Hello Everyone,
Sorry it's been a while since I shared my news, in fact the year has just flown by and just like that we are in the midst of Autumn - my favourite time of year.
October has been very kind to us in the UK with plenty of warm sunshine and blue sky autumnal days - very mild for this time of year. Maybe that's all about to change as the clocks go back this Halloween weekend. The wet and wild hailstorm was certainly bewitching to watch this afternoon!
I am just back from a weeks break on the Suffolk coast with my family and little dog Otis. We were supposed to be in France with friends for the half term, but after my daughter's passport renewal failed to return in time it was a last minute escape to the countryside for a break.
Suffolk (my county of birth) as many of you may know is a place very close to my heart with lots of happy childhood memories on the coast. Returning this week after lockdown did not disappoint - it was worth the long wait.
We stayed in a village close to the coast near Southwold in a small converted barn on a farm. The week was spent walking in local fields and on coastal paths, eating fresh local food and fish, catching up with my childhood bestie, reading a good book, sitting by a log fire in the evenings and sleeping lots. Then getting up early each day to walk and explore some more.
For any Jonathan Livingstone seagull fans you might appreciate this photo taken on Southwold's black shore as the sun was just setting.... a mindful moment of stillness and peace.
I hope you have all had a restful half term and managed some downtime too.
Photo - Southwold Blackshore at Sunset looking towards Walberswick, October 2021
Photo: Best Friends reunited with their doggies! Southwold, Blackshore, October 2021
Autumnal Retreat Day - Saturday 20th November
Speaking of taking some time out to rest and restore I am delighted to announce I have a retreat day coming up this November. It's been a while since I have been able to teach face to face but I really pleased to be back in the newly restored ZH wellness studio in Esher on Saturday 20th November from 10.30 to 3.30pm.
This autumnal retreat invites you to step away from the busyness of daily routines and engage your senses with guided practices to support your emotional and physical health.
''Mindfulness can meet us everywhere in our lives to support our emotional and physical health - we just have to be attentive to see it, hear it and sense it'
The day will be spent in periods of guided silent practice with breathwork, mindful walking outside, mindful eating and gentle yoga and Qi Gong movement. All designed to be deeply restorative to help quieten the mind and restore the body. At the end of the day there will be time for some quiet reflection too.
Open to all levels of meditators and those that have a mindful practice, or have attended my courses and classes before. If you are new to mindfulness or yoga do get in touch first.
Cost is £45 for the day and includes light refreshments and homemade nutritional snacks.
Plus you will also receive a nourishing autumn recipe guide from local Nutritionist and Wellness Coach Alison Peacham. Please bring your own light packed lunch and blankets and cushions if you wish.
Numbers are limited due to social distancing. So please book early to avoid disappointment. The ZH Wellness studio is also light and airy with open views of surrounding fields and meadows.
To book contact: sam.sammantra@gmail.com for more details.
Or book your slot online HERE
Photo Bella by @nikpma
National Stress Awareness Week - 1st to 6th November
I am delighted to be part of Art and Soul's first ever FREE Festival Of Art and Wellbeing!
Art and Soul are a creative arts charity based in South West London who work with artists and wellness experts to help improve mental health and emotional wellbeing in the local community.
In support of national stress awareness week, I will be giving a free online practical workshop as part of the festival and introducing the benefits of mindfulness through creative sensory practices, breath work and gentle mindful movement. All are welcome whether you have experience of mindfulness or not.
Art and Soul have a great week planned with lots of online and in-person events from art talks, colour therapy workshops and a virtual gallery visit too. To find out more and how to BOOK your free tickets -
visit the Art & Soul website HERE
My stress less breath more introduction to mindfulness workshop is on Tuesday 2nd November at 11am.
Join my online monthly meditation group
A chance to destress from our busy world and top up your mind and body with formal and informal practices and exercises in a shared group setting.
Would you like to be part of a shared online community of mindfulness practice? This meditation group is for regular meditators and those new to mindfulness too. It meets twice a month VIA ZOOM on Wed eves from 8pm.
The sessions are themed each month with soothing restorative practices designed to allow you time and space to destress. They include formal meditations from breath work, mindful movement and body scans to everyday mindful activities and exercises with quiet reflection and inquiry time. Spaces are limited to 12 people per session. If you are new to mindfulness you are advised to attend the shorter session at the beginning of each month. The next sessions coming up are on:
Wed 3rd November 8pm - 9.15pm
Wed 24th November 8pm - 9.40pm
A Xmas special workshop on Wed 8th December from 7.30-9pm.
PLEASE CONTACT SAM to register and book your space at sam.sammantra@gmail.com
Testimonials from recent online sessions:
'Such a lovely session and just what I needed - thank you so much'
'Thank you for the zoom session last night. It was just what I needed & so lovely to connect with others. A reminder to be mindful in what we are doing at home whereever possible'
'I felt so calm after.. it was a lovely nurturing session.. thanks so much'
NEW MEDITATION RECORDING - Now available on the website
Please check out my NEW meditation plans on my website HERE .
These recordings were made during lockdown and have been taken from my regular monthly sessions.
Sign up to log in and gain access. Download the meditation plans of your choice with access to new meditation recordings each month for a small administrative fee. Let me know how you get on!
Mindfulness Taster sessions Spring 2022
There is no 8 week mindfulness course this term but do look out for my course dates next year.
There will be a FREE taster session on TUE 18th January at 7.30pm. During this taster session you will get a chance to try some practices for yourself, find out about my 8 week courses for groups, couples and 1;1 classes. The taster sessions are designed for you to come away with an understanding of what mindfulness is and the science behind it all.
Tuesday 18th January 7.30-9pm All tasters are online - small groups only - Open to all - email to reserve your free slot at sam.sammantra@gmail.com
Photo: Autumn fields, Chediston, Suffolk, October 2021
''Meditation isn't about trying to throw ourselves away and becoming something better. It's about befriending who we already are' Pema Choudron
I hope to see many of you in practice again soon,
Warm autumnal wishes with love & kindness
Sam x
If you would like to receive up to date news on courses, events and my NEW meditation recordings, please sign up for my mailing list via www.sammantra.com SamMantra is also on Instagram & Facebook.