Body & beauty

Bargain Breaks: New Year healthy start

Forget trawling halfway around the world for a relaxing retreat, a trip to Oxon Hoath in Kent is the perfect way to revitalise, says Hannah Tudor

Forget trawling halfway around the world for a relaxing retreat, a trip to Oxon Hoath in Kent is the perfect way to revitalise, says Hannah Tudor

Having never been on a retreat before, I was a little nervous about my stay at Oxon Hoath. The thought of spending the weekend with die hard retreat-goers didn’t really appeal. But, with a face full of spots and a stressed-out mind set, I was in need of a weekend away.
As the taxi pulled into the retreat’s grounds, I may have alarmed the driver with my sudden exclamation. The place is truly spectacular. With picturesque gardens, reminiscent of a Brontë sisters’ novel, Oxon Hoath is a magnificent stately home set in 73 acres of rural Kent. The hidden woodlands are all there to be taken advantage of, with a number of well-marked walking routes which take you into the surrounding countryside.

Despite the majestic interior, with fabulous high ceilings and a grand, sweeping staircase, the atmosphere was wonderfully relaxed. This was due to the organiser, Marcy Dorfman, who exudes an extraordinary warmth and made my initial anxiety disappear on arrival.

The good feeling extended to dinner, where we were served wholesome, vegetarian cuisine. It was so nutritious I could feel my body saying ‘thank you’ with every mouthful.

Time to heal

This easy-going ambience was reflected in the weekend’s schedule, in that there wasn’t one! You can tailor-make your own stay, choosing the classes and treatments that most interest you, with plenty of free time to explore or if you like, do absolutely nothing. Everything is aimed towards you having a beneficial, yet relaxing, break from the stresses and strains of modern life. The treatments ranged from meditation to a class called ‘The Art of Relationships.’

I opted for the yoga sessions, which took place in a glorious room with beautiful bay windows. The classes were a gentle introduction to hatha yoga, with a few yin asanas thrown in. Having flirted with yoga over the years, these sessions made me realisehow superb it is for my peace of mind.

I entered the second day’s class with a thumping headache after sampling some scrumptious organic wine from the retreat’s bar the night before. A few stretches and an hour later my head was clear and I felt as blissed out as I had during the first class. The sense of revitalisation was so prominent it became the hallmark of my whole trip.

Face facts

My second treatment, the holistic facial, couldn’t have come at a better time as my face had decided to rebel against me for the weekend. Being plagued with trouble skin means I have to be militant about what it comes into contact with. Luckily, the products used were all 100 per cent natural. The lovely therapist, Sue Kamolwan, also concentrated on my face’s meridian points, which she said would awaken my body’s healing process. It ended with a head and shoulder massage, which was an unexpected treat.

Body talk

A bodywork session called ‘zero balancing’ was my third treatment. Admittedly, the only reason it caught my eye was because I hadn’t heard of it before. Josh Patel, the practitioner, emitted such a tranquil aura that I felt calm as soon as I entered the room. He explained how in the modern, technology-driven age, our ‘mindfulness’ has been lost. And that wellbeing can be found when our physical and mental states are in balance, which is what the session is designed to do. After talking through a few of my worries, it became obvious why I often feel out of kilter. Like a lot of people, I self medicate with caffeine, sugar and alcohol. “Indulgence is part of the human condition,” Josh reassured me and went on to explain that, despite this, it is important to unblock the body’s energy. The session consisted of a series of pressure points being massaged, gentle stretches and light manipulation of my legs. What made a lasting impression was the colours floating in front of my closed eyes, which Josh told me is quite common during a session.

My time there felt incredibly healing and I left feeling thoroughly rejuvenated. It was great relaying the weekend to my friends and family. And, due to the extremely reasonable price tag, I’m hoping to treat my Mum next year for a mother daughter weekend away.

Release the purse strings

Some other places that won’t break the bank

Spiritual centre

Wellbeing can be found when our physical and mental states are in balance

The Daisy Centres Angelic Healing Retreat is located in the heart of Glastonbury, Britain’s spiritual centre. With an angelic theme, this retreat is the perfect place for you to heal, recharge and unwind. You can sample some unusual therapies such as vortex healing and magnified healing, which are designed to promote self-healing. Daisy Foss, the retreat’s down-to-earth owner, operates on an ethos of nourishing from the inside out. You can opt for a raw food experience, detox package or angelic awakening process weekend. The rooms are beautifully decorated, with soft, white furnishings and plush bedding. Two nights cost £140 or you can take a long weekend of three nights at £210. Visit daisycentres.com for more information.

Heal and cleanse

If you fancy purging the toxins from your system before the Christmas and New Year’s indulgences, a pretox at the beautiful Simply Healing is a great idea. The budget detox package takes place over two days and includes a colonic, reflexology, gorgeous detoxing juices and a mineral bath soak – all designed to bring about balance, harmony and wellbeing. Prices start at just £245. For more information visit simplyhealingcentre.com

For a pamper

Why not spend the weekend spoiling yourself rotten at the Middle Piccadilly retreat based in the stunning Dorset countryside? With no more than nine guests at a time, you will be given the utmost care and attention. Among the many weekend packages available, the Mini Me Moments weekend is especially luxurious, with a manicure, pedicure and mini facial. Retreats start at £250. For more info see middlepiccadilly.com