Yoga @Tresanton — Kate O'Brien Wellness

There is something quite magical about the low season in this little corner of our world, especially the seaside village of St Mawe’s in Cornwall. I was there recently for a week of yoga with one of my favourite teachers - Zephyr Wildman (if you practice yoga and haven’t yet experienced her classes - you must!). The superb Tresanton Hotel was the perfectly cosy host for our retreat and gave me the opportunity to explore this stunning coastline which has been on my radar for some years now. Feeling at home on this stunning coastline, without the hordes that congregate for sailing and the après madness all summer long, made it even extra special.

November at Tresanton means cosy fires, snuggling up in even cosier beds in homely rooms, coastal walks and early morning sea swims just outside the hotel. November also means the annual yoga retreat with London-based Zephyr who guides both established and budding yogis through twice daily yoga practice and meditation, while openly sharing her profound yogic knowledge to help us navigate life’s bumps and feel better and stronger in both body and mind.

This was my third retreat with Zephyr and regardless of the group, she has the uncanny ability to lead us all on a healing journey of movement, yogic philosophy and empowering wisdom. As Zephyr explains: ‘As we study deeper into Yogic/Ayurveda philosophy and psychology, we find there are many layers and maps to uncover.” This she does and being so passionate about yoga (and a qualified teacher myself) she gently draws me even further into the yogic web. It is a real treat for me to play with these intricate maps within my body, while at the same time expanding myself on a physical level.

Coming from the rugged west coast of Ireland, I was very much at home at Tresanton and although the view from my cosy room was not of the Atlantic - the sea remained tempting and early morning dips, as the early winter sun was breaking through the morning sky, was the perfect start to our day.

Food @Tresanton

The food was just right too: Simple fresh, local (where possible) ingredients combined and cooked to perfection by Chef Paul Wadden and his team. Highlights for me included the fig, gorgonzola and rocket salad, spinach and watercress soup, tomato, goats cheese and rosemary tart and the divine black rice salad (never thought I could rave about rice - maybe it was the basil and parmesan pesto that was so yummy?) and superb homemade ice creams and sorbets, served with zingy home-baked tarts or gooey dark chocolate pudding. The best local and free-range meats and poultry were assured as was whatever fish was fresh on the day.

Body & Soul Nurturing

What I find so refreshing about retreats like this is that they truly nurture both body and soul - with no mention of detox or calorie/fat deprivation - at Tresanton and indeed all of Zephyr’s retreats, it’s about being kind to our bodies and nourishing ourselves as we would our adored pet or child.

Before our early evening yoga, homemade ginger-honey tea was served fireside with apple compote, fresh fruit, nuts and homemade cakes (the Tunisian orange cake was especially delicious!) and our merry band of mothers with daughters, close friends and singles (like myself and a few others) enjoyed getting to know one another a little. While many women would be hesitant to sign up for time away on their own - it really can be so rewarding and often more fulfilling than going with a friend, as you are obliged to make more of an effort and generally leave with some new like-minded members of your own tribe - as I did!

The kind folk at Tresanton couldn’t have been more helpful or obliging either - from housekeeping (thanks one again Amanda for helping me find my stray earring!) to the restaurant and even to cleaning our muddy post-hiking boots (which to me was well beyond the call of duty!).

Massage @Tresanton

Towards the end of the week I had a massage expertly delivered by Sarah Greenhalgh. Tapotement was new to me (that is saying something as I have worked in this industry for many years!). It’s a Swedish massage technique that combines the benefits of rhythmic tapping, patting, cupping and flicking of the edge of the hand to wake-up the nervous system and release lymphatic build up through the body. And that it did!

November 2-6th 2020 is almost booked up (I’m not just saying that either - it is true!)

More info https://tresanton.com/yoga