About Ganesha retreats
Guided SOMA Breath experiences for nervous system regulation,
stress relief, and deep reconnection in Sussex and the South East UK
Our Philosophy
At Ganesha Retreats, we believe that true wellbeing begins with reconnection to the body, the breath, and the present moment.
In a world of constant stimulation, pressure and mental overload, many people live in a state of chronic stress and disconnection. Our work exists to gently guide people back into balance through carefully facilitated breathwork, embodied practices, and restorative nature-based experiences.
Our sessions are designed to support stress and anxiety relief, emotional regulation, mental clarity, and a deeper sense of grounded wellbeing – physically, mentally and emotionally.
Seeing people smile is important to us and so we have our breath sessions to bring back connection to self and begin the journey of self-healing. Your breath is your gateway to your health, and you can open it anytime, anywhere.
What We Do
Ganesha Retreats creates guided SOMA Breath experiences, workshops, and retreats, both in-person and online, that blend conscious breathwork, music, relaxation, and restorative meditation.
Our approach is grounded, accessible, and inclusive. You don’t need to be flexible, spiritual, or experienced – just open.
Each session is held in a safe, supportive environment and guided responsibly, allowing participants to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and leave feeling clearer, calmer, and more energised.
Meet the Team
Ben Burgess - Certified SOMA Breath Instructor
Ben is a certified SOMA Breath Instructor with a passionate interest in human health, resilience, and self-regulation.
“As a young man navigating the modern world, I became increasingly aware of the widespread challenges affecting people’s physical and mental wellbeing – from stress, anxiety and emotional dysregulation to chronic immune and physical diseases. I have always believed that we are capable of self-healing and disease prevention and with this curiosity, I found breathwork as a practical, embodied tool for restoring balance and clarity.
I grew up deeply connected to nature through equestrian and agricultural life, and during challenging periods it has always been a way to regulate stress, regain clarity, and feel grounded again. Discovering SOMA Breath amplified this natural form of self-regulation beyond anything I had experienced before, giving me practical tools to support my nervous system, focus, and overall wellbeing. This is the foundation from which I now guide others.”
Through SOMA Breath, Ben facilitates sessions that are grounding, structured, and supportive, helping people regulate their nervous systems, reconnect with their bodies, and experience the power of conscious breathing in a safe and guided manner.
Reiki Level 1 Practitioner
In addition to his breathwork qualifications, Ben is also a certified Reiki Level 1 Practitioner, completing his training in early 2026.
Reiki is a gentle, hands-on energy practice that supports deep relaxation, emotional balance, and the body’s natural healing response. This qualification allows Ganesha Retreats to offer a more integrated and comprehensive approach to wellbeing, complementing breathwork with restorative, grounding energy work where appropriate.
Robert Burgess - Our Founder & Guide
Ganesha Retreats was founded by Robert Burgess, whose vision and lived experience have been fundamental in shaping the ethos of the retreat space.
With a strong belief in holistic health and the power of meaningful human connection, Robert envisioned a place where different healing modalities could coexist, supporting deep restoration, reconnection, and long-term wellbeing. His intention was not only to create retreats, but to cultivate environments where people feel safe to slow down, reset and realign.
“There was a period in my life where both my personal world and my professional responsibilities felt overwhelming. Stress, anxiety, and constant pressure became my normal and it built to the point that I was in the infirmary of a cruise ship under the suspicion of a heart attack. My body had reached its limit and it was telling me that things were not working for me.
It was at this point that I decided to listen to it, turning inward to act from intuition rather than constant overthinking. By making subtle but honest shifts, my health improved, my home life stabilised, and clarity returned. I knew what I had to do and I had the strength back to accomplish it. This journey is what ultimately led me to create Ganesha Retreats.”
Through this journey, Robert not only transformed his own wellbeing but also revitalised his professional path. In 2023, he founded Ganesha Retreats, later joined by his nephew Ben, to integrate breathwork, energy practices, and nature-led restoration into a grounded, inclusive wellness offering.
Robert is a certified SOMA Breath Instructor and a Reiki Level 1 Practitioner, holding the same qualifications as Ben. His experience spans both personal transformation and business leadership, having also strengthened the financial position and internal culture of his established company, Thermic Edge – fostering unity, purpose, and stronger employee wellbeing.
Today, Robert brings this humble wisdom into the retreat space, supporting those who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected, and guiding them toward meaningful change in both personal and professional life.
Our Vision
At Ganesha Retreats, our vision is to create spaces – both physical and experiential – where people can step out of everyday survival mode and gently return to themselves.
Rooted in lived experience and guided practice, our work supports a shift from constant stress to steadiness, from mental noise to clarity, and from disconnection to embodied presence. Whether through local SOMA Breath sessions or immersive retreat experiences everything we offer is designed to meet people where they are and support meaningful, lasting change.
We believe wellbeing should be practical, accessible, and deeply human.
If you are feeling overwhelmed, depleted, or simply in need of space to pause and breathe, you are welcome here.
Ganesha Retreats is not about fixing or forcing – it is an invitation to slow down, reconnect, and remember what it feels like to be at home in yourself.
