STRENGTH YOGA RETREAT WITH AQUILA
Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire | 4th - 7th December 2015
As winter draws, the elements ask us as ‘human animals’ to create a safe, warm and nourishing space physically and metaphysically. The seasonal change naturally offers the opportunity to reflect and to re-connect to ourselves on all levels. Our special winter retreat will create the perfect environment to relax, replenish and connect to your core and your true, powerful self. When we are truly connected to our cores, we can weather any storm or indeed any thing winter throws at us!
LOCATION
Set amongst the incredible Oxfordshire countryside, Rocky Lane Farm is a truly magical place. We are so excited to be the first retreat here! A private home which has recently been completely renovated to support yoga and wellbeing, this is a treasure of peace and tranquillity. Think open fires, cosy walks and lots of R&R. Alongside beautiful, cleansing foods, nourishing yoga and plenty of space to unravel and replenish.
AQUILA YOGA
Aquila has been practising since 1997 when taken to Varanasi, India by her parents where she studied yoga alongside them from the age of 8. Throughout her teens it became a way to keep sane through the turmoil of growing into herself and understanding the world around her. After being rejected from her first YTT aged 19 she went back to the drawing board and explored the strange world of the London yoga scene.
Finally completing her qualification in Ashtanga Vinyasa she began to teach at Stretch in East London and then on to teach internationally and at retreats and workshops. She has taken additional training primarily with Stewart Gilchrist and Amanda Denton and also with Ana Forrest, Manju Jois and Paul Harvey. She now splits her time between heading up a yoga studio in Dorset, Yogaspace and workshops at Stretch in London.
She teaches with compassion, humour and pure dedication to the tradition and where new research and learning is taking us.
MENUS
Using all organic, local and seasonal ingredients, Lucy and Laura (fresh from her chef’s training) will prepare a plant-based, alkaline and deliciously nourishing menu. Full of tasty foods designed to specifically boost your immune system and also cultivate beautiful, healthy gut flora, to support your best wellbeing through the winter months.
RETREAT SCHEDULE
Friday
17:30 - 18:30 Guests arrive
18:45 - 19:00 Welcome circle
19:00 - 20:30 Gentle asana followed by meditation
20:30 - 21:30 Light supper
Saturday
07:30 - 08:30 Tea and fruit
08:30 - 10:30 Asana practice
10:30 – 11:30 Brunch
11:30 - 14:30 Free time, walks, reading, relaxing and massage
14:30 - 16:30 Wellbeing Food Workshop + afternoon tea
17:00 - 19:00 Meditation and asana
19:00 - 20:00 Dinner
Sunday
08:00 - 09:00 Tea and fruit
09:00 - 11:00 Asana practice
11:00 - 12:00 Brunch
12:00 - 16:00 Free time, walks, reading, relaxing and massage
16:00 - 16:30 Afternoon tea
17:30 - 19:30 Kundalini asana and Gong Bath
19:30 - 20:30 Dinner
Monday
07:30 - 08:30 Tea and fruit
08:30 - 10:30 Asana practice
13:00 - 11:30 Brunch
12:00 - 12:00 Guests depart
GETTING THERE
Train: The nearest train station is Henley on Thames. We can arrange transfers to Rocky Lane Farm.
Car: Rocky Lane is easily found by car.
INCLUDED IN THE RETREAT
2 x yoga, pranayama and meditation classes per day
1 x guided meditation
Unlimited brunch, including raw options, fresh nut and seed mylks, juices and smoothies
Afternoon superfood tea and a 3 course evening mea
Unlimited herbal teas and fruit
1.5 hour gong bath with Holly White
2 hour wellbeing food workshop, which will cover areas such as winter wellness and fermented foods
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Walking in the beautiful surrounding countryside
Steam and Sauna
Massage and other therapies
WELLBEING FOOD WORKSHOP
Lucy Hill will be hosting a 2-hour workshop during the week covering ‘Food for Wellbeing’. The workshop will discuss what wellbeing eating is, looking at some simple ways to upgrade the way you eat for better health, with a focus on immunity boosting and healthy gut-flora winter recipes, to support you and your body through the colder months.
GONG BATH WITH HOLLY WHITE
Holly White is a sound healer and kundalini yoga teacher. She will hold a deeply relaxing sound bath with the use of a number of gongs, which resonate the energy of various planets. This deeply healing practice has been known to create alleviate insomnia, cure colds and lift headaches amongst all sorts of other things… And all that is required to receive is to cuddle down under a blanket and close your eyes!
THERAPIES
There will be the following range of therapies available with a wonderful and highly qualified local practitioner, Karon Whenmouth:
- Indian Head Massage
- Thai Herbal massage
- Deep Tissue massage
- Facial (Aloe Vera and Thai Style)
- Hopi Ear Candle
PRICE PER GUEST
- Based on 2 sharing £445
- Single supplement £750
To book a place, please contact Lucy at info@chayayogaretreats.com, or call 0044 7866 368798 for more information.