internal martial arts retreat in the cotswolds, uk

Full week: May 13 - 19, 2025 (Tue - Mon)
Mid-week option: May 13  – 16, 2025 (Tue - Fri)
Weekend option: May 16 - 19, 2025 (Fri - Mon)
This special retreat will be an opportunity to come together in community to train, laugh and deepen your practices of the Golden Bell qigong forms and internal martial arts of Baguazhang and Xingyiquan. It is open to those who have completed seasons one and two of Mimi's Qigong and Internal Martial Arts courses.

Nestled in the picturesque landscape of the Cotswolds is Cats Abbey – a beautiful estate home that has comfortable rooms, two spacious dining and common areas and beautifully landscaped gardens that would be wonderful for practice. It is easily reached by Heathrow Airport, London and Oxford.

retreat info

Accommodations:
​The bedrooms are spacious and have ensuite bathrooms. A choice of single and twin rooms are available. Should you wish to camp, there are spaces to pitch tents as well. 

Meals and work periods:
To keep costs low, the retreat will be a mix of self-catering and pre-ordered lunches. There is a nearby farm shop that  sells fresh produce, eggs, bread and much much more (they have a fantastic deli counter!).
  • Breakfast: Please bring your own breakfasts. You can use the refrigerator and store anything you'd like to bring in the common kitchen.  Basics such as milks (cows, oat and soy) and spreads (butter, peanut butter, jellies) will be provided.  
  • Lunch: We will offer a selection of pre-ordered salads and sandwiches provided by the local farm shop. Alternatively, to keep personal costs down, you can bring food to prepare for lunch.
  • Dinner: A meal plan will be made in advance. Volunteers will be asked to help prepare simple, healthy vegetarian meals (curry & rice, couscous and veg, soups, stews, etc). 
  • Clean-up: A rota for cleaning the kitchen after each meal will be available. 

Arrivals, departures and daily schedule:
Arrivals on Tuesday or Friday should aim to be at Cats Abbey between 2:00 - 4:00 pm. 
Departures on Friday or Monday can plan to leave before or after lunch. 

Basic Daily Schedule (subject to change!):
6:30 am – Tea and a light snack (never practice on an empty stomach!)
7:00  – Meditation & Qigong 
8:00 – Breakfast 
9:00 –  Morning session
11:00 – Free time and lunch
3:30 – Afternoon session 
7:00 – Dinner 

Getting there and away

By train and shared taxi:
Cats Abbey is located 30 minutes from Oxford Parkway Railway Station and 22 minute from Charlbury Railway Station. 
From London Paddington to Charlbury: 1h 10 min travel time 
From London Marylebone to Oxford Parkway: 55 min - 1 hr 5 min travel time
Suggested train and arrival times will be given so that you can share taxis from the train station to Cats Abbey. 

By car: 
Cats Abbey is approximately 1 hr 30 min from London, depending on where you start your drive. 
Address: 
Shelborne 
GL54 3NA
United Kingdom

By air:
Book flights into London's Heathrow, Gatwick and Stanstead Airports. 
Information on travelling from the airport to connecting train stations and Cats Abbey will be provided upon registration. 

retreat fees*

Full week option, May 13 - 19, 2025 (Tue - Mon)​:
Single: £1300 – waitlist
Twin: £900
Camping (bring your own tent): £450 – waitlist
​
Mid-week option, May 13 - 16, 2025 (Tue - Fri)​ 
Weekend option, May 16 - 19, 2025 (Fri - Mon)​: 
Single: £650 –  waitlist
Twin: £450 
Camping (bring your own tent): £225 – waitlist

*All fees cover teaching, accommodations, daily dinner, and teas and coffees.   

A deposit of 30% of your room choice is required to secure your space.

    registration form

    1. BOOKINGS:
      A deposit of 30% of your room selection is payable to Daoist Flow Retreats Ltd.  is required with this booking form to secure your place.   The balance is due by Feb 1, 2025.  If booking within six weeks of start date payment in full will be required upon booking. 

    2. PAYMENTS:
      Payment can be made online or bank transfer.
      ​ROOMS AVAILABLE ON FIRST COME BASIS. PLEASE INDICATE PREFERENCE FOR ROOM, AND WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO MEET YOUR REQUEST. 
      Bank transfer and online payments are accepted.

    3. CANCELLATIONS:
      Please let us know as soon as possible if something comes up and you cannot attend our retreat. We always endeavour to treat cancellations fairly and sympathetically, but as spaces are limited the following applies:  We'll refund you the full amount you've paid minus the deposit (30% of the room selection) if you cancel 90 days BEFORE the start of the retreat. If you cancel WITHIN 90 days of the retreat, no refund will be issued unless we find a replacement for the vacancy created by your cancellation. If we do find a replacement, we will refunded everything you've paid minus the deposit to you within 15 days.

      If the retreat must be cancelled due to government policies regarding COVID19 or any other force majeure, we will do our best to reschedule the retreat. You will have the option to 1) ask your travel insurance to reimburse your deposit or 2) apply your deposit towards the new dates for the retreat or a future retreat.
      ​
    4. LIABILITY:
      We do NOT accept any liability for:
      • Cancellations, delays or changes caused by war, threat of war, terrorist actions or threats, closure of airports, civil strife, industrial action, natural disaster, technical problems to transport, staff cancellations, weather or other events beyond our control.
      • Participants' medical or psychiatric conditions which may develop during or subsequent to the holiday.
      • Loss of, or damage to, personal property of participants.

      If you have had any major physical or emotional illness within the past 5 years, or are under medical or psychiatric supervision, you must notify us of the details at the time of booking and, where appropriate, enclose a doctor's certificate of fitness to travel. Non-disclosure of relevant information can invalidate your insurance and cancel our contractual obligation to you. In order to participate in overseas holidays, clients must have travel insurance.  

    information on paying a deposit will be provided upon confirmation of your room. 

    IMPORTANT: