Retreat: The Art of Making Space

Image: April in Finland by Underthesun. Featured Image: Heart by Angela, both on Flickr.
Retreat: breathe
release
on the mat, the body unfurls
muscles relax.
Integrate
no mind needed
in gentle creative process.
The subtle spaciousness that comes
as we walk in nature
appreciate presence
dance with life
ourselves
the sweetness of being.
Breath expands
heart sighs.
A remembering.
Hello again, Home.

Brown paper packages tied up with string: Creative Practice with Alice Flynn
Why retreat?
To retreat is to make space, take space in which you can move through your own process, whatever that may be, in a safe, held and nurturing environment.
Each retreat is different and participants come seeking different things. Some come to meet themselves, to re-connect to their heart, self, art or path. Some come to see themselves anew, beyond self-imposed labels or the structures of roles of the everyday. Some come to rest, to let go, to explore, to re-energise. Some come with a specific intention while others come simply out of curiosity.
Retreats are always transformative. People arrive in one state and leave changed, often lighter, often feeling ‘more themselves’ again. This is the gift of retreat. These days and residentials are my favourite offerings. They are gentle and powerful all at once. Depth and delight arise naturally through the flow of the day.
Each of my retreats begins with body-based practice: movement, dance or yoga. Through movement we deepen our inner listening and move from ‘living in the head’ to feeling more embodied and present. Space is created naturally, we hold onto emotions and thoughts a little less, we allow life to move through us, as us.
Next, we move deeper into the flow state as we rest in nature, this might involve a meditation outside, a nature walk or simple connection with the elements. Grounded in presence, from an expanded awareness, and in deep contact with our creative spirit, we then create. All the while, an inner processing, rejuvenating or resting may be happening. We’re in flow.
The benefits of the day are then often even more fully received through deep relaxation or symbolic practice or sharing. We remember why we came and bow deeply to our honouring of our needs, for the self-care we have shown ourselves, which will radiate out into our daily lives.
This spring I am offering one retreat day in Southbourne-by-the-sea on Saturday 18th March. and, with artist and facilitator Louisa Clark, an overnight residential Women’s Wellbeing retreat in Dorset on Saturday 29th April – Sunday 30th April.
To book, please contact me via hello@alice-flynn.com or call 07398665212.
Space, nurturance and love,
Alice x
Full event details:
Bloom: A Spring Retreat Day of Creativity and Yoga
with Alice Flynn
A rejuvenating day of allowing: experience the restorative power of following your instincts, curiosity and delight in movement, creativity and life.
Saturday 18th March 2017
10am – 4pm
£60
Includes a nutrutious vegetarian lunch and tasty, healthful afternoon tea and all craft materials.
As we move into spring we ourselves begin to change with the seasons. During this day-long retreat we will support the internal shift of our energies through nurturing yoga, meditation, freeform movement and nature-inspired spring creative practices.
Aligning with seasonal spring clearing, we will explore the quality of spaciousness through hatha yoga and organic movement, welcoming a natural unwinding and release of habitual structures and movement patterns within the physical body. Through restorative Yin yoga postures we will also support deep release at the emotional and energetic levels.
From a place of grounded rest we will attune to our instinctual impulses further as we explore our own creative expression through a craft-based creative practice. When we allow ourselves the pleasure of following our curiosity, being guided by our delight, we replenish ourselves on all levels. We are in the flow and we feel our fullness.
Our day will close with time for reflection, integration and body-centred relaxation. A simple, nutritious vegetarian lunch and afternoon tea will be provided during the retreat day, ensuring you will feel nourished on all levels.
No yoga or creative experience necessary. All welcome.
Booking is essential as numbers are limited to a small and intimate group, creating a safe and sacred container for the retreat.
When: Saturday 18th March 2017, 10AM – 4PM
Where: Boscombe Overcliff
Exchange: £60 inclusive of all food, herbals teas and craft materials
What to bring: a water bottle, journal, blanket and yoga mat if you have them. Mats and blankets also available to borrow on the day.
What to wear: wear comfy clothes you can stretch in, layers for warmth. Please bring a raincoat and shoes suitable for a walk in nature.
Booking is essential. To confirm your place please contact Alice Flynn on 07398 665212 or via messenger or hello@alice-flynn.com

The Heart of Our Mandala. Spring Retreat 2016 with Louisa and Alice
A Women’s Wellbeing Retreat: Celebrating life through Nature, Yoga & Creativity
With Alice Flynn and Louisa Clark
Celebrate the blossoming of spring into summer and the fullness of our feminine essence.
11am Saturday 29th to 2pm Sunday 30th April 2017
Monkton Wyld Court, Charmouth, Dorset
£175
Includes all accommodation, healthful vegetarian food and arts materials
Join us this April as we celebrate the blossoming of spring into summer and the fullness of our feminine essence. During this women’s retreat, we will connect deeply to our aliveness and the nurturing energies of nature, connection and renewal.
Linking to Beltane, the celebration of new life and growth, this retreat offers a chance to replenish your energy levels and tend to the fire within. We will rest in our own presence and fullness as women through meditation, movement – including restorative yoga and freeform dance – nourishing creative practices such as mandala making, and rejuvenating time in nature.
This overnight retreat offers practices that will support a gentle falling away of the rules and roles we wear daily allowing you to reconnect to your essence and deeply restful state, which may get ‘covered up’ in the busyness of everyday life. All practices will be simple, supportive and nurturing and are suitable for all. All sessions are also optional, to allow you the flexibility to follow your rhythms and instinct to rest or spend time alone or in nature as you feel to.
Our venue, Monkton Wyld Court, is a beautiful country house and grounds in the heart of Dorset. Comfortable accommodation and delicious vegetarian foods are included.
We hope you can join us for this rejuvenating spring retreat.
Facilitators
This Women’s Wellbeing Retreat will be facilitated by Alice ‘Lila’ Flynn and Louisa ‘Luna’ Clark, two creative yogis with a love of nature.
Alice ‘Lila’
Alice is a creativity facilitator, writer, yoga teacher and bodyworker based in Bournemouth,
Dorset. Alice’s professional practice has grown from, and is rooted in, her ten years’
experience in working within movement, arts education, theatre, writing and facilitation. At the heart of her work are embodied movement and creative play for adults – accessible practices that nurture deeper presence, connection and self-expression. She runs creativity and yoga retreat days, workshops and private sessions. See details at www.alice-flynn.com
Louisa ‘Luna’
Louisa is an arts educator, workshop facilitator, and yoga teacher based in Dorset. Working in community arts and natural healing for the past 15 years, she aims to help increase wellbeing and connection through creativity. Louisa is also passionate about the healing power of nature, inspiring studies in Herbalism & indigenous cultures. She is the co-creator of ‘Wild Soul’ and ‘Wild Kids’, which offer nature retreats and events for adults and children, see details at www.facebook.com/
Price & bookings:
Places are limited to 12 women to ensure a nurturing circle and sacred container for our time together.
Cost of retreat (which includes accommodation, delicious food and all materials): £175
To secure your place, please pay a non-refundable deposit of £50 or the full retreat fee via this link: www.paypal.me/
Once the deposit has been paid we will contact you to confirm your place on the retreat.
The final instalment of £125 is due by 3rd April 2017.
Contact us:
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions. We can be reached on:
Alice – hello [at] alice-flynn [dot] com / 07398 665212
Louisa louisajclark [at] outlook [dot] com / 07870 596608
Practicalities:
Clothing & comfort
Please bring easy, comfortable clothes for yoga / movement and our creative sessions. We want you to rest well and feel cosy on this retreat so do also bring house slippers, layers to stay warm, and any shawls or blankets and a cushion to sit on. Wellies and a torch may also be useful.
Please also bring a yoga mat if you have one, (although we will have mats available to borrow over the weekend.)
The venue:
Monkton Wyld Court, Charmouth, Dorset, DT6 6DQ
Accommodation
All bedding is provided. Shared accommodation. All bedrooms have electric heaters but please do bring warm layers and blankets if wanted. Toilets and shower facilities are available on both residential floors. Once you have paid for the retreat, we will be in touch to coordinate accommodation with you.
Food
Monkton serve vegetarian food, using organic and locally sourced produce including their own whenever they can. Visitors help themselves to breakfast: porridge oats, muesli, toast, spreads, and eggs from the hens which are usually available.
Lunch and supper are cooked and served by the Monkton Wyld staff team. Lunch tends to be a light meal of soup, salad and bread. Supper is the main meal and includes dessert. Snacks, fresh fruit and hot drink-making facilities are always available with a range of herbal teas and coffee.
Getting there:
Arriving by Train
The nearest train station is Axminster, which is on the Waterloo-Exeter line. The journey time is between 2½ and 3 hours from London or 40 minutes from Exeter. From Axminster station (a distance of roughly 4 miles), Monkton recommend that you book a taxi in advance: try Axminster Taxis on 01297 34000 or Graham on 01297 489857. Alternatively, take the Weymouth-bound 31 bus from Axminster Station to Raymonds Hill, and from there it’s a forty minute walk. Ensure you consult a map first! It may be possible that we can pick you up from the station, please contact us in advance to coordinate this.
Arriving by Car
If you are coming by car, Monkton Wyld is just half a mile off the A35 road between Charmouth and Axminster and our entrance is directly opposite Monkton Wyld’s St Andrews Church. Average journey time from London is 4 hours and from Bristol 2 hours. We highly recommend car-sharing as parking spaces are limited (and it’s more sustainable).
Please do let Alice or Louisa know if you’d like to offer or take up a car-share space.