Go wild on a full moon and fabulous retreat

More and more of us are honouring our link with nature - it's impact on our wellbeing as well as our impact on it, and it's no coincidence that some of the most restorative experiences are those that allow us to tune out the white noise and reconnect with the earth.

Bringing that ideology and combining it with the luxury of a beautiful spa hotel, Ockenden Manor has introduced their Full Moon and Fabulous spa retreats to help us rewild our senses and reconnect with mind, body and soul through nature.

Here, Helena Skoog, who you may remember from our forest bathing experiences at Spread Eagle Hotel and Spa, explains what's included on this beautiful escape.

What is the Full Moon and Fabulous retreat?

It is a three-day, two-night stay at Ockenden Manor, where guests have the opportunity to slow down and relax deeply into their own essence with help of Mother Nature. The retreat includes a gentle mindful walk through local woodland, Qigong influenced yoga/movement and Polestar meditation.

What does it mean to 'Rewild Your Senses'?

To rewild your senses, to me, means that by spending mindful time and attention on our senses we become more aware of them. They can then enrich our experience of our surroundings further. Through this we experience more clarity and a more relaxed mind. It's about recognising the full potential of our senses, and as our senses expand and our preconceptions fall away. With that space we can discover new peace and a sense of adventure, through meditation and nature immersion. It's about learning to live consciously in the world, being aware of our emotions, our mind activity and the world around us. It's also a great tool for addressing stress and anxiety, as well as having more compassion for ourselves and for others.

You say the retreat is inspired by the Japanese art of Shinrin-yoku - what is that?

It's another term for Forest Bathing. Shinrin-Yoku is a traditional Japanese awareness meditation, proven to be a profound antidote to anxiety, depression, fear and tension.

How would you describe Forest Bathing?

During Forest Bathing you are taken on a simple forest walk, whereupon your guide will facilitate and enable a sensual immersive experience. The forest languages of renewal, growth, change and impermanence will become your experiential second nature. You will develop a sense of inner peace and stillness that will be supported and encouraged by nature's living, ever-changing process. It's a powerful counterbalance to the anxiety and stress of modern living.

What is evening Polestar meditation?

Polestar meditation is a guided meditation where we take our mind to the night sky and 'drop into' the stillness of space, bringing it into our heart. We then meditate on that stillness to become more familiar with the internal stillness of our mind. Through this familiarity we gain easier access to our inner quiet in our lives.

We talk a lot about nature but do you think collectively we underestimate its power for our wellbeing?

Yes, I definitely think that we underestimate the profound healing effects that nature has on us. I think it is very important to learn/remember/practice how to feel relaxed in nature. Many of us might not feel very relaxed in nature and I believe this is due to the lack of time spent in it. I like to think of it as each of us having our own personal relationship with nature and I feel that it helps to be slow/still, simply listening and observing our surroundings.

Do you think it's possible to take the lessons from the retreat and continue them at home?

Yes, it is very much my intention and wish for everyone to learn from the experience and be able to use some of the techniques and 'tools' so that you can begin your own practice.