our story
rested: was born from a simple question: why does it feel so difficult to truly switch off?
Like so many women, we found ourselves constantly moving from one thing to the next, working, rushing, ticking off endless to-do lists and always feeling like we should be doing more. We realised that while we’d become good at planning holidays and weekends away, what we were really craving was something that left us feeling genuinely rested.
We searched for retreats that combined movement, beautiful surroundings and meaningful connection, but struggled to find something that felt like us. We wanted the joy of reformer Pilates, the creativity of a workshop, delicious seasonal food, cosy evenings around the table and space to simply breathe, all without feeling intimidating or overly prescriptive.
So we decided to create it ourselves.
rested: is our way of bringing together everything we love: joyful movement, beautiful homes, nourishing food, creativity, nature and genuine connection. More than anything, we wanted to create the kind of retreat we’d both want to book ourselves, a place where you can arrive exactly as you are, leave the outside world behind for a while and return home feeling lighter, calmer and inspired.
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We believe rest isn’t something you have to earn, it’s something you deserve.
Our mission is to create beautifully curated reformer Pilates retreats that help women slow down, reconnect with themselves and leave feeling stronger, calmer and more inspired than when they arrived.
Through movement, creativity, nourishing food and meaningful connection, we create experiences that remind you of the joy found in slowing down and the beauty of simply being present.
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We want rested: to become more than a retreat.
We envision a growing collection of seasonal retreats that people return to year after year, a community where women feel welcomed, supported and inspired through every season of life.
As we grow, we’ll continue to create experiences that celebrate movement, creativity, nature and connection, always staying true to what mattered from the very beginning: creating spaces where people feel completely at ease, cared for and able to come home to themselves.
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Rest is something you deserve.
Not something you have to earn.
Movement should feel joyful.
Not intimidating.
Connection happens naturally.
When people feel comfortable enough to be themselves.
Beauty lives in the little things.
Fresh flowers. Seasonal food. Candlelight. Slow mornings.
You’re welcome exactly as you are.
No pressure. No expectations. Just space to be.
The best retreats stay with you.
Long after you’ve unpacked your bag.
your hosts
steph
co-founder & reformer pilates teacherI’m Steph, a reformer Pilates teacher who believes movement should feel welcoming, not intimidating.
I know reformer can look a little scary at first, I certainly wasn’t expecting to fall in love with it four years ago, but I did. The joy I found through Reformer is something I want everyone to experience.
What I love most is how it strengthens, lengthens and challenges your body, while giving your mind somewhere else to be. When you’re on the reformer, you can’t think about your overflowing inbox or tomorrow’s to do list. You’re completely present and that’s a rare feeling. A rested feeling.
As a teacher nothing makes me happier than seeing someone arrive feeling nervous and leave feeling stronger, more confident and pleasantly surprised by what their body can do. My classes are always warm, encouraging and supportive, with just the right amount of challenge. There are no expectations to perform, just an invitation to move in a way that feels good for you.
Before teaching Pilates, I spent over 15 years working in hospitality, and I think that’s shaped the way I host just as much as teaching has. I love creating beautiful tables, trying new recipes, cooking generous meals and making people feel completely at home.
I’m happiest with a glass of wine in hand and the final dish laid on the table as everyone tucks in.
For me rested: retreats brings those two worlds together in joyful movement and thoughtful hosting. My hope is that every guest leaves feeling capable, cared for and already looking forward to the next time we all gather around the table.
I’ve always been drawn to creating beautiful experiences that bring people together.
My background spans fashion, marketing and charity work, but at the heart of each of those chapters has been the same purpose: creating connection. Whether that was building a brand, bringing people together around shared experiences or helping people connect to something bigger than themselves, I’ve always been fascinated by the moments that make people feel something.
Over the last decade, I’ve become increasingly intentional about slowing down and finding joy in the everyday life. I love romantising the ordinary, the first coffee of the morning with fresh flowers picked from my garden, a beautifully laid table for friends, linen drying in the sunshine, an evening lake swim followed by a sauna or simply a journal and a candle at the end of a busy day.
I’ve realised that those small rituals aren’t just beautiful, they help us reconnect with ourselves, with nature and with others.
rested: grew from that belief.
My creative background continues to shape everything I create, from the visual identity of rested: to the creative sessions we’ll share, the retreat space and a beautiful laid table to bring us together at the start and end of our days. Creating an atmosphere that allows you to exhale, feel calm, inspired and genuinely cared for.
For me hosting, isn’t about perfection. It’s about making people feel at home.
My hope for rested: is that every guest leaves having laughed, moved, created, rested deeply and formed connections with themselves, nature and others. And if they go home inspired to romanticise their own everyday life - to buy themselves flowers, gather friends around a table, take the longer walk home or simply pause with a morning coffee - then we’ve create something far bigger than a retreat.
co-founder & experience curator natalie
we can’t wait to meet you
Thank you for taking the time to get to know us and the story behind rested:
We hope you’ve got a little glimpse into why we created these reformer Pilates retreats and the kind of experience we are so passionate about sharing.
Whether you’re joining us for your very first reformer Pilates retreat or returning for another season, we can’t wait to welcome you.
“Everything they host feels thoughtful. From the table setting to the home cooked food, the music and the little details, you can tell they’ve poured so much care into creating an experience rather than just organising a dinner.”