‘Don’t worry, I’ve got you’ said the incredibly wonderful Donna as she was easing me in to a lovely down face dog, she was supporting my hips allowing a greater stretch but in that moment after such a busy few weeks and an emotional B in the morning, I felt completely held by this wonderful lady who I had met only 20 minutes before. It also helped that we were in the most gorgeous yurt with the smells of incense and burning wood from the fire and out of the opening behind me I could see a huge green field and a bright blue sky, as I breathed out, extended my back my world once again fell in to alignment.
This lovely moment was only the start of a treat of a day with a lovely friend on the mind altering Knepp estate. For me, Knepp is not the fancy shop and restaurant, though I enjoy them. It’s the unkept unordered countryside, the philosophy of wild that I love. It’s rugged and beautiful. The most beautiful part, I think, is the yoga garden and sauna and of course the pond. I have been drawn to cold water since the moment B was born into water. I went from not even dipping my toe in a cold pool to running in to the sea as soon as May arrived. There is something primal about this, both physical and spiritual, it’s a cleansing and intimate connection with the world.
So after this yoga session which I will want to repeat again and again, I had a lovely massage and then visited the sauna. It is a small timber clad room with a coals in the corner. The beautiful lady who runs it was joyous and took great care of us with tea, orange slices and a huge smile. And how could you not smile? As I started to warm up, I grabbed my towel, walked barefoot through a field and down some steps to the pond. Damn it was cold! But I slowly slowly went in step by step until I let go. Then the noise, almost panic of big breaths and sudden movements as my body realises it’s freezing, but this doesn’t last long, a deeper knowing kicks in that this is what I need and my heart beat slows and a big smile appears on my face.
I have abandoned my yoga practice for a good few months now, this glorious morning was the reminder just what a gift it is.
Rewilding my family 