FOR YOU?
Are you longing for genuine connection, meaningful conversation, and perspectives that lift rather than weigh you down?
Is your body calling for safety, peace, relaxation, and simple unpretentious joy?
Are you seeking deeper and more meaningful relationship to yourself and those closest to you, be it a spouse, partner, family member, or a group of friends/colleagues, we welcome you all.
And if you’d like to be guided by two people who have always followed their intuition and walked (and danced) the paths less travelled, you’re in good company.
Carmen Rendell — global explorer and Walking Therapist.
Andrew Cuerden — former top international DanceSport competitor and BBC Strictly Come Dancing professional, now a therapeutic dance and life coach.
Welcome to our "WalkIn...DanceOut" Retreats: a mind, body, and soul enrichment experience.
A chance to step back into harmony with the dance of life... gently, naturally, and in your own rhythm and style.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT DEERSTONE
We guarantee you gentle care, lived wisdom and deep presence within beautiful, comfortable and nourishing surroundings, that will ground your body and uplift your spirit. A truly sole to soul experience.
We believe in simple and timeless practices as the foundations of wellbeing. From the physical essentials of clean air (breath), water, food, shelter, movement and sleep. To the non-physical qualities of honesty, love, integrity and joy.
Everything on our retreats is invitational. Allowing you the freedom to choose the depth and pace of engagement. You are always in control of your experience.
We believe that integrity and integration are cornerstones of wellbeing. That one must sincerely seek honest and loving: awareness, discernment, alignment, connection and expression of self (Mind, Body and Soul) so as to be a wholesome, valuable and harmonious human.
In keeping with our core mission of "Bridging Worlds" we do our best to integrate and reconcile science, psychology, therapy and spirituality to form powerful lenses through which to view and understand self and life. We are inclusive of all faiths and wisdoms and beliefs as long as they are aligned with love and honesty.
All of the practices we facilitate, and wisdom's we share, have been profound tools in our own wellbeing journey and pillars of our lives.
Mindfullness, Meditation, Deep Listening, Breath, Yoga, Walking and Dance.
Days will begin...gentle, slow, quiet and reflective. Building into afternoons of joyful expression, exploration and connection. Then winding down with evenings of reflection, integration and appreciation.
Our walks are all about the depth of presence, connection and appreciation of ourselves, each other and surroundings...not the distance, destination or endurance. Our walks are slow and intentional. Punctuated with mindful exercises such as breath based meditations that help ground, regulate and balance the nervous system as well as opening the heart and mind to inspiration, as well as genuine appreciation and expression.
"We are only as sick as the secrets we keep" - Gabor Matè
The dancing, is not for performance, but for "transformance". It is mindful, metaphoric and thought provoking. Using movements and music that enable changes in ones mental, emotional and physical state. From gentle and slow to fast and fun, with and without a partner. A wonderful way of rediscovering and understanding the language of your body, to express what is true and release what is heavy.
Accommodations are luxurious, comfortable and homely. With wonderful beds that allow you deeply surrender to the peace, quiet and darkness of the countryside for profoundly restorative sleep.
Food is incredibly important to us. Not only in its nutritional and flavourful value but also it's power to bring people together with joy.
ROOMS & RETREAT BOOKINGS
Prices below are per person and exclusive of travel to and from The Deerstone. Bookings are on a first come first served basis and are subject to our Booking Terms & Conditions. A deposit of £350 is required to secure your booking.
PRIVATE ROOM IN COTTAGE
(Twin & Single Occupancy Options)
- 1,300 Euros (TBD) -
The bookings themselves will be directly with The Deerstone, so that they can manage the rooms and of course we will be working with them closely on allocation of rooms. Prices are in Eruo's as Ireland is in the EU of course. Rooms will be allocated closer to the retreat, when we have all the bookings. If you have any specific needs or preference, please let The Deerstone know when booking.
SCHEDULE
Whilst we appreciate that some love to know exactly what's happening where and when. We do also appreciate the need to create spaces which are held, but not full. Therefore this is a holding schedule for you to join what you want to, and if your body asks for something else, then feel free to honour it. This is not a boot camp by any means....If you want to sleep in, sleep in. If you want time to journal, take time out.
We also reserve the right to throw in some unexpected joyful improvised experiences.
Tuesday 13 October
15:00 Guest Arrival & Check in
16:00 Reception Drinks & Healthy Snacks & Icebreaker
17:30 Tour of buildings and amenities
19:00 Dinner
20:30 Evening Entertainment
Wednesday 14 October
08:00 Gentle Stretch & Breath session
09:00 Breakfast
11:00 Soulwalk (Slow gentle somatic walk in surrounding area)
13:00 Lunch
15:00 Free time to use all the facilities (Sauna, Jacuzzi)
17:00 Dance Session
19:00 Dinner
20:30 Evening Entertainment (Depending on weather - Night Soulwalk & Fire Ceremony)
Thursday 15 October
08.00 Gentle Stretch & Breath
09.00 Breakfast
11:00 Soulwalk (Slow gentle somatic walk around estate)
13.00 Lunch
15.00 Downtime
17.00 Dance Session
19.00 Dinner
20.30 Evening Entertainment (Weather depending – Night Soulwalk & Fire Ceremony or Dance in Barn)
Friday 16 October
08:00 Gentle Stretch & Breath
09:00 Breakfast
10:00 Closing circle
12.00 Lunch & goodbyes
13.00 Onwards - Guests depart
THE NOSH
Food is vital for us. Especially in these Autumn months, in the hills of Ireland, where we'll be looking to go slow and nourish our bodies as we move into the gentle Autumnal feeling of connection to nature.
The Deerstone carefully select local chefs to cater for them, and below is an overview of the type of food you can expect.
As always we will honour your dietary needs, and accomodate them as best we can. So please do share that information with us upfront so we can plan well to avoid any disappointment.
CHEF
"Food that Feeds More than the Body" with every dish designed to support both body and spirit.
Wholefood and plant-based, celebrating fresh, seasonal ingredients prepared with love and care. We can happily include some meat options if neeced (Please confirm on booking).
The menu will reflect the retreat’s theme and energy. From vibrant Buddha bowls and earthy root-based stews to restorative herbal teas and energising juices — everything is crafted to enhance your experience and complement the work we're doing together. More than a Chef As a nutritionist and herbal wellness guide, Paula will be there to support your specific dietary needs, health challenges, or a curiosity about the healing power of food and herbs.