Now that we are peeking our heads out of a long lockdown, it might be time for you to get some fresh air on the North Devon coast and try out a restorative retreat.

We have put together a Cooking, Yoga and Wellness Retreat for just this moment, to help people nourish, rest and heal this May, with delicious food, fascinating cooking and nutrition sessions and calming Yoga practices.

Here’s why you should think about joining:

1 - You Need a Rest

The folks behind the retreat (Elly and Nikita) have a shared passion for Yoga, wellbeing and seasonal eating. The pair met in South Africa and bonded over surfing and Yoga in 2017, and have been deepening their knowledge of their shared interests ever since.

In the UK, they ran their first Cooking, Yoga and Wellness Retreat in August 2020 after the first round of lockdown lifted. Guests who joined those trips were looking for a chance to rest and to leave behind their responsibilities.

2 - You can learn some fascinating stuff about nutrition (and your immune system)

During the week time retreat Elly teaches daily Yoga classes and meditation sessions, working with themes and practices tailored to guests’ needs. Nikita cooks the delicious meals and runs fascinating cooking classes in the afternoons.

For this Spring Cooking, Yoga and Wellness Retreat, Nikita will cook with seasonal produce and foraged herbs, and teach guests how to ferment and sprout to get the most nutrition out of their food. This concept might be completely new to you, but Nikita is passionate about plant-based food, and her enthusiasm is sure to rub off on you!

Alongside Nikita and Elly, two nutrition experts contribute to the week, Nutritional Chef and Holistic Food Coach Vanessa Jaich will teach classes covering topics such as gut health, immunity and hormone balancing from a modern nutrition background – and Ayurvedic Yogic Practitioner Kim Kriyasagar will approach from a classical Ayurvedic background and run sessions covering the ancient Indian science of Ayurvedic lifestyle.

3 - You’ll be Staying in a beautiful location

This year, for the first time, the trip will be held at Holwell Holistic Yoga Retreat, a specially-designed retreat centre in a stunning location between the Exmoor National Park and the North Devon Coast.

The retreat centre is set in a quiet farm location 15 minutes away from Exmoor National Park and 10 minutes drive to Woolacombe beach. It has a private Yoga barn, massage studio and garden sauna!

4 - Enjoy time near the ocean

Swell Yoga was set up to bring people together near the ocean, so that everyone could experience it’s restorative powers. While you’re on retreat with us you can try out activities such as surfing, kayaking, coasteering, or join a guided walk along the North Devon coast.

A TYPICAL DAY

8am - Wake-up with tea and morning mindfulness practice
9-10am - Morning Yoga
10am - Light breakfast
10.30am-12pm - Time in nature: walking, swimming or surfing (lessons available to book)
1pm - Mindful eating meditation and lunch
2-4pm - Afternoon cooking lessons with tea break (example classes):

Introduction to Textured Cooking
Self Love In the Act of Cooking for Yourself and Others

6-7pm - Restorative evening Yoga practice (Option for a private massage (at an additional cost))
7-8pm - Dinner
8.30pm - Evening activity such as fireside cacao ceremony or kirtan music

Covid-19

In late May we expect to be operating under some Covid guidance which means that we will limit our group size to 6 guests and maintain high personal hygiene standards throughout the week. Read more on our Covid-19 policy here.