A Wonderful Day of Yoga, Nature and Connection in the Surrey Hills

It is difficult to put into words just how special my first full-day yoga retreat was.

I took a wonderful group of students to the Kilnhanger Yoga Studio in the Surrey Hills, near Albury. From the moment we arrived, we knew we were in for a beautiful day. The views were breath-taking, with rolling hills stretching into the distance beneath clear blue skies and warm sunshine. The weather could not have been more perfect.

After settling in and preparing the space, we gathered for our first session of the day. I welcomed everyone and introduced our morning practice, which included a general Hatha Yoga session combined with a meditation focused on the Heart Cakra. We moved through a series of Sun Salutations and their variations, along with a selection of asanas that gradually built strength and awareness.

Following the yoga practice, we welcomed Ayurveda practitioner Lorna Bailey, who delivered an informative talk. Over the course of an hour, she shared practical lifestyle recommendations and daily wellbeing practices rooted in Ayurvedic wisdom. Her presentation reignited my own interest in exploring Ayurveda more deeply as a discipline. While some participants were already familiar with Ayurveda and others were hearing about it for the first time, there was genuine curiosity throughout. It's certainly not a path that resonates with everyone, but many participants responded positively. Several people mentioned afterwards that they planned to implement some of the simple daily practices Lorna had suggested.

After Lorna's session, we headed out for a walk through the beautiful woodlands of Farley Green. This was a new experience for me, as I had never taken my yoga students on a group walk before. Armed with maps and acting as the guide, I confidently led the group—only to discover that I had taken a wrong turn! We eventually reached a gate that signalled we were off course and had to retrace our steps. Fortunately, everyone took it in good spirits. There was plenty of laughter, good humour and camaraderie, and the small adventure only seemed to strengthen the sense of togetherness within the group.

The walk worked up an appetite, and we returned to enjoy lunch together overlooking the stunning Surrey Hills landscape. It was a lovely opportunity to relax, chat and get to know one another better.

After lunch, I introduced a surprise activity: a questionnaire on dosha types. For those interested in exploring Ayurveda further, it provided an opportunity to discover which dosha type they might identify with. The exercise sparked even more curiosity and conversation.

Our afternoon continued with a Yin Yoga practice, with poetry, reflections and meditation on the summer solstice. For some participants, this was their first experience of Yin Yoga, so I spent some time explaining its origins, philosophy and purpose, why practitioners remain in postures for three to five minutes or longer, and how this approach differs from more dynamic styles of yoga.

The day concluded with a deeply relaxing Yoga Nidra session accompanied by a sound bath. Everyone seemed to settle into the practice completely, in a profound state of rest and relaxation. The room became wonderfully still as each participant immersed themselves in their own experience.

The feedback I received afterwards were overwhelmingly positive and heart-warming to read. Participants spoke about feeling relaxed, connected, inspired and rejuvenated. For a first full-day retreat, I could not have asked for a better experience.

Looking back, what stands out most is not just the yoga, the beautiful location or even the perfect weather. It is the sense of community that developed throughout the day—the shared laughter, meaningful conversations, willingness to try something new and the genuine connection between everyone present. What I witnessed throughout the day was a genuine sangha—a supportive and connected community. Seeing that spirit emerge so naturally was incredibly rewarding.

It was a truly memorable day!