Friday 13 – Sunday 15 June 2024 at Bala Brook, Nr South Brent, Devon.
Prices ranging from £455 to £470 (dependent on room type) – Spaces available
For bookings enquiries please contact Jackie via email info@swanseayoga.co.uk
Each year we refine and develop our popular retreat offering. We will host yoga sessions and lead meditation sessions across the weekend. There will plenty of opportunity to experience the wonderful landscape and immerse yourself in your practice.
Julie Bladon (Jayadevi) and Jackie Dorrian (Jagdambe Ma), who will teach yoga classes in a variety of styles including Akhanda Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Yin Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Scaravelli Yoga, Hatha Yoga and Yoga Nidra. This mixed programme is perfect if you are starting your yogic journey and wish to explore different styles or if you are more experienced and wish to immerse yourself in your practice.
We understand that life can be busy and stressful so this weekend is a perfect opportunity to take care of self, replenish, rejuvenate, relax and to have time to “just be”. We will take a deeper look at yogic practices across the weekend.
Bala Brook is set in a stunning location. You will have time to dive into the extensive library of yoga and spiritual books, explore the gardens, walk on Dartmoor and maybe take a dip in the river! You can even spend time in the yoga studio meditating or doing your own self practice. Bala Brook has recently been refurbished so we can enjoy the new spaces, refreshed rooms and the bright and airy kitchen dining space.
Photo Credit: Claire Rees
In your personal practice time, you will have the opportunity to reflect on your yoga practice and experiences. You will have ample time to reconnect with nature and the beautiful Dartmoor countryside.
Delicious, fresh and wholesome food will be lovingly prepared and served for you by our wonderful cook, Christine. The menu will be vegetarian but please advise if you have specific dietary requirements. We kindly ask that you give plenty of notice of dietary requirements as Christine pre-plans the menus, shops for ingredients locally and we take everything with us to the retreat centre. Please note that once we are on retreat we are in a remote location meaning that access to shops is extremely limited.
The rooms will be allocated on a first come first served basis. The price includes all yoga tuition by both Yoga Teachers, accommodation, bed linen, food & refreshments. Towels can be provided at an extra charge of £6.
Your hosts will be Julie Bladon (www.juliebladon.com) and Jackie Dorrian (www.swanseayoga.co.uk).
We look forward to seeing you there!
Spaces are limited so booking early is strongly recommended!
Bookings are open now, email info@swanseayoga.co.uk. Non-refundable deposit of £100 required to secure your booking; monthly payment plans are available if you wish to spread the cost. Please ask for details of the monthly payment plan.
Namaste
Retreat Team:
Jackie Dorrian
Jackie’s commitment to working with and supporting people has developed from a life long passion in order to realise the best that she could be. Her journey to present has been an interesting one… Jackie has been active in the Healing Arts since the 1990‘s. Gaining knowledge in Aromatherapy, Ayurveda, Reiki, Yoga & Meditation. India is a country that Jackie holds dear to her heart, it is here that she has been able to research, learn and develop her skills further within the disciplines of Ayurveda and Yoga. In 2011 she had the honour to complete her 200hr Yoga Teacher Training at Anand Prakash Ashram in Rishikesh, India with Yogi Vishvketu. Jackie is now fulfilled in pursing her passion, teaching, mentoring, and providing for others Yoga, Healing, Ayurveda, Massage, Meditation, and Reiki in which she is now a qualified Master. Fully qualified and experienced, with well-honed skills, Jackie is in the ideal position to help others to find the best and the most positive sense of themselves, having a strong sense of her personal Dharma (purpose in life).
Julie Bladon
Julie has been co-hosting yoga events and India tours with Jackie for 10 years. Julie’s joy is teaching authentic yoga from the heart and she has a passion for Yoga Nidra (Yoga Sleep) and loves to share the benefits of this powerful practices both in person and online. With a background in Hatha Yoga, Julie’s yoga studies continue and she has recently completed a Deepening Your Yoga Practice with a Scaravelli Yoga teacher. Julie’s exploration of the voice continues with regular singing lessons and studying with Embodiment and Voice with voice facilitator and mentor, Nicky West.
Christine Dumbelton
Christine has over 20 years experience in the health and wellness industry. Christine’s other passion is food and is constantly looking to find more healthy alternatives to treats such as puddings and cakes. For over 8 years Christine has been the cook on the successful Bala Brook summer yoga retreats. At the retreats Christine produces delicious vegetarian and vegan food with sweet treats being her speciality! As part of her continued development she has attended several courses at Ashburton Cookery School and Peggy Porschen’s Baking School. Contact Christine via email to find out about dining pop-ups and cake orders.
Photo Credit: Christine Dumbelton
Sample Schedule 2025 (Final 2025 Programme tbc)
Please ensure you arrive in advance of the Welcome Circle so that the retreat can start on time. If you need to work on the Friday and anticipate a delayed arrival please update us in advance of the weekend so there are no unnecessary delays to the retreat start.
Friday
4pm – arrive and check in
5.00pm – welcome circle
5.30-6.45pm – yoga and meditation
7.15pm – dinner
8.45pm – Yoga Nidra
Saturday
7am – meditation
7.30-9am – yoga
9am – breakfast
10.30am-12.30pm – morning workshop
1pm – lunch
2.30-5.30pm – free time / walking / wild swimming
5.45-7pm – deep relaxation yoga
7.30pm – dinner
9.00pm bedtime ritual
Sunday
8.15-9.30am – yoga and meditation
9.30am – breakfast
10.30-12.30pm – group practice / walking / journalling / self-practice
12.45pm – lunch
2.30-3.30pm – closing celebrations and sharing
3.30pm – retreat end
All sessions are optional, so that you can do whatever you need to restore and revitalise. The programme is a guide and changes may be made to the schedule. Where possible please arrange your travel to coincide with the start and closing times of the retreat.
We will issue full retreat information and directions in advance of the weekend. We will liaise closer to the retreat to co-ordinate car shares and to discuss transport from Totnes railway station if a taxi transfer is required.
For bookings or further information please contact Jackie on 07816 210770 or email info@swanseayoga.co.uk
Testimonials from previous guests:
“The whole weekend was truly magical and is exactly what we needed.” Summer Retreat 2019
“The amount of loving attention and hard-work in preparation for this weekend is very much appreciated. You go over and above to make it a perfect weekend. Thank you.” Summer Retreat 2019
“Thank you for a truly wondrous weekend in every way and most importantly the enormous benefits have lasted so well. We would love to join you again next year so please book us two places.” Summer Retreat 2017
“My favourite thing: The Lost Kriya! And the Yoga Nidra in pyjamas and the food and the stream and having a pot of tea and cake in the afternoon in the peaceful house. Also learning about Kali – basically the whole weekend (sorry too many favourite things to pick just one!)” Summer Retreat 2017
“Enjoyable, enlightening, peaceful” Summer Retreat 2017
“This trip has had a lasting impact on me. India is a magical place and I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who has considered it but has not yet had the confidence to take that step. You will be very well looked after and can rest assured that everything will be done to make sure that you have a life enhancing experience.” India Tour 2018
“A visit to India was always number one on my bucket list but I would never have had the courage to embark on this journey alone. I am so glad that I chose to go with Jackie and Julie. For me it was the perfect trip with the right blend of yoga, culture, sightseeing and relaxation.” India Tour 2018
For bookings or further information please contact Jackie on 07816 210770 or email info@swanseayoga.co.uk
Our summer retreats sell out fast so we operate a waiting list for our sell out events. We will update the website when the retreat is full and will start a waiting list. Things can change for our guests so our waiting list system enables as us to fill all available places.
Cancellations
Whilst we treat cancellation sympathetically, our spaces are limited and our retreat expenditure is committed upfront in advance of the retreat. Deposits are non refundable, non transferable. Final payment due by 28 February 2025. From March 2025, no refund is possible on the full retreat fee as we commit payments to the venue and suppliers. We suggest you have travel insurance to cover any eventualities, including Covid, that may stop you attending. Other travel insurance benefits may include cover for baggage, travel delays particularly if you are taking a UK flight.