Vitality: A Mind, Body & Soul Recharge

Last weekend I co-hosted my first half-day yoga retreat with the wonderful Ella (@radiantsoul__yoga). We travelled deep into Hampshire’s countryside to The Woodland Sauna, a completely outdoors venue nestled in a small woodland just outside of Longstock. Even from just outside the woodland, you would never know the venue was there, but as soon as you step foot inside, the woodland opens up to reveal twisting pathways lined with tree branches leading you past fire pits, and ice baths, a beautiful wood-fired sauna and changing area and even deeper into the woods to the stretch tent and karma tree beyond.

All enclosed from the outside world. The perfect setting for a mind, body and soul recharge. 

The afternoon began with intention setting at the Karma Tree, inviting everyone to tie their intentions in ribbon form to its sprawling branches. Everyone took their time to find a suitable space for their intention on branches already covered with ribbons of all different colours, carefully placed by past visitors. 

@radiantsoul__yoga

Intentions set, and a few trees hugged, we journeyed back to the stretch tent.

After channeling our inner humming bee with Bhramari Pranayama - boosting our nitric oxide production through humming - I led a wild thing flow. It felt appropriate to tap into our wild and creative side in such a rural space. Winding down with a singing bowl relaxation from me, and a head massage from Ella, accompanied by bird song and the sound of the breeze passing through the surrounding trees. 

Ella led a dynamic meditation, inspired by Osho’s Active Meditations.

Moving through different stages including deep chaotic breath, catharsis and jumping followed by complete stillness, overcoming the minds desire for comfort and movement. The mantra ‘you are not your body’ really stuck with me, I think we all surprised ourselves by how much more we were capable of than our minds let us believe at first. A fantastic setup for the contrast therapy…

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@takenbytor_90

One of my favourite moments of the day came as Ella and I were setting up the stretch tent for the closing ceremony. Everyone else had moved into the sauna and ice bath area and all we could hear was this incredible laughter and screaming as people started to brave the cold water. We really lucked out with our guests for the retreat and hearing everyone having such a good time - even in the ice baths - was a really fab moment. 

My favourite ice bath faces…

'I didn't think I would take an ice bath but I felt so relaxed and encouraged I took two!'

Check out the sauna pixies! 

Once everyone had dried off by the fire pit...

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We reconvened with plant-based snacks - date ball truffles prepared by me, thanks to my blender for withstanding another round of sticky date mixture. And houmous and dips by Ella, who had decided to deskin every individual chickpea herself - insane. We really put a lot of love and effort into the afternoon.

The ‘talking amethyst’ was chosen from the collection of crystals in the middle of the tent and everyone took turns sharing their favourite parts of the day. One person pointed out that the contrast therapy instantly brought people together. In sitting with slight adversity and discomfort, instant connections were made.  

An unforgettable group experience.

Thank you to everyone who joined us on the day and to my partner Tom for helping us set up the space and being our photographer for the day. 

Find Ella on Instagram - @radiantsoul__yoga