Ruth Mackman Celebrant and Kind Heart Yoga with Ruth

07/06/2026

It was lovely to pop in to The Great Barn at Aynho today. The venue was closed, except showing some prospective wedding couples around, so I was able to see the ceremony room and talk to the wedding organiser about how wedding ceremonies run there. It's really important to know the lie of the land, how the guests make their way from the reception area to the ceremony room, how the bride will make her entrance, what furniture will be used on the day, where confetti can be thrown, and of course how it's best for me to liaise with the venue team on the day.

These little details, the practicalities, are so important. Getting them right makes life so much easier for everyone, and makes the ceremony feel effortless. So, it was time well spent.

My couple have now signed off the first draft of the ceremony, so that's coming along well ... again, taking time and paying attention to the details is so important.

So, by the time we get to within a couple of weeks of their celebration ceremony, they will be confident that all the Is have been dotted and the Ts crossed.

The only thing out of our control is the weather, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed it will be the quintessential summer's day.

30/05/2026

So pleased that the lovely Mortain Barn Manor has air con. Bride and groom, guests and me, the celebrant, were cool as the proverbial cucumbers.

I love a late spring / early summer wedding celebration, but sometimes you just don't know what the weather's going to do. Today the weather favoured us, full sun, blue sky, a light breeze ...what a great way for this couple to start their married life.

23/05/2026

So nice to be back at my home lake ...the sea round Kefalonia was beautiful, but this takes a lot of beating. 21 degrees today.

18/05/2026

just returned from a lovely week's retreat in Kefalonia - this was yoga on the final day, having a little fun with couple's yoga, many thanks to Hilary for being so patient :)

18/05/2026

We've got a new start time for Wednesday morning classes at Houlton ... 930am, instead of 10am. Everyone thought it was a good idea to get an earlier start, which meant they can get to The Tuning Fork for breakfast that bit earlier too, and then there's more of the day left.

Everyone welcome - please share the details with friends and neighbours, thanks

19/04/2026

A lovely spot for some yoga yesterday ...tucked away in a country garden just outside Witney, the sun came out to shine on a hen party who were enjoyjng a day of yoga, paddleboarding and cocktail making. What a pleasure to share such a special day.

08/04/2026

Save the date - Saturday 8 August 2026! yoga, tai chi and lake swimming day retreat

So pleased to have finalised the details for this summer day retreat, and to be able to offer a day of lovely practices including yoga and tai chi qi gong and the option of having a swim in the glorious water of Bare Hill Lakes.

Everyone who came to my January morning retreat loved the session that Sue from Flowing Light Holistic Therapies shared with us. So, it's wonderful that she'll be with us again, and if the weather is kind to us, we'll do Tai Chi on the banks of the lake. Just perfect to feel that connection with the energies around us.

Bare Hill Lakes is the most glorious place to swim, or take a dip, and the cool water will be the perfect end to a day of movement, relaxation and space to breathe and just enjoy the moment. The swim is optional, but you can always lie back on the grass, read a book or close your eyes.

Booking is now open - places are limited, and you'll get an early bird price if you book by end May.

https://bookwhen.com/kindheartyogawithruth =ev-szv0h-20260808100000

If you want to swim you'll need to book your swim separately, using the Bare Hill Lakes site ...https://barehilllakes.co.uk/book

18/03/2026

What a great day yesterday - learning and practicing skills to refine my handfasting ceremonies.

Handfasting is an ancient practice that symbolises the joining of two people in a committed relationship - the lovely thing is that while it might be centuries old, it still speaks to modern couples who want to make personal vows to the person they love. It has strong connections with nature, the natural elements of air, fire, water and earth are used to signify both the stages of a relationship and the ceremony itself. And there are very simple, but powerful rituals and symbols, which deepen the experience for the couple and everyone present.

It was a joy to immerse myself in this training, led by Dawn Kinsella, , so who better to learn from?

When you're self-employed it can be hard deciding to take a day off, and also choosing to invest in training rather than try to earn money by working. But I take my professional development seriously, I've worked with many couples who have enjoyed being abe to have handfasting as an element within their wedding celebration, and now I have more skills to offer them. It was also lovely to share the time and experience with other celebrants - a mine of knowledge and enthusiasm.

If you'd like to have a handfasting ceremony, or to incorprate elements of the ceremony within a more formal wedding or partner celebration, then get in touch.

04/03/2026

I make no secret of the fact that there's a place I really love, it's a natural burial ground and nature reserve just on the Banbury / Warwickshire border. It's one of those special places, where Nature just says everything you need to hear, on days when you might be finding it hard to express yourself.

I've been fortunate to lead many funerals and celebration of life services at Sun Rising Natural Burial Ground and Nature Reserve in the eight years I've been a celebrant, I've seen how families respond to knowing their loved one is at rest there. We also have a tree planted in memory of one of our own family members, there. It brings great comfort.

If you're looking for somewhere truly beautiful, truly natural, to say goodbye to a loved one, do take a look. And if you'd like to help them raise much needed funds, it's easy - you can find details on their website, or why not join them in their campaign to plant 2,000 daffodils, one for every one of the souls who has been laid to rest there since they opened in 2006.

https://sunrising.co.uk/daffodil-appeal/tree

AlderAlder BuckthornBird CherryBuckthornCrab AppleDog RoseDogwoodEnglish OakField MapleGoat WillowGuelder RoseHawthornHazelHornbeamSilver BirchSmall Leaved LimeWild CherryWild PrivetWild Service

15/02/2026

Slow Sunday morning yoga
Sunday 1 March 1015am - 1330 latest, in Badby village hall, with coffee and cake after

Finally, the days are getting longer and brighter, we start to feel that the first tiny glimpses of spring may be on their way. So why not dust off your yoga mat and come and share some gentle, flowing yoga to blow away your own cobwebs.

The yoga will be gentle - easing into the body, listening to how your body wants to move, remembering how it is to move in a way that feels good, stretching, strengthening, releasing. There'll be time to focus on your breath, brething efficiently and making space for longer, deeper, more nourishing breaths. And of course time for relaxation, to restore and reset the energy.

Coffee / tea (decaf or something stronger) and cake afterwards, after all yoga is like life, all a question of balance.
All are welcome - those with experience, those with little or no experience, all you need to do is to be able to get up and down from the floor unaided.

Final few places £30 per person ... https://bookwhen.com/kindhearty.../e/ev-s1b61-20260301101500