Luminous Heart Retreat
5-day yoga and qigong retreat with Emma and Bex to harness summer’s radiance for balance, inspiration and flow.
Time & Location
Jul 01, 2026, 3:00 PM – Jul 05, 2026, 4:00 PM
Braziers Park, Ipsden, Wallingford OX10 6AN, UK
About
Across five days in the Chiltern Hills, we gather to uncover the Luminous Heart - the inner fire that illuminates and transforms.
This retreat is an invitation to slow down and listen deeply, through embodied practices, sound, stillness and time in nature. Drawing on ancient and contemporary wisdom, we'll work with alchemy as a living process: the art of turning experience into insight.
Through ritual, storytelling, and somatic exploration, we'll explore the abundant energy of summer's fire element - a season of expansion, vibrancy, growth and connected to the heart in 5 element philosophy - discovering how these qualities live within us.
You’ll leave with a felt sense of your inner spark, not as something to strive for, but as an expansive radiance already present and ready to be received.
What to expect
Our days weave together embodied movement practices: dynamic yoga to energise, qigong to find internal balance and yin yoga to restore with rest.
We'll explore meditation and visualisation, dive into the richness of ritual through tea and cacao ceremonies and gather for sound baths that soothe the body and mind.
Evenings bring storytelling around the bonfire, while quiet moments invite journaling and walks through woodland and orchards. Meals are nourishing and seasonal, grown on Braziers Park land.
Our retreats are device-free and include periods of silence as a powerful way to deepen your practice. If you're new to this, feel free to get in touch, we're happy to chat more about what this involves.
Your retreat home
Our retreat takes place in the enchanting grounds of Braziers Park - a Grade II listed gothic mansion nestled in the south Oxfordshire countryside.
Braziers Park is one of the UK's oldest intentional communities, and we share the space with its group of residents who collectively tend to the historic house, organic kitchen gardens, and surrounding woodlands.
In a setting that invites you into a deeper connection with the season's abundance we encourage you to explore the gardens, orchards and centuries-old trees.
Example schedule
8:00am Morning dynamic yoga
9:30am Breakfast
10:30am Free time
11:30am Morning session (philosophy, meditation, qigong practice)
1:00pm Lunch
2:00pm Free time
4:00pm Afternoon session (soundbath, breathwork, yin)
6:30pm Dinner
8:00pm Storytelling around the bonfire
9:30pm Relax/bed (noble silence until after breakfast the next day)
What's included
Four nights of accommodation
Three vegetarian meals a day
Daily practices
Daily soundbaths
Ceremonies (tea & cacao)
Cost of your travel to the venue is not included.
Your guides
Bex Arthur
Bex sees each class as a chance for transformation in the way we feel and inhabit the world. With a twinkly enthusiasm, she brings in teachings from Jivamukti yoga, yin, nidra, sound healing and Buddhism to settle the mind and explore expanded states of awareness. Bex is a Transpersonal Psychotherapist in training, inspired by the work of Jung and the power of myths and stories to help us make meaning of our lives.
Emma Tian Williamson
Emma is a qigong, mindfulness, and yoga teacher who believes that embodied practices are the antidote to the stresses of modern life. Passionate about sharing these tools, she guides others toward navigating the world with greater calm and ease. Growing up practicing qigong with her mother, Emma developed a deep connection to its meditative movements. Her classes blend Chinese philosophy, mindfulness, and somatic awareness, helping students connect with their inner wisdom of mind and body.
Rooms
Choice of a shared twin or single room in our comfortable lodging. Bathrooms are shared (only one en-suite room available).
Pricing
Single room with shared bathroom: £850
Shared room (with one double bed & one single bed) with ensuite: £850 per person
Shared twin room with shared bathroom: £790 per person
Camping (in tent or campervan - bring your own): £710 per person
FAQs
What shall I bring?
Here is a recommended list of things to bring
Comfortable clothes to move in
Slippers/indoor shoes
Waterproof jacket
Shoes/trainers you can walk in
Toiletries
Towel
Journal/notebook & pen
Ear plugs, just in case
I'm new to yoga, qigong and meditation - is this retreat for me?
Beginners are very welcome on this retreat. Our morning yoga classes will be dynamic, however adaptations will be given for all levels. You can also opt out of these classes if they are not for you.
I'm pregnant, will adjustments be given for me?
Pregnancies are welcome on this retreat, and adjustments will be given for you during our yin and yoga practices. We will have one breathwork practice which we advise sitting out of if you are pregnant.
How do I get to Braziers Park?
The address is Braziers Park, Ipsden, Oxfordshire, OX10 6AN.
From London the retreat centre is reachable by public transport:
Take the train from London Paddington to Reading
From there catch the X39/X40 bus to Braziers Park
From London by car:
Leave M4 at Junction 8/9
Proceed to Henley and then on through Nettlebed to the Crowmarsh roundabout (A4130)
Turn left onto the A4074 towards Reading
Ignore 2 left turns signposted Ipsden, take the next left turn at the bottom of a hill for ‘Braziers Park’
We encourage lift sharing, let us know if you are looking for a lift or if you would like to share space in your car.
Can I drink alcohol on retreat?
Our retreats are alcohol and drug free to support the process of clarity and depth into your own experience.
Can I use my laptop/mobile on this retreat?
We encourage you to go device-less on this retreat. Disconnecting fully from the outside world can really help you get the most out of the experience. We understand that completely disconnecting may not be feasible for everyone with responsibilities at home, so the decision is ultimately yours. We will offer the option of handing in of your phone at the start of the retreat.
What if we (the organisers) have to cancel the retreat?
In the unlikely event that we need to cancel this retreat, you’ll be offered a full refund (including your deposit).
Do you arrange a transfer to the venue?
We arrange a shared taxi transfer from Reading station to Braziers Park. Please let us know when booking (or via email) if this is something you require.
Can I come on my own?
Yes! Most of our retreatants come on their own. It's a wonderful way to make new friends and connections.
Testimonials
"It was my second year attending the Liminal Space Retreat and it did not disappoint - a beautiful, soulful, nourishing weekend! The sessions were all incredibly thoughtful and well curated by Bex & Emma - with the perfect balance of practice & rest." Pip, 2025 retreat
"I cherish my time on this retreat, I loved the practices that span a wide range of activities and the solitary space, to settle the feelings and insights. Braziers park is just stunning, the community living there is very welcoming and open to chat with, and food and accomodation were outstanding! Would highly recommend this retreat." Giulia, 2025 retreat
"It was wonderful to leave with a renewed sense of peace and inner-calm, and share it with a group of warm, like-minded people. Emma and Bex's different approaches, skillsets and personalities complement each other beautifully. The programme was thoughtful, balanced and flowed perfectly." Lydia, 2025 retreat
"It was a truly restorative weekend. You guys really thought about every detail and created such a beautiful vibe where everyone felt safe and right at home. I really felt like a different person leaving 🤍 " Sarah, 2024 retreat
"I feel very different today compared to last week before the retreat, and I know the effects will stay with me for a while. I’m inspired to make some positive changes based on the clarity I gained over the weekend. Thank you!" 2024 retreatant
Booking T&Cs
After you click Book, you'll be asked to complete a form which asks for a few details. We'll then be in touch via email with details to transfer your deposit.
Your place is confirmed on payment of a non-refundable deposit of £200.
Final payment is required 2 months before retreat start date, after which we won't be able to issue a refund should you cancel your place.