Bloom
We are delighted that following the success of our Nourish escape which has sold out in October (but we will be announcing new dates soon!), we wanted to let you know about the second of our Escapes; Bloom.
We all felt strongly that we wanted to provide a pre-natal retreat that would celebrate a special time, marking the occasion and bringing a day of relaxation and balance.
So we invite pregnant mums to come and find escape at our beautiful woodland in East Devon and inside in our cosy Shippen barn. To meet with other expectant mothers, to restore and relax and spend a day nourishing you - mind, body and soul.
It will encompass delicious food by Luke, gentle pregnancy yoga with Ella McConnell, an introduction to hypnobirthing and massage with Sophie Annett, as well as a moving and mindful maternity ceremony and gentle breathwork exercise with Natalie Vallely.
Ella McConnell - Pre-natal Yoga:
Prenatal yoga is a specialized form of yoga designed to support expectant mothers throughout their pregnancy journey. This gentle and tailored practice combines yoga postures, breathing techniques, and relaxation methods to promote physical and mental well-being during pregnancy. Pregnancy yoga helps improve flexibility, reduce tension, and alleviate common discomforts like back pain and swelling as well as building strength to support in labour and during the fourth trimester.
Beyond the physical benefits, it simultaneously fosters a sense of connection with the unborn child and an invitation to bring women back to their sense of self in this newly absorbing world of parenthood. By enhancing strength, balance, and emotional resilience, prenatal yoga empowers mothers-to-be to embrace the transformative experience of pregnancy and beyond with confidence and serenity.
Sophie Annett - Hypnobirthing and Massage:
Hypnobirthing enables you to work effectively with your body and mind. It releases the fear and negativity towards childbirth that we have been programmed with from an early age and replaces it with calm confidence. It allows you to work with your body in a totally natural and instinctive way, making birth a positive experience for you, your baby and your partner.
Join me for an “Introduction to Hypnobirthing“ workshop where you’ll learn the basics of this wonderful and hugely empowering tool. I’ll take you through some deep relaxation exercises, teach you powerful breathing and visualisation techniques and invite you to release any long held fears you may have about childbirth.
Relaxing foot and hand massages will also be on offer to nurture and show gratitude to your amazing body as it leads you through this profound journey.
Luke Vandore-Mackay - Lunch
Having cooked for my wife through 3 pregnancies I have first hand experience of the food required to keep mum and baby healthy and happy. Although the temptation might be to stick with vegetables, pulses and fruit, I know that Sara wanted more protein and iron when she was nurturing ours. For our Bloom retreat I’ll be using vegetables from the High grange Garden - we don’t use any pesticides or chemicals - our ‘3 sisters’ planting for example allows different vegetables to germinate, sustain and protect each other - copied from early Native Americans. As it’s November (and because we don’t want rare or undercooked meat!) I’ll do a warming slow-cooked braise for lunch with lots of beans, pulses and veg from the garden. Pudding will be seasonal, hyper local with fruit from the garden but crucially delicious and a ‘treat!’
Suggested Menu (vegetarian options and all dietary requirements catered for)
Chicken, chestnut and pumpkin casserole with roast Jerusalem artichokes
Bulgar wheat with grilled beets, kale and lime
HG mixed bean fricassee with sweet onions and thyme
HG apple tarte tatin, creme fraiche
Natalie Vallely - Maternity Ceremony and Breathwork:
A beautiful healing ceremony supporting the right of passage into motherhood. A sacred nurturing space, connecting to our hearts in ceremony to mark the life changing transformation to motherhood. Wisdom, stories, joys and mantras are gifted to enrich and connect each expecting mother more deeply to her journey. This space will celebrate your pathway from maiden to motherhood.
To enhance the health and harmony of baby and you, I will guide to into a breathwork journey that invites you to connect your breathing, oxygenate your body and stimulate your babies calming senses.
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So, if you have any friends or family who might like to come it would be a gorgeous present for them. The safety of our mums-to-be is paramount so we invite ladies between 12 weeks and 36 weeks to join us. Please let us know of any issues we should be aware of.
Date: Friday 10th November 2023
Time: 9.30am to 5pm
Cost: £145
Booking: here.
It seems that one minute we were sunbathing by the beach and the next we are lighting fires and digging out the big jumpers, but we love this time of year and we’re going with it!
We have exciting news to share in that we have bought and are shortly installing a new covered woodland bar that will be available at all our events, and allowing us to fully enjoy our beautiful woodland. This time of year we love having a warming drink outside surrounded by fire pits in the fresh cool air, and then coming into our Shippen barn for supper, log burner and fairy lights on, ready to get cosy and warm.
So as we look to Christmas, we have our festive Feast nights to look forward to, and we have decided to offer private and company Christmas lunches and suppers this year so do get in touch if you want to have a quote and a bespoke menu for a truly unique Christmas party, and finally our vouchers are ever popular. Our 2024 events will be announced shortly.
We’ll soon be sending you some delicious Autumnal recipes to keep you warn and cosy, and we hope to see you soon!
Luke and Sara xx