‘be easy. take your time.
you are coming home. to yourself.’
nayyirah.waheed
A tender-hearted day retreat in the depths of winter. An invitation to care for your wellbeing through a combination of Pilates, Yin, seasonal whole foods, Gua Sha facial massage and a gorgeous winter walk in Tidenham Chase.
A BACK STORY...
At the heart of TEND is exploring how we return home to ourselves, when our outer circumstances might feel harsh, heavy or unstable (like winter essentially). How do I return to the felt sense of 'me'? As my practice has led to me to living in alignment with nature, cycles (both my own and the seasons) I have found many practices that have weaved a sense of ritual, self care, rest and quiet joy into these darker months, and made me feel more resilient, attuned to life and alive as a result.
Mid winter used to be a time I really struggled to feel 'well', and I know I wouldn't have been alone in that. I remember a particularly dark winter in 2016, when I became so disconnected and at the time I really felt like there was something 'wrong' with me. When I reflect back now, I realise my bodymind was simply responding to my very unnatural lifestyle - I left for work before sunrise and came home after sunset, the only way I moved my body was through highly intensity classes in a gym with no windows, I worked (a job that made me miserable) all day inside an office and I ate based on what would have the least calories rather than what was actually nourishing - how could I have possibly felt well?
In kindness to myself, I was only 21 and life is very confusing when you're that age. Ultimately, it was this winter that became one of my biggest moments of awakening still to this day - it propelled me deep on the spiritual path back home to myself - I let everything fall away (quite abruptly) so I could begin again. Over the years I’ve realised there wasn’t anything ‘wrong’ with me at that time, it was how I was relating to my external environment that was throwing me off kilter. I remember my partner reading to me at that time Krishnamurtis famous quote 'it is no measure of good health to be well adjusted to a sick society' .
So, I guess this is a long way of saying that, the inspiration for these day retreats came from this winter. We need times to return back to ourselves, to remember who we are and over the years of doing these seasonal day retreats with 100s of people that have joined, the feedback has been consistent - 'I didn't realise how much nourishment I could find in one day'. I really hope that you can make it <3
THE INSPIRATION FOR THESE EVENTS
TEND is a seasonal continuation from my sold out day retreats - Tend, Unfurl & Bloom - they are my most popular offering and this year we have had over 120 of you join us on these. At the heart of these day retreats, is the gentle inquiry ‘how do I best take care of myself? What practices help me feel a deep sense of wholeness from within?’ Excitingly, for the first time, we are switching up this time and the morning practice will be Pilates instead.
In a world that is constantly pushing us to be doing more, achieving more and in turn, pouring our energy outward, can we spend a day connecting to a sense of simply being, a day pouring nourishment back in?
These events have been carefully curated to bring together a balance of practices which help support your wellbeing in the very deepest sense. We cannot wait to welcome you.
THE SCHEDULE
01
Homemade herbal teas and fruits on arrival.
03
Nourishing lunch by the amazing Annie - seasonal, plant based.
05
Homemade sweet treat and tea.
07
Restorative yoga practice. *
02
Morning extended Pilates.
04
Mindful woodland walk.
06
‘Return to whole’ Gua Sha, Qigong and facial massage workshop (including a Gua Sha tool for you to take home as a gift). @_inyourown
* All yoga props provided.
This was just the most perfect day and everything I needed in January and so much more - just to simply be for the day. Tayler is an exceptional teacher and so thoughtfully weaved through a beautiful theme of shifting from ‘doing to being’ and it will stay with me as I move into the rest of my life. All the tiny details were taken care of and the food was delicious, abundant and so nutritious! The workshop was the most indulgent, yet gentle act of self care and Emma is amazing - I can’t wait for the next one!
THE WORKSHOP
'Returning to Whole'
Join beautiful Emma as she guides us into restful release and self connection, through holistic, supportive skincare, Qi cultivation, Gua Sha and Facial Massage. Learn self care rituals to amplify your own home routine. If you have attended previous day retreats, please know each time this workshop is different to mirror the seasons and utilises different techniques. It's literally the same as getting a holistic facial, but learning to do it yourself! You will receive a sample size of Seabuckthorn Oil to use for the workshop (living libations). Whether you are completely new to this workshop, or have done it many times - it's like getting a holistic facial but with energy work like Qijong.