Five Day Spring Yoga Course at Bala Brook Retreat Centre, Dartmoor. Wednesday 30th April - Sunday 4th May 2025
Upcoming Yoga Holidays & Retreats
Wednesday 30th April - Sunday 4th May 2025. An opportunity to deepen or kickstart your Yoga practice over four days in the energising early days of spring. There are opportunities for walks and Thai massage and Reflexology are available.
Yoga
Over the five days (four nights) we will explore dynamic and quiet practices to different effect including asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing practices), deep relaxation, body centring and meditation. All practices are designed to bring us to our own energised and calm centre.
Bala Brook
Is a small residential yoga centre on Dartmoor fairly close to the large village of South Brent and about 8 miles from Totnes in south Devon. It feels secluded and quiet and is not really within walking distance of anywhere apart from amazing Dartmoor and a nearby reservoir. It's a special place in my opinion.
It has recently been refurbished and has an extended yoga room (with under floor heating), a large kitchen-diner/conservatory area, a library and common sitting areas. As accommodation it is simple, comfortable and warm if necessary.
There is a very large garden with fantastic trees and the brook flowing through. There is a little waterfall at the top of the garden. It is easy to walk directly out on to the moor from several directions or to take lowland wooded walks.
More information on the venue - Bala Brook Website
Dartmoor
Atmospheric and wonderful – we are situated in a green river valley and it's possible to walk out onto the high moor from the house easily, or there are easy local woodland and valley walks. I am not an outdoor leader but I'm happy to come out with you on the understanding you are responsible for your own saftey and can assess your own ability to walk on the moor. Or you can just strike out with a map if you know the moor or have experience hill walking. Either way bring appropriate footware if you fancy this. In warm weather (or any weather for some people) outdoor swimming in one of Dartmoor's pools or rivers maybe possible, but this is your own responsibility.
Daily Structure
Wednesday
Arrival 4pm
5.30 pm – 7 pm – Introductory class and wind down.
7 pm – Dinner, free time, massage.
Thursday/Friday/Saturday
Morning silence until breakfast.
7.45 am – 8. 30am – Pranayama (breathing practice) and meditation
8.30 am – Light breakfast
10am – 12 – Main asana class
12.15 pm – 5.30pm – Lunch, walks, massage and/or free time.
5.30pm – 7pm - Hatha Yoga (No evening class on Saturday or another day of our choosing)
7 pm Dinner, free time, massage.
Sunday
8 am – 9.30 am – finishing class .
Breakfast and depart - no rush.
Thai Massage and Reflexology.
Please book treatments in advance if possible - Emma Cayless , a very experienced practitioner will come in for Thai massage. Massages are generally 1, 1.5 or 2 hours. Information about Emma here. Lisa Wood will come in for Reflexology, information about Lisa here.
Booking Information.
Rooms - there are plenty of single rooms and a mix of double and twin rooms rooms some en suite and some not ( but with a shared bathroom nearby). Singles are £650 (mostly en suite or bathroom very close). There are two smaller single rooms (Kutis) with shared bathroom in the outer building a little cheaper at £550, please ask if you want one of those. Double or twin rooms are £500 per person. There is one triple room which can be booked as a triple at £450 per person. All shared rooms must be booked by people coming together.
Please read all the course information and e mail or fill in the form below before paying to check there is space and type of room you would like is available. Shared rooms must be booked by people coming together, I cannot allocate random people together. You can either the whole amount or deposit by bank transfer - please e mail for BACS details, or you can also pay by debit or credit card through Pay Pal above to the right. Deposits are non refundable and non transferable. Any differences must be paid at least two weeks before we start. From two weeks before the course no refund is possible, it would be wise to have travel insurance to cover any eventualities that may stop you coming. Feel free to call/text/WhatsApp on +44 7915 650106 or email if you want to discuss anything.
PLEASE ENTER SOMETHING ON ALL CATEGORIES ON THE FORM OR IT WON'T SEND - THANKS.
Details
Date | Duration | Venue | Cost |
---|---|---|---|
2025-04-30 | 5 Days | Bala Brook Retreat Centre, Dartmoor, Devon | £650 single room, £550 small single, £500/£450 shared. |
*All inclusive apart from Thai massage and Reflexology. |
|||
12 places remaining |
FURTHER INFORMATION AND FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
COSTS
Include four nights’ accommodation, 3 vegetarian meals a day, drinks, snacks, yoga tuition and supported walks. Thai massage or Reflexology are not included.
Numbers
Maximum 15 people on the course.
BEDDING
All bedding is provided and beds will be made up. Towels are not provided so bring your own or they can be hired for £6.
ROOMS
There are plenty of single rooms and a mix of double and twin rooms rooms some en suite and some not ( but with a shared bathroom nearby). Singles are £650 (mostly en suite or bathroom very close). There are two smaller single rooms (Kutis) with shared bathroom in the outer building a little cheaper at £550, please ask if you want one of those. Double or twin rooms are £500 per person. There is one triple room which can be booked as a triple at £450 per person. All shared rooms must be booked by people coming together.
food and special diets.
All meals are provided and are vegetarian, and teas, coffees and snacks are available at all times for free. Some special diets can be catered for, for example vegan and gluten free; anything more complex than that then please ask, we can be flexible only up to a point as we have one cook not a staffed kitchen.
YOGA TEACHING - LEVELS AND EXPERIENCE.
As an experienced teacher of 25 years I can accommodate most levels of experience from beginners through to teachers. If you are a complete beginner I recommend you attend at least some classes before you come on a course like this. If you have significant health issues or body limitations then please talk to me; most things can be worked with in a group context, but not everything.
LIBRARY.
We have use of the library which has some fascinating yoga books, old and new; general interest books, books on Dartmoor and is a nice comfortable room to sit anyway.
WALKS and swimming
It is possible to walk onto the high moor from the house or there are also valley and woodland walks. I am not an outdoor leader but I'm happy to come out with you on the understanding you are responsible for your own saftey and can assess your own ability to walk on the moor. The nature of any walks can be discussed. Or you can just strike out with a map by yourselves if you know the moor or have experience hill walking. Either way bring your boots if you fancy this. Outdoor swimming in one of Dartmoor's pools or rivers maybe possible at your own responsibility.
PHONES AND COMMUNICATION
There is no mobile phone reception at the house, most providers have reception at the top of a nearby hill but there is wifi in the kitchen area. The land line for the house is 01364 649482. Calls can me made or received here if need be.
SOUTH BRENT
Is the nearest village with shops and is a 10 minute drive or 45 minute walk. Most forgotten things can be provided at the house.
TAXIS AND LIFT SHARES FROM TOTNES TRAIN STATION OR TOTNES
Taxis from Totnes are £20 - £25 ish. Lift shares can often but not always be arranged through me or another student if you let me know in advance. If you get a taxi ask them to take you to Shipley Bridge public car park, beside river Avon. At Shipley Bridge, cross the River Avon, follow the lane turning around to the left, southwards over a cattle grid. – After 2 minutes down the lane, go past one farm on your right, down a little hill over a little bridge and look out for ‘Bala Brook’ sign on your right beside a timber gateway. Many taxi drivers in Totnes now know where Bala Brook is. This is the second habitation on your right after leaving Shipley bridge. Full driving instructions are on the website Bala Brook directions.
PLEASE BRING
Clothing for all possible weather and a yoga mat if you can – though if it is a problem there are plenty of spares at the centre. A towel unless you want to hire one.
Contact
Feel free to call/text/WhatsApp on +44 7915 650106 or email if you want to discuss anything.