Join Vishwam, Prasanna and friends for the fourth annual Harmony & Balance Retreat in its new home on the banks of the River Devon and the stunning Rumbling Bridge Gorge. Together we will tune in to the blessings of the Autumnal Equinox, that point of balance as we shift from the lighter half of the year to the darker. Embracing the wholeness of life, by resting in the spiritual heart, we can find harmony and balance whatever we may be experiencing. This Heart Practice is the foundation of all we do at Flowing with Life.
Together, we will celebrate and enjoy the vibrant heart teachings of 12th century Rhineland Christian mystic St Hildegard of Bingen. She was an incredible composer, healer, visionary, orthodox revolutionary, and poet (and so much more!). The retreat is inspired by her teachings and her astounding life.
R&R after a picnic lunch
at the first Harmony & Balance retreat
Programme Highlights include
Daily Heart Yoga & Meditation
Sacred Pilgrimage and Heart Blessing of the Waters at Rumbling Bridge Gorge
Writing from the Heart
Contemplating Heart-led Community
Exploring Healing Herbs with St. Hildegard
Quiet time to journal, contemplate, explore, connect and/or rest
Retreat Venue
Shiel House
Sheil House is a stunning and award-winning architectural work set in glorious and extensive gardens. At the historic border of Perthshire & Kinrossshire, Rumbling Bridge is half an hour’s drive southwest of Stirling or an hour from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth & St Andrews.
Our heavenly yoga studio
surrounded by 3 acres of beautiful gardens
and forest all around.
The house itself has five bedrooms with 9 beds, two bathrooms, a lovely kitchen and beautiful lounge.
Custom built to provide a cosy retreat space, Shiel House hosts a walled garden, Japanese-style pond and plenty of space to get away for a bit of quiet contemplation or private conversation if you like.
Japanese-inspired Pond and Bridge
set in the three acres of private gardens here
Sacred Pilgrimage
The house is not far from the River Devon and the atmospheric Rumbling Bridge Gorge (see photos here). While it’s been called ‘the Devil’s Mill,’ this is actually a sign that the place has long been considered sacred. Those Christian missionaries who believed there was a conflict between Celtic traditions and their own path would rename such places to try to scare people from the old ways. St Hildegard was, perhaps, unusual for she ‘smuggled’ these indigenous traditions into the church so that they could be preserved for the times when they are needed most.
Rooms & Rates
Shiel House - designed for Peace
For four days and nights of heavenly retreat in the Scottish countryside, the contribution is £450 (single bed in twin room). A £100 non-refundable deposit secures your place with the remainder to be paid by 1st August. If you’d like to discuss other payment options, please get in touch. Early bird rate: Book before 15th May and pay only £400.
Spaces are limited and early booking is highly advised. Previous year’s retreats have been magical beyond words.
To help keep costs down and enjoy the feeling of contributing together, each guest is asked to bring either a pasta dish or a curry dish to share. All the rest of the meals we will take turns cooking in teams with food provided. If you have particular dietary needs, please let us know in advance and be sure to bring anything special you might need.
Four twin rooms provide comfortable accommodation
Karma Yoga (selfless service). We ask all retreat participants to help keep the areas we are using tidy and well organised, including taking turns to wash dishes after meals. Loving mindfulness towards our environment is a beautiful practice for coming into our natural state of harmony & balance.
Any questions, just ask!
Booking/Queries Form
or click here to secure your place immediately
Retreat Hosts
Hildegard Von Bingen (1098–1179) was a Benedictine nun, abbess, composer of heavenly music, medical herbalist and physician, poet, visionary, and heart-centred revolutionary living in the Rhine Valley. She is known for her dedication to honouring the sacredness of nature, including human life, and speaking out for justice and for joy. Her life and wisdom teachings are a central inspiration on this retreat.
Vishwam Gurudas is a yoga minister and experienced yoga teacher, teacher trainer with Heart Of Living Yoga. He is also a wellbeing coach and writer inspired by the mystic poets and wisdom teachers of all traditions. Vishwam been practising yoga for over a quarter century and teaching for 13 years. He loves to listen, to laugh and to spend time in the healing presence of nature. Vishwam offers a special quality of inner stillness and outer joy for those who are seeking peace. He lives with his partner, Paul Stevens, in Shetland where they are currently fixing up an old croft house and establishing permaculture gardens in a former paddock.
Prasanna (Maggie McKeen) is an experienced yoga teacher and heart meditation facilitator based in the beautiful Falkland Estate in Fife. Prasanna has been practising yoga since the 1970s and has been teaching yoga for 24 years. A former nurse and doula, Prasanna has a keen interest in health and healing, particularly in supporting women recovering from birth trauma. Prasanna is a Heart Minister in training with Heart Of Living Yoga.