A weekend retreat escaping the business of everyday life - time and space to reflect and figure out what we need at this time of year and at this time in our lives. The weekend will all be about exploring our masculine and feminine energies, about getting in touch with our primal instinctive nature using the medium of yoga and journaling.

Each morning will start with Ashtanga yoga - this hybrid led/ Mysore (guided self practice) class is suitable for all levels - challenge yourself as much as you like or take it slowly and gently - make the practice work for you and your body. Those with a more advanced practice or just more experience will be able to follow their practice in their own time, Donna will be on hand to offer hands on adjustment, guidance and new postures. Those newer to the practice will be guided through the standing sequence and taught a few extra postures in depth each day. 

Journaling sessions will be after brunch and in the afternoon over tea and cake. Rachel will guide you through simple journaling questions designed to encourage deeper enquiry. There will be the opportunity to discuss what comes up in small groups, there will be no pressure to read out what you have written. 

Each afternoon we will head out into the woods to explore. There will be the option to have a cold water dip for the brave.

We will finish each afternoon with some breath work and deeply restful yoga nidra. 

Kirstie will be catering. providing us with delicious vegetarian and vegan meals. There will also be plenty of cake.

We will be staying in the stunning, newly restored,  Lumb Bank, a writers centre, formerly the home of Ted Hughes. This is situated up above the Colden Valley with beautiful gardens and stunning views. The yoga room has a lovely wooden floor and underfloor heating. All the rooms have their own writing desks and many have views down the valley. There are also a number of single rooms available for those that need their own space. There is a beautiful library with a log burner in to curl up in on cold November afternoons and evenings. 

About Rachel

I am a writer and teacher with a PhD in applying Jungian psychoanalysis to creative writing. I teach on the Creative Writing Masters at Salford University and am the founder of Write Your Undiscovered Self – an accessible and inclusive creative self-development programme for anyone wishing to use writing as a tool to facilitate creativity and promote psychological growth.

Now in my early fifties, I’m well on my way towards crossing the threshold of menopause. I find myself grieving for dreams I once had that never reached maturation and questioning what it means for me to own my authority as someone who doesn’t have children. At the same time, I have begun an exciting new journey of exploring how I can live my life more fully, creatively, holistically and joyfully on my own terms. Exploring my feelings and experiences through writing has been integral to helping me lean into what I can learn from the challenging and transformative experience of menopause and I’m passionate about sharing the simple writing techniques that I have personally benefited from with others.

Find out more here https://rachelnewsome.co.uk/