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We are very fortunate to live in such a peaceful part of the world, sandwiched in a little village called Combe Martin, between the Atlantic Ocean and Exmoor National Park.
The valley of Combe Martin has always attracted interesting folk, there has been an ashram here since the 60's, established by wanderers returning from the hippy trail to Asia, and this place, still known as 'The Ashram' is the site for our retreat today. This three night escape runs from Friday afternoon until Monday morning. Unlike many retreats we do not want to clock up masses of air miles flying people abroad. We live in a beautiful and hidden spot of our own. The focus is the experience, the community, the sharing - you won't find super plush accommodation or five star dining but you will find a magical house with an incredible energy, masses of books and cushions, a huge open communal space, healthy home-cooked food and a family atmosphere as you join our little yoga like water crew for the weekend. |
Where and WhenOur three night retreat in 2019 will be held at the'The Ashram' as it is still known in the village (a.k.a. Wild Pear Centre). It is a simple place, formerly the village dancehall and has a wonderful oak sprung floor to practice on and accommodates guests in simple shared rooms. It has a wonderful communal area and is just a few minute walk from Exmoor and range of beaches, some of them often deserted.
Over the years it has been a temporary and longer-term home to innumerable passing thinkers, hippies, travellers, yoga teachers and meditators, all of whom have left behind a very special energy about the place along with endless shelves of books. Our retreat in 2019 will be held from the evening of 13th September to the morning of the 16th. The Atlantic ocean is just five minutes walk from the ashram and is at its very warmest in September, having had all summer to absorb the heat and we can have some absolutely stunning days-the sun sets bang in the middle of Combe Martin Bay and by kayak it isn't unusual to see harbour porpoises and seals in the bay. Getting to us is half the fun! Its when you realize how separate from the rest of the world we are down here you'll be amazed that we are barely 250 miles from London. We are a 4 hour drive from London, 2 hours from Bristol, trains run to Tiverton Parkway in just 2 hours from London or an hour from Bristol from where you can arrange a group taxi for the final hour of the journey or alternatively make your way to Barnstaple via Exeter and get a bus through the Devon Countryside. We will add everyone to a facebook group so that you can plan your grand adventure together and share petrol/taxis/stories on the way :) |
What to do.....Standard to our ethos, we are totally easy as whether you attend any sessions that we run or prefer to stay in bed/go for a walk/drink tea and read a book.
Each full day, for anyone that wants to participate Dan will run four hours of sessions ranging from movement, functional breathing and meditation through to lucid dreaming, flow state theory and cold dips in the sea! All firmly rooted in our organic and intuitive approach to life. On the first evening and last morning there will be an hour mixed session. We hope that you will make the most of the surrounding area while you are here. There are breathtaking walks to be had! We are designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and are also on the South West Coast Path. We are the only village in Britain with an actual mountain rising out of the sea!), surfing, stand up paddle-boarding, coasteering (jumping off of cliffs into the sea) snorkelling or freediving and kayaking right on our doorstep. Plenty of deserted coves and giant caves to spend time in, totally isolated from the world with nothing but your thoughts. the surf beaches of Woolacombe are just a 15 minute drive, the deserted beach of Broadsands or 'Little Thailand' as the locals know it is a 5 minute drive or a 30 minute walk and then there is the Wild Pear beach itself, totally inaccessible except by foot. It seems a rare thing in the UK these days to find a place so near to civilization but where you can so easily slip away to a totally isolated spot and find time for yourself. Through the facebook group we will help you to arrange whatever equipment hire lessons or massage treatments that you are interested in and all through the local surf / SUP instructors, hire shops and coasteering groups that we know well thereby supporting our own local community. |
Community & Investment10We are currently running all sorts of fundraising activities at the moment with the eventual goal of raising enough capital to invest in a piece of land here in North Devon that can be used for all sorts of community projects from wellbeing to permaculture, community gardening and youth education.
North Devon is stunningly beautiful but aside from tourism there are few opportunities for the local community and it is surprisingly very economically deprived. Community spaces are very rare around here and are a desperately needed resource. Costs are simple and we try to keep it affordable to everyone:
We ask for a non-refundable payment of £175 upon booking to reserve your place. The balance is due within a month of the retreat start date. We also offer a 10% Earlybird discount to all deposits take before the end of June. NB: All prices include a buffet style breakfast and lunch and a cooked meal each evening as well as the session provided by Dan or Gemma. Extra activities, massages etc are at extra cost and paid directly to the local suppliers. Beds are all futon style; sheets, pillowcases and pillows are provided but you will need to bring a duvet or sleeping bag |