Yoga UK, Wellbeing Weekend, in:spa, Fitness

in:spa all inclusive health and fitness holidays combine energising outdoor fitness activities and yoga and gourmet healthy cuisine in an atmosphere conducive to relaxation and reflection.

The number of guests on every retreat is strictly limited, allowing everyone to enjoy personal nutritional consultations, yoga instruction in small 'same level' groups, fitness training and individual care and attention. The one to one focus ensures that our luxury health holidays are suitable for absolute beginners as well as the more experienced, of all ages.

A long weekend away with Neo and in:spa is a wonderful way of getting a positive, healthy fix and for getting your good intentions back on track. Four days of gourmet, cleansing cuisine combined with yoga practices and outdoor exercise (and time to simply relax too!) will leave you feeling energised and recharged, and much healthier.

The Yorkshire Dales are a fantastic blend of spectacular landscapes and outstanding cultural heritage. Combined with the sublime mix of in:spa cleansing cuisine, yoga, physical training and energising country walks this makes a perfect healthy weekend break. Just 2.5 hours from London by train or an hour by plane.

Middleton Lodge, an exceptional Georgian country house set in 200 acres of private parkland, is located within the northern part of the Yorkshire Dales in Richmondshire and encompasses a delightful array of contrasting valleys and breathtaking scenery. It’s the perfect antidote to busy, metropolitan lives.

This location has been carefully chosen for its combination of luxury, style and comfort combined with stunning grounds in beautiful, quiet countryside. The number of guests for each week depends on the number of people who want to share a room, but we limit the group size to 25, so that there is maximum individual time with the experts for each guest.

Although Middleton Lodge is tucked away in the countryside, it has excellent transport links.

Darlington railway station is only 7 miles away and offers an excellent link to Edinburgh (2 hours) or London Kings Cross (2.5 hours). For those travelling from London, we recommend catching the 17.30 from Kings Cross on Thursday evening, arriving Darlington at 19.52 On Sunday afternoon, the return train departs at 17.04, arriving Kings Cross at 20.06

By car, junction 56 of the A1(M) is 1.5 miles away and provides easy access to the North and South. The A66 is similarly close and provides access across the Pennines to the Lake District, or east to Teesside.

Durham Tees Valley Airport is 12 miles away and offers daily flights to many UK and international locations, including BMI to / from Heathrow.
www.flybmi.com
For other flight options, see: www.durhamteesvalleyairport.com

Frequently asked questions

Is it for me?
in:spa retreats are ideal for everyone who wants to spend time focusing on their own fitness and health and who wants to benefit from the expertise of some of the best practitioners and teachers in the world. It will be tailored to you because so much of your holiday is conducted on a one to one basis. The team will meet with you at the beginning of the week to discuss all aspects of your health and fitness, to ensure maximum benefits for you during the week. The team will discuss all aspects of your health and fitness with you during your sessions to ensure maximum benefits for you during the week. They will be with you throughout the day and evening and during all mealtimes, so there is always someone to look after your needs and answer any questions you might have. By the end of the week we will have developed with you everything you need to continue the good work at home!

If you aren't sure how to kick start a new healthy you, don't stress. Have an in:spa holiday.
Marie Claire

Travelling alone?
Many of our guests travel alone, and are looked after by our team of experts from the moment they arrive at the airport till we all say goodbye. The team is on hand to look after guests throughout the holiday and will make sure everyone feels at home and relaxed at all times. We have found that in:spa holidays attract a like-minded fun and friendly set of people, with firm friendships built during the week.

The in:spa week… has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life. It's been an utter privilege to take part. All the yoga and exercise and massage and naturopathy are fuel for transformation: but in the safest space possible. It's a chance to launch off; spread the wings. Thank you!
Lucinda Labes, Travel Editor, The Week

Has in:spa won any awards?
Voted one of The 150 Greatest Escapes in the World, and voted best for yoga, fitness and detoxing. Harpers Abroad Dec 03

Voted one of The 100 Best Spas and nominated as ‘Best for Detox' Harpers Spas Jan 04

What level(s) of yoga do you cater for?
Yoga plays an important role at in:spa and our friendly, expert teachers will provide individual attention to all our in:spa guests. Before the holiday you will be asked to complete a health and fitness form, which includes a question regarding your level of yoga experience, and this will enable our teacher to prepare a set of classes most suitable for the standards of the group that week. Classes cater for all levels - from the nervous novice discovering yoga for the first time, to the more experienced. You will find that your flexibility and strength make dramatic progress during the week, whatever your level at the beginning.

What level(s) of fitness do you cater for?
As with yoga, all levels of fitness are welcomed - from those seeing the week as a kick-start to a healthier lifestyle, to those with high fitness levels who want to up the intensity further. Completion of the health and fitness form before the retreat will enable our personal trainers to assess the fitness level of the group, and thereby build a fitness programme most suitable for the standards of the group for that week. Our trainers and hiking guides are experienced to cater for all standards, and we always have several hiking guides so that everyone can walk at their own pace during the hikes. Within the group activities our trainers expect different levels of fitness and give individual attention. Your one on one fitness session will provide you with the time to discuss your own fitness issues and goals to enable you to increase the effectiveness of your own training well after the week has ended.

If you’re looking for a more challenging health and fitness week, then in:spa intense may be just what you’re looking for. The holiday is just like a classic in:spa week, but simply more intense than usual. The hikes are more challenging, the circuit training sessions more demanding, and the personal training more intense. There are also a lot more optional ideas, such as morning fun runs and additional circuit training sessions.

What’s the hiking like?
With several guides on each hike, there's a pace and level for everyone. So everyone can enjoy breathtaking walks and be invigorated by the clean mountain air and the spectacular scenery.

What should I pack?
For yoga, hiking and personal training sessions you will need comfortable, flexible clothing such as a T shirt and track suit bottoms or any other exercise garb you are happy with. Of course you'll also need training shoes and walking / hiking boots. We also recommend a hat or cap and maybe even a small back-pack for cameras, personal items etc.

We will also give you a full check list of what to bring when you make your reservation, so you don't forget anything important!

Do I have to take part in everything?
in:spa holidays are designed to provide maximum health and fitness benefits for all guests, so if you take part in all the classes, hikes and excursions you will get the best overall results. But you do not have to take part in everything. After all, it's your holiday. However, there is also plenty of quiet time when you can just relax by the pool or in your room. Here's what the Sunday Times Style Magazine recently said:

The thing about the in:spa experience is you get out what you put in, and if you take on board the experts' advice and tailor-made recommendations, you will end up feeling as I did - rejuvenated, energised, excited by exercise (a miracle!) and much, much healthier.

What if I have special dietary requirements?
The health and fitness profile form, which you'll complete before the holiday will provide you with the opportunity to tell us about any special dietary requirements that you have - be it vegetarian, vegan or other requirements/allergies. We cater for everyone. Our nutritionists work closely with our chefs to devise a menu suitable for all guests and that can be tailored to meet all needs, and in addition they work together to ensure the finest local ingredients are sourced for the fabulous gourmet cuisine.

Will I starve?
We would like to quote from February's edition of House & Garden: The food is sensational, plentiful, home-grown and organic…

Can't imagine a holiday without a glass of wine?
During the week our chef and nutritionist ensure that we avoid all substances which are hard on our system, including alcohol, and this combined with the relaxation and exercise is what leads to the feeling of euphoric wellbeing at the end of the week. On the final evening, however, we reward all the week’s hard work with a glass or two of wine. You will have worked hard and so more than deserve it. However - a warning - most guests feel so highly energised and healthy after their week that they often choose not to have it!

How do I keep in touch with home/the office?
If you can't let your mind be fully immersed in your in:spa holiday because of unavoidable pressures back home or in the office, don't worry. All in:spa properties have reasonable mobile phone reception. However, for your sake, we'd advise you to leave as many stresses back home as you can - this is a unique chance for a wonderfully selfish week, and we want you to spend as much of the time as you can focusing on yourself and your own wellbeing, enjoying maximum time for reflection and relaxation.