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This year we are celebrating our 5th year of hosting retreats at Bala Brook.  Our summer retreat on Dartmoor has become a very special event in our annual calendar.  It is such an honour to host yoga retreats in such a magical and inspiring location.  It is always fun to be working as part our Bala Brook team and of course we always look forward to Christine’s delicious food which is always made with such love and care.

Our weekend programme included Yoga, Meditation, Chanting, Yoga Nidra and there was plenty of time to rest, explore the local area, see old friends and make new friends.

Our Saturday morning workshop “Art in the Landscape – Enshrining Space” was be led by Nicci Wonnacott, Artist/ Educationalist/ Activist – BA (Hons) Fine Art/Contextual Practice, PGCE.   In this workshop we gathered natural resources, reconnected with the land, celebrated the land and our ancestors and created a beautiful shrine.

‘I have been has been exploring Goddess archetypes through creative practice for over 25 years in my land work I consider art in the environment through site, ritual, intuition and meditation. As a gatherer I reconnect with the land and the goddess archetypes, ancient women who have walked the path. As I gather, walk and breath form which I create shrines as an act of celebration and respect for the land and the mothers who came before. Enshrining Space’ – Nicci Wonnacott

Nicci has worked as a site specific artist and lecturer for many years. Her interests in gathering help her produce shrines to honour nature as well as jams, wines, cordials, tinctures and natural dying. Nicci was commissioned illustrated The Seasonal Goddess Group with paintings inspired from Devon landscapes.

Our June retreat fell just after the Summer Solstice.  The Summer Solstice is a time to celebrate the fullness of life, to step further into our power, to embody this power and to bring it into the physical form as a new habit such as a new way of being in your body or as a new manifestation.

Bala Brook workshop

BB Jun 2016

Tree Dartmoor

Co-hosted by Julie Bladon / Jackie Dorrian

Sun 5 Jun 2016, 1.30-4.30pm, The Ashtanga Yoga Workshop, Exeter, £35 (including refreshments)

With Julie Bladon and Elaine Nicholas

£35.00Add to cart

Join us for our YoGo (Yoga & Gong) Workshop to celebrate midsummer.  Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, the shortest night, is a few weeks away and we will be celebrating the changing season and take time to reconnect with the natural cycles.  Summer Solstice is an important time for looking at the grand scope of your life and noticing what is out of alignment. What are the things you do, think or say that are out of alignment with what you truly believe? It is a time of action.

As part of this midsummer celebration you will enjoy a relaxing and calming meditative yoga practice to prepare your body & mind for sound healing – chanting & voicework and an extended Gong Bath.

You will experience the Gong Bath lying on a mat, head on a pillow, wrapped in a blanket with eyes closed.  This deep and lasting massage in sound, the effects of which continue long after the session as the body adjusts to the sounds and begins to come into balance.

“Music is a moral law. It gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, … and life to everything. It is the essence of order” ~ Plato (429 – 347)

With the majority of Gong Bathers reporting relief from a vast array of maladies ranging from chronic pain through to stress, anxiety, addiction, depression and fatigue; attesting release from spiritual conditions such as feeling disconnected, ungrounded and disillusioned, and claiming to have increased vitality, calmness, balanced emotions, feelings of self-empowerment, greater clarity, and improved creativity.  It may be that Gong sound is re-tuning those hard to reach areas!  And as every gong bath is an individual experience depending on where the individual is in their journey through life, and the sounds produced are entirely right for whoever is present at the time.

This workshop is for anyone interested in yoga, relaxation and sound healing, whether you are brand new or experienced in your practice.  Beginners are very welcome.

Julie began her exploration with yoga over twenty years ago. Initially as a means to deal with the stress of university studies but over time she developed a wider awareness of the benefits of yoga in her life.  Julie’s joy is teaching authentic yoga from the heart.  It is an inspiration to see the development and growth of students.  She has a passion for Yoga Nidra (Yoga Sleep) and loves to share the benefits of this powerful practices both in person and online.

Elaine draws from six years of experience in the Holistic Health field to develop a range of techniques to help improve health and wellbeing using sound, voice and mindfulness as therapeutic tools.  She is a Gong Master accredited by, and member of, the College of Sound Healing.

Come and enjoy relaxing yoga and bathe in the powerful vibrating tones of the Gong.

£35.00Add to cart

Click here for directions to The Ashtanga Yoga Workshop, Exeter.

 

Goddess Power Yoga Retreat – Suryalila Yoga Retreat Centre, nr Seville, Southern Spain

Saturday 20 – Saturday 27 May 2017, Prices from £800 pp shared room

“When we focus our gifts and talents that are inherent to us as women, we are able to live from a place of authenticity, courage and clarity.”  ~ Katalin Koda, author of “Fire of the Goddess”

Join Julie Bladon (Jayadevi) and Jackie Dorrian (Jagdambe Ma) for this powerful 7 night yoga retreat.  We will explore our yoga practice, meditate, activate & deepen our connection to our inner feminine.  We will be inspired to create our life anew, transform any obstacles into power, rediscover our inner passions.

This retreat is for women from all walks of life and we will guide you on the path to reclaim your divine self.  Our 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. 

Join us in stunning Southern Spain!

~Immerse Yourself in Daily Yoga and Meditation

~Celebrate The Divine Feminine

~Reclaim your inner soul spark of power, love and wisdom

~ Reconnect with others and the environment

~Take time for you – Rest & Restore

Our Goddess Power Yoga Retreat will take place at Suryalila Yoga Retreat in the heart of the Spanish Andalucian Hills, Southern Spain, close to the charming villages of Arcos de la Frontera and Prado del Rey.

Suryalila Yoga Retreat is a world class yoga venue with fabulous yoga shalas, cosy designer accommodation, outstanding organic cuisine, salt water swimming pool and sauna set in 45 acres of land.  A striking part of the natural beauty of this retreat centre is the breathtaking vista extending in all directions: rolling hills, fields of sunflowers, and lakes. The sense of vastness and expansiveness is very uplifting!

Click here to find out >>

Picturesque Suryalila has a very special energy. It is run with complete love and respect. The staff, the views, the food, the accommodation and much more are why I keep coming back. It is completely magical!”—Emma Henry, Senior Jivamukti Teacher, London, UK

We understand that life can be busy and stressful so this yoga retreat is a perfect opportunity to take care of self, replenish, rejuvenate, relax and to have time to “just be”.  Take the time to honour your body mind and soul.

You may travel as a group or solo but it is guaranteed that you will meet like minded people on retreat.  Retreats are perfect if you are travelling alone, you have the choice to spend time with others or enjoy your own space if you wish.  This luxury retreat is led by two experienced yoga teachers: 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, Sivananda Yoga and Yoga Nidra.

During the 7 night retreat, each day will consist of two yoga classes, meditation plus additional workshops.

To book please complete the booking form below and a deposit of £200 is payable.  Full balance due by 31 March 2017.  Monthly payment plans are available, please ask for details.

Programme

Day of arrival (Saturday 20 May)

Saturday Schedule

17.30 Opening Circle & Yoga

19.00 Dinner

For full travel information click here >> 

Normal day schedule

07.00 – 09.00 Yoga & Meditation

09.30 Breakfast

11.30 – 16.00 Free time

13.30 Lunch

16.00 – 18.00 Yoga

19.00 Dinner

Spaces are limited so please book early to guarantee your spot!

Snacks, Treats & Beverages

In the dining room, you can also find healthy snacks, ice cream and a selection of beverages including organic wine and beer. Suryalila has an honesty list to sign when taking these items and you pay for everything at the end of your stay.

Package includes:

– 7 nights accommodation

– 3 gourmet vegetarian buffet style meals per day

– free tea, coffee, fruit and drinking water

– welcome pack to help you unwind

– twice daily (morning and afternoon) yoga & meditation classes

– one rest day when you may wish to rest at Suryalila or explore the local area.  Trips and excursions can be arranged.

– a blissful Yoga Nidra session where you will enjoy complete physical, mental and emotional relaxation

– free use of internet

– free use of salt water swimming pool and sauna

– time to explore local hikes

– the yoga studio is fully equipped with yoga mats, blocks and bolsters

Optional activities include: Deep Tissue or Thai massage, horse-riding, optional excursions and hiking trips in the stunning nearby Natural parks and the White Towns of Andalusia and much more…

Not included:

– Flight to Spain

– Travel Insurance

– Airport Transfers

– Snacks / Treats / Beverages / Shopping

– Day trips & excursions

– Massages & treatments

For bookings and queries please contact info@juliebladon.com or refer to the following links.

Suryalila Retreat Centre >>

Co-hosted by Julie Bladon / Jackie Dorrian

Any changes to reservations must be made in writing.

Retreat Testimonials

Really loved the space created.  Particularly appreciated the suggestions for daily practice which I will take away.  Enjoyed the discussion in the studio in some sessions and Friday morning interactive session excellent, liked having time to ask about postures and learning from other people’s questions in the group.  Thank you Thank you Thank you

The place & people were very enjoyable & a good mix of personalities.  You two have been very accessible and welcoming.”

Thank you Julie and Jackie for a wonderful week, full of joy and fun.  It has been very interesting to experience different types of yoga practice and different teaching styles.  I feel I have learned a lot and have been convinced that I can include daily yoga practice into my usual routine.  You are both excellent inspirational teachers and I appreciate your hard work planning the sessions and all the smooth organisation.  Thank you again for your patience and kindness.”

Good caring and friendly group – I felt very comfortable being part of it.  Thank you Julie and Jackie for making the retreat such a pleasurable experience.  What a fantastic experience thank to you two. Thank you thank you! Yoga will never be the same again.”