The Art of Falling Retreat
APRIL 23rd- 25th 2021, Fowey, Cornwall, UK
Sometimes we stand at the edge of a beginning. We peer over, not knowing if we will fly or fall. Without learning the space between the jump and land, how can we trust it? How can we believe it’s a space of potential rather than just an unknown ‘in-between’ world.
Sometimes there are too many blocks in the way, too many voices both internally and externally that hold us back. What happens if we let ourselves land on the other side of that fear? What if we open up and examine those places within and without that we are scared to enter.
‘The Art of Falling’ is a Healing and Poetry retreat in which we unite the body and mind so to access greater creativity, expression and confidence. Here, we can enter into a space where possibility becomes limitless. Using the idea that in falling- in taking a leap and letting go- we are able to give into the magic of creation.
The Retreat
In this intimate and nurturing space we gather to explore language, expression and the body in unison, combining daily practises so to open and expand.
Starting with a morning of Vinyasa Flow Yoga and Mediation, in which the body is used as a pathway to our internal force, students are encouraged to turn inwards and find their own unique expression.
Followed by daily neuro- energetic body work sessions, which involve gentle, intentional and intuitive touch to the spine, muscles and energy centres. These sessions create a slowing down within the nervous system, softening the body into a deeper sense of safety, presence and awareness. It is within this space, that patterns of tension and emotion can release and be transformed into wisdom.
We all have a story and our own way of sharing it, using Creative Writing to explore the theme of ‘Falling’ as an avenue to come back to our bodies, use our voice and to examine the self. The afternoon of writing is aimed at bringing fear into the light and then moving through it. We will look at tools, technique and prompts for writing, as well as creation, editing and avenues to access greater ways to creatively soar. For those who have never taken pen to paper, self to stage, and for those more experienced but wanting to expand or explore other areas of creativity, these creative writing workshops combine group work with individual focus, making sure everybody has the chance to create something unique to them.
We believe, the more we enter both the body and heart, the more we understand the self. As a result, participants are able to leave the retreat feeling rested, inspired and able to live from a more expansive and limitless place. We aim to evoke deep feelings and care around how we use this practise to inspire us, how we can live a more connected existence, allowing us the freedom to make choices that better support our lives and in turn our spirit.
The retreat begins early evening of Friday 24th April and finishes late the afternoon of Sunday 26th, although you are welcome to stay in your chosen accommodation until Monday 27th at no extra charge.
It will be held in beautiful Cornwall, within an un-spoilt valley that sits just a mile from some of Cornwall’s most idyllic beaches and close to the Fowey River. We will use the power of the ocean within the retreat as a source of inspiration and celebration.
Accommodation consists of single or shared space, set within well equipped, heated Yurts or bedrooms within the main house. All needs can be accommodated for and we have plenty of rooms and space within the grounds.
In between the daily retreat sessions, there will be time for reflection, beaches, use of the hot tub, walks and simply enjoying the surrounding nature and tranquility.
We will supply all meals cooked by our wonderful chef Alice Von Kohler, including a BBQ on the Saturday evening and a chance to use the pizza oven so to make your very own pizzas.
Investment and Accommodation:
Price includes three Neuro-Energetic body work sessions, two afternoon workshops in creative writing and an evening poetry reading, two morning yoga classes and guided daily meditation blended with vocal sound healing, all food and drinks, use of hot tub.
Yurt cost based on three people sharing: Double bed £433 pp, Single bed £413 pp- SOLD OUT
Twin room in main house based on two people sharing, Single bed each: £463 pp- SOLD OUT
Single occupancy, main house, Double bed: £513- SOLD OUT
Single occupancy, Mongolian Yurt, Double bed: £513- SOLD OUT
Double bunk room, sharing with one other, main house: £400pp
For a couple sharing, Double annexe room, double bed, en-suite bathroom: £873
Single occupancy, Double annexe room, double bed, separate space, ensuite bathroom: £613
**Although the facilitated retreat finishes 4pm on Sunday 26th, you are very welcome to stay in your chosen accommodation an extra night, using all facilities at no additional cost. There will be no food provided once the retreat ends.
Yurts
Each of the 18ft Mongolian-style yurts are furnished with wooden floors, beds a chest of drawers, sumptuous feather duvets, bed linen and unique quilts alongside an outside wooden deck area with table and chairs. To keep you warm on cooler evenings there are wood burning stoves in each yurt to make your experience extra magical. The yurts are well spaced apart to give you privacy and seclusion so you won’t feel be disturbing anyone. Each yurt has its own authentic fire pit with a tripod stand so if you are feeling adventurous you can toast marshmallows under the stars at night. There are toilet and shower facilities.
Main House
A stunning converted barn made into a spacious house. With a 30ft open plan kitchen and living room furnished with a large farmhouse table, sofas and bean bags, the Barn has a large South facing gabled window looking out over a patio area and the fields beyond. The Long Barn has three bedrooms and two shower rooms, with lots of natural light and cosy furnishings making this a perfect place to rest and restore.
Facilitators
Meesh Denny
Meesh has blended together her nearly two decades of experience as an energetic and holistic Chiropractor, with learnings of Kinesiology, Energy Work, Soft Tissue Techniques, Acupressure, Chakra Work, Emotional Clearing and the Human Experience, to create hands on bodywork sessions that speak directly to your nervous system. Her sessions involve very gentle, intentional and intuitive touch to the spine and energy centres, to guide the body to drop unwanted patterns of tension and emotion.
She brings with her a depth of presence that evokes safety and remembering, allowing an opening and softening into self that ignites inner clarity and knowing.
Alongside her hands on neuro- energetic bodywork, she uses her powerful vocal expression, to channel soundscapes and meditations to help integrate powerful and lasting change.
Meesh is a gentle pathfinder, who leads from the heart of her embodied experience through her journey into self to find inner freedom.
Rebecca Tantony is a writer and facilitator fascinated by understanding the messy and wild human experience in greater depth. A poet and writer living and working in Bristol, England, she has read on the BBC, Radio Four, and was featured within The Guardian, who have described her writing as, 'Mesmerising.' In 2017 she received an MA in Creative Writing and a distinction for her final manuscript. She is the author of collections 'Talk You Round Till Dusk,' (Burning Eye, 2015) ‘All The Journeys I Never Took,’ (Burning Eye, 2017) and her third collection, funded by The Arts Council U.K, ‘Singing My Mother’s Song,’ which was released in June 2019.
For the past two years Rebecca has taught Creative Writing to BA students at Bath Spa University. For seven years she has taught workshops in schools as part of the secondary curriculum, outside of schools to those excluded from education, to ex offenders, primary and the elderly. Rebecca believes everyone has a story and unique way of telling it, with the right techniques and tools the route to creation is opened up and the opportunity to express becomes limitless.
Kitty Billings
Kitty has lived a life infused with yoga since she was a young teenager. From these early years Kitty’s fascination with movement and yoga blossomed and lead her to practiced many styles with a variety of teachers. She travelled to India, originally to explore meditation, then years later for yoga training where she also immersed herself into Ayurveda, the sister science to yoga. Kitty gathers from her more than 20 years of rich yoga tuition, blending modalities and inviting students to explore their bodies through the influence of breath. She is committed to engaging deeply into work that nourishes and finds herself collaborating with like minded humans who are equally dedicated to well being as she is. Kitty considers herself a constant student, embracing knowledge and wisdom through regular daily practices. On and off the mat, Kitty wishes to share a path full of humility, acceptance and joy.
For more information email: theartoffallingretreats@gmail.com
TESTIMONIALS:
‘I attended the Begin Again workshop yesterday and I am still in awe of the perfect content brought together by Meesh & Rebecca.
After introductions, Meesh began by leading a beautiful meditation followed by her gentle but extraordinary body work. Both experiences invite your nervous system to become aware that you are dropping into a place that has a stillness to it. In this stillness you are aware of a huge shift energetically that has you feeling calm, grounded and safe. What a genius idea to offer a creative workshop that is integrated with modalities that help you enter all the realms necessary to create!
Next up, Rebecca, who was so so inspiring. Her techniques were brilliant and fun, and the way she teaches left me wanting more. Not once did I feel that I had to read anything I had written aloud, however, I wanted to! And despite my heart beating out of my chest I did it - more than once! The group as a whole was a beautiful group and everyone there had a diversity to their writing style that was so exciting to share. I had a smile from ear to ear most of the day as I felt we were supporting and celebrating one another. It was lovely.
After some food, some chit chatting and some more creative writing we all got comfy to listen to a sound bath led by Meesh. Her voice carried me to a place where, at one point, I had to have a word with myself!! Was I actually experiencing something this astonishingly beautiful!? I was & I did. What a gift Meesh has! To top it off Rebecca joined her with Spoken Word around the theme - Begin Again. What can I say!?
Even though the event was around creative writing, I could not have written this yesterday, as I was lost for words.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. x'
Jamie, Kinesiologist
'Taking time out for oneself is a new practice for me; sometimes, the mere idea of allowing myself space and stillness is infused with tension and apprehension. Arriving into the retreat with these emotions, and life in general, running high, I was welcomed with deep holding. Meesh's gentle guidance through the meditation and energy bodywork enabled me to land into a new territory of self. Rebecca then picked that bundle up and accompanied me and the group into a journey to uncover new centers, techniques and practices of creativity in writing. I remembered how it feels to unleash that which lives inside, wants a voice, and patiently awaits for 2 beautiful women to co-facilitate a day of remembrance, abundance and resilience. Many thanks for these offerings. I feel refreshed, inspired and deeply grateful.'
- Rosie, Begin Again workshop participant
‘An inspiring and nurturing workshop which flowed beautifully. Such a safe but creatively stimulating space- the combination of creative writing and body-work with these two superb teachers is an experience to treasure’
- Pauline, Begin Again workshop participant.
'What a divine interwoven collection of magic Meesh and Rebecca created together. The bodywork, the writing, the sound, the togetherness. It was such a nourishing space of exploration. A deep exploration within, with the magic of Meesh’s hands that grounded us into being and then an explorative connection with creativity and vulnerability with words in Rebecca’s open, inspiring guidance. They created a magic pot of goodness to play with and explore. Go jump in that pot of goodness!'
- Abbie, Begin Again workshop participant