Retreat to the Ivory Tower
Oxford, England
21st - 25th August 2025
Arrival afternoon / evening on a Thursday, departure after brunch on a Monday
Within the quiet walls of immaculate quads, skylined by dreamy spires, join me for a weekend yoga retreat with a twist: fun, challenging, and deeply relaxing all at once!
Just as we did in 2024, we will once again be escaping to the inspiring serenity of my alma mater, Magdalen College, Oxford.
Combining College calm with the delights of one of England’s most ancient cities, we will take a trip through the imagination for a nervous-system reset.
About The Retreat
Expect morning meditation under the archways of the historic New Building (pictured below) - which, of course, is anything but new, by anything other than Oxford standards. Immerse yourself in pranayama under the boughs of the same tree that J.R.R. Tolkien pondered many hours. Hike along the same river as Lyra Silvertongue as she made her night-time escape in Phillip Pullman’s Northern Lights. Relax around Addison’s Walk, punt along the river with strawberries and cream (weather permitting!), stroll through the Botanic Gardens across the road, or just stay put, and watch the herd in Magdalen’s very own deer park.
My intention is to stretch and expand both mind and body, so everyone will be given plenty of opportunity to shape their own retreat as they please. For the more active, there will be walks, historic city tours with yours truly, cultural visits to the Pitt Rivers’ or Ashmolean, and a meal out at one of Oxford’s’ oldest restaurants, and of course a now traditional team outing to the Turf Tavern. Options to go deeper into Self will include a drum circle, Yin Yoga, and Yoga Nidra. For the intellectually curious, we will have guest speakers on yogic philosophy, such as Dr. Athamos Stradis from King’s College London.
My years at Magdalen were some of the most transformative, difficult, and happy of my life all at once. I would be absolutely delighted to share the magic of its quadrangles with you, enjoying an uniquely British setting to calm the nerves, expand the heart, and open the mind. Floreat Yoga.
Highlights
Oxford is a city like no other. Steeped in over a thousand years of history, humans have been exploring the connections between mind, body and soul there continuously, while countless civilisations rose and fell.
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We’ll punt along the Isis river one afternoon, the waterways that connect the city all the way to London.
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From yogic philosophy to a cosy film night in Magdalen’s ‘cinema’ (the auditorium), be prepared to stretch your mind as well as your body.
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Take in the city’s history through guided tours, drop deeper into your practice through yoga nidra, or be guided into meditation in ancient surroundings.
Daily Schedule*
0700 Morning pranayama and meditation
0900 Buffet breakfast in Magdalen’s historic Hall
Relaxation time, followed by
1100 Asana Yoga
1300 Buffet lunch in Hall
Exploration time, followed by
1700 Evening yin yoga / activity
1830 Buffet dinner in Hall
2000 Optional evening social activity
*Preliminary schedule only, TBC
Bookings
Super Early Bird CHF 1190 (until 30 November)
Early Bird CHF 1290 (until 31 December)
Full Price CHF 1390 (thereafter)
Prices are based on single en suite rooms
within Magdalen College, for four nights
(arriving Thursday, check-out Monday).
Vegetarian and vegan food provided for lunch, breakfast, and dinner
by the College, from Friday morning until Monday morning, barring Sunday,
which will include a fancy meal out in lieu of lunch.
All activities and equipment necessary are included in the price.
Places may be reserved for a deposit of CHF 390.