Remaining Places now open to
Gift Economy Bookings
I Give, You Give, We all Receive ~ Padma Devi
If you’d like to join us, please pay what is affordable for you for this magical four day retreat. All welcome!
Join Vishwam and friends for a magical yoga and contemplation retreat in the glorious countryside of Dumfries & Galloway. Now in it’s third year, Harmony & Balance is a magical retreat. Together we will enjoy the blessings of the Autumnal Equinox, that point of balance as we shift from the lighter half of the year to the darker. Embracing the wholeness of life, we can find harmony and balance whatever we may be experiencing.
And we will have guides to show us how. As in the past two years, we will celebrate and enjoy the vibrant teachings of 12th century Rhineland Christian mystic St Hildegard of Bingen. She was an incredible composer, healer, visionary, orthodox revolutionary, and poet (and so much more!). And we will have the light of our own hearts - the light that embraces all that is and all that could be.
R&R after a picnic lunch at the first Harmony & Balance retreat
Programme Highlights include
Sacred Pilgrimage to the 12 Apostles Stone Circle
Writing from the Heart
Sacred Anarchy (the art of relating freely as equals, with reverence for all)
Exploring Healing Herbs with St. Hildegard
Quiet time to journal, contemplate, explore, connect and/or rest
Retreat Venue
Abbeydale Lodge
Abbeybank is a beautiful beautiful old house with private walled gardens within walking distance of the Sweetheart Abbey. It’s in Dumfries & Galloway, with the nearest train stations at Dumfries.
The house is owned by the very lovely Laird Hope Vere Anderson who also hosted us last year at the nearby Wysbeside in Kirtlebridge. We hope we might see Hope again this year.
Abbeybank Lodge is a charming cottage with comfortable rooms.
The house itself has five bedrooms with 9 beds, two bathrooms, a lovely old kitchen and a nice lounge for our meditations.
Abbeydale Lodge oozes charm and character. The walled gardens are large with plenty of space to get away for a bit of quiet or private conversation if you like. We’re a short walk to the historic Sweet Heart Abbey which, though now a ruin, has a strong and palpable heart energy.
Sacred Pilgrimage
The house is near the largest stone circle in mainland Scotland! The energy of this place is very magical and it will be wonderful to return again this year.
King-sized bed in private room
Rooms & Rates
Atmospheric Sweetheart Abbey
For four nights and five days of heavenly retreat in the Scottish countryside, the contribution is £325 (single bed in shared room) £375 (double bed in shared room), £475 (double bed in private room - £725 for couple sharing) or £575 (king sized four poster bed in large private room - £800 for couple sharing) A £150 non-refundable deposit secures your place with the remainder to be paid by 1st September.
Spaces are limited and early booking is highly advised. Last year’s retreat was an absolute joy and nearly everyone who came has said they are coming back for more!
To help keep costs down and enjoy the feeling of contributing together, each guest is asked to bring either a pasta dish or a curry dish to share. All the rest of the meals we will take turns cooking in teams with food provided. If you have particular dietary needs, please let us know in advance and be sure to bring anything special you might need.
Karma Yoga (selfless service). We ask all retreat participants to help keep the areas we are using tidy and well organised, including taking turns to wash dishes after meals. Loving mindfulness towards our environment is a beautiful practice for coming into our natural state of harmony & balance.
If finances are an issue and your heart is calling you, please speak with us. Maybe we can help.
Any other questions, just ask!
Booking Form
Retreat Hosts
Hildegard Von Bingen (1098–1179) was a Benedictine nun, abbess, composer of heavenly music, medical herbalist and physician, poet, visionary, and heart-centred revolutionary living in the Rhine Valley. She is known for her dedication to honouring the sacredness of nature, including human life, and speaking out for justice and for joy. Her life and wisdom teachings are a central inspiration on this retreat.
Vishwam is yoga minister and experienced yoga teacher, teacher trainer, wellbeing coach, poet and retreat leader. Spending time with a beautiful group of souls on a shared voyage of discovery absolutely makes his heart sing. Vishwam loves to listen, to laugh and to spend time in the healing presence of nature. He offers a special quality of inner silence and stillness for those who are seeking peace. Vishwam lives with his partner, Paul, in Shetland.