Camilla Sheeley: Crystals, Yoga and Retreats in Nature

I first met Camilla Sheeley a few years ago and was immediately drawn to her warmth, grounded presence, and passion for wellness. Last year, I booked one of her restorative retreats at the beautiful Down Hall Hotel in Hertfordshire, and it was there that I recently caught up with her again. I was eager to hear about her new ventures and delve deeper into her own wellness journey—one that has deeply shaped the nurturing, soul-led experiences she now creates for others.

“For me, the wellness journey started subconsciously, really,” Camilla reflects. “My mum was a nurse, and I spent a lot of time at the hospital with her, just wanting to be around her. Even though she was a fully qualified, practicing, and prescribing nurse, I remember she always had crystals around the ward. Even as a child, I noticed the way those crystals made people smile. I’d pick them up and give them to the patients, not really knowing what I was doing—but instinctively, I’d feel that a certain crystal belonged with a certain person. It was special.”

She often found herself on the palliative care ward, where she witnessed the power of simple, soulful comforts. “It made a lasting impression—seeing how something as small as a crystal could bring peace or spark joy in those final moments.”

A Natural Calling

“Wellness has always been a part of me,” she continues. “I started practicing yoga when I was doing my GCSEs, long before it was trendy. I’d do it quietly in my bedroom. It made me feel strong and balanced, and it really improved my horse riding and dancing.”

Crystals were part of her home life, too. “They were just always there—by my bed, around the house. It all felt so normal to me growing up.”

But the real turning point came during her first pregnancy. “I was about seven and a half months pregnant with my eldest—he’s nearly 11 now—and I suddenly felt this urge: I want to do this my way. That’s when I stumbled across the concept of home birthing. I didn’t even know it was an option back then.”

She researched more, drawn to the idea of bringing her baby into the world in the space she had lovingly created. “I found a hypnobirthing course run by a lovely mother and daughter team. . “It was eight weeks, every Saturday morning, and it completely changed my mindset. It was about understanding the body, the mind-body connection, breathwork, visualisations… everything just clicked. I was already doing yoga, but this took it all to a deeper level.”

Wisdom from the Stables

Camilla draws a beautiful parallel between human and animal birthing. “I grew up around horses—we had birthing mares, and as girls, we’d sleep in the horse box overnight and watch them on cameras. One thing that always stuck with me was the vets saying: Don’t disturb a birthing mare. Most of the mares gave birth in the quiet hours—around 2 to 3 a.m.—in their favourite corner of the field or stable, somewhere they felt completely safe.”

That sense of safety became key to her own birthing experience. “I created my space, with all the smells and sounds that made me feel calm. I had a completely natural birth at home. My mum was there, but I asked her to wait in the other room until I was crowning. My husband  was there with me & part of the whole experience. I used my breathwork, yoga postures, and just really connected with my body. I felt no pain. No medication. I’m not saying that’s the right path for everyone, but for me, it was transformational.”

She even cut the cord herself. “It was such a nurturing, empowering moment. From then on, everything shifted. I began to see the mind and body in a new light, and I wanted to learn more. That’s when I started my deeper wellness training—yoga accreditation, sound therapy, reflexology, crystal therapy—everything I had experienced first-hand, I wanted to be able to share with others.”

Energy, Vibration & Vitality

What began as a personal journey became the foundation for Glowments Wellness Consultancy. “I realised that transformation isn’t just about one moment—it’s about consistently choosing what nurtures you. Feeding your mind with positivity, your body with nourishing food and movement, keeping your energy and vibration high.”

She smiles, radiating that same grounded confidence she brings to her retreats. “I’m the oldest I’ve ever been, but I’m also the strongest I’ve ever felt—physically and mentally. And I want other people to feel that too.”

Breathwork, she explains, is one of the most underappreciated tools. “So many people live in a constant state of fight-or-flight without even knowing it, because they’re not breathing deeply. They’re deoxygenated. Just becoming aware of your breath can shift everything.”

Camilla also believes that sleep is sacred—but she’s found her own rhythm. “These days, I often only need six hours. My energy stays high because I nurture it. I move, I meditate, I eat well, I feed my mind with positive thoughts. And because of that, I rarely get ill. I feel alive.”

Food, Feel-Good Living, and Holistic Wellness

When it comes to food and wellbeing, Camilla’s approach is all about balance, joy, and nourishment—inside and out.

“I do believe in treating yourself,” she says with a smile. Whether she’s holding space at the historic Down Hall, in sunflower fields in Writtle, or under Nobu Ibiza’s golden sun, Camilla’s philosophy is rooted in both energy and enjoyment. And food is a big part of that.

Her everyday meals reflect a “rainbow on a plate” approach: vibrant, nourishing, yet never restrictive. “That can include beige – you can eat pastry, it’s fine!” she laughs.

A typical day starts with Symprove and lots of water, often hot with lemon, then a blueberry and strawberry breakfast for those antioxidant hits. Her go-to? Egg and banana pancakes, quick, delicious, and topped with goodies like Manuka honey, berries, and desiccated coconut. Lunch is always fresh and full of flavour—salads, soups, and hearty plant-based plates, often with fish (she’s pescetarian) or other proteins for guests. Come dinner, you might find her with a homemade stew or soup, bursting with seasonal veg and comforting spice. And of course, a little dark chocolate—Lindt with nuts is her favourite indulgence. “I don’t drink alcohol or have caffeine, but I do love my dark chocolate!”

On her retreats, she embraces the idea of delighting the senses. Whether it’s an indulgent champagne tasting at Nobu Ibiza or an elegant afternoon tea at Down Hall, it’s all about balance: feel good, eat well, treat yourself.

Nobu Ibiza: Spiritual Luxury and Energy in Every Detail

This year marks Camilla’s first retreat at Nobu Ibiza Bay, a place she describes as both luxurious and wholesome. Nestled in the energetic laylines of the island, it’s the perfect setting for her Crystal Sound Sanctuary retreats, which include daily yoga (from Hatha to Vinyasa and chair yoga for those who prefer it), guided crystal meditations, breathwork, sound healing overlooking the sea, Sixth Senses spa experiences,and of course—free time to soak it all in.

“It’s not just about the body,” she explains. “It’s about vibration—connecting to your heartbeat, your breath, the sunshine, the waves. That’s when the magic happens.”

The retreat includes a special tasting menu dining experience at amazing Omakase , crystal workshops and meditations by the sea, sound baths on the decking, yoga on the beach, and optional one-to-one sessions including life coaching & manifestation. Guests are invited to breathe, slow down, and feel transformed.

Men on Retreat: Changing the Language, Not the Magic

Traditionally female-focused, Camilla’s retreats are now seeing more male guests too—even leading to an all-male retreat at Down Hall. She tweaks the experience to resonate: swapping afternoon teas for charcuterie and red wine, calling yoga “strength and fitness,” and creating relaxed networking circles instead of vision boards.

“We have to speak their language a bit more,” she says. The results? Positive and powerful. “They used me as a sounding board, asking things they might not ask their partner or sister.”

This bespoke approach helps break down barriers and opens up space for everyone—men and women—to reconnect with themselves.

Doggy Yoga and Themed Retreats: Embracing Playfulness and Nature

The Glowments schedule isn’t just about stillness—it’s also about joy. One of Camilla’s most loved offerings is Doggy Yoga, where guests bring their doggies for a day of woodland walks, outdoor yoga (dogs included), play, cuddles, and even a pet photo shoot. “The dogs love it—they grin the whole time!”

This summer, she’s also introducing themed retreats like “Tennis & Paddle Wellness,” combining movement, nature, and yoga with the facilities at Down Hall. There are also Woodland Workouts, incorporating fitness into the natural landscape with tree stump squats and playful circuits in the open air.

And then there’s Writtle’s sunflower fields—a temporary, golden sanctuary of joy where yoga and sound baths happen among towering blooms, bees buzzing and petals dancing in the breeze. It’s pure nature-immersion,that includes sessions for all, including children and Camilla beams when she talks about it: “It’s the sun in flower form. You are totally surrounded—it’s magical.”

Camilla’s retreats are not about rules. They’re about freedom, fun, and finding what feels good. Whether you’re practicing yoga among sunflowers, sipping champagne under stars, or sharing a laugh with your dog in Down Hall’s gardens, her message is clear:

“No pressure. No expectations. Just come as you are, breathe, and reconnect.”

DISCOVER: glowments.com