Previous Retreats

Claire Darlow is a Pilates instructor and has been involved in the health & fitness sector for over 20 years.

Her love of Pilates began when training as a dancer in London in the late 1990’s. Claire’s training as a Pilates teacher has been gained from various schools including: The Pilates Institute, Polestar Pilates and more recently Body Control Pilates, where she is currently the Qualifications Manager, overseeing the teacher training programme and qualifications.

Claire loves running retreats and is always passionate about putting together topics that benefit the client, sharing knowledge, movement and other tools that you can take home and use every day.

Claire’s clients don’t just comment on the physical benefits of her retreats but also the positive mental aspects and how good they feel afterwards.

“This was my second retreat and after France I wasn’t expecting it to be as amazing but it really was! Different but equally enjoyable. Yet again,another amazing group of woman that encouraged ,supported and empowered each other the whole time. I find that the retreats offer so much more than just Pilates or just time away, they are much deeper than that and leave you feeling enriched in many ways. Thank you for all your hard work, time, thought and dedication to all of the bigger and smaller details that make these so special”

“The retreat offered a nice blend of activities in a gorgeous environment to promote physical, mental, and some emotional healing. It gave me a space for relaxation, connection, and learning, and to adopt & re establish healthy habits and routines. Learning a little about the food and recipes from the chefs was a lovely bonus.”

Spring UK Women’s Wellness Day – March – St Neots

A day focused on making small changes to our everyday lives. Movement classes with a focus on balance and strength, a Neals Yard pamper session, healthy hearty soups for lunch and a relaxation session to finish the day. Rounded off with homemade cakes and brownies and a chance to catch up with old friends and make new ones.

Domaine du Pignoulet – France September 

After visiting this retreat for a training weekend I would not wait to host a retreat here myself.  Susie and James, who were wonderful hosts welcoming us with local wine, cheeses and food that was delicious and nourishing. From homemade granola and  figs picked from the trees in their grounds to  local cheeses after each meal we were well and truly spoilt. Their beautiful retreat space features a gorgeous indoor and outdoor studio for Pilates, a lovely garden to relax in, and a refreshing pool to unwind after a day of movement. The peaceful environment allows for deep rest and relaxation and the opportunity to take time for ourselves.

Autumn UK Women’s Wellness day October 

Following the successful spring wellness day we returned to  Berkeley Street Methodist Hall. This day retreat focused on Healthy joints and bones with exercises to take away to do at home. Our key note speaker, Kal Ratcliffe gave an interesting and informative talk about eating the rainbow, the importance of protein in our diets and how we can make small changes for optimum health. We also had Shannon O’Donnell from Wild Meadow Therapies who guided us through a therapeutic self massage showing how the power of touch can soothe your nervous system, reduce stress and act as a mindful self care practice.

Villa La Pena, Tarifa,  Spain May 

Returning to Villa La Pena for a second retreat at this venue this retreat was a mixture of clients who attended the previous year and new clients. With morning Pilates classes, the option of a massage or facial from a visiting therapist, walks along the beach, catching up with old friends or making new ones. There was plenty of time to rest, reconnect and relax in the beautiful grounds with a book or swim, chat or just relax.

Vila La Pena – Tarifa, Spain May 

This was my first retreat and we stayed at a gorgeous villa near Tarifa with both indoor and outdoor pools, a Pilates studio and grounds to relax in. This retreat was attended by 12 ladies who enjoyed delicious food and local wines, morning walks, movement sessions and swimming in the sea. One of the highlights of this retreat was an evening sound bath, a therapeutic meditation immersed in resonant sounds from gongs, bowls and chimes.