Woodland Rest Yoga + Mindfulness Retreat
28th-30th Nov 2025 | St Nectan's Glen, Cornwall
A weekend retreat to deeply rest and nourish your body, heart and mind with therapeutic yoga and mindfulness, next to a magical waterfall surrounded by ancient Cornish woodland.
Retreat Highlights
🍂 Autumn Renewal Weekend
2 nights in Cornwall's mystical woodland glen with therapeutic yoga, seasonal breathwork and meditation designed specifically for busy minds.
🌊 Nature Immersion & Restoration
Experience the healing power of the 60ft waterfall, riverside swims, and guided mindfulness woodland walks amidst autumn's natural beauty.
💫 Experienced Guidance
Benefit from the combined knowledge of Sharon (yoga therapist/physiotherapist) and Katie (yoga/mindfulness teacher) offering Traditional Chinese Medicine principles for autumn/winter.
🌀 Nourishment for Body & Soul
Enjoy delicious locally-sourced vegetarian meals, restorative practices, and the perfect balance of community connection and personal space
Itinerary
Friday
2.30pm Arrival and optional woodland walk to venue*
5-7pm Welcome circle, intention setting and yoga
7.30pm Dinner
Saturday
Morning period of silence until breakfast.
7-8.30am Mindful movement, breath practices and meditation
8.45pm Breakfast
10.00am-1pm Guided mindful walk and waterfall dip and gentle yoga flow
4-7pm Yin yoga and nidra
7.30pm Dinner
Sunday
Morning period of silence until breakfast.
7-8.30am Mindful movement, breath practices and meditation
8.45pm Breakfast
10-1pm Gentle yoga flow, restorative yoga and closing circle
1pm Lunch
2pm Departure
(*You must arrive by this time at the carpark to have luggage taken up to the site. You will be given the option to walk up through the glen or have a lift in the minibus.)
Why join us...
💫 To rest and recover from your busy life in a peaceful natural setting with supportive, knowledgeable guides.
💫 To leave feeling nourished with greater self-awareness and nervous-system regulating yoga and mindfulness techniques you can use every day.
💫 Because no prior yoga or mindfulness experience is needed - all practices will be gentle and accessible for beginners.
💫 If you've practiced before, to enjoy a relaxing experience designed to restore and rejuvenate.
💫 If you're experiencing burnout, recovering from injuries, pregnant (our teachers are certified in prenatal yoga), or simply needing an escape.
What's included?
🏡 2 nights in a stunning woodland glen.
🍽️ Delicious locally sourced vegetarian meals (all meals provided).
💦 Invigorating swims in the stunning 60ft Waterfall and river.
🌳 Guided mindfulness woodland walk.
⏳ Free time to explore, rest or connect with others.
🔄 Welcome Intention setting and closing circle.
🌅 Morning periods of silence before breakfast to support rest and connection with self.
🧘♀️ Therapeutic and restful yin and restorative yoga.
🍂 Seasonal yoga themes for autumn throughout inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine.
🌬️ Progressive, nervous-system nourishing breath practices.
🌊 Mindful movement and Chi Kung.
🧠 Beginner friendly meditation for people with busy brains.
💆 Massages can be arranged at additional cost for Saturday.
About the yoga + mindfulness
🧘♀️ Your guides are Sharon O'Sullivan (yoga therapist and physiotherapist) and Katie Austin (yoga and mindfulness teacher), combining their wisdom across the sessions.
🌬️ The retreat focuses on intelligent breathing techniques to help you rest and recover, following Traditional Chinese Medicine and Seasonal yoga principles for autumn.
🌅 Morning sessions include gentle movement (yoga or chi kung), breathing practices, and meditation to energise you.
🌙 Afternoon/evening sessions offer relaxing hatha, yin, and restorative yoga, plus educational components and yoga nidra meditation.
🌿 Everything is optional and can be adjusted for your needs. Feel free to skip sessions for extra rest or alone time.
🌳About St Nectan's Glen
Nestled in the mystical landscapes of Cornwall, St Nectan's Glen is a sacred sanctuary where nature's magic comes alive.
This enchanted woodland valley features a spectacular 60-foot waterfall cascading through a perfectly circular hole in the rocks, creating what locals call a "kieve" or sacred basin.
Ancient trees line crystal-clear streams while moss-covered stones whisper tales of Celtic spirituality and Arthurian legend.
The Glen's powerful earth energy and serene atmosphere make it the perfect setting for deep meditation and rejuvenating yoga practice.
Here, surrounded by the gentle sounds of flowing water and birdsong, you'll find a rare space where the veil between everyday life and profound spiritual connection feels beautifully thin—ideal for those seeking genuine restoration and inner transformation during retreat.
About the Accomodation
🌲 Charming wooden lodges nestled in St Nectan's Glen valley with woodland views.
🌅 Balconies and outdoor spaces to enjoy autumn sunshine, plus evening fire pits.
🛏️ Comfortable shared rooms (mainly twin rooms, with one triple and one quad available).
🤝 Request to share with a friend or we'll pair you with someone.
😴 Thoughtful sharing arrangements with 10pm lights out, earplugs provided, and guided discussion on supporting each other's rest needs.
About your teachers
Sharon O'Sullivan
Sharon discovered yoga nearly 30 years ago, transforming her life path. Her journey through India, UK, and Ireland deepened her practice and understanding of yoga therapy. Sharon shares tools she's personally found beneficial, now offering emotional regulation through somatic practices in Cornwall.
As an NHS advanced practice orthopaedic physiotherapist (HCPC/CSP registered), her extensive training includes trauma-informed yin yoga, clinical pilates, yoga nidra, and myofascial release. Her vipassana meditation practice infuses both her personal and professional life.
With nearly 20 years of bodywork experience and acupuncture training, Sharon combines breath awareness into every session. She fundamentally believes we all possess internal healing tools, sometimes needing guidance to access them.
Katie Austin
Katie discovered mindfulness in 2014 during a challenging period, finding it transformed how she navigates life's peaks and valleys with greater ease and compassion.
A certified yoga teacher since 2016, trained in Vinyasa, Yin, Restorative, Seasonal Yoga and pregnancy yoga.
Katie completed her formal mindfulness education through Bangor University's post-graduate diploma and The Mindfulness Network's teacher certification.
She has a dedicated mindfulness and yoga practice and goes on regular silent meditation retreats.
She skillfully integrates mindfulness into her yoga sessions and, since 2020, offers dedicated mindfulness courses, workshops, and private sessions to the community.
FAQs
Q: Who is the retreat suitable for?
A: The course is suitable for beginners to yoga, meditation and mindfulness and also to experienced practitioners looking to deepen their practice and have a restful experience.
Q: Is there a payment plan available?
A: Yes please discuss with Sharon or Katie but the deposit is required to support your booking.
Q: How many people will be on the retreat?
The max number of participants will be 13 plus Sharon and Katie the instructors.
Q: Can I come if I am pregnant?
A: You are welcome to come pregnant, we are both pregnancy yoga trained.
Q: I want to come with a friend can we share a room?
A: Yes! There are mainly two bed rooms and one 3 bed and one four bed room. We will try our best to just put you and your friend/friends on your own in a room together, although this will be on a first come first serve basis. If there is only the three person and four person rooms remaining and there are two of you, you would be sharing a room with someone else.
Q: Do you cater for allergies?
Yes, but please get in touch if it's a very severe allergy.
Q: What will I need to bring?
A: We will send you a kit list before the retreat but outdoor gear for rain and Autumn British weather will be necessary. You won't need any yoga equipment, bedding or shower towels. You will need to bring a towel for the waterfall if planning to dip.
Q: What is the retreat cancellation policy?
A: If you cancel:
- Before 1st October 2025 you will receive a refund of whatever you have already paid minus the deposit of £150
- From 2nd October 2025: No refund
In the event of unforeseen circumstances, including but not limited to natural disasters or government restrictions, we reserve the right to cancel or reschedule the retreat. Full refunds or credit will be offered in such cases.
Q: Can I join if I limited mobility or accessiblity needs?
A: Have a chat with us before booking to discuss if you struggle with mobility as there are a lot of steps around the Glen site so it may be challenging for you to access everywhere.
Unfortunately this retreat is not wheelchair accessible.
How can I contact you to ask further questions?
Please email either Katie at Katieaustinyoga@gmail.com or Sharon at sostherapies@mailfence.com and we can arrange a call if needed.