Yoga Retreats

Group shot! ❤

Upside down for a bit!

At risk of drowning this post with mainly utterly delicious food pictures, we edited it to just a couple 🙂

Adventures abound in the summer sun

Safety first – check!

Born ready on his steed

Ready!

Vi er på gang!

Picnic!

Plotting the afternoon adventure to Rottingdean

Baking!

Saturday lunch preparations!

Basically!

So so so so so many good vibes! Still high from an amazing few days with some equally amazing people who joined us in Brighton for our Summer Retreat. ❤ 

It was: Elderflower and bunting and yoga and rainbows and cake and movement and seagulls and Pride and massages and seagulls and picnics and bike rides and raw chocolate highs and exploring and Indian food and bistros and essential oils and Frida and coffee and sunflowers and smoothies and flat whites (or is it milky whites?) and gingham and street parties and stillness and coconut oil and sun baking and vintage shopping and lazy breakfasts and cliffs and the pub and books and laying by the fans and orange fedoras and beanbags and sunny days and the seaside and celebrating each other!

And it was SO NICE!

Our fave therapist and bodyworker Liz joined us for a couple of days too and gave some deeply wonderful treatments. We´re grateful for her and she loved being a part of the Retreat.

Ketil and i were really happy to share some of our fave recipes in a lunch prepared in the Warehouse. It included Ketil´s world famous pie! Scoffs galore!

It was a pleasure to share our favourite parts of the city and also some treasures off the beaten track. Most of all it was wonderful to connect with each of these gems, creating memories i´ll treasure for a long time.

Thank you to everyone who came and made it so special!

Ketil made a film of our adventures which you can watch below – thanks Finemann!

If you´re interested in joining our upcoming retreats, drop me a mail! Look forward to seeing you soon!

Love, dionne & Ketil x x
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Thank you to everybody who came to share the Yoga Day Retreats this spring. We have more retreats, workshops and events planned from August 2014 and will be announced here soon, stay tuned for details. Meanwhile, here are some films from our recent events.

Yoga Day Retreat at Lysøen, Norway 2014

Here´s a link to some photos and video taken from the Yoga Day Retreat at Lysøen!

Yoga Day Retreat at Siljustøl, Norway 2014

Here´s a link to some photos and video taken from the Yoga Day Retreat at Siljustøl!

Yoga Day Retreat at Troldhaugen, Norway 2014

Here´s a link to some photos and video taken from the Yoga Day Retreat at Troldhaugen!

Yoga Day Retreats: Music and movement workshops at Troldhaugen, Siljustøl & Lysøen

THE PROJECT

A collaboration of music,  yoga,  movement and Norwegian cultural history in three composers villas: Edvard Grieg, Harald Sæverud and Ole Bull. A unique and new experience of these national treasures, a meeting of music, movement and healthy food whilst getting a new perspective of these cultural landmarks in a never before experienced event.

THE INTENTION

To entwine themes of each of the composers with music and yoga in three retreat days. To celebrate these cultural gems and to use their inspiring history and environments in conjunction with yoga and movement practice and offer a unique and very special experience in an equally special environment.

THE SETTING

Troldhaugen, Sunday March 2 – Here´s a link to some photos and video taken from the event at Troldhaugen in March!

Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg’s house is situated in a stunning location at Hop in the Fana area outside Bergen. Newly renovated concert venue Troldsalen will be the location for our workshop with floor-to-ceiling windows behind the stage providing us with a lovely view of the composer’s hut and Lake Nordås. Maximum number of participants for this event will be 12.

Troldhaugen

Edvard Grieg and his dog. Løvstakken, circa 1900.

Siljustøl, Sunday March 30

In Ytrebygda lies the former home of composer Harald Sæverud who lived and worked here with his wife Marie Hvoslef from 1939 till 1992.  Siljustøl is a villa encompassed by a massive park area. The workshop will take place in Sæverud’s upstairs music room. Maximum number of participants for this event will be 20.

Siljustøl

Harald Sæverud

Lysøen, Sunday May 4

Lysøen is an island in the municipality of Os, and also the site of villa Lysøen, the house of eccentric violin-virtuoso and composer Ole Bull. The unique building is inspired by numerous architectural styles, including  Swiss, Moorish and Russian. The workshop will take place in the music room, with a maximum of 20 participants.

Lysøen

THE YOGA & MUSIC

Dionne Elizabeth is a yoga teacher, writer and dj hosting regular classes, workshops and events in Norway and the UK . She has been working to combine yoga with unique cultural spaces including the oldest kindergarden in Norway and also with the art museums of Bergen (KODE) leading the Kunst + Yoga project since 2012 which aims to take yoga into unique spaces and encourages us to experience art, yoga and our environments with a new perspective. This combination of yoga with other creative mediums is central to her ethos.

Musician Ketil Kinden Endresen has been working professionally as a musician since 2007 running many workshops, sound installations as well as writing, producing and performing in the band, Casiokids, recording and traveling to clubs and festivals all over Europe, North America, Japan and Australia. He also collaborates and DJs with Dionne Elizabeth and they create and host the Yoga Disco and other yoga, movement and musical experiences.

Together they are interested in merging movement and music to create a complete holistic experience and unique environment for others to enjoy. For this series of events Ketil and Dionne will curate a special soundscape and sequence unique to each space. The music will be performed live by Ketil and constructed from elements of compositions and samples of recordings from each composer to create a fitting soundtrack to each environment. The themes of each session are as follows:

HARMONISE – coming back into balance
finding your feet in your yoga practice. we explore and tune in gentle progression to find our perfect melodic equilibrium. choosing the right notes and combinations for ourselves.

ORCHESTRATE – initiating power to begin
the study of ourselves and our arrangement separately and together. to appreciate everything being connected.

IMPROVISE – the art of play
“to make or create (something) by using whatever is available.”
a creative guided playful experimentation. opening, exploring, feeling respectfully acknowledging our limitations and limitless potential.

THE FOOD

We are pleased and proud to team up with Bastant, a healthy and nutritious local organisation who will be providing lunchtime nourishment in the form of hearty vegetarian soup and bread. Fruit, nuts, treats, tea and coffee are also available on the day.

DURATION AND TIME PLAN

The one-day events will run with this kind of rhythm:

9.45-10am Arrival and welcome tea
10am Start, introduction
10:15 – 12pm Yoga + Music session 1
12-1pm Lunch
1-2pm Walk/tour/talk/free time
2-4pm Yoga + Music session 2
4–4.30pm Round up. Tea
4.30pm Depart

THE DETAILS

Troldhaugen – map and transport
Sunday 2 March
Max 12 guests

Silustøl – map and transport
Sunday 30 March
Max 20 guests

Lysøen – map and transport
Sunday 4 May
Max 20 guests

INVESTMENT

3 x Yoga Day Retreats = 1900kr  (only 12 spots available)
2 x Yoga Day Retreats =1400kr
1 x Yoga Day Retreat = 750kr

Price is inclusive of all yoga classes and workshops, lunch, tea, coffee and drinks,  guided tour with representative from each venue and boat from the mainland to the island of Lysøen.

WHAT TO BRING

You are recommended to bring a yoga mat (but there are mats available to hire) blanket, appropriate clothing to enable you to move in your yoga practice plus layers for changeable weather for an outdoor walk (the grounds in each of the venues are wonderful for walking and you will have free time to explore as you like). Some people have mentioned about car-sharing from the city and this is recommended, you are welcome to post on this page or the facebook page to organise with others. If you want to take public transport, details for each venue are above under the “map and transport” links.

BOOKING

*Places are limited, and places are assigned on a first come, first served basis.
*To register and reserve your space, a 200kr non-refundable deposit is required.
*The remainder of the payment is due one week before the event.
*Pre-pay bank account: Dionne Elizabeth, 1203 91 73059 and please mark your payment with your name and the venue as a reference.
*Deposits and full repayments are non-refundable unless your space can be filled.

If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to email me directly: dionneyoga@gmail.com

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BRIGHTON CITY RETREAT

New date for Summer 2014 coming soon

Here´s a link to photos, video and feedback from the first and second Brighton retreats.

THE INTENTION

Dust off the residue and immerse yourself into a new season with ritual, exploration, amazing food and yoga in the wonderful city of Brighton. A springtime treat with time for yourself, fresh experiences, new friends and a deepening of your practice. Continuing our focus on high food and accommodation standards and lots of yoga exploration,  we have also added some new offerings to stimulate your creativity as well as embrace more of the outdoors in the springtime environment, a very special time in the blossoming city.

THE SETTING

Brighton: city by the sea, alternative, creative, quirky, charming, cosy, a quintessentially English seaside town, eclectic, open-minded and fun!

Geographically, Brighton is a sunny town (the sunniest in the UK!), located on the south coast, and the vast seaside panorama certainly adds to the spacious feeling. Colourful, eclectic and creative, it contains more than 365 restaurants, an attitude of celebrating individuality, many independent boutiques, coffee shops and restaurants, a place that´s easy to be a vegan or vegetarian (or not!), shopping that is unique and fabulous and did i mention the vintage?

Pubs, bars, live music, festivals, food markets, massage, arthouse cinemas, supper clubs, car boot sales, spas, pug meetup groups, beautiful architecture, beach life, history, minutes from the south downs nature, beautiful parks, museums, galleries, paddleboarding, cosmopolitan atmosphere and cycle rides along the seafront, the list is really endless. Brighton has something for everyone. It can provide the wild party nights (and days) and leave you breathless if you have the energy, but it can also be a quiet and calm resort, full of pampering, meandering cobbled streets and alleyways finding solitary space and peace.

Many know that Brighton is my spiritual home. I lived here on and off for 10 years. It´s where my yoga journey stepped up, and i took my first teacher training. It´s where i felt life began.  The city is vibrant and open, accepting and easy-going. Anything goes, and this sense of freedom and magic is certainly one of the many reasons i will always love it.

Ketil and I lived in Brighton before we moved to Bergen in 2010 and we recently moved back in January 2014. We want to share this special place and create a haven amidst all of this inspiration. To get away from it all, yet connect with others, have many adventures, get to know this city at your own pace (tailor-make your stay according to your hearts desire) and eat some of the finest food of your life (no understatement!). All of this, in combination with your yoga practice and activities to stimulate your creativity and incorporate the inspiration and experience on and off the mat.

View from Palace Pier, Brighton by Andrea Pucci.

We will be providing a guided tour of the city in bite-sized chunks, and you will also be provided with a Brighton pack with all of our “must-see” recommendations, walks, maps, secrets, masseuse referrals and top tips to ensure your stay is magical.

THE YOGA
There will be five yoga sessions during your stay including one Self Care workshop, energising spring practice, a Yoga Disco and weather permitting, outdoor yoga. There will also be focus on meditation techniques and a range of styles of yoga.

The sessions will be a balance of dynamic and restorative yoga open to all levels, beginner or experienced, and individual attention to focus on deepening your practice (a questionnaire will be sent on booking, where you can detail your specific requests).

THE FOOD

Breakfast and lunches are included in the stay. All meals will be healthy, nutritious and hearty (with options for carnivores, vegetarians and vegans).

Breakfast will be served at the loft, a smörgåsbord including muesli, fresh bread, fresh croissants, cheese selection, jam, yoghurt, juice, coffee, teas, fruit, eggs, seeds and nuts. Organic and locally sourced where possible.

For lunch we have cherry picked three different Brighton eateries, institutions in their own right, with the highest quality ingredients, where you can choose your meal and non-alcoholic drink.

Dinner with the group is optional, however we will book seats at three of the finest restaurants and details will be in your arrival pack. If you would prefer to make your own dinner plans that´s no problem.

THE ACCOMMODATION

Photo credit: Emma Marshall

Photo credit: Emma Marshall

Photo credit: Emma Marshall

Photo credit: Emma Marshall

Photo credit: Emma Marshall

Photo credit: Emma Marshall

Photo credit: Emma Marshall

Photo credit: Emma Marshall

Photo credit: Emma Marshall

Located in the “heart and soul” of Brighton, the luxurious, spacious loft conversion of Vine Street Studios is our base. The space is new, and opened last year. Exquisite craftsmanship in every detail and nestled in the heart of the North Laine. We have a quiet and calm yet central location including our own yoga space. The best of both worlds, our tranquil haven the vibrant and eclectic community. More pictures here.

Your towels and bedding are included so you have extra room in your suitcase!

THE TRANSPORT 

PLANES
To those of you outside of England, we recommend you fly to Gatwick as it is a short 20 minute hop to the city by train. Norwegian and Easyjet fly direct from Bergen, Oslo and Stavanger.

If you fly to Heathrow, get the National Express Coach to Pool Valley coach station (central Brighton), or a train via London (changing at Paddington, the tube to Victoria, then train to Brighton).

WHAT THEY SAID

“Brighton Yoga Seaside Retreat! Best thing I did this summer!”
-Elin

“Brighton Yoga Seaside City Retreat was perfect for me!! Number of yoga sessions was just perfect and also lots of space for free time in between, was just what I needed! Delicious food every day. Thank you SO much Ketil and Dionne! xxx”
-Helga

“A perfect mixture of inspiring yoga sessions, nice people, delicious food, and English seaside city life :)”
-Anne

“I had an amazing time discovering Brighton with Dionne & Ketil, on top of great yoga sessions – and wonderful company. Such a fantastic week end!”
-Pauline

“A wonderful weekend… including a mix of great yoga classes, delicious food, lovely people and new experiences.”
-Hildur

THE DETAILS

New date to be announced soon!

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YOGA SEASIDE CITY RETREAT

BRIGHTON

JANUARY 3-6 2013

“Smell the sea and feel the sky, let your soul and spirit fly”

It´s a dream come true to announce details of the second Yoga Seaside City Retreat in Brighton! Here´s a link to photos, video and feedback from the first Brighton retreat. This winter wonderland retreat will be very similar in terms of high food and accommodation standards and lots of yoga, but we have also added some new treats to stimulate your creativity as well as tools to create clarity and intentions as we embark on a new year.

THE INTENTION
Connect with yourself and others and set intentions for the new year in an experience “away from it all” through yoga and creativity in the wonderful city of Brighton. Begin the year on the best possible footing: centred, clear and inspired.

THE SETTING
Brighton: city by the sea, alternative, creative, quirky, charming, cosy, a quintessentially English seaside town, eclectic, open-minded and fun!

Geographically, Brighton is a sunny town, located on the south coast, and the vast seaside panorama certainly adds to the spacious feeling. Colourful, eclectic and creative, it contains more than 365 restaurants, an attitude of celebrating individuality, many independent boutiques, coffee shops and restaurants, a place that´s easy to be a vegan or vegetarian (or not!), shopping that is unique and fabulous and did i mention the vintage?

Pubs, bars, live music, festivals, food markets, massage, arthouse cinemas, supper clubs, car boot sales, spas, pug meetup groups, beautiful architecture, beach life, history, minutes from the south downs nature, beautiful parks, museums, galleries, ice skating, paddleboarding, cosmopolitan atmosphere and cycle rides along the seafront (all year round), the list is really endless. Brighton has something for everyone. It can provide the wild party nights (and days) and leave you breathless if you have the energy, but it can also be a quiet and calm resort, full of pampering, meandering cobbled streets and alleyways finding solitary space and peace.

Many know that Brighton is my spiritual home. I lived here on and off for 10 years. It´s where my yoga journey stepped up, and i took my first teacher training. It´s where i felt life began. The city is vibrant and open, accepting and easy-going. Anything goes, and this sense of freedom and magic is certainly one of the many reasons i will always love it.

Ketil and I lived in Brighton before we moved to Bergen in 2010 and we will be residing here on a sabbatical from January 2014. We want to share this special place and create a haven amidst all of this inspiration. To get away from it all, yet connect with others, have many adventures, get to know this city at your own pace (tailor-make your stay according to your hearts desire) and eat some of the finest food of your life (no understatement!). All of this, in combination with your yoga practice and activities to stimulate your creativity and incorporate the inspiration and experience on and off the mat.

We will be providing a guided tour of the city in bite-sized chunks, and you will also be provided with a Brighton pack with all of our “must-see” recommendations, walks, maps, secrets, masseuse referrals and top tips to ensure your stay is magical.

A winter wonderland retreat with time for yourself, and a new experience, new friends and a deepening of your practice.

THE YOGA & CREATIVITY
Creativity through yoga, meditation, vision boarding, intention setting, writing workshop, ritual, nutritious food, yoga disco, music as well as space to recollect, detox and restore.

There will be five yoga sessions during your stay including one workshop, and a Yoga Disco. The sessions will be a balance of dynamic and restorative yoga open to all levels, beginner or experienced, and individual attention to focus on deepening your practice (a questionnaire will be sent on booking, where you can detail your specific requests).

THE FOOD

Breakfast and lunches are included in the stay. All meals will be healthy, nutritious and hearty (with options for carnivores, vegetarians and vegans).

Breakfast will be served at the loft, a smörgåsbord including muesli, fresh bread, fresh croissants, cheese selection, jam, yoghurt, juice, coffee, teas, fruit, eggs, seeds and nuts. Organic and locally sourced where possible.

For lunch we have cherry picked three different Brighton eateries, institutions in their own right, with the highest quality ingredients, where you can choose your meal and non-alcoholic drink.

Dinner with the group is optional, however we will book seats at three of the finest restaurants and details will be in your arrival pack. If you would prefer to make your own dinner plans that´s no problem.

THE ACCOMMODATION

 the “heart and soul” of Brighton, the luxurious, spacious loft conversion of Vine Street Studios is our base. The space is new, and opened this year. Exquisite craftsmanship in every detail and nestled in the heart of the North Laine. We have a quiet and calm yet central location including our own yoga space. The best of both worlds, our tranquil haven the vibrant and eclectic community. More pictures here.

Your towels and bedding are included so you have extra room in your suitcase!

THE TRANSPORT
To those of you outside of England, we recommend you fly to Gatwick as it is a short 20 minute hop to the city by train. Norwegian and Easyjet fly direct from Bergen, Oslo and Stavanger. Suggested flight is 16:05 from Bergen EZY5080. We will then meet you at Gatwick airport on arrival.

If you fly to Heathrow, get the National Express Coach to Pool Valley coach station (central Brighton), or a train via London (changing at Paddington, the tube to Victoria, then train to Brighton).

THE DETAILS
The retreat runs from Friday 3 January – Monday 6 January. We will kick off on Friday at 18:00 (this allows time for rail travel from Gatwick to Brighton). However if you decide to make alternative travel arrangements please arrive at Vine Street Studios by 18:00. We check out of the studios at 10:00 on Monday, and will wrap up the retreat after our leisurely brunch that day.

Investment is inclusive of all classes, workshops, breakfasts, lunches (meal and a non-alcoholic drink), tours, materials and accommodation.

BOOKING
*Places are limited, and places are assigned on a first come, first served basis.
*To register and reserve one of 10 spots, a 1000kr non-refundable deposit is required.
*The remainder of the payment of 3.500kr is due by 29 November 2013.
*Pre-pay bank account: Dionne Elizabeth, 1203 91 73059
*Please mark your payment with your name as a reference.
*Deposits and full repayments are non-refundable unless we can fill your space.

If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to email me directly: dionneyoga@gmail.com

Yoga & Creativity Retreat

Skjerjehamn, Norway

January 18-20 & 25-27 January 2013

Check out images from our last retreat!Here´s more from the location.

I am delighted to announce details of the Yoga and Creativity retreat in Norway this January 18-20 2013 in the breathtaking location of Skjerjehamn!

THE SETTING
Located on a small, self contained island, this idyllic getaway is just off the west coast of Norway, in the mouth of the fjords, with direct link from Bergen city centre via express boat, bus or car.

We have access to the entire site, which includes villa, art gallery, restaurant, cinema, woodland and oh so much more. As you can imagine, it’s going to be a feast of a time where relaxation and adventure are explored through nature, art and culture.

THE INTENTION
Connect with yourself and others and set intentions for the new year in an experience “away from it all” through yoga and creativity, and begin the year on the best possible footing: centred, clear and inspired.

THE YOGA & CREATIVITY
Creativity through yoga, meditation, vision boarding, intention setting, writing workshops, ritual, nutritious food, bonfires, yoga disco, music, yoga film screening as well as space to recollect, detox and restore.

There will be a balance of dynamic and restorative yoga sessions open to all levels, beginner or experienced, and attention to focus on deepening your practice.

THE FOOD
We are taking over the restaurant to provide a healthy, nutritious and hearty vegetarian and vegan menu.
THE ACCOMMODATION
Will be in single rooms, or double for those who prefer. All participants will stay in the old Sveitservilla from 1891 (updated to modern comfort).

THE DETAILS
The retreat runs from Friday 18 January – Sunday 20 January 2013. A second retreat runs Friday 25-27 January 2013

Investment is inclusive of all classes, workshops, meals and accommodation.

THE TRANSPORT
There is a direct boat from Bergen Strandkaiterminal leaving Friday 18 January at 16:30 and returning Sunday 20 January at 18:50 (arriving in Bergen at 20:10). Cost of transport is 160 kr each way direct to the villa.

BOOKING
Places are limited, to sign up email dionneyoga@gmail.com