FAQ

Most frequent questions and answers

Women's Retreat FAQ

Our retreat Director, Asma, uses a combination of cognitive, behavioural, interpersonal therapy and inner child work at the retreats. She also integrates nature and mindfulness therapies in the exercises and activities.
 
 Click here for more info on what’s included in the October and December 2021 retreats.
 
Asma always tries her best to be kind, careful and considerate to all participants; no one is put on the spot and everyone is included.
Each retreat includes a daily routine including morning exercise, breakfast, presentations (2-3/day), lunch, afternoon rest & evening fun. 
 
The therapeutic element of the retreat primarily consists of several psychoeducational presentations on the retreat theme (e.g. resilience). The presentations are interactive and encourage group discussion. Presentations are accompanied by a workbook and experiential learning activities. *Group discussions and activities include the right to pass.
 
Asma stays attuned to the needs of participants and avoids heavy and triggering content. We want all participants to enjoy their retreat experience and not to be overloaded with information.
You’ll have your own single bed and a washroom to share with 1-2 others, depending on the room you booked.
 
Each room includes clean bedding and towels. There are laundry facilities on site as well.
 
Our group norms mandate that participants are consistently clean and quiet in their rooms, and share the bathroom with care and consideration.

December is high-season for our accommodations, Blackadon Farm. As such, the cost of the retreat is higher.

There are male staff on site at the Cottages at Blackadon Farm, however men will not be present in the main hall used for discussions, activities and meals. If male staff will come in, we’ll always announce it.

While we would like to offer this, there’s no childcare available at this time.

Yes. All retreats include halal food, time for prayer, and encourage Islamic manners in discussions and interactions.
All women are welcome, and hijab and other personal choices are not a requirement to attend. Maristan does not welcome or permit pressuring individuals to perform acts of worship; we believe in the Islamic principle that worship is a personal choice.
The presentations and content draw on Islamic principles and teachings.
  • Breakfast consists of cereals, toast, eggs, spreads etc. 
  • Lunch consists of sandwiches/wraps and salads.
  • Dinner consists of a carb (e.g. rice, potatoes), meat (e.g. chicken) and salad. Exceptions are made for vegetarians.
  • Special accommodations (e.g. allergy-free, gluten/dairy free can be made) – please request this when you register.

Transportation is not included at retreats. The Cottages at Blackadon Farm is located in Ivybridge, Devon. The closest train station is Ivybridge Station, and we offer free pick-up and drop off to the train station on the retreat start and end dates.

Due to the short duration of the retreat, we can’t accommodate excursions at this time. However the retreat location, the Cottages at Blackadon Farm, is located in Dartmoor National Park, a beautiful wildlife reserve. The grounds are magical, a perfect place to retreat and relax.

Couple's Retreat FAQ

Our retreat Director, Asma, uses a combination of the work of Drs. John and Julie Gottman, Erich Fromm, the Clinbells and Stephen Covey in her work with couples. You can find a summary of the elements of the retreat here.
 
Asma always tries her best to be kind, careful and considerate to all participants; no one is put on the spot and everyone is included.
Each retreat includes a daily routine including morning exercise, breakfast, presentations (2-3/day), lunch, afternoon rest & evening fun. 
 
The therapeutic element of the retreat primarily consists of several psychoeducational presentations. The presentations are interactive and encourage group discussion. Presentations are accompanied by a workbook and experiential learning activities. *Group discussions and activities include the right to pass.
 
Asma stays attuned to the needs of participants and avoids heavy and triggering content. We want all participants to enjoy their retreat experience and not to be overloaded with information.
Yes. All retreats include halal food, time for prayer, and encourage Islamic manners in discussions and interactions.
All women are welcome, and hijab and other personal choices are not a requirement to attend. Maristan does not welcome or permit pressuring individuals to perform acts of worship; we believe in the Islamic principle that worship is a personal choice.
The presentations and content draw on Islamic principles and teachings.
  • Breakfast consists of cereals, toast, eggs, spreads etc. 
  • Lunch consists of sandwiches/wraps and salads.
  • Dinner consists of a carb (e.g. rice, potatoes), meat (e.g. chicken) and salad. Exceptions are made for vegetarians.
  • Special accommodations (e.g. allergy-free, gluten/dairy free can be made) – please request this when you register.
The retreat is not segregated according to gender; that means that presentations and activities will be done in the company of the presenters (including a woman and man) and other couples. 
 
However, our group norms mandate that we demonstrate respect for other couples at all times, which includes speaking and interacting from a healthy distance.
 
Also, all activities and personal discussion will be done between partners (i.e. we don’t team up individuals with someone other than their spouse). 
 
There will be group discussions and activities with the right to pass.

While we would like to offer this, there’s no childcare available at this time.

You’ll have your own double or king bed with an ensuite bathroom. Rooms are assigned on a first-come-first-served basis.
 
Each room includes clean bedding and towels. There are laundry facilities on site as well.
 
Our group norms mandate that participants are consistently clean and quiet in their rooms.

All of the rooms are in one large facility rather than separate cottages. They are spaced out in the same way that hotel rooms are spaced out.

Transportation is not included at retreats. The Cottages at Blackadon Farm is located in Ivybridge, Devon. The closest train station is Ivybridge Station, and we offer free pick-up and drop off to the train station on the retreat start and end dates.

Due to the short duration of the retreat, we can’t accommodate excursions at this time. However the retreat location, the Cottages at Blackadon Farm, is located in Dartmoor National Park, a beautiful wildlife reserve. The grounds are magical, a perfect place to retreat and relax.