Explore the beautiful North Devon coastline at Yeotown
Photograph: Xxxxxxxxxx
Retreats Whether you’re looking to reset body and mind, want to immerse yourself in a new skill, or are just after a break, these experiences will keep on giving, long after you’ve returned home.
35
Taking time out of the daily hike at Yeotown
360° RESET FOR MIND, BODY AND SOUL Yeotown, Devon
What do you get when you combine lots of movement, nourishing food, quiet time and salty sea air? An allencompassing sense of wellbeing, it seems. That was my experience after a stay at Yeotown – an award-winning five-day programme dedicated to enhancing physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Nestled in the heart of North Devon, husband and wife duo Simon and Mercedes Sieff have created a sanctuary for ‘the self’. For the time poor, the thought of taking five days to yourself may seem self-indulgent, but that’s exactly why you need to go. Everyone was there for a different reason – some were looking for headspace and mental clarity, others wanted a physical health overhaul, and some a dietary reboot. But we all had one thing in common: everyone was in need of some time to themselves – away from everyday stresses and responsibilities. Although it’s much more than a fitness camp, expect to move while you’re there. We started every morning with energetic yoga, and each day (with the exception of one when we cycled) we pulled on our walking books and ventured out for a long hike along the dramatic cliffs of Yeotown Devon’s coastline. But this was no leisurely amble: our guide, Mo, was keen to get us walking at around 6km/h in order to ensure a truly effective workout. It was hard work but the views certainly made up for it. It also made the designated downtime feel all the more deserved. 36
There’s a massage every evening to target problem areas or simply help you relax, and guests can either read in the cosy living room or head to their rooms for some quiet time. I only wish I had more time in my bedroom, which was – literally – fit for a prince (in fact, one had stayed there only a few weeks prior). With a 400-year-old Buddha statue quietly observing me, a plush bed, surround-sound system and roaring fire, it was the ultimate sanctuary. There is an element of surprise to each day and you’re never sure of what the schedule holds. There’s good reason for this, Mercedes tells me: ‘We found people were focusing on what was happening next, rather than being present in whatever they were doing. So we try to keep it vague in order to let guests concentrate on the now, and then go into each activity with an open mind and heart.’ This was no more apparent than when we were surprised with a singing lesson. The looks of horror throughout the group said it all, but as the music started to flow, inhibitions fell away and it was cathartic and uplifting. Food is wholesome, vegetarian fare. Despite it being gluten-, dairy- and meat-free, Mercedes was keen to point out that they’re not restrictive in their food philosophy. Rather, they see Yeotox as a chance to give your body a break from certain foods, which may or may not be problematic. The nutritional talk on the first evening did seem to further point to a sensible, balanced approach and included the latest research, as well as practical tips. Daily briefings from Mercedes and Simon showed them to be the definition of ‘wellness warriors’. They are advocates of a more holistic approach to wellbeing – one that goes beyond simply ‘keeping fit’ – though they believe that to be important too. If you go to Yeotown willing to embrace the physical and emotional challenges, you can’t help but come away empowered in your own health and happiness, whether that means shifting bad habits and encouraging small, everyday changes, or making a more fundamental ‘shift’ in your approach to life. I write this almost a month after returning from Yeotown, and I’m still enjoying its benefits. I feel lighter, brighter, tighter and full of gratitude for all my body can do. But, most importantly, I feel calmer, happier and more productive than I ever have and that, for me, feels like the ultimate badge of ‘being well’. Reviewed by Emma Winterschladen
The Yeotox programme starts from £1,870 per person Find out more at yeotown.com
Poundon House’s &Sister yoga retreat
IMMERSIVE YOGA WITH &SISTER Poundon House, Oxfordshire
For anyone looking to be remedied of ‘busy life’ syndrome, this may be just the thing. With an elegant Edwardian country home as the setting, one of &Sister’s restorative yoga retreats promises a weekend of yoga, good food and time for the self. Hosted by sister duo Natalie and Alicia, who grew up in Poundon House, it didn’t take me long to fall into the peaceful rhythm of the place. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced yogi, there’s something for everyone. Over the course of the weekend you’ll immerse yourself in different types of yoga, including vinyasa flow, ashtanga and meditation – with all classes held in the naturally-lit shala – that is ‘House of Yoga’ or yoga studio. My retreat was guided by international yoga teacher, Sally-Anne Reynolds of Yoga Light Vibes, whose genuine care and expertise left me feeling in safe hands. It was thanks to her that I experienced the exhilaration of successfully holding a yoga pose I’d never believed I could do at the start of the weekend. She also taught me the power of breath to take my body and mind to unexplored sweet spots. Between classes you’re free to explore the area, or simply enjoy winding-down in the plush living rooms
with cosy open wood fires. A selection of beauty treatments are also on offer; I chose a luxury pedicure – perfect for a barefoot yoga weekend – as well as a deep-tissue massage, which worked magic on my sore neck and shoulders. In terms of eating, expect delicious vegetarian homecooked food — with a hearty breakfast, light lunch and two-course dinner, and not forgetting the healthy snacks station for when the munchies strike. One of the more moving experiences for me was the sound bath, which used gongs, drumming, tuning forks and Himalayan singing bowls to help induce relaxation and healing. It’s said that sound healing works to release unearthed emotions. I have to admit: despite being apprehensive, I found the experience deeply cathartic and it resulted in one of the best night’s sleep I’ve had in a while. All in all, the retreat left me feeling lighter in spirit and body. I’ve taken away from it a profound sense of calm that I still tap into each day with a regular meditative practice and yoga. It seems that slowing down really is the best way to recharge and lift yourself up.
‘I’ve taken away from it a profound sense of calm that I still tap into each day’
Reviewed by Nicky Acketts
Prices start from £425 For upcoming retreats, go to andsister.co.uk 37
Photogenic Alladale Wilderness Reserve and lodge
LEARN PHOTOGRAPHY WITH MAX MILLIGAN
Alladale Wilderness Reserve, Scotland With more than 23,000 acres of ancient forests, salmonpopulated rivers and mirror lochs, Alladale Wilderness Reserve is a jewel in the crown of the Scottish Highlands. And so too is its elegant Victorian lodge, which proudly overlooks this area of conservation that owner Paul Lister has worked tirelessly to restore and protect over the past decade. Once a traditional hunting lodge, it’s now a luxury base from which to explore and experience the wild surroundings. It’s also home to a range of retreats throughout the year, such as this four-day photography retreat hosted by acclaimed photographer Max Milligan. Known for his use of natural light and lack of photoshopping, Max’s creative workshop is inspired by the Highlands’ rugged landscape, which he became intimately acquainted with for his bestselling book The Soul of Scotland. With a mixed visual palette of khaki shrubbery and trees, heather-carpeted hills and temperamental skies, the area certainly offers the perfect fodder for the photographer. It’s incredibly diverse. Over the course, we shot vast landscapes, botanical close-ups, wild cats, rushing rivers, and even dew-draped cobwebs. Max was on hand throughout to teach us the art of composition and lighting, as well as the technical side of photography. For me, someone who is visually minded but with no photographic training, it was invaluable to learn the fundamentals of how a camera actually works (I now realise the importance of aperture and shutter speed). A highlight was setting up camp for a few hours 38
by a fast-moving river in order capture the muchanticipated ‘salmon-jumping-up-river’ shot. It was an exercise in patience, and even though I only managed to photograph a blurry tail as it re-submerged, it felt like a form of meditation. Evenings were spent gazing at shooting stars, followed by a mouth-wateringly delicious three-course Scottish feast cooked by the talented chef Tom, after which we’d all retire to bed – happy and full – ready for an early start. On one particular morning we rose before dawn to photograph a glorious sunrise from the top of a hill, as it bathed Alladale in golden light. As a group, we were a mixed bunch – from different walks of life, with a spectrum of cameras and varying levels of photographic experience. But we all shared one thing: an interest in capturing a time and place, as well as a sense of wonder at the natural world. Learning more about Alladale’s ecological efforts with The European Nature Trust to restore the area to its former biodiverse glory made this all the more poignant. Every evening we’d gather in the ‘board room’, set up the projector, and share our favourite images of the day. It was amazing to see how everyone progressed over the course of the retreat, as well as how varied our photos were. We were all looking at the same landscape, but seeing it differently. Reviewed by Emma Winterschladen
Prices from £995 per person Keep an eye on upcoming retreats at alladale.com