Welcome to Following the Moon Retreats - the UK’s Bespoke Retreat Service.
Following the Moon Retreats are immersive one- to three-day journeys that blend ancient practices — involving movement, breath, stillness, and sound — to help you reset your nervous system and reconnect with your energy, body, and mind, whilst attuning to the rhythm of nature.
It’s a return to something you forgot you knew.
Led by the widely experienced holistic health coach Miles Kempton, each retreat includes:
Qigong & Tai Chi to awaken to your energy field
Breathwork & Meditation to calm the mind & nervous system
Daoist Alchemy - Return to the Source.
Tea Ceremony & Gong Bath to restore & ground
Add ons: Reiki/Sekhem, Acutonics Sound Healing, and fitness.
Yoga, Drumming, and more holistic therapies can be requested.
Whether you're new to these practices or seeking to deepen your inner work, you'll leave recharged, rebalanced, and realigned.
Our Philosophy
Following the Moon is rooted in deep philosophical and spiritual tradition. In Daoism, the moon embodies Yin energy — stillness, reflection, nourishment, intuition, and the quiet power of inward movement. These retreats are an invitation to slow down, unplug from the noise, and reconnect with your inner rhythm.
As the moon waxes and wanes, it reminds us that nothing is permanent — that rest, release, and renewal are as essential as action. The moon also calls us to honour the feminine — not in doing more, but in being more.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine and Daoist philosophy, true health comes from aligning with the cycles of nature. The moon affects many things including tides, hormones, sleep, and subtle energy. To follow it is to return to natural law — and to remember what the modern world often forgets: that life is cyclical, not linear.
Many energy traditions note how lunar phases influence energetic practices, dream states, and emotional clarity. Retreats held during full or new moons amplify these effects, making them an ideal time for Qigong, meditation, breathwork, and deep inner healing.
You’re invited to step away from the noise and the chaos — and return to your natural rhythm.
Come and join us!
What is Qigong
(Chi Kung)
Qigong is Chinese in origin and translates as “energy work.”
It’s over 4,000 years old and evolved from early shamanic healing practices, as well as Daoist internal alchemy, Buddhist meditation, and Traditional Chinese Medicine. It integrates mindful movement, breathwork, and intention.
The initial goal is to sense your own Qi (energy). Once you can feel it and begin to interact with it, you can accumulate and circulate it through the body. This is where the healing aspect begins. In Chinese medicine, it’s believed that all disease starts with stagnation in the energy channels — so clearing and unblocking these channels becomes essential for restoring health.
Modern science agrees that the body is energetic by nature.
The heart emits a measurable electromagnetic field, and the entire nervous system runs on electrical current. Brainwave activity, muscle contraction, and cellular function all involve bioelectricity. These energy fields exist within us and around us — and they can be felt. Some people are naturally sensitive to this; others can be taught to sense their own Qi.
That’s what we do in Qigong: through relaxation techniques, specific hand gestures and postures, breathwork, and mindful movement, we access our energy and learn to guide it to different parts of the body. This practice stills the mind and its galloping thoughts, resets the nervous system, improves circulation, balance, and posture, and supports emotional stability and regulation. It grounds the body while simultaneously energising it.
Qigong is one of the most profound practices you can experience. It offers deep transformation and gives you agency and autonomy over your body, health, and mind.
Upcoming Workshops & Retreats
23 August 2025
Beginners Introductory
Workshop
Upminster Sanctuary
10:30 - 13:30
£60
4th October
Sensing your Qi
Day Retreat
Thames Chase Upminster
10:00 - 16:00
£120
Request A Retreat
Bringing the full experience to you — in your own space, home, garden, studio, workplace, and on a day and time that suits your schedule.
Every Package can Include: Qigong, Taichi, Meditation, Breathwork, Tea ceremony, Gong Bath, Sound healing and Reiki/Sekhem. As well as Stretching, Strength training, and fitness if required.
Additional offerings: Practitioners can be brought in for Yoga, Pilates, Drumming, Reflexology, Massage, Acupuncture, Lymphatic drainage and many more depending on their availability.
*Any Group size can be requested: 1–20+ people (depending on location size)
*Pricing varies based on Group Size and Location (if having to hire). Contact for details.
So if you need to unplug, unwind and unlock your true energy then feel free to Request a Retreat, a Private Ceremony, a specific Workshop, or a 1-1.
What to Expect on the Day
Here’s a rough example of what can be taught on an Introductory Qigong Day.
Other retreats and examples include: yoga, reading breaks, nature walks, wild swimming etc
9:30am - Presentation/Webinar on the history of Energy Work, Qigong, and the Five Elements
10:15am - Movement Principles, Wuji Structure, fundamental demonstrations & practice
10:45am - Tea Break
11:15am - Zhan Zhuang Prep Work & Qi Sensing
12:15pm - Tai Chi Demo
12:45pm - Lunch
13:45pm - Digestion Work and Qi Reintegration
14:15pm - Five Element Qigong
15:00pm - Meditation
15:30pm - Tea Break
16:30pm - Sound Healing & Gong Bath
17:00pm - Meditation
17:20pm - Qigong Slow Flow
Requested Retreats can be custom built in advance to suit your needs and preferences. Chat to Miles
About Miles:
Hi everyone,
My name’s Miles — I’m a holistic health coach, founder of Five Element Fitness and Following the Moon Retreats.
I’m a Qigong teacher, personal trainer, reiki Master, and former sound designer — and I’m lucky enough to fuse all of those worlds into a unique healing and training system that’s both practical and transformative.
My journey with Qigong started unexpectedly in 1998 during a random Tai Chi class. I was blown away by the strange and beautiful sensations of Qi — but it wasn’t until around 2014 that I got reintroduced and returned to the practice in earnest. Since then, I’ve studied with the most incredible masters & teachers and explored a variety of Qigong forms and systems — as well as meditation, Tai Chi, Daoist alchemy, and classical Daoist scriptures.
One thing that really captivated me was the standing postures. I kept hearing stories of how, in traditional China, students would often be told to stand in “tree pose” for a year before being taught anything else. All I felt at first was discomfort and pain — so I knew there must be something deeper I hadn’t yet tapped into. That mystery pulled me in and inspired my practice.
Over time, that pain turned into presence, and that awareness turned into immense sensitivity. Qigong has become one of the most profound and mind-blowing aspects i’ve experienced.
These retreats were born from two deep desires:
To share the beauty and potency of these ancient Eastern traditions — especially Qigong — and help people feel their own energy field.
To offer a simple, sustainable path to healing — for the modern human with a burnt-out nervous system, anxious mind, and overwhelmed body.
Qigong is your Antidote.
It’s the perfect bridge and halfway house for those who find intense movement as well as seated meditation too hard & difficult. That’s why it’s often called Moving Meditation — or even Moving Medication.
I truly believe Qigong is one of the most important practices of our time — and I can’t wait to share it with you.
Learn with Us Online:
The retreat is just the beginning. If you’re inspired by what you experience and want to continue learning, growing, and cultivating your energy — we invite you to explore the Five Element Fitness platform.
This is our online community for those interested in:
Qigong, Tai Chi, Daoist meditation & breathwork
Internal alchemy & nervous system healing
Strength training, mobility & holistic fitness
Seasonal nutrition & energetics
Mindset, energy awareness & long-term wellbeing
You’ll get access to:
Weekly live webinars, classes & workshops
A full library of on-demand video content
Structured courses to deepen your practice
A supportive community space for guidance & accountability
This is a subscription-based platform, and membership is by request.
👉 Request to Join by Contacting via the page below — we’ll send you more info and next steps.
Contact us.
Email: followingthemoonretreats@gmail.com
Phone/Whatsapp: 07595377400
Upminster. UK
FAQ’s
What do I wear?
Wear comfortable, layered clothing you can move in — similar to yoga or light exercise wear. We may do practices both indoors and outdoors, so bring layers, a warm jumper, and possibly a light waterproof. Bare feet, socks, or light trainers are all fine depending on the floor.
Do I need any experience in Qigong or other practices?
Absolutely Not. These retreats are beginner-friendly and fully guided. Whether you're new to Qigong, energy work or have experience with yoga, breathwork, or meditation, you'll be supported every step of the way. We’ll nurture the newbie, and enhance the experienced. Everyone is Welcome!
Injuries, Niggles, Concerns about difficulty?
One of the beautiful things about Qigong is its adaptability. All movements are slow, gentle, and designed for all ages and abilities. Postures and sequences can be done standing, seated, or modified to suit your body’s needs.
If you require a chair or have specific mobility considerations, just let us know in advance. You're welcome to bring your own folding chair, cushion, mat, or blanket for comfort.
There’s no pressure to complete any movement or stay for any session in full. You are free to sit down, pause, or leave quietly at any time.
This is your space, your pace, and your retreat.
Is Food Included?
Depends on the Retreat. Most multiple day retreats will be. Some will have a cafe on-site. All will have a lunch break to either source your food from surrounding shops or bring your own. Ask on booking, plus discuss any allergies and intolerances.
Some Ideas on What to Bring?
A yoga mat (let us know if you need one - for meditations/sitting/lying)
A water bottle
A blanket or shawl to keep warm/snug for sound healing or meditation
A Pillow, Head Cushion, Rolled up Jumper
A notebook/journal (optional but encouraged for integration)
Warm socks or slippers for indoor stillness practices (weather/winter depending)
Packed Lunch if Required - Double check re location
What Teas are served at the Tea breaks?
Depends on what’s available and fresh. Feel free to chat with Miles in advance if have any preferences or recommendations.
Often but not always: Oolong, Puer, Black Teas, White Teas, Japanese Teas, Herbal Teas.
Cancellation & Refund
Cancellations are non-refundable unless we’re able to fill your space.
For Request a Retreat bookings at your own premises, we’re happy to offer a date transfer (subject to availability), provided cancellation is made more than 48 hours in advance.
Please note: rescheduling depends on location and facilitator availability, but we’ll always do our best to accommodate.
If you’re unable to attend due to exceptional circumstances, please reach out — we’ll always do our best to support you where possible, depending on availability and location.
Can I Request A Retreat? How many People?
Yes! We offer “Retreats by Request” — perfect for studios, private groups, or even 1-to-1 sessions.
Whether it’s a class, workshop, or full day retreat, we can bring the experience to your garden, home, workplace, or chosen venue.
You provide the space — or we’ll help source one — and we’ll bring the full retreat experience to you.
Can I custom make the agenda for a retreat?
Yes! We can certainly design the format of what’s on to suit your tastes.
You can have more of one discipline and less of another, and change the timings too - this would need to be arranged before the retreat/workshop start in advance when booking.
If getting in other practitioners for certain therapies then prices and timings may need to be altered accordingly.
Additional 1-1 Bolt-ons?
During a retreat practitioners can offer private 1-1 services.
For example, depending on the retreat and the schedule, Miles can offer Reiki, Sekhem, or Acutonics healing during either breaks, of before & after the days events. Enquire beforehand for costs and availability.
*Not offered on all retreats.
Support & Teachings Outside of the Retreats?
There is an Online Community Platform
Where classes, courses, workshops, and streaming of online videos are available to learn more, and dive deeper into some of the teachings. As well as Nutrition and Exercise help too.
“The body speaks in energy. Qigong teaches us how to listen."
Miles Kempton.