Let me introduce you to my corner of the West Norfolk Coast located on a bay called The Wash. It’s a 20-minute walk to the village’s two beaches from MindSteadyGo’s yoga retreat centre situated at the heart of this picturesque village.
Let me show you some of the beautiful natural environment you’ll be enjoying on your Norfolk yoga retreat.
I use the five pillars of Mind, Body, Breath, Food & Nature to design all my Norfolk yoga retreats and stress management training courses.
This post explores the Nature pillar and the key role nature plays in helping guests integrate their learning, find mental and physical freedom and reconnect to self and the natural environment.
Looking towards Heacham South Beach
Why balancing learning sessions with nature breaks is essential to integrating new practices
When you acquire new skills involving the body, breath & mind like yoga, mindfulness and breathing, you need time to process the sessions and implement the new learning. The outdoor parts of the retreat provide this opportunity. Guests are given a choice of simple exercises to follow (or not) while they enjoy the beachscape. They are also encouraged to spend this free time at the beach alone to further boost self-reflection and reconnection to the natural environment.
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I liked the balance between structure and free time.
AnnieOccupational Therapist & Councillor
”A silent walk on the beach was just amazing and the Norfolk space takes some beating.
Diana & HelenTwo nurse friends
How outdoor vastness promotes internal expansiveness
Heacham South Beach
Studies continue to demonstrate that nature has a profound impact on our brains and behaviour. Being in nature helps you to reduce anxiety and stress. It’s hard to keep fretting over your problems when you are in nature. Your attention – through sight, sound & smells – is inevitably drawn outwards.
An overworked pre-frontal cortex – used for rational thinking, multi-tasking and dealing with gadgets – is given a much-needed break. This ‘rest’ allows the pre-frontal cortex to recover which promotes feelings of wellbeing and even bursts of creativity. How many times have you had a great idea on a walk? Many, I’m sure!
”The nature and walking side was also such a bonus and made the weekend even more rounded.
NicolaIT consultant
How the natural environment calms your overstimulated senses
Birds taking off from Heacham South Beach
Your senses are given a rest from modern-day overstimulation when you are outdoors. The sound of waves, seabirds calling, or shells crunching underfoot are more simple sounds than those a city setting or even a busy home environment. These natural sights and sounds relieve attention fatigue and help soothe you.
You are naturally wired to continually scan for danger when you are outdoors. Being able to see the horizon – and a horizon clear of danger – calms your primitive brain. On Heacham beach, where your line of sight stretches across The Wash to the mainland on the other side, the view of the distant horizon is clear and imbues a feeling of grandeur, space and safety.
”The time spent outside - whether walking around the pretty village, along the exhilarating expanse of beach or through the cool pine forest of Sandringham, offered a perfect balance of environments to contemplate, find peace and feel energised.
NicolaAdministrative coordinator
Sunset watching to find peace and relaxation as a group on your Norfolk yoga retreat
Evening swim at sunset, Heacham North Beach
In the warmer months, the retreat group sometimes returns to the beach on the Saturday evening to watch the sun go down. The Norfolk sunsets are renowned and with the sun setting as late as 9.30pm there is ample time to enjoy this natural ‘show’ while nestled in the dunes or floating in the sea. This is an opportunity for the small retreat group to relax and spend free time together.
”A wonderfully nurturing weekend! The combination of tailored yoga, breath work learning, nature and delicious home cooked food makes it a very unique and magical space.
HectorMusician
I invite you to come boost your wellbeing in a beautiful natural environment, combined with daily yoga and breath-work sessions. Your time here in Norfolk will satiate your need for a restorative break and you’ll leave reset and re-energised.
Come join me!
Bridget
How to choose your MindSteadyGo Norfolk yoga retreat
The Finding Space retreat is for you if you:
- Are looking to find headspace or a reset,
- Are a bit nervous about signing up for your first ever retreat!
- Prefer small groups of two to four people,
- Want to share a room with a friend or family member or a group of four friends.
The Mind Your Stress retreat is for you if you:
- Are looking for a one-to-one tailored stress management retreat,
- Are fed up of being hijacked by your stress response and want to reverse that,
- Are seeking a holistic solution to help you manage your stress and anxiety,
- Have access to a wellbeing or training budget with your organisation.
How to book your Norfolk yoga retreat with MindSteadyGo
Check the calendars on the main retreat page to see if there is availability for the weekend retreats
OR
For the Mind Your Stress mid-week retreat, contact Bridget directly to fix your dates.
How to get your questions answered
If you’ve already read the FAQs at the bottom of each retreat, then you could try reading The Top Five Questions People Ask Before Booking a Retreat.
If you still have questions:
Please write with your questions via the contact page or message me on WhatsApp.
