Isle of Raasay 2019 Retreat

Raasay House Hotel, Isle of Raasay, Scottish Highlands

Saturday 13th – Saturday 20th April

With Melissa Lomas and Philip Copestake

The theme for the retreat will be Perspective.

We will work with a variety of practices to encourage us to entertain a different perspective; to understand our current perspective and to look at ourselves, others, and our lives from a different point of view.

There will be at least three practices each day shared between Melissa and Phil. The practices will include Asana, Pranayama, Relaxation, Meditation, Yoga Sutra Study, Chanting, Mindful practices and Creative work. The practices will take place on site at Raasay House, in our dedicated practice space, and weather permitting in the grounds and surrounding areas.

There will also be the chance to take part in additional activities, such as walking, sea/loch kayaking, sailing or boat trips. These are at an additional cost and will need to be arranged in advance. These will all be opportunities to shift our perspectives, take a different view point and perhaps challenge ourselves a little too.

Raasay House

Hotel Raasay House was built in the 18th century with the ornate frontage added in the 19th Century. It is a beautiful building, lovingly restored, in an amazing setting, perfect for our week’s retreat. Food is locally sourced and seasonal; please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements. We will be offered a menu of choices each day, please see the Raasay House website for sample menus. Rooms are on twin or double basis. Raasay House hotel is a beautiful old, characterful building, and although the rooms we have chosen are of a high standard, a couple do not have ensuite facilities. Please can you indicate any preferences when you book, then rooms will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

The Teachers

Melissa and Phil began their Yoga training in 2000 and have studied and shared practices together ever since. They are both trained in the same approach to Yoga, which first and foremost responds to the needs of the student – physically, mentally, energetically, emotionally, and creatively. This approach places particular emphasis on the breath, forming a bridge between body and spirit. Working in this way has the capacity to stretch and strengthen the body, breath, mind and heart, bringing balance and equilibrium.

Melissa Lomas

Melissa has been practising yoga since 1991, and teaching group classes, workshops and individuals since 2000. Mindfulness practices, sound and chant are also incorporated into her yoga teaching. She qualified as a Counsellor in 2017 and now works in this field alongside her yoga teaching practice. Melissa originally trained as an Artist, graduating from Goldsmiths College in 1997, and is now increasingly interested in bringing a creative element to her Yoga practice and teaching.

Philip Copestake

Phil began practicing yoga in the late 1980s and completed his teacher training in 2002. He has taught group classes, individuals, and a number of workshops, mainly in south-west London where he has lived for over 25 years. As a practicing artist, Phil is fascinated by the connection between the experience of yoga and the creative process, bringing elements of this into his yoga teaching. He also has a background in the Biological Sciences and worked for many years in a health-related field.