Yoga + Somatics Retreats 2022
Kilnhanger, Surrey, July 14th - 17th, 2022
This retreat was sold out and we had a truly fantastic retreat.
Do you want to join in October? See below.
“The more I practice with you, the more I’m able to be open to that part of me that seemed a bit hidden…”
Yoga & Somatic Retreat
at Kilnhanger in Surrey Hills October 13-16, 2022
Booking is Now Open!
Due to pre-booking, there are only 3 spaces left. So if you would like to take any of the remaining space, you need to hurry and reserve your space! Scroll down & see the info.
Yoga & Somatics Retreat Kilnhanger, Surrey, England, October 13th - 16th, 2022
4 days of Yoga and Somatic Movement practices in the breathtakingly beautiful Surry Hills in England. Come to rest, move, breathe.
You will feel differently at the end of the retreat. Rejuvenated and more back on the right track with yourself.
In this retreat, we will be focusing mainly on cultivation on our embodied presence through movement, touch. The key words for this are our embodied sense of orientation, safety, curiosity and play. It can bring our more from us and is profound and a wonderful process.
Kilnhanger is a privately owned venue that sits within its extensive land over looking the Surrey Hills, providing a panoramic view from the yoga studio and the main house. The garden, the heart and soul of Kilnhanger with organically grown fruit and vegetables, flower beds and an idyllic orchard and rose garden, is there for you to enjoy and over the years, it has become a significant backdrop for my retreats & trainings that I held there and our nourishing practice. There are many places throughout the garden where you can sit and be quiet, read a book or just ponder. If you would like to take a short or long walk, the nature in the surrounding area can offer you that. It is a gentle, friendly and luxurious retreat venue.
Accommodation is comfortable, clean and stylish, all offering a great view of the garden and hills.
There is a tennis court too if you want to play. (bring own rackets!)
There is going to be daily yoga and somatic movement practices to help you be in touch with your body and mind.
Delicious meals will be prepared for you each day with love, using local (as much as possible) organic produces by Jo Tytherleigh.
Retreats/trainings I offer there at Kilmhanger are in small and intimate groups. This allows you to gently go deeper into your process.
Every time I go down to Kilnhanger, I feel so touched by the beauty of the place. If you have not been there yet, do come and find out.
The retreat is also a reminder that it is important for us to take some time out for yourself in the nature so you will go home more rested, inspired, with more love for yourself and it will support you be more fully present among your folks. 3 nights and 4 days will give you long enough to really feel the difference.
My retreat is known for being very gentle and fun yet profound. It will touch you subtly yet it can affect your being deeply.
Choose to treat yourself this opportunity!
Practice
There will be a daily practice, that is drawn from both yoga & somatic movement, combined with some breath work, meditation and restorative practice - all what invites you into the innate wisdom of the body & mind. Some of the somatic practices comes from the developmental movement that it reaches you into the core of your being. You may discover more about yourself. Overall, the retreat will help you relax, feel nourished or invigorated. We will move, breathe and meditate with a delight of sitting.
I have designed the daily schedule to support this process gently and effectively.
In this particular retreat, we will be focusing mainly on cultivation of our embodied presence through developmental movement and touch. The key words for this are our embodied sense of safety, curiosity and play. It can bring out more from us and is profound. I feel that it is my life work and is a truly wonderful process.
Proposed practice schedule: (subject to change)
Thu:
Arrive between 2-3.30, enjoy tea & snack, settle in, stroll etc.
4.-6.30 First practice - loosen up, lengthen, restore
7.00 Dinner
Fri / Sat:
8-8.45 Meditation/breath/ gentle warm up
9.00 Breakfast (in silence)
10.45-12:30 Morning yoga & somatic practice
12.30 Lunch
4.45-6.45 Afternoon yoga & somatic & restorative
7.00 Dinner
Sun:
8-8.45 Meditation/breath/ gentle warm up
9.00 Breakfast
10.30-12.30 Morning yoga & somatic practice
12.30 Lunch & Depature
Studio Space
A beautiful and spacious studio with its high ceiling, wonderful wooden floor, the panoramic view, and underfloor heating. It has a very welcoming atmosphere to it and it makes it such a lovely and inspiring place to practice in - in moving and in stillness and breathing.
Here’s some testimonials
“I spent a nurturing, nourishing week with Aki at Kilnhanger last June. Aki’s passion for somatic enquiry both in movement and stillness was delivered beautifully. There is a depth, truth and richness to her teaching that emanates from her own embodiment of these practices. Aki brought together a talented and compassionate group of women and we were supported by beautiful surroundings and an amazing chef. I continue to employ much of what I learnt in my own yoga practice.”
“It was really so special and I just wanted to say I feel very fortunate. Whatever you do, Aki, please PLEASE do more and share. I feel it is such a subtle teaching to offer and really deserves the space and time... You are wonderful :) “
“Dearest Aki, I have deep gratitude for the experience and wisdom gained at the Kilnhanger retreat.”
“Thank you Aki for your incredible teaching, I always feel so lucky that I learn so much, consciously and unconsciously from you. I feel like you always bring me back onto the right track….”
“Aki’s ability to unite the practical and the esoteric, the physical and the subtle, and to do so with humour and complete authenticity is just magical.”
“The more I practice with you, or the more I'm in your trainings, or your company or your retreat, the more I’m able to be open to that part of me that seemed a bit hidden…”
Aki Omori
Aki has practiced yoga for over 30 years and taught 20 years.
“There has been a continuous evolution in the way I practice and teach over those decades. It became more explorational and less about form. In a way, I see forms as an expression of the inner experiences and vici versa - when we move outer form, what’s happening on the inside? Is there a coherence or harmony & orchestration among all parts of me, including our mind. It’s an enquiry - so more process oriented and less goal oriented. Also I have become less interested in ‘teachings of yoga’ as such as a guidance and it is more about being a human’ - my work and process in trauma illuminates that so well and the process and the being that emerges is spiritual without any particular ‘spiritual’ lineage attached to it.“
She is also an experienced somatic movement educator and therapist, a certified teacher of Body-Mind Centering and has a diploma in the Integrative Bodywork and Movement Therapy.
Her teaching is gentle, yet it invites students to be in touch with the wisdom of their body and she encourages them to discover their own unique and creative path that is honest and kind.
She is also a certified trauma therapist that all her teaching / practices are safely held and trauma friendly. She is a faculty member in several yoga teachers trainings and somatic movement education & therapy training programs and has led trainings for yoga teachers, dancers and therapists.
The atmosphere in her class rooms / retreats are always light and fun, yet profound.
Location, Timings, Booking
Location
Kilnhanger is near Guildford, Surrey. The nearest station will be either Guildford or Woking. It will be a short taxi ride from those stations. We can help you arrange taxis to get to Kilnhanger. For those who wish to share a taxi, I will help you arrange that. You can also drive there yourself and there will be a plenty of parking space at the venue. The more detailed information will be provided upon booking or by request. Or you can refer to Kilnhanger’s website for instructions.
Photos of some of Kilnhanger’s accommodations
Our wonderful caterer, Jo Tytherleigh of Harewood Farm, Cornwall
Her food is soulful - healthy, full of nature’s vitality and very tasty!!! We all love Jo and her food.
Timings
First Day: You can arrive at early afternoon on Thursday. You will have time to settle into your room and enjoy some tea and snack, meet others or stroll the garden. The first session will begin around 4pm.
Last Day: On Sunday, we will have morning practice and we will end the retreat with lunch together.
There will be a short meditation and 2 formal practices on Friday / Saturday. There will be a plenty of time for you to rest, relax, walk, swim and play in between.
Food
The food will be prepared & served by Jo Tytherleigh of Herewood Farm, Cornwall. https://www.instagram.com/harewoodfarmgirl/
She is a yoga teacher herself and more. Here’s what she says… “I have been practising and teaching yoga for over 25 years.
Aki and I met around 2005 when we studied together with our teacher Donna Farhi. We showed up around the world at her various intensives, regularly rolling out our Yoga mats together.
Recently I have found my place on the land where I live and grow food for my local community, on a 25-acre homestead in Cornwall. The seasons, the land and the environment inform my choices about what to eat and the thread of yoga flows through all of this.
For the past 10 years I have also worked as a Retreat chef, moving between the yoga studio and the retreat kitchen. Contributing nourishing, sustaining food to support the practices on offer during the retreat process. I feel uniquely placed in understanding all aspects of the retreat experience and endeavour to bring the heart of yoga into all I create.” Website: Jotytherleigh.com
Booking
Before you go and book your place, PLEASE EMAIL Me AND LET ME KNOW YOU WOULD LIKE TO COME BY 5th SEPTEMBER!
Once the booking is opened after 6th September, a non-refundable deposit of £300 will be required to secure your place on the retreat.
The remainder will be due 4 weeks before the retreat (7th October) .
To book, choose the type of accommodation you would like and simply follow the “book your place” button link.
Financial aid - if you would like to come but are financially struggling, or do not have £300 to put down, then please email me. We will have a chat.
Accommodation Types and Prices
Super King Double En-Suite Room
This is the master bedroom of the house.
Super King Bed with En-Suite Bathroom.
A spacious room with views over the swimming pool, garden and grounds beyond.
£820 for 4 days Single Use
Or
If you would like to book this room as a couple (or two very good friends to share the big bed) £1120 for two persons. (£560 per person)
Single Room
A stylish and comfortable single bed room, over looking the garden and view.
Use of shared bathroom/shower room.
£780 for 4 days
Luxury Bespoke Made Shepherds Hut
If you fancy a totally private space for yourself or with another (sharing a double bed) looking out on the beautiful garden and spectacular view, this bespoke made luxury shepherds hut might be for you. With a double bed, kitchen, shower room and heating.
£940 for 4 days Single Use
£1240 for a couple (£620 per person)
Twin Room
Twin beds with use of the shared bathroom / shower room.
A spacious room for two person to share, it overlooks the front garden and the view
£490 per person as shared twin for 4 days
Or
£790 for single use for 4 days
Double Room
A stylish and comfortable double bed room, over looking the garden and view.
Use of shared bathroom/shower room.
£790 for single use for 4 days
If you would like to book this room as a couple it’s £960 for two persons. (£480 per person)
Camping Option
There are spaces for 2 campers.
You can access all the facilities in the main house.
£320 per camper for 4 days
Bunk Bed Room
This is a cosy room that sleeps 2 people overlooking the garden and view. If you are on a budget, this offers a comfort and great price.
Use of the shared bathroom / shower room
£440 per person for 4 days
Or
£780 for Single use for 4 days
Mezzanine Bedroom
A wonderful large and spacious room with stunning views. This room can sleep up to 3/4 people and has an en-suite shower room. (It’s my favourite room - it’s so lovely. It is located over the yoga studio)
£490 per person for 4 days
Day Rate Option
Below options are available for those of you who live near Kilnhanger or who would like to commute to the retreat. Please contact Aki directly to discuss on your desired option.
Options 1: Attend all of the retreat, including all the meals. (Thu - Sun £240)
Option 2: Attend a whole day and have breakfast & lunch with us. (£80/day)
Option 3: Attend a class - £30 payable on the day
I have made a little video for you to watch about our retreat. Enjoy. :-)