Well Healed: My First Yoga Retreat (As A New Mum)

Thump… thump… thump!  On the first morning of my first ever yoga retreat, I fell down the stairs. On my way to practice, wearing my coolest fit chick kit from Sweaty Betty and Lululemon, along with a pair of nubby wool socks, I slipped walking down the stairs, landing on my ass, tea cup in hand.

No body saw me.  No body heard me.  So I sat there for a minute alone, processing what had just happened.  I wasn’t hurt. I hadn’t even spilt my drink. Sitting on the floor of an Edwardian mansion, surrounded by family portraits and photos, I laughed.  Tickled by the image of a seasoned yogi having fallen down the stairs, it dawned on me how fitting this image really was. I was no longer a carefree, graceful yogini — but rather a new Mum finding her feet in a new life’s role. Sometimes mindless, often messy, slipping here and there, yet still holding strong on to my mug — this was Motherhood 101. Woke, before I even hit the mat, I went to yoga.

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So why did I venture on this weekend escape?  For years I had been practicing yoga, attending classes all over London and New York.  A couple years ago I even earned my Yoga Teacher certification (more on that here). Yet, I had never been on a proper yoga retreat — a dreamy holiday aimed at ahimsa. But this year, being a postpartum Mother in need of some serious self-care, I really craved nourishing food, fitness classes, some alone time, and the healing vibes of nature. But not too far away from my beloved family, of course.

&Sister offered all of this wellness. While falling down the stairs to reach enlightenment was not on their brochure — power and restorative yoga classes, meditation, homemade vegan meals, country walks, massages, reiki sessions, and unlimited herbal teas were. All things that a new Mama needs most. So with refreshment in mind, away I went to the Poundon House in Oxfordshire, England, located just 1 hour’s train ride from Central London.

My experience there was brief (a mere 48 hours), but packed with bliss. The house was charming, with lots of rooms and nooks to discover. The yoga was stimulating and relaxing. The meals were delicious. The hosts (and other guests) were friendly. The treatments were rejuvenating. And the weather was unseasonably warm and sunny.  It was everything I wanted and needed from a weekend away from my daily routine as a Mom. These experiences gently reminded me how great my new life’s role is… even if I fall down now and again.

Here are some pictures from my healing weekend yoga retreat:

WHAT I WORE

Yoga Practice // jacket and leggings: Lululemon / top: Sweaty Betty (not pictured) / socks: unknown
Country Walk // coat, sweater, shirt: J.Crew / jeans: Diesel / boots: Ecco / hat: Gap / sunglasses: Kate Spade
Country Chilling // sweater coat: Gap / trousers: Sweaty Betty / t-shirt: J.Crew / necklace: Bjorg Jewellery
Bed Time // pyjamas: J.Crew