So happy and excited to announce details of the Brighton Spring Retreat! Here´s a link to photos, video and feedback from the first and second Brighton retreats.

THE INTENTION

Dust off the winter residue and immerse yourself into a new season with ritual, exploration, amazing food and yoga in the wonderful city of Brighton. A springtime treat with time for yourself, fresh experiences, new friends and a deepening of your practice. Continuing our focus on high food and accommodation standards and lots of yoga exploration,  we have also added some new offerings to stimulate your creativity as well as embrace more of the outdoors in the springtime environment, a very special time in the blossoming city.

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 (the sunniest in the UK!), 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, paddleboarding, cosmopolitan atmosphere and cycle rides along the seafront, 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 recently moved back in 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. 

THE YOGA
There will be five yoga sessions during your stay including one Self Care workshop, energising spring practice, a Yoga Disco and weather permitting, outdoor yoga. There will also be focus on meditation techniques and a range of styles of yoga.

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 ACCOMMODATION

Rooms are shared, 2 people max per room. there are three bathrooms with toilet, shower and sink and there are two bathtubs in two of the rooms.

Located in the “heart and soul” of Brighton, the luxurious, spacious loft conversion of Vine Street Studios is our base. The space is new, and opened last year. Exquisite craftsmanship in every detail and nestled in the heart of the North Laine. We have a quiet and calm yet central location including our own yoga space. The best of both worlds, our tranquil haven the vibrant and eclectic community. More pictures here.

Your towels and bedding are included so you have extra room in your suitcase!

THE TRANSPORT 

PLANES
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 from Bergen to Gatwick is via Easyjet: Leaving Bergen 14.4.14 17:35 Flight 5080, Departing Gatwick 17.4.13 14:05 Flight 5079.

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).

WHAT THEY SAID

“Brighton Yoga Seaside Retreat! Best thing I did this summer!”
-Elin

“Brighton Yoga Seaside City Retreat was perfect for me!! Number of yoga sessions was just perfect and also lots of space for free time in between, was just what I needed! Delicious food every day. Thank you SO much Ketil and Dionne! xxx”
-Helga

“A perfect mixture of inspiring yoga sessions, nice people, delicious food, and English seaside city life :)”
-Anne

“I had an amazing time discovering Brighton with Dionne & Ketil, on top of great yoga sessions – and wonderful company. Such a fantastic week end!”
-Pauline

“A wonderful weekend… including a mix of great yoga classes, delicious food, lovely people and new experiences.”
-Hildur

THE DETAILS

The retreat runs from  Monday 14 April – Thursday 17 April. We will kick off on Monday at 20:00 (this allows time for rail travel from Gatwick to Brighton). However if you decide to make alternative travel arrangements you are welcome at Vine Street Studios from 18:00. We check out of the studios at 10:00 on Thursday after our morning yoga session, and will wrap up the retreat at midday after a leisurely brunch.

Investment is 4.500 kr inclusive of all yoga classes and workshops (8 hours), breakfasts, lunches (meal and a non-alcoholic drink), tours, materials, accommodation, towels, unlimited tea, coffee and pleasure (!)

Optional extras: bike ride, massage and holistic therapies.

 

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 Monday 10 March 2014.
*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