Nestled deep within the South Downs National Park is a quaint little town called Midhurst. Historic and charming, it’s a picture perfect representation of rural Britain, and its old buildings and cute streets are testament to its well-preserved history. Midhurst is also home to The Spread Eagle Hotel – a gorgeous old coaching inn dating back to the 1430’s (Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth 1st even stayed here!)
The Spread Eagle is beloved in Midhurst and beyond for many reasons; the character of its many traditional rooms, locally sourced and lovingly prepared produce, and also it’s small but perfectly formed spa. The hotel have recently launched exclusive Yoga Wellness Retreats, led by teacher Elaine Vaughan, to allow you to learn a little more about yoga and to experience the luxurious spa for yourself. When the team here at StyleNest were invited along to check it out, we couldn’t resist.
Stepping back in time
Arriving at the hotel just before midday, we were immediately won over. From the outside it’s fairly small and unassuming (albeit still picturesque), but inside it simply oozes character. From the old wooden beams supporting the low ceilings to the historical artefacts lining the walls and traditional, grand four poster beds tempting you to take a nap, the Spread Eagle is the antithesis of a faceless modern hotel. It’s proud of its rich heritage, and it celebrates it in every detail. The result is warm, cosy and inviting.
An introduction to yoga
After checking into our rooms, we settled down for an introduction with Elaine and a talk on health and wellness. Having practised yoga for the last 30 years, Elaine is not only knowledgeable on her subject but also has such a gentle, approachable manner that you want to listen to everything she says. There was a mixture of couples and individuals in attendance, meaning no one felt left out or out of place.
Over fresh juices, Elaine introduced the retreat and talked to us a little bit about the benefits of yoga – but also what makes a holistically healthy lifestyle. We were encouraged to guide the discussion ourselves, and I felt like we all came away having learnt something.
After a hearty lunch and some free time to explore (in other words, to lose ourselves within the charmingly labyrinthine rooms and hallways of the hotel) it was time for yoga. The session was restorative – meaning it was less strenuous and dynamic than ‘normal’ yoga, and was geared more towards relaxing our bodies and minds. For this reason, I think the retreat is perfect for those who have never tried yoga before, or who are getting back into it after an absence – it isn’t as intimidating or full on as I think a lot of other retreats can be. And as it’s only 24 hours long – it’s the ideal way to dip your toe in the water!
A world of relaxation
When we were feeling serene and well stretched, it was time to head down to the spa to enjoy an indulgent treatment. All of the treatments are designed to help you relax and to soothe any tired muscles. If you’re anything like us, you rarely take time out purely to dedicate to yourself, so being pampered in this way feels truly special as well as immensely healing. We opted for the “Media Drift Away Massage”, which was a 30 minute treatment for the shoulders, back and neck (why oh why do massages never last long enough?).
We were feeling seriously chilled at this point, so decided to relax by the huge pool. The pool area is spacious and relaxed, and has that indulgent spa atmosphere in abundance. A quick dip in the pool (which features a giant mosaic of the eagle emblem along the bottom), and we’d just about worked up an appetite for dinner.
But first, it was time for another talk from Elaine – and this time it was more focused upon food. We covered topics such as clean eating, diet and the benefits of raw produce. The great thing about Elaine is that while she obviously knew her subject inside out and had very strong views, she didn’t force these upon anyone. It really felt like we could take away with us what we wished from the session, depending on what would fit realistically into our everyday lives. After a light dinner in the evening (and yes, we had dessert!), we had one of the best sleeps we’ve had in a long time.
Day two of the retreat
The second day began with a 30 minute breath work class. Elaine taught us about the importance of breathing properly and how it can not only make you feel more awake and calmer, but can combat illness and disease, too. We discussed what we’d learned over a long and leisurely breakfast in the Spread Eagle Restaurant, before attending our final yoga class of the retreat.
This class was a lot more dynamic, and was classic Hatha yoga, involving us holding a number of asanas (poses) designed to strengthen and tone muscles and bring the body back into alignment. The class was challenging, but Elaine made sure that everyone was comfortable. She reassured us that it didn’t matter if we couldn’t hold the poses for ages, or if we found it difficult at first – part of the joy of yoga is enjoying journey between the poses; moving with grace and bringing the body in line with the breathing.
The real value of retreats
As we took to the mats for Savasana (meditation), the energy changed and I could feel our minds begin to wander and settle on more tangible topics –the journey home, what we’d eat for dinner that night, our workloads in the coming week. We already missed the gentle serenity the retreat had offered us, a relaxed space dedicated completely to relaxing and restoring ourselves. It was then that we began to comprehend the real benefit of a yoga retreat – yes, you’ll have an expert introduction to yoga. You’ll learn more about taking care of your body, and you’ll probably have the best night’s sleep you’ve had in a while.
But the real benefit, we think, is the act of simply dedicating some real time to your own health and well-being. Saying: “hey, this is pretty important”. We suppose the gorgeous 15th century interiors and delicious food at the Spread Eagle don’t hurt, either!
The Yoga Wellness Retreat at the Spread Eagle Hotel and Spa costs £299 for single occupancy and is fully inclusive.