Our Programmes

Rest and Restore Retreat Weekend

20th June 2025 - 22nd June 2025

Facilitator: Mel Skinner

The summer solstice is a pausing place in the turning of the wheel of time, and this retreat invites you into a contemplative and peaceful state of mind. Bringing mind, body and soul together through deeply restful yoga practices and philosophy, as well as journaling techniques and nature-based meditations, we will take time to enjoy the longest day, and find gratitude for the abundance of light and beauty all around us at this time of year.

Event time: 20th June 2025 4:00pm - 22nd June 2025 4:00pm

Interested in spreading the cost of this course? Select Clearpay at checkout.

What Is Included

For the majority of our courses, both residential and non-residential rates are available. Residential options are fully inclusive with all meals provided. Non-residential options include suppers, lunches and all refreshments and exclude B&B. Some of our short day courses, events and talks do not include meals and refreshments. For more details about this course, please see the Practical Information section below.

Additional Activities

Mindful walking through our woodland trails
Meditate in our Woodland Sanctuary
Go on a hike and explore the Cotswolds AONB
Discover surrounding charming market towns

At a Glance

Early morning meditation walks to the woodland sanctuary
Gentle flow and restore yoga to create space for breath, stretch and movement
Opening to stillness and introspection with restorative yoga
Deeply restful yoga nidra
Sound bath on Saturday evening
Celebrate the summer energy with rituals incorporating Hawkwood’s labyrinth and natural spring.

What You Will Gain

Yoga to release stress and tension, and create space and ease
Deeply restful yoga nidra
Outdoor meditations embracing Hawkwood’s stunning landscape
The chance to pause, reflect and replenish one’s energies
To discover a sense of gratitude and light already within you

Booking Options

Residential (single)Residential single rate

£470.00

Residential (shared)Residential shared rate

£420.00

Non-residentialNon-residential rate

£340.00

Interested in spreading the cost of this course? Select Clearpay at checkout.

Rest and Restore Retreat Weekend Tutors

Melanie Skinner

More about Rest and Restore Retreat Weekend

This time of year is known as a time for renewal and abundance, as summer blooms in full glory. This yoga retreat will invite you to rest and restore your energies, to connect with the light inside of you, as well as the longer days outside.

With gentle Flow and Restore yoga to open up your body in the mornings and afternoon Resotrative/Yin style practices to release long-held patterns of tension and create more space for breath. This form of yoga is proven to support mental and emotional health, as well as improve physical wellbeing. We will also experience yoga nidra, a deeply healing and restful form of yoga that is proven to decrease feelings of anxiety and depression, support chronic pain and insomnia, and resolve trauma.

As well as twice daily yoga sessions, we will also explore nature-based activities, including using journaling to connect with the landscape around you, and optional early morning meditations in the beautiful woodland sanctuary.

On Saturday there will be a special nature-inspired session devoted to the energy of summer. This will involve optional barefoot walking in grass, lighting of candles, yoga nidra and “planting the seeds” of our intentions as we prepare to move forward – plus a nourishing gong bath on Saturday evening.

There will also be plenty of free time for you to drop out of “doing” mode, and to read, sleep, explore or whatever else you feel. This is truly a retreat to nourish your mind, body and soul.

Practical Information

Participants to bring yoga equipment*, plus a journal/notebook, pen and colouring pencils, and any poetry/readings they would like to share with the group.

- yoga mat
- yoga bolster (can substitute with pillows)
- yoga bricks and blocks x2 each (can substitute with pillows)
- blankets for warmth - 2-3 is ideal
- yoga strap
- eye pillow
- cushion for head

Note: Mel can provide some equipment, please email direct at mel@melskinneryoga.com to request equipment. Mel will also have blankets to sell.

Arrival and registration will start at 4pm and there will be an introductory session at 5pm on Friday. The retreat ends after lunch on Sunday.

Please note that prices are listed per person.

Residential options are fully inclusive with all meals provided. Non-residential options include suppers, lunches and all refreshments and exclude B&B.

'Mel is a gifted teacher, I am very grateful to her. This course has been transformative.'

Matthew, previous participant

About Hawkwood

Hawkwood is a stunning Grade Il listed 19th Century country house, surrounded by 42 acres of sustainably managed woodland, farmland, and gardens. Set in the heart of the Cotswolds - an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - it is a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. With a diverse selection of nearly 150 courses, there's plenty to choose from, including courses in transformative leadership, future thinking, inner life, music and the arts.

Other Courses You Might Like

Finding Quiet Strength

10th October 2025 - 12th October 2025

Rest and Restore Day Retreat

11th January 2025

Recover from the strains of Christmas, and surrender to the need for deep rest on this winter’s retreat day. The day will include nourishing and gentle yoga techniques including restorative yoga and yoga nidra, as well as time to contemplate the rhythm of winter, and connect with a quieter, intuitive heart-felt part of ourselves. All are welcome.

Forest Bathing

25th May 2025

Come and join Dee Aebischer, a qualified guide with the UK Forest Bathing Institute, who holds a Masters & PhD in Forest Science, as she leads you on a journey of discovery through the art of Forest Bathing (also known as Shinrin Yoku). This gentle, nature-based therapeutic practice was developed in Japan during the 1980s, with the purpose of reducing stress and enhancing mental and physical wellbeing. Although Shinrin Yoku is translated as “forest bathing”, there is no water involved, the term rather describes a state of becoming fully immersed in the forest atmosphere through awareness, observation and meditation.