Vidyamala and Lilasuri Answer Your Retreat Questions

A meditation retreat is a fantastic way of deepening your mindfulness practice, re-charging your batteries, and regulating your nervous system. Our annual 7-day retreat begins on Friday 23rd May 2025, and with bookings closing soon, your retreat leaders Vidyamala and Lilasuri are here to answer some frequently asked questions. 

Before we get into it, here's a refresher of the key details and handy resources...

🔗 Quick Links: 

• Learn more about the in-person retreat experience at Adhisthana (Herefordshire) 
  
  
• Learn more about the online retreat experience
  
  
• Watch the recording of our recent retreat information session with Vidyamala and Lilasuri
  
  

What is a Hybrid Retreat?

Breathworks are committed to keeping mindfulness events, including retreats, accessible. Each year, we offer a hybrid retreat. These retreats take place in-person at the selected venue, but it is set up in a way that means people can also join online.

Our skilful tech team live stream the teachings and meditations via Zoom, meaning those joining from home can participate live, or they can catch up on-demand from the YouTube library of previous sessions. This makes a hybrid retreat ideal for anyone who may need to take extra breaks due to health needs or home responsibilities, or who are joining from another time-zone. 

Those joining from home will also have a dedicated online retreat team supporting them throughout the programme, so rather than just watching along, you will be fully held, involved and immersed in the shared experience. Learn more about the online retreat experience here. 

Of course, if you can possibly join us in-person, we would love to see you at Adhisthana Retreat Center in Herefordshire. As well as benefitting from the expertly crafted retreat programme, you will also be able the unbeatable magic of real-life connection, stunning grounds and gardens, and freshly prepared plant-based meals. 

Here's retreat leader, Lilasuri, to tell you more:

Why the theme of nature? 

Studies show that spending just 20 minutes in nature can significantly boost your health and wellbeing. But how often do we spend that time truly present? It’s easy to be surrounded by nature while our minds are elsewhere, missing its deeper benefits.

This retreat invites you to shift from counting minutes to savouring moments. By stepping away from daily distractions, you’ll learn to immerse yourself mindfully in the healing power of nature. Discover new ways to experience awe and perspective, leaving refreshed, inspired, and deeply connected.

Here's Vidyamala to share more on why they chose the theme of nature for our 2025 hybrid retreat... 

Is a full week needed for benefits? 

If you're new to meditation retreats, you may be wondering if taking a full week out is necessary to see benefits. Whilst single-day or weekend retreats can be a great top-up and recharge, a 7-day retreat really allows you to go deeper with your practice, and truly rebalance your nervous system. 

When asked about the benefit of a 7-day retreat, co-leader Vidyamala shared: 

It's quite simple really - like everything else in life, the more you put in, the more you get out. If we carve out a whole week, we have a chance to really settle. Really rest. Put down some of the things we carry from home - emails, responsibilities and so on. It usually takes people a couple of days to do that, and then they can begin to really settle. 

Very often at Breathworks, we talk about the retreat face lift - it's quite funny! People look really different at the end - it's as if they've had a face lift."

Fellow retreat leader, Lilasuri goes on to share why she loves a week long retreat... 

What does the retreat structure look like? 

So what does the structure of a 7-day retreat look like? From her many years of experience, Vidyamala's found the most effective retreats typically have three phases: 

• Arrival: Here we settle, relax, rest and begin to let go. It's more 'chatty' with minimal silence.
• Going Deeper: Increasing intensity, longer periods of practice, more opportunities for silence and reflection. 
• Preparing to Go Home: Opening up to our wider environment and transitioning to 'normal' life e.g. less silence

Here's Vidyamala to tell you more...

What's a common fear people have about coming on an in-person retreat?

We know the idea of a retreat can be daunting, especially if you've not meditated in this way before. Breathworks retreats are suitable for anyone with at least 6 months experience of meditation. In previous years, we see lots of 'retreat newbies', as well as 'retreat regulars'. It's a very supportive environment, and there is a dedicated retreat team both in-person and online with skilled mindfulness teachers who are there to support you with any wobbles, adjustments or questions that arise. 

We asked Vidyamala, who has been leading meditation retreats for many years, what the most common worry or fear people share when considering a retreat...

Is this retreat held in silence? 

As Vidyamala mentioned, many people feel apprehensive about the idea of engaging in periods of silence. Silence may have a negative association for some of us - the idea of being awkward, punished or uncomfortable. That's not how we do silence at Breathworks! 

The programme is designed in a way that allows the periods of silence to build gradually, so you won't be thrown in at the deep end. For example, on the first day, the silence will begin at 9pm and end when we have breakfast together at 08.45am on Saturday. The longest period of silence will be on Wednesday, for a full day. 

Many people report that the periods of silence allow for even greater connection, or at least a different way of relating to one-another. We can become more attentive at shared meal times for example, being more aware to other's needs and being able to fetch them a cup of tea or pass the peanut butter. 

Our retreat team welcome you to approach them in periods of silence if you would find it beneficial to speak. They are there to answer any questions, or compassionately listen to anything that is coming up for you in these periods. 

Here's Lilasuri to tell you more... 

Retreat Booking Deadlines

A friendly reminder of the booking deadlines are below. Remember, you can secure your place with a 50% deposit, and arrange an interest-free payment plan to settle the remaining balance after the event takes place. Contact us here to request a payment plan.

Book In-Person Tickets Here

Booking close on Thursday 8th May, 15:00 BST/UK time

Book Online Tickets Here

Booking close on Thursday 22nd May, 15:00 BST/UK time

Recording: Information Webinar

Sometimes it's helpful to have someone talk you through all the information. You can watch back the recording of our free information webinar, hosted by your retreat leaders Vidyamala and Lilasuri here. 

Access the Webinar Recording Here

Have a Question? 

Please share any questions in the comments below and we will get back to you. All comments are public, so if you would prefer to ask us something or discuss your situation privately, please instead email [email protected]