Spring Yoga Retreat UK 2027

This spring yoga retreat in Oxfordshire is a weekend of unhurried practice at Charney Manor in the village of Charney Bassett, near Wantage. It is an annual gathering run by Pranasana Yoga, with yoga teacher Dorna Djenab among those leading it. Yoga sits alongside tai chi and qi gong, breath work, meditation and walks, and the classes are described as informal and refreshing. It suits anyone who wants a restful weekend away from the busy-ness of home and work, with good food and company included.

What to Expect

The retreat runs from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon, with check in at 4pm on the first day and departure at 4pm on the last. Friday begins with arrival tea and cake, then group introductions and a yoga session before dinner, and a relaxation meditation at 9pm.

Saturday is the fullest day. Morning yoga is followed by breakfast, and late morning is an informal walk for anyone who wants to join, with lunch at 1pm. A second yoga class runs in the late afternoon, then supper and an evening gathering at 9pm.

Sunday follows the same early rhythm: morning yoga, breakfast, then room check out over tea and cake. A short walk leads into a tai chi and qi gong session before lunch, and the weekend closes with a final session in the afternoon ahead of the 4pm departure. Across the days you can also expect energy and breath work, deep relaxation, meditation, and chanting and drumming. Between sessions there is time to read, chat or sit quietly in the gardens. The timetable is an example, so details may shift a little.

About Dorna Djenab

Dorna Djenab is a yoga teacher based in Hertfordshire who teaches with Matt Gluck as part of Pranasana Yoga. She has practised yoga for over 40 years and has taught for over 20, having come to yoga and meditation as a child. Born and raised in France, she moved to Persia/Iran at the age of nine, and she now lives as a British adult. That mix of West and East shapes her teaching: she speaks of reconciling what seems opposite, and of poetry and yoga as reminders of the beauty that can be seen amid the world's suffering. She also teaches live online classes, including Hatha yoga and mindful breathing.

The Setting

Charney Manor is a manor house in the Oxfordshire countryside, with parts dating to the thirteenth century. The rooms have been newly refurbished, and the grounds are a place for quiet time between sessions. Accommodation is either a single room or a room shared with another guest, with full board in both cases.

Meals are traditional home cooking made mostly from locally sourced produce, with tea, coffee and cake available through the day. The kitchen caters for meat-eaters, vegetarians, vegans, pescatarians, and gluten free and dairy free diets. Strict medical diets that need produce ordered specially carry a surcharge, and requirements go to the chef at least two weeks before the event.

Before You Go

No particular level of experience is required, and the classes are informal, so the weekend is open to all levels. Sessions are in English. The retreat includes all sessions, full board and accommodation. Travel to and from Charney Manor is not included.