Honeywood Farm Yoga Retreat Review

If you were unable to attend our first Honeywood Farm Yoga Retreat, here is a look back at the experience!

The Honeywood Farm Yoga Retreat was genuinely unlike anything before it. It was the first local retreat I had co-hosted, the first held at this magnificent family farm, and the first time I had shared the teaching schedule with such an incredible group of fellow Yoga teachers. They offered a range of classes each day, and I had never previously taught alongside fellow Yoga teachers. If you already run retreats, definitely give this some consideration.

Holding a retreat in the countryside brings access to walking trails, spectacular views and rock pools for swimming, along with a few friendly cats and noisy dogs along the route. The horses even came to visit us on the front lawn.

Honeywood Farm has belonged to the family since 1817. During the retreat, I often wondered what the brave Scots who settled here would have made of it all. They could never have imagined an event like this taking place on the beautiful land they discovered so many years ago.

My parents regularly host bee conferences, weekend breaks for birdwatchers and weddings at the farm. Guests stay in a selection of rustic, farmhouse-style cottages, all fully equipped for self-catering. Fortunately, throughout our retreat, we were able to enjoy Miranda’s delicious meals.

Mealtimes

I doubt that anyone expected to eat quite so well! Vegetarian food can sometimes be dull, repetitive and overloaded with carbohydrates, but these meals were far from the usual fare.

Breakfasts featured nourishing homemade muffins, assorted chopped fruit, berries and yoghurt, as well as crumpets, muesli, fresh bread and cheeses. Everything was served with Miranda’s renowned marmalade and some of the most delicious honey you will ever taste.

Lunchtimes offered a range of salads made with locally grown produce, alongside freshly baked focaccia, wraps, farm butter, falafels, dolmades and Thai noodle salads. My mouth is watering already. We were also treated to a picnic lunch in the Redwoods forest.

Dinner included a selection of roasted Moroccan vegetables, delicious spinach and feta pies and, on the final evening, a vegetarian braai featuring roosterkoek, mealies, cowboy beans and coleslaw.

As if that were not enough, dessert was always served after dinner. The gluten-, lactose- and dairy-free treats tasted heavenly. Everyone went home with a copy of the recipe for Miranda’s scrumptious honey cakes!

Daily Activities

Honeywood Farm is a working farm that produces honey. I felt it was the perfect opportunity for my Dad to give a brief introduction to beekeeping and pollination. Bees are an especially relevant subject today, considering climate change, shifting food trends and, of course, supply and demand as the population continues to grow.

The talk was hugely informative, and I felt proud as everyone absorbed my Dad’s extensive knowledge and expertise in his field.

Isolde Bennet of Zen Life Wellness led an introductory workshop in Thai Yoga Massage. I asked her to show us techniques that could be used for Savasana adjustments. We then worked in pairs and practised on one another. I have already started using what I learnt, and my students are delighted!

I was concerned because the forecast predicted an intensely hot Saturday. Luckily, the weather worked in our favour, and we had planned a forest walk to the Redwoods, followed by the rock pools. Both are in the nearby Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve. A picnic lunch beneath the shade of the Redwoods was the perfect setting, before a walk involving some boulder climbing to reach the Duiwenhoks River pools.

Seeing the enjoyment and expressions on everyone’s faces as they immersed themselves in the fresh, natural waters was wonderful. It was a fantastic day, and everyone was certainly making special memories.

The Yoga teachers

My aim was to create a special space of learning. Yoga teachers teaching fellow Yoga teachers can seem intimidating, but I believe it is essential to remain in the mindset of a student: opening yourself up to learning and growth by moving beyond your comfort zone.

I could not have hoped for a more humble, diverse group of Yoga teachers to lead the daily classes. Each one shared their narrative on Yoga so beautifully, teaching what they love and generously passing on their knowledge. Even our quieter moments included opportunities for shared learning.

For more information about the teachers who taught classes:

Catherine Leong, Johannesburg – Yoga Venture SA

Saskia van Leeuwenm, Swellendam – Pahara Yoga

Lia Mundell, Johannesburg – teaches at Yoga Lova

Rose Hay, Suurbraak – Rose Hay Yoga

Domenique Hendriks, Somerset West – Worlds View Yoga Studio

A family affair:

Living in Johannesburg can sometimes make returning to the farm difficult. A large part of this adventure was slightly selfish on my behalf. I truly wanted to create an occasion in which every member of my family could contribute and enjoy being involved, while gaining a little more insight into what my life is all about.

My sister, Erica Bartholomae, created the most beautiful and thoughtful goodie bags and gifts.

I was also able to have my husband, brother and sister-in-law travel from Johannesburg to join us for the weekend. I knew that the family members who could not attend were certainly with us in spirit.

For all the help with planning, the preparation, the activity suggestions, an especially heartfelt thank-you.

To all the Yogis who attended the retreat, thank you for joining us! It truly is about the people who choose to explore life and new adventures. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did, and we look forward to hosting you again soon!

What to expect in 2019:

This retreat will be repeated in March and October 2019. CLICK HERE TO BOOK

The farm is also available to any Yoga teachers who would like to use it as the venue for their next retreat.

So long until 2019!