About this retreat
This nervous system reset retreat weekend will allow you to find peace, reset your nervous system, and take a step back from the chaos of modern life. Deep in the Dorset countryside, you can find deep healing amongst social and quiet times.
This retreat takes place in a beautiful large country house in the village of Stoke Wake, close to Sherborne and Blandford in Dorset.
Stay in this beautiful and comfortable seven bedroom home, with stunning private gardens to enjoy. These include a lake and plenty of space to find peace and solitude as well as enjoying wonderful yoga, meditation, sound healing, and gorgeous meals together. There will be plentiful opportunities for deep self-searching, social times, quiet times, rest, and activities. Settled in the countryside near Sherborne, this venue is perfectly situated for abundant and mindful walks around Bulbarrow and more.
You will be welcomed into this gorgeous space and family home by the creative couple who have been opening their doors to Mellulah guests since 2017.
What you get
On this retreat, you can expect:
- Four sessions of vinyasa, restorative yoga, and vagus nerve and nervous system resets with Saira, suitable for all abilities
- Plant-based meals and healthy sweet treats from Gilly at Wyld Green Kitchen
- Sound healing with gong and seven chakra crystal bowls with Saira
- Infrared sauna
- Walks and freedom to roam
- Meditation
- Chanting and mantra
- Holistic therapies available to book with Iona
- Digital detox, phone- and gadget-free space
- Guaranteed head space and freedom to chill!
Wow what a weekend! The effects of the nervous system reset were immediate. What I learned from Saira about the vagus nerve, our nervous system and how we can stay true to our innate inner wisdom will stay with me forever. The combination of Saira's beautiful teachings, the mind blowing gong and crystal bowl baths, the incredible massage, stunning house and gardens, the gorgeous ladies on the retreat, delicious food, hot cacao around the fire. The whole shebang was just what the doctor ordered! Caroline - Retreat guest
Accommodation Options
We have three spaces as a day guest on the Sunday – all residential spaces are now sold out do get in touch if you’d like to go on a wait list for further spaces
Double Bed Room (not a twin) with Shared Bathroom £599 solo occupancyLuxury Double/Twin Bed Ensuite Room £799 solo occupancy or £699pp to shareStandard Double Ensuite Room (not a twin) £749 solo occupancy or £649pp to share- Day Guests :
Join us for the full weekend Friday 4.30p – Sunday 3.30pm with all meals £379Join us for Saturday 9am – 7pm £150pp- Join us for Sunday 9am – 3.30pm £110pp – 3 spaces available
- Resident guests – stay an extra night on Sunday for £120 – contact us to book this option
Accommodation is arranged over two upper floors to the living and yoga spaces, there is a toilet on the ground floor.
One floor has three ensuite rooms and the upper top floor has three double/twin rooms with one shared bathroom between them. All rooms have extensive views of surrounding countryside and the large garden and lake.
Schedule
Day guests join as much of Saturday and/or Sunday as you wish including brunch. This schedule may change slightly. Please bring wellies, wet weather gear, cosy pyjamas and socks for evening workshops.
4:00 pm Arrivals
5:30 pm You will be welcomed with tea, snacks and chats
5:30 pm Vinyasa flow yoga with Saira
7:15 pm Plant based supper
8:30 pm Chill time
8:30 am Breakfast smoothies
9:00 am Release stress from your nervous system workshop
9:30 am Energising Vinyasa flow yoga with Saira
11:15 am Plant based brunch
12:00 pm Time for you to have a treatment, enjoy the sauna. Or relax with a walk, cosy up with a book, have a chat or a nap
2:30 pm Heavenly sound healing gong bath with Saira
4:30 pm Raw cacao drinks and vegan cakes
5:30 pm Restorative yoga with Saira
7:15 pm Plant based supper
8:30 pm Circle time and hot chai drinks around the fire, indoors or outdoors depending on the weather
8:30 am Breakfast smoothies
9:00 am Energising Vinyasa flow yoga with Saira
11:00 am Plant based brunch
1:30 pm Heavenly sound healing gong bath
2:45 pm Tea and cake
3:30 pm Retreat ends
Frequently Asked Questions
Your yoga retreat with us will be entirely plant based/vegan, refined sugar free and alcohol free. It is really important that you let us know of any dietary requirements, special diets and preferences, so that we can ensure you enjoy your delicious, healthy, nutritious meals. If you’ve never eaten plant based before, prepare to be pleasantly surprised!
Its a good idea to wear loose comfortable clothing for yoga and meditation. If the weather is cool, it’s also beneficial to bring warm layers so you can strip down to a vest top or t-shirt in the yoga class as you warm up. Bring thick socks for relaxation, if you like to be cosy.
We supply towels for your rooms (not for the infra red sauna, you might like to bring a robe for the sauna or if you are sharing a bathroom for those night runs!
Bring your own yoga mat if you have one, a strap, block, eye bag and any other equipment you use for your regular practice. Its nice to bring a pillow and blanket for the sound healing part of the day. If you are coming by train get in touch and we'll make sure we have everything you need available.
There are no hairdryers, do bring your own toiletries if you prefer.
A retreat is a great chance to catch up on a good book, perhaps a spiritual book that you’ve been meaning to read? We supply a library of our favourite spiritual books for you to use during your stay.
A journal is a wonderful idea if you’d like to keep notes of your own feelings and experiences during the retreat and also jot down any guidance, mantras or yoga poses you enjoyed while with us.
The full address is: Springfield, Stoke Wake, Dorset, satnavs don't always find this address so we send you super easy directions to find us before you come. The nearest villages are Ansty and Hazelbury Bryan.
The easiest way to find this venue, as its not easy to find using the address and postcode is What3words, cut and paste this link to find us https://w3w.co/ranked.sharpen.essential
The nearest station is Sherborne and you can easily book a taxi from there, approx 25 minutes and we always try to match you up with other guests if possible.
By Air: The nearest airports are Bournemouth (24 miles), Southampton (43 miles) and Bristol (70 miles).
Yes, your retreat with us is a full digital detox, a wonderful way to get some real space and truly retreat. We ask you to keep all shared and communal spaces completely phone and device free. Speak to Saira before you come, if you have any concerns about not being able to use it and for some ideas on detoxing and keeping your peace of mind about loved ones. We supply an emergency contact number to your family and friends before your stay.
Its a good idea to bring an alarm clock and watch to keep track of time so you don't need to carry your phone around or have it on at night.
We don't serve alcohol on any of our retreats, we want you to a really authentic retreat experience, so it won't be around anywhere and you can enjoy the benefits of a mini detox weekend.
Yes! Booking a treatment during your retreat stay can really enhance your experience. We send you a full treatment menu two weeks before your stay and ask that you book well in advance as spaces are limited, prices vary but average £60 per hour.
Meet your host
Saira Francis has been a healer for over two decades, offering authentic support, compassion, and guidance to those in her community. Based in West Dorset, Saira is an experienced yoga teacher, holistic therapist, and energy and sound healer. Drawing from her own experience treading along the healing path, Saira can offer heartfelt support for those just embarking on or continuing their journey. Her dedication to helping others has guests returning to Mellulah Yoga Retreats over and again for her energetic guidance and practise.