5 Day Yoga Medicine Retreat in Lake District, England, UK
UK Yoga Retreat with Rituals
Positioned at the significant change points within the cycle of the year, each of our Yoga Medicine Retreats are transformative journeys of self discovery, compassion, and love. They offer a unique, and special space, for you to unfold into, and receive whatever you need in the moment.
Each held session of the retreat is inspired with a blend of yin and yang forms of practice, to support opening to deeper levels of love, self awareness and awakening.
Meet the instructors
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Highlights
- Overall, 15 hours of Yin and Yang blended, sacred, and healing sessions
- Eclectic practices from yoga and Earth spiritual tradition (spread out twice daily, morning and evening)
- Hatha flow, Yin, and Restorative yoga practices
- Breath practices, cacao ceremony, and loving self-enquiry session
- Sacred ritual with the Celtic wheel of the year
- 1-hour personal holistic massage included (more available at extra cost)
- 4 nights in a beautiful five-star barn conversion accommodation
- Twice daily delicious, freshly cooked, plant-based meals (brunch / lunch and dinner)
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Yoga styles
4 days with instruction in English
Accommodation
Facilities
- Dining area
- Environmentally friendly
- Fireplace
- Garden
- Kitchen
- Wedding
Sunny Brow Farm’s retreat accommodations are beautifully renovated barn conversions. There are four barns renovated into self-contained barn cottages. Two cottages take up the upper and lower parts of a Lakeland bank barn, and two are smaller and separate.
All barns have bedroom/s, bathroom/s, a living space, a kitchen, and a dining area. The barns have been lovingly renovated to allow modern fittings and style to sit alongside the old features and optional log burners. Characterful yet with modern comfort, the barn accommodation will fulfill all your needs. They are all equipped with good Wi-Fi.
The yoga studio and massage rooms are nestled within the area of the barn conversions, and the studio overlooks woodlands and sheep pastures.
Itinerary of barns
- The Old Dairy: A ground-floor barn cottage with two private bedrooms - one double and one single - which share a bathroom and living space; this barn is also where retreat guests eat communally on a large oak table
- Sunny Brow Barn: One bedroom that can be twin or double ensuite, with private living space
- The Hayloft: An upper-floor barn cottage in a large renovated hay barn; two twin or double ensuite bedrooms that share a large open-plan living space
- Bracken Barn: One bedroom that can be twin or double ensuite, with private living space
Program
All of the yoga medicine retreats include a blend of asana, pranayama, self-enquiry, and meditations inspired by the ancient texts of yoga, infused with empowering practices from Earth spiritual tradition, and the Celtic fire festivals to celebrate and sync with the season’s gifts.
Sunny Brow Farm’s close proximity and connection to nature beautifully hold each retreat. Suzy-Anne and her team create space within this holding, using Yin and Hatha yoga, breathwork, earth spiritual practice, loving self-enquiry, natural and elegant cuisine, ritual and ceremony, cacao, drum, sound, and movement.
Woven with careful thought from over 10 years’ experience of running retreats, the itinerary is full and ample, yet inclusive of personal space for your own adventures. Each yoga medicine session will become bespoke for the group gathered and can suit beginner or advanced practitioners.
The key turning points of the year are amazing gateways that we can move through with conscious awareness to support all aspects of ourselves and our lives. Thresholds at each new cycle of the year, with the Earth and the Sun, are equally thresholds within ourself as we ebb and flow, change and grow. Celebrating the ancient Celtic fire festivals can bring a powerful focus to life through nature and these cycles. Understanding the flow and working with it consciously we can bring huge gifts and deeper understanding to our Earth journeys and our spiritual paths.
Epiphany - January
The turning of the year has always been a powerful time to let go of the old and bring in the new. This retreat is very near to Epiphany when the three magi brought their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Symbolic of the union of mind, body and soul, and as the light returns into the new year, you can use this magic to create a new ‘true’ you, connect to your authentic self and rebirth into the new year with this deeper alignment. A more embodied way to enhance any intentions present.
Imbolc – February
Imbolc is a celebration of life-force, which naturally fits so beautifully with yoga, ritual and meditation. In nature at Imbolc there is a spark, a beginning inhale, happening within the Earth. Moving forward from here is a springtime energy, and the light is returning more and more. The vibration is of inspiration and new beginnings; the spark of life is igniting. From yogic perspective if we connect to this, it can sync with the emergence of the kundalini energy ignited when practising yoga. Kundalini is the life force that moves through the body supporting awakening to Truth. Imbolc is a time to ignite, and a time to heal by reclaiming what has been forgotten. A time for inspired leaps of faith and finding and expressing what is held deep within.
Spring Equinox – March
At Spring Equinox, the vibrancy and fullness is beginning to ignite even more. A notable shift occurs in the air as the energy begins to draw more strongly towards Spring. There is a renewed freshness in and around us. We can shed stronger light, and sit consciously at this balance point, with the things that are ready to pass, and that which is ready to rebirth. At the Equinox’s the night and day are once again equal in length. This gives exciting opportunity to invite balance within your own energy system, a key part of the yogic philosophy. To find balance of stillness and manifestation. An opportunity to explore your sun and moon energies, the inner and outer world of yourself. This balance in nature fits beautifully with the essence of a deeper yoga practise of balancing the mental and active sides of ourselves.
Beltane – May
The risen vibrant Spring energy, in its fullness, can help us open to new situations and make choices to allow a shift and growth in our lives; to enrich and help us take another step in our evolution and consciousness. We can always use the cycle of the year to empower ourselves by connecting and allowing the energy around us to consciously flow within. Beltane is a fiery time and an opportunity to open to your wildest dreams. What would you like to ignite, or give more life to? What do you want to fire up this year?
Summer Solstice - June
Summer solstice is a time to celebrate the fullness of yourself in this the lightest part of the year. What have you gathered during this rising and vibrant period, and what do you wish to celebrate about yourself? This time of year can help open the heart to all that you are. The days are at their longest, the nights are at their shortest, and from this moment on they will begin to turn back the other way. In the Summer Solstice we can honour the cycle of all things in the natural world, including ourselves and our lives. It is a moment to pause. To reflect back to the Winter Solstice and acknowledge all that has happened in the last 6 months, and to celebrate all you have achieved and gathered. It is a time to look ahead to the new cycle that is about to begin. It is a time to honour the light and dark within ourselves, our inner and outer world, our sun and moon. From here we can open to any transformation that this can bring.
Autumn Equinox - September
Autumn Equinox can be a great time to celebrate what has come to fruition for you this year, or within wider cycles of your life. You can enquire into this from within physical, mental, emotional and/or the spiritual aspects. At the Autumn Equinox the night and day are once again equal in length. This gives exciting opportunity to explore and invite balance within your own energy system. To find balance of stillness and manifestation, form and formlessness, Shakti and Shiva. Equinox is an opportunity to explore your sun and moon energies, yin and yang, and the inner and outer world of yourself. This balance in nature fits beautifully with the essence of a deeper yoga and earth spiritual practise.
Samhain – November
Samhain is the end and beginning of the Celtic new year, with potential rebirth in the death and darkness around. This is a time to honour the power and importance of the dark, rather than feel in fear of it. And using it as a gift of mysterious transformative energy. The regenerative power of this time of year can often be overlooked as we rush onwards in outward energies. This retreat can be to take time to rest and replenish in the darkness of the year and tuning in to the inward place inside ourselves. A place to reflect, to connect, to deepen our inner wisdom and find clarity and seeds for the new cycle. Embracing dark, endings, and therefore new beginnings we can remove the fears of this part of the cycle as we fully replenish ourselves.
Winter Solstice – December
Being at the depths of the dark, yet with the energy shifting to become more and more light, we can bring seed and focus to what we wish to show to the light. Our inner wisdom has chance to come from the unconscious into the light. It is a time to birth visions and dreams and make vows for the year. It is a perfect time to come into alignment with our true selves and as the shift happens from dark to light, we can use the energy of this as a chance for rebirth. The retreat will bring this into focus, and by using a deep connection to each of our senses, a rebirth from a centred place of embodied presence has potential. As well as yoga and shamanic practises we will work with a wider tool kit of sound healing, touch, somatic movement, crystal healing, taste and plant spirit essences.
Daily schedule
Monday
- 15:00 Arrival starts - Please aim to arrive by 16:30 at the latest, as Suzy loves to start with everyone
- 17:00 - 19:30 Yoga medicine opening ceremony
- 19:45 Dinner
Tuesday
- 08:30 Optional breakfast energy ball
- 09:00 - 11:00 Yoga medicine
- 11:15 Brunch
- 12:30 - 16:30 Inclusive massage / enjoy a walk
- 14:00 Afternoon snack available at Old Dairy
- 17:00 - 19:00 Yoga medicine
- 19:15 Dinner
Wednesday
- 08:15 Breakfast
- 09:00 - 12:30 Yoga medicine - cacao ceremony
- 12:45 Lunch
- 13:00 - 16:30 Inclusive massage / extras / enjoy a walk
- 15:00 Afternoon snack available at Old Dairy
- 17:00 - 18:30 Yoga Medicine Breathwork Ceremony
- 19:00 Dinner
Thursday
- 08:30 Optional breakfast energy ball
- 09:00 - 11:00 Yoga medicine
- 11:15 Brunch
- 13:00 - 16:30 Space for extras / enjoy a walk
- 14:00 Afternoon snack available at Old Dairy
- 17:00 - 19:00 Yoga medicine
- 19:15 Dinner
Friday
- 08:30 - 09:00 Yoga medicine closing ceremony
- 09:15 Breakfast
- 10:30 Departure
The itinerary may vary slightly for each yoga medicine retreat at different times of the year and will have differences within what is included in each session to allow for the gifts of each season.
Included excursions
The itinerary shows all the inclusive sessions on-site. Yoga medicine retreats do not offer any facilitated off-site excursions, but due to the location in the Lake District, many people choose to do their own hikes and / or wild swims. They can give recommendations for this if you wish for some.
Instructors
Suzyanne Saunders
Suzyanne is the owner and manager of Sunny Brow Farm Holistic Retreats. In 2010 together with her husband, they bought a derelict Cumbrian farm, and self-renovated it into a retreat centre and family home. Suzy-Anne is passionate about spiritual development. She is a professional yoga teacher since 2004, shamanic practitioner, inner dance facilitator, breathwork practitioner, 'All Nations’ sweat lodge water-pourer, holistic therapist and Reiki master; and also, a blessed mum of three beautiful souls. She is always adding to her skill set and this year is undertaking a Rose Priestess Path.
Retreat location
Sunny Brow Farm is a beautifully renovated old Cumbrian farm, set within the hills and dales of the Lake District National Park. This allows easy access to the lakes, rivers, forests, villages, and beautiful hikes within the stunning South Lake District.
Sunny Brow Farm itself is nestled in the dale near Black Fell, with streams, sheep pasture land, and woodland directly on the doorstep. Being in such close proximity to nature is such a gift for a quiet and natural stay.
The nearest village is Hawkshead (five-minute drive), and the nearest small town is Ambleside (10-minute drive).
Unique features
Activities
- Massage
General
- Dining area
- Environmentally friendly
- Fireplace
- Garden
- Kitchen
Services
- Wedding
This Yoga Retreat is vegetarian-friendly
Click to see more vegetarian-friendly Yoga Retreats
Food
Sunny Brow Farm's food ethos is to nourish the body with natural, elegant, and really tasty plant-based cuisine. A love of seasonal, organic, homegrown, and wild foods from nature’s garden influences their menus.
Using inspiration from these elements, they consciously plan and prepare the menus for the retreats. The menus are always seasonal to allow for a deeper connection to nature’s gifts at each time of year.
Their approach is rooted in macrobiotic principles, emphasising gut health through healthy plant-based foods, whole grains, and optimum preparation methods like fermentation. They prioritise a rich variety of vegetables and predominantly unprocessed, plant-based ingredients.
Sunny Brow Farm maintains a fully gluten-free and refined sugar-free menu. While their focus is primarily on plant-based foods, they occasionally incorporate natural organic yoghurt and farm-fresh eggs. They pride themselves on catering for all food intolerances at no extra cost to the guest.
On retreat, everyone will enjoy meal times around a large oak table at their Old Dairy barn, a social space to enjoy like-minded fellow retreat guests, and the gifts of foods cooked, prepared, and served with love. They serve two large eclectic meals each day, plus a lighter breakfast, and afternoon tea snacks are also available.
The following meals are included:
- Brunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Tea
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Gluten Free
- Organic
- Lactose Free
- Whole food
- Ayurvedic
Things to do (optional)
- Book an extra treatment from the spa list below
- Cosy down in your barn living space - maybe in front of a fire -with a book (there is a yoga / holistic book library if you wish to read) and a cup of tea or cacao (extra costs for logs and cacao)
- Enjoy Lakeland walk / hike (varying from easy to more challenging)
- Wild swimming locally
- Enjoy a trip to Sacred Essence, a wonderful local shop (10-minute drive) selling great holistic goods
- Enjoy a trip to Hawkshead village, Ambleside, Windermere, or Coniston
Spa treatments
On your retreat, one of the holistic massages is included per person in the price (this can be swapped for Reiki should you wish to). There is also a selection of other additional treatments available to book at extra cost. The list for these is below.
Further information on each of these treatments is available in Sunny Brow Farm's retreat welcome pack and / or can be discussed in person when you are there.
- Extra holistic massage: 60 GBP / one hour
- Hot stone massage ritual: 70 GBP / one hour
- Reflexology: 55 GBP / one hour
- Himalayan salt scrub massage: 65 GBP / one hour
- Ayurvedic massage: 60 GBP / one hour
- Indian head massage: 30 GBP / half-hour
- Ginger compress with back massage: 65 GBP / one hour
- Reiki: 60 GBP / one hour
- Soul healing: 60 GBP / one hour
- Soul reading: 65 GBP / one hour
- Transformational healing: 60 GBP / one hour
- Crystal healing: 60 GBP / one hour
- Macrobiotic / dietary consultation: 60 GBP / one hour
What's included
- 15 hours of facilitated sessions of yoga and Earth spiritual practises
- 1-hour inclusive massage
- 1 session that includes a cup of cacao
- Daytime space for walks exploring the amazing Lakeland countryside
- Full use of yoga equipment and access to yoga / holistic book collection
- 4 nights in beautiful five-star barn conversion accommodation with linen and luxury towels
- 2 large meals per day (brunch / lunch and dinner)
- Breakfast energy ball and afternoon tea snack
- Tea station with tea / coffee and eclectic herbal tea selection
- Tea, herbal infusions, and coffee
- 2 snack meals (breakfast and afternoon tea)
What's not included
- Transportation to / from the retreat
- Extra massages (available at extra charges)
- Extra cacao (available at an extra cost of 5 GBP per cup)
- Logs for log burners - a package of all that you need for a lovely fire (7.50 GBP with matches / kindling / firelighters and a bag of logs)
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Transfer not provided
Manchester Airport
125 km away from your destination
Transfer not provided
Newcastle Airport
111 km away from your destination
Driving directions from the M6
- Take exit 36 and head northwest towards Kendal and Windermere
- At Sizergh, the road becomes the A591, but keep driving straight ahead towards Kendal and Windermere
- You will pass Kendal and arrive at a large roundabout
- Take the second exit (straight on) towards Windermere
- When you arrive at Windermere, carry on following the A591 to Ambleside
- When you arrive on the outskirts of Ambleside (Waterhead), you will come to a junction with traffic lights
- Turn left here onto the A5059 Borrans Road, you will pass the Waterhead pub, and through a twisting section of roadway
- When the road straightens out, take the left-hand turning after the rugby club ground (signposted to Coniston and Hawkshead)
- Follow this road around to the bridge
- Turn left, going over the bridge
- You will now be on the A593
- After approximately one mile, take a left-hand turn onto the B5286 towards Hawkshead, driving over the Brathay bridge
- After approximately 1.5 miles, take a sharp right-hand turn; there will be a signpost there for The Drunken Duck Inn
- Drive up the hill and straight past the Drunken Duck Inn
- After 3/4 mile, the driveway to the farm will be on the right-hand side
Arrival by bus
From the Windermere train station, you can catch the 505 bus. If you are feeling adventurous, you can ask the driver to drop you at the junction for The Drunken Duck Inn and Sunny Brown Farm; it’ll be a short two-mile walk from there.
Please note that if you choose to use public transport to get there, not only will Sunny Brow Farm pick you up and drop you off in Hawkshead, but they will also pay for your first full day's bus pass (worth up to 22 GBP), which will give you unlimited travel within the Central Lakes Bus network.
Arrival by train
The nearest train station is in Windermere. From Windermere’s train station, you can use local transportation to reach Hawkshead Village. Free of charge transfer from Hawkshead Village is available upon request, but you will have to call or email Sunny Brow Farm at least two weeks prior to your arrival to arrange this.
On your departure, they will take you to Hawkshead Village too.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 14% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
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