About the weekends
These weekend yoga retreats offer you an opportunity to step out of your everyday life and find the space and strength to develop new ideas and ideals.
The retreats take place in my peaceful rural yoga studio just outside Milverton, near Taunton, Somerset. The venue is surrounded by fields and woods, with walks from the doorstep offering extensive views over the Quantock hills. It offers the perfect space to get away from it all and think more freely.
Over the course of the weekends, we work with a variety of active yoga exercises. You learn how to stretch and open your body in a free and liberating way. I encourage each individual to expand their potential one step further and in doing this you experience new strength and energy.
To support the physical activity, we work with inspiring words that open up new depth and meaning in the movements. You develop a sense of how each movement can encourage qualities within us which help our development in life. You can read more about the approach to yoga here.
The social aspect also plays a huge role on these weekends. Discussions do not enter into the private, personal sphere, but explore some profound life principles meaningful to all of humanity. These kinds of discussions lead to a warm feeling of connection between people without being exclusive.
My aim is that you take home with you an understanding of some basic, universal principles. With these you can develop your own yoga practice, and also bring a new perspective into your life.
Daily Schedule
All retreats start at 2 pm on the first day and finish at 2 pm on the last day.
The programme includes a lot of yoga practise, punctuated by talks and discussions. There is also an optional walk over the hills and fields on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. The breaks for drinks and meals offer you an opportunity to relax in the gardens and get to know other participants. The evening sessions include some recapping on the themes explored during the day. A soul exercise might also be practised then, and/or some singing (or just listening!). On Saturday night enjoy story telling with Jan.
Here is an approximate schedule, not set in stone. It can be adapted according to the needs of the day.
Friday
2 pm – Arrival and welcome drink
2.30 – 5.30 pm Yoga workshop
6 pm – Dinner
7 – 8 pm Evening session
Saturday (and Sunday for longer retreats)
10 am – 1 pm: Yoga workshop (theory and practice)
1 pm: Light lunch with locally baked sourdough bread
Free time to relax in the garden
3 pm: Country walk with tales of the land
5 pm: Tea, followed by a soul exercise
6 pm: Evening meal
7 – 8 pm: Story telling
Monday (or Sunday for shorter retreats)
10 am – 1 pm: Yoga workshop (theory and practice)
1 pm: Light lunch
2 pm: Departure
2025 dates:
Friday 17th- Sunday 19th January
Food
During the retreat you will be provided with a light lunch of local Somerset produce, including locally baked sourdough bread, and a delicious, nutritious cooked evening meal. All food will be vegetarian, organic wholefoods, artistically prepared with thoughtful attention. You can have breakfast at your B&B, or if you choose to camp here then a self service breakfast can be provided upon request. Let me know if you have and special dietary requirements and I am very happy to cater for them.
Weekends run from 2 pm on Friday to 2 pm on either Sunday or a bank holiday Monday. A wholefood vegetarian lunch is provided on Saturday. Drinks and snacks are also offered on both days.
The programme includes a lot of yoga practise, punctuated by talks and discussions. There is also an optional walk over the hills and fields after lunch on Saturday. The breaks for drinks and meals offer you an opportunity to relax in the gardens and get to know other participants.
Venue and Travel
Extons Barn, Milverton, Somerset, TA4 1RG
Extons Barn is a peaceful, rural yoga studio 20 minutes drive from Taunton. The nearest train station is Taunton, and the journey from London Paddington takes 2 hours. We can collect you from the station if you come by train.
Accommodation
Choose from the following options (see below for costs):
1. Book the retreat only and find your own accommodation:
There are many B&B’s and holiday cottages in the area which you will find online. Some recommendations are:
The New Inn, Halse https://www.newinnhalse.com/
The Anchor Inn, Hillfarrance https://www.theanchorinn.net/
Chipley escapes – Self catering holiday cottages https://www.chipleyescapes.co.uk/
2. B&B in local homes
Let me know if you would like this option and I can book it for you.
3. For a back to nature experience bring a tent and camp in the garden here.
There is no light or noise pollution here. Look up at the starry sky and listen to the owls hooting in the woods at night. There is a toilet, shower and a small kitchen area adjoining the yoga studio.
Cost
Friday – Sunday retreats: £169
Friday – Monday retreats: £249
Costs include midday and evening meals and drinks and snacks. (Dinner only on the first day, lunch only on the last day).
Camping cost: £6 per night (bring your own tent).
A 25 % deposit by bank transfer is requested upon booking.
How to book
To find out more or book a place please Email Karen.