Also, we were asked to get our intensions for the retreat in place, which we would be expected to share with the group, which at first I was extremely nervous about, but later learnt that this was to completely break any barriers with others on the retreat and made me really feel part of a community on a shared journey which was a HUGE part of my experience. It also allowed me to understand the different reasons as to why different people were on their journey which was a touching and moving realisation.

Within the first two minutes of the first meeting I knew that we were held in the most protected space to enable us to get where we needed to in our preparation for this retreat. I was really quite in awe at how well clued up and powerful it was.

After the first session we were all tasked with homework to journal on our intensions and to do some shadow work to normalise coming face to face with sides of ourselves we may have cut out of our memory in the past, things that are easier to leave in the dark or brush under the carpet. Coming to terms with this wasn’t easy at first but became easier and actually opened up many doors into my memory, allowing me to go deeper than I ever thought. It has really opened my eyes to the power of the mind. 

General Guidance:

After the first meeting, I was worried that I would feel lost for what I was supposed to do for my inner work that had been asked of me, but Tuined had made a WhatsApp group and was both encouraging general conversations and creating a real sense of community by encouraging meet ups, phone calls etc which really made a safe space for everyone to raise any issues or concerns. Also, there was regular reminders of how to stay on track, links to podcasts, videos and related articles being sent in to give people the best chance at familiarising themselves with the journey they were embarking on and really maintaining focus, which at times.

Also, we had to go on a strict diet for this retreat and Tuined gave us all a comprehensive list of foods to focus on, and would send in recommendations/suggestions of meals we should look to have to keep us on the right track, something which I felt I benefited from massively, being such a lover of foods that generally aren’t organic…

Apart from being given some amazing journals on our first meeting, on our second meeting we were given Tuined branded hoodies which everyone absolutely LOVED, as well as some branded water bottles for our trip. We really all felt like we were getting something back from Tuined on this journey as opposed to just paying for our retreat and turning up. 

Tuined originally planned three meetings before the retreat, each one to further the work and sharing of our journalling/intentions/shadow work as well as reinforcing any advice we needed to hear regarding anything from flight times to contingency planning. There really was no feel of paying for a service at all, because Tuined would allow the meetings to go on as long as they needed to and even offered everyone another one a week before we left for our retreat. This kept everyone’s nerves at bay and really allowed the group to bond that little bit extra so we could all feel like we were in this together – a core value of Tuined in.

Tuined shows the most kind, interest into each and every person involved in the retreats and no one feels like a number, all are one and all are in it together and support each other. It is a really beautiful thing to be a part of. 

Meditation

Part of any Tuined retreat is mediation, something I had never given any of my time before, but after the amazing sessions of guided meditation, this is something I have worked into my every day life, and use this as a tool to control my stress levels, maintain a balanced level of energy and to stay in touch with my body. 

With learning how to meditate I have found an extreme sense of self-value and really, pardon the cliché, found and seen myself for the first time in my life and it is a beautifully profound feeling. I have made such positive changes to my life, from day to day to long term and I really have to attribute this to the introduction of meditation into my life. 

Summary

In all honesty, the above words feel disjointed and I am extremely emotional writing this review because I will never forget one single moment of an experience which changed my life and introduced me to the real Marcus. I feel a thousand feet tall and in love with myself on a level that I really cannot describe. The people I have met on this journey are people that have gotten a place in my heart that will never be forgotten and have become real life partners for me, a real compliment to the values of Tuined. I often sit alone and get really deeply upset that my time with Tuined is over, because I honestly had the best 4 days of my entire life and I have learnt things about myself that I would have laughed at only a couple of months ago. I have been shown everything from the error of my ways in previous situations to what my inner morals really are, and what it takes to really feed my soul. I can never put into words how much I have been moved by my experience – all because of Tuined. I thank you so deeply and eternally. 

It is a bit of a unique scenario for me especially, because Tuined happens to be my Mum, and through her guidance and support on this retreat I have been given an opportunity to reflect on my own internal issues and blockages that have limited me in so many ways that have always eaten away at me but I have ignored for several reasons I didn’t pay attention to before this retreat. I got to really see my Mum in all of her power, and was shown how much I am in awe of her as a person, particularly in this environment. On this retreat she gifted everyone her FULL AND UNDIVIDED attention and support, which allowed everyone to be the most open version of themselves which was vital to this retreat and the work in and around it. She gives an enormous amount of love and ensures that this is shared with everyone in the group and really creates a space and feeling of family. She really is held in such high esteem by everyone involved because she gives everyone the opportunity to be the BEST version of themselves and is the scaffolding to support anyone and everyone to achieve this, no matter how long or hard the journey may be. 

I cannot recommend reaching out to Tuined and getting involved in the work she offers and retreats etc enough because you will learn things about yourself, drop any barriers you have subconsciously set for yourself and you will flourish in every single way. Since my journey I have woken up and gone to bed feeling so eternally grateful for the journey I have been gifted and have learnt how to really control part of my life that I just accepted as ‘normal’ previously. I feel on top of the world. 

I cannot thank you enough. 

I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Tuined, and I know in that I will be involved again in some capacity.