“Smell the sea and feel the sky, let your soul and spirit fly”

It´s a dream come true to announce details of the second Yoga Seaside City Retreat in Brighton! Here´s a link to photos, video and feedback from the first Brighton retreat. This winter wonderland retreat will be very similar in terms of high food and accommodation standards and lots of yoga, but we have also added some new treats to stimulate your creativity as well as tools to create clarity and intentions as we embark on a new year.

THE INTENTION
Connect with yourself and others and set intentions for the new year in an experience “away from it all” through yoga and creativity in the wonderful city of Brighton. Begin the year on the best possible footing: centred, clear and inspired.

THE SETTING
Brighton: city by the sea, alternative, creative, quirky, charming, cosy, a quintessentially English seaside town, eclectic, open-minded and fun!

Geographically, Brighton is a sunny town, located on the south coast, and the vast seaside panorama certainly adds to the spacious feeling. Colourful, eclectic and creative, it contains more than 365 restaurants, an attitude of celebrating individuality, many independent boutiques, coffee shops and restaurants, a place that´s easy to be a vegan or vegetarian (or not!), shopping that is unique and fabulous and did i mention the vintage?

Pubs, bars, live music, festivals, food markets, massage, arthouse cinemas, supper clubs, car boot sales, spas, pug meetup groups, beautiful architecture, beach life, history, minutes from the south downs nature, beautiful parks, museums, galleries, ice skating, paddleboarding, cosmopolitan atmosphere and cycle rides along the seafront (all year round), the list is really endless. Brighton has something for everyone. It can provide the wild party nights (and days) and leave you breathless if you have the energy, but it can also be a quiet and calm resort, full of pampering, meandering cobbled streets and alleyways finding solitary space and peace.

Many know that Brighton is my spiritual home. I lived here on and off for 10 years. It´s where my yoga journey stepped up, and i took my first teacher training. It´s where i felt life began. The city is vibrant and open, accepting and easy-going. Anything goes, and this sense of freedom and magic is certainly one of the many reasons i will always love it.

Ketil and I lived in Brighton before we moved to Bergen in 2010 and we will be residing here on a sabbatical from January 2014. We want to share this special place and create a haven amidst all of this inspiration. To get away from it all, yet connect with others, have many adventures, get to know this city at your own pace (tailor-make your stay according to your hearts desire) and eat some of the finest food of your life (no understatement!). All of this, in combination with your yoga practice and activities to stimulate your creativity and incorporate the inspiration and experience on and off the mat.

We will be providing a guided tour of the city in bite-sized chunks, and you will also be provided with a Brighton pack with all of our “must-see” recommendations, walks, maps, secrets, masseuse referrals and top tips to ensure your stay is magical.

A winter wonderland retreat with time for yourself, and a new experience, new friends and a deepening of your practice.

THE YOGA & CREATIVITY
Creativity through yoga, meditation, vision boarding, intention setting, writing workshop, ritual, nutritious food, yoga disco, music as well as space to recollect, detox and restore.

There will be five yoga sessions during your stay including one workshop, and a Yoga Disco. The sessions will be a balance of dynamic and restorative yoga open to all levels, beginner or experienced, and individual attention to focus on deepening your practice (a questionnaire will be sent on booking, where you can detail your specific requests).

THE FOOD

Breakfast and lunches are included in the stay. All meals will be healthy, nutritious and hearty (with options for carnivores, vegetarians and vegans).

Breakfast will be served at the loft, a smörgåsbord including muesli, fresh bread, fresh croissants, cheese selection, jam, yoghurt, juice, coffee, teas, fruit, eggs, seeds and nuts. Organic and locally sourced where possible.

For lunch we have cherry picked three different Brighton eateries, institutions in their own right, with the highest quality ingredients, where you can choose your meal and non-alcoholic drink.

Dinner with the group is optional, however we will book seats at three of the finest restaurants and details will be in your arrival pack. If you would prefer to make your own dinner plans that´s no problem.

THE TRANSPORT
To those of you outside of England, we recommend you fly to Gatwick as it is a short 20 minute hop to the city by train. Norwegian and Easyjet fly direct from Bergen, Oslo and Stavanger. Suggested flight is 16:05 from Bergen EZY5080. We will then meet you at Gatwick airport on arrival.

If you fly to Heathrow, get the National Express Coach to Pool Valley coach station (central Brighton), or a train via London (changing at Paddington, the tube to Victoria, then train to Brighton).

BOOKING
*Places are limited, and places are assigned on a first come, first served basis.
*To register and reserve one of 10 spots, a 1000kr non-refundable deposit is required.
*The remainder of the payment of 3.500kr is due by 29 November 2013.
*Pre-pay bank account: Dionne Elizabeth, 1203 91 73059
*Please mark your payment with your name as a reference.
*Deposits and full repayments are non-refundable unless we can fill your space.

If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to email me directly: dionneyoga@gmail.com