Testimonials

“Profoundly transformative” Daisy Australia

I have struggled with my mental health for no obvious reason my entire life, seeing various psychologists and professionals along the way but by far this retreat has been the most impactful in helping me get clarity and a path forward.
As someone who was reluctant to go on a “trauma” retreat due to no obvious one traumatic incident, I can confidently recommend this experience to anyone that has experienced a shakey sense of self, anxiety or depression. The way Tess explains things sits somewhere between a therapist and a friend, her extensive knowledge and experience means that she can adapt and change her method/tools she provides based on what is most effective for you – the whole experience is highly personalised to ensure you are working in a way that serves you most effectively.
It’s really difficult to sum up everything in one testimonial but I have walked away feeling more at home in my body, less afraid of the world and with a renewed sense of hope that life isn’t going to play out for me as I once thought it would.
The combination of professional psychologist sessions and the morning/evening movement and connection to body – and the freedom to opt in and out as we needed – made this retreat a non “woo-woo” and profoundly transformative experience that honestly she should be charging a lot more for. 
If you’re someone who therapy once a week isn’t working for, someone who has never done a retreat before and is looking for something more on the real side than the spiritual side – I highly recommend booking in to fast track your  mental health improvements. 
Grateful doesn’t even cut it.
Daisy xx

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“An unforgettable experience” Daiva, Lithuania

This was my first retreat, and I did not know what to expect and therefore felt a little bit apprehensive about booking it. From the first moments of meeting Tess and Marina and arriving at the Monastery I felt very welcome and at ease.

Daily schedules were just perfect to feel occupied, and engaged yet free and flexible. Every day was a new experience as I was learning a lot about myself, my feelings, my emotions, and most importantly understanding, acceptance and empathy towards myself.

Tess is very knowledgeable, attentive, empathetic and real. I enjoyed group exercises where everyone was very open and engaged. It was truly amazing to see a positive transformation of each individual as we progressed through the week .

121 sessions were very intense and deep. Tess made me feel like I could completely bear my soul without feeling exposed as she make me feel secure and protected.

The food was absolutely amazing. The quality and everyday variety was impressive. Marina’s cooking skills deserve an award!

I think this retreat is just perfect for anyone who is emotionally distressed and needs that space to just stop and allow yourself to live through these emotions. The stunning monastery surrounded by pure nature, fresh air, and the helping and caring hands of Tess and Marina is the right direction to finding light and hope.

Thank you for an unforgettable experience, Tess and her team.

“Brilliantly inexplicably powerful” Ellie, USA

I am not sure what expectations I had of the retreat before I attended. I just knew that I was overwhelmed, grieving, and broken. It turned out that Tess can genuinely transform you within those 7 days.
Yes, the monastery is utterly beautiful. Fifteenth-century frescos, ancient brickwork, soaring ceilings, and a sense of peace. The accommodation is sweet, humble, honest, and in keeping with the period of the site. There are multiple beautiful vistas to enjoy and the sounds of the birds across the horizon are truly deafening.  You’ll have fabulous yoga lessons and visit some stunning little villages.
But it is Tess that you really go for. The depth of her knowledge, experience, and expertise is priceless. She took three very overwhelmed women in my week and left us lighter, more positive, and in control, than we were when we arrived. Her 121 sessions are hard to describe but brilliantly, inexplicably powerful. You sort of become more empathetic towards yourself.
I have come away cleansed of my habitual stresses and traumas and equipped to at least meet future stresses full-on.
My family are genuinely impressed with my development and I’m incredibly thankful for the week I spent there. It was not always comfortable. The work was hard. But Tess is completely in control of her skills and ability and will astound you if you lean in.

“Very cathartic.” Laurie, U.K.

I came on this retreat on a bit of a whim. I looked at it as a bit of an escape and an opportunity to tackle some old issues once and for all. But having been on many retreats in the past that delivered little, my expectations were pretty low.

However, this retreat was very different from others. Lots of 1:1 time with Tess was very useful, as was being in a small group of very like-minded women who coincidentally had very similar (yet different) life issues. This was part of the magic of the retreat as it was the first time I felt seen, understood, and realized all of my screwy childhood experiences are actually more common than I realized and nothing to be so ashamed of.

That alone was very cathartic – like the whole retreat itself.

Nothing dramatic has changed from my being on the retreat, yet everything has changed because for the first time I realise there’s nothing massively wrong with me that needs to be fixed – I just need to be more compassionate with myself. I left with a better sense of awareness of the real issue in my life (spoiler – it wasn’t what drove me to the retreat in the first place) and an action plan of the changes I need to make to move my life in the direction I want it to move in.

Tess was very kind, accommodating, and generous with her time and space. I highly recommend this retreat.