I spent the weekend back down at Stackpole, exploring new routes for all our lovely retreat guests.
Not only will we be using Broadhaven South beach as we did back in January but we will be utilising the fantastic trails that surround the lilly ponds. We are going to include far more runs (for those who like running) and hikes so that you get to explore this amazing part of Pembrokeshire!
Our trails, hikes and runs will take in Bosherston, Stackpole, Stackpole Quay and Barafundle. With milder weather (fingers crossed) we will be able to really enjoy the stunning surroundings and work up an appetite for our delicious new menu!
For more information on our march retreat please get in touch via the contacts page or find us on facebook and stay up to date with all the exciting news!
It was a cold, crisp but sunny weekend for our very first yoga and fitness retreat at the beautiful Stackpole Centre.
Jan 2015 Broadhaven
Once everybody had arrived on the Friday afternoon we settled down with cups of Pukka Teas to introduce ourselves to the group. It turns out that many of our retreat guests have led very interesting lives (Charlie Boormans bike!!!!). After a lovely dinner of vegetable hotpot we set out on a moonlit walk towards Stackpole Quay. There is no better place to see the stars, Stackpole has one awards for it’s clear nights due to the very low level of light pollution. We ended our Friday with yoga Nidra and then it was time for bed.
Saturday saw a 7.00am start with a run down to the stunning Broadhaven Beach and a beach bootcamp.
After a very physcial start to the day we all needed a good breakfast. Luckily for us we had been provided by some stunning produce from Rude Health. Granolas, muesli’s oats and milks.
During the morning our retreats guests took part in power yoga, more beach bootcamps and of course copious amounts of tea! Lunch was winter warming soup with a selection of vegan rolls and salads.
After some chill out time we stepped things up a notch and performed a high intensity interval training session, lots of squats, burpees and push-ups. Dinner was moussaka and roasted veg followed by baked apples with berry compote!! We finished off the day with core and ab work and another relaxing yoga Nidra session.
Another 7.00 am start on our last day. We all headed down to the beach and got very sandy performing lots of dune sprints, topped off with a beach yoga session. We warmed up with soup at lunch and then finished off the afternoon with a nutrition seminar hosted by our registered dietician.
Myself and Kerry could not have asked for a more wonderful group of ladies to share our inaugural retreat with. You really did make the weekend extra special for us and we hope that you all went away feeling energised and refreshed.
If you would like more information on our March retreat then please get in touch via eandkretreats@gmail.com or find us on Facebook
Breakfast, the most important meal of the day and even more important when you need fuel to keep you going through an active fitness and yoga weekend. So with that in mind we contacted a fantastic company, Rude Health who have supplied us with their amazing products!
Rude Health are a small but outspoken company who believe in standing up for real, honest food. Clean ingredients, no artificial ingredients, no refined sugars and non-GM ingredients. All their ingredients are sourced from vines, orchards and fields, not from laboratories.
Our Rude Health breakfast feast will consist of Almond and Brown Rice Milks, Granola, Muesli and Cereals. These breakfast products are not only made with fab natural ingredients but most of them are also gluten free, wheat free, nut free, diary free and refined sugar free, result!
As an extra treat we have Corn Thins and Beetroot Bars for your goody bags! For someone who isn’t a huge beetroot lover the Beetroot Bar was extremely tasty! I actually had to stop myself from consuming the entire box !!
From myself, Kerry and the Rude Health team “eat right, stay brilliant!”
This post could go on for pages but I shall try and keep it brief. There are so many reasons as to why I love fitness but here are just a few.
I suppose the main reason is the sense of achievement that I get from reaching a goal. There was nothing more satisfying that the crossing the finish line of my very first half marathon who competing in my first ultra marathon. I can’t describe the feeling of accomplishment that I have felt when taking part in events and it becomes slightly addictive (in a good way).
With my running buddies Stew and Tommy. Day 1 of our 3 day ultra.
I love fitness because it makes me feel strong. Knowing that I can walk into a gym and lift heavier than a lot of the guys is a huge confidence booster. Being strong has lead to increased confidence and a new found sense of independence. It has also given me new goals to reach toward, hopefully competing in a body fitness competitions next May.
Fitness also provides me with a channel for relieving stress. I find I can get rid of the days troubles with a good gym session or a run out in the fresh air. It is time for myself, head phones in and focus on nothing else than the task in hand. It has structured my life when I have needed it the most and it provided me with a reason to take better care of myself.
Fitness means something different to everyone but for me it is a way of life and I love it!
Today we spent the afternoon planning some of the outdoor sessions that will feature on the retreat. From the Stackpole Centre you follow the path along the lakes…
Walk to Broadhaven
This is a great track for our runs and hikes!
Through the woodlands, past swans, herons and ducks. As you run further along the trail you can hear the faint sound of the sea.
Which way to the beach?
There it is , Broadhaven South. A beautiful beach with hidden caves and stunning views! Perfect for yoga and beach fitness sessions!
Braodhaven South
The picture really doesn’t do this hill justice (it was steep!) Dune running here we come!
What could be more inspiring than being in the great outdoors. Myself and Kerry have the luxury of having the Pembrokeshire coastline and national parks on our doorstep! What could be better than hitting the coastal trails for a run or taking part in a bootcamp class on one of the many beaches.
One of the main reasons why we chose Stackpole as our retreats location was the surroundings. Stackpole is close to lilly ponds, woodlands, award winning beaches and the famous Pembrokeshire coast path and you will get to experience all of this on the retreat.
Bosherston Lilly Ponds
Being outdoors brings you closer to nature and this can increase our sense of wellbeing and reduce stress levels. Exercising outdoors actually increases the amount of endorphins, making us feel happier, revitalised and energised. Another fantastic side effect of being outdoors is that it increases our exposure to vitamin D (a natural source of vitamin D is the sun). Why is vitamin D so important? Well is has been proven to help combat hormonal problems, obesity and it can promote the effectiveness of your immune system.
Exercising outdoors can also improve your sleep patterns and your quality of sleep. being outdoors can help reset the bodies internal clock and normalise hormonal functions. All of these can aid in helping you to lose you weight and improve your health.
If you would like more information on Elly and Kerry’s Retreats then please get in touch via the contacts page or contact us on facebook
