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Friday 27 April 2018

Latest Relax & Restore News

(The calm and reflective shores of Lake Ullswater)

Relax and Restore News

There will be no Yoga/Meditation classes this Monday 30 April, but we will be back on the mats on Monday 14 May (no class Monday 7 May as it's a Bank Holiday).

As a reminder we have Gentle Restorative Yoga from 9:30am - 10:30am followed by Breath-work and Meditation at 10:45am - 11:45am.  Each class costs £10, please book your mat up to the Sunday evening before the class.

Our next Candlelit Yoga & Supper Evening is on Tuesday 8 May from 7pm - 9:30pm and costs £30.  This includes a soup supper with warming drinks.

Laura and I are really looking forward to our Retreat Day on Saturday 16 June, a great day relaxing, restoring, re-energising whilst taking part in gentle yoga, meditation, breath-work, yoga nidra, time spent outdoors in the grounds and woodland, a creative activity and a delicious and nutritious lunch.  The day runs from 11:30am - 4:50pm and costs £75.  Our theme in June looks at the many benefits of bees, honey and the outdoors.

Tuesday 24 April 2018

A Day at Kew


I had to share these beautiful photos with you after my recent trip to Kew Gardens


It is the perfect time to go, the magnolias and blossoms are stunning.



The flowers above look striking, there are hundreds of them on display.

Below are colourful tulips in their pots at the main entrance

 

Last year I visited after the blossoms had bloomed and just saw the tulips planted below, it was wonderful to see them out together this year.

It's such a calm place to sit and just stare at the pink blossom!




I look forward to returning when the Roses are out!

The Temperate House has been closed for 5 years whilst renovations have been taking place. It opens again at the beginning of May and will be worth a visit. 10,000 plants in the World's largest greenhouse!




Aga Class with Sarah Whitaker


Just a selection of the delicious food created at this morning's Aga Class with Sarah Whitaker.

Sarah managed to cover baking, simmering, roasting, boiling, melting, stir-frying, grilling, warming and more in her demonstration this morning.


Sharing top tips along the way, on how to get the most out of your Aga, and your ingredients!




After the demonstration there is tasting lunch of all the food cooked served with a glass of wine.
 



I seemed to have forgotten to take a photo of the chocolate fudge cake!  Maybe because it went so fast!

Bookings are open for our Christmas Aga class on Tuesday 27 November 2018

9:45am - 1:30pm
£65





Bluebells & Silver Birch Watercolour


Last week we held a very popular watercolour class on Bluebells and Silver Birch Trees.

The 2 photos here show some early stages of Claire's demonstration piece.

Firstly everyone drew in their trees and used masking fluid, this took some time!


Once the masking fluid was DRY, a first wash of watercolour was applied, showing the background light, the pathway, banks and bluebells.



After lunch the masking fluid was removed and the styling of the trees and their leaves took place.



Here are our Bluebell Woodlands .......

















Tuesday 17 April 2018

Atmospheric Scottish Landscape Watercolour


Last week we had a Scottish Landscapes Watercolour class, that focussed on Atmosphere.

It was a scene from lovely Plockton.


Delicious lunch; Persian Chicken Pilaf with a watercress salad and tomatoes with feta.


Here are the finished paintings full of colour, mood and atmosphere ...









Wednesday 11 April 2018

Relaxing Candlelit Yoga & Meditation Evening


We enjoyed a lovely and relaxing evening last night with Laura.

She led us through an evening of gentle and restorative yoga flow by the fire, with candles glowing.

There are many benefits to Restorative Yoga, it stills the mind, deeply relaxes the body, enhances flexibility, balances the nervous system and boosts the immune system.

Laura chooses supported poses that we hold for several minutes, this helps the body to fully engage, soften and relax.  We use props such as bolsters, pillows, blocks and belts.

Restorative Yoga balances your central nervous system by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system.  By taking deep breaths and relaxing into the postures, the heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure and emotions slow down.

After a delicious and nutritious soup supper we took part in a meditation session which led into a lovely Yoga Nidra under the duvets with warming eye masks, with sound from Laura's koshi bells.

Our next evening is on Tuesday 8 May

7pm - 9:30pm
£30




Friday 6 April 2018

Fabulous Fish Watercolour


We tried something new this week, Fabulous Fish with sparkly, glittery iridescent paints.

We started the morning having a play with them, we had SAA paints in silver, pearl and gold plus some iridescent paint powder that we mixed with gum arabic before applying.

After we had chosen our 'fish' and sketched it onto the lovely heavyweight paper from St Cuthberts Mill, Claire demonstrated the first wash, 

below is one of the paintings with the fish and waterlilies drawn out with masking fluid on their outline and some beautiful colours in the wash


others made the fish their focus and worked on the painting of their fish, putting their colours on first

 





 






It was lovely to have the sunshine back today, I took time after the class to have a wander round the grounds to see what is starting to blossom.



Claire is back next week for Atmospheric Scottish Landscapes, we have some spaces available, come and join us, suitable for all levels including beginners.

9:30am - approx 3pm
£75
All materials, a 2 course lunch and a glass of wine included.