What does the word retreat mean to you? Is it about escaping the noise of everyday life, resting, immersing yourself in a practice, or seeking deeper knowledge? How does it differ from going on holiday?

A vital component of a wellbeing retreat, in my opinion, is the opportunity to regulate our over-stimulated nervous systems. As much as a packed sight-seeing agenda on a holiday may be enjoyable and fun, there is still a very active, even busy component that does not fully allow the mind and body to regulate. As in daily life, awareness is externally focused. Many people over-indulge in food and alcohol and late nights. On retreat, the schedule is decided for you, as are the meals and times. The practices such as yoga and meditation will encourage you to shift your awareness from the outside world onto your own inner experience. With little else to do apart from relax, there is also important time for integration of your inner and outer worlds, an opportunity to expand your awareness and focus on yourself. The food is wholesome and nourishing, with little or no alcohol available and early nights encouraged. You and your wellbeing are the focus of OUR retreats.

For some, the idea of going on a retreat might feel self-indulgent or out of reach, or even boring! But, in today’s high-pressure world, where stress-induced health problems and burnout are becoming increasingly common, perhaps a retreat isn’t a luxury at all. It may be a necessity.

The dictionary defines retreat as “to move back or withdraw from danger.” Thankfully, in the UK, most of us aren’t living under the threat of war. We have shelter, food, education, and often disposable income. And yet, we’re constantly under siege by something less visible but equally harmful: stress. Chronic stress is a modern-day threat, often going unacknowledged. It’s at the root of many health conditions—autoimmune diseases, anxiety, depression, addictive behaviours, and feelings of isolation. These issues, in turn, only heighten the stress response, creating a damaging feedback loop. Stress is not ‘out there’ or something that happens to us, it is our internal response to events and experiences, dependant on previous experiences and current perceptions (another blog post about what stress is and is not to come!)

Every day we are bombarded with information and often horrifying news, while long working hours leave little time for family, community, or rest. We are realising our current lifestyles are unsustainable; we want to thrive, not just survive. More and more people are seeking meaningful connections—not just through social media or pub culture—but in deeper ways that remind them who they are, where they come from, and what truly matters. As a result, the wellness industry is booming, and retreats are cropping up everywhere, from one-day events to week-long immersions. They come with a financial and time investment, which can make it challenging to know which one is right for you. If you’re curious but unsure where to begin, you’re not alone. In this blog, I’ll share my personal experiences of retreats, offer tips on choosing one that fits you, and introduce the retreats Nina and I offer—who they’re for and what makes them unique.

My First Retreat: Lessons from Silence

My first experience of a retreat was at a Buddhist monastery, where I spent a weekend learning to meditate. The serene surroundings—beautiful buildings and peaceful grounds—instantly put me at ease. Silence was the rule, and the food was simple and vegetarian. We slept in dormitories. The meditation sessions were led by Buddhist monks. Apart from the physical discomfort of sitting on a cushion on the floor, I loved the meditation itself.

However, when the retreat ended and I returned to the distractions of everyday life, I struggled to continue the practice. The presence of an experienced teacher and other meditators had made it easier, but alone, I felt I was failing. Even at the young age of 23, I knew this peace was something I needed, but I struggled to make it part of my life. I misunderstood the purpose of meditation, and it took me another decade to find a practice that worked for me.

Life Changes, Continued Struggles, and a New Path

As life moved forward, I got married, had children, and lived in Italy. Despite the outward perfection of my family and surroundings, I felt unfulfilled and reactive. I tried to meditate, but it always felt like I was doing it wrong. Yoga brought me some peace, and I was invited to join a retreat with my Italian yoga class. I hesitated, especially since my Italian wasn’t very good, and the teacher didn’t speak English. But deeper inside, I knew I was searching for something more.

When my husband questioned why I even practiced yoga (since he didn’t see any change in me), I declined the retreat. Shortly after, we separated. It wasn’t until then that I realised the self-awareness developing through yoga was leading me back to myself. This may sound strange if you have never practised yoga or have only experienced a class with a completely physical focus, almost like a workout, but the meaning of the Sanskrit word Yoga is to yoke or union. The modern interpretation of this is to unite body, mind and spirit. It is an invitation to slow down, listen to your body and reconnect with yourself.

A Transformative Experience: Meditation and Healing

Two years later, after more personal trauma led to debilitating panic attacks, I returned to therapy and found Transcendental Meditation (TM), which became my twice-daily meditation practice. A couple of months later, I attended my first TM weekend retreat at Oxen Hoath in Kent.

The retreat involved a practice called rounding—a combination of yoga postures, pranayama, TM, and rest, repeated up to five times a day. Half of the weekend was spent in silence, even during meals, which felt awkward at first. The retreat stirred up a lot of discomfort as my nervous system released deep stress. I cried a lot. Old, buried feelings resurfaced, and I questioned, for the umpteenth time, “What’s wrong with me?” But by the end of the retreat, I felt a profound sense of calm and clarity. The analogy of a dredged lake came to mind: At first, the water becomes murky as all the sediment is stirred up, but eventually, it settles, and the water becomes clear again. My mind and emotions were undergoing a similar process of dredging, clearing, and ultimately settling into peace.

The Value of Retreats: Healing through Silence and Space

I continued attending regular weekend retreats, and after the third one, I noticed a change. My emotional reactions were less intense, and I felt a deeper understanding of how life experiences are stored in the body. Despite intellectual understanding and therapy, there was more healing to do. These retreats became an invaluable tool for processing trauma and developing a deeper self-awareness. I learned that the real magic of retreats happens in the spaces in between. The process of slowing down, stepping back, and creating silence is just as important as the practices themselves.

Through these experiences, I understood that the space to be—without the constant pressure to “do,” “fix,” or “achieve”—was what truly fostered healing. Retreats aren’t about cramming as much as possible into a schedule—they’re about giving people the time and space to integrate new practices safely and deeply.

What to Expect on One of Our Retreats

Our retreats are about rest, reflection, and integration. We offer time to be still, to connect with nature, and to explore new practices in a gentle, non-judgmental environment. Here’s a taste of what you can expect:

• Wholesome, nourishing food - organic and homegrown where possible, vegetarian in the UK, with meat and fish options in Italy.
• Yoga - 4-6 hours of daily, flow yoga with Nina, and yin yoga with Rebecca.
• Breathwork and meditation - guided sessions designed to deepen your practice safely.
• Silence and solitude - time for personal reflection or quiet alone time, but silence is not obligatory.
• Community connection - space to share experiences and connect with like-minded people.
• Fun - time spent in nature, including walks, and in Italy, opportunities for cultural exploration, such as local food and wine tastings.
• Reduced Screen Time - ideally phones will be switched off throughout but are not prohibited. Phone use is asked to be kept minimal and away from the group where possible.
• No work to do - no cooking, washing up, organising, others to look after. Just relax, we take care of all that!
• Swimming pool - in Italy, we are blessed to have a private outdoor pool to relax in.
• Small groups - our retreats vary in size from 6-12 participants to ensure your safety and individual attention from us.
• Women only retreats available.
• Holistic Bodywork Treatments (massage and reflexology)
• Skilled and experienced facilitators – with a combined 30 + years’ experience of practice and training in bodywork, yoga and self-development, we can confidently respond to any potential adverse effects or healing crisis responses that may occur from immersive practice.

Our retreats are an invitation to slow down, listen to your body, and reconnect with yourself. Rest when you need to and take the time to integrate the practices at your own pace.

How to Choose the Right Retreat for You

Choosing the right retreat can be a big decision. Here are five questions to guide you in your search:

1. What type of retreat are you looking for (yoga, mindfulness, silence, nature-based, creative healing)?
2. Who is the facilitator, and do they feel trustworthy and qualified?
3. What’s included in the cost?
4. Do the values of the retreat align with your own?
5. Are you ready for what the retreat might bring up emotionally or spiritually? More importantly, are the facilitators qualified to support this process?

What Some of Our Previous Guests Had to Say....

This experience is a must. More personal value than you could ever imagine.

Everything about thwe retreat was perfect...thanks to Rebecca and Nina for the endless support and knowledge given to nake such an unforgettable trip.

I thought that this retreat would just be about yoga, meditation etc. How wrong was I! It was an incredible journey of openness and understanding and self-belief. Rebecca and Nina go above and beyond! Please be kind to yourself and book!

Final Thoughts

Retreats offer a rare opportunity to step away from the demands of daily life and focus solely on your well-being. Whether you’re looking for personal healing, deeper self-awareness, or just some much-needed rest, a retreat can be an invaluable tool. Without the typical distractions of daily life, work and relationships, we can return to who we really are. An old Chinese proverb tells us ‘Relaxed is who we really are, tension is who we think we should be’. How does that resonate for you?

If you’re ready to take the next step on your journey of self-discovery and/or wellbeing, I’d love for you to join us. Our retreats provide a safe, supportive space to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with yourself. It's time to treat yourself to a journey of self-care and healing; know you are worth it!

Please do get in touch if you have any questions or feedback about retreats you have been on, I would love to hear from you!