Summer Retreat 2023

Join us for a weekend retreat to rejuvenate and nurture your spirit with healing Qigong, Meditation and Sound Healing at the beautiful and peaceful location of 14c Aylesford Friary near Maidstone, in Kent from 7th-9th July 2023

Throughout the weekend we will be working with the body, heart and mind to stretch and release from deep within. This will help to bring us to a place of physical and mental balance connecting to our own sense of innate strength and power in a relaxed and nurturing environment.

Set in over 40 acres of open spaces, gardens and wonderful buildings The Friars sits next to the river Medway where you can relax and unwind in this peaceful setting close to nature.

Qigong (Chi kung)

Qigong is the ancient Chinese practice of slow controlled body movements combining stretching breath work and visualisation to help open up the body enabling the Chi or energy to flow freely and release any blocks or stagnation that are inhibiting our growth and development. These exercises help bring us back to our true nature and connect us with our own innate life force qi with the natural healing forces of the Heavens and the Earth. Suitable for any level of physical proficiency you will be gently guided and helped to find your own level.

Heart Centred Meditations and Sound Healing with Bhavna Mistry “The Heart Centred Mentor”

Heart Centred Meditation is about going to the core of your heart to heal all hidden wounds and uncover your true soul path. The basis of heart-centred meditation is first to find the place of deep inner peace the peace that keeps you stable through all of life experiences as you face them in the vibrational truth you are living in. This allows you to embrace love and compassion in life. Through meditation and understanding the inner depth of your experiences embrace your Truth and True Hearts Desires.

The use of sound either has mantra, singing bowls, drums etc. allows you to break through hidden barriers or the glass cages that surround you.

Bhavna guides the meditations by channelling them, so the sounds and guidance is always appropriate to the energy space, people and in harmony with life. No meditation is fixed. This defeats the purpose of going into the heart.

Your Hosts

Robin Sheldrake is a Tai Chi / Qigong Teacher, Reiki Master and Shamanic Practitioner with over 20 years experience and runs Hollywater Healing in Hampshire.

Bhavna Mistry is the Heart Centred Mentor and teaches Meditation and Reiki courses and is a Shamanic Practitioner from Somerset.

Below is a testimonial and some pictures from a previous Retreat

The following reflection is of my experiences at the summer retreat of Qigong, Meditation and Sound Healing‘ run by Bhavna Mistry and Robin Sheldrake at the ‘Friary ‘at Aylesford, July, 2018. Initially, I was full of trepidation and apprehension as to how I was going to respond to two days of spiritual healing, believing I may be open to sharing my personal life with people I did not know.Our group came from all walks of life, all ages, men and women. My initial fears soon dissipated because we soon realised we were all feeling the same, but sharing the same purpose of wanting to heal, strengthen and discover new physical and spiritual balance in our lives.From the very first session of meditation I felt we all became friends. In the relaxed environment, we soon showed our commitment and intent to discover new pathways. It became easy to openly speak about our endeavours so far in life, to admit to our weaknesses and strengths, but more about our willingness to open up to personal change.Over the next two days, meditation was guided by Bhavna , using crystals and feathers as additional stimuli, supporting us with unique and various sound elements. We were encouraged to strengthen our place, of where we stand in life; to embrace our connections to the earth, the trees, the sky. Each time in meditation we learned to embrace, release and nurture our spiritual strength This spiritual awareness was further enhanced, outside, on the grass, working with Robin in Qigong. Connections were learned to link our inner and outer energies though different qualities of stillness and movement. It was quite exhilarating relating to the forces and colours of nature, enjoying the freedom of space, peace and stillness. We totally embraced this light movement in the open air.As we moved through the weekend alternating physical movement with meditation I felt a sense of growing self -confidence in my spiritual journey.There was always support being offered and accepted from someone; laughter, tears, releasing doubts and fears. I learned new responses as I progressed down new pathways. These journeys culminated in all of us embracing a wonderful session of reiki healing;Taking part in the healing and being healed .

Because our tutors were sensitive to our journeys and needs, everyone on the retreat was encouraged to take from the experiences what was meaningful to them. I learned to embrace new spiritual strength and power, and learned how to value new connections I know I can now make in my own world. I’m glad I felt the fear, I’m even more proud of myself for throwing it out and accepting new love and light into my world.

To Robin, Bhavna, and the team.

“Thank you…Dorothy.

Practical Information

• Starting on Friday July 7th  at 6:00pm and finishing on Sunday  July 9^th at 4:00pm you will have your own private room and access to the grounds and surrounding areas. All meals are included and are taken in the communal 13c Pilgrims dining hall (Vegetarian options available upon request).

• Total cost for the weekend is £395.00 with a 50% non-refundable deposit required to secure a place.

• There is an early bird discount of £355.00 with a 50% non -refundable deposit if payed for in full by 8th April 2023.

• Venue address is : The Friars, Ayelsford Priory Ayelsford, Kent, ME20 7BX

• www.thefriars.org.uk

Please complete the booking form below