Sometimes we need to take a break, reset ourselves, and step into a completely different rhythm of life. My two days at the Longevity Ayurveda Retreat with Rina Golan felt exactly like that – a gentle pause from modern life and an opportunity to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with my wellbeing.
A special thank you to Rina Golan for hosting me during her Longevity Retreat in Norfolk. All opinions expressed above are entirely my own.
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Set in peaceful surroundings and rooted in the ancient principles of Ayurveda, the retreat offered far more than a wellness break. It was a chance to learn how small daily habits, mindful movement, nourishing food, and rest can support long-term health and vitality, particularly as we move through midlife and beyond.
For many of us over 40, life increasingly becomes less about rushing from one experience to another and more about slowing down and restoring energy, improving balance, and leaving us feeling genuinely renewed. This retreat did exactly that.
What is the Longevity Ayurveda Retreat?
The Longevity Ayurveda Retreat combines Ayurvedic principles with yoga, mindfulness, relaxation, and lifestyle guidance designed to support overall well-being. Rather than focusing on quick fixes or intense detox programmes, the retreat encourages a slower, more sustainable approach to health.
Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of holistic wellness, is based on the belief that true health comes from balance – balancing the body, mind, digestion, sleep, movement, and emotional wellbeing. It combines diet, yoga, meditation, herbal remedies and therapeutic treatments using medicinal oils to restore balance within the body.
Over the course of my two days, I was introduced to Ayurvedic practices through nourishing meals, gentle routines, yoga sessions, and time to simply rest and reset.
What immediately struck me was how calm everything felt. There was no pressure to “achieve wellness” or transform overnight. Instead, the retreat encouraged something much simpler and perhaps far more important — listening to your body. And the word “diet” wasn’t mentioned once!
Meeting Rina Golan
At the heart of the retreat is founder and yoga teacher Rina Golan, whose warm and welcoming approach sets the tone for the entire experience.
Rina created the retreat to help people reconnect with themselves through movement, mindfulness, and Ayurvedic living. Her teaching style is calm, accessible, and deeply grounding, making the retreat suitable even for those who are completely new to yoga or Ayurveda.
Working with the Vaidyagrama Ayurveda Healing Village in Tamil Nadu, Rina has designed the Longevity Retreat to use the Ayurvedic practices to integrate and balance our bodies, minds and souls.
One of the things I appreciated most was that nothing felt intimidating or overly prescriptive. Rina’s focus was not perfection, but balance – encouraging guests to adopt small practices that could realistically become part of everyday life long after the retreat ended.
For many people over 40, wellness can sometimes feel overwhelming, filled with conflicting advice and unrealistic expectations. The retreat offered a refreshing alternative: gentle routines, nourishing food, proper rest, and a reminder that wellbeing does not have to be complicated.
Arriving and Settling In
From the moment I arrived, there was an immediate sense of calm. The environment of West Lexham in Norfolk encouraged guests to leave behind the noise of daily life and embrace a slower pace.
Unlike a traditional spa break, this was not about packed schedules or endless treatments. Instead, the focus was on creating space – space to breathe, rest, reflect, and simply be present.
After settling into my comfortable en-suite room, there was time to explore the surroundings, enjoy herbal teas, and ease into the retreat atmosphere, and join the other guests.
One of the first things I noticed was how quickly my body began to relax. Without constant notifications, emails, and distractions, even two days felt surprisingly restorative.
Gentle Yoga and Mindful Movement
Yoga forms an important part of the retreat experience, but this is not an intense fitness-focused practice. Instead, the sessions focused on mindful movement, stretching, breathwork, and reconnecting with the body.
Led by Rina, the classes felt supportive and accessible, particularly for guests, like me, who may not practise yoga regularly. The classes took place in the Village Hall, a central meeting place on the estate.
This gentle approach is especially appealing. Many people want to improve flexibility, mobility, posture, and balance without pushing themselves too hard physically.
The sessions emphasised:
- breathing techniques
- gentle stretching
- slowing down
- reducing tension
- improving circulation
- calming the nervous system
Practising yoga in such a peaceful setting also highlighted something we often forget in everyday life – movement does not always have to be intense to be beneficial. There was a lovely guided meditation to round it off.
The Personal Touch
Rina has not developed the retreat to be a one-size-fits-all programme. Yes, the yoga, meals and workshops were done together, but the consultations, therapeutic treatments and any supplements were individually tailored.
Each morning, Rina took a photo of our tongues. It was a strange request to start with, but actually a vital part of the consultation. We were also given a copper tongue scraper and encouraged to use it daily.
After our brunch, we each had a private consultation with Vaidya Dr Ramanandan, one of the classically trained Ayurvedic doctors at the Vaidyagrama Ayurveda Healing Village.
In my consultation, Dr Ramanandan explained the concept of the three doshas – Vata, Pitta and Kapha – energies that are believed to control the body. An imbalance in the doshas leads to emotional or physical symptoms. The aim of Ayurveda is to keep these doshas in harmony with tailored treatments and changes in lifestyle.
Dr Ramanandan checked my pulse, then gave me his verdict on my tongue. He diagnosed that I had issues with my neck, but also my historical gynaecological problems. Apart from those two ailments, I was relieved to know that I was very healthy.
The Ayurvedic Approach to Food
One of the most interesting aspects of the retreat was the food.
Our meals were served twice a day in the Flying Pig Café, with its colourful chairs and views over the garden. Brunch was around 11.30 am, dinner about 6.15 pm, and an energy ball as an afternoon snack.
This might sound as if there is not enough food, but Ayurvedic meals are designed not simply to fill you up, but to support digestion, balance energy, and nourish the body. We did not go hungry at all, and I was surprised that even in two days, my body adjusted to the routine.
Meals were fresh, wholesome, and carefully prepared, with an emphasis on natural ingredients and mindful eating. Most of the fruit and seasonal vegetables are grown in the Kitchen Garden on the estate.
Delicious dishes such as cabbage and fennel thoran, turmeric and black pepper pancakes and green lentil khichdi were plentiful.
The retreat encouraged guests to slow down during meals, eat consciously, and pay attention to how food affects both body and mind.
The food itself was comforting rather than restrictive — warming dishes, herbal teas, fresh ingredients, and flavours that felt both healthy and satisfying.
It also reinforced one of Ayurveda’s central ideas: that digestion plays a key role in overall well-being.
For many of us, especially during busy periods of life, eating becomes rushed and distracted: a snack on the go, in front of the tv, or scrolling on our phones.
Sitting down to calm, nourishing meals without screens or interruptions felt surprisingly grounding. And we talked to each other, laughed and shared our stories.
Learning to Slow Down
Perhaps the greatest luxury of the retreat was not the yoga or the food, but the permission to slow down completely.
Modern life encourages constant productivity, especially during midlife when many people are balancing careers, responsibilities, family commitments, and increasingly busy schedules.
The retreat offered the opposite.
There was time to:
- rest without guilt
- sit quietly, either in your room, the library in the beautifully converted barn or on one of the seats around the estate
- walk slowly in nature
- reflect
- disconnect from technology, it wasn’t a complete digital detox, but it just felt natural not to be glued to our phones
- enjoy silence, whether alone or with others, the silence was accepted and there was no need to fill the pauses
At first, slowing down can feel unfamiliar. We are so conditioned to filling every moment that stillness almost feels uncomfortable. But after a while, the slower rhythm becomes deeply calming.
Even within just two days, I noticed improvements in:
- sleep quality
- stress levels
- mental clarity
- overall sense of calm
The Setting: West Lexham Estate
Rina hosted the Longevity Retreat at the West Lexham Estate. It is the perfect place to relax.
Set within the peaceful Norfolk countryside, West Lexham Estate feels wonderfully removed from the pace of modern life. The estate is made up of beautifully restored barns, cottages and communal spaces surrounded by wildflower meadows, woodland and waterways.
A clear chalk stream winds gently through the grounds, adding to the sense of calm that settles over the estate almost as soon as you arrive. It is the kind of place that naturally encourages you to slow down, breathe more deeply and reconnect with nature.
Despite its tranquil atmosphere, West Lexham is far from austere. The estate combines rustic charm with thoughtful comfort, creating a relaxed environment that feels both grounding and welcoming.
Much of the produce used during the retreat comes from the estate’s biodynamic gardens, reinforcing the connection between wellbeing, food and the natural world.
Whether sitting quietly beside the water, wandering through the gardens or simply enjoying the stillness, the setting itself becomes an important part of the restorative experience.
Why Ayurveda Appeals to the Over-40s
One of the reasons I think Ayurvedic retreats resonate with the over 40s and, in particular, Rina’s approach, is that we focus on longevity and sustainable well-being rather than quick results.
By this stage of life, many people begin prioritising:
- better sleep
- stress reduction
- improved digestion
- mobility and flexibility
- energy levels
- emotional balance, especially peri and post-menopause
Ayurveda approaches these concerns holistically, recognising that physical health and mental well-being are closely connected.
Rather than extreme detoxes or demanding wellness programmes, the retreat focused on small, realistic practices that can be carried into everyday life.
For example:
- establishing calming morning routines
- eating more mindfully
- incorporating gentle movement
- reducing stress
- improving rest and recovery
These simple habits may sound basic, but they can have a profound impact over time.
The Importance of Rest
One thing that stood out throughout the retreat was the emphasis on rest.
In many wellness spaces, there is still pressure to constantly improve or optimise ourselves. The Longevity Ayurveda Retreat felt refreshingly different.
Rest was treated as essential rather than indulgent. There was encouragement to:
- sleep properly
- pause between activities
- avoid overstimulation
- spend time quietly
- allow the nervous system to recover
This felt particularly valuable in a world where many people are permanently overstimulated and exhausted.
The retreat served as a reminder that well-being is not always about doing more. Sometimes it is about doing less.
What Happens After the Retreat?
When the retreat is over, you are not abandoned by Rina. For about 3 months afterwards, there are regular check-ins, updates and meet-ups, where possible. It is reassuring to know that Rina is just at the end of a WhatsApp message, if you need her advice, support or just a friendly hi!
Did My Two Days Make a Difference?
Before arriving, I wondered whether just two days would be enough time to feel any real benefit.
Surprisingly, it was.
Of course, two days cannot completely transform your life, but they can create something equally important – awareness.
The retreat highlighted how disconnected I have become from my body and daily rhythms. Even a short stay provided a valuable reset and introduced practices that could easily continue at home.
I left feeling:
- calmer
- more rested
- mentally clearer
- physically lighter
- more conscious of my habits
Most importantly, I left with practical ideas that felt realistic rather than overwhelming.
Final Thoughts on the Longevity Ayurveda Retreat with Rina Golan
The Longevity Ayurveda Retreat with Rina Golan is not about luxury in the traditional sense. It is about something far more meaningful — creating space to restore balance, reconnect with yourself, and prioritise wellbeing in a sustainable way.
For anyone looking for more than a standard spa break, this retreat offers a thoughtful and deeply restorative experience.
Through gentle yoga, nourishing food, mindful routines, Ayurvedic Therapies and the calming guidance of Rina Golan, the retreat encourages guests to slow down and reconsider what true wellness really means.
In a world that constantly encourages us to do more, move faster, and stay busy, perhaps the greatest lesson of all was this:
Sometimes longevity begins with simply learning how to pause.
Further Information
Rina Golan’s Longevity Retreat lasts for between 5 and 10 days and is currently held twice a year, in spring and late autumn. She also offers one-to-one mentoring, a 4-day spring cleanse and the opportunity to join her in Tamil Nadu at a 10-Day yoga and Ayurveda Rejuvenation Retreat in February.
West Lexham is open to the public for holiday accommodation, lunches in the cafe and various other events during the year.
Are you interested in Ayurveda? Have you been on an Ayurvedic retreat? Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below — I’d love to hear from you!
