The Holistic Meadow sits in a secluded area of the East Sussex Countryside a few miles away from Hastings beach. 1.5hrs journey from Central London, Its a smallholding with friendly sheep, chickens and cats and run by Debbie a massage therapist and yoga teacher who wants to share the peace and tranquility it offers.
A Therapy Yurt on the meadow offers tailor-made massages using organic oils. Whilst listening to the sounds of nature you can be warmed by a wood burning stove, with an indoor therapy room for the winter months. The power of touch has extraordinary healing power. Caring and compassionate touch is something that over thousands of years has largely declined between humans, especially in the UK. Massage is a valuable therapy that is often misunderstood and considered to be more of an indulgent treat than an aid to our wellbeing. You only need to look at the animal world to see physical interactions that are instinctive and natural, that which may be missing in the lives of many people.
Several research projects have shown that touch in general and massage therapy in particular, is effective in reducing diagnosed and self-reported OCD and anxiety disorders. Some people with issues or phobias around touch may specifically seek out massage as a way to experience positive touch in their lives. The benefits of massage, can be great. Including deep relaxation, regulation of the breath and heart rate, improving sleep, reducing muscle tension arising from nervous tension, calming of the mind through the release of emotional stress, helping to stem panic attacks and heart-pounding discomfort.
The large Woodland Yurt is used for regular Scaravelli inspired Yoga sessions, Mindfulness & Meditation classes for one person, families or groups. You can look forward to exploring all things yogic in your practice, exploring Mindfulness, Asanas, Meditation, Relaxation and chimes or chants bringing the practice to an end. Yoga days held here a few times a year are very popular too. A day of yoga, meditation and immersion in nature with lunch and refreshments thrown in. What’s not to like?
Yoga is not just an exercise class, it’s a lifestyle. Working on the whole with the body, Asanas (postures), breathing techniques and meditation. Maybe even resulting in a different way of looking at life and life around you. The aim to lead a Holistic life. As you may know Holistic means a balance of mind, body and spirit. These three components of each of us are inter-connected and when one is impaired it has an effect on the whole. Practising yoga helps us to re-align and helps to bring a sense of calm, balance and self-worth back to us, among many other benefits. The process of meditation helps us to focus on something such as our breath to start to calm the busy constant chatter of our minds. Vanda Scaravelli inspired yoga highlights the importance of being kind to yourself, this seems to be the obvious way forward to many of us. To make changes you need to listen to your body, going with it and not against it, take the time to know yourself. It may be that no changes are to be made and we learn acceptance. It is not about pushing your body into that perfect text book shape but thinking about what needs to be released to move in a certain way and what needs to be engaged and Tadah! You have found yourself there, and found out something about the real you along the way.
Additionally, the exciting new Stables Retreat opened in August this year to rent. Set on the edge of its own secluded area of woodland with a stream running through. It boasts its own decking, fire pit, wood burning stove and offers locally produced food packages, home made soaps and much more to make a luxury hideaway for two.
Nestled far from the road away from busy life, you can experience solitude and immersion in nature and all its wildlife here- even if just for a while.
Come and experience a body holiday at Holistic Meadow!
Article written by Debbie Pennington CThA
