Wintering Retreat: Purely Practice, Herefordshire
Nov 28 – 30, 2025
YOGA, MEDITATION, SILENT WALKS,
RESTORATION, NOURISHMENT, TRANQUILI
This 3 day Wintering Retreat is designed to align you with the seasonal teachings of Ayurveda for body, mind and heart, inviting you to slow down and reconnect with your inner self during the tranquil winter months through focused Yoga and meditation practice.
This immersive experience offers meditative yoga classes that encourage deep rest and stillness, allowing you to release the stress of daily life. Guided meditations will help you cultivate mindfulness, while sacred chants create a harmonious atmosphere that elevates your spirit.
Enjoy the serenity of silent nature walks, where you can absorb the beauty of winter’s landscape, and savour delicious warming seasonal foods that nourish your body and soul.
Join us in this transformative weekend retreat and embrace the rejuvenating power of winter.
“My deepest wish for these retreats is that all participants leave inspired, and take home life-enhancing knowledge to support their health and happiness long after the retreat is finished”.
Sara
“I thoroughly enjoyed my week with you and very much appreciated your energy and enthusiasm, and indeed, your passion for Yoga and Ayurveda philosophy…I loved the way you taught us in your calm manner to meditate”
Jane Southworth, Oxford
Winter Retreat Itinerary
A gentle rhythm of the day — subject to refinement up to two weeks prior to the retreat
7:00am – Morning Meditation & Sacred Chant
Begin the day in stillness, welcoming the quiet beauty of Winter with breath and sound.
8:00am – Nourishing Breakfast
Warm, wholesome food to gently awaken the body.
10:00 – 11:30am – Hatha Yoga Practice
A mindful morning flowing practice to ground and align, attuned to the inward call of the season.
11:30am – Herbal Tea Ritual
Pause for a calming infusion, shared in silence or soft reflection.
12:00pm – Pre-Lunch Dharma Talk
Wisdom teachings to nourish the heart and mind.
1:00pm – Seasonal Vegan Lunch (Two Courses)
Delicious plant-based fare, lovingly prepared in harmony with the Winter season.
2:00pm – Spacious Free Time
Rest, walk in nature, read, or simply be. This is your time to restore.
4:00pm – Afternoon Tea & Light Snack
A gentle return to the day with something warm and comforting.
5:00pm – Gentle Yoga
A soft, embodied practice to unwind and settle into the evening.
6:30pm – Light Supper
Simple, seasonal food to close the day with care and balance.
8:30pm – Candlelit Meditation & Chant
Enter the quiet of the night with meditation and sacred sound by candlelight.
9:15pm – Goodnight Drink
A warm herbal cup to soothe you toward sleep.
10:00pm – Recommended Bedtime
Allow your body and mind to rest deeply in Winter’s embrace
Our Daily Practices
What’s Included:
Accommodation: 2 nights in shared, cozy accommodations with a shared bathroom. (Single accommodation available upon request for added privacy and comfort.)
Meals: Enjoy nourishing, seasonal vegan meals, including breakfast, lunch, and supper, with vegetarian options available. Morning and afternoon tea breaks are provided for moments of rest and reflection.
Yoga & Meditation: Two rejuvenating yoga sessions daily, carefully crafted to ground and restore you. You will also experience two peaceful meditation practices to deepen your connection to stillness.
Sacred Chant: Daily joyful sacred chant, uplifting the spirit and creating a sense of harmony and community.
Dharma Talk: One insightful pre-lunch dharma talk to inspire mindful living and enrich your retreat experience.
Nature Walks: Daily walks in the surrounding natural beauty, allowing time for quiet reflection and connection with the land
What’s Not Included:.
- Travel to and from venue.
- Sheets, duvet cover, pillow cases, and towel. Duvets and pillows are provided.
Who is this retreat for?
This retreat is for anyone seeking to slow down, reconnect, and deepen their practice in the stillness of winter. It is ideal for those who wish to immerse themselves in a peaceful environment and cultivate mindfulness, whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or new to yoga and meditation.
If you’re yearning for a break from the demands of daily life, in simple surroundings, and a chance to recharge in nature, this retreat offers the space to do so. Whether you’re looking to explore self-care through gentle yoga, enhance your meditation practice, or simply experience the calming energy of winter in a supportive community, this retreat welcomes you.
This weekend is perfect for those who are drawn to the quiet beauty of the season, who appreciate vegan, wholesome food, and who are eager to explore a deeper connection to both themselves and the world around them.
Accommodation and Food:
- Accommodation is basic on this retreat, and this is reflected in the retreat price.
- Rooms are mostly twin shared, with a few single rooms.
- There are rooms in the main house, and cabins in the gardens with heating.
- Bathrooms are shared.
- There is a bathroom in the main house and three bedrooms.
- There is a shower block in the grounds near the huts.
- Meals are prepared for us by a vegan chef.
- They are always vegan and seasonal, with the option to add ghee (clarified butter) to some meals at this time of year for non-vegans.
Your Retreat Host:
I’m Sara Palmer, also known as Shama, and I am the founder of Heart of Ayurveda. The English countryside holds a special place in my heart, and I have only recently discovered the peaceful beauty of Herefordshire. I am beyond excited to host this retreat in such a serene part of the world, especially during the Winter season.
As an Ayurveda practitioner, I’ve come to truly appreciate the unique gifts and messages each season offers. Winter, in particular, has become a season I cherish deeply: its soft light, its invitation to pause, reflect, and rest, and its call for stillness and introspection are elements I find deeply nourishing. It’s a season that encourages us to slow down and restore our energy, and I can’t wait to share this experience with you.
I am also a Senior Yoga Teacher, and my approach to yoga is one of gentle strength and profound healing. I believe the true power of yoga is found in the subtleties – in the way a posture, breath, or meditation can shift your energy and bring peace to your mind and body. My practice and teachings are always rooted in the wisdom of Ayurveda, which allows us to align more deeply with the rhythms of nature and the seasons.
On this retreat, we will explore yoga, breath, and meditation techniques that rejuvenate the body, calm the mind, and uplift the spirit. Each practice will be thoughtfully informed by Ayurvedic wisdom, particularly focusing on the Winter season and how we can best support our well-being through the colder months.
I truly believe that Yoga, the healing power of Mother Nature, and the joyful presence of dogs (yes, they always seem to know how to make us smile!) bring out the best in us. Two of these will be plentiful during our retreat, (my old rescue dog has to stay home I think this time!) helping us to build resilience, enjoy the season, and approach the upcoming months with a sense of balance and calm.
I’ve been teaching yoga for over 20 years, starting my journey at a residential yoga ashram in the Bahamas. From the very beginning, I was captivated by the transformative power of yoga, watching it change the lives of hundreds of people who came to the ashram seeking peace, healing, and connection.
My passion is to share this same transformative experience with you on retreat, in the gentlest and most respectful way. In my experience, less effort often leads to more release, renewal, and deep healing.
It would be my absolute honor to guide you through a weekend of Winter-season yoga and meditation here in the beautiful, tranquil Herefordshire countryside. I look forward to welcoming you to this nurturing space, where we can rest, reflect, and reconnect with ourselves and the natural world around us.
RETREAT INVESTMENT:
November 28 – 30, 2025
SHARED TWIN ROOMS:
Early Bird Fee
£397.00 paid in full by April 19th to secure your place.
OR
Two Payments of £213.00
One due on booking to secure your place.
Balance is due September 1st.
SINGLE ROOMS:
A limited number of single rooms are available on request.
Two payments of £295.00.
One payment due on booking to secure your place.
Balance is due September 1st.
PLEASE ENQUIRE ABOUT SINGLE ROOM AVAILABILITY BEFORE BOOKING
Please book a retreat call to ask all your questions and find out more about the retreat.
Arrival and Departure Times
Please aim to arrive by 3pm on Friday 28th November when we will welcome you with a warming tea and snack, before you settle into your room and prepare for the first practice session of the retreat.
Departure will be after lunch, approximately 3.00pm on Sunday 30th November.
The Venue
Our venue is Maitreya House, an established, dedicated Buddhist retreat centre. We are honoured to be given this venue for our weekend retreat. Simple as it is, it is a venue only for sincere sadhana (spiritual practice). The trustees of the house only offer it to those who will respect its purpose and values.
I am sure we can all be respectfully mindful of this during our stay. Maitreya House is located in the village of Lower Maescoed, which is about 10 miles from the towns of Abergavenny (Wales) and Hereford (England).
The centre’s address is:
Maitreya House, Lower Maescoed, Hereford HR2 0HP
Google maps locator: https://goo.gl/maps/3zTNbrXrDC6W4fea7
The location is very quiet and remote, in one of the most mature and unspoilt landscapes in Britain that is perfect for country walks.
The nearby villages of Ewyas Harold and Longtown have small shops.
The nearest railway stations are Hereford and Abvergavenny.
