empowering and supportive women ready
to embark on a weekend of self-love and
nourishment for the soul.
We started with an evening De-Stress
and Unwind Yoga Class with Leigh Cooper,
a yoga and fitness instructor based in
Newquay. All classes took place in a
separate studio just across the lawn, with its
own log burner which was always warm and
glowing for us. Leigh had a voice like syrup
and an aura of pure positivity and calm,
leading us into powerful stretches for the
shoulders and hips.
Dinner was a grapefruit, artichoke and
Cornish Yarg Salad, Crispy Topped Hake
followed by peaches, raspberries and mint in
Prosecco. Who said a retreat weekend was
all wheatgrass and water?
Community vibe
Every morning we were presented with fresh
breakfast smoothies followed by a class;
Morning Stretch, Tone and Balance, Detox
and Uplifting Yoga. A truly wonderful way
to start the day, Lisa’s ability to connect
with every one of her class members was
remarkable. With many of us not having tried
the disciplines before, we were coached,
encouraged and supported through our
practice - our confidence grew and our
minds relaxed.
We were joined by holistic massage and
Reiki therapist Kelly Kennedy who gave
treatments on request to fit around the
classes and the weekend’s activities. She had
the most wonderful, calming presence and we
felt like different people when we left her.
Breakfast brunch was always a joyous
occasion. Poached egg and spinach on
sourdough toast, a Mexican breakfast bowl
of tomatoes, beans, egg, avocado with
crème fraîche and a coconut milk porridge
with berries and seeds. A huge rustic
table meant for long and leisurely dining
experiences and we spent much of our
time sat around talking and laughing. Lisa’s
mum and aunty were our licensed caterers
and with their Italian heritage, were two
pocket rockets in the kitchen. Nothing was
too much trouble and their food was out of
this world. All organic and sourced locally,
we enjoyed freshly baked bread, incredible
seafood, edible flowers and the most
amazing raw peanut butter cake (we spent a
full 10 seconds in silence, communicating its
deliciousness with our eyes only so we didn’t
miss a second of its gooey glory).Total relaxation
Free time was as restful or active as you liked.
Some of us sat reading by the log fires, had a
snooze or walked down to Tregardock beach
with a guide or independently. It was your
choice; ultimate freedom to sit or stroll, rest
or run or simply do nothing. It’s so refreshing
to relax and not feel guilty about it.
Lisa’s Bodyballet class was both
challenging and calming. Inspired by ballet
techniques, great for toning, strengthening
and stretching, my thighs and calves needed
every minute of it. The gong meditation
with sound healer, Sue Johnson, closed the
day on Sunday and was a truly incredible
experience. While laid out on a mat under
a blanket, unusual instruments were played
around the room - it was an out-of-body
experience as various sounds reverberated
through me.
So, shall we talk about the ‘D word’?
I belly-laughed, I was out of time, I was
uncoordinated, I looked like a pigeon. But
it was amazing. What felt like the quickest
class of all, we danced our way through
Bollywood, Swing and Flamenco, for an
endorphin-inducing rush of footloose fun.
Totally immersing of the body and mind, we
left the studio as if we’d eaten a share pack
of Skittles.
A deeply spiritual experience and intensely
healing for the body and mind, our groupom travel
of 10 ladies who had never met before, now
had lifelong friends and a real connection.
In an unfamiliar environment, you’re given
a new perspective and appreciation for life
and mindful moments. Phones were for
camera-use only, inboxes were unopened
and Facebook forgotten.
I thought I wasn’t at the ‘retreat’ stage in
my life, but I was wrong. No matter what age
you are or where you’re at, always make
time to explore and look after your inner
‘you’. Taking time to devote yourself to
self-care is not selfish; it’s the opposite. You
can’t pour from an empty cup...take care of
yourself first. Amen to that.The next retreat takes place from March
9-12, 2018 at Caradoc of Tregardock,
Treligga, nr Delabole, North Cornwall.
For details visit: mindbodydance.co.uk/
mindbodyretreat“Lisa Stephens is a dance
and yoga instructor
who trained in classical
ballet and has danced,
choreographed and
instructed her way
around the world for
over 15 years.”