Gardoussel Retreat Newsletter
March 2010
Dear friends,
Well, spring is here, the grass is riz, the birdies
iz here too and the sun has been bobbing about intermittently teasing
us like a minx. It’s been a long, cold winter in the south
of France, as across the rest of Europe, but I smell spring (or is
it hope?) in the air. The daffs are up, which must be a good sign,
the crocuses have been and gone and green is pushing up all around.
It can surely only be a matter of time before we are basking in full
sunshine and slapping on the factor 30…
We at Gardoussel have been hibernating for the last three months,
working on our out-of-season projects (Alex is launching an online
IBS treatment course next month and an e-learning course in Ayurveda
later in the year in conjunction with the EIVS school of Ayurvedic
studies. I have been dabbling in creative writing and gazing off into
the middle distance with cups of spicy red wine in my hand).
We have also been busy taking bookings for this
year’s summer
courses. There are still places left on most of events but if you’ve
been thinking about signing up for something and haven’t done
so yet, do get your name down soon to avoid disappointment.
Some of you will be aware that we have in the
last couple of years launched a small program of creative writing
courses. We have been lucky enough to have both novelist Crysse Morrison
and poet Esther Morgan come to Gardoussel at different times to lead
weeks of creative ‘play
on paper’ (my term, not theirs) to inspire and support writers
of fiction and poetry.
These weeks have been fantastic. I should know – I
attended both. They are an opportunity to get away from the daily
routines that can block creativity and to immerse yourself in the
craft of writing in the company of like-minded souls.
This year we welcome back Crysse in September and in June we will
have to pleasure to welcome for the first time Jan Fortune-Wood, founder
and editor of Cinnamon Press, which publishes short stories, novels
and poetry. (Full details below).
All levels of writer are welcome on these courses – from pure
beginners to more experienced writers who have already been published.
It’s the support, the range of writing styles and diversity of
everyone’s approach that makes these weeks so special. So if
you love words, and want to plant some at Gardoussel this summer and
see what comes up, do join us. We have very good compost!
New: Free pick-ups from Nimes
airport on the start date of both writing
courses to coincide with Ryanair arrivals from Luton. Non-participating
partners welcome.
Elsewhere, we still have some availability for our two gites, le Gite
Vert and le Pigeonnier, for those who prefer a self-catering retreat
or family holiday. Enquire for dates.
As a reminder, here is our full program of what’s
on this year, or visit our website for full details of each event.
We hope to see you soon!
Warmly, Sharon & Alex
Retreat Calendar 2010
* 2 – 4 April : Yoga with Lama Shaath (in French & English).
Cost 350€ (Euros).
A weekend suitable for those with all levels of yoga experience from
the beginner to the more advanced practitioner. The retreat will comprise
of four extensive yoga sessions, each with a different theme, ranging
from dynamic Yang practices to more passive and restorative Yin sessions
that will include Pranayama, Meditation and a Healing Through Yoga
class. There will also be a morning meditation or silent walk, and
an introductory talk on Ayurveda and nutrition.
* 28 April – 5 May : Yoga Retreat with Yogi Manmoyanand (in English).
Cost 795€ (Euros).
Every spiritually matured mind craves for the understanding of the
self, but under present-day conditions, many people do not have the
time to completely devote themselves to the search of their inner self.
However busy such a person's life, one's mind is never free from spiritual
contemplation. The retreat is meant for any person who has a persistent
thirst for greater meaning in their lives, but little time or direction
to make that happen.
* 6 – 13 May : Yoga Retreat with Yogi Manmoyanand (in English).
Cost 795€ (Euros)
As above.
* 19 – 26 June : Creative Writing with Jan Fortune-Wood (in English).
Cost £580 (pounds sterling).
Join Jan Fortune-Wood for a week of creative writing workshops, mentoring
and inspiration in the company of a small group of writers. The focus
will be on making your writing come to life, whether you are working
on fiction or poetry. We will explore starting points, imagery and
structure and ways of bringing precision and vividness to your language.
Each participant will have two half hour mentoring sessions during
the week and there will be opportunities to share work in progress
as well as time to write and relax. NEW: free Nimes pickup for participants
arriving on the Luton-Nimes flight (arrives 9.55am).
* 29 June – 3 July
: Create Your Inner Yoga, with Lynn Kelley-Piper (in English). Cost
TBC (coming soon).
This week is devoted to listening and being with the Self, to rediscover
and nurture who you really are. It will allow you the time and space
to create inner harmony, strengthen your body and mind with stillness
and movement that together take you to a deeper place. It will rekindle
meaning in your daily life. It is an exploration into our Original
Breath, Pranayama, Asana, Chakras, Meditation, The Sutras, Ayurveda, Yoga
Nidra, as well as sound and movement to compliment your Viniyoga
immersion.
* 17 – 22 July : Feu et Lumière dans le Yoga, with Hélène
Guiter (in French). Cost 590€ (Euros). Five days of intensive yoga practice to connect us with the fundamental
principles of fire: fire of the stomach, the breath and the axis. Postures
(asanas), breath-work (pranayama), concentration (dharana) and eye
techniques (drishti) and meditation (dhyana) will help us to activate
and channel this fire, the source of lightness, light and joy.
* 24 – 30 July : Yoga with Jean-François Beaulieu (in
French). Cost 530€ (Euros).
Jean-François returns for his popular workshop exploring the
fundamental principles of yoga. Using asanas (postures), pranayama
(breath work) and the silent art of meditation, he will lead us towards
a greater awareness of the relationship between body and spirit to
guide us gently towards a union of our whole being. Meals will be prepared
together as a group, in order to foster a shared sense of responsibility – and
fun! - among participants.
* 7 – 14 August : Art & Yoga with Karen Stamper (in English).
Cost £800 (pounds sterling).
Refresh, recharge and relax as you learn to draw, paint and improve
your yoga practice in a supportive and inspiring environment. This
week’s Art workshops will be fun and designed to inspire confidence
and creativity using a variety of different materials and techniques
including pencils, paints, charcoal, pastels and collage. They are
ideal for beginners and those who ‘dabble’. The Yoga workshops
are suitable for all levels and will work to stretch out your aches
and stiffness, align your joints, calm the nervous system and quieten
the mind.
* 17 – 24 September : Finding Your Voice in Writing, with Crysse
Morrison (in English). Cost £535 (pounds sterling).
This course is for anyone - pure beginner or more experienced writer
- who wants to explore their creativity and develop a personal voice
in writing. Tutor Crysse Morrison will help you explore all aspects
of style and narrative, including using memories, imagining characters,
describing settings and using dialogue. The emphasis is on enjoyment
and fun, and ideas are adaptable to any genre from poetry to novels.
Includes one-to-one sessions to discuss and advise on personal work.
NEW: free Nimes pickup for participants arriving on the Luton-Nimes
flight (arrives 9.55am).
* 10 – 17 November : IBS Treatment Help Retreat, with Alex Duncan
and Denise Furet (in English). Cost £1989 (pounds sterling).
A highly-personalised week long retreat for IBS sufferers who wish
to learn how to cure their IBS using the holistic approach of Ayurveda
and Yoga. Learn how to cook special recipes that help cure IBS for
good. Receive one-to-one guidance in the use of Ayurveda and Yoga for
the management of IBS. Pamper yourself with Ayurvedic massages, eat
delicious organic vegetarian food tailored to your condition and relax
in the heart of nature. Numbers strictly limited.
Gîtes
Our 2 beautiful, independent gîtes (holiday apartments) are
available for weekly rentals for those who want to do their own thing
at Gardoussel Retreat. We have 2 gîtes available:
* le Pigeonnier has two twin/double bedrooms
and a sofa bed in the living room giving it a capacity of 6 people.
It has a large kitchen
with an open-plan living/dining room and a shaded, completely private
terrace for outdoor dining. Also a shower room and separate toilet.
450€ per week
* le Gîte Vert also has two twin/double bedrooms and a sofa
bed in the living room (total capacity 6 people). It has a living/dining
room and a modern fitted kitchen as well as a terrace overhung with
rambling vines for outdoor dining. 430€ per week
Both gîtes are available for let from Saturday to Saturday.
Guests have the use of our loft workspace and outdoor yoga deck in
addition to our 18 hectares of meadow and woodland – perfect
for bodywork, ball games and exploring! There are also swings for children
and a badminton/volleyball net. A cot can be provided on request.
Guest Rooms
We have five independent guest bedrooms in addition
to the gîtes.
All have been tastefully renovated and are available for rent in addition
to one or both of our gites. This can suit larger groups or families
holidaying with a friend or another couple who wish to share a gite
experience but don’t necessarily want to rent two gîtes.
220€ / week or 32€ / night per bedroom
* la Bergerie :
A former barn adjacent to the main property containing three en-suite
bedrooms, two with a double and a single bed, and one with four singles.
* le Nid :
At the heart of the main building, le Nid was recently converted to
create two three-person bedrooms, each with a mezzanine and a shared
adjoining bathroom.
Therapies
Various extras are available at Gardoussel, provided by experienced,
fully-qualified practitioners. Take your pick from Ayurvedic or Swedish
massage, craniosacral therapy, reiki, acupuncture, Ayurvedic consultations,
cookery classes and group yoga classes (min. 5 participants).
**************
Gardoussel Retreat : 30940
Saint-André de
Valborgne, France
www.gardoussel.com
tel : +33 (0) 4 66 60 16
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