Heart and Soul Retreats

By Louise Charman-James

“The retreat helped me to learn that I am not alone … I had felt very isolated, so the retreat made me feel okay. I am so pleased to have been exposed to a variety of tools, practices and people to help me.”

These are words from one of the participants of a weekend retreat offered by Heart and Soul Care Trauma Healing Retreats, a charitable enterprise created to give survivors of domestic violence a chance to relax, heal and experience the benefits of yoga, meditation, nature therapy, dance, sound healing, art therapy and more.

For many of the participants, some living in women’s refuges and fighting to regain a home for themselves and their children, this is the first time they have ever experienced a retreat or practised yoga and meditation.

The retreats are now in their third year and were started by Wendy Saunders, general manager at Heart and Soul Retreats. Hosted at Govinda Valley Retreat in Otford, the events are subsidised for participants and volunteer facilitators host the sessions. Offered twice a year in spring and autumn, the retreats are primarily funded by private donors, although in 2022 a small grant was secured from the Yoga for Good Foundation to help with running costs.

Andre Melis, director of Govinda Valley Retreat, explains the philosophy behind the retreats: “The principles, practices and culture of yoga provide powerful tools to help transform our lives. Yoga’s approach is neither oppressive nor invasive, but rather assists our physical and emotional wellbeing in a nurturing and supportive way.”

Many of the women discover new passions and abilities, and gather a toolkit of simple practices that they can take with them into their challenging lives.

The next retreat will be held on March 24-26 with the theme of Connect With Your Inner Divine Feminine. Author and oracle card creator Alana Fairchild has donated products and a group healing session, while other volunteers will create nurturing experiences for the participants including music, dance, yoga and self-care rituals.

If you would like to support the retreats or know of someone who could benefit, please contact Wendy at wendyhscare@gmail.com