BIOGRAPHY

I discovered yoga at a high street gym when I was 30. The yoga teacher there was superb, and immediately I knew yoga was going to be something that would always be in my life.  After a break to have children I continued my studies with an established yoga school and gained my teaching diploma. Now I have fifteen years of yoga experience and have attended workshops with some of the international renowned yogis.

I live in France and hold regular and private classes for the English and French and teach yoga to a wide range of people on retreats here in France. On the retreat yoga classes will begin with a gentle vinyasa flow, gradually building in intensity through the week. Classes can be tailored for the group and there will be time to discuss what you want from the retreat; perhaps to try something new, work on a particular area in the body, improve the quality of your breathe, develop your home practice, or simply to go with the flow of what is on offer. Classes are suitable for beginners plus, some experience of yoga is preferred but not essential.

Sometimes people ask me "why do I do yoga ?" For me, the practice of breath and movement together develops into a deeply meditative state. Where I am not thinking, but just being in the present moment: focused, but relaxed. Here I have found that quiet space within myself, within all of us. The more I practise yoga,  the greater that quiet space has grown, and the more grounded I feel and prepared to face the challenges in life. In essence, yoga has made my life easier.

I look forward to seeing you

Clare

TESTIMONIALS

"Emily and Matt welcomed us onto the retreat with a lovely snack and a little tipple and from that point on I knew I'd landed in a good place. We were very much looked after, with excellent food (far better than I'd expected) and great company from our hosts, they couldn't do enough for us! The house was amazing, I loved the pool and the dining area and the lovely gardens but, importantly, the yoga room was just perfect for our yoga sessions (which were also fantastic). The atmosphere was welcoming and warm and there was plenty of opportunity to interact with the other guests and lots of space if I wanted some quiet time. I would highly recommend a holiday hosted by Emily and Matt!"

Thanks so much,

Sarah Rourke

This is the right place for your perfect holiday … Le Mazeau, France. Emily and Matt made our stay unforgettable… It felt like home. Everything was very well organised… transfer, accommodation and the yoga and free time timetable. I can still remember my cosy and comfortable room… lovely flowers on the bedtable and a wonderful view of the woods. The food was so delicious, the swimming pool was clean and refreshing,  the smell of lavender reminds me about the beautiful and calm evenings we spent as a group laughing together. After this holiday I’ve brought back home the feeling of bliss, that sense of floating in the clouds and light radiating from within me. I will definitely come back soon and I can highly recommend this magical place.

Thank you to Emily & Matt.

With love,

Maria xx

ITINERARY

A typical day would begin with an hour and a half long morning yoga session from 9.00 – 10.30am followed by a healthy continental breakfast. 

After breakfast, you can spend a leisurely day relaxing by the fire or you might like to take a walk along the canals of the inspirational Venice Verte. You can explore a traditional French market or perhaps enjoy a delicious lunch in the local town of La Rochelle. 

There will then be another yoga session from 5.30 – 7.00pm before a nutritious gourmet meal prepared by your hosts Emily and Matt.

None of the activities are compulsory so you can choose how you would like to spend each day. 

Overall the holiday is very relaxed and is a chance to unwind whilst exploring different aspects of your yoga and meditation practice with an experienced teacher in a beautiful and nurturing environment..

DESCRIPTION AND CONDITIONS

OF THE COURSE

 This "refresh and revitalise nature" retreat, is early in 2019. With vinyasa krama flow yoga to ease out tension in the body and an introduction to different breathing and meditation techniques, to help reduce stresses in our everyday life.

There will be an emphasis on our connection with nature proven to assist in healing and a feeling of well being, with several walks in the beautiful French countryside: one silent forest and lake walk in the stunning Mervent area, as well as exploring the incredible national park of the Marais Poitivin.

A day out and lunch in historic La Rochelle will complete this retreat. All meals will be provided (except lunch in La Rochelle) including fresh fruit and snacks that will be available all day..

The aim of this retreat is to leave you feeling relaxed and revitalised ready for the year ahead. You will be given the opportunity to detox and restore your natural balance, setting your goals 2019.

The 5 night/ 6 day course will run from Wednesday 23rd January - Monday 28th January 2019 - with clients arriving on late afternoon of the Wednesday and leaving on the morning of the following Monday..

MENU

Here is a sample menu. We use local, seasonal, fresh produce as much as possible, subject to availability.

Vegan menu options are available too.

BREAKFAST

Fresh fruit, berries etc, fresh pastries, fruit teas, detox juice, various juices, chia porridge

LUNCH

Homemade soup with fresh bread and cheese

Fresh fruit

A TYPICAL DINNER

Starter

Stuffed romano peppers with ricotta and mascarpone

Roast butternut squash and red onion with tahini and za'atar

Marinated mushrooms with walnut and tahini togurt

Celeriac puree with spiced cauliflower and quails eggs

Guacamole cream, pickled salad with roasted smoked aubergine

Main

Cauliflower and aubergine puree, roasted tomatoes with cauliflower steak and a feta dressing

Butternut squash with ginger tomatoes and lime yoghurt

Three bean chilli with corn tortillas, jalapeños, salsa and sour cream

Saag aloo, chana dahl, vegetable jalfrezi with spiced rice

Vegetable lasagne

Dessert

Walnut and caramel tart

Tarte tatin with creme fraiche 

Chocolate mousse with chantilly

Roasted rhubarb with sweet labneh

A variety of cheeses

DATES AND PRICES

DATES: 23rd - 28th January 2019 

£825 ENSUITE ROOM SINGLE OCCUPANCY

£599 PER PERSON ENSUITE ROOM BASED ON 2 SHARING

£725 TWIN ROOM WITH SHARED BATHROOM SINGLE OCCUPANCY

£549 PER PERSON TWIN ROOM WITH SHARED BATHROOM BASED ON 2 SHARING  

PRICE INCLUDES TRANSFERS, ALL FOOD AND DRINK AT THE VILLA, EXCURSIONS

WE OPERATE ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVED BASIS

PRICE EXCLUDES ANY MEALS OUT (SMALL SUPPLEMENT OF £20), TRAVEL/MEDICAL/PERSONAL INSURANCE