Group Retreats
Interconnected Experiences
We believe that all life is interconnected and that we have more in common than we often realise. We share our experiences, we share our fears, goals, troubles and hopes. During the retreat we begin to discover our true selves and develop skills to build more loving and compassionate relationships. Nab Cottage is an ideal place to take time out, to unwind, to feel the breeze blowing down off the mountains, to watch the colours changing on the lake.
Once we slow down a little and give our attention to what is happening right now, we begin to notice underlying forces in our lives, things which can hold us back as well as things which can help us. We introduce ways to consider this territory with curiosity through guided exploration of our senses, creative self expression, mindfulness, meditation and conscious movement. Together these bring us to a deeper understanding of ourselves, what has made us who we are, and how we can continue to grow, support each other, and nurture the world we live in.
Each retreat is limited to 16 people and there’s a different theme each week.
‘Receiving Presence‘ runs from July 13 – 19. We begin here to look at what our bodies are carrying and what they’re telling us about ourselves and our impulses. With more embodied awareness we can start to make clear choices about what we’d like to let go of and what we’d like to welcome in. It’ll be facilitated by Ruth and Tim.
‘Choosing Love‘ runs from July 26 – August 2. We delve deeper into the art of actively making choices – involving our integrity, clarity and discernment. We work on noticing and releasing habits which no longer serve us to make more space for love in action. Also facilitated by Ruth and Tim
‘Mindfulness in Nature‘ runs from August 3 – 9, and deepens our awareness of self and nature. It’ll be facilitated by Nicky and Tim.
The Retreat
Each retreat begins with dinner on Sunday and runs through until breakfast on Saturday. The day starts with t’ai chi on the terraces at the end of the garden, then flows through the day with meals, breaks, laughter, building trust, feeling into a deep sense of connection – with self, with the other, with the space. Nothing is assumed and nothing pushed. You are free to participate and to dive into the activities as deeply as you choose.
How each week unfolds will depend on the group, the weather, the mood. Together we decide how much time you may like for getting out for a walk or a swim, resting in the hammocks or just reading in a corner of the garden. The balance between input, reflection and relaxation is carefully managed.
At the core of the activities is an invitation to develop a more mindful awareness of interaction – with each moment, with the world and in relationship.
Outside Session Activities
- Guided walks through the hills and valleys directly from the cottage
- Paddleboarding, swimming and canoeing on the lake in front of the cottage
- Hot tub and sauna in the gardens
- Djembe drumming round the fire
- Barbecues on the patio
- Music and dancing
Dates
- July 13 - 19
- July 26 - August 2
- August 3 - 9
Price, all inclusive
- Shared twin room: £750
- Shared twin en-suite: £790
- Single room: £980
- Single en-suite: £1040
Nicky
I have always had a passion for community building and compassionate communication. I studied an MA in Peace Studies; I enjoy philosophy and thoughts and I love the theory of peace and peace studies. We can only achieve peace in the world though if we first achieve peace within ourselves. Journeying towards loving and being kind to ourselves and each other using the tools of mindfulness and compassionate communication, allowing ourselves to step out of automatic pilot and our own minds and fully inhabit our bodies. Moving from thinking and doing to purely being.
I am a qualified MBSR Mindfulness Teacher and I have studied and practiced mindfulness in nature. Allowing nature to support us to discover our true nature, noticing the changes of the seasons and being fully present in the now, practising being present in a very alive body and falling awake. Embracing our felt experiences and using our senses to connect with nature and our present experience.
Tim
I believe that we are hardwired for connection, that we really want to experience all that this moment can bring – in its richness, its beauty, its simplicity.
I enjoy teaching yoga, holding space for transformation and witnessing the depths we can go to when we’re open and willing .
Ruth
I’ve spent my life exploring embodied awareness and action, including 40 years as a psychotherapist, working ”in the wilds” as well as from a chair. I love the revelations available to us if we just listen to the signs, impulses, symptoms and events that our bodies and relationships express – how these inform and potentially transform our experience, our aliveness, our ability to give and to receive.
