FAQ
What is Breathe - A Festival of Life?
Breathe is an annual event held at EarthSpirit Center near Glastonbury. It is the UK's first Breathwork Festival. Breathe aims to welcome practitioners, of all breathwork styles, to share their pearls with fellow breathers, who may or may not have experience of breathwork. Breathe hopes for breathwork to be more widely recognized and used as a modality that is available to each and every person alive, to assist us in our healing journeys, individual, collective and planetary.
Breathe is a celebration of the power of the breath and of breathing together. It is a celebration of life, in all its colours and shades.
What is Breathwork?
“Breathwork is a dynamic body-mind practice using conscious connected breathing techniques for inner peace, enhanced well-being and personal transformation. Breathing, beyond the basic need for survival, acts as a bridge between spirit, mind, and body; between the conscious and the subconscious. “Conscious Breathing” is one of the quickest ways to open the heart and energise the body.
When used in specific ways, breathing allows us to release and resolve emotions, belief systems, stresses and memories which are often inaccessible through the more conventional talking therapies.”
From: International Breathwork Foundation (IBF)
What if I have never done breathwork before?
Breathe welcomes everyone and no experience of Breathwork is required. Please note the contra-indications below. If you would like to, please let the Breathe team know in advance of the event, or at the event if you are new to breathwork, and we will ensure you have the support you need.
Are there any contra-indications to breathwork?
Breathwork results in certain specific physiological changes in the body and also can result in intense physical and emotional release. As a precaution, the following conditions are contrandicated in certain breathwork practices: pregnancy, detached retina, glaucoma, high blood pressure (not controlled with medication), cardiovascular disease including angina, previous heart attack or stroke, diagnosis of aneurysm in the brain or abdomen, uncontrolled thyroid conditions and diabetes, asthma, epilepsy, prior diagnosis of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or previous psychiatric condition, hospitalisation for any psychiatric condition or emotional crisis within the last 10 years, any other medical, psychiatric or physical conditions which would impair or affect ability to engage in any activities that involve intense physical and/or emotional release. On the Registration Form we'll email you, we will ask if you have any of these medical conditions or are taking any medication. These do not mean you can't participate but in some instances you will be advised to do a slightly different breathing technique. Please email us at admin@festivaloflife.co.uk if you have any queries, so we may advise you.
How big is the event?
This sixth year we are aiming to have between 130 and 150 attendees. But we are gradually growing still keeping the intimate atmosphere of a residential retreat.
Is Breathe suitable for me if I have accessibility requirements?
There are provisions in place to enable disabled access; please do get in touch with us directly if you have any questions so we can give you the best advice. When you buy a ticket and it is emailed to you, there is a link on the email which gives access to a registration document, you can also tell us about any specific requirements you have on this form. This form will also have been emailed directly to you. For more information about accessibility in our new venue please check here: Accessibility
Is the event child friendly?
Breathe is more like a residential retreat than what we all imagine a festival to be like. The programme is aimed at adults and is mostly workshops and talks. If you wish to bring children please email admin@festivaloflife.co.uk.
Can I book a private session with one of the workshop leaders?
Yes you can, please email the teachers directly. We will do our best to provide the suitable space. This will be at an extra charge.
what about the food? Do you cater for allergies?
During your stay, you will be provided with meals lovingly prepared by the EarthSpirit Center finest chefs. All food is vegetarian, drawing inspiration from modern world cuisine, Bhavan’s generous creativity and Trishna’s curious head. Garden produce is used when available including green salads and a large range of culinary herbs from their extensive herb garden. They source local suppliers for the ingredients whenever possible. Special diets (allergies/intolerances, vegan etc.) are cater on request and for a small supplement. There is a separate tea making area with a wide range of beverages and a fridge for any food participants bring.
Special diets – vegan, dairy-free, gluten/wheat-free – can be catered for when arranged in advance, so please remember to fill you Registration Form sent to you after you purchased your ticket, to let us know about you food restrictions. The venue can not guarantee to provide nut-free environment, so please get in touch if you have a severe nut allergy.
What about if I decide to camp?
The camping field is big and flat in some areas and slightly sloping in other areas. There are 2 compost loos and 2 shower cabins in the main field. There is also wildlife and camping area to the south of the lawn. It comprises a two-acre space and is being transformed with native trees, a path beside the stream, a wildlife pond/willow grove and a Druidic tree circle. If you are camping, showers and toilets are provided but you will need your own towels and bedding, along with your campervan or tent.
What is the Earth Spirit venue like?
The venue comprises many beautiful buildings and the grounds include beautiful countryside and woodland in which to relax and to enjoy. There is also a fire pit where fires will be lit in the evening. More info about the surroundings and facilities is available here https://www.earthspirit-centre.co.uk/index.php
What are the main venues like?
There is one large stretch tent which has open sides and has been used before at our event. The other main space has bi-fold doors down one side so these can make the space feel more open plan.
How many people are in a shared room?
Most of the rooms are twins or triple rooms and we hope to have 2 or 3 per room, unless you book a single room. However, if you're coming in a bigger group and want to all share a room, there are rooms with more beds.
Can I request who I share a room with?
Yes. Please email admin@festivaloflife.co.uk to request room shares. You can also note your preferences on the registration form. Breathe Registration Form
What are the rooms like?
There are rooms in the main buildings and also caravans around the grounds of EarthSpirit. You can specify your preference on the registration form, and we will try to accommodate your requirements.
Will the rooms have bed linen and towels provided?
Bed linen is provided. There will be no towels provided so please bring your own.
What do I need to bring?
Please bring a yoga mat for the breathes, a blanket, a water bottle, and a pillow, or bolster if possible. You may also want to bring a swimming towel and a costume if you are staying at the venue, and wish to use the sauna or hot tub. Mats for breathing, blankets and pillows will also be available at the venue if you can't bring them.
TICKETS
What is included in the ticket price?
Ticket prices include the event program, accommodation, meals and refreshments throughout the weekend (except for day delegates, for whom there is no accommodation but lunch, evening meal and refreshments are included).
I haven't received my booking confirmation and/or E-ticket, what do I do?
All booking confirmations are sent to the Ticket Buyer's email address. If you are the Ticket Buyer and haven't received your booking confirmation, the most common reason is that you typed in your email address incorrectly on your order. Please contact info@theticketsellers.co.uk or 0121 472 6688 and they will assist you in finding your booking.
What if I cannot pay for my whole ticket at once?
We offer you a split payment plan on all tickets - pay half upon booking and the balance 12 July 2024. Split payments will not be available from the 11th July onwards.
Why do you charge booking fees?
This money goes to the ticketing company and not us. It pays for their administration, customer and IT support that goes into processing ticket orders.
What happens if I have bought a ticket and cannot attend due to getting ill before the event?
This is non-refundable via Ticket Sellers. However, Ticket Sellers also offer an add-on insurance (Called ‘Booking Protection’) that will cover your ticket fee in case of eventualities such as injury or illness, including you getting Covid yourself or you need to self-isolate and many other scenarios (see the T&Cs at the checkout). This will be an option at the check-out when you buy your ticket.
Can I exchange my ticket and someone else can come in my place, if I get Covid and cannot attend?
Yes, if you let us know via email in advance and then you would need to make the arrangements to sell and get the money from the person buying the ticket and send them the email ticket voucher. They must complete the registration form and you must let us know you are not attending.
Will I get my money back if the event is cancelled due to Covid restrictions such as travel restrictions or a national lock down, or for any other reason, without buying the extra insurance offered by the Ticket Sellers ?
Yes, except for the ticket sellers booking fee, which is non-refundable.
What does the extra Ticket Sellers Insurance cover?
Ticket Sellers offer an add-on insurance (Called ‘Booking Protection’) that will cover your ticket fee in case of other eventualities, such as injury or illness, including you getting Covid yourself or you need to self-isolate and many other scenarios (see the T&Cs at the checkout). This will be an option at the check-out when you buy your ticket.
TRAVEL
What about parking?
Parking is available at a close by field but is limited so please lift share where possible. We will be promoting this on our FB page. You will need to let us know how you plan to get to Breathe via the registration form.
What is the best way to get to Breathe?
To assist with your travel plans we would like to share some information we hope you find useful. This information is available as a guide and we do recommend you check with local service providers directly for latest information.
Please go to FIND US page for full directions to the venue.
Alternatively, please see EarthSpirit's website https://www.earthspirit-centre.co.uk/gettinghere.php for a map and all info regarding getting here.
What if I'd like to request / offer a lift share?
We will create a post on Facebook group for lift shares nearer to the event.