Meditations:
Our meditations periods were two per day except for the second day when we did a third in the afternoon.
Preceding meditation we did stretching or chi kung or yoga. Each person had a go at leading their particular routine and the group followed.
We started pranayama with the sound of a Buddhist meditation bell. The bell ringing was shared between people.
At ten minutes the bell was sounded once gently to let people know it was time to change to Deep Meditation. After another twenty minutes it was sounded again.
Then samyama and some rest, when it felt right we did some walking meditation around the room, usually three rounds. (This is slow, usually one breath per step, walking - similar to kin hin in the zen tradition)
We then sat down and rested in full body mudra or whatever 
After an appropriate time people could share anything if they wished - usually not much was said at these times.
We then stood up, formed a circle and held hands. One person (again turns were taken) spoke through a visualisation, usually with light. These circles were very deep and we had a period when we said the names of people we wished to be included in the circle. Yogani, Kathy and her daughter and all the AYP group were always included.
The last part of the visualisation was grounding, this prooved particularly important.
(If Katrine or emc wish to add anything, please feel free )
We treated each other with massages and different forms of healing. Everybody was so skilled All set in a sacred atmosphere and profound stillness.
I enjoyed being on the receiving end
I had not used my hands for 3 years. I feel like I have been in hibernation…
Something just…opened itself up…and my hands now live a life of their own.
The retreat happened right after getting a job offer at work (which I reclined)…I will write more in another topic as soon as I find the time.
Giving myself to the flow and the love while working with whom ever was on the bench was just so beautiful. I have no words for it…other than the fact that it was instant payback. I found myself being on the receiving end whether lying on the bench or working above it on someone else.
More later…need to sleep now
Later…
I didn’t sleep after all…i had to get it off my chest:
http://www.aypsite.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4274
And now the pillow
Thanks for the input Katrine, yes the exchange of therapies on the Thursday and Friday was a lovely way of both sharing and receiving from the others in the retreat. Very personal and nurturing.
After our meditations we generally had a meal, either breakfast or dinner. I will give a brief outline of the process.
Mealtimes
The meals were prepared by the two people designated to prepare the meals for that particular day.
When the food was served and we were ready to eat, one person read grace or made up their own.
The same person then sounded the meditation bell, positioned at the centre of the table, this was the indication to start and eat in silence for twenty minutes.
After twenty minutes the bell was sounded again, when we then engaged in some conversation.
The periods of silence within the first twenty minutes of eating were often very very profound. Sometimes the group simultaneouosly stopped eating and entered into a very deep communal silence. We often stayed sitting like this for five minutes before starting to eat again.
Everybody agreed these were some of the most profound moments of the retreat. It was like we entered into a group body mudra.
At other times during that silence we went into acute giggling phases 
. This started when Aiden joined us on the second day just in time for lunch. He has such a massive sparkling energy, and when he sat down into the silence that had built, just started giggling to himself - it soon led to all of us in knots of laughter, going from laughter to silence and back again. What a hoot 
After the twenty minutes the conversations started. These often got quite deep and went on and on. Normally this conversation would be minimal and general quietness would resume, but there was a different energy at this retreat and it became apparent that these discussions were a necessary part of the process.
Walking in the Countryside
We looked out from the dining area after breakfast on our first morning to see sheets of rain flowing down the vally of Glendalough. Not very inviting for our first nice walk in the countryside 
After the silence generated from the evening meditation, the following morning meditation and the meal mindfulness meditation, it was obvious that we needed to get outside and walk.
So despite some protests we donned umbrellas and set out to embrace the elements. We had a look at some of the ancient monastic ruins and took in nature and the beautiful energy of that valley.
It rained for all of our walks but they were very enjoyable and there is no doubt in my mind that they were absolutely essential to keep the balance and grounding in the group. An absolute must.
Some “power points” were discovered also. If Katrine and emc wish to comment on these, please do.
And if you want to add anthing to the above, please feel free.
Yes…
The hill straight across from our living quarters was truly magical. It seethed with heightened presence…the vibration that rose from it was unlike anything I have ever seen. All the trees that populated it made it into one breathing community…such friendliness.
And then the ruins…the seventh stone in the top middle of the arches…I remember Breda (our guide) talking about them, but can’t remember what she said. But standing under those key stones was like standing in a shower of power. All the trees growing around the monastic city were vibrantly shining…so green and fresh.
Then the hole…
Near by one of the lakes…was this circle of stones (a few meters in diameter). In the middle of it (actually not in the middle…but a little off to one side) was this flat stone with a little hole in it. There was a story about that too (Louis…I forgot…what was the story of the stone with the hole?)
Anyway…several meters from the outer ring of this stone circle I felt an immense magnetic pull…the closer I got to the circle, the stronger the pull, and I was energetically “dragged” right up to this stone. Standing beside it…one tiny look at the little hole (which was smaller than a fist)…and I fell and fell inside…into this bottomless, dark void…comepletely safe and utterly benevolent… anihilating all sound. It was so incredibly soothing…I had a hard time walking from there…and for several days afterwards I felt as if many, many “threads” from my body/energetic makeup was anchored way down into the earth…into the void sealed by that stone. It was unlike anyting I have ever experienced…it was incredibly grounding. And ever since then, there is an immense openness in the abdomen/navel aerea…as if something opened safely never to be closed again.
Actually - one of the participants on the retreat had a somewhat similar soothing effect on me. Sitting beside him at dinnertime felt like sitting next to the most solid, strong, rocklike, heartwarming, earthbound …don’tknowwhattocallitpresence that I have ever met . He was just so…solid. He was part of the reason the group grounded so well (I did tell him something of the sort while at the table…but if you see him, Louis, be sure to remind him so that he never doubts himself and tell him hi from me).
One day…during the boardwalk…coming out of the forest high up and watching the magnificent view of the valley, I willingly expanded and felt the filling of the whole valley…and the earth…and the sky. I was so full of Joy and gratitude. It was a very light drizzle. And then the sun broke through the skies…and with it came a moving rainbow…sweeping the valley…silently moving towards us…following the direction of the light.
What more can one ask for?