Friday 5:00 PM - Sunday 3:00 PM / Monday 9:00 AM

Ebb & Flow: A Women’s Health Retreat

November 20–22, 2026 | Fenham Farm, Northumberland

In the wild, tidal landscape of the Holy Island coast, the water knows when to reach and when to retreat. Our bodies carry that same ancient wisdom, yet we often live in a permanent "high tide" of stress and doing.

Ebb & Flow is a weekend sanctuary designed to help you return to your natural rhythm. Through the restorative depth of Somatic Yoga and the vital energy of Embodied Flow, we will explore what it means to live in a body that feels like home.

This isn't just a yoga retreat; it’s a masterclass in your own physiology. We dive deep into:

The Ebb: Somatic tools to soothe the nervous system and release deep-seated pelvic tension.

The Flow: Functional movement and nutritional wisdom to balance hormones and reclaim vitality.

Set against the bracing Northumbrian air and the cosy firesides of Fenham Farm, this is your invitation to soften, strengthen, and flow.

Limited to 11 guests. Step into the tide.

"Coming to Ebb & Flow is an act of 'Un-Doing.' You don't need to be fit, flexible, or 'balanced' to arrive. You just need to be curious."

The Language of the Nervous System: Somatic Yoga

At the Ebb & Flow retreat, Somatic Yoga is our deepest "Ebb." It is a practice of radical slowing down—a journey from the thinking mind into the feeling body. Unlike traditional yoga, which often asks the body to reach a specific "peak" pose, Somatic Yoga asks: “What am I feeling right now, and how can I move with more ease?”

In the rugged, quiet landscape of Northumberland, we use this practice to re-educate the brain-to-muscle connection. When we experience stress or "high tide" living, our muscles often stay in a state of Sensory Motor Amnesia—they forget how to fully relax. Somatic Yoga uses gentle, conscious movements called pandiculations to remind the nervous system how to let go of chronic bracing.

The Heart of the Practice:

The Ebb (Sensing & Releasing): We spend much of our time close to the earth, focusing on the back of the body and the large muscle groups of the spine and hips. By moving slowly—often with eyes closed—we dial down the "noise" of the external world and tune into the internal "whispers" of the fascia and nerves.

The Flow (Repatterning & Grace): As we release old patterns of tension, we create space for new, more efficient ways of moving. We don't "stretch" the muscles; we "melt" them. This creates a profound sense of internal spaciousness that supports hormonal health and reduces the physical burden of anxiety.

Somatic Yoga is not about how you look from the outside; it is about the quality of your internal environment. It is the practice of "wintering" within—tending to the roots so that your movements in the world can become more fluid, grounded, and authentically yours.

Moving with the Tide: Feminine Flow

At the Ebb & Flow retreat, Feminine Flow is an invitation to stop "performing" your movement and start inhabiting your essence. While traditional exercise often focuses on the external shape of a pose, Feminine Flow centers on the internal experience—the felt sense of your muscles, your breath, and the sacred fluid systems of your body.

Inspired by the ever-changing shoreline of Northumberland, this practice is non-linear, rhythmic, and deeply intuitive. We move away from rigid, linear stretching and toward a vocabulary of spirals, undulations, and waves. By mimicking the natural movements of water, we hydrate our fascia, stimulate lymphatic drainage, and awaken the dialogue between the mind and the body’s deeper tissues.

The Ebb: Intuition & Listening

We begin by slowing down to the speed of the nervous system. We listen for where the body feels "dry" or "stuck," using micro-movements to invite space back into the hips and heart. This is the practice of yielding—releasing the need to "hold it all together" and letting the earth carry your weight so you can find true ease.

The Flow: Expression & Vitality

As we build momentum, we follow the body’s natural, cyclical desire to move. We focus on "un-bracing" the joints and allowing the spine to ripple. This rhythmic, fluid movement helps to flush out cortisol and direct fresh, oxygenated blood to our hormonal centres, stoking the fires of our innate vitality.

"In Feminine Flow, there is no 'wrong' way to move. There is only your way."

This is a practice of reclaiming your sovereignty—learning to trust your body’s impulses, honouring your personal rhythm, and riding the wave of your own unique, feminine power.

The Root of the Flow: Pelvic Vitality

At the Ebb & Flow retreat, we view the pelvis not merely as a group of muscles to be "strengthened," but as the foundational basin of our physical and emotional vitality. In many modern fitness cultures, women are taught to keep the pelvic floor in a state of constant, rigid contraction. At Fenham Farm, we invite you to rediscover its natural, tidal intelligence.

The pelvic floor is a dynamic diamond of muscle and fascia that should respond to your breath like a trampoline, not a tightrope. It is the anatomical "floor" of our core and the energetic "root" of our nervous system. When we live in a state of chronic stress, this area often becomes the "vault" where we lock away tension, leading to physical stagnation and a disconnected sense of self.

Our Pelvic Vitality practices focus on the "Full Tide":

The Ebb (Release & Space): Before we can find true strength, we must find the "drop." We use somatic sensing to identify hidden bracing patterns, learning to consciously soften and lengthen the pelvic bowl. This down-training of the nervous system is essential for pelvic health, circulation, and hormonal transport.

The Flow (Response & Power): True pelvic vitality is about responsiveness. Through functional, embodied movement—mimicking the spirals and sways of the North Sea—we wake up the deep stabilizers of the hips and lower back. We move away from isolated "squeezing" and toward an integrated, bouncy strength that supports us through every stage of womanhood.

By befriending this sacred center, we do more than improve our physical integrity; we reclaim our "ground." We move from a place of stability, allowing the rest of our lives to flow with more ease and confidence.

Understanding the Tides: Hormonal Balance

At the Ebb & Flow retreat, we move away from the idea that our hormones are "problems to be solved" and instead view them as a dynamic internal tide. Just as the Northumbrian coast is reshaped by the sea, our energy, mood, and physical strength are shaped by the shifting concentrations of our endocrine system.

In the modern world, we are often expected to live in a "Permanent High Tide"—a linear state of constant productivity that pushes our cortisol (stress hormone) to its limit. When cortisol stays high, our restorative hormones—like Progesterone and Oxytocin—begin to ebb away, leading to burnout, disrupted cycles, and pelvic tension.

Our approach this weekend is two-fold:

The Ebb (Clearing & Calming): We use somatic stillness and liver-supportive nutrition to help the body metabolize "spent" hormones. By lowering the baseline of stress, we create the safety the body needs to regulate its own endocrine rhythm.

The Flow (Nourishing & Moving): Through rhythmic movement and functional fats, we provide the raw materials and circulation necessary for hormonal vitality. We learn to "cycle-sync" our lives, matching our output to our internal season—whether that is the high-energy "Spring" of ovulation or the reflective "Winter" of menstruation and menopause.

This weekend is an invitation to stop fighting your biology and start flowing with it. By listening to the subtle cues of your nervous system, you aren't just balancing your hormones; you are reclaiming your vitality.

Honoring the Cycles: Ceremonies & Rituals

At the Ebb & Flow retreat, our ceremonies and rituals serve as the "sacred anchors" of the weekend. While our movement practices tend to the physical body, our rituals tend to the spirit and the subconscious. In the modern world, we have largely lost the communal spaces that mark transitions, honor our cycles, and acknowledge the changing seasons of our lives.

Set against the ancient, rhythmic backdrop of the Holy Island coast, these moments of ceremony allow us to step out of "linear time"—the world of clocks and to-do lists—and into "circular time," where we can align with the natural world and our own inner wisdom.

The Heart of our Rituals:

The Ebb (Release & Clearing): Just as the tide pulls away from the shore, revealing what was hidden beneath the waves, our "Ebb" rituals focus on shedding. Through fire circles, journaling, and symbolic release, we offer up the stagnant energy, old stories, and hormonal "high tides" that no longer serve us. This creates the essential "void" or quiet space necessary for new growth.

The Flow (Intention & Integration): Our "Flow" ceremonies focus on calling in and sealing our transformation. Using local elements—Northumbrian sea stones, coastal flora, and collective sound—we anchor our new somatic patterns into our physical memory. These rituals are not about "performance," but about witnessing—being seen by a circle of women as you reclaim your rhythm.

Ritual is the language of the soul. By participating in these intentional acts at Fenham Farm, you aren't just taking a break; you are marking a turning point. You are telling your nervous system and your heart that your healing is a sacred priority.r

Extras

• Holistic Treatments (at extra cost),

• Beautiful countryside walks on the doorstep,

• Meeting the Alpacas,

• Possible excursion to Holy Island (depending on the crossing times), Berwick or Bamburgh.

Fenham Farm:

Fenham Farm is a self-catering accommodation and retreat venue with a gorgeously light and airy yoga studio space, situated in a beautiful location on the Northumberland coast and surrounded by stunning countryside, overlooking Holy Island.

This seaside escape provides the perfect "container" for this work, with its quiet, pared-back rooms and proximity to the natural rhythms of the coast.

The converted farm buildings provide a warm, "hygge" atmosphere essential for down-regulating the nervous system.

Reviewers frequently praise the "cooked-to-order" breakfasts and the incredibly peaceful atmosphere that allows for deep reflection.

Since it's November, the farm’s proximity to the Lindisfarne Nature Reserve provides a powerful backdrop. The "big skies" of Northumberland allow for a sense of perspective, while the high-quality barn conversions offer the physical warmth and "hygge" necessary for hormonal health (warmth = safety = lower cortisol).

A Quick Note on "The November Light"

In late November, the sun sets around 4:00 PM in Northumberland. This early darkness is actually a gift for an Ebb & Flow retreat—it encourages the body to produce melatonin earlier, supporting the deep restorative sleep we are aiming for.

Accommodation:

The Granary at Fenham Farm is a distinctive venue for celebrations and tailor made experiences including creative workshops, activity breaks and retreats.

There are a total of 7 ensuite bedrooms, converted from original farm buildings. Inside each bedroom, you’ll find all round modern comfort with cosy underfloor heating, luxurious Egyptian cotton sheets and feather down duvets. The main Granary building houses two bedrooms, generous lounge with stunning sea-views, spacious dining room and fully equipped kitchen.

Guests can relax in the spacious upstairs lounge and enjoy the amazing sea views. It is accessible by lift. One end of the lounge has seating around a large picture window looking out over Holy Island. The other end is a cosy, comfortable space with a wood burning stove.Books, games, jigsaws, television and local information are all available here.

Accessibility:

Fenham Farm Retreat Centre is fully wheelchair accessible with a lift and accessible bathrooms, making it a suitable venue for those with mobility issues.

Shared Ensuite Triple Room:

£375/ *£425 pp

3 spaces

Shared Ensuite Twin Room:

£475/*£525 pp

8 spaces

Private Ensuite Double Room:

£575/ *£625 pp

3 spaces - SOLD OUT

*Extra night stay (until Monday 9am)

The Total Cost of the retreat includes:

• Two nights’ accommodation (Friday - Sunday) in a peaceful, nourishing setting

• Option for extra night stay till Monday morning (9:00 AM departure) including morning yoga practice and breakfast.

• All meals and refreshments lovingly prepared

• All Yoga sessions & Embodiment practices

• Guided workshops,

• Time and space to rest, reconnect, and remember who you are.

NOTE: We’ve intentionally priced this experience to honour the deep care, presence, and energy that goes into creating a sacred, supportive space — while remaining accessible for those truly ready to invest in themselves. Only book if you are ready for this commitment.

• Payment plans are available for those who need to stretch the energy — simply see the options at the checkout.

• If you wish to stay an extra night on Sunday and depart on Monday morning at 9:00am, additional cost of £50 is required and available to book at the checkout.

• If you choose the payment plan option, the final payment is due not later than 6 weeks prior to the retreat, after that the full amount is payable at once.

Other payments options are possible. Please CONTACT ME to discuss the details:

Marta Jackson

07774391395

retreats@fomyoga.com

Payments:

All payments done via booking system.

You can complete your booking in one full payment or use a Payment Plan option at the checkout.

If you're using Payment Plan to pay for your stay, you commit to the terms at which payment plan is set up: First payment is taken at the time of booking, than further payments will be deducted from your card after time of 2/3/4 weeks or a month from the time of booking.

A small (1.4% +20p) convenience booking fee will be added to each payment by the booking system at checkout.

The final payment of your balance fee is due no later than 2 weeks prior to weekend retreat commencing.

Cancellations:

Please note that refunds are not given for cancellations. This includes deposits and balance payments. You are strongly recommended to take out insurance to cover reasons for non-attendance. As it is a short-term holiday it is strongly recommended that you take out adequate insurance for sickness, cancellations, and loss/damage to property.

In the very unlikely event of your retreat being cancelled by me, you will be offered an alternative date when one becomes available.

Cancellation policy is firm. Payment to FOM Yoga/ Marta Jackson indicates agreement with the conditions above, you will also be asked to tick a box on your booking form to confirm that you have read and agreed to these terms and conditions.

Behaviour:

Abusive or unkind behaviour towards teachers, staff, or other students will not be tolerated either online or at classes, and FOM Yoga reserves the right to cancel your booking if it is felt that your behaviour is inappropriate.

Limitation of Liability – FÕM Yoga:

In the unlikely event of injury, illness or theft or disruption to program, Freedõm of Movement Yoga/Marta Jackson is not responsible for any loss or damage to your personal property, or for any injury or illness sustained during the retreat.

Please check with your GP that you are well enough to attend the retreat for Yoga activities and walking (retreats are aimed at beginners and experienced practitioners alike, but if you are unsure, it’s best to check).