The Art of Holding Space: A Weekend Retreat for Facilitators, Coaches, Therapists & Yoga Teachers
Join experienced space holder and teacher Tessa for a deeply nourishing, welcoming and friendly retreat
To register interest, pay in full or receive payment plan
9–11 October 2026 Hawkwood House, near Stroud, UK
Reconnect. Replenish. Rise into your embodied leadership
🌿 An Immersive Retreat for Space Holders & Embodied Leaders
Join us for a nourishing weekend retreat designed for circle facilitators, coaches, counsellors, psychotherapists, and yoga teachers who are ready to deepen their presence and expand their ability to hold space for groups with grace, confidence, and authenticity.
At this intimate gathering, you’ll explore how to bring embodiment, somatic practice, and embodied listening into your work — while also reconnecting with your own creative power and feminine leadership.
[Photo from October 2025 retreat]
“I’ve been fortunate to be on retreat at Hawkwood numerous times. It’s a very special place, from the circular walk through the woods, to being on one of the seven hills surrounding Stroud with a beautiful view, to the fire warming the library space. The food is fantastic. It’s where I go to recharge and I wanted to bring you here too.”
🌿Retreat Highlights
At The Art of Holding Space retreat, you’ll experience:
✅ Embodiment & Somatic Practices – Ground yourself in body-based awareness and presence for self-nourishment and fresh ideas in your work
✅ Embodied Listening – Learn to attune beyond words and connect through interoceptive practices, including Focusing
✅ Circle Facilitation Skills – Experience different ways of holding transformative group spaces with likeminded professionals
✅ Creative Reflection & Feminine Leadership – Reconnect with your inner wisdom and creative flow, including bringing cyclical living into play
✅ Time in Nature – Walk in the ancient woods around the house or the labyrinth, rest by the Spring (and refill your bottle with spring water), and recharge your nervous system.
✅ Delicious, Plentiful Food – Nourishing vegetarian meals bursting with flavour from Hawkwood’s renowned kitchen, with as much sourced from the kitchen garden and local suppliers as possible.
🌿Why Attend
This retreat offers you space to:
Rest and recharge in nature after giving so much to others.
Develop embodied tools that bring more depth to how you hold space for clients.
Explore what feminine leadership means for you in your life and work.
Join a community of like-minded professionals devoted to meaningful connection and conscious, embodied practice.
You’ll leave feeling refreshed, inspired, and more deeply connected to your purpose and power.
🌿 Meet Your Facilitator: Tessa
Tessa is a skilled facilitator, retreat leader and yoga teacher (of 20+ years) who has facilitated many trainings and events. Her work weaves embodiment, creativity, and soul-centred leadership into nourishing experiences that help others return to their essence.
She is the co-author of Circle Holding: A Practical Guide to Facilitating Talking Circles, published by Singing Dragon. She teaches somatic and yoga practices for the nervous system on counselling courses as well as leading Circle Facilitation trainings.
Her background is as an academic researcher (and lecturer) in Medical Sociology, exploring normalisation and well-being in chronic illness.
“This weekend is about reconnecting with your why. Why do you do what you do? If we don’t have space to dream into what nourishes us, resentment builds. If we don’t take risks, we live in fear and wonder what might have been.”
What previous retreat attendees said…
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“I’m taking away the confidence to do more of this work because I love it, women need more spaces to be seen and witnessed, how important community is. Also taking away so many ideas to try and the insights and wisdom of powerful women. Thank you so much for holding such a special and sacred space. From the moment I arrived, I felt so held and welcomed. The women who attended have inspired me in so many ways. This was the pause and reset that I really needed. Thank you.
Kat Vallely, lecturer, circle facilitator, yoga teacher
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“I have been opened to the power of pausing, waiting and listening. To listen fully an openly is most valuable tool. This has been a well though out, well rounded and enjoyable weekend. Thought provoking and reaching into the vulnerable self, whilst also being incredibly empowering and liberating. Thank you."
Claire Bradley, Yoga teacher
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“Thank you for the incredible weekend. I’m always so happy to meet great women and deepen my understanding of myself in relation to others. I took away that others are willing to see you, to be brave, you can be held and hold others. A wonderful opportunity to experience a circle and understand the theoretical underpinnings. You have enriched my life!”
Jessica Hottinger, retired counsellor
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"Thanks so much for an amazing weekend. I’m really pleased I came along. Tessa’s gentle, confident energy is a joy to experience. She created a very warm, nourishing lovely space – a great mix of activities and so inspiring to meet and listen to a wonderful group of creative women. I realised how little support I had given to myself for such a long time."
Susan Salmon
🌿What’s Included
Your retreat package includes:
Two nights’ accommodation, sole occupancy room, at Hawkwood House, near Stroud (there is a railway station and shared taxis can be arranged)
All meals from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch, plus tea and homemade treats in the breaks
Daily embodiment and circle facilitation sessions
Two yoga sessions, one led by a guest teacher, and optional yoga nidra at bedtime
Reflection and creative leadership practices
A spacious schedule, with time to access to nature trails and quiet spaces to read / have a bath
A certificate of attendance for CPD or professional development
🌿 Retreat Details
📅 Dates: 9–11 October 2025
📍 Location: Hawkwood House, near Stroud, Gloucestershire, UK
🕓 Arrival: Friday, arrive any time from 4:00pm (tea & treats), Retreat starts with supper at 6.30pm and Opening Circle afterwards
⏰ Departure: Sunday 3:00pm
💰 Investment: Four Early Bird places of £625 (6 or 9 month payment plan - fees included in cost), Full Price £725
The investment reflects the cost of the sole occupancy rooms, the excellent standard of food and the content of the Retreat. A certificate of attendance is available on completion for CPD.
Terms and Conditions can be found here, including the cancellation policy (full refund within 14 days of 1st payment, increasing % after that - see document for full details)
Reserve Your Space
Spaces are intentionally limited to maintain an intimate and nourishing atmosphere. Do not hestitate to ask questions about any aspect of the Retreat.