Retreat, Release, Regenerate...Repeat

Synthesis held its first weeklong international retreat in April this year. Held in Ronda, Andalucia, immersed in nature, it was an absolute joy to lead. I could have continued indefinitely; being more energised and relaxed from the experience. When our passion is our work, life flows effortlessly in a nourishing balance of giving and receiving. That said, I couldn't have done it without the gifted skills of Fabia Santos our holistic therapist, Lucy Morris our holistic chef and Arie Uittenbogaard our general fix it man! Together the combination of our experience and skills is greater than each of us as individuals.

This video captures some of the feeling, comradery, connection, co-creation and change.

Synthesis retreat in Ronda, Spain 23rd to 30th April 2025

The retreat was truly amazing. So relaxing. A very special time to spend alone with no responsibilities but for oneself.

Participant feedback post retreat demonstrated an immediate improvement in physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, which has continued into the medium-term.

I am passionate about my work. It's about releasing untapped potential, the unknown unknowns. It is lifelong learning and personal development through exploring and releasing trauma. The process results in physical, mental and emotional healing and personal growth from the inside out. Activating the body's ability to heal itself.

Every large event I run is also an action research project, helping me to develop my work at Synthesis so that I can grow professionally too. To be able to help more people discover the unseen value that can emerge through difficult transitions. Transitions such as changing, leaving or retiring from jobs, loss of loved ones, financial loss, menopause, divorce, or just finding ourselves fatigued from over giving day to day. I help individuals to evolve through their change. 

Using the Jersey Opinion & Lifestyle Survey (JOLS) wellbeing questions each participant completed an online self-assessment before the retreat. They completed the same questions immediately after it had finished and were asked about the longevity of physical, mental and emotional change 4 months later. The remainder of this article demonstrates attendees experience of change through the Synthesis retreat.

The retreat reduced attendees' average anxiety scores from high to very low.

At the start, more than half of attendees were experiencing high anxiety. By the end everyone was experiencing low or very low anxiety.

The retreat gave me knowledge, a feeling of wellbeing, and a confidence that I can do things that I thought I couldn’t.

The event didn't just fill me with joy, everyone's happiness reserves were filled to overflowing during our week together.

I have really enjoyed this first retreat. It was everything I expected and more. I would certainly come to another one. I enjoyed the company of the group everyone was so friendly, and it was nice to have a good laugh again. I have come away with a new group of friends. The yoga was fantastic, and the weather and venue were beautiful. I had such a marvellous time.

By the end of the week most attendees were feeling much healthier.

I feel a lot happier and socially confident again. My body feels so much better for a diet of healthy food, and massage sessions and the yoga has made me feel so much more relaxed and my body more flexible.

We all hold trauma, both in our mind and body. It leaves physical imprints and has emotional and cognitive effects long after the event has passed. The reported success of the Synthesis retreat was due to the way it was designed to holistically support the processing of our trauma.

Synthesis yoga is somatic. I turn up as my whole therapeutic skilled self - psychotherapeutic coach, mindfulness meditation teacher, energy practitioner, massage therapist and traditional tantric yoga teacher. My super skillset is in sensory awareness; something that has evolved through my own healing journey. The yoga is gentle, mindful movement, using breathwork, and felt sensation or interoception. It releases stored tension and emotions from the body. The gentle, slow paced movements, conscious breathing and focused attention stimulate the nervous system, triggering the brain to release serotonin and dopamine. The "feel-good" chemicals that play a vital role in mood regulation. It reconnects the body and mind, builds self-awareness, teaches self-regulation tools and helps to dissolve patterns of fight, flight, freeze or fawn.

One of my pivotal developmental experiences was a yearlong training in relational dynamics at the Psychosynthesis Trust. It was one of the most challenging trainings of my career where the group had to sit in circle and talk at depth for an entire day each month. From it however, I learned the healing power of group communication. Sometimes it can be challenging and very emotive, but if held well it can be cathartic and bonding. I bring this experience and skillset to all my work, but it is fundamental in a group retreat, so attendees feel safe and able to express themselves freely.

I think that one of the most heart-warming post retreat intentions I heard was a desire to have a more emotional relationship with their partner. What a special kind of relationship that can be. One where we feel able to turn up in our vulnerability and express our emotions fully. In my experience, it creates deeper and stronger connections.

Fabia's massage therapy involves a trauma informed approach that uses safe, skilled cranial sacral touch, and deep tissue work. This helps the body release stored tension and knots alleviating chronic pain, improving the body-mind connection and calming the nervous system through the release of serotonin and dopamine.

Successful treatment comes from therapists who have fully explored their own trauma and continue to revisit it through ongoing personal development. Each time we go around the cycle it gets easier. It becomes the magical healing and growth elixir of our lives.

I feel I made peace with a few things that were still hanging over me. I felt supported and I felt comfortable and happy with new people. I loved the warmth and friendship I experienced. It was an overall lovely experience. It was not just about regaining flexibility in the body, it was very nurturing emotionally which I wasn’t expecting.

Lucy is a passionate health food enthusiast and a skilled chef dedicated to creating nourishing, flavourful dishes that support a balanced, vibrant lifestyle. With a deep understanding of the benefits of whole food ingredients. She combines her culinary creativity with a commitment to wellness, crafting meals that are as nutritious as they are delicious. As the week progressed, we were all eating more food but loosing weight. We had a metabolic reset.

Lucy also understands the importance of gut microbiome and the bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain - the gut-brain-axis. With up to 95% of the body's serotonin originating in the gut, we cannot overlook the importance of diet in our wellbeing.

When we work to release our trauma, we create space for more of our authentic selves to emerge and for our self-awareness to grow - transformation. This is a rewarding ongoing, lifelong process. A process that improves our sense of value, meaning and worth, whilst improving health & wellbeing, through stimulating the body's ability to heal itself. This was the experience of attendees.

The benefits attendees experienced from the retreat didn't end there. Four months after attendees have reported:

• A continuation of pain free living with full joint movement in the previously affected area.

• Elimination of recurring infections, with further improvement in physical body function.

• An ability to identify deep rooted thoughts and process them through sharing and discussion.

The retreat was a resounding success for everyone, both facilitators and attendees. As a result of my own learning and development from the retreat I am currently participating in grief therapy which integrates movement breath and sound in a new way for me to process trauma. I am finding it very beneficial. It is giving me a new set of tools for my own personal development. I am looking forward to starting training soon and to bring it to the next Ronda retreat on 2nd to 8th May 2026. I am also going to update my anatomy & physiology qualifications and revamp my massage skills to further support my clients with their healing. A little further ahead I have some plans to adapt my premises, so that I can offer more retreat space throughout the year. Grandma Sarah is taking some big steps forward. Watch this space!

The next retreat will have the same facilitators in the same location, but the offering will have evolved, as will the participants. One thing we can promise, IT WILL NOT BE THE SAME! We pride ourselves in responding to the needs of our clients.

Interested in finding out more about my work and what I can do to help you? Please feel free to book a 20 minute complimentary 1:1 here.

Sarah is a Psychosynthesis Executive Leadership Coach with further qualifications in systemic and embodiment disciplines. Her coaching clients are women, located in Jersey, France and London, in senior leadership roles, who are responsible for innovative change. Find out more about Sarah.