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Joyful Singing, Healing Sound
New Forest Retreat
at The Minstead Centre in the heart of the New Forest
NEXT DATE: Weekend Autumn Retreat:
Friday 17th - Sunday 19th November
DETAILS TBA SHORTLY!
Harmony Singing, Sound, Meditation, Delicious Plant-Based Fare & Great Company in Stunning Nature.
Event Description
* Restore mind, body & soul in tranquil nature
* Relax with singing, sound baths, meditation, and mantras
* No previous experience is necessary for our workshop sessions!
* Immerse yourself in the beauty of forest walks
* Be nourished by delicious wholesome foods
* Enjoy great company!
We will have two workshop sessions a day, each one designed to enhance your well-being, and nourish your mind, body and soul.
You will have the opportunity to relax, recharge and immerse yourself in pristine nature, surrounded by ancient woodlands, streams, and meadows.
There will be free time in the afternoon for walking in the gardens or the forest, continuing a creative project, or just relaxing with like minded others.
We will have exclusive use of the site including gardens, workshop space, art room, kitchens, the house, and dormitories.
The Venue
The Minstead Center is set in 7 acres of beautiful gardens, in the heart of the New Forest.
For accommodation options scroll down. The photo above shows the art room where we will explore intuitive painting, mandala making and other lovely creative pursuits.
Our main workshop space is rather like a huge wooden tree house! It is very comfortable, with underfloor heating and a very efficient wood-burner, if needed, making for a cosy space for our singing and sound-bathing sessions. The dormitories are also part of this lovely and unique space.
Friday night's supper and Saturday and Sunday lunches will be delicious plant-based fare, using local and organic produce.
On Saturday evening we will have supper at the local pub, The Trusty Servant. This will not be included in the fee.
Nestled amongst the gardens are various stone circles and a newly refurbished roundhouse, based on an Iron Age home. It is made from local clay, rope, straw and wood. It has no door, and a fire inside, ready to be lit for evening storytelling and singing!
Singing
Our singing sessions will include energising gorgeous harmony songs from around the world, including African, Gospel, and Jazz. We will also have sound baths and mantra singing, perhaps in the garden if weather permits, or by candlelight, warmed by the log fire.
Intuitive Painting
Creativity is a gateway to our imagination, our inner wisdom and helps a nurture a sense of wellbeing.
There is a fundamental pleasure in "making marks on paper", playing with colour and paint, or using our natural environment to create a mandala or other "totems".
The painting shown here is from my 10-year journey with Visual Medicine™, a simple but profound painting practice.
The technique is gentle and meditative, and the images that emerge can be seen as an energetic imprint of our inner landscape and innate creativity.
We will leave the critic behind, and allow curiosity to guide us as the images help us to effortlessly connect with our intuitive wisdom.
No previous painting experience is necessary.
Practical Info
Dates
Five Day Summer Retreat 21 - 25 August 2023
Fees
Five-Day Summer Retreat:
Residential: £595 including all workshops, art materials, teas and coffees, all meals (except Wednesday's supper), all art materials and workshop sessions, and shared dormitory accommodation.
There are 4 Twin Rooms available: £17.50 per night per person or £35 per night if used as a single room.
Non-Residential: £545 including lunches and suppers except for Wednesday evening.
Accommodation
There are three options:
1.Two spacious basic dormitories on-site, with 9 sets of bunk beds in each, and shower rooms.
2. Four en suite twin rooms on site. If used for single occupancy the cost will be £35 per night. If used as a twin, it will be £17.50 per person per night. First come first served!
3. There is a variety of Air BnB options available, from Glamping to Shepherd's Huts, to cute cottage BnB's, from £45 per night upwards.
See below for links to a couple of examples.
This option is not included in the fee, and you will need to book it and arrange payment yourself. As Staycations are currently very popular, it is advisable to book ASAP to avoid disappointment! I can help find suitable Air BnB if necessary.
1. Foxlease in Lyndhurst: A fabulous stately home that was gifted to the Girl Guides. The historic main house offers single en-suite BnB rooms at £45 per night.
2. A cute self-contained annex in Ashurst, a village just ten mins drive from the retreat venue. £75 per night.
3. A gorgeous BnB in Minstead, £76 per night
The programme offers everything that I (now) love including singing, harmonising, chanting, sharing, writing and the wonderful visual medicine (painting sessions!) All seamlessly directed by Sarah leaving us all wanting more!
- Helen B
To Book
To book your place a non-returnable deposit of £150 is payable.
Email sarah@lifesong.co.uk to book your place and for payment info.
