We received this precious feedback from our recent refugee yoga retreat, held for the second time at Lockerbrook Farm in the Peak District National Park in the UK. A mix of cultures, ages and backgrounds came together with compassion and embraced the yoga practices that were shared. 

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Dear friends, fellow yogis, kitchen warriors,

As we wrap up this unforgettable retreat, I wanted to take a moment — from the bottom of my stretched hamstrings and still-tingling chakras — to say a big, hearty THANK YOU.

A round of belly-breathing gratitude to our wonderful teachers: Yanar, Kerry, and Lynn, who guided us through flows, stillness, journaling, and something called sankalpa, which we’re still trying to pronounce correctly. You taught us that transformation can be gentle…

To all of you who washed dishes, chopped veggies, and scrubbed pots — you embodied karma yoga with sudsy grace. You reminded us that yoga doesn’t end with shavasana. Sometimes, it ends with compost.

And then, just when we thought the magic had peaked, came the final night: a fire was lit under the stars, not just in our hearts. We wrote down our inspirations, then — in a beautiful act of symbolic release — tossed those little papers into the flames. Sparks flew, literally and metaphorically. What followed was an impromptu world tour of dance and song, as friends from different countries took turns sharing rhythms, lyrics, and truly excellent moves. (Who knew yoga mats could double as dance floors?)

It was, in every way, a beautiful night.

Finally — thank you all for showing up. For sharing your voices, your stories, your giggles, and your willingness to be still, even when phones rang or someone next to you snored mid-meditation.

Let’s carry the peace, the joy, and the creaky-floor laughter with us — until the next time we roll out our mats together.

With gratitude, light, and possibly a few sore muscles,

Mohabbat Mohseni