Spirals & Cycles Retreat
a yoga retreat for queer folx
26th - 31st May 2023
Felinganol Woodland Retreat, Caemorgan Road, SA43 1QX Cardigan, Ceredigion, Wales
A five-day retreat for queer folx to be held and hold one another in a brave space of svadhyaya (self-inquiry) and cyclical wisdom in the Welsh wilderness. Grounded in daily yoga nidra, breathwork, embodied movement & sharing circles, we will spiral inwards & outwards to connect with our inner cycles (e.g. sleep, menstrual, life) and outer cycles (seasons, lunar, solar).
Complete this form to book!
The theme of spirals & cycles will be interwoven & guide our focus each day. Arrivals from 3pm on Friday 26th (first session starts at around 4pm) and departure at 10am on Wednesday 31st).
An example daily schedule:
7.30am: breathwork & sharing circle
9am: breakfast
10am: yoga asana & nidra
1pm: lunch
Free time
4.30pm: workshop
7pm: dinner
8pm: sharing circle, chanting & rest
Workshop topics will include: meditation & nature walks, menstrual cycle awareness for all*, cosmology of the body, grief tending, restorative yoga.
*depending on the identity and needs of the group, we may have protected time & space for bodies that bleed to share.
More information on accommodation & investment to come soon!
Why Cycles?
We live in a society where time is presented as linear, a race from A to B. In this space we either win or we lose, we are good or bad, we have or we don't have. It is exhausting & harmful, leading to widespread burnout, illness, injustice & disconnection. Ancient wisdoms the world over tell a different story. To subvert these harmful systems, promote healing & sustainable change, this retreat offers the space for deep listening. The opportunity to reconnect to inherent wisdom & expansiveness of inner & outer cycles.
Why Spirals?
Each cycle, be it the turn of the season, different stages of life or simply every breath we take, spirals into the next, offering the opportunity for reflection, learning and growth. Our ‘mistakes’ & our shadows become just as treasured as our ‘achievements’ in these spirals of learning. This is brave & vital work.
Who is this for?
This retreat is for queer folx - anyone who identifies as LGBTQIA+ and or socially and politically identifies as queer. Those with a brave heart & curiosity to explore the spaces in between. Perhaps you feel full or burnout. Perhaps you are in need of connection, to be in a queer only space, and/or longing to dive deeper into a yoga practice which expands way beyond the mat and binary thinking/language. For those who are open to self-reflection & wishing to connect their individual learning journey to serve collective healing & freedom.
Whilst the intention of this retreat is not to educate on topics related to queerness, anti-oppression & decolonisation, this is the lens through which the facilitators strive to share their offerings. You do not have to be well versed in these topics to attend, only open & willing to learn.
All sessions are optional and the schedule may change depending on the needs & wants of the group at the time.
In your free time, there are plenty of beautiful walks & swims to explore, including the beautiful beach of Mwnt.
Booking, accommodation & prices
Felinganol (which means 'middle mill' in Welsh) is a beautiful eco-retreat centre in the woodlands of West Wales, right by the Welsh coast run by Meriel. Cabins are nestled into the woods, with a beautiful roundhouse for our yoga sessions, communal kitchen, fire circle and hot tub. Felinganol is is not for the faint hearted, there are compost toilets and may well need your wellies. Vegan & local grown food is provided by a local caterer and is always one of the highlights of retreats at Felinganol!
*To book please fill out this form*
Single cabins - £895pp - SOLD OUT
Twin cabin - £750pp - SOLD OUT
Double cabin - £750pp / £1375 if booked as a two / £950 for single occupancy - SOLD OUT
Triple treehouse cabin - £620 - SOLD OUT
Non-residential spaces available for £450 (including all sessions & food)
*fill out booking form to be added to the waiting list to be alerted if any cancellations free up a space!*
These prices include all sessions, meals (home cooked vegan food) & accommodation.
A non-refundable 20% deposit is required to secure your place, final payment required by 1st April 2023.
Further information on cancellation procedures can be found here.
If finances are a problem, please get in touch to discuss payment plans, I am happy to be as flexible as possible to make it work!
