2024 Dates: 6th Jan, 20th Jan, 3rd Feb, 17th Feb, 2nd Mar, 16th Mar, 6th Apr, 20th Apr, 4th May, 18th May, 1st Jun & 15th Jun.
Time: 11.30am – 2pm
Wasing’s Saturday Wild Swim & Sauna events are proving so popular that we are very pleased to advise that we have added more dates for 2024.
In the heart of Wasing Estate’s secluded woodlands lies a unique space of pure serenity; our authentic Scandinavian sauna and invigorating wild swim lake. Join us for one of our Saturday events and take a zingy dip in the lake’s rejuvenating waters before rewarming in our wood-fired sauna which offers panoramic views of the lake. Followed by a warming lunch from our lakeside firepit and a sweet treat.
Investment: Single Bell Tent : £750 Shared Bell Tent : £650
Early bird cost : £700 by March 31st
This 3 day 2 night Healing and Breathwork Retreat offers spacious and gentle immersion in nature within a supportive company at the beautiful setting of Wasing Park. Accommodation is a single/shared cosy bell tent with bed pitched in the heart of Wasing woodland. This retreat is available for a small group of 16. We will be combining healing methods including breathwork, bodywork, coaching, cold water immersion, shamanic techniques and movement. During the retreat we will be holding outdoor sauna and wild swims by the lake for the ultimate reset.
Rebecca Dennis and The Breathing Tree Team are joining together to create a safe, supportive and nurturing space for the group to connect and breathe together. All facilitators are experienced and skilled in a variety of fields in breath and body-based work. Guest facilitator Artur Paulins, (Wim HofTrained) will join for part of the retreat.
An opportunity to experience the power of your breath and dive deep into understanding deeply ingrained patterns whilst clearing obstacles and restrictions holding you back from reaching your highest potential physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
During this retreat, Rebecca and the team will introduce self-enquiry topics which encourages a deeper self-awareness of who we are today and inspire further consideration to who we aspire to be tomorrow. These exercises are designed to compliment breathwork to bring clarity of vision and remove obstacles and blockages – a feeling you can take outside of the space and into your everyday life.
Over the three days we will offer a variety of breathing techniques whilst gaining an understanding of the latest science on how we can upgrade our breathing and nervous system for optimum health. Providing a deep understanding of the impact the way we breathe has on every aspect of our lives – mentally, physically and emotionally.
We will be exploring breathing techniques to take away and use throughout the day to change our mental and physical states in a positive way and regain balance.
Conscious breathing keeps us connected with our body and mind so we are more able to listen the messages and alerts being sent via the brain to the body and the nervous system.
This can help you let go of unhealthy breathing habits, such as breath holding and shallow breathing, have a deeper understanding of breath patterns and release both physical and emotional tension from the body.
This can dramatically shift the way you feel in your body and bring higher states of awareness.
The session will be covering :
– Understanding breathing patterns
– Effective and easy-to-use tools to improve our respiratory system
– How the way people breathe affects their physiology – ways to aid sleep, alleviate stress and anxiety levels, increase mental focus, increase lung capacity, boost cardiovascular system, energy levels and physical performance.
Breathwork is for everyone.
We are limiting the group to 16. More details to follow once booking is made.
This retreat takes place in the stunning narniaesque woodland area of Wasing Estate. You’ll be surrounded by nature with acres to explore. The eco Woodland venue, is set in a leafy glade beneath wondrous towering trees and ancient woodland, with a stunning Ice Pond and views over the Parish Church and the manor house. Equipped with a fully functioning kitchen, a selection of wooden and temporary structures, fire pits, a collection of carved wooden seating, compost W.C.’s and outdoor electric showers. A haven for wildlife with seasonal blue bells, foxgloves and ferns, it is home to many retreats, festivals and activities focussed on education and rejuvenation of the mind, body and soul.
All bell tents are single or shared occupancy with beds, duvets and blankets to give you time to yourself for rest and contemplation. The woods include a covered outdoor kitchen and dining area and the retreat is fully catered with delicious and locally-sourced vegetarian food, as well as food foraged from the wild. There is a fire lit for the days and evenings.
A welcome letter and suggested kit list of what to bring will be provided at point of booking.
Parts of the site are on uneven ground. Please contact us if you have physical health or mobility difficulties to make sure we can best accommodate your needs.
Our food & your dietary needs
The retreat is full-board with delicious home-cooked vegetarian food. In line with sustainable practices across the Estate, our cooks produce seasonal, vegetarian food for our guests. We source local produce and support local food suppliers.
Food allergies & intolerances
Please tell us well in advance of your stay of any food allergies or intolerances you may have.
You can tell us this on the Booking Form via a link we send you in your confirmation email.
Silence
Our retreat include some periods of silence as a way of deepening into mindful awareness. If you are new to spending time in silence in the company of other people, it can feel awkward to begin with. However people usually find this to be a useful experience and we encourage you to explore the silent periods with a spirit of openess and curiosity.
Sustainability
Wasing takes sustainability seriously. We use compost toilets and solar power showers on the Woodland Camp area. We only use biodegradable cleaning products. Please bring soaps and toiletries that are eco-friendly. We ask that any non-eco sun screen is also avoided due to an endangered dragonfly protected in the lakes for the swimming.
Sound healing is an ancient meditation method which can enable participants to take a journey of deep relaxation, healing and self-discovery.
Many of us experience stress and tension in our everyday lives, meaning that we spend too much time activating our sympathetic nervous system, our flight and fight response. Therapeutic sound has profound effects on our parasympathetic nervous system giving ourselves the chance to rest, rejuvenate and ultimately heal.
Our host Emma harnesses the alchemy of sound as well as the power of creativity and imagination to facilitate multi-sensory immersive spaces and embodied experiences that allow participants to soar and traverse our planes of consciousness. Emma’s sonic immersions really encourage participants to allow themselves to release, playfully explore and take a journey of expansion using sound as their guide.
Attendees will get comfortable in Savasana, be led by Emma on a guided meditation and will then be invited to relax and allow the sound waves to do their thing whilst they sink into the journey.
Date:16th April 2023
Time: 3-4.30pm
PLEASE NOTE:
Not recommended for those with pacemakers,metal implants, tinnitus, sound sensitive conditions or epilepsy or those who are pregnant in their 1st trimester. We do not offer any medical advice whatsoever. You attend the event at your own risk. If you have any health-related queries, please consult with your Doctor before making a booking.
For event enquiries, please email wellbeing@wasing.co.uk
Discover your Inner Potential – A Journey To Finding Your True Voice And Feeling Empowered And Connected With Your Authentic Self.
Tuesday 1st November – Friday 4th November 2022
“I think 99 times and I find nothing; I stop thinking, swim in silence, and the truth comes to me”
Albert Einstein
This unique and uplifting retreat is designed to help you reset, rediscover your confidence, explore your passions and come home to your inner fire. Embracing the life-enhancing benefits of breathwork, outdoor, wild swimming, Scandinavian sauna, spending time in nature, this retreat brings people together in a safe and inspiring space. A space designed to provide an opportunity to take a moment, step back and explore our horizons together. Guests leave with a pep in their step, feeling lighter and more empowered, with a new confidence that they can live the life they desire.
Using powerful techniques in leading-edge breathwork, mindset training, coaching, voice work, nature immersion and wild swimming, we craft tried and tested experiences for the mind, body and heart. It’s an opportunity to arrive with challenges and seemingly unattainable goals and leave with a sense of purpose and trust in your ability to move forward and make both big and small changes.
Living the juggle is real, low-anxiety is the norm, bowing to pressure from society and ourselves to be and do so much. We juggle work, businesses, children, family, friends, and all the ‘shoulds, ‘coulds’ and obligations that we say yes to even when sometimes we mean no. Since lockdown, people have been re-evaluating their work and lives. For some, there was an opportunity to slow down and be more present and change their lifestyles, and for others, careers and businesses felt unstable and uncertain.
As human beings, we are resilient to ever-evolving change, and we have all had to adapt in many ways these last two years. Many people have shared a deep yearning to live life in another way and with a sense of purpose, but navigating this and making it into reality can feel unreachable. The common theme is working long hours and living a fast life; multitasking our way through the day is all too familiar. As the hamster wheel turns, and as we take on more and more, we take less time for ourselves, until one day we realise we’ve lost touch with who we are, and time has passed by. The noise gets louder, our mind sabotages our dreams, and as it does, our inner spark burns less bright, and our inner voice gets quieter. We feel stuck, like Groundhog Day, less connected to our bodies and hearts as we try to ‘think’ rather than feel ourselves back to who we are.
All is not lost. Our confidence, essence, and true expression are much closer to the surface than we think. All we need is some space and silence and expert guides to help us move obstacles and find ourselves again.
What to expect
We create a safe, beautiful and relaxing space where you can take a step back and breathe. Where you will you leave with reduced stress levels and improved mental focus. We will raise the happy hormone levels – dopamine, endorphins, oxytocin and serotonin and you will have the opportunity to connect with yourself, nature and others.
This is a curated experience designed to help you feel more you again. Where you can explore your voice and feel empowered to make positive changes by;
Exploring negative beliefs and sabotaging thought patterns
Building self-awareness
Getting support in exploring your goals and obstacles
Letting go of patterns that aren’t serving you
Building new habits
Learning how your breath can help change the way you think and feel
Resetting your nervous system
Finding new clarity and focus
Accommodation and venue
All the rooms are designed with luxurious charm and deep sleep in mind. Roll tops baths and large beds in the Coach Houses guarantee a good night’s sleep and power showers ensure a perfect start to your day. Shared accommodation is available in the Stable Rooms and these light and airy rooms are decorated in their individual way using antique furniture and 18th-century pictures salvaged from the original Wasing House. The Dovecot and Granary have knock-out character, taking their cue from the history of the area, you will never want to leave.
All the sessions take place in a light and airy room set amongst a walled garden. The floor to ceiling windows, are flung open on sunny days to let the morning fresh air in. In late afternoon, evening and winter sessions, the room is heated to ensure the deepest relaxation. The wild swims will take place at one of the natural lakes with a Scandinavian sauna for the ultimate reset.
Wasing Park is nestled in the Narnia style Woodlands with 3 stunning lakes to wander around or dip in for wild swims. The winding paths make for a magical jaunt and the perfect chance for you fully reconnect with Nature. There is also a marvellous secret walled garden near the accommodation, which you can potter around or simply sit quietly on one of the garden benches and look at all the wonderful flowers that will be blooming at this time of year.
Every corner you turn here at Wasing will connect you either with ancient trees, wildlife or newly blooming flowers and everything in between.
The food
This is a full board retreat where you will enjoy nourishing food and drinks which will be both energising and cleansing for this time of year. There will also be superfood snacks so feeling hungry won’t be an option! All meals are served in the elegantly designed dining room which is candlelit for the evening.
Vegetarian, nutritious and seasonal meals will be prepared by our in-house chef and are all freshly prepared each day. The menu will be carefully designed to ensure you get the maximum benefits from the programme. All participants will be required to spend the week prior to the retreat cleansing and preparing the body and mind by following our dietary suggestions.
On retreat, each day will start with a seasonal cleansing juice and we will eat light, delicious and nutrition-packed food. By the end of the 4th day, you will feel uplifted and clear and revitalised!
Introductions To Your Guides:
Rebecca Dennis
‘One of UK’s leading Breath Coach & international author of ‘And Breathe’, ‘Breathe – A Practical Guide to Breathwork’ and ‘Let It Go’.
Rebecca has over 20 years of experience in alternative and holistic healing methods and shared breathwork with thousands of people around the globe from corporations such as Google, Sky, BBC to schools and army veterans. She has trained with many worldwide masters and experts in breathwork and healing modalities and helps alleviate issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, sleep deprivation, and energy loss. She sees fast and transformative results within a short period of time and encourages clients to understand and empower themselves with their own innate, natural healing powers working simply with the breath.
Breathing is the only system in the body that is both automatic and also under our control. That is not an accident of nature – it is by design and when used consciously is the key to reaching optimal health and performance. Rebecca’s own experiences with breathwork have completely shifted and elevated her own life and beliefs. She understands the potential of our breath and how we can recharge and reset our nervous system and physiology and release trauma held in the body.
Rebecca Hull
I’m Rebecca, a Business Leader, coach, mentor and single parent.
And I’m no stranger to the juggle. Working full-time whilst also solo-parenting my two daughters for 17 years, I have looked survival hard in the face. And not liking what I saw, I have chosen to explore ways of looking and dealing with life that favour thriving instead.
Getting to this point has taken work, in all its guises, both in my career and personal life. I have over 25 years of experience leading organisations in commercial and not-for-profit sectors through ambitious transformational change programmes. And I have the scars to show for it.
The pursuit of purpose has been a thread that has connected my career, and today, I’m MD of a multi-million pound leading digital agency delivering a mission of helping our clients create positive change in the world. A job that I love. I am not a businesswoman in the stereotypical sense; you won’t find me in heels, throwing my weight around in the boardroom; instead, quiet, reflective, people-centred leadership is much more my style. I’ve learnt that to be successful and fully in my power at work is only possible if I am fully myself, and I don’t compromise on this approach.
Work is essential to living, and I do love a business challenge; so much that I support young entrepreneurs in setting up their businesses. But my true passion lies with people since people lie at the heart of everything. These days, drawing on my years of battle wounds and graft, I also work as a coach and mentor to help individuals, especially women, gently explore their full potential at any stage in their lives. I walk alongside them to help them understand where they are in their lives and where they want to be, working together to identify ways of living and working that favour a life of thriving over surviving.
Deborah Thomas – Voice Coach
I have over 18 years’ experience as a public speaking coach and presentation skills trainer. My career began in London in 2004 under the mentorship of renowned Ted Talk Speaker, Caroline McHugh. I established my journey as her apprentice in the company ID-OLOGY, before moving to New York in 2007. During that first decade, I honed the skills, tools and techniques which launched my career as a respected coach in the corporate sector.
In 2009, I relocated back to my native Wales. I continue to base myself from Cardiff where I am raising my daughter and running my business – Public Speaking Solutions.
My vocational mission has been to enable all of my clients to find their true voice at work. I facilitate the personal journey of each individual who seeks to become a more present and powerful speaker. Together we will work to align the voice, the body and content as seamlessly as possible, for our listener’s benefit. I encourage each client to meet their maximum and work through their resistances, so that they evolve as a speaker that is fully seen, heard and remembered for all the right reasons.
A Transformational Programme of Progressive Natural Healing
Are you ready for change? Join us on a deep and powerful journey to reset and upgrade your mind and body.
BREATHE. MOVE. BALANCE. RESTORE
Step out of the busy pace of life and into the woodlands for this energising and revitalising mid-week retreat at Wasing Estate in Berkshire. In today’s highly-strung, always-on society, we often hover in a constant state of low or high anxiety. Continuous low-level stress is now accepted as normal. Mental overload leads to physical stress which literally restricts the way we breathe, keeping the unhealthy circle going and results in us feeling out of balance.
AYNI means balance in the indigenous language of Quechua. In the Andean villages this reciprocity can be tangible or intangible and it is practiced in all aspects of the daily life. All things in ayni, means all things in right balance whether it be in the environment or our bodies. It is an action and more importantly a way of life that should be understood as the essence which triggers all of our actions. Ayni show reciprocity with nature because nature is part of us. It is the source of life and everything that keeps us alive and nurtures us, and it is our duty to reciprocate.
This thinking means we recognise when something is out of balance in the world around us, and know we must balance something within us. We correct ourselves within, and then witness the shift around us. Our thoughts and actions create, and our body responds.
This four day programme will see you learn and practice cutting edge breathwork techniques, yoga, meditation and receive deep body work to super charge your body’s systems, bring in balance, relax and reboot the body and mind. November is the perfect month to immerse in nature, get the body moving, breathing and stretch and take in the fresh air of the surrounding woodlands to help clear the system and prepare you for the winter months ahead.
In between the yoga, meditation and breath sessions you can enjoy woodland walks and (for the brave!) wild swims in the heart of the stunning Wasing Woodlands.
ACCOMMODATION & VENUE
All the rooms are designed with luxurious charm and deep sleep in mind. Roll tops baths and large beds in the Coach Houses guarantee a good night’s sleep and power showers ensure a perfect start to your day. Shared accommodation is available in the Stable Rooms and these light and airy rooms are decorated in their individual way using antique furniture and 18th century pictures salvaged from the original Wasing House. The Dovecot and Granary have knock out character, taking its cue from the history of the area, you will never want to leave.
All the Yoga and Breathing sessions take place in a light and airy room set amongst a walled garden. Yoga mats, bolsters and blankets are all provided but you are more than welcome to bring your own yoga equipment should you prefer. The floor to ceiling window open out so on sunny days these are flung open to let the morning fresh air in. Late afternoon and evening sessions, the room is heated to ensure the deepest relaxation.
Wasing Park is nestled in the Narnia-esque style Woodlands with 3 stunning lakes to wander around or dip in for wild swims. The winding paths make for a magical jaunt and the perfect chance for you fully reconnect with Nature. There is also a marvellous secret walled garden near the accommodation, which you can potter around or simply sit quietly on one of the garden benches and look at all the wonderful flowers that will be blooming at this time of year.
Every corner you turn here at Wasing will connect you either with ancient trees, wildlife or newly blooming flowers and everything in between.
THE FOOD
This is a full board retreat where you will enjoy nourishing food and drinks which will be both energising and cleansing for this time of year. There will also be super food snacks so feeling hungry won’t be an option! All meals are served in the elegantly designed dining and room and is candlelit for the evening.
Vegetarian, nutritious and seasonal meals will be prepared by our in house chef and are all freshly prepared each day. The menu will be carefully designed to ensure you get the maximum benefits from the programme. All participants will be required to spend the week prior to the retreat cleansing and preparing the body and mind by following our dietary suggestions.
On retreat, each day will start with a seasonal cleansing juice and we will eat light, delicious and nutrition packed food. By the end of the 4th day you will feel cleansed and clear and revitalised and been given the support and space to re-boot the bodies systems!
HOW YOU WILL SPEND YOUR TIME
Monday
2pm – Arrival to the venue
3pm – 3.45 – Welcome Circle and Intention setting
3.45pm – 4.45pm – Yoga – Opening Body to Breathe
4.45pm – 7.15pm – Full Breathwork session
7.30pm – Dinner in the Stables
21:00 – Yoga Nidra
Tuesday
7am – Fresh Cleanse Juice served in the Stables Lodge
8am – 10am – Yoga and Meditation – Flow to stillness
10am – Breakfast bars and healthy snacks
10.30am – Massages available 10.30 am – 3.30pm
1pm – Lunch in the Stables Lodge
3.30pm – 5.30pm – Embodied Breathwork session
6:30pm – Dinner in The Stables
8pm – Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra
Wednesday
7am – Fresh Cleanse Juice served in the Stables Lodge
8am – 10am – Yoga and Meditation – Flow to stillness
10am – Breakfast bars and healthy snacks
10.30am – Massages available 10.30 am – 2.30pm
1pm – Lunch in the Stables Lodge
2.30pm – 3.30pm – Session with Rebeccca and Jess
3.30pm – 5.30pm – Full Embodied breathwork session
7.00pm – Dinner in The Stables
8.30pm – Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra
Thursday
7am – Fresh Cleanse Juice served in the Stables Lodge
8am –Meditation class with Jess – Elevate your day
9am – 10am – Embodied Breath – Self Practice – take your practice home
10am – Breakfast bars and healthy snacks
11.30am – 1pm – Restorative yoga to ground
1pm – Lunch in the Stables Lodge
2pm – 3pm – Closing Circle
BREATHWORK
During sessions we will be sharing cutting edge techniques such as conscious connected breath, observe breathing patterns and use hands-on acupressure, sound, movement and coaching to help open any restricted patterns clearing physical and emotional tension and blockages.
When the breath is full, open and connected, “activation” occurs creating a high vibrational frequency in the body. This allows lower vibrational energy that is held in our cellular memory such as tension, repressed emotion, mental, emotional and physical trauma, past stories, negative thought patterns held in the subconscious to be integrated.
Discover how your breath is the key to unlocking your full potential. Learn how the way you breathe shapes the way you live. Learn how to harness the power of the mind rather than be ruled by it and reclaim your body and be in the present moment. We will focus on how emotions get stuck in the body and learn about the scientific evidence and research that supports how the nervous system and breath respond to life’s challenges.
* Feel totally invigorated
* Connect with your body’s innate healing abilities
* Gain clarity and learn to let go of emotional blocks
* Release anxiety and alleviate depression
* Open your breath and learn how to reach your full potential
* Experience deep peace and connection
* Develop a new dimension to your yoga and/or spiritual practice
* Feel motivated, peaceful and energized
You will experience the difference between practicing “thinking mode versus feeling mode” and learn effective ways to strengthen your ability to hold attention and discern deeper levels of feeling. Make choices, take action, and create your own rhythm so that the flow of Life and your breath can support you.
YOGA
The yoga sessions will be carefully curated to prepare and support you for the breath sessions. We will open the body, the muscles and tissues associated with our diaphragm and through slow, and thoughtful sequences the mind will also open and quieten allowing us fuller participation.
The morning sessions will involve more movement, inviting in space and for mind and body. The evening sessions will be deeply nourishing and grounding, giving time to journey inwards and process the days experiences.
Sessions will be suitable for all levels of experience and modifications will be given for those that need.
MEDITATION
Yogis have know about the benefits of Meditation for thousands of years and recently scientists have been able to back this up and show how meditation can help us re- wire our brains to work better! Instead of our minds ruling us, we can utilise the power of our minds and direct our thoughts to more positive places. We can feel calmer, clearer, more productive and sleep better amongst other benefits.
We will explore easy, yet powerful ancient techniques, to help cope with the trials of the modern world and find greater inner peace and clarity.
YOUR HOSTS
Rebecca and Jess will be your guides on this transformative and healing journey. They have been running retreats together for over 10 years and have perfected the art providing an experience where you can truly switch off, with all of your needs and expectations met and exceeded leaving you to rest and reset.
As voted by Tatler Spa Guide: ‘Transformational Breath and Yoga Retreat, one of the best retreats in the world.’
REBECCA DENNIS
UK’s leading Breath Coach & international author of ‘And Breathe’, ‘Breathe – A Practical Guide To Breathwork’ and ‘Let It Go’.
Rebecca has over 20 years of experience in alternative and holistic healing methods and shared breathwork with thousands of people around the globe. She has trained with many worldwide masters and experts in breathwork and healing modalities and helps alleviate issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, sleep deprivation, and energy loss. She sees fast and transformative results within a short period of time and encourages clients to understand and empower themselves with their own innate, natural healing powers working simply with the breath.
Breathing is the only system in the body that is both automatic and also under our control. That is not an accident of nature – it is by design and when used consciously is the key to reaching optimal health and performance. Rebecca’s own experiences with breathwork have completely shifted and elevated her own life and beliefs. She understands the potential of our breath and how we can recharge and reset our nervous system and physiology and release trauma held in the body.
JESS HORN Yoga and Meditation Teacher
Jess is a Senior Yoga Teacher, Teaching classes, Workshops and Leading Retreats across the world, a Yoga Teacher Trainer and Teachers Mentor.
She has been practicing for over 20 years and has found it to be an empowering, transformational and supportive practice and is passionate about sharing the tools that support her, with others.
She’s particularly interested in teaching meditation, movement and mindfulness which she feel’s is so necessary to help deal with the challenges of modern living.
Jess skillfully provides a space where everyone feels comfortable, and can challenge them selves safely, whether they are complete beginners, or more experienced yogis.
Jess has been featured several times in Yoga Magazine, OM magazine and collaborates regularly with YogaMatters.
We’ve all had to get innovative with the ways we take care of our personal and collective wellbeing these last couple of years. Along with the most welcome return to the great outdoors, you may have noticed a huge resurgence of wild swimming taking the UK and the rest of the world by storm.
This has undoubtedly been buoyed by the popularity of Wim Hof’s teachings on cold-immersion, though the tradition of taking ourselves to the cold before the seasonal colds and flus come to us, is long-standing. The therapeutic properties of water immersion was a source of healing and enjoyment for the likes of Charles Darwin and Florence Nightingale, as well as providing the inspiration for many of our own historic spa towns over the centuries.
What’s happening at the moment is rather beautiful; people are reclaiming their joy for the outdoors and sourcing feelings of wellbeing through a direct connection to the elements. That goes hand in hand with remembering the innate strength of our own bodies and minds.
Wasing’s new wild swim and sauna offering, is rooted in the power of feeling that connection to self, community and nature. There’s something magical about coming together with a group of likeminded people to enjoy the unmistakable zing of a wild swim in the woodland lake.
From August this year, we also welcomed our first visitors to the new wood-fired Scandinavian sauna, which sits right alongside the lake for the perfect wholesome experience:
‘Over the years we have experimented with different forms of bringing people together and Wasing’s new sauna is the latest step along our wellbeing journey. Sited in a beautiful lakeside location and with indisputable health benefits, the sauna not only provides an opportunity to relax and enjoy, but to revitalise and recharge both body and mind”
– Di Dugdale, Wild Swim Founder
Whether it’s an invigorating plunge into the icy waters during the winter months, or a few gentle rounds in the sauna, the completely private setting offers a wonderful way to wash away stress. And, the cold and hot immersion is equally as good for your physical health as it is for your mood. Cold water swims and regular saunas, have been proven to support cardiovascular health, provide relief from achy or overused muscles, strengthen your immune response, and give you a natural hit of endorphins.
The boost of feel-good chemicals in the body, and the sense of elation are a couple of reasons why cold immersion is supportive for depression, anxiety and overall mental wellbeing. And recent research from Cambridge University scientists has pointed to promising benefits of cold immersion in the prevention of alzheimers and dementia.
There’s also a wonderful feeling of support, camaraderie and friendship amongst the swimmers gathering here. The intention is to keep the memberships intimate enough that people get to know each other, and can be inspired through those connections.
‘I lived by the sea for over 27 years, and the beach is where I used to go when I was happy, sad, angry and anything in between. Jill introduced me to swimming at Wasing in January during lockdown, there was ice on the lake and I didn’t have a clue what I was doing! I managed all of 15 seconds in the water. I have never felt so alive – I screamed, I laughed, I smiled, my skin tingled, and for those few moments nothing else mattered. I’m really grateful to have this on my doorstep, it means I can swim several times a week, and every day turns out a bit better when it starts with a cold dip. It’s now my favourite way to get back into the moment and appreciate the small things.”
– Carol Burch, Founding Member
Click here to explore the founding memberships, and email wellbeing@wasing.co.uk to arrange your taster visit.
In celebration of World Earth Day, we are taking a look at a few of the ways that we try to protect and restore.
In recent years, we have been planting thousands of bulbs across the estate to encourage pollination, bees and other insects. This spring we have had the pleasure of watching the gardeners hard work come to fruition, the bees have certainly been enjoying the spring flowers around the estate.
This year we have been busy with the Castle Barn landscaping project. Extensive planting has been planned including some Cornus in the main venue carpark alongside a beautiful beech hedge. All of this will no doubt provide shelter for all manner of birds and insects over the coming years.
The farm land at Wasing has now been farmed organically for over two and a half years, with no artificial chemicals and fertilisers being used to grow our crops and sympathetic livestock grazing being used to manage our permanent pastures.
On our arable land we use well balanced crop rotations with diverse fertility building leys to build our soils fertility for the future, improving our soils organic matter, microbiology and capturing carbon at the same time. In-between our fertility building we aim to grow a diverse array of crops including Barley, Spelt, Rye, Quinoa and Hemp with an aim to keep supply chains and food miles to the minimum possible.
The cattle and sheep born and raised on the estate are crucial to fertility cycling in our organic farming system, and we are proud to be producing sustainable, grass fed beef and lamb to the highest welfare standards. Our aim over the coming years is to produce as much sustainable, nutritious and delicious food as we can in house for all of the amazing events and weddings held at Wasing, whilst continuing to improve the farms biodiversity and soil health for future generations.
This change to organic is really helping to fuel the regeneration of the environment across the estate at Wasing, with positive, noticeable changes in our biodiversity already being seen across our fields. We also dedicate over 200 acres (or 106 football pitches) of land to specially grown flower and seed crops to feed our pollinators throughout the year and our bird life over winter. The hard work involved in providing habitats for a wide array of farm bird populations is paying off, with winter counts showing increasing numbers of birds being supported on the farm over winter, with red list species such as Skylark, Yellowhammer, Linnet and Lapwing populations all improving year on year.
We are also involved in the management of a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) at Wasing where we have been creating habitats to encourage Odonata, better known as dragonflies and damselflies. We have over 20 species of Odonata at Wasing, including the Small Red Damselfly and the Emerald Dragonfly. We are committed to maintaining this special habitat and improving it going into the future.
Management of trees and hedgerows is very important on the estate, where we are now aiming to let our hedges grow bigger which provides more food for our birds and wonderful blossom in the spring. We also carry out coppicing, most noticeably along the river Enborne where we coppice Alder trees which have been growing on the riverbanks for decades. The coppicing provides us with good quality, sustainable firewood whilst also allowing light back into the rivers, benefiting aquatic life. We have also recently planted over 140 new native trees into our parkland, these oaks and beech will help to restore the parkland into the wood pasture it once was, providing ample shelter for our cattle and capturing carbon at the same time
All our heating and hot water for the boutique hotel and the wedding and events venue is provided by a biomass boiler. The biomass boiler is powered by wood chip sourced from the Wasing woodland as part of our woodland management plan.
It may not be obvious at first glance, but just like organic farming, yoga and spiritual practices have a long tradition of working in relationship with the seasons and cycles of the year and with the balance of the elements. Many Eastern practices view the human body as being made up of these elements in fact. When we recognise on a personal level how much nourishment we receive from Mother Earth, and how much our own sense of wellbeing is enriched by fresh air, clean water, rich soil, the more drawn we are to bringing care and responsibility to ourselves, and our communities.
Wasing are holding an in-house retreat for Women May 14th-16th based on the theme of Wild Elements, which will literally take folks into deeper connection with their own bodies and hearts through practices connected with the earth, with water, fire and air. Being directly immersed in nature is definitely one of the best ways to come into deep respect with the Earth.
In August we are also proud to host Medicine Festival in our woodlands, a gathering focused on people and planet, designed to inspire genuine and authentic connection to nature. It fuses ancient indigenous wisdom with western technology, bringing together wisdom keepers, thought leaders, artists and musicians to inspire new narratives and understanding to help us restore our home, this sacred earth.
At Wasing sustainability is at the heart of our planning.
