Winter Roots, Eternal Heart –
A New Year Retreat
3 Nights in Beautiful Dorset
Thursday 5th to Sunday 8th of January 2023
With Jill Watson, joined by Jessica Gray Lightley
Thursday 5th to Sunday 8th of January 2023
With Jill Watson, joined by Jessica Gray Lightley
We’re so excited to welcome you to this January 2023 retreat weekend at Launceston Farm in an area of outstanding natural beauty in the Dorset countryside, UK.
Winter Roots, Eternal Heart for us means being grounded deeply in the reality of each moment, while eternally connected to the always-expanding and compassionate nature of our essential selves.
January is a time known for new beginnings, endings and transitions, gates and doorways. It holds the energy of deep inner winter, stillness and reflection, offering us the joy of cold crisp mornings, witnessing nature in her alive emptiness, holding a post-solstice space for deep nourishment and promise. It is a brilliant moment in the year to know there is a window carved out to be in intentional time with yourself, or to come and enjoy a sweet supportive experience with a partner or friend.
This 3 night, 4 day retreat will offer space for yoga and movement practices inspired by scaravelli and elemental flow, there will be heart-stirring nidra and sound sessions, a chance to drop into deep listening through guided meditation practices and ceremony, and time to swim, sauna, journal, read or nap in the most comfortable spots. We’ll also invite you to be immersed in nature through walks (or runs if that’s your bag), and simple reconnection moments with fire, ground, water, air and spirit.
All of our meals - breakfast, lunch and dinner - will be lovingly prepared by our own retreat chef, with a focus on seasonal, vegetarian, organic produce to warm, nourish and heal, and a chance to enjoy connection, conversation and slowing down together to eat.
The Practices & Guides
Jill has been teaching yoga for over 12 years, and is sure to weave in some delicious creative moves that awaken your senses throughout the weekend.
Her main practice, scaravelli inspired yoga, listens to and works with the intelligence of the nervous system, not overriding it, but allowing it time. It can be gentle with us, and it also demands everything we have got – making it a beautiful metaphor for life. Elemental flow is a more dynamic way of exploring yoga asana, using the energy of the elements to underpin the grace and ease in the postures. Alongside these practices, Jill guides mantra and relaxation with the support of the harmonium, Tibetan bowl and chimes. She is also working with deep connection to the ancestral fields that we each carry within us, so there will be an opportunity to invite that into the meditations.
Jessica Gray Lightley will join us during the retreat to share her deep prayerful practices of Cacao ceremony and songs. Each time I sit with Jessica, it takes me into a different time and space, inviting a gentle unfolding of the emotional and energy bodies and supports a feeling of flowing with life. Her offerings are a real gift, so we’re super grateful for her to be part of this.
Winter Roots, Eternal Heart for us means being grounded deeply in the reality of each moment, while eternally connected to the always-expanding and compassionate nature of our essential selves.
January is a time known for new beginnings, endings and transitions, gates and doorways. It holds the energy of deep inner winter, stillness and reflection, offering us the joy of cold crisp mornings, witnessing nature in her alive emptiness, holding a post-solstice space for deep nourishment and promise. It is a brilliant moment in the year to know there is a window carved out to be in intentional time with yourself, or to come and enjoy a sweet supportive experience with a partner or friend.
This 3 night, 4 day retreat will offer space for yoga and movement practices inspired by scaravelli and elemental flow, there will be heart-stirring nidra and sound sessions, a chance to drop into deep listening through guided meditation practices and ceremony, and time to swim, sauna, journal, read or nap in the most comfortable spots. We’ll also invite you to be immersed in nature through walks (or runs if that’s your bag), and simple reconnection moments with fire, ground, water, air and spirit.
All of our meals - breakfast, lunch and dinner - will be lovingly prepared by our own retreat chef, with a focus on seasonal, vegetarian, organic produce to warm, nourish and heal, and a chance to enjoy connection, conversation and slowing down together to eat.
The Practices & Guides
Jill has been teaching yoga for over 12 years, and is sure to weave in some delicious creative moves that awaken your senses throughout the weekend.
Her main practice, scaravelli inspired yoga, listens to and works with the intelligence of the nervous system, not overriding it, but allowing it time. It can be gentle with us, and it also demands everything we have got – making it a beautiful metaphor for life. Elemental flow is a more dynamic way of exploring yoga asana, using the energy of the elements to underpin the grace and ease in the postures. Alongside these practices, Jill guides mantra and relaxation with the support of the harmonium, Tibetan bowl and chimes. She is also working with deep connection to the ancestral fields that we each carry within us, so there will be an opportunity to invite that into the meditations.
Jessica Gray Lightley will join us during the retreat to share her deep prayerful practices of Cacao ceremony and songs. Each time I sit with Jessica, it takes me into a different time and space, inviting a gentle unfolding of the emotional and energy bodies and supports a feeling of flowing with life. Her offerings are a real gift, so we’re super grateful for her to be part of this.
What to Expect
- Stirring scaravelli inspired and elemental flow movement practices.
- Restful yoga nidra, meditation, and sessions of quiet listening.
- A guided cacao and sound ceremony with guest teacher Jessica Gray Lightley.
- Sharing of accessible and heart-opening mantra and song.
- A chance to awaken your connection with the elements.
- Time to journal or create something to represent your journey.
- Ample free time to enjoy walks, the pool, a massage or simply doing nothing.
- An atmosphere of following what you need moment by moment.
- Trauma-sensitive teaching that is accessible for all bodies and experience levels.
- Encouragement to challenge yourself out of old patterns with kindness.
- Onsite massage can be booked separately and at an additional cost.
Outline Schedule
The schedule is a guide which will allow for movements and shifts to emerge around the group needs, the weather, the season, and spontaneous creative insights…
Thursday
4.00pm - Arrivals and Settling
5.30pm - Welcome Gathering - Sound & Yoga Nidra
7.00pm - Dinner
9.00pm - Evening Meditation
Friday & Saturday
From 7.30am - Light Breakfast & Smoothies
9am-11.30am - The Yoga Practice
12noon - Big Shared Brunch
1.00pm - Freedom Time
5 or 6pm - Sound & Ceremony
7.00pm - Dinner
9.00pm - Evening Meditation or Nidra Option
Sunday
8.00am - Morning Movement & Closing Circle
9.00am - Breakfast
10.00am - Departures
The schedule is a guide which will allow for movements and shifts to emerge around the group needs, the weather, the season, and spontaneous creative insights…
Thursday
4.00pm - Arrivals and Settling
5.30pm - Welcome Gathering - Sound & Yoga Nidra
7.00pm - Dinner
9.00pm - Evening Meditation
Friday & Saturday
From 7.30am - Light Breakfast & Smoothies
9am-11.30am - The Yoga Practice
12noon - Big Shared Brunch
1.00pm - Freedom Time
5 or 6pm - Sound & Ceremony
7.00pm - Dinner
9.00pm - Evening Meditation or Nidra Option
Sunday
8.00am - Morning Movement & Closing Circle
9.00am - Breakfast
10.00am - Departures
Venue, Location & Accommodation
Launceston Farm, Tarrant Launceston, Blandford Forum DT11 8BY
Launceston Farm is a 10 minute drive to the market town of Blandford Forum and is a forty minute drive to the World Heritage Jurassic Coast.
Accommodation is available in the lavish Georgian farmhouse with its six elegant ensuite bedrooms, plus 2 cosy cottages both with private living room, kitchen, courtyards and outdoor baths (as well as the indoor showers)! We will have exclusive access to the underfloor heated yoga space for the whole stay, with its beautifully finished wooded beams and own outdoor courtyard. Plus the indoor biomass heated swimming pool and sauna, and secluded garden spots or cosy lounges to disappear to. The outside space is set in 900 acres of stunning gardens, organic farmland & breath-taking views with plenty of walks to air the lungs and stretch the legs.
Availability & Exchange
All accommodation, meals, tea, treats, yoga practices and guided sessions are included, plus additional towels for the pool. Optional massage treatments is the only additional cost.
Farmhouse
3 x Super King (or twin) with ensuite shower room and roll top bath: £850 per person
1 x Super King (or twin) with ensuite shower room: £795 per person
2 x Doubles with ensuite shower room: £725 per person (or £825 solo)
Private Bothy Cottage for 2: £905 per person
Private Flint Cottage for 2: £905 per person
To secure your place on the retreat please email us to confirm the accommodation you would like - your booking will be confirmed on making payment: [email protected].
Terms & Cancellation.
The full payment amount is due on booking, or in the case of split payments, 60 days before the first day of the retreat (6th November 2022). If you need to cancel your place, refunds are available up to 60 days prior to the retreat and subject to a £150 admin fee. No refunds will be made if you are cancelling within 60 days of the retreat start date, unless we have a waiting list ready to fill the place, or a you have a friend who would like to take your place. We reserve the right to postpone and reschedule the event, in which case you will be offered a full refund or credit for future events as you prefer. All travel arrangements are your responsibility and at your own cost.
3 x Super King (or twin) with ensuite shower room and roll top bath: £850 per person
1 x Super King (or twin) with ensuite shower room: £795 per person
2 x Doubles with ensuite shower room: £725 per person (or £825 solo)
Private Bothy Cottage for 2: £905 per person
Private Flint Cottage for 2: £905 per person
To secure your place on the retreat please email us to confirm the accommodation you would like - your booking will be confirmed on making payment: [email protected].
Terms & Cancellation.
The full payment amount is due on booking, or in the case of split payments, 60 days before the first day of the retreat (6th November 2022). If you need to cancel your place, refunds are available up to 60 days prior to the retreat and subject to a £150 admin fee. No refunds will be made if you are cancelling within 60 days of the retreat start date, unless we have a waiting list ready to fill the place, or a you have a friend who would like to take your place. We reserve the right to postpone and reschedule the event, in which case you will be offered a full refund or credit for future events as you prefer. All travel arrangements are your responsibility and at your own cost.