UK Retreats and Courses

'Kim is one of those very special people who makes you feel that you do matter and gives you the direction to believe in yourself. Kim's down to earth, passionate and very informative teaching is just brilliant' - Angela

Weekend Retreats in North Wales and the Peak District

'I feel a strong connection to Kim as she is so open and honest in her thoughts and provides the most engaging, authentic meditation experience.
She shares her wisdom as well as her vulnerability which speaks volumes - so glad I met you all those years ago when I really started out n my own healing journey and I’m so grateful to have had you by my side in meditation over the lockdown period and beyond.

Thank you so much' - Miriam

Deep Listening - July 29th - Aug 1st (3 nights), in Noddfa, Penmaenmawr, North Wales

£359 solo room with shared bathroom

Deep Listening - Aug 19th - Aug 22nd (3 nights), Peak District

£429 solo room with shared bathroom
£479 solo room with ensuite

Deep Listening - Nov 18th - 20th (2 nights), Peak District

£299 solo room with shared bathroom
£329 solo room with ensuite

Facilitated by Kim

Deep listening - a time to take stock, recalibrate and uncover the direction that our inner satnav is taking us.

With the hustle and bustle of life, the subtle (and not so subtle) conditioning forced upon us by our surroundings (think advertising, social 'norms', peer pressure etc), it can be difficult to stop long enough to check in to what it is we actually want and need. Instead we end up absorbing the needs and wants of others, often at the risk of abandoning ourselves.

Our Deep Listening retreats provide space so that we can slow down enough and become quiet enough to hear whatever it is that our hearts yearn for. Most often it's simply the permission to truly feel... How many of us have guarded against really feeling anything in fear that we'll become overwhelmed and collapse in a heap on the ground or worse! That's why we start every retreat with practical ways to regulate the nervous system. We take things very gently. We honour resistance and come to make friends with it and the protection that it has been long offering us. We stop fighting ourselves. We make peace.

There will be guided meditations, listening exercises, long (and you may discover luxurious) periods of silence, mindful walking and some talks aimed at furthering your connection to yourself - the most important relationship you will ever have.

We'll also take the time to hone our skills of listening to others, listening with the whole body, listening without the need to fix or resolve the other. Providing a place of safety for true connection to occur.

What's the Big Deal about Silence?

Such a great question! Why would we voluntarily become silent? What is the point? Many of us live alone and are silent a lot anyway, why would we choose to expose ourselves to more, when we could have the opportunity to be making new friends and socialising?

I’m pretty sure you all have your own reasons for turning up and entering the silence, so what I’m about to say speaks only for me. Maybe it’ll resonate, maybe not ;)

Some years ago, an old friend announced she was doing a silent retreat. I remember being horrified - you can’t speak?! Or read?! Or write?! But I was also at a point when I was questioning a lot of what my mind was telling me. So I turned it around - what was so terrible about not being able to speak or read or write? And it’s then I realised that I was terrified of what might turn up if I was left alone with my own head. I thought that Pandora’s box might be opened, a huge can of worms that I would be unable to put the lid back on. But that wasn't my experience and in over twelve years of running silent retreats it hasn't been anyone else's either. In fact I realised that my fear of looking within was keeping me trapped in all sorts of subtle ways.

During our time together we WILL have the possibility of reading, writing, drawing etc. We welcome this simply because we don’t need to create extra stress for ourselves when we first meet silence. You’re welcome to read and write and draw - but we can be very interested in the moment BEFORE we pick up the book, the journal, the drawing etc. Why do we feel the need to distract ourselves? Is something going on that feels uncomfortable? Can we possibly sit with that feeling and turn our minds towards it? Even for 2 seconds? After we’ve turned towards the feeling that’s going on for us, we may find that we’re quite curious about what’s going on and want to investigate further. Or we may decide that we absolutely DO want to distract ourselves and that’s perfectly fine. The thing is to have some curiosity about the whole thing. We call this ‘friendly curiosity’.

If we decide to investigate the bodily experience, then our intention isn’t to work anything out or get to the bottom of anything or analyse it, although we may have some insights in that direction, our intention is simply to give our bodies the gift of our 100% complete attention in this moment of discomfort or whatever it is that we have going on for us. In the West we have become very used to moving away from discomfort as we’re told over and over again (by the media and society) that we shouldn’t have to experience any unpleasantness and that if we do (and this message can be quite subtle) then we are in some way ‘failing’. This is not true. We are simply living.

But I can tell you that until I’m blue in the face. The only way to see if this is true is to come and find out for yourself....

In North Wales there is some lovely walking and the beach on the doorstep. The house is old and majestic with lots of space, and there are plenty of grounds to enjoy and nature to soothe the soul. Oh and you won't go hungry.
All rooms are for solo occupancy with shared bathrooms (max two to a bathroom).

In the Peak District we're in a quiet spot in Great Hucklow that also has lovely walking. There is a fabulous sun room with great views over the surrounding rolling hills and greenery - perfect for sitting quietly and settling. You won't go hungry here, either!
All rooms are for solo occupancy with the option of ensuite or shared bathrooms.

As with all Serenity Retreat breaks, how much you choose to participate is entirely up to you. Deep listening to what it is that truly works for YOU in the moment.

What's Included?

The price includes:

• 2 or 3 nights accommodation (depending which weekend you book)
• All meals
• All guidance/teaching
• Private chats, if you'd like

What to Bring

• Walking Shoes/Boots if you plan to wander a bit
• Something to write with and in
• Clothing appropriate to UK seasonal weather
• Anything at all that you intuit you'd like to bring: journal, knitting, drawing etc

If this is feeling like something you'd like to do you can use this booking form. Or drop us a line if you have any questions . A deposit of £50 will save your place.

New Year - Deep Listening and Some Silence

30th Dec - 2nd Jan

Facilitated by Kim

What to Expect

There will be a timetable that includes periods of sitting, mindful walking and periods of Doing Nothing. There will be some Deep Listening talks and guidance too. If you want to bring a book, or some drawing, or some writing - please do. Our focus is on opening up to the silence. We'll stress that there is no obligation AT ALL to follow the timetable. Instead, we'll encourage you to tune in to what your body needs: feeling tired? Rest. Feeling hungry? Snack. Need to move? Go walking. Don't feel that you have to follow our timetable. It's there if you feel that you want to do it, but it's not compulsory by any means. The most important thing is that you commit to the silence on New Year's Day! Other than that, you are very welcome to do as you choose.

What's the Big Deal about Silence?

Such a great question! Why would we voluntarily become silent? What is the point? Many of us live alone and are silent a lot anyway, why would we choose to expose ourselves to more, when we could have the opportunity to be making new friends and socialising?

I’m pretty sure you all have your own reasons for turning up and entering the silence, so what I’m about to say speaks only for me. Maybe it’ll resonate, maybe not ;)

Some years ago, an old friend announced she was doing a silent retreat. I remember being horrified - you can’t speak?! Or read?! Or write?! But I was also at a point when I was questioning a lot of what my mind was telling me. So I turned it around - what was so terrible about not being able to speak or read or write? And it’s then I realised that I was terrified of what might turn up if I was left alone with my own head. I thought that Pandora’s box might be opened, a huge can of worms that I would be unable to put the lid back on. But that wasn't my experience and in ten years of running silent retreats it hasn't been anyone else's either. In fact I realised that my fear of looking within was keeping me trapped in all sorts of subtle ways.

During our time together we WILL have the possibility of reading, writing, drawing etc. We welcome this simply because we don’t need to create extra stress for ourselves when we first meet silence. You’re welcome to read and write and draw - but we can be very interested in the moment BEFORE we pick up the book, the journal, the drawing etc. Why do we feel the need to distract ourselves? Is something going on that feels uncomfortable? Can we possibly sit with that feeling and turn our minds towards it? Even for 2 seconds? After we’ve turned towards the feeling that’s going on for us, we may find that we’re quite curious about what’s going on and want to investigate further. Or we may decide that we absolutely DO want to distract ourselves and that’s perfectly fine. The thing is to have some curiosity about the whole thing. We call this ‘friendly curiosity’.

If we decide to investigate the bodily experience, then our intention isn’t to work anything out or get to the bottom of anything or analyse it, although we may have some insights in that direction, our intention is simply to give our bodies the gift of our 100% complete attention in this moment of discomfort or whatever it is that we have going on for us. In the West we have become very used to moving away from discomfort as we’re told over and over again (by the media and society) that we shouldn’t have to experience any unpleasantness and that if we do (and this message can be quite subtle) then we are in some way ‘failing’. This is not true. We are simply living.

But I can tell you that until I’m blue in the face. The only way to see if this is true is to come and find out for yourself....

This is a great way to introduce yourself to the practice of silence. Especially suitable for those who have never experienced a silent retreat before. It's not as intense as a full on Buddhist retreat but still retains the magic that silence can bring. It's such a great way to start the year!

What's Included

The price includes:

• 3 nights' solo accommodation
• All meals
• All guidance/teaching for
• Guided Mindfulness Movement
• Guided Mindful Walking

What to Bring

• Walking Shoes/Boots if you plan to wander a bit
• Journal or Notebook and Pen
• Book to read (not obligatory - just if you feel you’d like to)
• Mindful Colouring Books and Pens - although we'll have a small supply (once again, not obligatory - just if this is your thing)
• Clothing appropriate to UK seasonal weather!
• An open and questioning mind
  
  
If this is feeling like something you'd like to do you can use this booking form. Or drop us a line if you have any questions. A deposit of £50 will save your place.

The Kiloby Inquiries Retreat - to be confirmed

Facilitated by Kim

What's Included

The price includes:

• 3 nights accommodation
• All meals
• All guidance/teaching
• Guided Mindfulness Movement
• 1 hour long private KI session with Kim

What to Bring

• Walking Shoes/Boots if you plan to wander a bit
• Any creative activity that you enjoy. We'll have a jigsaw to do and some mindful colouring books (once again, not obligatory - just if this is your thing)
• Clothing appropriate to UK seasonal weather!
• An open and questioning mind

If this is feeling like something you'd like to do you can use this booking form. Or drop us a line if you have any questions. A deposit of £50 will save your place.