7th-10th August 2025
The Wild Elemental Woman Retreat EARTH SEASON
A Journey into the Five Elements at Bala Brook Dartmoor
Welcome to this 3-night immersion into the elements, with special focus on the seasonal element of the time of August – EARTH.
As we enter the season of Late Summer (marked on the beginning of August by the celebration of Lammas which marks the ‘turning of the season’) we welcome the element of Earth.
Earth is the stable point in the wheel, the grounded moment of pause, of nourishment, and wholeness. As we connect to the energy Earth we connect to the sense of belonging, abundance, harmony and balance.
As we come together on this retreat we will connect to nature in a new way, through all the all the five elements, to remember our wholeness, to recall our authenticity and reclaim our elemental natures.
Together we will journey deeply, exploring what this season and this element has to offer us through embodiment practices, food, discussions and nature-based activities.
Retreat Highlights
Accommodation in the gorgeous eco-retreat centre in the heart of Dartmoor national park
Beautiful nature will running brook, access to wild moorland and a woodland on the land.
Daily elemental inspired yoga and meditation practices
Walks and adventures on the wild moorland
Daily group reflections on the five elements as living elements and phases
Some special Surprises!
Meditation & Movement Practices
Morning Movement:
Morning flow for getting into body, enlivening the spirit, and moving with the breath, suitable for all levels of practice and experience
Gentle qigong practice to connect with the energy body, open the channels and connect to heaven and earth
Afternoon Practice
Afternoon classes will be slow paced and restorative, cultivating yin energy, healing and regulating the nervous system
Special Offerings
Meditation and Sound Healing
Mindfulness meditation – to connect to what is, bring awareness to presence
Sound healing with a worldly instruments and a gong for deep relaxation and frequency recalibration
Sacred Sharing Circle
A safe heart centred healing circle for sharing in community. Through enquiry we explore the themes of the elements for deep self-exploration and return to a sense of belonging.
Zoe and Kate made a phenomenal team at the Nourishment of Tao retreat, where the brook’s gushing cascades, flowing under a naked canopy of oaks, were companions to our exploration of the Water and Wood elements. Zoe radiates a pure and genuine warmth and has a remarkable wealth of knowledge and experience in Eastern philosophies and practices.
She guided us through a range of body and breath work, meditation and sound healing, and is generous and intuitive with her holding and guidance. Her offering was the initiation I needed into rousing my neglected, slouched winter body awake, and this retreat offered a new impetus to bring a movement and breath work practice into my daily routine.
Kate is a feral alchemist, Boudicca of the kitchen, who cooks as she lives – in relation. Never before have I revelled in such innovative culinary creations with locally handpicked and processed ingredients. This retreat was a feast for every one of my senses and I left, not only nourished to my bone marrow, but more supple, and invigorated and inspired. Thank you Zoe, Kate, the brook and the oaks.
Accommodation and Facilities
The centre is set beside the river flowing down from the moor, and we have direct access to the moor for adventures into the wilderness of the untamed, moor land, to rewild our hearts and deeply connect with nature.
Sound of rushing water all around, the sublime presence of the trees, the proximity of the moor, the ever-changing colours, the darkness at night, the deep silence, all of this highly rejuvenating to the mind, body and soul.
The land of Bala Brook is sacred. It is an ancient land, which has profound healing quality felt by everyone who spends time there.
The centre comprises of a main house and a separate modern annexe called Shraddha.
The retreat centre is set in its own grounds besides a river flowing down from the moor, and we have direct access to the moor for adventures out into the wilderness of the untamed moorland. The retreat centre has been recently refurbished and it is run as possible on sustainable and ecological principles.
The rooms are beautifully finished and have a lovely homely country feel to them.
Words truly fail to capture the depth of gratitude I feel for the experience you curated for us amidst the serenity of the river and the company of amazing women. From the nourishing foods that replenished both body and soul to the renewing sound energy, yoga flows, and the heartfelt sharing of stories, every moment felt like a precious gift. It was more than just nourishing; it was truly transformative.
My heart is overflowing with gratitude for everything Zoe provided, and your unwavering commitment to ensuring my comfort and well-being throughout the retreat. Kates presence and support throughout the retreat were equally cherished, and I am grateful for all the love and care you poured into every aspect of our time together.
I particularly enjoyed connecting at the river and taking a dip. It was a moment of pure bliss and serenity that I will carry with me always. I feel truly blessed to have crossed paths with such remarkable souls, and I carry the memories of this retreat with me as a source of inspiration and gratitude
nourishment…
Home-cooked, plant based, five element inspired meals by Kitchen Alchemist Kate
Mid-morning brunch with local, seasonal, wild harvested foods to satisfy every taste
Early evening dinner of home-cooked, plant based, delicious meals
Kates famous ‘Potions’ (local herbal elixirs) served once a day (often by the river!) for super healing
Wide selection of self-service tea all day
Shared meals with new friends for soul nourishment
Discussions on foods as medicine, five element cooking and nourishment
what you will take home…
How to relate and understand the elements within and without
How to create seasonal rituals to support emotional wellbeing and spiritual growth
Self-care tools, practices and meditations
A sense of being free, more relaxed and connected to the natural world
A new found sense of belonging to life
How to do a medicine walk
A deep sense of community and connection to other women
What to expect…
Professional and highly personalised care from Zoe and Katie
Nutritious, healthy homemade meals
To be in outstanding natural beauty of the idyllic Dartmoor National Park
Homely accommodation in a beautiful setting in rural nature
A perfect balance between activity & rest
A reconnection to yourself
Stress relief
Deep relaxation and rejuvenation
Ancient wisdom teachings and information that can support your life
A real understanding of the five elements and how to work with them in your life
New found appreciation for the seasons and all they offer
Meet your team…
Zoe nash
Alchemical Acupuncturist, Ceremonialist, Sacred Sound Musician, Yogini and Lover of Life.
I have devoted my entire life to holistic wellbeing, Eastern philosophies and following the Tao, and am passionate to share these teachings through discussions, as well as providing a lived experience of the elements through yoga, qigong, sound, ceremony, food, herbs and nature connection, with you.
After many years of living abroad I have now come home, home to Dartmoor, and am especially excited to share this beautiful mystical part of the world with you now, and integrate these ancient teachings into this landscape..
My intention for this retreat is provide the most authentic, transformational, joyful and recalibrating retreat experience, that also provides a deep dive into the five element philosophy so to share this wisdom in a way that is embodies these teachings, that is engaging, accessible and relatable.
katie (& the crow)
Holistic Chef. Water Woman. Herbalist. Earth keeper.
I am a lover of the wild in all of us; and spend my time teaching, cooking, and sharing what I know through forays, workshops and online encounters.
I take mindful care about the tracks I leaves on this earth -physically and energetically – and make considered choices in
sourcing and gathering every ingredient, from vegetables, to seaweed to honey, as well as how I travel, and who and what I invests in locally. I find my food for these retreats in the hedgerow, the garden, seashore, and through a wide network of wonderful local producers I know personally.
I have cooked for retreats, events, in the refugee camps of Europe, runs workshops, and I guide my wild and alchemical teachings online. My intention for this retreat is to share food that enhances your connection to the five elements, the seasons and the flavours of food, and show how what we eat and where we buy it is our most vital link to our spiritual and earthy life.
mirel Stambuk
“There can be no growth if we do not remain open and vulnerable to what is new and different. I have never seen anyone take a risk for growth that was not rewarded a thousand times over.”
JOHN O’DONOHUE
What’s Included!
-
Three nights accommodation from Friday to Sunday
-
Full board in beautiful eco retreat centre in the heart of Dartmoor
-
Two movement classes/ activites a day
-
One meditation /ceremony a day
-
2 abundant delicious meals made by Kate (Holistic Chef) plus a yummy homemade midday snack
-
All yoga equipment
-
Wild brook on the land for private river dips and plunges
- Plenty of other surprises!
Whats NOT Included ..
- Personal expenses
- Airfares and travel costs
- Insurance
- Airport transfers
Cancellation Policy …
- A reservation requires a deposit (1 part of 3 payments) or full payment
- The deposit is non-refundable, although is transferable to our next retreat if you have to cancel
- The remaining payment is required 30 days before arrival
All Inclusive Pricing
PRIVATE ROOM
ONE PAYMENT OF £950
OR
THREE PAYMENTS OF £320
If you really would love to come and money is tight please email me as I have two exchange and sponsored spots – just email me! zoe@zoenash.com
“Longing is the voice of your soul, it constantly calls you to be fully present in your life, to live to the full the one life given to you. Rilke said to the young poet, “Live everything.” You are here on earth now, yet you forget so easily. You traveled a great distance to get here. The dream of your life has been dreamed from eternity. You belong within a great embrace that urges you to have the courage to honor the immensity that sleeps in your heart. When you learn to listen to and trust the wisdom of your soul’s longing, you will awaken to the invitation of graced belonging that inhabits the generous depths of your destiny. You will become aware of the miracle of presence within and around you.”
JOHN O’DONOHUE
Sample of the days…
Thursday 7th – Arrival
meet the elements
Welcome Circle
Greet the Brook together, Make Offerings and Immerse into Nature
Elemental Wisdom Discussion – Meet the Five Elements
Restorative Yoga Practice for Grounding, Rest and Renewal
Nourishing Dinner
friday 9th
meeting the spirit of earth element
Greet the Brook Together
Morning Yoga and Meditation Practice
Nourishing Brunch
Elemental Wisdom Discussion – Meeting the Earth Element
Walk out on the Wild Moorland
Nourishing Dinner
Evening Drumming and Wild Voices Circle
Saturday 10th
nourishment on all levels
food as medicine
Greet the Brook Together
Morning Meditation and Qigong Practice to Connect to the Earth
Nourishing Brunch
Discussions on the Elemental Wisdom of the Functions of Spleen and Stomach – focusing on Food as Medicine and Digestion
Evening Yin Yoga Practice
Nourishing Dinner
Evening Sound Healing Experience
sunday 11th – departure day
integration
Greet the Brook Together
Movement Practice for Integration of the Elements
Delicious Wholesome Brunch Shared Together
Integration Sharing Circle
Closing Ceremony
Departure at Midday
