July 23 rd on the sunny island of Tresco was the location of Bryher Yoga’s Day Retreat this year. As an attendee for the second year running, I knew what was in store – a day for myself in the company of other like-minded people where one could feel truly at one with the environment and surroundings.
You know when someone does something for the second time that it must be good quality and this day retreat really is of the highest standard – led with such consummate ease by Gem and Will; they take you through the day effortlessly.
The day started at the Sea Gardens lawn with a yoga session on the grass, accompanied by bees and sea breeze and the occasional joyful whoop of young children playing – but this didn’t distract in any way because Gem and Will are so skilled at drawing you in to thesession – with them you really do feel that it’s not just an exercise but more of a practice – a way of living. The session just moves through like river eddies, with Gem and Will each leading short sections with no need for delineation of who is delivering which section. They really are good at their craft and Gem is blessed with a voice that I could just listen to all day.
Yoga session over we moved to a welcome circle where our relatively small group shared as much as they wanted about what had brought them to the day. This is a short but beautiful element of the day – in a very short stretch of time, it bonds the group and opens us up to each other. For me, my story is that the 23 rd July is an important day – the anniversary of a cancer diagnosis that now lies nine years behind me – so it’s a celebration day, a day to salute the Sun and where better than on the sub-tropical paradise that is Tresco?
Gem and Will have purposely planned a day that has space, physical space with exquisite surroundings but also space in the sense of time, so nothing is rushed, we can take things at our own pace. So, our day moves on to a walk down to the Flying Boat Club and Spa at the other side of the island. Taking steps, chatting or walking in silence as we wish, we amble down to get ready for our invigorating and energising sea swim off the Flying Boat Club slip.
Gem and Will have purposely planned a day that has space, physical space with exquisite surroundings but also space in the sense of time, so nothing is rushed, we can take things at our own pace. So, our day moves on to a walk down to the Flying Boat Club and Spa at the other side of the island. Taking steps, chatting or walking in silence as we wish, we amble down to get ready for our invigorating and energising sea swim off the Flying Boat Club slip.
Lunch was delicious, healthy and convivial with lovely fresh ingredients: avocado, tomato, fresh sourdough alongside freshly-blended smoothies rich in beetroot and other anti- oxidants. And of course, the conversation flowed as we shared our stories, learning about others’ experiences of yoga, their daily jobs, island life etc.
Tresco is a beautiful island and Gem and Will wanted us to see as much of its varied landscape as we could within the day. So, post-lunch we took an inland route past the southern edge of the world-famous sub-tropical gardens and back along one of the Montbretia-lined lanes to a field, where, nestling among the wildflowers, we sat for a guided-meditation. I am not an experienced meditator and so having more guided practice was good for me especially with the reassurance of Gem and Will’s voices, leading us through the session, encouraging us to breathe and focus. Another opportunity within this special day to experience a time of freedom.
And our day ends, after subtly spice Bengal tea and island-famed Tatty cake, with the sound bath. Here, truly, time stands still. The hour ends before one is scarcely aware that it has started – it’s like time changes itself, it becomes elastic, ebbing and flowing, like the tides of the day. Really, with a sound bath, you just need to try it yourself – there aren’t enough superlatives to describe them.
Thank you to Gem and Will, for what was, yet again, another fantastic Day Retreat.