Retreats
“I can’t thank you enough for the retreat, it gave me a different way of looking at my practice, greater understanding, a deep sense of relaxation, a new way of looking at certain issues in my life and the warmth that comes from being in a loving community, held by skilful teachers.”
Non Residential
IN PERSON MINI-RETREAT AFTERNOONS
Overview
An afternoon of nourishing guided mindfulness and mindful self-compassion for anyone whose completed an 8 week course (MBSR/MBCT/MSC or equivalent) with me or elsewhere. Includes stillness and movement meditations, some themed teaching reflection, inspirational readings, and tea and biscuits in a supportive peaceful location.
These sessions are a chance to reconnect with the benefits of mindfulness and self-compassion in a group context, whether you are managing any daily practice or none! You might want to deepen your practice and understanding, or reconnect with the way this approach resources us all and gives us a much needed space to be – for our benefit and the benefit of all those we hold dear. it’s hard to do this all on our own, come and join our well established community.
Cost – Please offer what you can afford – your generosity enables concessions to others. Please do let me know if finances are preventing you attending.
- When - Sundays
- Time - 2.30 - 5.30pm
- Where - Kingston Quaker Centre
- Cost - £25 concession rate / £40 suggested rate / £45 benefactor rate
Non Residential
ONLINE MINI RETREAT MORNINGS
Overview
A morning of nourishing guided mindfulness and mindful self-compassion for anyone whose completed an 8 week course (MBSR/MBCT/MSC or equivalent) with me or elsewhere. Includes 2.30 hrs of silence followed by sharing with stillness and movement meditations, off screen time, some themed teaching reflection, inspirational readings and time to savour a snack and drink mid morning.
These sessions are a chance to reconnect with the benefits of mindfulness and self-compassion in a group context, whether you are managing any daily practice or none! You might want to deepen your practice and understanding, or reconnect with the way this approach resources us all and gives us a much needed space to be – for our benefit and the benefit of all those we hold dear. it’s hard to sustain our practice all on our own, and this online offering will give you a sense of connection as well as spaciousness and choice in the comfort of your own home.
Cost – Thank you for contributing what you can afford – Your generosity enables concessions to others. Please let me know if finances are preventing you attending.
- When - Saturdays
- Time - 9.30am - 12.30pm
- Where - Online on Zoom
- Cost - £25 concession rate / £35 suggested rate / £40 benefactor rate
Residential
5 Day Fierce Self-Compassion Training Retreat May 2026
Overview
This residential training retreat that I’m offering with my friend and colleague Ali Lambie offers the full Fierce Self-Compassion training programme along with plenty of time in silent practice, thereby combining new learning and retreat experience. Located in mid Wales a few minutes from the small town of Llanidloes in Powys, Garth Barns retreat centre has gorgeous countryside views in every direction, super comfy and generous accommodation as well as swimming lake, sauna, fire pit and more. This retreat will meet BAMBA silent retreat requirements and the retreat requirement for MSC Teacher Training.
This training retreat is from 15th to 20th May 2026. It will include guided meditation practice, short talks, experiential exercises, and discussions in small and larger groups. This will be balanced with ample opportunities for silent practice, both indoors and out, to absorb the learnings at depth. The aim is for participants to directly experience a balance of both tender and fierce self-compassion with space to experientially embed practices that evoke self-compassion in daily life.
This training retreat is open to all – however some prior experience with mindfulness and self-compassion is recommended. Please get in touch if you’d like to discuss whether these five days might be right for you.
Arrival late afternoon Friday 15th May is late and departure on Wednesday 20th May after lunch.
The residential format allows generous time for self-care outside of the formal sessions and a typical day will follow this format:
7.15 am (optional) early morning practice
8.00 am breakfast
9.15 am morning session (with refreshment break)
12.30 pm lunch and time for self-care
3.30 pm afternoon session (with refreshment break)
6.30 pm dinner
7.30 pm evening session (including outdoor activities) + free time
Garth Barns retreat centre is the perfect setting to support this training retreat. Located in mid Wales a few minutes from the small town of Llanidloes in Powys it has gorgeous countryside views in every direction, super comfy and generous accommodation as well as swimming lake, sauna, fire pit and more.
Accommodation is in a number of generous (mostly ensuite) bedrooms in Garth Country House and the adjoining Ty Nant and Hafod Barns. There is a large dining room, plenty of informal sitting areas and a beautiful oak-floored and light-filled main group room. Catering is wholesome, homemade and vegetarian. Special diets can be catered for.
- When - Friday 15th to Wednesday 20th May 2026
- Where - Garth Barns Retreat Centre, Llanidloes, Powys SY18 6NN
- Teachers - Zoe Shobbrook-Fisher and Ali Lambie
- Cost - £995 (single occupancy accommodation plus all meals etc) £795 (sharing a twin room plus all meals etc)
Residential
In Person Mindfulness and Self-Compassion 5 day silent Retreat
Description
A residential retreat provides a wonderful opportunity to explore and deepen into mindfulness and self-compassion practice in a sustained way, supported by the community of fellow participants and the quiet atmosphere of retreat. The emphasis will be on developing the resource of self-kindness and self-care through an exploration of mindfulness, loving-kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity. With my friend and colleague Colette Power we will bring a wealth of knowledge, creativity and experience as MSC teachers, supervisors and trainers.
On this silent retreat there will be guided practices as well as ample opportunity for you to deepen into your own experience within the supportive container of the group. The first evening will be an orientation session followed by a daily rhythm of early morning practice before breakfast followed by morning, afternoon and evening sessions with a spacious lunch period. The retreat will include gentle movement, outdoor time and time to connect in smaller groups. There will also be free time to rest and relax.
This retreat will draw on mindfulness and more particularly on the Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) approach.
MSC offers core principles and practices that resource us to respond to difficult moments in our lives with kindness, care and understanding.
The three key components of self-compassion are self-kindness, a sense of common humanity, and balanced, mindful awareness. Kindness opens our hearts to suffering, so we can give ourselves what we need. Common humanity opens us to our essential inter-relatedness, so that we know we aren’t alone. Mindfulness opens us to the present moment, so we can accept our experience with greater ease. Together they comprise a state of warm, connected, presence.
Self-compassion can be learned by anyone, whatever our personal histories. It’s a courageous attitude that stands up to harm, including the harm that we unwittingly inflict on ourselves through self-criticism, self-isolation, or self-absorption. Self-compassion provides emotional strength and resilience, allowing us to admit our shortcomings, motivate ourselves with kindness, forgive ourselves when needed, relate wholeheartedly to others and be more authentically ourselves.
The venue : Although seeming “away from it all”, Greater Manchester, South Yorkshire and the Midlands are all nearby. Along the ridge above Hucklow you can see five counties on a clear day! There are few places more central to the country as a whole.
All accommodation is in single rooms, mostly shared bathrooms, please check with Mindfulness Network if you require an ensuite room.
This retreat is equally open to those wanting to deepen practice and those who teach or wish to teach.
The retreat meets the requirement to have sat a five-day, silent, teacher-led retreat before taking the MSC Teacher Training course AND meets BAMBA requirements for an annual retreat.
It would be helpful if you have a regular practice of mindfulness and/or loving-kindness/self-compassion meditation. Previous retreat experience of at least one day is helpful but, if not, please apply and we’ll discuss your application with you.
- When - 11th Nov 2026 - 15th Nov 2026
- Where - The Nightingale Centre, Buxton
- Teachers - Colette Power, Zoe Shobbrook-Fisher
- Fees - Full rate for SINGLE accommodation: £1,095 (includes £100.00 non-refundable deposit)
Bursary-assisted places are available on this event until 6 weeks before the event starts
Residential
Mindful Self-Compassion Core Skills Weekend
Overview
Join me for a resourcing deep dive into the heart opening path of mindful self-compassion (MSC). Whether you’re a beginner curious to learn more or you’ve already completed the course I’m offering you a nurturing weekend of teaching and practice around the core principles of this transformational approach. The ethos of MSC invites us to dwell at depth with both the joys and challenges of living this human life – held in a container of respect, care and kindness. Discover or recover this way to greater freedom and ease of being in the beautiful peaceful surroundings of the Surrey Hills at Fintry!
This not a silent meditation retreat. It’s a spacious, experiential, meditation based learn and practice resourcing weekend. Each day will include a blend of teaching, guided exercises, self-compassion practices, movement meditations, individual reflection, small group discussions and time for individual self-care outside of the sessions.
Through MSC you can learn…
- how to stop being so hard on yourself
- how to motivate yourself with encouragement rather than criticism
- how to handle difficult emotions like shame with greater ease
- how to transform difficult relationships, both old and new
- how to balance tender and fierce compassion for more boundaries
- the power of self and other forgiveness
- mindfulness and self-compassion practices for home and everyday life
- how to become your own best teacher
The weekend will offer a spacious and gentle exploration of the key themes and practices of MSC, offered in a format which provides a nourishing space to let go of everyday concerns and respond to your own needs with kindness. There will be periods of silence woven into the weekend timetable.
The schedule includes plenty of time around meal breaks for going on walks or resting. Arrivals from 2.30 for tea and cake on Friday, first group session at 5pm and weekend ends after lunch at 3pm on Sunday.
This weekend is for beginners as well as those wanting to refresh their practice. It’s for you if you need a restorative weekend in like-minded company exploring Mindful Self-Compassion. If you’ve already taken an MSC course come and be nourished revisiting this approach and enjoying time to connect and practice together with others.
I’ve been leading residential courses and retreats for 13 years, and each one is unique, carefully planned and supportive, as well as relaxed and fun. It’s a space for you to drop into more intimacy with your experience, awake to all of your senses, moment by moment. Practices will be indoors and outdoors in beautiful garden setting. As well as some silence so that you can connect more fully with your inner experience, there will be opportunities for sharing and individual support if needed. All of it will support you in befriending and exploring whatever is showing up for you.
Some experience of mindfulness would be helpful but is not essential – I will follow up your booking with a call to respond to any questions or concerns you might have. All you need is an interest in learning principles and practices which offer support in living with greater self-compassion.
- When -6th to 8th Sept 2024
- Where - The Fintry Trust, Godalming Surrey
- Cost - £420
Residential
CULTIVATING A BOUNDLESS HEART
Overview
Join me for a deep dive into the heart of mindfulness and compassion, practicing the 4 qualities of the boundless heart which is our true nature and home. With a spirit of creativity and play we will explore ways to bring more heartfulness into our relationship with ourselves and our world, through deepened capacities for equanimity, joy, compassion and love. The spring time at beautiful Fintry will be a wonderful support for an inspirational and restorative weekend for body, heart and soul.
I’ve been leading retreats for 13 years, and each one is unique, carefully planned and supportive, as well as relaxed and fun. It’s a space for you to drop into more intimacy with your experience, awake to all of your senses, moment by moment. Practices will be indoors and outdoors, with a full day of silence on Saturday. Meditations will include stillness, yoga and Qi Gong based movement, walking and movement with music inspired by my conscious dance practice. As well as silence so that you can connect more fully with your inner experience, there will be opportunities for sharing and individual support if needed. I will offer teaching reflections about elements of practice and Buddhist Psychology – all of it a response to support you in befriending and exploring whatever is showing up for you.
The schedule includes plenty of time around meal breaks for going on walks or resting. Arrivals from 2.30 for tea and cake on Friday 17th, first group session at 5pm and retreat ends after lunch at 3pm on Sunday 19th
This retreat is for anyone who has completed a mindfulness (MBSR, MBCT etc) or Mindful Self-Compassion course with me or any teacher.
- Periods of both guided and silent meditation
- Full day of silence on Saturday
- Opportunities for drawing, painting, writing
- Some movement will be with music
- Delicious vegetarian food and your own bedroom
- Personalised teacher support
- When - 17th to 19th May 2024
- Where - The Fintry Trust, Godalming Surrey
- Cost - £380 pp all single rooms
- Availability - 11 participants
Residential
Rest and Renewal Retreat
Overview
A retreat is a chance to discover Mindfulness and Self-Compassion more intensively or to deepen your existing practice, nourishing body heart and mind in beautiful surroundings and with delicious vegetarian food. Each day will include meditations familiar and new, combining sitting, yoga and Qi Gong based movement, walking, standing and lying down. On retreat we build more stability and balance, making space for contentment, love and joy to arise.
I’ve been leading retreats for 12 years, and they are carefully planned and supportive, as well as relaxed and fun. It’s a space for you to drop into more intimacy with your experience, awake to all of your senses, moment by moment. There will be sustained periods of silence to connect more fully with our inner experience, as well as shared reflection. As well as the meditations I include short talks about elements of practice and Buddhist Psychology – everything I offer is in response to what’s happening and will support you in befriending and exploring whatever is showing up for you.
The schedule includes plenty of time around meal breaks for going on a little walk or resting, and you are encouraged to listen to what feels right for you, being in choice.
This retreat is for anyone who has completed a mindfulness (MBSR, MBCT etc) or Mindful Self-Compassion course with me or any teacher.
- Periods of both guided and silent meditation
- Short evening talks
- Good food and your own bedroom – some will be ensuite
- Opportunity for teacher support in group or individually
- When - 27th – 29th Jan 2023
- Where - Claridge House, Lingford, Surrey
- Cost - £380 suggested / £430 benefactor
- Availability - 10 participants
2 spaces available booking closes soon!