So, you’ve decided to take retreat in the cooler months with us here at Shanti. What a gift to give to yourself. Upon your arrival, settle in and create warmth in the body in your yoga class before enjoying a fall harvest meal. Prepare your taste buds… sweet potato and squash stew, spicy vegetarian chili with garden herb biscuits, cheesy nut loaf with mushroom gravy. We’ve got lots to share.

On Saturday morning, perhaps rise a little earlier to join the sun for a refreshing fall walk in nature or here through our labyrinth. Breathe in the crispy climate and allow yourself to feel so nourished by your environment, appreciating these cooler times to the fullest. During your free time, we encourage you to make up a big cup of everyone’s favourite Bengal Spice tea, and to snuggle into a chair by the fire for a good read. Perhaps take another walk as the sun slowly begins to set, or relax into our infra-red sauna, sweating the autumnal chills from your bones, creating heat from the inside out, before resting into sleep.

On Sunday before you depart, get bundled up and perhaps have a sit by the trees to enjoy the Great Oak and Wonderful Willow dancing in these chilly breezes, truly taking in how serene these times can be once we surrender to the incoming and release the outgoing.

Autumn is the perfect time to give thanks for all that spring and summer brought into your life, and to refresh your connections with loved ones as you together prepare for the nourishing winter hibernation.

By Andrew Burrows