Our Programmes

Rest and Restore Day Retreat

11th January 2025

Facilitator: Mel Skinner

Recover from the strains of Christmas, and surrender to the need for deep rest on this winter’s retreat day. The day will include nourishing and gentle yoga techniques including restorative yoga and yoga nidra, as well as time to contemplate the rhythm of winter, and connect with a quieter, intuitive heart-felt part of ourselves. All are welcome.

Event time: 11th January 2025 9:30am - 4:00pm

Interested in spreading the cost of this course? Select Clearpay at checkout.

Not seeing Clearpay? Email info@hawkwoodcollege.co.uk for your payment options.

What Is Included

For the majority of our courses, both residential and non-residential rates are available. Residential options are fully inclusive with all meals provided. Non-residential options include suppers, lunches and all refreshments and exclude B&B. Some of our short day courses, events and talks do not include meals and refreshments. For more details about this course, please see the Practical Information section below.

Additional Activities

Mindful walking through our woodland trails
Meditate in our Woodland Sanctuary
Go on a hike and explore the Cotswolds AONB
Discover surrounding charming market towns

At a Glance

Practice restorative yoga to soften the body and create space for the breath
Rest deeply with soothing yoga nidra
Feel inspired, rested and nourished by poetry, nature and a a sense of connection

What You Will Gain

An understanding of how to use your breath to regulate your nervous system
How yoga can be used as a tool of self-inquiry
Deepen your connection to the season of winter, and explore the idea of having an “inner winter”
A more contemplative mindset bring greater perspective and understanding

Booking Options

DayDay delegate rate

Sold out

£110.00

Interested in spreading the cost of this course? Select Clearpay at checkout.

Not seeing Clearpay? Email info@hawkwoodcollege.co.uk for your payment options.

Rest and Restore Day Retreat Tutors

Melanie Skinner

More about Rest and Restore Day Retreat

You are warmly invited to start 2025 from a more rested, peaceful place. The retreat day will help you become more aware of your body, breath, mind and heart, and to help you connect more wholly with the metaphysical symbolism of winter.

Hosted by experienced yoga teacher and retreat leader Mel Skinner, the day will begin with restorative yoga. Restorative yoga is a slow, soft and accessible form of yoga postures which are designed to take the body out of fight-flight-freeze and into a more restful place of being. Using props to support the body, we remove as much effort as possible so that we feel safe and held, and able to breathe once again.

This session is followed by morning tea and homemade goodies, and then we will spend the late morning in an outdoor creativity meditation. This will be weather dependent, but is likely to include spending time in the beautiful grounds and woodlands of Hawkwood, contemplating the light, colour and feel of ‘outer winter’, before returning to the warmth and comfort of the indoors to experience yoga nidra designed to help you journey deeply into the depths of your own ‘inner winter’, honouring your need to retreat and go inward.

After this follows lunch, then in the afternoon you are invited to bring a source of inspiration, or something which represents winter to you. This could be a poem, prose, piece of art, song, or an object. This session is collaborative, and a wonderful way to create a feeling of community and connection in a safe, supportive space. After this session we enter into a final yoga nidra practice, and end with afternoon tea.

Practical Information

Participants to bring yoga equipment (please see list below). Please also bring a journal/notebook, pen, and any poetry/readings they would like to share with the group.
- yoga mat
- yoga bolster (can substitute with pillows)
- yoga bricks and blocks x2 each (can substitute with pillows)
- blankets for warmth - 2-3 is ideal
- yoga strap
- eye pillow
- cushion for head
Note: Mel can provide some equipment, please email direct at mel@melskinneryoga.com to request equipment. Mel will also have blankets to sell

“Mel is a wonderful, empathetic and skilled yoga teacher. She also sets an inclusive and non-judgmental, non-competitive environment, which is not always the case in the world of yoga.”

Barbara, previous participant

About Hawkwood

Hawkwood is a stunning Grade Il listed 19th Century country house, surrounded by 42 acres of sustainably managed woodland, farmland, and gardens. Set in the heart of the Cotswolds - an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - it is a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. With a diverse selection of nearly 150 courses, there's plenty to choose from, including courses in transformative leadership, future thinking, inner life, music and the arts.

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