“May the Life stirring underground stir new dreams to life within you. May the flames of inspiration and passion be ignited in your soul ”

Pagan Blessing for Imbolc

Imbolc, the Pagan celebration of the very first stirrings of new life, is one of my favourite times of year. Everything is potential, a gentle vibration of energy just making itself felt. At Imbolc, anything seems possible. And, of course, it is.

It’s the perfect moment then, for the Life Begins retreat, with its objectives of liberation from limiting beliefs and behaviours and stepping into our own lives wholeheartedly.

I’ve called it the “Life Begins” retreat not just because of its timing to coincide with the festival of Imbolc but because, freed of old material that holds us back, its possible for ALL of us to obtain that sense of rebirth, of starting over, of anything being possible. It’s something the breath is more than capable of achieving for us; we just need to give ourselves the time and space (and a few tools) to allow the healing to happen. The Life Begins retreat will offer all of that, and more.

The retreat will span over three days and nights, allowing time for your own journey with the breath to unfold at a gentle pace. It begins at 4pm on Thursday 29 January 2026 and concludes at midday on Sunday 1 February.

Life Begins takes place on the Suffolk coast, in Harbour Lodge in the beautiful village of Walberswick. Walberswick (and indeed Harbour Lodge itself) is a place very dear to my heart, as it’s where I spend my summer holidays with my family. For me, being on the coast always affords a sense of having retreated from the world, and I think Walberswick beach might just be my favourite place to be. The accommodation at Harbour Lodge is just the right side of luxe to remain cosy and comfortable. The communal spaces are inspiring, light and spacious, there’s a hot tub to enjoy and glorious coastal walks to explore in your down-time.

I’ll be accompanied on the retreat by the best co-host, the endlessly supportive and kind Jojo Sounds, who’ll not only be offering us two sound healing experiences over the long weekend, but will also be there with a compassionate ear and a ready hug when needed.

Over the course of our long weekend together, you’ll experience:

• An introduction to different ways of working with the breath

• At least three full length guided breathwork experiences encompassing conscious connected breathwork, Holographic breathing and Wim-Hof inspired breathwork

• Pair and group work and discussion

• Two sound healing experiences with Jojo

• A lesson in TRE, a somatic therapy used to release built up tension in the body

• Guided relaxation and integration practices

• Morning meditation

• Seasonally inspired full length yoga practices

• Regular journalling prompts and time for self reflection

• Opening and closing ceremonies

• Downtime to process your experiences - ideal for bracing coastal walks or time in the on-site hot-tub

• Fabulous warming and nutritious food throughout the retreat from our retreat chef Na; welcome mocktails and nibbles, three nourishing meals per day plus frequent hearty and healthy snacks. The food at Harbour Lodge is insanely good!

• Complimentary teas, coffees and fruit bowl always available

• Optional massage treatments (extra charges apply)

• Support with your own journey during the retreat from Jojo and me

• The company of a fabulous group

• A journal for you to record your thoughts during the retreat and a special gift to take home with you

The group size is deliberately small and intimate, with room for just ten guests.

We have the following accommodation options (prices are person and fully inclusive of all meals, snacks, activities and equipment. I welcome single person bookings for twin room places and can match you up with other single bookers):

Single room - £775 (king-size master en-suite), or £750 (double en-suite)

Twin room - £650 (annexe room, en-suite) / £600 (main house room, private bathroom)

A £200 deposit secures your place. A further instalment of £200 will be due by the end of October, and the final balance (amount dependent on your room option) by the end of December.

If you’d like to book, or if you have any questions at all or perhaps would like to set up a call to discuss the retreat, do please get in touch.

I do hope you choose to be there. To accept this invitation to breathe, to be more fully yourself in each moment, to allow life’s vistas to open and broaden and to discover you’re capable of more than you ever dreamed possible.

Feedback from participants on 2025’s Life Begins Retreat:

“[every session was] inspirational and valuable as you expertly moved us through the time together. The cumulative effect was transformational for me” - H

“enjoyable and enlightening…a wonderful and uplifting experience” - S