Do you ever have the feeling like ‘stop the world I want to get off?’ Me too, that’s why I love a retreat. It’s what a retreat is, a big pause, a full stop in the year. As Michael Scott said: ‘He who retreats lives longer.’ ! :)
The photo above is the wonderful group on my silent retreat last weekend in Drumalis, Larne. (To see more photos click over to my Instagram.) Here's what some of them had to say about the experience. Please note the majority are all repeat bookers and experienced practioners, so future places are always limited. I do offer different types of retreats, they’re not all silent or booked out a year in advance :).
My next retreat is just one day on Saturday 7 December, at the cosy Dunadry Hotel and Gardens. I’ve extended the early bird price to Thursday 26 November to give you a chance to grab the best price - go for it!
The 31 January - 2 February retreat is all about manifesting and how can you make 2025 your best year yet…
Meantime this is the feedback from last week, on the feedback form I asked them what was most meaningful and what was most challenging so that is reflected in their comments:
10/10 ‘A wonderful, nourishing, comfortable and restorative weekend. It was most meaningful to have the opportunity and permission to stop.’ Lorraine, Belfast
10/10 ‘I felt the weekend was well organised, supportive and in a beautiful setting. It was helpful in giving me space to practice. I found the structure most meaningful. It really helped to manage the prospect of the silence. You have a great skill in creating a warm and supportive experience. Thank you for this opportunity.’
10/10 ‘The retreat provides an opportunity for me to slow down. Most meaningful to me was the body scans. Reading from the Anger book was so insightful. The learnings from the other ladies were invaluable. I find the introductions a bit uncomfortable but so worthwhile.’
10/10 I came in feeling overwhelmed, sad and a bit lost - I feel so much better lighter and less overwhelmed - smiled a lot which was great. It was most meaningful to remember gratitude. The most challenging thinking I had to meet myself! Thank you so much. I have remembered ‘this too will pass’.’
10/10 ‘I would have given it more! I tried not to have expectations going into the weekend’s retreat, but it exceeded my non-expectations! Most meaningful was the silence and being among a really supportive group of people meditating and practising together. It was perfect!’
10/10 ‘I feel so much better for attending. I was able to sit with uncomfortable emotions from childhood. I didn’t want anything to be different it was all perfect. An extra day perhaps?’ Patricia, Loanends, Co. Antrim.
10/10 ‘The weekend gave me time to get into the flow of sitting with issues I normally don’t have time for. I was able to notice things that I have resisted, and the space gave me the confidence to sit with it.
Most meaningful was being in a supportive group that do not over-react and are able to allow what is here to be here. This gave me confidence in my own ability to be able to deal with pain, instead of fearing getting overwhelmed.
I found it challenging to talk about pain/suffering on a physical level not rationally as the body doesn’t like it, but I found it very helpful and good practice. I wouldn’t have wanted anything to be different. Longer maybe?
I really liked the introduction to noticing suffering as I was only focused on nourishing and avoiding my suffering.
Love it, thank you!! Heart’
Eleanor, Dublin
10/10 ‘This weekend has given me the opportunity to ‘re-charge’, get in touch with myself once more.
It was most meaningful to be with like-minded people lead by a wonderful teacher.
It was difficult getting settled, a lot has happened over the past 6 months. But I got there in the end!
A great weekend. So grateful to have been able to attend and so grateful for Bridgeen and all the participants. Thank you.’
Catherine, Belfast
10/10 ‘Lovely poems, lovely practices, amazing group! Space to reflect, make sense and perspective. Loved mindful movement, love polyvagal tuning, hearing others stories and being given space to be brave. it was most challenging to be vulnerable but worth it.’
10/10 ‘Such an amazing place and group to be with and to be led by the most amazing teacher.
It was most meaningful just to have the space. To know whatever, I chose to do this weekend was fine. Such a lovely space to be held and feel safe.
It was most difficult thinking of suffering and sitting with it. Although challenging, this was a great space to be able to do it.
I can’t think of anything I’d want to be different. I feel I am much more rooted as a result of attending. Thank you so much Bridgeen. I really appreciate all your offerings x
10/10 ‘Because there is no 11.
Meditating in a group. The teachings. The safe silence. This was most meaningful.
Nothing was too difficult. Indoor walking meditation - still don’t love it. But really love the outdoor walking meditation.
Everything was great.
A huge Thank You Bridgeen.
Love’
Julie, Belfast
So as you can hear from this feedback my retreats are pretty good! So do consider the day retreat in December and have a wee think about what you want for 2025…
I have THREE weekend retreats coming up in 2025. Two (May and November) are just like last weekend focusing on deep practice and mostly silent, and the manifesting retreat in January/February is a little lighter with making vision boards practice, but still held in mindfulness.
I love these retreats as much as my participants love attending and I love hearing how all the things you hope can manifest in the year ahead.
Maybe it's time for you to embrace the pause too? DM me to book or check out the links on the Classes page here. Xx