Finding Peace in the Welsh Hills ~ Reflections on our Summer Weekend Retreat
I haven’t had the time to fully reflect on our summer weekend retreat and now as I sit here - recalling the feeling of the calm that was created in the weekend, I feel overwhelmed with gratitude for the space & experience that we all created together.
Nestled among rolling green hills and a river running below, our retreat space became a sanctuary where time seemed to slow down and hearts filled. The beautiful timber-framed studio, with its soaring beams and floor-to-ceiling windows, provided the perfect backdrop for our journey inward. Natural light through the glass, connecting us constantly to the wild beauty outside while we explored the landscapes within. The view from our windows – endless green fields stretching toward misty hills – served as a constant reminder of our connection to something larger than ourselves.
The best thing was witnessing the transformation that happens when people give themselves permission to simply be. From our morning movement sessions overlooking the Welsh countryside to our evenings which varied with restorative yoga & an evening of sharing… songs, poems, music, drums… each moment was infused with intention and presence.
The laughter that filled our shared meals, the quiet conversations that bloomed over tea, the moments of silence (that happened organically and became a topic of exploration!), the collective sighs of release during our practice – these are the threads that wove our community together for the weekend. Watching faces soften, shoulders drop, and smiles emerge reminded me why these weekends of a deeper practice matter so much. Some continued to gather around the fire pit under the vast Welsh sky, continuing to share moments together to the early hours.
The simple pleasure of sharing wholesome meals together cannot be understated. Fresh, seasonal & comforting food prepared with love, care and intention, nourished us in ways that went far beyond the physical. Optional wine (and other non alcoholic options!) shared over dinner conversations, the perfectly baked sweet treats that appeared at just the right moments, the care taken in every detail of our dining experience – all of it contributed to the foundation of our shared retreat experience.
As we packed up our mats and said our goodbyes, knowing retreat doesn't really end when we leave the physical space. The seeds planted over these few days – the connections made, the insights gained, the peace discovered – these travel with us back to our everyday lives. The beauty of retreat lies not just in the retreating away from life as we know it, but in the stepping back in with renewed clarity and purpose. Each person who joined us for this weekend is carrying a piece of this special experience into their world, rippling outward in ways we may never fully know.
These weekends remind us why we are so passionate about creating spaces for people to feel safe, comfortable, to feel they can fully be themselves and most importantly connection - to others but also to yourself!
Interested in joining our next retreat? Our autumn gathering is already in the planning stages. Click here to learn more.
