Yoga & Walking with the Alexander Technique

Time for you to take a pause...

A time to stop and evaluate what you're doing and where you're going. The escape is a collaboration of women who share the same values and are also passionate about sharing their time and skills in a whole variety of ways. This holiday combines Yoga with walking with the Alexander Technique.

Spaces are limited. It's advisable to get in touch and book early.

Call Anita on 07585 974323 or email anita@surfsister.co.uk to register your interest.

Brathay Hall

“Excellent teaching, thought the yoga and Alexander technique were a excellent blend.”

The Retreat

A typical day will begin with an energising yoga practice, followed by a mindful walk applying some of the principals of The Alexander Technique. At the end of the day you'll be nourished with gentle flowing and restorative yoga with guided meditation or yoga nidra. Of course, space will always be created for sharing, talking, music, laughter...or simply silence or rest if that's what you need. 

The weekend escape allows you time to review what’s important and to make decisions about the things you'd like to start doing and the things you may need to stop doing.

A time to re-connect with yourself and nature, enjoy sumptuous and wholesome foods, make new friends, relax deeply and return home with fully charged batteries.

All levels are welcome, from beginners to more advanced yoginis.

What To Expect

• 5/6 yoga sessions to frame your days 
• 2 guided walks (incorporating the Alexander Technique)  
• Experienced yoga teacher, Jacqui, and international mountain leader, Anita
• Free time to unwind, relax, read a book, or just to do your own thing
• Delicious food, teas and coffee
• Homemade cake
• Fun, laughter and meeting new friends

The Venue

Late autumn in the Lake District can one of the most beautiful times to experience its splendour…What a lovely thing to look forward to!

Brathay Hall

Brathay Hall Trust is a children’s charity situated on the northern tip of Lake Windermere in the heart of the Lake District and set in 360 acres of mature woodland and rolling pasture.  Once experienced, you’ll begin to understand why and how it has inspired artists and poets throughout history. Visitors to the hall and its impressive gardens in bygone days include Wordsworth, Constable and Coleridge.

The hall is situated in Clappersgate, one mile from the village of Ambleside, Cumbria. The closest train station is Windermere (approximately 3 miles), just a short line from Oxenholme mainline station. Buses or taxis run from Windermere regularly.

Yoga

The yoga sessions are to suit all levels and will either energise, strengthen and warm up the body, or relax, restore and stretch out tired muscles after hours spent walking. The pace is gentle, slow and mindful, inviting you to embrace your individuality and curiosity to develop body awareness.

Yoga with Jacqui

Embodied yoga is based on sensory experience – you are not in competition with others or there to challenge yourself to the point of exhaustion! Our aim is to empower and guide your practice to help you find freedom within your body and to explore your practice both on and off the mat.

Visit www.yogasapien.co.uk to find out more about Jacqui.

Practice Space:

Our space for practicing is a light and airy converted barn and just a 2-minute walk from the main hall.

In the light of the current Covid situation, it’s advisable to bring your own mats, blankets and props. There will be some spares on hand (sanitised of course) just in case, so don’t worry about that.

“Jacqui’s ability to read the room and adjust her teaching practise to suit a variety of needs and feelings at the time is intuitive and perceptive and something I have not found in yoga for a long time...”

Walking with The Alexander Technique

Mindful walking through woods, up craggy footpaths and managing descents that we might find a challenge…enjoy the benefits of walking without undue wear and tear, and the stress and strain on joints and muscles.

Widely recognised as one of the most effective self-help techniques for posture and awareness, the “thinking in action” helps us to let go of habitual tension, so that more energy is available for the sheer enjoyment of simply putting one foot in front of the other, and appreciating the wonderful mountain environment.

If you do have walking poles, bring them along. We can spend some time exploring how we might use them more effectively to further reduce wear and tear on the knees. Or if you are considering using them in the future, we’ll have a few spare pairs if you’d like to try them out.

Learn the Alexander Technique with Anita

Walking level

The walking level is perfect if you love longer low-level walks, or if you’re new to walking, but already do some form of exercise fairly regularly. We are unlikely to climb higher than 450 m (1500 feet) and no longer than 9 miles, with less distance on Sunday. Saturday will be a longer walk, (approximately 4 hours) enjoying more time for a picnic lunch and/or a stop in one of the Lake District’s scenic cafés. On that day, there will also be flexibility to catch a bus back half way, for those who prefer more time to shop or simply relax.

“Anita’s boundless energy and zest for movement and life in itself, is energising and refreshing.”

Typical weekend schedule

FRIDAY

• 16:00 Arrivals/welcome/tea and home-made cake
• 17:30 Gentle evening yoga practice
• 19:00 Dinner
• 20:30 Introduction to the Alexander Technique and relaxation practise

SATURDAY

• 07:30 Morning vinyasa yoga flow
• 09:00 Breakfast
• 10:00 Walking with The Alexander Technique (take packed lunch)
• 15:00 Free time, including drinks and home-made cake
• 17:30 Evening nurturing yoga practice
• 19:00 Dinner
• 20:30 Yoga nidra/meditation

SUNDAY

• 07:30 Morning vinyasa yoga flow
• 09:00 Breakfast
• 10:00 Walking with The Alexander Technique (take packed lunch)
• 15:00 Free time, including drinks and home-made cake
• 17.30 Evening nurturing yoga practice
• 19:00 Dinner
• 20:30 Fire ceremony/Yoga nidra/chill

Monday

• 07:30 Morning vinyasa yoga flow
• 09:00 Breakfast
• 10:00 Applying Alexander Technique into daily life and/or free time
• 13:00 Lunch
• 14:00 Departures and good-byes

(All activities are optional and subject to change)

Meals:

Meals are to suit all diets, including gluten and dairy free diets and any medical allergies. However, we regret that we are unable to cater for personal preferences or complicated special diets.

Dining Room

The Rooms:

Brathay’s comfortable bedrooms are all en-suite and are located in and around the main hall. Most rooms have free wi-fi (except for the Scafell lodges), flat screen TVs, and tea and coffee-making facilities.

Loughrigg rooms are a block of cosy single woodland rooms with their own carpark.

Loughrigg Room

Helvellyn rooms are newly refurbished twins in the Georgian splendour of Brathay Hall

Helvellyn Room

Scafell lodges are the most spacious rooms and enjoy an extra touch of luxury, situated a stone’s throw away from the main hall.

Scafell

If you’re lucky, you might also spot wild deer when you’re gazing out of your bedroom window!

For more information on rooms, please visit Brathay’s website: www.brathay.org.uk