Yoga and Drawing retreat at Inisbeg, Baltimore, West Cork
October 18-20th 2019
Chef's to be announced in due course
Over the weekend we will explore the parallels between yoga and drawing as meditative practices. The subtleties and nuances of the body and mind and the line will be the theme of gentle inquiry.
The location is a very special element to this weekend. This 94 acre estate which incorporates native woodland, edible gardens, and meadows, majestic ferns, orchards, the Ilen river, a very unique pond menagerie and miles and miles of trails and walks.
October will be a beautiful time to experience this woodland location. The changing of the colours of the tree’s along with the practices as we watch the flowing river from the Boathouse in themselves silently say so much about this transitional time of year which we will explore on a deeper level with both the yoga and drawing practices.
This area is particularly familiar to us as it is a good hike over a hill away from our previous retreats at Lough Ine with which we got to know plenty of local lore and interesting sites.
As always there will be an opportunity for seaweed baths, an outdoor Victorian tub at the Roma Gypsy Caravans in the forest, bathing under the stars, but of course!!
Massage here in the Gypsy Caravan by the wonderful Diane Neaves is an optional extra.
There is also a swimming pool and sauna in the estate for our guests use, dips in the river are also an option for those that like outdoor swimming.
Accommodation options are available at the Boathouse itself where the yoga sessions will be and also some of the drawing and also the Foresters house in the woods where the meals will be served overlooking a lush woodland..
As always there will be 10 hours of Dynamic and Restorative Yoga and meditation taught by Deirdre and Susan. There will be both some strong and gentle dynamically flowing practices which will slow down and lead to more yin and inward restorative enquiry. All of this will leave you beautifully stretched, open and and ready for some breath work, deep relaxation and yoga nidra. All of this will either leave you floating towards bed, your bath or invigorated to walk, hike, swim and explore the outdoors and the drawing practices. We will explore some traditional Kriyas (cleansing practices) such as Tratak as well as Yoga Nidra. The meditations are created specifically in tune with the elements and the specifics of our location and time of year. All of these practices tie with in and echo the specifically curated drawing practices.
There are options for everyone to have seaweed baths which we prepare for you to allow you to soak in the elements and deeply detoxify as you listen to the flowing river, the rain fall or the birds sing in the forest..magnificent..
The yoga and some of the drawing sessions will be held in the boathouse, the beautiful, light filled expansive space overlooking the flowing river Ilen.
We will explore the grounds and surroundings closely though the idea of drawing "en Plein air". A term used since mid 19th Century for drawing 'outside'. We will base ourselves outside in an area of the grounds where we will also be served a lavish picnic lunch. From this particular spot we will explore the many meanderings of this location from ruined famine settlements to ancient oak trees, wildflower meadows, mossy ponds and the specific botanics of these micro climates. We will explore the subtleties of the outdoor elements and how these, the weather and sounds can have influence on what and how we draw.
The Yoga will be led by Deirdre and Susan. Their different yogic backgrounds come together offering a unique experience of traditional and contemporary practices. Years of working together and developing these retreats together has led to a deeper understanding and symbiosis both of which encourage us deeply to continue to do what we do..
Please see Bio’s in the About Us section for our yogic backgrounds and experience.
The drawing interactions will be led by Susan Montgomery, full time visual artist and yoga teacher who has her own arts practice as well as working with various collaborative and educational projects in Ireland since 2008 including being a member of the education team at West Cork Arts Centre. Montgomery has been the recipient of Wicklow and Cork County Council Awards and Commissions and has exhibited widely in Ireland and also in Japan since 1998, originally from Wicklow she has lived in West Cork since 2007. Her work is resident in National Collections such as Trinity College, Dublin, The Office of Public Works, Waterford Municipal Collection and also many private collections at home and abroad.
Her work and bio www.susanmontgomery.ie
The seasonal focus of the weekend in terms of food, drawing exercises and yoga will depend on the time of year and which cross quarter day is approaching. For this retreat we will be in preparation for the approcacting cross quarter day of Samhain. The great fire festival of Samhain which celebrates the coming of the darker time of year, winter and natures retreat into rest. This is the time for reflection and transformation. A time of preparing for siting and being in this sacred liminal time. We explore this very special theme through both the drawing and yoga practices and also will be considered in the carefully tailored and gathered food preparation.
Prices include
-10hrs Yoga,
-plant based, nutritious and thematically conscious prepared delicious food, local and seasonal
-5 hrs drawing tuition
-all meals and snacks
-seaweed baths
-accommodation
There are two options for accommodation that are the broken down depending on room/ occupancy etc
Firstly the luxury Boathouse with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the river on the waterfront where we will have our practices and secondly the beautiful wooden Foresters house set within 10 acres of private woodland where we will have our meals overlooking forest and the Ilen estuary, a 5 min walk from the Boathouse...
We have options for accommodation at Inis Beg for our retreat.
The luxury Boathouse on the waterfront where we will have our practices :
Double ensuite : 460 euro single occupancy / 390 euro per person shared
0ne twin bedroom ensuite : 390 euro per person sharing
Two twin bedroom : 390 euro per person sharing
OR
The wooden Forresters house set in 10acres of private woodland where we will have all our meals overlooking the forest and Ilen estuary, a 5 min walk from The Boathouse
One double ensuite bedroom : 430 euro single occupancy or 360 euro per person double occupancy
A triple single bedded room : 360 euro per person sharing
Timetable
Friday
Arrive and settle from 4pm
Welcome practice and Drawing masterclass 5.30 – 7.30pm
Dinner 7.30pm
Evening Meditation 9pm (noble silence begins)
Saturday
Herbal tea*
Morning yoga practice Dynamic Vinyasa practice with Pranayama 8 – 10am
Breakfast 10am
Outdoor ramble and drawing exploration 12 – 2.30pm
Lunch (noble silence ends/ optional to continue)
Restorative practice and Yoga Nidra 4- 5.30pm
Drawing masterclass 6 – 7.30pm
Dinner 7.30pm
Meditation 9pm
Sunday
Herbal tea*
Dynamic closing morning practice 8 – 10am
Long lazy brunch 10 -12 am
Closing Drawing 12 – 2pm
Depart 2pm
*Nutritious snacks and herbal tea/ coffee will be available throughout the Retreat on a self service basis.
Testimonials
" had an amazing week end . I couldn't but enjoy every moment with such a variety of yoga , art, seaweed baths, 5 star food and such lovely people. Each session had a different twist, which kept us guessing .Big congratulations to yourself and Dee ,I wish you great success and lots of fun." Jean, Dublin.
"I had a really super time. Thank you both so much. It was a very warming friendly group and atmosphere, set in a super spot in Ireland with fab food. Your personal touches really added to the event. Loved Bother Bui, Seaweed bath, The books you both brought down, Your readings /poems and meditation, Your tactile/ interactive art exercises, Dee's great yoga" Yvanna, Dublin
"Firstly thank you both so much for running such an enjoyable and restorative weekend. I am carrying it with me still and feel like I'm walking lighter and taller.
I really enjoyed everything about the weekend. You, the most important element, were both so warm, calm and insightful. The yoga was great and nice long sessions to really relax into. I loved the drawing, particularly the little exercises, Sarah has a lovely gentle way of teaching too. The food was wonderful, so fresh and tasty, I think it's really important to feel a weekend like that is a treat for body and mind, Tracy's wonderful food was a real treat but made you feel good too! The place was spectacular, I know maybe not for everyone but I thought it was heaven.
We called in to Shirley, Bosca Beatha on the way home and could really see how her sauna adds to the retreats.
Really I wouldn't change a thing, I think you ran a wonderful event" Jenny Rose, Cork
Photo gallery below is a combination of our past yoga and drawing retreats and our new venue at Inisbeg..