Retreats & Workshops
Retreat 2012Lochside Yoga is delighted to offer 3 yoga retreats in 2012 ~ a Spring weekend in Kinlochard, Scotland, a September week near Bodmin in Cornwal, and an Autumn weekend back in Kinlochard. "Spring into Spring!" Fri 23rd - Sun 25th March 2012: was a great success ~ to see what you missed click here ************************************************************** During this weekend we will be enjoying some energizing yoga practice that will help us feel equally alert and relaxed, as our own energy levels begin to rise with the onset of Spring. With a combination of gentle detox activities, flowing sequences as well as calming practice, we will embrace and celebrate the longer days and brighter evenings. There will be free time to explore or rest, and optional practice sessions. Thai Yoga massage therapist on site. For our Cornwall retreat in September, keep scrolling down and see below "Fall into Stillness" Fri 12th - Sun 14th October 2012: SPACES AVAILABLE DAY PLACES AVAILABLE: for more details of the weekend programme, please contact Gillian ************************************************************** The Autumn weekend content will be helping us up tuck in and getting ready for the winter, with the emphasis on keeping warm, slowing down and restoring energy levels. Bringing our focus to the changing season, we will be exploring how to bring balance to our practice to suit our moods, the weather and shorter days. As well as integrating pranayama into the sessions, there will be optional meditation sessions and free time to explore or rest.
For Both Weekends The retreats start on the Friday afternoon, with a welcome gathering and pre dinner yoga. The standard of accommodation ranges from shared rooms to sole use of ensuite room, or a Suite with sitting room and private bathroom. We will be using one or two local B&B establishments (depending on number of participants) or if you prefer, we can book a room for you at the local hotel, but extra charges will apply for this. With lovely home cooking using fresh (and wherever possible) organic produce, vegetarian and vegan diets can be catered for.
For non-yoga activities, there is plenty to do and see, from an amble along the lochside to a more strenous stride along forest tracks; use of local leisure and spa facilities, or for the brave (or foolhardy - you decide!) a swim outdoors in the freshwater loch and dip in the hot tub; a scenic drive or cycle; or tucking up in front of a log fire with a good book, cup of tea and a homemade traybake. There will be a maximum of 12 residential places available. Day places available once all rooms are taken.
The Retreat Weekends Cost: £250. There will be a small extra charge for single occupancy of a shared, twin or double room. For hotel accommodation, extra charges will apply. For 'Early Bird' rate, please deduct £25 per person until end of June 2012 for Autumn Retreat. *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** **
"Lochside Yoga goes Country!" Trip to Cornwall Sat 22nd - Thurs 27th September 2012: BOOK SOON, PLACES LIMITED & GOING FAST! *************************************************************
The Cornish 'adventure' will be a 5 night yoga/holiday retreat with at least 2 yoga sessions a day. We are staying on a quiet working farm on the edge of Bodmin Moor and it is beautifully peaceful and secluded. The area is lovely, and around every corner there are nooks and crannys to explore.
We'll use an renovated, spacious barn for our yoga practice. Built in stone and oak with a high ceiling and lovely light, the yoga practice will reflect the holiday mood. Energizing and awakening practice in the mornings, gentle calming practice in the late afternoon/evenings. There will be opportunity for extra private yoga/relaxation sessions and Thai Yoga Massage will be available (not included in price) in the afternoons for those who haven't been able to drag themselves away from the farmstead.
The accommodation is wonderfully comfortable, with woodburning stoves in the sitting rooms, for curling up in front of with a good book and a mug of warming chai or a glass of wine. All rooms have shared bathroom/shower facilities. Delicious home made meals provided each day using fresh produce; a hearty breakfast, a 2 course supper and home baking offered for afternoon tea. For non-yoga activities, there is a mixture of terrain on the farmland with country lanes and open moorland minutes away. The nearest town with a 25 metre swimming pool and other tourist attractions is a 15 min drive away. There is easy access to the Eden Project and the Lost Gardens of Heligan. Slightly further afield are both north and southfacing coastlines, providing lovely beaches, great surf, wonderful coastal paths and pretty wee towns.
The 5 nights cost from £495 (includes Early Bird Booking discount until end of April 2012), £545 from May 2012 A single occupancy of twin/double room supplement may apply.
For a taster of what you could experience with a Lochside Yoga retreat, you can read about last year's event. Retreat 2011Notes from 2011 Retreat Huge thanks go to everyone who helped with retreat ~ to our hosts, Bridget & John and Crawford & Katy, to James who excelled at providing the meals and refreshments at the hall, and of course, to all those who had faith enough to come to the retreat weekend as participants, not quite knowing what to expect! The weekend retreat was held on the last day of September/beginning of October at our base in Kinlochard. The accommodation provided comfortable beds, great food, and magnificent loch views all around. The newly renovated village hall, which overlooks Loch Ard and was our space for the yoga sessions, is a STUNNING place to practice yoga. As Autumn started to make itself felt, the focus of slowing down, being creative with our bodies and encouraging the flow of energy was reflected in all the sessions, but particularly the Yin/Yang Yoga and Chakra Yoga. The weekend was a great opportunity to immerse oneself in yoga or just do as little as one's energy allowed. Some folk managed to attend all the sessions from half past 6 in the morning to 7 o'clock at night. Some opted for a wee lie-in, enjoying the luxury of not having to rush, cook, or even think very much before starting their day. With lovingly prepared breakfasts, snacks and lunches, using fresh and wherever possible, organic produce, the communal daytime meals provided opportunities to sit and look over the loch, spotting wildlife; getting to know each other as well as the ponies, hens and geese from the next door field! The yoga enabled everyone to practice and work within their own abilities, offering challenge where appropriate and comfort when needed. Gillian's watchful eye, easy manner and practical advise meant that everyone could take themselves to a safe, but purposeful edge within their own practice. Afternoon leisure time allowed for an exploration of the area, either on foot or from the loch. Some went for a swim, steam and sauna, others for a lie-down. The changing light and weather brought us all to the windows at different times to drink in the views. Our hosts, Bridget and John Lewis from Blairhullichan provided two delightful evening meals (of breathtaking proportions) in their beautiful home ~ the quincho was a truly extraordinary setting for the traditional Argentinian BBQ on Saturday night. All in all, breathing, stretching, eating, relaxing, reading, walking, snoozing and eating a bit more is to be heartedly recommended. It was a lovely weekend, and oh, the yoga was great as well! Having a change from your normal routine, in quiet countryside with like-minded people, is a lovely way to restore and recharge your energy levels. The next weekend retreat will be in the Spring, if you would like to register your interest, please contact us. More details will follow, as the heady task of organising starts. Please click on the photos to enlarge and bring them into focus. For details of 2012 retreats please click here
Nice things people have said about their experience with the Lochside Yoga 2011 Autumn Retreat: "The retreat was a wonderful experience. The atmosphere was relaxed; the yoga practice was great; the location was so beautiful. Gillian is a fantastic teacher and host - so warm, wise, wonderful!" "Enjoyed it immensely, waiting for next date." "I'm so glad I went. I thought it was really quite magical and I look forward to the next time." "The company, great yoga, venue and wonderful food more than made up for the fact the weather wasn't up to much!" "I would highly recommend Lochside Yoga to everyone no matter what level of yoga ability you have. It was a great retreat." "Brilliant from start to finish. Well thought out and beautifully taught yoga, amazing venue and outstanding hospitality from both of you" |
