11th April 2019 Was International Breathing Day
One of the main reasons that I moved to Glastonbury in Somerset was to work for the Arrigo programme. Fiona Arrigo is a Biodynamic psychotherapist who organises one to one high-end, deep clinical and therapeutic retreats for her clients, who fly in from all over the world. Fiona is renowned for her exceptional skill to weave one to one retreats and group retreats, I have been working with Fiona over the past 8 years.
On International Breathing Day we were given Fiona’s new launch ‘Back to Nurture’ wild woman 4-day residential retreat, for 6 journalists’ From Vogue, Tatler, Goop, Metro, Daily Express and Country & Town House. A core team of Therapist ran a new Arrigo event entirely on trust and the experience that we have built up over the years as a team with Arrigo, and without rehearsal, so it was both exciting and scary. Guests stayed in supper luxury high-end and clamping tents, with a stunningly beautiful yurt as a group space.
On the first day, I took them on a ‘Breathing in Nature’ walk, a new and additional practice that has been evolving for me. Slowing down and appreciating the elements, seeing the beauty of the birth of springtime, appreciating buds and lime greens of new growth, noticing the outlines of trees against the vivid blue sky. Healing the chirping of birds and rustling of the leaves high above us. Feeling the wind on our faces and the sun on our backs. Deepening our appreciation and noticing our feelings and our breath and our connection to the glorious abundance all that is our Natural environment
I encouraged them to stay with their feelings and their breath just like in a breath session and to notice reflections of their inner word mirrored the outer. Allowing thoughts to come and blow away in the wind, staying with their inner-landscape taking time to sit and by the river and under a tree and simply be, noticing the cost up details of leaves, plants, insects and scanning to the wider landscape and back again.
Bringing whatever nature was teaching them in the practice back to a circle in the yurt and then flowing into a process of weaving their intentions on a loom with an array of fabrics. (some of you may remember the loom which I Brough to the GIC in India).We spoke of how our ancestors had for generations sat on the land and round fires crafting, sharing their joy and their pain and celebrating the turning of the seasons together, especially the birth of spring after surviving a long winter.
The weather was glorious and sunny all weekend the flowing day they all brought their duvets into the yurt for a group breathing session. I took them for a beautiful long walk on Sunday and then Amanda led them in a beautiful Red tent share the I supported them to painted on stones as take-home gifts at the end.
There were four other therapists from The Arrigo programme as well as other talented local people that came in to run aspects of the weekend. They did Drum-making, sound healing and homemade handcrafted food were amazing. This concept will launch in 2020 around the UK, I feel so great full and blessed to be part of such an amazing team and to be living in this stunningly beautiful part of the world.
I felt so connected to everyone on International Breathing day as I am breathing in the beauty of this Green and pleasant land in Ancient Avalon.
Here is the first article to be published where I get a glowing review….
