19/02/2025
Hi and welcome to our February 2025 newsletter.
In this month’s newsletter:
1. Sri Lanka retreat reflections
2. Podcast update
3. Upcoming half-day mini-retreats
4. Mother’s Day retreat – 30th March
5. Upcoming weekend retreats
6. Worthy causes
o Animal refuge update
o Sri Lankan school experience
First International Retreat of 2025 Completed:
Our Sri Lanka retreat was a massive hit – all attendees are now suitably disappointed and frustrated to be back in the UK! ;-D
The end of January, beginning of February saw our 10-day yoga retreat taking place at a fantastic venue on the shores of the amazing Victoria Reservoir near Kandy in central Sri Lanka. The retreat was created to explore the 7 Chakras, taking attendees through each chakra in detail, explaining their meaning and how each of them affect our every-day lives.
Through a mixture of discussion, somatic movement, various types of yoga, meditation and personal reflection, the retreat enhanced attendees’ knowledge of the Chakras, themselves and their ability to better manage and care for their own well-being.
In addition to all these benefits was the coming together of an amazing group of 18 individuals, from all ages and backgrounds, in a fantastic location, to have “the most incredible life-enhancing experience” (a quote from one of our attendees). It was an absolute honour to host this event and to yet again see the positive life-changing effect yoga practice and yoga principles can have on people’s lives.
All attendees spent a number of days exploring various aspects and regions of Sri Lanka before or after the retreat (or both) to experience the country’s fascinating culture, food, history and sights. What an amazing place! The Sri Lankan people are the friendliest and most smiley we have ever experienced during our travels, and their calm attitude, contentment and acceptance towards each other (especially when driving), is something that they should export in bulk to the western world! Judgement, hate and anger simply don’t seem to exist in their culture. It’s truly beautiful.
We are already in the process of booking the same venue in 3 years’ time (2028). We can’t wait to return, but we have Costa Rica in 2026 and Goa, India in 2027. Please email us if you would like details of any of these future retreats.
Upcoming Half-Day Mini Retreats – Last Chance!
Our half-day mini retreats are designed to take attendees through a sequence of different yoga styles to provide a body and mind experience that is suitable for novices and experienced yogis alike. The day starts at 10am with somatic movement, encouraging an enhanced mind-body connection. Then slow flow hatha yoga will exercise all muscle groups, whilst enhancing balance and coordination. These moves can be modified to be as gentle or as challenging as each attendee prefers, depending on their requirements from the session. Yin yoga then helps nourish and relax the body’s connective tissue (again customisable to the needs of each individual), followed by restorative yoga, designed to relax the nervous system. Sessions conclude with a guided meditation, encouraging a deep sense of calm and contentment, followed by time for social connection, herbal teas and homemade sweet treats.
These events provide a great opportunity to delve a little deeper into multiple aspects of yoga, followed by some yummy treats, a cuppa and a chat. Our next mini half-day retreats are on
- Thursday 27th February, from 10am until 1pm
- Saturday 1st March, from 10am until 1pm
…Both at the Yoga Barn in Lincolnshire. More details available in the link below, or get in touch with us by email if you have specific questions.
Upcoming Weekend Retreats:
Our first weekend retreat of 2025 is sold out, but we still have availability for our summer weekend retreat, set in a beautifully renovated country house in Norfolk. The 3-day/2-night experience takes place on the weekend of the 5th to 8th June, and guests can even extend their stay by an extra night for just £50, if they want to make it into a longer weekend break. The retreat theme is based on the principle of learning how to root yourself and feel grounded in order to then be able to enhance and grow your well-being, delivered through a mix of yoga styles.
Volunteering at Worthy Causes:
We have been volunteering once a week at The Exotic Pet Refuge, doing whatever we can to help take care of the 300 animals they provide a forever home for. Emma spends most of her time feeding and cleaning out the various types of monkeys and lemurs, whilst Andy assists in the general maintenance of the buildings and living quarters of the residents - this week predominantly improving the home of a one-winged little owl, and dismantling a disused enclosure. Maintenance activities will be gradually increasing in intensity in the run up to the refuge’s 6 open days in 2025 – the first of which is on Sunday 20th April.
And Finally:
A quick reminder:
Learning improves living- Living enables giving - Giving enhances life
If there is anything you have learned and ‘lived’ that has benefitted you, no matter how big or small, maybe someone you know could benefit from having you share your experience. We can all make a positive difference in this world.
Please pass on our details to anyone interested in the learn live give project – thank you so much!
We hope to see you in the future.
Best Wishes
Emma and Andy