Category: Events & retreats
Yoga & Ayurveda -Rejuvenating 3 Day Retreat in Dorset
Next retreat 24th ,25th & 26th May 2024 book now to reserve your place.
Places are also available for 4th 5th 6th October 2024 email to go on the waiting list.
3 days of Yoga, Ayurveda, Rest & Relaxation and Delicious Vegetarian / Vegan Food in an Idyllic Location.
Relish every moment as we come together to share the joy of rejuvenating the mind, body and soul through daily yoga practice, meditation, rest and relaxation and presentations on living well with Ayurveda.
Treat yourself to:
- 3 x days and 2 x nights full-board accommodation in a beautiful eco-retreat
- Exclusive use of the venue and all facilities, including a luxury heated swimming pool
- Option of a total of 12 wellbeing sessions including Yoga / Meditation / Relaxation classes and presentations
- Delicious vegetarian / vegan meals (mainly organic & local produce) prepared by the resident chef
- Free WiFi and parking
- Free time to explore the beautiful countryside and beach ( 5 mins drive away)
The Venue
Bonhays Retreat Centre is a magical sanctuary of calm and tranquillity, nestled in Dorset’s rolling hills between Bridport and Lyme Regis, and just 2 miles from the sea. With its indoor heated pool, comfortable accommodation, valley views, and secluded location, it is the perfect getaway.
The Retreat
The simply furnished accommodation is of a high standard; well-equipped, with a warm welcoming feel, and clean, comfortable rooms. The main communal living space (there’s more than one) has large sofas, and a wood burning stove to keep visitors cosy – with teas, snacks and fruit available in the kitchen areas at all times.
The Food
Bonhays Resident Chef, Evie will be catering especially for us. Well known for her fabulous feasts and personal touch, Evie sources local, organic ingredients wherever possible, if she hasn’t actually grown them herself! Her food both looks and tastes delicious: wholesome dishes that are satisfying and very tasty. Lunch and supper will be prepared for us, breakfast is self-serve. All food and drink will be vegetarian / vegan. Bonhays will do their best to accommodate additional dietary requirements such as gluten-free, with sufficient notice – so please make sure you request this when booking.
Yoga
Yoga sessions will be suitable for all levels, from beginners to seasoned yogis, and held in the Group Room – a lovely large space with a gentle, restful vibe. If the weather is kind, we may even move outside! The morning class will be more energising, with the later yoga session being softer and mostly mat-based. Meditation sessions will be offered in the morning and afternoon. Chakra meditation and Yoga Nidra are guided sessions designed to fully relax the mind body and soul. Drop–in sessions for consultation on your own practice will be available during the retreat.
Presentations
Each presentation will focus on different aspects of the benefits of living with Ayurveda – aimed towards understanding the concept of Dosha, Agni and Ama, Diet, Daily routines and Mind Set – guaranteed to enhance your overall wellbeing.
The Teacher
Julia is a qualified and experienced Ayurveda and Yoga Consultant as well as a full -time teacher who is committed to delivering informative practical and educational programmes that inspire the use of Ayurveda and Yoga principles in daily life. She is extremely passionate about practising and sharing the proven benefits that the synergies between the ancient traditions of Ayurveda and Yoga have on personal wellbeing.
By using Ayurveda and Yoga principles the body and mind are brought into balance; vitality can then develop. The individual is then able to perceive the true nature; this allows life to be lived more freely and spontaneously.
The Location
Bonhays Farm, Whitchurch Canicorum DT6 6RF
Car: There is plenty of parking at the centre.
Train: Nearest station is Axminster on the main London Waterloo to Exeter line. There are buses from the station to Morecombe Lake (a 20 min downhill walk away), or book ahead for a taxi from Axminster station for a cost of roughly £20. Try Axminster Taxis (01297) 34000, or BJ’s 35007.
DORSET
One of the the UKs most iconic and beautiful counties, Dorset enjoys 364 more hours of sunshine throughout the year compared to the UK average and is home to the Jurassic Coast, the only natural World Heritage Site in England.
Retreat Programme
You are free to do as many or as few sessions as you wish.
FRIDAY
- 4.00pm: Arrival & settling in /Housekeeping & guided tour on arrival
- 5.15pm: Studio – Welcome & Introductions followed by Yoga class (Yin)
- 7.00pm: Dining Area- Light Supper & Prepare Ayurveda Style Breakfast (Kitchen)
- 8:00pm: Lounge Area – Presentation: Intro to Yoga Veda and the Place for Relaxation in our Busy Lives – leads into meditation session
- 9.00pm: Studio- Guided Pranayama & Meditation
SATURDAY
- 6:00am: Studio- Guided Pranayama & Meta Meditation
- 6.30am: Studio- Guided Yoga Class (Vinyasa Flow)
- 7:30am: Dining Area- Self Service Breakfast
- 9:00am: Dining Area -Presentation: The Significance of Fascia Release to Wellbeing
- 10:00am: Free time for Rest & Relaxation
- 12.30pm: Dining Area- Lunch- main meal of the day
- 1:30pm: Free time for Rest & Relaxation
- 4:15pm: Studio – Drop in Asana Clinic (bring your own alignment concerns or challenge postures to clinic- 1:1 Guidance provided)
- 5.15pm: Studio- Guided Yoga Class (Restorative Yoga)
- 7.00pm: Dining Area- Light Supper with authentic Ayurveda dishes – Prep Breakfast
- 8.00pm: Outdoor Grounds- Round the bonfire gathering (Weather permitting)
- 9.00pm: Studio- Guided Yoga Nidra (Full Body Mind & Soul Relaxation)
SUNDAY
- 6:00am: Studio- Guided Pranayama & Meditation
- 6.30am: Studio- Guided Yoga Class (Vinyasa Flow)
- 7:30am: Kitchen – Self Service Breakfast
- 9:00am: Dining area – Presentation – Planning our Personal Dynyacahra & Reflection
- 10:00am Free Time or extra Guided Meditation Session
- 10:30am Studio: Headstand Development (optional)Session
- 12.30pm: Dining area Lunch
- 1:30pm Studio: Feedback & Goodbyes
- 2.00pm: Departure
* Please note, the programme may be subject to change
Price
From £360 per person
To view a typical brochure please click here.
Various rooms available, accommodation choice will be confirmed by YVUK to complete your booking.
Sue B (verified owner) –
I spent have just spent a fabulous weekend here with my friends and made some lovely new ones. Julia is so warm and engaging and made us all feel immediately very welcome. I learned a lot (about Ayurveda, about my friends and about myself). I laughed and I cried (a lot)! I challenged myself with new yoga props and positions; enjoyed meditation and music sessions immensely; ate the most delicious and colourful, wholesome foods and to top it all, had the most invigorating sunrise swim at Lyme which I will never forget. If you want to step outside your busy world for a couple of days and give yourself permission to look after yourself for a change, then I would highly recommend that you treat yourself to this beautiful and tranquil retreat…so many thanks to the Bonhays Massive and Julia xx
Suzy Merrifield –
Another incredible retreat this weekend! Just an absolutely stunning location that gives you so much peace from a hectic life and allows you to relax and switch off. We were lucky enough to be able to fit in a gorgeous sunrise swim too! All activities are flexible and discussed to make the most of the weather and to benefit everyone. Julia’s knowledge of yoga and Ayurveda is fantastic with the combination of early energy enhancing practices and really nourishing relaxing evening practices. The food was incredible! It was my second retreat here and I will definitely be back for more, can’t wait!
Stu K (verified owner) –
Great weekend. Beautiful quiet location. Amazing food. Very knowledgeable instructor. I would recommend taking the time for yourself and giving it a try!
Jo Stevens (verified owner) –
Thank you for the most amazing weekend. Once again I underestimated the power of these things. I came along feeling like I needed a bit of a rest and left feeling more nourished, emotionally and physically, than I thought possible. My body and mind have had a fabulous clear out leaving me in a great place for a fresh start, that magical reset 😊
And I did a headstand!!! I did another yesterday too, it made me smile so much!!!
Andrea –
This was for me a repeat visit to Bonhays with a different group of strangers, now friends. The weekend opened with an invite to immerse in yoga, meditation, Ayurvedic knowledge and joy. All was great, we enjoyed all the afore mentioned plus delicious vegan meals cooked by the invited vegan chef. Julia is a wonderful guide through all things spiritual and a wonderful knowleadgeable advocate of all things Ayurvedic. The weekend was a beautiful experience 🙂
Tanya Hawkins –
Being on the retreat with Julia has the feeling of coming home. You are mixing with a group of people who you do not know but immediately you have a sense of family around you which is especially felt when you leave as you don’t want to. Julia is the perfect host in every way and lives and breathes Ayurveda. She makes the subject more easily understood and it makes complete sense to your wellbeing and longevity. The retreat setting although basic is an ideal environment and a sense of community is quickly formed to entice you in. The meals that Evie produces are amazing and this adds to the magic of the retreat. The yoga and meditation practice is very good and I really enjoyed the stretches to start the day. There was a lot of sharing within the group emotionally which help with the bonding of the group and made this special. I would not hesitate to go on another and hopefully rekindle friendships made. This is powerful stuff and once you attend you will again.
Pamela Granger –
I cannot recommend this retreat highly enough. I had never been before and wasn’t sure what to expect but I have to say it was wonderful. Julia had so much enthusiasm and love for teaching and passing on her knowledge that it was so inspiring. The retreat had a calmness about it that you couldn’t help but destress. Everything about this retreat is beautifully thought out. The food was absolutely delicious which was cooked by Evie the chef. A huge thank you Julia for such a peaceful and happy weekend.
Andrea Collins –
Have been away twice on the weekend retreats and they are a delightful experience. You can move through the weekend at your own pace, join in the programme (which I did) and this was under no pressure especially as a beginner. The setting is idyllic. It is wonderfully inclusive with those who enjoy the open space, being with yourself and others, and the amazing meals prepared by Evie the chef. The support and yoga/well-being was delivered by Julia but in a very short time you could feel the friendship and support of those all around you. I shall definitely book again. You see your life just a little bit differently at the close, and I think that makes it really worthwhile.
Lisa Tipper- Jones –
When I went on this retreat I had no idea what to expect. I just knew I needed a rest.
I cant tell you how inspired and rejuvenated I felt afterwards and came away with so many little nuggets of how to improve my own wellbeing , naturally and so effectively. Julia is so knowledgeable, lives, eats and breathes all she teaches and is so generous in sharing her gems of experience and wisdom. I now understand that wellbeing has to be a holistic approach ; a way of life. There isn’t any quick fix but there is a delightful journey of discovery to be had if you follow the guided path and light Julia offers so eloquently, without any judgement.
I highly recommend this 3 day retreat to anyone , any level. You will be so well looked after and be prepared to be amazed at the difference just 3 days can make. Thank you so much for enlightening me and my busy mind Julia. Cant wait for the next one.