Pilates Retreat - all done!
6 - 8 September 2024
We stayed at Fair Oak Farm in Mayfield, East Sussex, with its unique range of historic and stylish group accommodation, including barns, tree lodges & shepherd's huts.
The area was perfect for a country walk to the pub. The walk was longer than we expected! There was the option to watch a movie in the cinema barn or play table tennis, but most of our time was spent enjoying each other's company at the Farmhouse Cottage table, eating Dee's delicious food; having a read; sauntering around the large garden, alongside the peacocks Gary and Dotty, and a few of us managed an infra-red sauna. And of course, we had the Pilates sessions.
Quick summary on what was included....
A friendly, warm welcome!
Unique, stylish accommodation including Barns, Tree Lodges & Shepherd’s Huts, all en-suite, all including kitchen facilities
Single or Double occupancy
Two pilates sessions per day, taught by two teachers
Half Board Chef-prepared meals
Optional 1:1 Pilates coaching & Osteopathy/massage for additional fee
Optional extra night for FREE!
An example of some of the rooms:
One of the biggest highlights was Dee's food (www.cookinghappy.com). Dee is an incredible chef who trained in French cuisine, but also specialises in Thai food. She spoilt us silly and you can find out what our guests thought on her Google reviews.
I was really grateful to have the wonderful Brenda Nassali-Liston (left) with me, Sophie (right). Brenda is a passionate movement teacher with a keen interest in the function of the feet. Brenda's teaching style and toolkit is significantly shaped by her further training and knowledge of the fascial body, functional anatomy, gait training and biomechanics.
I am both the owner of Pilatestar and Sophie's Pilates (serving mostly the Dulwich, South East London area) and having suffered myself from chronic lower back and hip pain for many areas, am a strong believer that Pilates can dramatically help these conditions, by doing strength training which in turn improves functional movement.
Having two teachers worked really well because we could give our clients lots of attention and corrections, ensuring they got the most out of their workouts.
We also had Giulia Volpe on site, providing osteopathy; remedial massage; scar release; western acupuncture, IASTM & dry cupping. It was a real treat to have direct access to her, as she's both a very talented osteopath and a lovely warm person.
What was included …
Friday
Welcome cup of tea and something sweet!
PM - Longer 1h 15 Pilates class (combined session run by Brenda and Sophie)
Casual welcome buffet for all - home-made salads and charcuterie / cheeses supplied by organisers and attendees
Saturday
AM - Pre-breakfast mindful pilates and stretch
Breakfast provided by our chef, Dee. A generous breakfast to set you up for the day
Buffet lunch back at the Farmhouse Cottage
Tea - a couple of sweet specialities by Dee
PM - Pilates class
Three course European dinner provided by Dee
Sunday
AM- Pre-breakfast mindful pilates and stretch
Light breakfast provided by Dee
AM Late morning - Pilates class (more vigorous session)
PM - Vegetarian Thai curry lunch provided by Dee (her speciality)
Some clients had to leave after lunch, to get back for work the next day, some stayed til early evening, and then some of us lucky folk got to stay until Monday morning, however the hosts 'clocked off' work from 4pm.