Last weekend we hosted the first ‘Yoga Retreat’ at Rural Roosts!

My sister, Julie Nelstrop who is a qualified British Wheel of Yoga teacher, spent the weekend practising yoga with 11 students. The theme of the weekend was ‘senses’ and this was complemented by Julie’s daughter Holly who is studying Food and Nutrition at Sheffield Uni, cooking some truly delicious, wholesome meals and snacks throughout the weekend break.

The 11 guests arrived on Friday afternoon and got unpacked and settled into their lodges. That evening, they walked across to Barn Owl Cottage where the meals would be served and the yoga practice would take place. The first meal, prepared by Holly seemed to go down very well and then the guests continued to get to know each other over a game testing their senses. The senses was the overall theme of the weekend as Julie and Holly wanted to teach about how they could be improved through yoga as well as through food. The evening ended with a lovely relaxation to help the guests wind down after a busy week.

Breakfast was delivered to the guests in their lodges on Saturday morning so they could eat at their leisure when they were ready. Two hours of yoga took place in the morning before a lunch of different soups with carrot cake cookies for afters. Following lunch guests had a little free time for walking, relaxing in the hot tubs or maybe reading, this was followed by a further two hour yoga session in the afternoon. For dinner that evening, the guests were joined by Greg and Gina who following dinner conducted the evenings relaxation. Holly, Sophie (my daughter) and I were invited to join in a ‘Didgeridoo’ relaxation session. It was something we had never experienced before, slightly surreal but very powerful and relaxing.

On Sunday, breakfast was delivered to the lodges and practice started mid morning with a bare foot walking relaxation outside. Lunch consisted of a Quinoa and Roasted Vegetable Salad served with a Caramelised Onion, Spinach and Feta Quiche followed with Energy Balls and fruit for a sweet treat. Yoga practice followed again in the afternoon where the theme of the senses was wrapped up. Holly spoke after each meal of how people can improve their senses through the foods they eat. The evening meal was a Butternut Squash and Tofu Curry which Holly had learnt whilst travelling through Indonesia. A Chocolate Avocado Mousse was served for dessert which went down very well. The final evening was spent round the table with everyone chatting away. It was so lovely how the group all got to know each other and seemed to enjoy each others company over the weekend.

For the final morning breakfast, the guests came over to Barn Owl Cottage where Holly had prepared yet another delicious breakfast. Goodbyes were said and goodie bags handed out as the first retreat came to a close.

A huge ‘Well Done’ to Julie and Holly, a huge amount of planning and preparation went into the weekend and Julie has had some wonderful feedback from the guests who attended. We are all excited for future retreats, as this one seemed to have been a big success.

If you are interested and would like to find out more about the retreats that Julie and Holly are planning at Rural Roosts for next year, please see Julies website Julie’s Yoga. And for anyone interested in healthy eating, you can follow Holly’s great blog fruitloopfoodie !