The journey to the midst of the Somerset countryside couldn’t have been timed more perfectly. A sunny day from busy London Waterloo Station on an early rush hour 10 am train was the begging of a journey through beautiful countryside – passing rapeseed oil fields in yellow bloom and blue paths of linseed flower fields – and historical cities such a Salisbury and its famous cathedral to the closest station to 42 Acres – a farm in Frome, Somerset, where I will be joining my first ever yoga retreat for 5 days, organized by Sen Wellness London.
The idea to join a yoga retreat can seem daunting at first: 5 days of seclusion, meditation, yoga, and convivial ambience with a group of people one will be meeting for the first time. I thought carefully about where could I go, and close to home seemed to be the most sensible option. I could commit to that and get a train back home should I have changed my mind. The fear of jumping into something even remotely religious is the reason most people won’t join a retreat. A misconception most have – one that was totally dispersed upon arrival at 42 Acres.
The big smiles dissolved any fear of the unknown and of what may come: a journey into self-development, openness, and encompassing an understanding of the other. As we live in a world where we think we are very connected, but in truth we are very disconnected from our beautiful internal world and consequently from others, it is refreshing to learn that at the retreat, Wi-Fi is only available in a selected area – a kind of Wi-Fi stable, surround by wooden artworks – beautiful and discreet, in an attempt to inspire the guests to connect with nature, in an approach that in any way is rigorous but conscious. After all, one goes to a retreat on a journey of self-discovery.
Experiences ranged from Kundalini yoga twice daily, meditation sessions, massages, cranium-sacral therapy, and acupuncture treatments to fire and cacao ceremonies. For a newcomer, it was ace to experience something new, mindful, and multicultural.
19 participants flew in from New York, Croatia, London, and various parts of UK – businesswomen, therapists, artists, photographers, and media folk. This varied group of people had different aims and expectations, but they were all coming together generally for a respite from their daily urban lives. Many, like me, were also total newcomers to the retreat experience. The journey here was a surprise, not because it was near London – the surprising journey I embarked here was the journey within.
The teachers
The retreat was guided by phenomenal teachers – including Catherine Page, and Maren Lander, one of the most respected Kundalini Yoga teachers in the world. Maren also organizes incredible experiences in the UK, New Zealand, France, South America, and Sri Lanka.
Cover picture @mindfulmaren. Pics by Catherine Page, François Correia and 42 Acres
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