REMEMBER - RECONNECT - RECLAIM

Our residential Spring retreat held at Rosemerryn Wood, near Penzance, offers gentle movement, Qigong, breathwork, meditation, story exploration and expressive writing, and self-applied massage in the beautiful, peaceful surroundings of West Cornwall.

Through embodied practices, story and reflection, we will explore what it means to remember, reconnect with and reclaim more of who we truly are - recognising the wholeness that is always present. This is a time for restoration, renewal and a deeper relationship with yourself, others and the natural world.

A SPACE TO PAUSE, LISTEN AND RETURN

Much of our lives can be shaped by patterns, expectations and conditioning that gradually distance from our own inner knowing.

Through gentle, grounding practices, we will explore how to listen more deeply to the body, recognise what may be asking for attention, and reconnect with our innate capacity for balance, vitality and healing.

What is Qigong?

Qigong is an ancient Chinese practice that combines gentle movement, breath, awareness and meditation to cultivate and harmonise Qi – traditionally understood as the vital energy of life. Its practices may include flowing movements, standing postures, self-massage, breathing techniques, visualisation and stillness.

Qigong encourages us to slow down, become more attentive to the body and cultivate a greater sense of ease, balance and vitality.

Qigong Flow invites spontaneous, intuitive movement – listening within and allowing the movement to arise naturally, guided by the flow of Qi rather than following prescribed sequences. A form of movement meditation, it encourages us to explore our own rhythm, expression and inner experience.

What is embodiment?

Embodiment means being fully present in your body, and an embodiment practitioner is a professional like Susan who uses direct, lived physical experience such as breath, posture, sensation and movement to help clients build self-awareness, heal trauma and create lasting personal or behavioural change.

Story, Body and Expressive Writing

During the retreat, we will explore story as a portal into our own lived experience. Stories can illuminate familiar patterns, relationships and aspects of ourselves that may have been forgotten, overlooked or left unexpressed.

Through gentle enquiry and expressive writing, we create space to listen, reflect and discover what resonates within us. There is no need for writing experience, and no expectation to share anything you wish to keep private. It is simply there to become curious about your own experience.

Susan Hayes is an embodiment practitioner, Qigong teacher and integrative psychotherapist based in London. A former professional dancer and choreographer, she has over four decades of experience teaching movement and was Artistic Director of the Superarts Academy of Performing Arts in London. She trained as an integrative psychotherapist at the London Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy Education (CCPE), graduating in 1997.

Her extensive background in movement, psychotherapy and personal exploration has shaped her understanding of the interconnectedness of body, mind and spirit, and the body’s innate capacity for wisdom and healing.

Drawing upon Qigong, Tai Chi, somatic awareness, expressive writing, dreamwork, dance and reflective enquiry, Susan’s approach invites a deeper exploration of our lived experience, recognising how patterns and conditioning can shape our relationship with ourselves and the world around us.

Who is this retreat for?

Whether you are a beginner or experienced practitioner, a creative, or carer or you’re simply curious, then this retreat is for you. Spring Renewal welcomes ALL, and offers an opportunity to turn your attention inward, relax and restore.