On Becoming a Mother
18th-21st of May 2023
near Totnes Devon
A nourishing and transformative retreat for Pregnant women who want to prepare to cross the threshold of Motherhood more consciously.
Join us in the lush countryside of South Devon in two beautifully converted barns on 7 acres of land. An oasis of rest, nourishment and inspiration.
*THE CHALLENGE*
"The fact is, once a woman becomes a mother, her life will never again be quite her own, or in quite the same way..." (The mask of motherhood)
Knowing the truth of that, how can we integrate our instinctual need to love, care, protect and do the best for our child, with our need for autonomy and personal fulfilment, right from the start?
This retreat offers the opportunity to begin answering this question for yourself, in a relaxed, nourishing and beautiful setting, with time to rest, play, connect and take part in the optional activities.
*RESOURCING AND SKILLING OURSELVES*
After letting go of fears and ambivalence, we will explore what skills and resources we already have and what else is needed for our Mothering journey.
We will learn self and co-regulation and nervous system care so we can support ourselves and our babies during challenging times. Co-regulation is the process whereby one nervous system calms another, producing a feedback loop that is soothing for both. A vital skill to know when becoming a mother.
*LIFTING THE VEIL OF MOTHERHOOD*
When the veil is lifted and we can see beyond cultural expectations and conditioning, beyond the archetypal myths and the impact of our own family experience, then we can start to embrace the reality, the practical, emotional and spiritual dimension of being a Mother and the potent opportunity of the journey.
*YOGA, FUN, FOOD, DOING, BEING*
Beyond our daily explorations, there will be plenty of time for activities such as intuitive yoga with Elise walks, singing and hanging out, as well as space just to be. Add Yummy food, great company and massages/bodywork into the mix and you'll leave the retreat not only more prepared, skilled and confident in your mothering but also nourished and refreshed.
*SUPPORT*
If you need extra support during the retreat, 1-1 counselling sessions will be available with the option to connect prior and post-retreat with Jolie by zoom on request.
*AFTER THE RETREAT*
You will be part of a circle of mothers you can choose to carry on sharing your mothering journey with.
There is also the opportunity to join our ongoing mothering support group which will be meeting fortnightly.
*SAFE AND COMFORTABLE*
This spacious residential centre has everything you need to be safe and comfortable during this covid time and we will observe social distancing throughout the retreat, if still necessary.
*Come!*
We are looking forward to welcoming you.
* Full Details below *
Activities
MORNING PRACTICES, COACHING, YOGA,
SINGING, MASSAGE & BODYWORK
WALK, REST, BE
Gorgeous Setting... Gorgeous Food...
“A place for inspiration, celebration and gratitude where visitors can reconnect to the earth and receive nourishment of body, heart and spirit.”
Organic, seasonal, largely plant based dishes, specifically designed to nourish you through your pregnancy, for a more resilient birth and post-natal period. Menu lovingly created and prepared by our excellent wholefood chef Sarah Buckland.
Full Schedule
All activities are optional
At any point during the retreat, but especially during the free time sessions, you can wander around the stunning 7 acres of land surrounding the centre, enjoy a relaxing massage/treatment. In the evening, weather permitting, you will be able to enjoy a relaxing drink by the fire.
THURSDAY
4pm: Arrival, tea and snack
4.30:: Welcoming circle, introductions and practicalities
6.15 pm Supper
7.45 Intuitive Yoga and Yoga Nidra.
FRIDAY
Breakfast.
9.30-12.30 Morning practices and Coaching circle
Tea break at 11am.
1pm Lunch
Free time/River paddle/Walk /Massages/treatments
4pm: Intuitive Yoga
6.15 pm: Supper
7.45 Fireside singing
SATURDAY
Breakfast
9.30 Morning practices and Coaching circle
Tea break at 11am.
1pm Lunch
Free time/River paddle/Walk /Massages/treatments
4pm: Intuitive Yoga
6.15 pm: Supper
7.45 Sacred Singing
SUNDAY
Breakfast
9.30 Coaching circle.
1pm Lunch
Tidying our beautiful space and gentle clean together
Packing our belongings.
3pm Labyrinth Walk followed by Closing circle
4 pm: Returning home, feeling nourished and excited about our life.
The Retreat Team
Olivia Seck
inspired coach, eternal student and teacher of woman wisdom, mother of 4 and birth practitioner and trainer, Olivia has supported women and families for over 2 decades, especially through transitions such as pregnancy, birth, and motherhood.
Having recently retired from her birth work, Olivia now focuses mainly on her practice as a holistic pregnancy and motherhood coach. She still offers healing birth trauma sessions as this is still something she is deeply committed to.
In 2011, she founded and still co-run Radiant Mama (formerly the Totnes Holistic Birth Hub) a Devon project that offers info, emotional and practical support, classes, holistic therapies and a nourishing lunch within a community of like-minded parents – all on a donation basis.
Being a woman and a mother in the 21st century has been a deep exploration in her personal and professional life.
Her intention now is to share what she has learned and offer her presence and the tools she has gathered along the way, in service to women, families and a more peaceful and loving world.
Helen Yeomens
Helen Yeomans is the founder and leader of Glorious Chorus. She writes and/or arranges all the songs that the choir sings and runs workshops around the UK and abroad teaching her award-winning compositions.
Helen is a mother of 4. Her dream when she discovered the joy of singing in her late 30’s was to bring it to her mother friends as soon as her youngest was at playgroup. Thus was born Thula Mama – a weekly group of mums and babies who meet and sing together with Helen. She teaches a wide variety of songs in harmony from lullabies to gospel. Thula Mama itself is a beautiful South African lullaby. https://helenyeomans.co.uk/thula-mama/
What sets Helen apart is being able to bring out the best in all singers – from the professional to the absolute beginner.
Her ability to infuse groups with her passion and humour is a joy to witness.
Helen will be leading the Saturday evening session, outside by the fire, weather permitting or in our lovely Albion hall.
Expect a lot of fun and joy, and to be moved.
Elise Yull Cohen
Elise is a Yoga & Pilates Teacher. Women’s Circle Facilitator & Coach and Sacred music artist.
The Intuitive Pregnancy Yoga sessions she teaches help pregnant women access the Wisdom of their bodies.
The Retreat Team
The Retreat Team
The Retreat Team
Sarah Buckland
Sarah Buckland lives in Dartington where she home educates her 2 children. Sarah has just finished 2 years training to be a Macrobiotic Health Coach, Wholefoods chef and Wellbeing Shiatsu Practitioner and will be providing the food at this retreat.
Following her training Sarah is now able to offer her professional cooking and healing to others. An excellent Wholefood Chef, she will be cooking delicious, healthy food on this retreat. Her Health Coach training rooted in eastern medicine has enabled her to devise a menu specifically to meet the needs of pre and post natal women. So simply by enjoying your meals on this retreat you will gain understanding of what kind of tastes, ingredients and cooking styles will nourish you at this special time, enabling you to be more
Conscious in your eating to better support you through your pregnancy and beyond into parenthood for a happier, less depleted time post birth.
The dishes served at this retreat will be full of fresh, organic, whole food ingredients with simple seasonings to enhance the natural flavours and prepared with love by Sarah to maximise the amount of energy or ki they give you. Nourishing your water and earth energy. Largely plant based dishes will include seasonal soups, casseroles, whole grains, vegetables with a Japanese influence, did we mention the healthy desserts like lemon mousse.
Jolie Compton
Jolie Compton is a Counsellor, Birth Doula, EFT, and Matrix Reimprinting practitioner with experience as a trained Yoga Nidra Meditation facilitator.
After training as a Birth Doula in 2009 Jolie focused on working with women and families and held mother's circles using Yoga Nidra Meditation for relaxation and nourishment. In 2016 she began to support women's sexuality healing coach Kalindi Jordan as a personal assistant which ignited an ongoing exploration around themes of intimacy, sexuality, relationship and somatic embodiment. Jolie drew her skills, experiences and interests together to train as an Integrated Counsellor.
Inspired by the work of relationship therapist Esther Perel, the poetry of tantric feminine mystic Maya Luna and meditation work of Dr Joe Dispenza, Jolie is endlessly curious about the relationships we form with ourselves and others as we move through various life transitions.
Jolie has been described as a natural listener, thread weaver and a warm facilitator. At this retreat she will be available for 1-1 counselling sessions with the option to connect prior and post retreat with zoom sessions on request. You can connect with her via Instagram at roarmojo_counselling.
Based in Salisbury, Wiltshire, Jolie lives with her two sons aged 9 and 15.
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Pricing
£495 in shared accommodation
Early Bird discount: £445
up to 16th of April 2023
Single rooms available £40 extra
There are 4 low-cost places available.
Please get in touch with Olivia to apply.
This 4-day event includes all in-person activities, a variety of accommodations within beautifully converted barns, and delicious meals (most special diets can be catered for).
Massages, treatments, and counselling are available at an extra cost (from £25).
Please see the 'view gallery' above for images of the accommodation
Contact us to check for availability, book your place or get more information.
A deposit of £100 secures your place. An instalment plan is available.
