Birch Moon - Yoga & Chant

08/05/2026

04/05/2026

All of this weekend I've been exhibiting at the Cheddar Arts Fringe Festival - a walking Arts Trail with over 40 artists.

But how does yoga and chant influence our creativity?

We are ALL creative - that will reveal itself in different ways. Art, sewing, cooking, gardening, problem solving...

Yoga and chant have improved my confidence, self esteem and sense of adventure...😃

These ancient practices help to reveal our true nature, and in turn that means my art flows more freely and in experimental ways. I'm no longer hesitant to, well, just go for it!

Finding my voice through chanting has influenced my artistic voice...still exploring, still playing, curious and excited by where this is taking me...

I'm beginning to produce abstract pieces too.. keep watching, I'll share soon...

The breadth and depth of yoga really does reveal our True Nature, aspects of ourselves that we didn't know were there, perhaps (art in my case) allowing dreams to become a reality.

I'd love you to manifest your dreams...what might they be? ✨️ 🙏

01/05/2026

🌸May Day - Beltane Blessings to One & All! - https://mailchi.mp/0f934ff9b91d/beltane-blessings

01/05/2026

You can hear the Maha Vakya Vedic Chant, which is believed to have come directly from the divine.

Humans have used chant to cultivate inner peace and soothe the nervous system for millennia.

When we’re facing challenges on a personal or global scale, chant can give us the support we need.

Chant can declutter the mind and help us to connect with ourselves.

Join me for a Mantra as Medicine Retreat Day on Saturday 6th June, 9.30am-4.30pm. We will explore Shanti (peace) mantras, which can help us to hold our energy and connect to our innate inner peace.

Seasonal, vegan lunch and refreshments included.

Early bird price available until 6th May (£75). Full price £85, two instalments available.

Held at the beautiful Hands On Retreat , nr Ashburton, South Devon (just 20 minutes from Exeter). 🙏

Visit my website or contact me 07974 340580

30/04/2026

Do you crave peace?

Whether that's a peaceful home or work environment, peace in your mind, calm in your body, and definitely peace in our world?

🦋Peace isn't experienced by just focusing on "love & light"...however beautiful that is.

🦋 Whilst Peace is our True Nature (along with Love of course)...

🦋 We are Human...with agitations, irritations, life challenges, grief.

🦋 Peace/Shanti mantras not only give our minds something positive and soothing to focus on...they can dissolve the energy of agitation, irritation, anger, grief...

SATURDAY JUNE 6TH - I am offering a retreat day in South Devon (just 20 minutes from Exeter) and would love to share a beautiful selection of Peace Mantras with you...

🦋 All the mantras have multi-layered meanings, different sounds influencing our body, mind, heart and soul in ways that are thousands of years old.

🦋 Woven into yoga asana(postures), breathing practices (pranayama), meditation and Yoga Nidra (yogic sleep) - we can learn, absorb and embody these mantras through a variety of practices...

🦋 Come and join us...all welcome. Beginners and those with experience. Chant, yoga, breathing practices/pranayama, meditation, Yoga Nidra (yogic sleep) - all infused with Shanti Mantra.

EARLY BIRD CLOSES 6th MAY...Vegan lunch, Organic herbal teas and treats included. Check out my Events or go direct to my website https://birchmoon.co.uk/retreats-events/

We can bring more Peace into our World by reconnecting to our Innate Peacefulness. Not easy I know...but when we gather together, chant, set good Intentions? Then it grows more powerful in our lives, our communities and...the world.

EARLY BIRD CLOSES 6th May - come and join us!

With Love, and Peace 🙏

Seasonal workshops, day retreats and weekend retreats blending yoga, chant and wellbeing practices in Somerset, Dorset and Devon.

29/04/2026

This is a non Vedic chant and the translation is as follows:

“Lead me from the asat (untruth) to the sat (truth). Unreality to reality! Lead me from darkness to light. Lead me from death to immortality.”

This is a “Maha” mantra, meaning Great. It is chanted daily by both Hindus and Buddhists, and at the end of a mantra practice to keep it pure.

The world is very heavy right now, and many of us are facing personal challenges. If we can find a way to stay aware of/connected to our inner peace, we can navigate these more easily. Mantra can declutter the mind and soothe the nervous system, enabling us to find the peace we need.

Join me for my Mantra as Medicine Retreat Day on Saturday 6th June, 9.30am-4.30pm. This is an opportunity to explore Shanti (peace) mantras.

The day will be infused with mantra, from gentle, holistic yoga to pranayama, meditation and Yoga Nidra (yogic sleep). Beginners and those with experience are warmly welcomed.

Seasonal, vegan lunch and refreshments included.

Early bird price available until 6th May (£75). Full price £85, two instalments available.

Visit my website or contact me directly to book.


 

27/04/2026

Sound is energy, and certain vibrations can shift and restore the balance within us, just as an ultrasound can break down kidney stones.

Even simple humming can stimulate the vagus nerve, and this calms the nervous system, improves digestion, boosts immunity and supports healthy social connection.

Humming and other vocal vibrations can increase serotonin and reduce stress and anxiety, letting your body know that you are safe.

Chanting is accessible to almost everyone - if you can speak, you can chant. You are welcome, whether you are a beginner or you have chanted before.

Visit my website or contact me directly for more information.


 

25/04/2026

Join us for the second in our series of retreat days exploring therapeutic yoga, healing chant and Ayurvedic self-care through the seasons.

Along with Ayurvedic practitioner Virginia Compton, I am offering these nourishing, experiential days designed to support your mind, body and energy in Kapha (winter/spring), Pitta (summer) and Vata (autumn).

Summer’s fiery Pitta season brings vibrancy, heat and intensity. This cooling retreat helps you soften the edges, slow down, and cultivate inner calm through restorative yoga, cooling mantra, and the balancing wisdom of Ayurveda.

You can expect a soothing, heart-centred retreat including:

* Cooling pranayama and gentle kriya practices
* Slow, meditative yoga with soft chant to settle the nervous system
* A Mantra as Medicine circle with calming, heart-based mantras
* A balancing Ayurvedic lunch (cooling herbs, hydrating dishes)
* An Ayurveda workshop exploring Pitta, digestion & emotional balance
* Time for reflection, rest and supportive conversation
You’ll learn how to work with Pitta’s fire in a healthy, empowered way – supporting your mind, emotions and energy through the height of summer.

All welcome — no previous experience in any healing modality is required – just an open mind, curiosity and interest in natural, self-care through ancient practices.


 

22/04/2026

🌸Peace is always within us... - https://mailchi.mp/6569c68c649b/how-to-find-and-maintain-inner-peace

22/04/2026

Many people start out feeling sceptical about chant - most are delighted to find that they can let go of their assumptions and experience the many benefits of chanting for themselves.

My next Mantra as Medicine Retreat Day is on Saturday 6th June, 9.30am-4.30pm. This is an opportunity to discover Shanti (peace) mantras. These can connect us to our innate inner peace, and this is a vital resource in difficult times.

The day will be infused with mantra, from gentle, holistic yoga to pranayama, meditation and Yoga Nidra (yogic sleep). Beginners and those with experience are warmly welcomed.

Chanting brings focus and clarity, connecting us to our true nature - if you can speak, you can chant!

Seasonal, vegan lunch and refreshments included.

Early bird price available until 6th May (£75). Full price £85, two instalments available.

Visit my website or contact me directly to book.


 

21/04/2026

Shanti...Peace...

Something we have to work at to be honest. Life throws us boomerangs and we can get thrown off track...physically, mentally, emotionally.

And true peace doesn't come from "Love & Light" - we have to deal with life's S**t...

When I was going through divorce I definitely didn't feel peaceful! But focusing on a (Vedic, original) mantra was my anchor.

Knowing what's currently going on in the world, I can get triggered if I'm not careful...so my practice is to sit (you can walk too of course) and spend just 5 minutes immersed in a Shanti chant. My mind focuses on the sounds, my body responds to the vibration, my heart softens and opens...

Being honest and open to our Shadow, witnessing with compassion, means aspects of ourselves are not hidden. Rather they are brought into the light, and we have the choice to change.

Mantra - protective for the mind, body and heart - can bring things to the forefront of our minds, reveal unhelpful patterns and then...with a gentle kindness, help to dissolve them.

Shanti Mantras - Peace chants - can shift our energy, infuse our whole being with the vibration of calm, equilibrium, Peace.

From simple, single syllable sounds to longer mantras - there are SO many Peace chants!

The one you will already know is Om Shanti Shanti Shanti...chant it, whisper it, think it...focus on the sound, and your mind will absorb this like the incredible medicine that it is.

Sacred medicine. Ancient medicine.

I have a Mantra as Medicine Retreat day coming up (6th June) where we learn different Shanti mantras - and weave them into yoga asana (postures), pranayama (breath practices), meditation, and Yoga Nidra (yogic sleep).

For you, your family and friends, community...the wider world. Lets come Home to our True Nature - that of Peace. (See events for details).

Saturday June 6th - 9.30am - 4.30pm. Ashburton, South Devon.