RETREAT HIGHLIGHTS:

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Mindful attention and practices

Meditations guided and unguided

Yoga

Movement

Mindful awareness and focus

Rest and Relaxation

Self healing Dowsing

Attuning with the rhythms of nature in the early spring gardens and grounds

Sound Bath

Creative activities

Delicious and plentiful meals and drinks.

Periods of reflective silence

Unplugging from the drone of the phone or gadget

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Weekend Retreats are all about:

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This Weekend Experience of immersing into healing and restorative self care will develop, build and strengthen resilience and well being. It will have many spaces to be reflective and insightful to what nourishes and supports all of the layers of well health; including exploration with mindful practices, movement and yoga, wise dowsing for health and healing, being in the energetic yet soothing rhythms of walks and wanders in Nature, regular meals, rest and sleep, the connections to sound vibrations that balance and settle your nervous system, reflective and insightful silences and much more.

Hellens Manor, the hidden gem in Herefordshire’s stunning countryside, is the perfect venue to unwind, reset and replenish, set in large and widespread gardens, grounds and woodlands. The Georgian Stable offers comfortable accommodation with three double ensuite rooms, and 7 single rooms with, shared with one other, bathrooms.

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VENUE:​ 

Hellens Manor, Much Marcle, near Ledbury, Herefordshire.

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Set in the rural landscape of Herefordshire Hellens is a

much-loved Tudor/Jacobean home with an incredible tapestry

of stories, characters, art, furniture, grounds and gardens.

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To see more of the venue and its location please see here. 

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Cost:

£425pp, all inclusive of bed, single room, food and drinks, all activities and different teacher/facilitators offers, and the use of gardens and extensive grounds

 

Early bird booking. £375pp up until 31st December 2025.​​

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NB: there is one accessible room available. 

 

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FEES:

10% deposit will secure the booking.

An invoice for the full amount will then be issued and will need to be fully paid by 2nd January. Payment arrangements can be organised.

After 2nd January, the full fee must be paid to secure booking.

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Reflectively creative: 

 

We will spend time in a number of lying, sitting and movement meditation practices, with times in between to reflect and rest, to absorb and be, and to take time in Nature.

 

We will have times of invitational reflective discussions and sharing and some periods of silence, to reflect on our practices, in a collaborative and supportive space.

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We will be sharing a variety of creative and engaging mindful activities including Mindful Movement and we we will be reflectively creative as the weekend unfolds.

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PRACTIONERS:

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Gail Calthrop: Mindful Gail

Breathworks Mindfulness Teacher and Registered Nurse.

 

I have been a Mindfulness Practitioner and Teacher for many years, sharing with

many people and communities mindful skills and practical tools to use in daily life,

building greater resilience and growing our well being. The skill of being mindful,

open and aware to each moment and what it offers, is perfectly found and learnt,

in the abundance of the moment within our environment and in Nature.

READ MORE about Gail HERE​​​

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Veronika  Pena De La Jara: Yoga teacher 

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I have been a yoga teacher for 25 years. I am a yoga teacher trainer and specialise in many areas of yoga: Early years, pregnancy, mother and child, children, teen and adult yoga.

I first came across yoga when I was working in Thailand as a dive master. It was a stressful job as I was dive guiding and responsible for the lives of up to 10 people underwater.  When a yoga teacher appeared on the island, I went along not knowing what to expect as I had never done yoga before. Within the first 10 days of practising, I knew that yoga would become part of my life. Little did I know then that I would make it my whole life and career.

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READ MORE about Veronika HERE

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Kate Smart: Dowser, Psychic and Mystic     

In this session we will be exploring the human energetic anatomy through pendulum dowsing.  Dowsing is an ancient practice that allows us to tune into the unseen world including the wisdom of our bodies.  Learn how to use a pendulum to measure your chakras, find the power of your finger tips and dowse your own aura.  Along the way you’ll hear about the history of dowsing and the many and varied ways it is used today.  Practice pendulums provided.

 

Kate is chair of Malvern Dowsers, a vibrant dowsing club with over 100 members that meets at Christchurch Hall, Avenue Road, Malvern once a month.  She also runs a beginners and improvers group for the Malvern U3A at Elmslie House, Malvern and offers online dowsing classes using Zoom.  Kate’s grandmother taught her to dowse using a pendulum to predict vegetable germination rates at her allotment and since then she has run dowsing workshops, dowsing visits to local sites and helped clients with 'sick building' syndrome.

 

READ MORE about Kate Smart.  Dowser, Psychic and Mystic HERE

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Soesen of Edan Sound: Sound Bath Practitioner

Based in the Midlands, Soesen has been working with music for over 20 years, playing instruments, DJing, producing music nights and festivals, broadcasting on radio and travelling the globe in search of the best sonic remedies.

Soesen now travels the UK, working with groups and individuals using sound as a tool to help heal and balance. She has worked with a vast variety of groups and individuals including people with Autism, chronic illness, in special and mainstream schools, with members of the public, prisoners, elderly dementia patients, hospices, businesses and festivals

READ MORE about Soesen at Edan Sound. HERE

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Who this is for:

 

The retreat offers a deeply immersive experience, welcoming participants of all levels.

Whether you're new to meditation or yoga and curious to explore these practices, or you're a seasoned practitioner seeking to deepen your journey, the retreat provides a supportive and enriching environment for personal growth and inner exploration.

 

 

The nature of the Retreat is often deeply contemplative for people and may not be suitable for people who are experiencing acute mental health episodes and similar conditions. Please contact me to discuss any queries regarding this.

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CLICK HERE TO BOOK

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A typical menu for the day:

 

Breakfast:   help yourself to a variety of cereals, yogurts, toast, drinks

 

Lunch:          soup, bread and fruits

 

Supper:        main meal and dessert

 

There will be fruit available at all times.

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UNPLUGGING:

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Ideally to get the most benefit from the retreat, it is good to switch of your phone, power down your laptop or similar devices and unplug from the constant electrical chatter. If this seems too hard, see if you can decide a time you can 'check in’, say once a day, with your phone/laptop/tablet. Give yourself the gift of this precious time for yourself, away from the magnetic pull of the constant being on ‘stand by’.

 

We have an emergency number you can give to family if needed.

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General Weekend Guide:

(NB: subject to change)

 

Friday.

 

1.30pm        Arrival and lunch,

 

2.30pm       Welcome get together and free time to explore

 

5pm             Movement and Meditation in Haywain

 

6pm            Supper

 

7pm            Setting intentions

 

8pm           Meditation in Haywain.

 

9pm           Silence until 9am next day

 

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Saturday

 

8am                Yoga

 

8.30                 Meditation

 

9am                 Breakfast and free time until 10.30am

 

10.30am           Activity and meditation,

 

1pm                   Lunch

 

2pm-4.30pm  Free time

 

4.30pm              Yoga

 

5.30pm              Meditation

 

6.30pm             Supper

 

8pm                  Yoga and sound bath

 

9.30pm to 9am    We have space to be in silence

 

 

Sunday:

 

8.30am             Mindful movement

 

9.30am             Breakfast

 

10.30 -12.30.      Meditations and activity

 

1pm                    Lunch

 

2pm                   Closing circle

 

3pm                   Retreat closes.

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BOOK HERE!

 

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Cancellations and refunds:

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1. If the retreat is cancelled by the organiser due to unforeseen circumstances, all fees paid will be refunded in full.

2. Up to 2nd January 2026: Cancellations received on or before this date will be refunded, minus a non-refundable administrative charge of £25.

3. Between 3rd January and 15th January 2026: Cancellations during this period will be eligible for a 50% refund only if a replacement booking is secured.

4. After 15th January 2026: No refunds will be issued for cancellations made after this date.

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Note: In accordance with the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, attendees who book online, by phone, or via email are entitled to a 14-day cancellation period from the date of booking. However, if the retreat is scheduled to begin within this 14-day period, attendees must expressly agree to waive their statutory right to cancel in order to secure their place.

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