YOGA RETREATS FOR 2008 |
|
Join me for 2 fun and exciting yoga retreat week at
Les Passeroses, France Discovering Yoga 2nd 9th August 2008 Exploring Yoga 9th -16th August 2008 | Les Passeroses | The Yoga | The Accommodation | The Food |
| Massage & Treatments| Activities & Excursions| Transportation & transfers | Arrivals | Cost | What to bring | 
Join me in Summer 2008 for 2 wonderful retreats at Les Passeroses, France. Lift your spirits and energies in this beautiful setting in the rolling countryside of the Charente with twice daily yoga practice, meditation, swimming, gentle strolls, delicious food and the occasional siesta
.
Discovering Yoga 2nd 9th August 2008 A fun and energising week for those who are new or relative beginners to yoga practice. During this week we will begin to build our practice discovering the different limbs of yoga in a fun and accessible way. By the end of the week you will have a rounded introduction to yoga practice to build upon when you return home. Exploring Yoga 9th -16th August 2008 An exciting, fun and challenging week suitable for those with a minimum of 6 months regular practice who wish to deepen and expand their knowledge of yoga. During this week, in addition to taught classes we will explore some of the different aspects of yoga looking at mudras, mantras, chakras and different approaches to yoga in greater depth. Les Passeroses 
Les Passeroses is a beautiful old farmhouse which has been lovingly and wonderfully restored. Set in an area of outstanding natural beauty, Passeroses means Hollyhocks. You will see many of these lovely flowers around the walls during Summer. This region is famed for the quality of its light, a luminosity that draws artists and photographers from far afield. There is a clarity which comes from the nearby ocean, combined with a warm inland glow, that produces an amber light which softens the contours and gives a magical radiance to any stone that it falls upon. Set in the very heart of rural Charente, Les Passeroses is ideally located - not only for its position between five airports, good road networks and train communications - but also for its peace and quiet! The beautiful rolling countryside is mainly used for crops rather than pasture. Vines, maize and sunflowers fill almost every field from May through to October. Set low into the side of a hill the house enjoys great privacy. During your free time you can swim, walk explore or just chill out. There is a large oval swimming pool next to the house with views from the terrace over the rolling hills. Here you can relax in the shade, in the comfort of the hammocks. Steps down from the pool terrace lead you past the large fig tree and down to mature gardens. A bench is situated by the calming Japanese inspired pond - formed from a very old 'Lavoir' or stone washing pit - but there are also many other places to sit quietly and enjoy the shaded tranquillity or find personal space, including the 1 1/2 acre meadow. Please note that Les Passeroses is a no smoking centre. If you wish to smoke you can do so outside the grounds. The yoga  There will be two yoga sessions a day held in the 65sqm barn which has been renovated with Yoga specifically in mind with its tented ceiling, solid oak floor and views across the countryside and garden. On both weeks in the mornings we will have a 1.5 2 hour class focusing on yoga to awaken the body and mind. The practice will build in strength and depth over the week. The afternoon sessions will vary from the usual class format and in addition to taught sessions we will look at the various limbs, aspects and strands of yoga and explore different schools of yoga. The Accommodation 
The accommodation at Les Passeroses is beautiful and every attention to detail has been taken. Accommodation for up to eleven is spread over five rooms, each with its own character.
Additional accommodation is available just a few minutes walk away. Though decorated and furnished in a simple style, the finish and details gives each room a luxury feel. All rooms have views over the rolling countryside and windows covered with blue shutters. Fine, crisp bed linen and super soft towels are standard for every guest. The Food Food is very important at Les Passeroses and of course, healthy and delicious. All meals are home cooked and vegetarian. Please note that due to the serious nature of these retreat weeks a minimum amount of alcohol only will be available (i.e one glass of wine if required with dinner) Alex has worked with food for nearly 20 years, firstly training to be a Chef in some of the best restaurants in Manchester and Cheshire including The Lime Tree and The Alderley Edge Hotel. He has also set up several kitchens and his own vegetarian food business. There is a small kitchen area available for students to use where tea and coffee is provided. Massage and treatments The following are available: Alex offers a Indian Head Massage of 45minutes for 25. A local English therapist Jan Randall, is available to give the following treatments at Les Passeroses - Aromatherapy Massage , Reflexology and Therapeutic Massage prices from 23 for a Half body massage to 45 for Aromatherapy Massage Activities and excursions During your free time you can choose to swim, walk, bike or explore further afield. If you fancy exploring, the nearby town of Montmoreau boasts one the largest and most important churches on the pilgrimage route of Santiago de la Compostelle, along with an impressive and recently restored Chateau. A lively town with a train station (you can catch a train to nearby Angouleme or Bordeaux here),bars and restaurants, it is only a few minutes away from Les Passeroses. If you wish to venture further afield, you will find the country roads wind over wooded hills and sun-flowered valleys to reach the hearts of rural villages; each with at least an 11/12th century church, a 17th century manoir or impressive Chateau. Nonac is a good example - a small sleepy village with a small church and a crypt housing a beautiful fresco. Every day in the Charente there is a lively street market to discover, filled with fresh local produce. The centre has six brand new mountain bikes which are available for hire. Transportation and transfers Airport Transfers Transfers are available from Bordeaux, Bergerac, Limoges or Poitier airports at a cost of 50euros per person return. A taxi from any of the above airports is likely to cost a minimum of 100euros each way. For a cost from other airports please contact us. Car Hire You may wish to hire a car especially if you want to explore further afield. All the airports have car hire facilities or try www.europecar.co.uk or www.alamo.co.uk By Train from the Airports There are now an amazing 24 flights to choose from, with BA bargain fares to Bordeaux and new routes from Exeter, Leeds, Nottingham, Norwich and Dublin BY RAIL You can connect from Waterloo to Angouleme (one change in Lille) from £99 return, and we would recommend this as a stress free way to travel. Please see the Les Passeroses website for full travel details. Arrivals Please arrive after 4pm on the first day. Departure on the last day is by 11am. Cost £465 per person based on sharing with 1 or 2 others Limited single occupancy is available for a supplement of £110. If you would like to stay for both weeks a discount will be available. The cost includes: Full board (except on one evening when the group will eat out at a local venue. On this night only you will pay for your meal) Accommodation based on 2/3 people sharing Comprising light breakfast Buffet brunch/ lunch Dinner Fruit and drinks available throughout the day Twice daily yoga (mats etc provided) The cost excludes: Insurance Travel and flights Airport transfers Towels for swimming Evening meal on one night when the group will eat out PLEASE DO NOT BOOK YOUR TRAVEL UNTIL ADVISED BY JULIE AS THIS RETREAT REQUIRES A MINIMUM OF 6 PARTICIPANTS. What to bring: Light loose clothing for yoga Some warm clothes and waterproof jacket Swimming costume and towel Walking shoes For more about Les Passeroses, please visit : www.passeroses.com |