This retreat is suitable for those who have a regular meditation practice and who regularly attend retreats, a centre or a group within the context of the Triratna Buddhist Community. You will also need to be familiar with, and happy to participate in, Triratna Buddhist devotional practice and ritual (puja), be comfortable with extended periods of sitting meditation and the possibility on some retreats of periods spent in silence.
Please note: These retreats are for those who already regularly practise yoga and are not suitable for complete beginners and are suitable for anyone who would like to explore an introductory retreat, or who has been attending their local Triratna centre and wants to take things deeper.
We can often live our lives in a state of imbalance, being either over-active or in a state of lethargy and stagnation. During this retreat we will have the opportunity to explore the energetic principles of the Sun and Moon through the body and creative imagination.
These retreats offer the opportunity to combine the practice of yoga with the added depth of awareness that meditation creates. All our yoga teachers are practicing Buddhists who aim to integrate yoga into an overall context of the Buddha’s teaching. An introduction to Buddhist meditation will be taught on the retreat, The Meditation and Yoga taught will emphasise a body- based approach.
The retreat will have two comprehensive sessions of yoga each day, one in the morning which will begin with a gentle sequence to mobilise our key joints. Stimulating all tissues and fluids within the joints, promoting energy flow. We will also explore some Yang style flowing sequences. This is a beautiful flowing practice that focuses on the linear alignment that we find in classical yoga while opening to spiral movements found within nature. We will explore how to find safe alignment and ease in our body while building strength and vitality through this flowing Yang style approach.
In the afternoon We will explore a Yin-Restorative style practice, focusing on more stilling meditative practices, this approach focuses on more feminine qualities through longer, passive held postures with a use of supportive yoga props, such as bolsters, blankets etc. This restorative practice aims to relax our musculature, stimulating also our subtle energy systems within the body. During these sessions we will also have an opportunity to explore restorative yoga postures that can help soothe our nervous systems. Yin-Restorative yoga is a perfect balance to a more ‘yang’ style dynamic practice, and can have a deeply relaxing effect and offer deep peace within the stresses of a busy life.
In this appropriately balanced combination, we experience the whole being greater than the parts, offering a practice that addresses our needs more fully on and off our yoga mat. There will also be opportunities throughout the retreat to explore in greater depth, Buddhist teaching, devotional practice, chanting and periods of silence, pranayama, yoga nidra, small group discussion and quiet time to relax and reflect.
Covid-secure requirements
We still have some Covid related requirements that we believe helps to ensure that Rivendell is a safer environment (such as asking each retreatant to take a lateral flow test and letting the office know the result before travelling to Rivendell), and we will only accept bookings on the basis that those who attend our retreats abide by the requirements of our Covid risk assessment.
We want those that come to Rivendell to be confident that we are making their stay here as safe as possible.
Concession information
Rivendell has reintroduced its concessionary rate for all retreats, however we are still in a very difficult financial situation so please can we ask that you only use this rate if essential. Please do also consider writing to our office team via bookings@rivendellretreatcentre.com if you really are in need of further financial assistance to help enable you to come on retreat here.
Cancellation policy
All deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable in all circumstances. If you wish to cancel your place on a retreat, we require a minimum notice of 4 calendar weeks before a retreat is due to take place, in order that a refund (not deposit) will be possible. If you cancel and we can't replace you, you will be required to pay half the total cost of the retreat. Please let us know as soon as possible if you need to cancel, as there may be other people waiting for a place on the retreat to become available. Any refund will still be on the basis that we can the fill your space.
Prices for this event are: £389 - £366 (Conc)