EAST BY WEST RETREAT AT YORKSHIRE’S GORGEOUS BROUGHTON HALL

I’m back in London after hosting my second East by West retreat with Wellbeing Escapes at beautiful Broughton Hall in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. We hosted 25 guests for a retreat within the self and focussed on connecting back to nature (in the perfect setting too!) and therefore back to our own nature. For all who attended, it was a proper opportunity to take things easy and experience true R&R, spending time with themselves and on themselves that they don’t usually have the opportunity to take.

Broughton Hall’s new Avalon wellbeing space (the most beautiful holistic design of studios, pools and spa) served as the perfect backdrop for Ayurveda masterclasses and workshops, whilst the original Broughton Hall (think Downton Abbey!) is where we gathered for morning yoga and meal times (including a silent supper).

We kicked off the first evening with an intention-setting meditation out in the fresh air around an open fire, before heading back for a hot brew and an early bedtime. Guests rose at 6 a.m. each morning before the sun rose to honour the natural energies of the day and work with the circadian rhythm that supports us and got straight into Tongue Tingling and oil pulling upon waking. We started each day with a 6:30 a.m. cup of Golden Milk followed by an hour-long Slow Flow yoga class and 15-minute meditation practice hosted by the brilliant Ella Young. It was then time for breakfast — over the duration of the retreat we enjoyed dishes including my Buckwheat Apple Skillet Cake, Parsnip and Watercress Kitchari (always a winner despite it being a rather unusual brekkie) and Buckwheat Banana Bread.

Following breakfast, we hosted activities including an introduction to Ayurveda masterclass, a mindful hike around Broughton Hall’s beautiful grounds, a workshop on how to cook for your Agni (digestive fire), a self-massage and a Dinacharya workshop. We then adjourned for lunch, which was, on every day of the retreat, Kitchari! We enjoyed belly-warming bowls topped with seasonal ingredients including Thai Cauliflower and Pea Kitchari With Nutty Drizzle, Miso Mushroom and Ginger Broccoli Kitchari as well as one of the most popular from the website: Spring Green Quinoa Kitchari. Before we tucked into lunch, our main meal for the day, we made sure our Agni was lively with a Raw Ginger With Salt and Lime aperitif. In true East by West style, we enjoyed a sweet starter: Rose and Cardamom Besan Barfi, Ginger Chickpea Cookie or Coconut, Mint and Lime Ladoo (page 84 in East by West). Our lunchtime meal was always accompanied by a lassi, not the high-sugar, thick milkshake-style you might have been served before, but a light and refreshing drink made with just a touch of homemade fresh yoghurt (find out how to make your own in East by West page 259) flavoured differently each day. Check out my Cumin & Rose Lassi and Ginger & Coriander Lassi, both on page 121 in East by West.

In the afternoons, guests took the time to relax — many taking the opportunity to nap, swim, sauna or... jacuzzi, as well as indulging in an array of spa treatments. We enjoyed meditations in a Somadome or quietly read on comfy sofas from the vast range of books and publications in the relaxation room at Avalon and from a collection of 7,000 books, mostly bought in the 1800s in the more formal setting of Broughton Hall’s library. Dr Mathew was also on-hand for the duration of the trip for one-to-one Dosha consultations with the guests.

We regrouped at 6:30 p.m., for an early, light, warming dinner of… You guessed it: Kitchari! In grounding variations including Spiced Rosemary Carrot and Beet Kitchari, Quinoa and Sweet Potato Kitchari, and Adobo Sweet Potato and Green Bean Kitchari. Afterwards, guests enjoyed sound baths to gently lull them into even deeper relaxation before heading off to bed at 9:30 p.m., once again honouring the circadian rhythm.

It was the most wonderful four days and I want to thank each and every one of our guests who came along and made it so special. We had the best group imaginable! Also, a huge thank you to Roger, Paris, Simon, Hannah, Ella, Gemma and all the team at Broughton Hall for hosting us. Paris went into labour (which would be the 33rd generation of the Tempest family of Broughton Hall!) on the day we left, and had a baby girl. Finally, a massive thank you to Stella, Dominika and the team at Wellbeing Escapes, who helped us to organise and host the entire trip.

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