Mindfulness Retreat Days

Join Sharon Nielsen from https://www.wellbeingmind.co.uk and I for a nourishing day of mindfulness, creativity and connection. Sharon and I have been offering these retreats twice a year for several years, and we are deeply passionate about creating a warm, welcoming space for people to slow down, reflect and reconnect. Each retreat is thoughtfully designed to offer a gentle and meaningful experience, and we are always honoured to share this journey with those who attend.

Set within the peaceful surroundings of Dalkeith Country Park near Edinburgh, this retreat offers a full day of guided mindfulness, sound, somatic movement, forest bathing, poetry etc in both the beautiful indoor loft space of the Restoration Yard and the expansive natural landscape of the park. With its ancient woodland, quiet trails and open skies, the park invites you to reconnect with nature in a way that is grounding, spacious and deeply calming.

Throughout the day, you will be supported by Sharon and I, who are both experienced and compassionate teachers as we explore a blend of practices to help you connect with the present moment. These include seated and lying meditations, somatic movement, gentle movement, mindful walking, poetry, forest bathing, sound, breathwork and simple creative activities. All practices are designed to be accessible, and no previous experience is needed.

We work from a trauma informed approach, which means we understand that every person brings a unique history and inner world to their practice. Our retreat is held with care and respect, offering choice, safety and space. Trauma informed mindfulness supports you in listening to your body and mind with kindness, and participating in a way that feels right for you. Nothing is forced, and you are always welcome to take things at your own pace.

A retreat day is a dedicated time for coming together in a calm and supportive environment to rest, reflect, and reconnect with yourself and others.

The focus is on slowing down, letting go of everyday pressures, and nurturing wellbeing through activities such as gentle movement, meditation, reflective exercises, mindful listening, and sharing experiences.

Coming together in this way can:

Strengthen a sense of community and belonging.
Provide space to pause, reflect, and recharge.
Encourage self-awareness and personal growth.
Foster deeper human connections through shared presence and empathy.

The day is less about achieving goals and more about simply being present with yourself, with others, and with the moment. You are always in choice.

Trauma sensitive mindfulness, as described by David Treleaven, recognises that:

Mindfulness practices can sometimes inadvertently trigger feelings of threat or overwhelm in people with trauma histories
It is important to create safety through choice, pacing and empowerment
Facilitators should encourage participants to remain grounded and aware of their own boundaries during practice
Attention to the nervous system’s response is vital to avoid retraumatisation
Practices should be adaptable to individual needs and responses

The key trauma informed principles that guide our approach are:

Safety: Ensuring both physical and emotional safety for all participants
Trustworthiness: Being clear and consistent about what to expect throughout the retreat
Choice: Offering options and respecting individual decisions about participation
Collaboration: Encouraging shared responsibility and open communication between teachers and participants
Empowerment: Supporting each person’s autonomy and ability to engage at their own pace and comfort level
Cultural sensitivity: Respecting and honouring the diverse backgrounds and experiences participants bring

Mindfulness has been shown to offer many benefits, including reducing stress and anxiety, improving focus, supporting emotional resilience and helping us feel more connected to ourselves and the world around us. When combined with creativity, nature and compassionate guidance, it can open up new ways of seeing, feeling and being.

This retreat invites you to experience mindfulness not only as a mindful, being in the present moment practice, but as a way of engaging fully with life. We will immerse ourselves in nature through mindful walking and Forest Bathing, which invites us to use all of our senses to experience the woodland with presence and openness.

If the weather is uncertain, please bring appropriate clothing such as a raincoat and comfortable shoes so that we can still enjoy the outdoor space.

Indoors, we will gather in the beautiful loft at the Restoration Yard, a calm and light filled space that offers comfort and quiet throughout the day. There will be space for group practice, quiet reflection and optional sharing, as well as time to simply rest and be.

Drinking water will be available in the room. Please note that lunch and other refreshments are not included, but there are options available at the Restoration Yard café, or you are welcome to bring your own food.

This retreat is suitable for those completely new to mindfulness as well as those who wish to deepen or return to their practice. All you need is an open mind and a willingness to gently explore what it means to be present.

We would be delighted to welcome you into this peaceful and supportive space.

2026 dates:
· Saturday 25th April 2026
· Saturday 10th October 2026
These Edinburgh Retreats are now live for booking:https://www.wellbeingmind.co.uk/mindfulness-retreat-days/