The Ageing Gracefully Retreat is hosted by Sophie Benge and is based on her own personal experience with the menopause. From her years working in wellbeing and from her passionate belief that this changing phase of life can be joyful, she wanted to share her wisdom. She curates her retreats to offer a broad range of approaches from women she admires and who had an impact on her. We ask her more about her retreat and what you can expect.
What inspired you to start the Ageing Gracefully retreat in the first place?
My life has gained so much sparkle and flow from continually connecting with my body, which has come from giving myself space to listen to it and from being guided by wonderful women and the practices and knowledge that they’ve shown me. It’s both my personal and professional adventures (a long time in the wellness industry) that’s inspired me to share this life-enhancing potential with other women, those of us navigating the changing wisdom of our middle years.
Can you tell us what guests can expect in a typical day?
Days are feel-good, fun and quite full! They blend workshops in the luscious living room, sharing experience and receiving information on our hormone, ageing and nutritional journeys, with movement practices to help us connect with the wellspring of wisdom in our bodies; time to enjoy the life-force of nature, time out and time to be with other like-minded women. I’ve brought five fabulous experts to guide us: a hormone doctor, a sensual therapist, a nutritionist, sound healer and Feldenkrais practitioner.
What does the Feldenkrais class involve?
The Feldenkrais Method, named after its founder, uses movement to re-programme habitual physical and mental patterns that have gone under the radar so we don’t notice them. Classes are slow, focused on sensing, feeling, resting and moving, lying on the floor. The aim is to relieve pain and tension and improve flexibility, posture and coordination; in other words, rebooting the system toward more comfort and ease. Practitioner Paola Ferretti-Johnson also offers private, gentle manipulation treatments in the afternoon, where people usually fall asleep!
Who would you say the retreat would be most beneficial for?
For curious and self-aware women who want to learn ways to make their menopausal years increasingly filled with vitality and purpose; those who want some pointers in steering the biological and emotional ups and downs of this changing phase, which can admittedly bring challenges; those who want time out from their racing minds and busy schedules, to pause and focus on themselves. And those who want delicious food laid out for them on the table, to sleep in crispy sheets, breathe fresh air and pad around like a princess in her palace. Goodnestone Park is luxurious.
What do you love most about hosting the retreats?
I love to witness the palpable positive energy that flows in and between women when they come together to be vulnerable, to explore and have fun. Each time I’m so heartened by the visible shifts, the confidence and joy I notice in the guests from embracing these few days. Seeing women explore and celebrate ‘our womanhood’ is empowering for all of us. My job is to hold a safe space for precious experience. And see them go off with boosted resolve, big grins and new friends.
The Ageing Gracefully retreat is from the 28th November – 1st December 2019 at Goodnestone Park in Canterbury. Price from £1,101 pp (double/twin) or £1,251 (single). Call us on 020 3735 7555 to book your space or book online.
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