Breath Retreat
Power Weekend
October 24 - 27 2024 | Cheltenham, England
Thurs, Oct 24 - Sun, Oct 27
Join James Nestor, Breath Crüe, and an international group of fellow pulmonauts in the famed Regency town of Cheltenham, England as we explore the art and science of breath.
What can breathing do for you?
For thousands of years ancient cultures used breathing as a medicine to help heal the body and calm the mind. Modern science has more recently shown that harnessing our breath can measurably reduce stress, blood pressure, anxiety, depression, snoring, chronic headaches, and even asthma and some autoimmune diseases.
In this immersive four-day power weekend retreat, we’ll explore a new breathing practice each day, from relaxing and restorative techniques to more highly-energizing breathwork methods that heat the body up, lull it into a heightened immune response, and shift states of consciousness.
Breath Retreat Power Weekend includes more than 20 hours of instruction along with personalized assessments and training; alignment and biomechanics; as well as connecting and respirating with extraordinary humans.
At the close this retreat, each guest will leave with a toolbox of breathing practices to improve mental and physical state, anytime and anywhere, for years to come.
“I’ve never felt anything like this before — my mind and body feel brand new.”
R.S. (Denmark)
Kundalini • Tummo • Kriyas • Qi Gong Athletic Training • Buteyko Breathing Apneas • Pranayama
TICKETS & COST
Ticket Specifics
Breath Retreat Power Weekend will be held on the illustrious grounds of Cheltenham Ladies’ College, about 2.5 hours transit from London.
All admission levels include James Nestor’s multimedia lectures, breathwork sessions, assessments, and complementary tea and coffee. Nestor and breathworker staff will be on site during the entire weekend and available for Q&A, and more.
Tickets do not include lunch or lodging.
During check out, you will have the option to add on a bagged lunch (both Friday and Saturday). The lunch bag includes a sandwich, fruit, vegetable crisps, snack bar, and a juice box.
For more information on where to stay in Cheltenham see the Location & Lodging section below.
Please contact us with any questions: retreat@mrjamesnestor.com
General
£650
General Access is the most affordable option for Breath Retreat Power Weekend and is inclusive of all lectures, breathwork, complementary tea and coffee, hugs, and much more.
Reserved
£850
Reserved option includes all General Access with a reserved seat in the frontish rows of Princess Hall for all of Nestor’s lectures for the entire Power Weekend.
V.I.Pulmonaut
£1250
Verily Incredible Pulmonauts get all the perks of Reserved with an invite to an exclusive reception and dinner with James Nestor and the Breath Crüe on Saturday evening. (Very limited space.)
Location & Lodging
Cheltenham is a storied, classic Regency town, and a health and spa destination. It is located 150 kilometers west of London, about 2.5 hours transit time from central London via car or train.
We chose Cheltenham for the first ever Breath Retreat Power Weekend because of its beauty, access to nature, incredible facilities at Ladies’ College, and range of accommodation options.
There are dozens of hotels within a few minutes walk from the main lecture and breathwork halls, ranging from fancy to affordable.
“I wanted to express my deepest gratitude for the incredible experience. Breath Retreat is nothing short of transformative.”
S.D. (Canada)
Your Host
JAMES NESTOR is a science journalist and author of the international bestselling book, Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art, which has been translated into more than 35 languages and has sold more than three million copies worldwide. Nestor will lead daily multimedia informational sessions, live expert interviews, and archival reviews on the history and science of breathing techniques. Nestor will be available throughout the weekend during and after lectures to answer questions. Between lectures, Nestor will be performing music with the live band for the breathing sessions led by an inimitable, international coterie of renowned breathwork teachers known as the The Breath Crüe (pictured below, mostly semi-dressed, in water): Emma Estrela, Michelle Riordan, Michael Saier, Angela Bentley, Belinda Raphael, and with live music featuring the inimitable Marc Capelle.)
“James and his team were selfless teachers, constantly accessible and guiding us through each new program with grace and humility.”
M.K. (Germany)
Schedule
James and the Breath Crüe are all staying on-site and will be available throughout the weekend to answers questions, chat, and breathe with guests.
Schedule times below are subject to change. The subject matter and flow of lectures may vary slightly depending on the dynamic and needs of the group. A formal, final schedule with locations will be sent to registered attendees prior to the retreat.
Thursday, Oct 24 – Opening Lecture
James Nestor will open with a multimedia lecture overview on the ancient history and modern science of why humans are the worst breathers – and how to fix it. We will close with a meditative breathwork session.
17:45 - 19:00: Registration
19:00 - 20:30: James Nestor Lecture
20:30 - 21:00: Breathwork for sleep
Friday, Oct 25 – Breathing Biomechanics and Qi Gong
Fancy breathwork techniques will do little unless you first know how to breathe properly. On Friday we will focus on how to assess respiratory dysfunctions and offer clear instructions on how to improve biomechanics and breathing to bolster sleep, mental focus, and athletic while decreasing symptoms of asthma, anxiety, panic, and more.
We will also be exploring some ancient (and secretive!) breathwork techniques that have been practiced for thousands of years to heat and heal the body.
9:30 - 10:30: Group Breathwork
Note: The later start time is on purpose - you will want to eat breakfast early (a light breakfast at 7:00, or no breakfast, is highly recommended) so that food is digested in time for breathwork.
10:45 - 12:30: James Nestor Lecture
12:30 - 1:45: Lunch (on your own)
Option to venture out into Cheltenham and eat at one of the many restaurants OR stay on site and enjoy a box lunch option on the Garden Lawn commons. (Lunch option available at checkout.)
14:00 - 15:00: Group Breathing Biomechanics
15:00 - 15:15: Afternoon Break
15:15 - 16:30: Breakout Sessions
16:45 - 18:00: Group Breathwork
Saturday, Oct 26 – Kundalini
Building on the fundamentals of proper breathing, it’s time to shift to a higher great. On Saturday, we will be focusing on some more vigorous breathwork practices designed to quickly de-stress the nervous system and shift states of consciousness. The afternoon session will include an ancient, powerful group breathwork practice that cleanses the mind, body, and more.
9:00 - 10:15: James Nestor Lecture
10:30 - 11:30: Group Breathwork
12:30 - 13:30: Lunch (on your own)
Option to venture out into Cheltenham or join us on the Garden Lawn commons.
13:45 - 14:45: James Nestor Lecture
14:45 - 15:00: Afternoon Break
15:00 - 16:15: Breakout Sessions
16:30 - 18:00: Group Breathwork
19:00 - 21:00: V.I.Pulmonaut Reception and Dinner
Sunday, Oct 27 – Bon Buddhism Breathing & Respiratory Redux
This half-day will recap all of the techniques and tools you have learned over the weekend as we close with some practices from the Bon Buddhist tradition.
9:30 - 10:30: James Nestor Lecture
10:45 - 12:00: Final Group Breathwork
12:30: Close of Breath Retreat Power Weekend
FAQ & Additional Details
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Breath Retreat Power Weekends are perfect for anyone who breathes. We offer clear instruction, support, and an environment for guests to take their breathwork as far as they’d like to go, from biomechanics basics; gentle and nourishing practices; to full-on vigorous hour-long ancient techniques. You are the pilot at Breath Retreat; not the passenger.
We have hosted hundreds of humans from more than 20 countries all over the world, including New York CEOs to Sedona vanlifers; British physicians to Brazilian artists; teenagers to octogenarians; single people in a relationship to single people not in a relationship; couples traveling together to multi-generational families. You will be in the company of amazing people doing amazing things from all over the world. Children under the age of 18 are not permitted.
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Coffee and tea will be provided in the morning and at breaks. Guests may purchase a bagged lunch for both Friday and Saturday at checkout for £50. Lunch will be held at the Garden Lawn on campus. If you prefer to eat something other than a bagged lunch, Cheltenham has a handful of restaurants within short walking distance of lecture and breathwork halls.
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There are a handful of hotels within a short walk of Princess Hall and the breathwork halls. Please see the Location and Lodging section above for further details.
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There is a 10 minute walk from Princess Hall to the breathwork halls. If you have any mobility issues, please contact us at retreat@mrjamesnestor.com so that we can accommodate your needs.
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There are several car parks within a short walking distance of the college. We recommend St. Georges Road Car Park.
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All sales are final. You are free to transfer ownership of tickets, but we are unable to offer any refunds on any tickets. There is £150 rebooking fee for transfer of tickets.
Join Us
Space is limited. Please contact us with any questions: retreat@mrjamesnestor.com