In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), late summer is recognised as the fifth season, associated with the Earth element. This period emphasises grounding and nurturing, aligning perfectly with my retreat's focus on holistic well-being.
Join me, root down into the earth element and find your centre and your steadiness, in the pioneering and beautiful, Knepp Estate on 10th August 2025, 10.30am - 5pm.
Rejuvenating Practices
This, is a season of rich stillness and sweet replenishment. In Chinese medicine, late summer teaches us how to be nourished on every level.
Qi Gong
Engage in energy-renewing Qi Gong, designed to harmonise your body's energy flow and promote self-healing.
Meditation
Participate in aligned guided meditation with me to help cultivate inner peace and mindfulness.
Acupuncture Therapy
Benefit from seasonal acupuncture treatments, tailored to restore balance and enhance your overall vitality.
Connect with Nature
Explore Knepp's rich biodiversity with the opportunity to walk in nature - offering potential encounters with free-roaming wildlife and serene landscapes. Enjoy a refreshing swim with the ducks in the gorgeous natural pond, providing a tranquil escape from the everyday.
Culinary Delights
Savor a delicious, seasonal lunch crafted from naturally nourishing ingredients, reflecting the bounty of late summer and supporting your journey towards balance and wellness. Seasonal teas, and sweet treats too. *image for illustration only
Your Transition
Late summer in Chinese medicine is a season of transition—a sacred pause between the vibrant energy of summer and the inward turning of autumn. It's a time to root ourselves, digest the fullness of recent experiences, and find nourishment in both body and spirit.
Just as the earth yields its harvest, we are invited to receive, reflect, and begin the gentle process of letting go.
The Earth
In this season associated with the Earth element, we’re reminded of the power of balance—between giving and receiving, movement and stillness.
Our retreat is designed to honour this moment in the natural cycle, offering space to reconnect with what sustains you, embrace the richness of the present, and ground yourself deeply in preparation for the months ahead.
Extend Your Retreat
A Truly Wild Night In
Pause, digest, and soften
into the abundance that surrounds you.
For a fully immersive experience, consider extending your experience and stay overnight in one of Kepp’s unique accommodations. View and book options direct on Knepp's website here.
Yurts
Experience the comfort of our handcrafted yurts, set within the wildflower meadow.
Shepherd's Huts
Enjoy the rustic charm of Knepp’s shepherd's huts, offering a cosy retreat amidst nature.
Treehouses
Reconnect with your inner child in the enchanting treehouses, providing a unique vantage point over the rewilding landscape.
Optional Enhancements
Wood-Fired Sauna: Enhance your relaxation with a session in the Nordic-style wood-fired sauna, available as an optional extra. Contact me if you’re interested.
Your Host Jo Darling
Jo has been helping people live happier, healthier lives for almost 20 years. She has a degree in Acupuncture and years of extensive study and practice utilising the ancient wisdom of Chinese medicine.
With deep expertise in the art of Yang Sheng, the practice of nourishing life, Jo creates a truly transformative wellness retreat. Blending acupuncture, Qi Gong, and self-care wisdom, she guides participants in how to eat, sleep, move, and feel in harmony with their bodies and nature. At each retreat, Jo ensures that every aspect of the experience is thoughtfully tailored, offering a deeply personal and enriching journey toward lasting well-being.
Through her retreats and Acupuncture practice she has witnessed the profound impact that self-knowledge coupled with bespoke, natural self-care practices can have on people’s lives. She has curated her retreats to give you the rare opportunity to do just that.
Testimonials
Jo is a great teacher, extremely talented and so much fun. She held the space for us all to be safe and open and flawlessly had the balance to be on the same level as everyone else.
Her healing talents are in her listening, understanding and communication as much as in her teaching and treatment sessions
Jayne
Molino Del Rey 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
Terms and Conditions
Jo Darling Day Retreats – Terms & Conditions
(For One-Day Local Retreats in the UK)Effective from 26 June 2025
1. Payment Terms
- Day retreats must be paid in full at the time of booking.
- You can choose to pay via Klarna on this website to spread the cost.
- If you'd like a payment plan, please contact me via the contact form and I’ll do my best to arrange something flexible.
- Payments are non-refundable, but your ticket is fully transferable to another person.
2. What’s Included
Your retreat fee includes:
- All sessions, activities, and teachings listed in the retreat description
- Meals and refreshments as stated
What’s not included:
- Transport to and from the venue
- Any additional treatments or sessions not listed as part of the retreat
3. Travel
- You are responsible for arranging your own travel to and from the retreat venue.
4. Health & Responsibility
- You are responsible for your own health and wellbeing during the retreat.
- By booking, you confirm you are physically and mentally fit to participate.
- Please let me know in advance about any medical conditions, allergies, or mental health concerns that may affect your participation.
- My retreats are not a substitute for medical care or therapy.
5. Liability
- I am not liable for any personal injury, loss, damage, or expenses incurred during the retreat, unless caused by proven negligence.
- You attend and participate in all activities at your own risk.
6. Changes & Cancellations by Me
- I reserve the right to cancel or reschedule the retreat due to unforeseen circumstances (such as illness or venue issues).
- In the unlikely event that I have to cancel, you’ll be offered:
- A full refund of what you’ve paid, or
- A transfer to another retreat of your choice (subject to availability).
7. Behaviour & Group Dynamics
- I aim to create a kind, inclusive, and respectful space.
- I reserve the right to ask a participant to leave (without refund) if their behaviour jeopardises the safety or wellbeing of the group.
8. Acceptance
By booking and completing your payment, you agree to these Terms & Conditions in full.
What is group acupuncture
Group acupuncture is acupuncture treatment in a group setting. Usually up to 6 people receive treatment simultaneously.
Before treatment Jo takes your full health history via an online form. On the day she'll ask about any current issues such as if you have your period.
Jo then treats you for relaxation and points to help your energy flow from one season to the next.
Treatment is of the same high standard as 1-2-1 sessions following heatlh and safety guidelines as set out by the British Acupuncture council.
I'm new to Qi Gong what does it entail?
Jo teaches very simple Dao Yin Qi gong. Slow meditative movements suitable for complete beginners to seasonal Qi Gongers.
Everyone will get something from the session no matter how experienced they are.
Dao Yin is self healing and non prescriptive with the breath. You can go at your pace and enjoy the gentle movement surrounded in nature.
What happens during the workshops?
As a self confessed Chinese medicine nerd Jo is passionate about sharing ancient wisdom for self care.
Too often medicine is about fixing when actually there's so much we can do to understand ourselves better and support our energy to optimise our wellbeing,
Jo shares Chinese medicine in a relatable, doable way so that everyone can find something to take away into every day life.
Payment
Payment terms
Payment terms from the T&Cs
- Day retreats must be paid in full at the time of booking.
- You can choose to pay via Klarna on this website to spread the cost.
- If you'd like a payment plan, please contact me via the contact form and I’ll do my best to arrange something flexible.
- Payments are non-refundable, but your ticket is fully transferable to another person.
Do you offer payment in installments
Yes you can either pay in instalments via Klarna or facebook. If you would prefer to pay direct via installments message Jo directly hello@jodarling.co.uk
What payment methods do you take?
Shop pay, Google pay, Apple Pay. Visa, Mastercard and Amex
