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.
Event time: 11th January 2025 9:30am - 4:00pm
Interested in spreading the cost of this course? Select Clearpay at checkout.
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.
Interested in spreading the cost of this course? Select Clearpay at checkout.
You are warmly invited to start 2025 from a more rested, peaceful place. The retreat day will help you become more aware of your body, breath, mind and heart, and to help you connect more wholly with the metaphysical symbolism of winter.
Hosted by experienced yoga teacher and retreat leader Mel Skinner, the day will begin with restorative yoga. Restorative yoga is a slow, soft and accessible form of yoga postures which are designed to take the body out of fight-flight-freeze and into a more restful place of being. Using props to support the body, we remove as much effort as possible so that we feel safe and held, and able to breathe once again.
This session is followed by morning tea and homemade goodies, and then we will spend the late morning in an outdoor creativity meditation. This will be weather dependent, but is likely to include spending time in the beautiful grounds and woodlands of Hawkwood, contemplating the light, colour and feel of ‘outer winter’, before returning to the warmth and comfort of the indoors to experience yoga nidra designed to help you journey deeply into the depths of your own ‘inner winter’, honouring your need to retreat and go inward.
After this follows lunch, then in the afternoon you are invited to bring a source of inspiration, or something which represents winter to you. This could be a poem, prose, piece of art, song, or an object. This session is collaborative, and a wonderful way to create a feeling of community and connection in a safe, supportive space. After this session we enter into a final yoga nidra practice, and end with afternoon tea.
Participants to bring yoga equipment (please see list below). Please also bring a journal/notebook, pen, 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
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.
© 2024 Hawkwood Centre for Future Thinking | Hawkwood College, Painswick Old Road, Stroud, GL6 7QW
Charity number: 311767 | Company number: 599678
