“May you recognise in your life the profound invitation that comes with each new dawn” — John O’Donohue
Beautiful, nervous system supporting, seasonal retreats to help you flourish co-led by two expert practitioners. With over 40 years of professional experience in women’s wellbeing, together we hold space and create experiences with integrity, professionalism and deep human compassion.
Yoga, movement, nutrition and bodywork is led by Katie. Dr Kristin Bohn, Clinical Psychologist and Positive Psychology Coach provides with science-backed practices to supporting a life aligned with your values. Full details of our seasonal retreats are below.
FREE INTRODUCTORY ZOOM:
If you’re curious but want to know more before you commit, join our free introductory zoom on Wednesday 16th September, 8 – 9pm: BREATH, BODY & A LITTLE PSYCHOLOGY. You’ll be guided through beautiful, connecting, soulful breath and body practices led by Katie – encouraging a sense of gentle aliveness and awareness. Dr Kristin will share what positive psychology really is – and isn’t – and offer a simple practice for savouring the good: noticing and lingering on the small moments that quietly shift how we feel. Sign up here.
We know there are likely to be kids, pets and partners around at this time. There’s no need to lock yourself away (unless you want to!). We understand real life happens – come as you are, however you are, knowing you’ll be warmly welcomed.
Sign up here. There will not be a recording of this session, so if you’re intrigued by our work, want to know more, get a feel for our approach and retreats, want a free experience of yoga and gentle positive psychology coaching, sign up here.
Our autumn retreat: Turning Home ~ Friday 2nd October 9.30 – 1.30pm
As the seasons soften and the air turns, this nurturing autumn retreat invites you to slow down, reconnect, and choose how you want to move forward – with haste and hurry or choice and intention?
Including practices to awaken the senses to the beauty of the season — the scent of fallen leaves, cool fresh air, changing colours and earthy stillness. You’ll learn practices of grounding, presence and awareness – tools to take away and weave into the months ahead, allowing you to engage fully in the moment.
Through gentle movement, deep rest and calming rituals, Katie supports you to release tension you didn’t know you were holding and leave you with a sense of deep nourishment. Stocking your larder with replenishing energy for the months ahead.
Dr Kristin Bohn will guide you in a simple, research-based practice for noticing and holding on to the good — the small, easily-missed moments that, once we learn to pause with them, can gently shift how we feel.
Together, we’ll reflect on the seeds we wish to nurture for the coming year, allowing intentions to softly ruminate over winter, without pressure or urgency.
Thoughtfully curated and deeply replenishing, Turning Home offers a gentle invitation to return to yourself — feeling calmer, steadier, and more rooted as the seasons begin to change. Book here under “half day retreats”.
In the depths of midwinter, this deeply restorative retreat offers space to stop, rest, and retreat from the busyness of everyday life. Pressing pause on the normal expectations of this time of year, recalibrating and replenishing body, mind and soul as you turn inward, nourishing yourself.
Inspired by the slower rhythms of winter, the day is designed to nourish your nervous system through slow somatic movement, grounding practices, intentional rest and gentle reawakening of your senses and direction. There is nothing to chase here but space created and held to listen inwardly. If that feels impossible with the busy-ness of our brain, don’t worry, you’ll be guided deeply by two expert practictioners withcollectively over 40 years expertise.
Body and breath practices are led by Katie, known for her deep nurturing, inclusive and accessible approach. Dr Kristin Bohn will share gentle, evidence-based practices around self-compassion — how treating yourself with the same kindness you so readily give others can quietly steady you through the darker months. Book here under “half day retreats”.
Are these women’s retreats right for you?
You sense that something is shifting — in your body, your priorities, your sense of self
You are tired in a way that a holiday doesn’t fix
You have been the one holding everything together and you are ready, just for a morning, to be held
You are curious about what comes next, but haven’t had the space or silence to hear the answer
You have never done anything like this before and you are a little nervous and also quietly sure it’s exactly what you need
No yoga experience required. No flexibility required. Everything you need is provided — mats, bolsters, blankets, eye pillows, snacks and drinks. You just bring yourself.
Your hosts, Katie Wheater & Dr Kristin Bohn
Your Oxford retreat facilitators
Katie Wheater is a yoga teacher, nutritionist and massage practitioner based in Oxford, specialising in women’s wellbeing, nervous system regulation, and the particular needs of midlife women’s bodies. She has been working with women in this way for years — and her cabin, her garden, and her hands have held a great many of them.
Dr Kristin Bohn is a Clinical Psychologist and Positive Psychology Coach. Her work is grounded in the science of wellbeing, human flourishing, and what it means to live a life aligned with your deepest values. She brings warmth, precision, and a rare capacity to hold both the complexity and the possibility of midlife.
Pricing & how to book
Early bird pricing: each retreat is £100, price increase to £125 three weeks before the event. Get in touch with either of us by email with any questions at all: katie@katiewheaterwellbeing.co.uk or drkristinbohn@gmail.com or BOOK HERE under half day retreats.
You know that feeling when you start to think things are getting on top of you? Whether you’re sat in traffic, waiting in the supermarket queue, your to-do list is too long, too many emails or your kids just won’t sleep/stop bickering? We’ve all been there. This is a great little breath practice that you can do anywhere, that helps soothe the spiralling mind and therefore calms the nervous system, reminding you that you’re not actually about to fight/flight but just being present with what is happening right now.
All you need to do is:
Notice the sensation of breath touching the inside of the nostrils/top lip
On your next inhale, count for a count of 5
On your next exhale, count for a count of 5.
Repeat 5 – 10x (or as long as you like).
That’s it. The counting distracts/tricks your brain into thinking you are “doing something” and the idea is that it enables you to stay with the practice. This practice of inhaling and exhaling for a count of 5 is called resonance breath and science tells us that this the most soothing breath practice we can do. Give it a try and see how it works out for you. It’s also a great one to teach kids.
If you want to extend this as a practice, you could become aware of the ground beneath your feet – noticing how you’re supported – and place a hand on the chest and belly – noticing how the breath and heartrate changes as you breathe in this way.
For busy women in Oxford, who want to relax and rest – welcome to side lying savasana. This is a lovely restful pose, particularly helpful, if for any reason, lying on your back is uncomfortable. In my classes, we do this with lots of lovely, thoughtful, comfortable props including bolsters, weighted pillows and blankets. However, you can get a good feel for it, using things you can find in your home/bedroom.
Always begin by finding a comfortable surface as your base. A carpeted floor, thick rug, layers of towels or even a yoga mat if you have one! In this picture, I have laid a cosy blanket horizontally across my mat, where the bulk of my body will be in contact with the mat, to give a little more padding and softness, enabling my body to really let go and relax. Having a really comfortable surface beneath you is crucial! It also means my hands and arms are touching a warm, soft surface as this position involves the hands and arms being off the mat.
From here, you need a pillow/cushion for your head, a pillow/cushion for your arm, a few more cushions/pillows and ideally a blanket of the weight and texture you love.
To set up, place a cushion where your head will be. Next you need to get a stack of cushions/pillows ready to place on leg on, so get these lined up between your hip and knee. Lie on your side and reach your bottom arm out away from you. Place one cushion/pillow over the elbow area of the lower arm. Lift your top leg onto the stack of cushions/pillows, so that it is supported from knee to ankle. Ideally you want the pillow stack to be slightly lower than the height of your hip – definitely not any higher, but you may want to test out different heights for your body. Once you have your leg supported, you may want to pull those pillows in closer to your pelvis so you have the feeling of support. Once you’re comfortable here, rest your top arm over the top of the cushion on your elbow. Choose to set a timer, or not! Close your eyes, soften your gaze, or allow your gaze to rest on something neutral (the wall?) or something beautiful (a flower, your pet?). Rest here as long as you can. Then turn over and rest on the other side.
Yoga and massage wellbeing retreasts for two – who will you invite? Mothers & daughters (16+), friends or couples – these 2.5 hour mini retreats comprise a 30 minute massage each plus a tailored yoga class . While waiting for your turn for a massage, you can enjoy tea in my garden or read/rest/journal in the cabin.
A balm to your nervous systems, providing a beautiful way to both relax and bond together. A wonderful birthday present or just a shared experience. All aspects are completely tailored to your needs on the day. Investment: £150. You won’t find these exclusive retreats on my booking system as I book them in based on your diary. To discuss a date and time, or find out more, get in touch on katie@katiewheaterwellbeing.co.uk
Three and a half hours to soak in a whole new level of support for your nervous system. We’ll replenish energy, expand self-compassion and a sense of spaciousness with restorative yoga and nidra enabling you to sink into deep states of peace and inner sanctuary. There’ll be optional hands on support and massage at various times throughout. You’ll feel like a weight has lifted from your shoulders, the blinkers have fallen from your eyes and you’ve experienced the deepest and most prolonged exhale and release possible within the time we have together. Expect gentle, compassionate movement, learning to listen to, respond and feel out the needs of your body and your mind. If the weather is kind, we have the option to practice in my beautiful garden. In cooler, wet weather, we’ll practice in the calm of the cabin. There’ll be quiet time to yourself in the garden with tea/coffee and birdsong (possibly some cat-cuddles if both parties are willing). These are available in a variety of ways:
Open to all women: dates coming soon
OR
Private retreats for individual women or pairs – mothers and daughters, friends, couples of any description. Wonderful for everyone but especially 16+ daughters struggling with exam stress. These private classes are fully tailored to your personal needs and experiences. Investment: £200. Book these direct by emailing katie@katiewheaterwellbeing.co.uk and we will find a convenient time/date.
OR
For a private group of friends/colleagues (minimum 4, maximum 8). These private classes are fully tailored to your personal needs and experiences. Investment: £200.Book these direct by emailing katie@katiewheaterwellbeing.co.uk and we will find a convenient time/date.
