Celebrating Summer: A Meditation, Qigong & Yoga Silent Retreat
with Mimi Kuo-Deemer (Daoist Flow Retreats Ltd.)
May 5 - 9, 2021 (Wed - Sun)
Poundon House, Oxfordshire
with Mimi Kuo-Deemer (Daoist Flow Retreats Ltd.)
May 5 - 9, 2021 (Wed - Sun)
Poundon House, Oxfordshire
"I have been on several retreats over the years, but the silent retreat I attended with Mimi and James was unlike any other. I arrived stressed and overworked. Not only was the setting beautiful and the food delicious, I also enjoyed a daily dose of meditation, qigong, yoga and mindfulness, skilfully and wisely led by Mimi and James. The medicine worked. Soon all my troubles melted away and in the stillness I could see clearly again just how breathtakingly beautiful it is to be alive. It was a magical experience that I will always treasure." – Kelvin Brown, BBC video journalist
This five-day retreat will explore the ways we can step away from the busyness of life and discover ways to nurture ourselves as we move into the summer months. The focus of the retreat will be on the season of summer in Chinese medicine, the element/phase of fire, and how we can best meet this period of maximum yang with steady, calm joy. Set in the tranquil surroundings of Poundon House, Oxfordshire, this retreat will help you align with the seasonal characteristics of summer and the fore element in Chinese medicine through a combination of daily meditation, qigong and yoga practices. Most of the retreat will be held in silence, though the beginning and end of the retreat will offer time to transition into and out of working with group silence.
Each day will include guided meditations and gentle movement-based practices. Morning and evening meditations will offer attendees the time to explore mindfulness-based meditation practices, and daily qigong and yoga will help foster fluid movement if energy through the body. Each day, there will be time for resting, booking treatments or taking walks on the estate's many acres. Throughout the retreat, participants will work toward deepening their embodiment of all forms of practice, as well exploring how the gifts of practice can enrich our lives and ripple out into the world.
Poundon House is just 45 minutes by train from London's Marylebone station, and easily accessible from the North of the UK by train as well as Europe via London's Heathrow airport.
Please note: this retreat is open to students with a minimum of 18 months of regular practice.
Each day will include guided meditations and gentle movement-based practices. Morning and evening meditations will offer attendees the time to explore mindfulness-based meditation practices, and daily qigong and yoga will help foster fluid movement if energy through the body. Each day, there will be time for resting, booking treatments or taking walks on the estate's many acres. Throughout the retreat, participants will work toward deepening their embodiment of all forms of practice, as well exploring how the gifts of practice can enrich our lives and ripple out into the world.
Poundon House is just 45 minutes by train from London's Marylebone station, and easily accessible from the North of the UK by train as well as Europe via London's Heathrow airport.
Please note: this retreat is open to students with a minimum of 18 months of regular practice.
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The basic, daily schedule:* Wednesday: 14:30 – arrivals 15:30 – 18:00 – intros and welcome practice 18:30 – dinner 20:00 – evening meditation Thursday – Saturday 6:30 – light breakfast (tea, coffee, toast, fruit) 7:00 – Meditation and qigong 8:30 – full breakfast 9:45 – Morning session 13:00 – lunch and free time (book treatments, walk the estate grounds, nap, read, do nothing) 16:00 – Afternoon session 18:30 – dinner 20:00 – evening meditation Sunday 6:30 – light breakfast (tea, coffee, toast, fruit) 7:00 – Meditation and qigong 8:30 – full breakfast 9:45 – Morning session and close 13:00 – lunch 14:00 – departures * subject to changes. The House, Grounds, and Rooms Poundon House's six acres of landscaped gardens are a delight to explore. Quiet, calm and tranquil, Poundon is an ideal place to restore and revitalise. Located near the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire border, it is also within easy reach of London, Oxford, Milton Keynes, Birmingham, the Cotswolds and Bristol, with fantastic transport links to all of these places. The house was built in 1908 with large groups in mind. Like all the very best Edwardian country houses, Poundon House is blessed with generously sized rooms. Additionally, each of the 10 bedrooms have been carefully redecorated and restored over the last five years, while staying true to the country house-style of the Edwardian era. There are 5 luxury bathrooms with exquisite bathtubs, as well as 5 additional toilets. Dressing gowns, shower gels and hand products as well as two towels per guest are provided. Tea stations are offered throughout the house, and a stunning open fire warms and welcomes guests in the main drawing room. The yoga room is also well-heated for winter, and has a spacious wood floor with beautiful views of the land. The Cuisine Poundon House chef Anna Bywater creates healthy and satisfying meals to make sure your belly, body and senses are delighted. Her vegetarian feasts also cater to all dietary requirements. Tea, coffee, and still water are available 24 hours a day. Therapies and Treatments Therapies will be available during your stay including shiatsu and massage. Payment is direct in cash to the therapist, and more details will be provided upon booking. Arrivals and Departures Arrival day is Wednesday, May 5, 2021. Check-in is from 2:30 pm. The first session will begin at 3:30 pm. Departure is Sunday, May 9, 2021 after lunch (between 2 and 4pm). The address is Poundon House, Poundon, Oxon OX27 9BB. Arrivals by train: Train stations: Bicester North (London / Birmingham) - 15mins -- recommended Bicester Town (Oxford) - 15mins Aylesbury Vale parkway - (London) - 30mins Oxford (London / West country) - 30mins |
"Having practiced daily meditation alone for several years, I was both excited and a little nervous about doing it in a group. I was also nervous about doing a 'silent' retreat - I often joke about wanting to get away from all the chit chat at home, but actually having to do it was another thing. The first day was quite difficult, it's quite unusual to be surrounded by (friendly) people but not talk to them - we are kind of brought up to be polite all the time. By day two I started to find it quite liberating and by the end of the week I felt a deep sense of calm. In other settings it might have been stressful, but Mimi and her team create an atmosphere of warmth and joy, and the other attendees, many of them novices like myself, were also very kind and supportive. I would highly recommend it. " – Peter Traynor, author
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Bicester North is about 45-60 minutes from London Marlyebone station. Trains run on average three times per hour. Check Southern Railway for times and train costs. http://www.southernrailway.com/
From these rail stations taxis are easy to book; information and contacts will be provided upon booking.
Driving directions:
From London or Birmingham, take junction 9 off the M40. On the roundabout above the motorway, head towards Bicester on the A41. At the Esso roundabout, turn right – heading towards Aylesbury. At the next big roundabout, take the second left towards Launton. You will then go straight over two small roundabouts, before turning right at the third, signed ‘Launton village only’. In Launton, turn left opposite The Bull Inn – this will be marked to Poundon. Go straight over at the next cross roads, (about 1 mile) up the hill, past the ex-military radio station, (about 2miles) and we are the first house in Poundon, on the right with black gates and a lime tree avenue.
It may be advisable to avoid the M40 exit to Bicester as you may be caught in ‘Bicester Village’ shopping traffic. If you wish you may exit the M40 at a junction earlier from either direction and head across country.
From these rail stations taxis are easy to book; information and contacts will be provided upon booking.
Driving directions:
From London or Birmingham, take junction 9 off the M40. On the roundabout above the motorway, head towards Bicester on the A41. At the Esso roundabout, turn right – heading towards Aylesbury. At the next big roundabout, take the second left towards Launton. You will then go straight over two small roundabouts, before turning right at the third, signed ‘Launton village only’. In Launton, turn left opposite The Bull Inn – this will be marked to Poundon. Go straight over at the next cross roads, (about 1 mile) up the hill, past the ex-military radio station, (about 2miles) and we are the first house in Poundon, on the right with black gates and a lime tree avenue.
It may be advisable to avoid the M40 exit to Bicester as you may be caught in ‘Bicester Village’ shopping traffic. If you wish you may exit the M40 at a junction earlier from either direction and head across country.
About Mimi
Mimi is a senior teacher at triyoga and a faculty member on the triyoga teacher training diploma course. She champions meditation as the answer to just about all of life's most pressing questions. Her two main teachers in the yoga world, Erich Schiffmann and Donna Farhi, continually humble her with the idea that yoga is the art of living, listening, and learning to embody a deeply spiritual tradition. In 2002, Mimi co-founded Yoga Yard, Beijing’s first and leading yoga studio, which she co-directed for seven years. She now lives in London, and teaches classes, workshops, retreats and teacher trainings in the UK and internationally. She is the author of the DVD “Vinyasa Yoga: A Steady Mindful Practice.” and a contributor on the online yoga and wellness site MovementforModernLife.com.
Mimi is a senior teacher at triyoga and a faculty member on the triyoga teacher training diploma course. She champions meditation as the answer to just about all of life's most pressing questions. Her two main teachers in the yoga world, Erich Schiffmann and Donna Farhi, continually humble her with the idea that yoga is the art of living, listening, and learning to embody a deeply spiritual tradition. In 2002, Mimi co-founded Yoga Yard, Beijing’s first and leading yoga studio, which she co-directed for seven years. She now lives in London, and teaches classes, workshops, retreats and teacher trainings in the UK and internationally. She is the author of the DVD “Vinyasa Yoga: A Steady Mindful Practice.” and a contributor on the online yoga and wellness site MovementforModernLife.com.
Cost and payment information:
Shared rooms:
Shared same-sex room with two twin beds OR one double bed for couples who are IN A BUBBLE, or agree to room together at their own discretion.
£810 per person for shared twin room
Single rooms:
£980 per person
Payments:
A non-refundable deposit of £200 is required with this booking form to secure your place. Balance is due by April 1, 2021. If booking after April 1, payment in full will be required upon booking.
Payment can be made by check, credit card (use the link below) or bank transfer. ROOMS AVAILABLE ON FIRST COME BASIS. PLEASE INDICATE PREFERENCE FOR ROOM, AND WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO MEET YOUR REQUEST. Cost includes all yoga and meditation, qigong, meals and accommodation. Transportation not included.
Bank details or information on sending a cheque for paying your deposit and balance will be provided to you upon registration.
Shared rooms:
Shared same-sex room with two twin beds OR one double bed for couples who are IN A BUBBLE, or agree to room together at their own discretion.
£810 per person for shared twin room
Single rooms:
£980 per person
Payments:
A non-refundable deposit of £200 is required with this booking form to secure your place. Balance is due by April 1, 2021. If booking after April 1, payment in full will be required upon booking.
Payment can be made by check, credit card (use the link below) or bank transfer. ROOMS AVAILABLE ON FIRST COME BASIS. PLEASE INDICATE PREFERENCE FOR ROOM, AND WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO MEET YOUR REQUEST. Cost includes all yoga and meditation, qigong, meals and accommodation. Transportation not included.
Bank details or information on sending a cheque for paying your deposit and balance will be provided to you upon registration.