On 24th January women from Devon, Cornwall and Somerset arrived for two days of rest and replenishment on the edge of Dartmoor.

We settled in with a drink and some delicious banana, date and walnut cake before heading out for a walk on the moor together. To round off our first day, we enjoyed a beautiful sound journey with the lovely Helen Philips before supper. The gorgeous planet gong behind Helen in the picture provided the perfect backdrop for our stargazing, planet alignment later in the weekend.

The Haven is a beautiful ‘Zen Den'‘ at our retreat venue. We use it for Sound Journeys, yoga, and expressive workshops.

A sound journey allows us all to settle into the intention for the retreat, to relax and be present.

Early on Saturday morning, we walked onto the moor to see the sunrise. For some in the group, this was a winter revelation, but we were blessed with beautiful weather and a really lovely walk. Walking before breakfast, in the morning light, sets our circadian rhythm and helps with digestion, mood and sleep. We stopped beside a stream to really drop our focus into the sounds and sights of nature, including the blissful sound of a song thrush as we returned to the accommodation.

Sunrise on Dartmoor

A retreat is a time and place to deeply relax, letting go of all your daily concerns.

Next, a chance to become creative, with an incredible printmaking workshop with artist Maggie Smith. Maggie showed us how to use ink and watercolour to create beautiful prints from leaves, feathers and fruit. Aside from the loveliness of the pieces we made and took home, a workshop like this is an opportunity to be mindful. For 3 hours or so, we were absorbed in the process of rolling, experimenting and producing. Take a look - such beauty!

After lunch there was some free time. A chance to consolidate all the thoughts and feelings from the retreat so far. Some guests enjoyed reflexology treatments with Lisa Wood, and others had a one to one with Sally, sat with a book, had a nap, or joined a conversation.

Our retreat closed with a relaxation and short self hypnosis with Sally, thoughts about what we’d seen, heard, felt and learnt shared before we said goodbye.