Sanctuary Sessions at the Wye Valley Sculpture Garden

Qi Gong & Soma Breath with Andy Squiff

Reconnect with yourself through movement, breath, art and nature.

Modern life can often leave us feeling overwhelmed by stress, pressure and constant demands. Whether you're managing a business, working in a demanding role, caring for others, or simply navigating the pace of everyday life, these sessions offer an opportunity to pause, reset, recharge and reconnect with yourself.

Join us in the Sanctuary Circle, a peaceful open-air space within the Wye Valley Sculpture Garden, for a deeply restorative morning combining the gentle flowing movements of Qi Gong with the transformative practice of Soma Breath.

Surrounded by mature trees, contemporary sculpture and birdsong, these sessions invite you to slow down, breathe deeply and reconnect with both yourself and the natural world. Practising outdoors has been shown to enhance feelings of calm, improve mood, reduce stress and deepen our sense of connection with nature. The Sculpture Garden provides a unique setting where art, landscape and wellbeing come together, creating an atmosphere that supports reflection, creativity and inner balance.

Meet Your Guide

Your session will be led by Andy Squiff, founder of Inspiral Flowstate. Andy began practising Qi Gong and Tai Chi in 2011 and later trained as a certified Soma Breath Instructor. Since qualifying in 2023, he has been guiding individuals, community groups and businesses through Qi Gong and breathwork practices that help reduce stress, build resilience and cultivate a greater sense of calm and wellbeing.

Known for his warm, down-to-earth approach, Andy creates a welcoming environment where both beginners and experienced practitioners can relax, reconnect and enjoy the benefits of mindful movement and breath.

During the session you will

• Calm your nervous system and quiet a busy mind.
• Release physical and emotional tension.
• Improve flexibility, balance and body awareness.
• Build resilience to everyday stress.
• Experience deep relaxation through guided Soma Breath.
• Connect more deeply with nature through mindful movement and breath.
• Leave feeling calmer, clearer and more grounded.

After the session

As these sessions take place outside the Sculpture Garden's public opening hours, participants enjoy the rare opportunity to experience the gardens in complete tranquillity. Following the guided practice, you are invited to remain for a 30-minute period of quiet reflection, giving you time to wander amongst the contemporary sculptures, sit beside the pond, or simply immerse yourself in the beauty of the landscape without interruption.

This additional time allows you to integrate the experience, deepen your connection with nature, and leave feeling refreshed, restored and inspired.

What to bring

• Comfortable clothing suitable for gentle movement.
• Flat shoes (or bare feet if conditions allow).
• A yoga mat or blanket for the breathwork practice.
• A bottle of water.
• An open mind.

Important Information

Breathwork is suitable for most people. However, exhale breath retention is not recommended if you:

• Are pregnant.
• Have epilepsy.
• Have a pacemaker or irregular heartbeat.
• Have severe uncontrolled hypertension.
• Have a serious respiratory illness or infection affecting breathing.
• Have organ failure or a late-stage terminal illness.

If you have any questions regarding your suitability, please contact Andy before booking.

Session Details

Venue: The Sanctuary Circle, Wye Valley Sculpture Garden
Duration: Approximately 2 hours, followed by 30 minutes of private reflection within the Sculpture Garden.
Suitable for: Beginners and experienced practitioners alike.
Booking: Advance booking is essential.