Create Space XXVI Retreat - Connecting the Elements - Wednesday 29th May to Sunday 2nd June 2024

Mill Retreat Centre

Moulin de Breteuil, Route Treport (D316), 80430, Lafresguimont-Saint-Martin, FRANCE

 

This 4 Element practice naturally blossoms into an embodied ritual within your own being.

AIR – FIRE – EARTH – WATER

A gateway of attunement with the elements through the cultivation of heart qualities and the deep honouring of your innermost desires. We will dive deep connecting the Elements through Mudras ( Hand Gesture) breath & Asanas ( Physical Posture ) 

 

In an asana practice, we initiate fire( Fire & Air Element ) using proper alignment, muscle activation, and energizing practices that build heat and revitalize the body and mind. Fire provides a healthy assertiveness in the practitioner to show up fully, activate, participate, and take accountability for oneself.

Nectar( Earth & Water Element ) is developed in the physical practice through deep inner listening, relaxation, softening the outer edges, slow and graceful movements, staying intimate with the breath, creating a fascial, rhythmic connection with your intuitive body, and balancing effort with deep surrender.

Both elements of fire and nectar are required not only to enhance our practice but also to strike balance in our lives. How are you cultivating both transformation and nourishment for both your practice and life?

In Tantra and in yoga, there is much consideration of creating balance in our lives and balance in our practices. The original scriptures of Tantra use Fire & Nectar as central metaphors for the spiritual life. Fire governs transformation; Nectar creates deep nourishment and flow.

 

 

 

 

 

The program will include 2 Yoga classes per day, early morning & evening meditation & satsang, Chi Kung/Tai Chi, a walking meditation, guided walks and a workshop on Yoga philosophy, plus free time to appreciate the secluded and private location. Holistic treatments will be available.

 

 

The Mill Retreat Centre is set in 30 acres of private grounds including a 10 acre lake, woodland and a wetland wildlife reserve.  This has a huge variety of fish, birds, mammals and plant life.  It provides a secluded and tranquil environment for meditation, walking and being at one with nature.  Accommodation is primarily shared twin rooms. There is limited single and ensuite accommodation. There are plenty of bathrooms and lounging areas.

 

The retreat will start with an Introduction on the Wednesday at 18.00 (please arrange to arrive between 16:00 and 17:30) and finish on the Sunday at 14:30.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 About the Retreat Leaders:

Heather has over 20 years experience teaching Hatha and Mindful Therapeutic Yoga blending different disciplines and incorporating elements of Pilates.  Having a background in nutrition and Reiki healing as well as being a qualified Life Coach, has allowed her to develop an intuitive approach and awareness of both the physical and emotional wellbeing of students. This enables her to tailor their practice and take a holistic view of the lifestyle, diet or other remedial action than may benefit them.

She has Diplomas in Anatomy & Physiology, Yoga Therapy and Pre- & Post-Natal Yoga.  Heather is also a Life Coach and Reiki practitioner. She coaches for exam stress management in schools and runs workshops in meditation & deep relaxation. Heather also provides services to Spas, health clubs, schools, private & corporate clients and also to local authorities to help tackle inequalities in affordable healthcare for a broad range of age groups and ethnicities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jean-Claude teaches Rasa Yoga and is a teacher trainer in the discipline.  Rasa Yoga weaves together asana, mantra, mudra, pranayama, meditation and chanting… along with tantra, shadow work, ritual, and a deep reverence for nature. It honours the many traditions and lineages of yoga, while awakening your authentic creativity as an individual in the modern world. He aims to motivate and inspire his students that Yoga is a way of life, a journey to be taken peacefully and healthily in both mind and body.

He has Diplomas in Hatha and Rasa Yoga, Mindfulness and Gravatonic Swing Yoga.

Jean Claude will also be catering for our meals, which will be vegetarian and mainly organic, using much local produce.  Please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions or sensitivities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tony is a retired IT management consultant & mindfulness teacher with Diplomas in Advanced Meditation & delivering the 8 week mindfulness course. He has a strong interest is in the benefits of mindfulness in the workplace.  He presents some of the workshops on Yoga and Meditation history & philosophy, organises the walking meditation and guided walks as well as looking after the logistics of the retreat.  He has over 40 years experience of hill walking, is a member of the Long Distance Walkers Association and a qualified walk leader.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Andy Hamilton is a Tai Chi, Chi Kung and Yoga teacher.  Chi Kung is an ancient traditional Chinese practice that involves the use of synchronised breathing and slow, deliberate movements to help restore the flow of Chi meaning your life energy within your body.  Regular practice is said to help cleanse your body of the stresses and toxins that lead to ill health, both physical and mental.  It does this by acting on your lymphatic system and helping your body to metabolise oxygen more effectively.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Melanee Dyer will be providing holistic therapies at the retreat.  She has been practicing Reflexology since 1993 and has extended her knowledge to specialise in fertility and hormone reflexology as well as lymphatic drainage.  Reflexology is an amazing treatment which helps restore balance to your body so it may heal itself.  Melanee is also a Reiki Practitioner and Aromatherpist, providing Aromatherapy massage as well as combining it with Reflexology.

Melanee works for the London Ambulance Service as an Emergency Crew member. She just enjoys helping others in all situations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Booking

Investment per person include classes, workshops,  accommodation, all meals, tea & coffee (travel not included). £150 deposit on booking to secure a place.

 

    Investment per Person
Room Type Individual
Places Available		   "Standard"
Full payment by
26th April 2024
Single ensuite Sold    
Twin/Double ensuite Sold    
Single Sold    
Large Double Sold    
Twin/Double 3   £670
Caravan Sold    

 

Email Heather at heather@omtropy.com for bank transfer details

Cancellation Policy

 

Deposits (£150) are non-refundable unless you get someone to fill your space. For cancellations within four weeks of retreat start a refund of 25% of payment excluding deposit will be given. Consideration will be taken for exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the organisers. Cancellation, for whatever reason, must be notified in writing or email.

Covid-19 Policy

We will comply with the, then current, UK and France Covid-19 policies on travel between the two countries and conduct whilst in France.  As the risks change these policies are updated and published on the UK government website https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france .  To keep up to date with these policies, the site contains the facility to enable those interested to "Get email alerts".

Currently, all passengers travelling to France or the UK no longer need to present proof of a Covid vaccination, recovery or negative test certificate. This applies to all passengers, irrespective of nationality or vaccination status.

Last updated: 21/10/2022

Eurotunnel and DFDS have up-to-date guidance on the requirements:

 

How to Get there:

By Car

The Mill Retreat Centre is about 35 miles from Dieppe for the Newhaven-Dieppe ferry crossing or 96 miles from Calais for either the Dover - Calais ferry or Eurotunnel.

When booking, be aware of check-in times and documentation requirements eg passport validity.

 

 

If you have Sat Nav with French maps, when you reach France enter the following.  NB: We recommend you experiment with how to enter the location in your sat nav whilst in the UK to confirm how to do it, as sat navs differ, particularly the integrated ones.  Many of these don't have quite the same flexibility and ease of use as, say, a stand-alone Tom Tom or Garmin.

 

Alternatively enter:

This will take you directly to the Mill Retreat Centre.  NB:  If you just enter Montmarquet (without Breteuil as the street) the sat nav will most probably direct you to the main village which is 2.5 miles/4 km away. In which case you will need to take the D178 in a south westerly direction, shortly after passing the village of Blangiel, there is a right turn down a narrow road signposted Breteuil, over one cross-road and at the T junction you will see the sign and driveway to the Mill Retreat Centre straight ahead.

 

 

If you don't have a Sat Nav you can get on-line directions from either Google maps or Bing.  Type in your departure point eg Calais in Box A and in Box B put: Breteuil 80430.  This will show you full car directions to the front door of the Mill Retreat Centre.

 

And if you are using a map.  The Mill Retreat Centre is located about a mile north of Aumale on the D316 (Route Le Treport) on the west side of the road behind what is marked as 'Breteuil Farm'.  You will clearly see the sign.

 

The route from Calais takes you via a toll road which was 8 Euros the last time we used it.  Alternatively it is very pleasant to get an early morning ferry and then drive to the pretty town of Le Treport at the mouth of the River Bresle.  You can look around the town and maybe have lunch at one of the many excellent fish restaurants beside the harbour before driving down the Bresle valley to the retreat in the afternoon.

 

 

Other means of travel

 

There are two alternative means of getting to the centre:

 

 

Important if you are driving !!!!

 

When driving in France you need to remember a number of things you need to have with you:

Radar detectors are banned in France, even carrying one will result in a heavy fine.  If you have a Sat Nav make sure you get the latest updates to French maps.  Tom Tom, Garmin etc have re-named speed camera sites in France as "danger zones".

 

Speed limits are: