Join our next Mamas' Retreat on 29 November

Join our next Mamas' Retreat on 29 November

Today's Mamas' Retreat was as much a retreat for me as it was for all the mamas there. Inspired and rejuvenated, we can't wait for the next one, so we're making tickets available already - scroll to the bottom of this post to get yours.

To be added to our waiting list, please email pippa@storyofmum.com. And sign up for our newsletter to be the first to hear about our next retreats!

September is the start of our shift from summer to autumn, from 'holidays' to a changed routine, and so our theme this session was change and constancy - creating, transforming, and letting go - while being reminded of what stays constant throughout.

It felt especially pertinent to me as this week has brought up so many different emotions - joy, loss and more (you can read about that over here). Our lovely morning today helped me to honour all of those feelings, to rest, and be nurtured, in a warm and supportive environment.

Which was pretty much exactly what I needed. 

Perhaps the most wonderful and transformative part was the opportunity, along with Leif, to support and nurture the lovely mothers who joined us. 

Thank you to all the women at the retreat today for your company, wisdom, bravery, and the chance to share your beautiful creations in these photos. 

We are all at different stages of parenthood, all struggling in some way as everyone does, and doing our best. And we all came together to acknowledge the challenges, the joys, and our shared need for this space of our own.

Today, the studio basked in sun, and the room was filled with the delicious smell of lavender, rosemary, flowers... and chocolate cake!

Join a Mamas' Retreat with Story of Mum and Leif Olsen

Leif settled us into the retreat, and into our bodies, with some wonderful nurturing yoga.

Together, we focused on the breath, and gentle movement, letting go of all the busy thoughts and worries filling our heads.

We went from the yoga straight into free writing - writing whatever came into our heads, a stream-of-consciousness that no one ever need read again - but which slowly helps us to connect to our inner voice.

It was quiet, and it was also a day full of listening and laughter.

We rested, and we chatted with friends, new and old.

We ate delicious smoky sweet potato and lentil soup. Along with a very yummy chocolate and chick-pea gluten free cake served with creme fraiche. Oh my!

We made nature mandalas from fresh and dry flowers, from leaves and herbs - celebrating making something beautiful out of what we find in front of us in the moment, losing ourselves in the flow, and then letting it all go - knowing we will make something beautiful again soon.

We painted heart stones (with my very special new stone-writing pens!) - a take-away reminder of what stays constant and what matters most to us. 

It is a very precious time, this space for us.

This moment, where we remember that we matter too.

Where we connect with our inner voices and are reminded of our bravery, strength, and community.

It feels so very special to be surrounded by women ready to support each other, who understand the diverse challenges of motherhood, and who are taking the courageous step of a little time out.

Quite simply, it's magic.

Join a Mamas' Retreat with Story of Mum and Leif Olsen

We'd love you to join us next time - on 29 November at Garbo House, Penzance.

The November retreat will be our last Mamas' Retreat of the year.

We'll take some time to reflect on the year so far; to pause and remember all that we've learnt and lost and won and treasured.

We'll nurture ourselves and gather the strength we need to rush into the busy-ness of December and all the excitement that brings.

We have a limited number of early bird tickets available - first come first served. So jump in and scroll down to book below if you would like to join us.

If you've never joined us before, that decision to buy yourself a ticket might feel a little scary at first. But jump on in. You desrve this. There's nothing to be frightened of. You're more than up to the task of spending time in a room full of lovely supportive women, with yourself.

It's time created for you - and you can choose what you'd like to do. As much or as little as you like.

Join a Mamas' Retreat with Story of Mum and Leif Olsen

So if you don't want to try a yoga stretch, you don't have to. If you don't want to talk about anything personal, you don't have to.

If you truly want to spend the whole morning dozing on the sofa in the corner, you're more than welcome to do exactly that.

Still need to be persuaded...?This is about making time for you to do whatever feels good in the moment. Because you deserve and need it.

Why join us?

Because you'll finally take that time out you really need to reconnect with you, in the company of a lovely group of mums.

There's something about the energy of our Mamas' Retreats that is very special - these mornings always attract a group of warm brave thoughtful kind women - there is always laughter, and always a sense that we are here to support each other - with whatever we want to share, or not share.

Do and say as much or as little as you want - it's your retreat. There's no pressure to push yourself out of your comfort zone - we're just delighted that you're here, with us, making time for you.

Join a Mamas' Retreat with Story of Mum and Leif Olsen

Each retreat brings a new and simple creative activity to inspire you (no skills required, glitter optional of course...), and some energising nurturing yoga with Leif (who just happens to be the best yoga teacher in the world...). 

You can chat to new friends over a delicious lunch, or enjoy the view from the balcony of the sea stretching endlessly away.

It's soul nurturing for mamas...

It's time for us.

It's time out. To breathe. To stretch.

To make. To be heard.  

You'll leave feeling supported, inspired, and ready to face whatever comes your way when you venture back into the big bold exhausting world of motherhood...!

But don't just take our word for it, here's some feedback from our recent Sunday Morning Mamas' Retreat attendees:

"I loved how genuinely happy everyone was to be there, the quiet, yoga without a baby crawling on or underneath me, the food, being listened to and heard for 5 minutes was amazing!"

Join a Mamas' Retreat with Story of Mum and Leif Olsen

"It is rare, very rare, as a mum to find time for oneself, to give yourself the time and space, and permission, to open up, be honest and allow some magic to happen.

The mama's retreats led by Pippa and Leif provide a nurturing, safe, fun and creative environment for you to reconnect with you."

"A chance to relax, reflect and breathe away from the stress of juggling a busy job with a long commute and my family (and the guilt that as a consequence I'm a bit rubbish at both!)"

"The Mamas Retreat was an escape from motherhood for a couple of hours - a chance to reflect on the joy it brings, and a chance to give myself the space I needed to be myself. To acknowledge that when times are tough as a mum you are not alone."

"I left feeling rewarded with a relaxed state of mind and joyful, with the pleasurable experience of new friendships."

"It's so easy to say we don't have time to do relaxing things but it's more about prioritising some time for yourself without feeling guilty, and you will most definitely feel the benefits from a morning at the retreat."

"The mamas' retreat gave me a chance to connect with other mums, share hopes and fears and feel much more positive about taking care of myself and my family. I have found it hard to meet people since moving to the area and the mamas' retreat was one of the most welcoming and supportive groups I've been to."

Join a Mamas' Retreat with Story of Mum and Leif Olsen"A friendly, creative space to have a good stretch, relax and share thoughts and ideas with other like-minded women."

"Loved sharing stories, and having time and respected space to say whatever is on your mind. I love that it is a place for creativity - encourages blooming!"

"It made me realise that I'm doing ok considering all that had actually occurred during the year. Also pure, uninterrupted yoga - such a joy and a real treat. I felt a million dollars afterwards!"

We'd love to see you there!

Tell me more!

No special skills or equipment required. You don’t need to be ‘creative’, or to have done yoga before. We'll provide the yoga mats, creative stimulation and the relaxation. You just need to bring yourself. 

We have a different theme and focus each retreat, and you're welcome to join us as often as you like. 

How many mamas will be there? Places are limited, so it won’t be a scarily big group – just a lovely comminity of mamas coming together to nurture ourselves and support each other. 

Join a Mamas' Retreat with Story of Mum

We have some mums who come to almost every retreat, and others who come just once. Either is fine with us - it's always a warm and welcoming crowd, so don't be frightened of your first time.

Where? At Leif’s studio, Garbo House, Bread Street, Penzance

What about food? We’ll provide tea and a simple lunch. Cake is pretty much guaranteed...!

Let us know as soon as possible if you have any special dietary requirements when you book your ticket, and we’ll do our best to meet your needs!

When?  9.30 – 1.30, Sunday 29 November 2015

How much does it cost? £25 plus £4.50 for lunch (total: £29.50) 

A limited number of early bird tickets were available at a slightly reduced price.

Join a Mamas' Retreat with Story of Mum and Leif Olsen

Scroll down to the bottom of the page to buy your ticket.

NOTE: If you'd really like to come, but can't afford it, please do get in touch - we want as many mums as possible to have this experience and will do our best to make it happen at a price you can afford.

For terms and conditions, head over here.

Visit the Half Day Retreats page to find out more and hear from some MORE lovely mamas. They share a little bit more about what we do on a half day retreat, and why they love to come. 

When was the last time you did something to nurture YOU?

Don't miss out on this time for you - choose and buy your ticket by clicking on 'add to cart' 

UPDATE: We've had two last minute cancellations so two spaces are free! Nab them now below :)

To be added to our waiting list, please email pippa@storyofmum.com. And sign up for our newsletter to be the first to hear about our next retreats!

... and if you can't make this one, how about letting us host a retreat for you, in the comfort of your own home (or somewhere tidier...)? You can find out more about our virtual retreat programme over here.

If you can't make this date and would love an in-person retreat of your own, get in touch with Pippa at pippa@storyofmum.com, and we'll pull out all the stops to arrange something special just for you.

You can find out more about all the other retreats we offer over here.

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