The Crew

Meet Our South Devon Team

Natalie, Host

Founder & Resident Yogi

Natalie created Yoga Field & Sea in order to share the healing and calming powers of Yoga amongst the stunning hills and beaches of South Devon. After two decades of living overseas, working in extremely  demanding corporate Sales and Marketing roles and raising three kids she decided to return to her homeland to create rejuvenating experiences for people who desperately need a break from the craziness of life.


Natalie studied for her 200 hour and advanced 500 hour Yoga teacher training in the USA and is a certified instructor with the Registered Yoga Alliance. Perfect for all levels, including beginners, her yoga is ‘alignment’ based with roots from BKS Iyengar, and the focus in on absolute safety and the correct form. Expect to learn a great deal in Natalie's classes!


She also owns and runs her own Yoga studio (Start Bay Studio), is an avid sea swimmer, plunging in the ocean almost every day, all year round. She is a SLSGB (Surf Life Saving GB) level 2 Intermediate First Aider, trained in Swim rescue and swims with the Masters at Dartmouth Swimming Club.  Most days she can found on the coast path with her swimmers, coffee flask and four legged friend, Rusty the  Vizsla.

Natalie, Host

Founder & Resident Yogi

Natalie created Yoga Field & Sea in order to share the healing and calming powers of Yoga amongst the stunning hills and beaches of South Devon. After two decades of living overseas, working in demanding corporate roles and raising three kids she decided to return to her homeland to create rejuvenating experiences for people who desperately need a break from the craziness of life.


Natalie studied for her 200 hour and advanced 500 hour Yoga teacher training in the USA and is a certified instructor with the Registered Yoga Alliance. Perfect for all levels, including beginners, her yoga is ‘alignment’ based with roots from BKS Iyengar, and the focus in on absolute safety and the correct form.


She owns and run her own Yoga studio (Start Bay Studio), is an avid sea swimmer, plunging in the ocean almost every day, all year round. She is a SLSGB (Surf Life Saving GB) level 2 Intermediate First Aider, trained in Swim rescue and swims at Dartmouth Swimming Club.  Most days she can found on the coast path with her swimmers, coffee flask and four legged friend, Rusty the  Vizsla.


Janey, Chef

Janey Syrett, has been a chef for over 20 years. She's always had a passion for creating exciting, healthy dishes and started out as a kitchen hand in her local village pubs in East Sussex. When she was 20 she moved to Hope Cove, South Devon, to train as a sous chef at the newly opened Boathouse restaurant, attached to The Hope & Anchor, where under the guidance and mentorship of Lizzy Alsopp, the Head Chef, she learned about seafood, and gained a real passion for fresh sustainable seasonal food.

Her career took then her to Bristol, where she began working in Bocanova - a top Brazilian restaurant, and became Head Chef for 13 years, proud to be part of one of Bristol’s biggest independent establishments, specialising in locally sourced food and drinks. But after such a long time away from Devon, it called her back! She returned with her partner to  be Head Chef at the famous Oceans Restaurant in Bolberry, a beautiful restaurant set on Bolberry Down with the most stunning views of the sea. Fish and seafood were the speciality with dishes such as Bouillabaise, River Fowey Mussels, Crab Bisque, Salcombe Lobster, Tandorri Crevettes, Japanese Fishcakes & Fish Tacos!

During Covid lockdowns, Janey spotted the need for fresh healthy food made available for takeaway and delivery. One of her passions at Bocabar was her deli counter which were filled daily with fresh wholesome salads, olives, sauces, cakes and pastries, very much inspired by Ottelenghi.

And so, Feast Kitchen Deli was born! Her business has gone from strength to strength and has now expanded to cater for events, retreats, weddings and more.

We are so fortunate to have Janey and her talented team provide the most delicious, wholesome and nutritious meals on our Salcombe and Torcross retreats!

Janey, Retreat Chef

Feast Kitchen Deli

Janey Syrett, has been a chef for over 20 years. She's always had a passion for creating exciting, healthy dishes and started out as a kitchen hand in her local village pubs in East Sussex. When she was 20 she moved to Hope Cove, South Devon, to train as a sous chef at the newly opened Boathouse restaurant, attached to The Hope & Anchor, where under the guidance and mentorship of Lizzy Alsopp, the Head Chef, she learned about seafood, and gained a real passion for fresh sustainable seasonal food.


Her career took then her to Bristol, where she began working in Bocanova - a top Brazilian restaurant, and became Head Chef for 13 years, proud to be part of one of Bristol’s biggest independent establishments, specialising in locally sourced food and drinks. But after such a long time away from Devon, it called her back! She returned with her partner to  be Head Chef at the famous Oceans Restaurant in Bolberry, a beautiful restaurant set on Bolberry Down with the most stunning views of the sea. Fish and seafood were the speciality with dishes such as Bouillabaise, River Fowey Mussels, Crab Bisque, Salcombe Lobster, Tandorri Crevettes, Japanese Fishcakes & Fish Tacos!


During Covid lockdowns, Janey spotted the need for fresh healthy food made available for takeaway and delivery. One of her passions at Bocabar was her deli counter which were filled daily with fresh wholesome salads, olives, sauces, cakes and pastries, very much inspired by Ottelenghi.

And so, Feast Kitchen Deli was born! Her business has gone from strength to strength and has now expanded to cater for events, retreats, weddings and more.


We are so fortunate to have Janey and her talented team provide the most delicious, wholesome and nutritious meals on our Salcombe and Tocross retreats!


Loïc, Water Safety

Loïc is the Owner and Director or Coast to Coast Water Safety, and has been swimming along the South Devon coastline for 10 years and has over 20 years of experience as a professional beach lifeguard, having worked all over the world. His previous roles include working as a rescue swimmer on the Australian Westpac helicopter, three years spent as a lifeguard training manager in France and ongoing involvement with the RNLI international training team.


Loïc is highly qualified and experienced in water safety and water specific first aid. He also holds internationally recognised rescue craft operator awards and lifeguard trainer-assessor qualifications in both France and the UK.


On top of all of this, Loïc is also a qualified nurse, so there really could not be a more perfect companion to host our ocean swim experiences.

Loïc, Water Safety

Loïc has been swimming along the South Devon coastline for 10 years and has over 20 years of experience as a professional beach lifeguard, having worked all over the world. His previous roles include working as a rescue swimmer on the Australian Westpac helicopter, three years spent as a lifeguard training manager in France and ongoing involvement with the RNLI international training team.


Loïc is highly qualified and experience in water safety and water specific first aid. He also holds internationally recognised rescue craft operator awards and lifeguard trainer-assessor qualifications in both France and the UK.


On top of all of this, Loïc is also a qualified nurse, so there really could not be a more perfect companion to host our ocean swim experiences.

Scott, Paddleboard Guide

Scott grew up in the local area and spent much of his youth exploring the isolated beaches and open fields of beautiful South Devon. He created Adventure South, along with his childhood friend Chris, in order to share these best kept secrets with others while doing something he loves. Scott's passion for the outdoors is encapsulated in each and every activity he runs and he is always determined to offer the best outdoor experiences possible whilst bringing people closer to nature.


The Adventure South team are extremely proud and passionate about the area they operate in, and through this passion they hope to bring you closer to nature and showcase the stunning local environment. Scott will be on hand to guide you through your paddle boarding adventures, providing equipment, safety briefings, local knowledge and expert guidance as he takes you along some of the most stunning coastal scenery on earth.

Scott, Adventure Guide

Scott grew up in the local area and spent much of his youth exploring the isolated beaches and open fields of beautiful South Devon. He created Adventure South, along with his childhood friend Chris, in order to share these best kept secrets with others while doing something he loves. Scott's passion for the outdoors is encapsulated in each and every activity he runs and he is always determined to offer the best outdoor experiences possible whilst bringing people closer to nature.



The Adventure South team are extremely proud and passionate about the area they operate in, and through this passion they hope to bring you closer to nature and showcase the stunning local environment. Scott will be on hand to guide you through your paddle boarding adventures, providing equipment, safety briefings, local knowledge and expert guidance as he takes you along some of the most stunning coastal scenery on earth.

Natalie, Retreat Chef

Yoga Field & Sea Chef

Natalie inherited a passion for healthy, wholefood cooking from her mum which led to a career as a superyacht chef. Having travelled all over the world in this role, her cooking style has many influences, from Mediterranean to Asian, but using fresh, locally sourced ingredients has always been paramount.


Being born and bred in the South Hams, Natalie is keen to create menus that show off the wealth of local produce we have here; using seasonal ingredients to reduce environmental impact and make the most of nature’s pantry on our doorstep. 


As your in-house chef at Yoga, Field and Sea, Natalie looks forward to combining her superyacht-standard service, worldwide influences and amazing local produce to provide our guests on our Slapton retreats with delicious, nourishing feasts. Bon appetit!


Natalie, Retreat Chef

Natalie inherited a passion for healthy, wholefood cooking from her mum which led to a career as a superyacht chef. Having travelled all over the world in this role, her cooking style has many influences, from Mediterranean to Asian, but using fresh, locally sourced ingredients has always been paramount.


Being born and bred in the South Hams, Natalie is keen to create menus that show off the wealth of local produce we have here; using seasonal ingredients to reduce environmental impact and make the most of nature’s pantry on our doorstep. 


As your in-house chef at Yoga, Field and Sea, Natalie looks forward to combining her superyacht-standard service, worldwide influences and amazing local produce to provide our guests on our Slapton retreats with delicious, nourishing feasts.

Bon appetit!


Choosing Your Retreat

All year round, we'll be exploring the South Devon coast, dipping in the ocean and taking daily yoga classes to relax and re-energise. Browse our full list of 2024 wellness retreats to discover the perfect escape for enhancing your year.

View All Retreats
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