mother's day retreat
Held on the Friday before Mothering Sunday, this retreat is a gentle yet powerful invitation to pause – to step out of the doing, the caring, the organising and the constant holding of others – and to allow yourself to be held.
Created and delivered by mothers, for mothers, the day is hosted by Michelle Norton-Hughes, Women’s Health Physiotherapist, alongside Laura Neilson, Matrescence & Women’s Wellness Coach. Together they blend evidence-based education, restorative movement, reflective women’s circle practices, nervous system regulation and luxurious spa time.
Motherhood expands you – but it can also stretch you.Becoming a mother often reshapes how we see our own.It can soften us. Challenge us. Surprise us. It can heal things – and it can stir things.
The perfect gift for all mothers this Mother’s Day, why not share it with your own mother, mum friends, or simply gift this beautiful day to yourself this mothers day.
There is no “right” way to arrive – only that you do.
All mothers. All stories. All welcome.
Throughout the day we explore the physical, emotional and identity shifts that come with motherhood – from pregnancy and postnatal recovery to matrescence and even mothering alongside perimenopause.
Every session is trauma-informed, invitational and fully optional. Women are encouraged to participate at a pace that feels safe and supportive and sessions will be adapted by our Women’s Health Physiotherapist should you be pregnant or have any medical needs.
This retreat is for the woman inside the mother. A day of self-love. A day for you.
About michelle and Laura
Michelle Norton-Hughes is a Chartered Women’s Health Physiotherapist who works with women every day experiencing pelvic health concerns, persistent pain, stress-related symptoms and nervous system overload.
Many of the women she supports feel they have spent years pushing through discomfort, ignoring their own needs, or feeling disconnected from their bodies.
Michelle’s approach is gentle, holistic and trauma-informed. Rather than asking you to “fix” anything, she focuses on helping you feel safe, supported and more at home in your body. During the retreat, Michelle will offer coaching, education and guided self-care practices, including teaching gentle self-massage techniques to help you release tension from head to toe — from easing jaw and facial tension through to grounding techniques for the feet.
Laura Neilson is a Matrescence (Motherhood) & Women’s Wellness Coach and founder of Contains The Mother. With over 25 years of coaching experience, she now specialises in supporting mothers navigating the emotional and identity shifts that often accompany motherhood.
During the retreat, Laura will guide a grounding women’s circle, including meditation, reflective journalling, gentle seated movement and self-compassion practices. Her session creates space for mothers to slow down, feel seen and heard, and reconnect with the woman beneath the roles they carry.
Her facilitation is warm, validating and gently powerful – offering containment, clarity and connection.
how DOES it work?
A women’s circle, reflection and matrescence-informed coaching.
Women's Health-led education on pregnancy, postnatal recovery and long-term pelvic wellbeing.
Foundations Pilates session suitable for pregnancy, postpartum and beyond.
Grounding meditation, gentle embodied practices and self-compassion techniques.
Use of state-of-the-art gyms
Free sessions and classes, including gym intros, aqua classes, virtual classes, walks and talks.
Plus, up to 20 fitness classes each day
(additional charges apply)
Terms & Conditions
Some retreats are bookable through our partners. When this is the case, please use the contact details provided on the page to book your retreat.
There is a minimum number of people required for the break to run. Breaks will be cancelled if numbers are insufficient two weeks before the start of the break.
A day to nourish body, mind, and soul – a three-hour workshop on the truth of who you are.