - £345 - early bird price £293
Shared room, shared bathroom - £415 - early bird £353
Single room, shared bathroom - £465 - early bird 395
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 including any information you require on covid-19 guidelines.
Terms and conditions
Participants to bring yoga equipment*, plus a journal/notebook, pen, and any poetry/readings they would like to share with the group. There will be beautiful unique Tibetan shawls for sale from Mel. You may also like to bring walking boots and extra layers for the early morning walk.
*yoga mat, yoga bolster (can substitute with pillows), yoga bricks and blocks x2 each (can substitute with pillows), blankets for warmth - 2-3 is ideal, yoga strap, eye pillow, cushion for head
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).