Gardoussel Retreat Newsletter January 2009
30940 Saint-André de Valborgne, France
tel : +33 (0) 4 66 60 16 78 www.gardoussel.com
Dear friend,
Happy new year! We have just finalized our calendar of events for 2009, full details of which are available on our website www.gardoussel.com. This year we have yoga, art, creative writing, poetry and healing courses on offer, as well as our usual gite rentals. All our courses are residential and full-board, served with delicious vegetarian meals prepared by our two wonderful chefs Frances and Maggie.
We still have a few workshop slots left so if you are a tutor and looking for somewhere beautiful to run an event this year, do contact us about dates.
We are all looking forward to a wonderful year ahead. The hills are crisp with frost at the moment but the sun is laying down a gauzy gold sheath to remind us she’s still there with the promise of a warm season ahead.
We wish you all a very happy 2009 and look forward to seeing some of you later in the year.
With much warmth,
Sharon and Alex
Gardoussel Calendar of Events 2009
* 20 – 27 June : ‘Seeing Things - a Poetry Course’ (in English). Cost £535
A poetry-writing course that offers you the chance to slow down, take notice and refresh your way of looking at the world. The aim is to explore the unseen - the instincts and feelings which underpin experience - to help each writer develop their own unique vision. The course will include daily group writing workshops, close reading of poems, private writing time and one to one tutorials, as well as the chance to share creative work in a supportive atmosphere. All levels of experience are welcome.
* 25 – 31 July : ‘Yoga’ (in French). Cost: 510€
Jean-François returns for a 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.
* 1 - 8 August : ‘Finding Your Voice in Writing’ (in English) Cost: £510
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.
* 8 - 15 August : ‘Art and Yoga’ (in English) Cost: £760
Refresh, recharge and relax as you learn to draw, paint and improve your yoga practice in a supportive, creative and inspiring environment. The 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.
* 15 - 22 August : Healing Retreat (in English) Cost: £525
You do not have to put up with chronic pain, emotional distress or spiritual uncertainty. The aim of this retreat is to put you on your own personal healing path. Working in group and individual sessions, we will discover the nature of illness and imbalance. Whatever your issues, we will find out the reasons for them, and what messages our bodies are communicating to us through the medium of ill-health. With this knowledge the healing process can begin. Daily yoga and meditation classes will complement the healing sessions as will the catering which is based on Ayurvedic principles.
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 four 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, all provided by experienced, fully-qualified practitioners. Take your pick from massage (Ayurvedic and Swedish), craniosacral therapy, reiki, acupuncture, Ayurvedic consultations, cookery classes and group yoga classes (min. 5 participants).
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