Nurturing Birthkeepers Nature Retreat
May 23rd - 26th 2024
As birth workers or doulas we often take a lot on and it's vital that we take time out to nourish and replenish ourselves. These three days are an opportunity to relax and unwind within the stunning natural beauty of the Scottish Highlands. Be nurtured with gentle yoga, connections with other birth workers and optional group activities or solitary walks in the incredible surroundings. Detoxify and nourish your body and spirit with delicious plantbased food, quiet spacious moments and pure highland air. This retreat promises to be a nurturing and restorative experience by the shores of Loch Tay.
Taking time out and finding a space to breathe easy is invaluable and helps to replenish our souls so that we return to our work and families with renewed vigour and enthusiasm. The company of other women helps uplift us, so that we feel our strength and know our own wisdom. When we spend time with others, it inspires and re-energises us. It's impossible to do this work alone. "Women forget how much we can inspire one another. No one understands us like us." Alex Elle. We feel that this is particularly relevant for birth workers given how intensely we hold space and support others.
There will be a daily programe of optional activities to engage in, such as gentle movement and morning meditation, heart-lifting singing sessions, evening circles with warming cacao and foot nurturing experience, birth based explorative workshops, inspirational creative writing exercises and fun games.
The afternoons will be unstructured so you can choose what best supports you. You may feel drawn to relax in the acres of countryside or enjoy a solitary walk down to the lake (you may even be tempted by some wild swimming) or chat with other birth keepers...
Taking time out and finding a space to breathe easy is invaluable and helps to replenish our souls so that we return to our work and families with renewed vigour and enthusiasm. The company of other women helps uplift us, so that we feel our strength and know our own wisdom. When we spend time with others, it inspires and re-energises us. It's impossible to do this work alone. "Women forget how much we can inspire one another. No one understands us like us." Alex Elle. We feel that this is particularly relevant for birth workers given how intensely we hold space and support others.
There will be a daily programe of optional activities to engage in, such as gentle movement and morning meditation, heart-lifting singing sessions, evening circles with warming cacao and foot nurturing experience, birth based explorative workshops, inspirational creative writing exercises and fun games.
The afternoons will be unstructured so you can choose what best supports you. You may feel drawn to relax in the acres of countryside or enjoy a solitary walk down to the lake (you may even be tempted by some wild swimming) or chat with other birth keepers...
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There will be a range of daily activities which you may choose to engage in (or not). Here are some of the things that will be on offer to help nourish and revitalise you:
- Morning yoga or guided movement
- Meditation
- Heart warming singing
- Dance session
- 5 Senses mindfulness walk in nature
- Cacao and foot nurturing circle
- Craft activities such as knitting, drawing...
- Games and fun activities
- "Emptying your bowl" opportunity
- Wild swimming in the lake (this one is definitely optional :)
- Time to simply be in nature and take gentle walks
- Plantbased meals with nourishing, organic food
- Appreciation of delicious cake and yummy raw chocolate treats!
- 3 nights accommodation either camping space (please bring your own tent or let us know if you need space in a tent) or bed indoors (limited spaces for £50 for 3 nights)
- Time away from the busyness of life
- The support and camaraderie of other birth workers
- Held spaces and workshops e.g maintaining boundaries and self care
- Time to unwind
- Evening camp fire to be cosy around
Hostesses
The retreat will be lovingly held and supported by Daisy Dinwoodie and Fiona Reilly, they are experienced doulas with around 30 years of doula experience between them. They are doula mentors with the Scottish Doula Network and Conscious Birthing. Both are very experienced in leading groups and holding ceremonies for women. They are creative cooks, with a passion for delicious and nutritious plantbased meals and playful fun.
The retreat will be lovingly held and supported by Daisy Dinwoodie and Fiona Reilly, they are experienced doulas with around 30 years of doula experience between them. They are doula mentors with the Scottish Doula Network and Conscious Birthing. Both are very experienced in leading groups and holding ceremonies for women. They are creative cooks, with a passion for delicious and nutritious plantbased meals and playful fun.
Fiona is a reflexologist, active listening therapist, teacher and doula. She managed a retreat centre in Glastonbury and has hosted 1:1 personal retreats at her home. Fiona has catered on retreats in Scotland, England, Wales and on the Canary Islands. She is passionate about supporting women to find their own power, strength and beauty. She feels there is immense value in women gathering together to connect and support one another and has a natural ability to create communities. She currently lives in Findhorn in Northern Scotland and loves to dance.
Daisy is a mother, a birth educator, yoga teacher, song leader, and doula. She has been deeply and joyfully coming together with women for many years, delighting in their connections, marvelling in their uniqueness and in their depths, musing on their offerings to the world and to each other, and facilitating their sharing. She is dedicated to sharing her life passions - collective strength, autonomy and self-discovery within that collection, good nutrition, our own voices and truths, playfulness, music, inquiry and love. She strives to create community and support in the many groups she facilitates and loves to connect women with each other. She is grateful to her husband and three children for the opportunities to keep developing, and to spend time pursuing life’s fulfilling work.
"Fiona and Daisy are a perfect combination. Intuitive and wholehearted. They create and hold a beautiful space in which we unfold and come alive to ourselves. In the company of strong, gentle sisters, this is a powerful experience. Nourishing, revealing and grounding. Don't miss the chance to be part of this retreat... and what a stunning location."
"The two retreats I have been on with Daisy and Fiona have lifted me up in absolutely the way I was needing at the time. Home made food, cooked with love, the company of inspiring women, time together to join in activity or song, time enough for individual pause, the utter peace of the countryside all around... I have felt uplifted, inspired, heard, seen, appreciated, energised, calmed. I would whole heartedly recommend a retreat such as this to anyone, regardless of what is happening in your life. It's a place you can nestle in and emerge refreshed."
"Being on a retreat with Fiona and Daisy is such a treat! Their unique way of holding the space for the women present with care, love and joy makes us feel at home and ready for a time of deep connection. I love their complementing personalities, which brings a rich combination of qualities to the group and makes the time shared together a truly special experience."
"Fiona is the perfect host to hold the space for you in whatever way you need. I’ve been on a couple of retreats and both times Fiona has nurtured and nourished me both physically - with awesome food and providing a tranquil environment and spiritually – always present but never invasive. It is a joy to be in her company and experience her peacefulness and down to earth nature."
"Daisy, now that I have trained as a yoga teacher, I can fully appreciate what you do, (though I always knew I loved every sacred moment of my weekly pregnancy yoga class!). Your teaching really embodies the wholeness of yoga. The yoga itself is gentle, it’s an invitation to really connect with your body. And the chat and tea after the yoga is a massively important way of educating yourself as well bonding with other women."
Administration details
Dates
The retreat will run from Thursday May 23rd until Sunday 26th. You are welcome to arrive from 5.30 pm on 23rd with dinner being served at 6.30. Departure will be at 11am on Sunday.
Venue
The venue is the delightful Big Shed on the shores of Loch Tay near Aberfeldy in Perthshire. There are various public transport options and local pick ups can be arranged. The address is The Big Shed, Tombreck, Lawers, Aberfeldy, Perthshire PH15 2PB and directions can be found here.
Cost
EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT until Dec 31st 2023 is £300. Regular cost is £350. A non-refundable deposit of £60 secures your space. There is an additional cost of £50 for an indoor bed, please let us know if you would like to secure this, spaces are also available in nearby B&Bs. Spaces are limited to 15.
Contact
Fiona ([email protected] or 07846 118454) or Daisy ([email protected] or 07533 050939) to book your place or for further information
We look forward to welcoming you! However you choose to spend your time with us and whichever activities you engage in, we hope you gain soul inspiration, body nourishment, heart rejuvenation and mind relaxation.
Dates
The retreat will run from Thursday May 23rd until Sunday 26th. You are welcome to arrive from 5.30 pm on 23rd with dinner being served at 6.30. Departure will be at 11am on Sunday.
Venue
The venue is the delightful Big Shed on the shores of Loch Tay near Aberfeldy in Perthshire. There are various public transport options and local pick ups can be arranged. The address is The Big Shed, Tombreck, Lawers, Aberfeldy, Perthshire PH15 2PB and directions can be found here.
Cost
EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT until Dec 31st 2023 is £300. Regular cost is £350. A non-refundable deposit of £60 secures your space. There is an additional cost of £50 for an indoor bed, please let us know if you would like to secure this, spaces are also available in nearby B&Bs. Spaces are limited to 15.
Contact
Fiona ([email protected] or 07846 118454) or Daisy ([email protected] or 07533 050939) to book your place or for further information
We look forward to welcoming you! However you choose to spend your time with us and whichever activities you engage in, we hope you gain soul inspiration, body nourishment, heart rejuvenation and mind relaxation.
"Women instinctually know how to nourish each other,
and just being with each other is restorative."
Tanja Taljaard and Azriel Re'Shel