WHAT'S IN STORE
Yoga & Embodied Practices, Seasonal Wisdom, Qigong, Community, Nourishing Autumn Lunch, Breathwork
Join us in the gentle golden light of autumn for our next seasonal day retreat in Batheaston.
Each of my day retreats are guided by a distinct energy and intention that reflects the time of year. They are designed to help you truly embody the seasons, rather than simply understand them intelectually. If you're ever feeling out of sorts, organising yourself to mirror what nature is up to is always a good place to start.
Autumn is connected to the lungs and so the breath. It’s a season of release and letting go, breath in, breath out. Often associated with grief and the sadness of what once was, it also reminds us that the experience of loss means we have also loved deeply. In the five elements of Chinese medicine, autumn belongs to the metal element, which teaches us about refinement, clarity, and the preciousness of life.
The theme for this retreat is grace. Grace is our reminder from great nature that we are already loved and held. That we do not need to be perfect in order to receive — showing up as our messy, rough-around-the-edges selves is really what’s asked of us. In spring we plant and move forward, in summer we expand and dance in community. Autumn invites us to take stock, soften, and surrender. Grace meets us in that space of letting go.
Don’t get fooled by the wellness world into thinking you’re broken or need fixing in order to be loved. You don’t need to perfect yourself to be worthy of rest, ease, or grace.
This retreat is an invitation to pause, reconnect, and be resourced for the season ahead. Effort and grace. Doing and being. Both are part of the cycle.
You don’t need to do more to be worthy.
Grace is is freely given. Are you ready to receive it?
WHAT'S IN STORE
After a deep 90-minute morning yoga practice led by River — breath-led, embodied and grounding, we’ll share a nourishing seasonal lunch prepared by Hannah from Losow, made with local and organic ingredients. In the afternoon, Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner and dear friend Gemma will share wisdom on how we can support our energy during this season of autumn. She’ll guide a gentle Qigong practice to help restore balance and connection between body, breath and energy. We’ll close the day with a breathwork practice.
You are warmly invited to bring your whole self and recieve the retreat however you need. There will be no expectations on movement, ability.
All bodies are welcome.
WHAT GUESTS THOUGHT LAST TIME
"Such a stunning day retreat. River clearly cares so much about delivering her retreats with just the right measure of beautiful food, lovely warm welcomes and laughter as well as incredibly interesting and inspiring presenters. River you excel at your retreats. You should feel immensely proud of your incredible success. You will always have my support and I love recommending you."
Rachel Byrne
"I hadn’t been to one of River’s yoga retreats before and I absolutely loved it. Fabulous yoga, fabulous movement and dance, great company, a lovely space, great gardens. I came away feeling exercised and rested all at the same time. The food was so lovely, healthy and tasty. And it was brilliant to meet up with people I know and people I got to know during the day. I’m already looking forward to the next one. "
Lucy Loquette
"Rivers retreats come from the heart. She puts so much thought into the day. She is a fantastic Yoga teacher, food was amazing and you always meet great people. Highly recommend."
Kate Hannaway
A wonderful day which left me energised and relaxed at the same time. A day of bliss. Location, venue , food, activities all perfect. Lovely to reconnect with yoga friends from previous retreats. Thank you River for reminding me to look after myself as well as everyone else xx
Chloe
Lovely welcome from River when I arrived, I was nervous because I didn't know anyone, so I felt at ease as soon as I arrived. I felt the warmth from others during the day. Once we all arrived the day was explained well at the beginning so I felt prepared for what each workshop was going to be like.
Helen Brown
I have always appreciated River's attention to detail, from organisation before the event to making the venue so cosy. The practice is authentic and truly links the body and mind, wherever we find ourselves in. River has the art to connect and bring community together.
Vera
THE SCHEDULE
How we will spend the day together..
10:30 am Arrival Tea
Opening circle
90min Embodied Seasonal Yoga Practice Guided by River
Seasonal Vegetarian Lunch
Walk in Nature
A workshop on supporting yourself through the season + Qigong with Gemma from Quite Heart
Breathwork for Autumn Guided by River
17:30 Closing and Goodie Bags!
Schedule subject to change
PRICE
Includes everything + tea and coffee throughout the day
£129
MEET YOUR HOST
RIVER MACE
River has always been guided by her curiosity to explore the body in new ways, a journey shaped by movement, connection, and a deep relationship with embodiment. A foundation in gymnastics sparked an early love of physical exploration, further refined through professional training as a dancer. River’s yoga path began with traditional Hatha training in Bali, complemented by 100's of hours of advanced study in Embodied Yin, Katonah Yoga and Somatic Stress Release.
Her teaching blends dynamic flow, strength, and meditative stillness, helping students cultivate adaptability, courage, and joy. Inspired by a fully embodied approach to life.
River’s classes and retreats support students to feel strong, adaptable, and deeply at home in their bodies. She holds space with warmth and clarity, offering practices that build both courage and joy — always grounded in the belief that movement is for everyone.
GUEST FACILITATOR
THE QUITE HEART
Gemma is a qualified Executive Coach, Mental Health and Wellbeing specialist, Peri and Menopause Coach, Chinese Medicine practitioner and Acupuncturist, as well as a teacher of Yoga, Qi Gong and Meditation. Her work is nature-based and grounded in exploring the connection between our inner world and the landscape we inhabit.
And aside from all that, Gemma gives the best kind of fun aunty energy warm, wise, human and totally herself. The kind of aura that makes you feel instantly at ease. I think you might feel it too.
MEET YOUR CHEF
LOSOW KITCHEN
Losow is the Cornish word for herbs, and it sits at the root of everything Hannah creates. Her food is fresh, vibrant, and deeply seasonal — always plant-based and always made to share.
At the heart of Losow is the ritual of communal feasting. Eating together not only nourishes the body but also strengthens our sense of belonging and connection.
Hannah Donkin's uses a wide variety of plants to support wellbeing, cooking with intention and care, and honouring the seasons through local, low-waste produce. It’s food to feel good in and with.
"I feel incredibly fortunate to have found River as my first yoga teacher. Her knowledge, patience, and genuine passion has help me so much. I can't recommend her classes enough!"
CONTACT