(No availability) 4 Day Beginners Zen Yoga and Meditation Retreat, Deep Relaxation and Guided Walks, Dordogne
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Meditation and Yoga Retreat Dordogne
Zen - Meditation & Yoga Retreat offers you a specialised retreat for complete beginners to the practice of yoga and meditation. This 4 day retreat will allow you to discover the huge life long benefits to both of these practices. This weekend will also will allow you to leave behind the stress and noise of the outside world and discover the silence and calm that is inherent in all of us.
Meet the instructors
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Highlights
- Daily morning meditation at 09:00
- 2 classes per day (Zen - Restorative - Nidra)
- 4 days of yoga practice (Starting at 17:00 on arrival day)
- Daily guided forest walk to allow you to re-connect with nature
- 1 creative art and mindful group project (2-hour session)
- Daily balanced vegetarian brunch and dinner
- 3 nights accommodation
- Ground transportation
Skill level
- Beginner
Bergerac Dordogne Périgord Airport (US$ 48 per person)
Accommodation
There are five twin guest bedrooms available. Two twin bedrooms are located in the main house and three twin rooms are in the renovated barn.
There are five showers including a large wet room shared between the rooms. Bed linen, shower, pool towels, shampoo and soap, and hairdryers are all provided.
Program
You will learn two types of seated Zen meditation known as Zazen and explore walking meditation in the surrounding countryside. During the weekend you will learn the origins of yoga and the benefits of breath work and yoga poses. By the end of the weekend you will be able to take away with you a personalised yoga and meditation practice that will continue to support you well after the retreat is finished.
You will also be introduced to the practice of Yoga Nidra, a deeply restorative practice that will support the calming of the nervous system. This very special practice has a long list of health benefits.
Overview
Valerie Meigetsu offers a caring, kind, safe and compassionate space for you to discover and explore these potential life-changing practices. Daily yoga and meditation, mindful walks and guided deep relaxation. The weekend is dedicated to slowing down, taking time out for yourself and creating a focus around your overall well-being.
As the weekend comes to an end you will be able to leave with a solid daily yoga and meditation practice which you will continue to benefit from. There is ongoing support via Zen - Meditation & Yoga Retreat's website where all the sessions that you experience during the weekend are recorded and available to all guests.
Zen yoga is a practice of consciousness, it does not rush through the yoga poses but takes time to align the body, learn to breathe with the pose and feel the practice physically through the body. The practice is therefore slow and mindful.
Zen - Meditation & Yoga Retreat does not offer power yoga, or hot yoga. Their yoga practice is taken from the origins of Hatha and Zen.
Transformational Retreat Itinerary
Thursday
- 12.00 Arrival
- 13:00 Vegetarian brunch
- 14:00 Free time
- 17:00 Opening circle and introduction
- 17:30 Restorative yoga class or forest walk
- 19:30 Vegetarian dinner
- 21:00 Evening walk
Friday
- 08:00 Morning bell - Noble silence
- 08:30 Zen Gentle Yoga
- 09:45 Zazen sitting meditation
- 10:15 Yoga Nidra
- 11:30 Vegetarian brunch
- 12.30 Free Time (Massages/treatments)
- 18:00 Restorative yoga/Nidra healing
- 19:30 Vegetarian dinner
- 21.00 Evening walk
Saturday
- 08:00 Morning bell - Noble silence
- 08:30 Zen Gentle Yoga
- 09:45 Zazen sitting meditation
- 10:15 Yoga Nidra
- 11:30 Vegetarian Brunch
- 12:30 Free time
- 16:00 Mindful Creative Workshop (visiting guest artist)
- 18:00 Restorative yoga or deep relaxation/healing
- 19:30 Vegetarian dinner
- 21:00 Evening walk
- 22.00 End of day
Sunday
- 08:00 Morning bell - Noble silence
- 08:30 Zen Gentle Yoga
- 09:45 Zazen sitting meditation
- 10:15 Relaxation/yoga nidra
- 11:00 Brunch
- 12:30 Retreat ends
- 13:00 Free time
Please note that this timetable can change and is often determined by the weather. For example if the sun is shining in the morning the group will take a morning walk rather than an evening walk when the weather may not be as warm.
Included excursions
During this retreat, you will take part in guided country and forest walks (mindfulness walks which will include periods of silence).
Instructors
Valérie Meigetsu
Valérie is a Buddhist zen practitioner. She has studied the practice of zen since 2010 after meeting her teacher zen master Daizan. Valérie has qualified as a Zen Yoga instructor and as a Zen Meditation and Mindfulness teacher (Wellbeing and Insight), she is a Reiki Level 2 practitioner and studied for a Diploma in Buddhist History in 2020. Valerie studied for a Post graduate in Existential Psychotherapy at the University of West London subsequently working and supporting young people in colleges /schools for 12 years.
Location
The traditional farmhouse and barn are situated in the heart of the Dordogne countryside between the villages of Tocane-Saint-Apre and Douchapt. From the house and gardens, you will enjoy uninterrupted views across the valley and be able to enjoy relaxing walks through the surrounding forests and fields.
Food
Zen - Meditation & Yoga Retreat offers a delicious balanced menu of organic fruit and vegetables, homemade soups, and vegetarian dishes to nourish your appetites. Most of the veg and fruit come from their very own organic garden.
The meals are served on a large communal table on the terrace (weather permitting) and are served by the in-house cook. Out of season, all meals are served in the farmhouse kitchen. Complimentary teas and organic fresh fruits are available throughout the day.
Please note that Zen - Meditation & Yoga Retreat does not serve alcohol during their retreats.
The following meals are included:
- Brunch
- Dinner
- Snacks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Organic
- Raw food
Things to do (optional)
At Zen - Meditation & Yoga Retreat, they are very lucky to be surrounded by the most beautiful countryside and forest with miles of well-marked public footpaths for you to explore. The Medieval city of Perigueux with its incredible cathedral is 25 minutes away while the towns of Brantome and Bourdeilles are both within easy reach. Both towns have the river Dronne running through them and you can spend a beautiful afternoon canoeing along miles of crystal clear waters.
The market town of Riberac is a 15-minute drive away and offers one of the best Friday morning markets in the Dordogne. You can sample local cheeses, honey, and wines as well as find little gifts to take home with you. A little further afield Bergerac and the Dordogne river are highly recommended as a day trip with its medieval buildings and stunning views along the Dordogne river.
Spa treatments
Zen - Meditation & Yoga Retreat has a Reiki practitioner and Ayurvedic massage therapist and reflexologist. All are available for treatments during the weekend. These treatments are at an extra cost between 65 / 75 EUR per hour and you are kindly requested to pay the therapist directly after your treatment.
Please note that booking must be made 7 days prior to arrival.
What's included
- 3 nights accommodation
- Early morning teas and fruit
- Daily vegetarian brunch and dinner
- 3 morning meditation (Zazen)
- 3 Gentle Zen yoga lessons
- 3 Yoga Nidra or Restorative yoga classes
- 1 daily guided country and forest walk
- 1 Sound Bath (Saturday evening)
- 1 Group Creative Arts Session (guest artist)
- 1-1 support from Valerie Meigetsu (if required)
What's not included
- Flights
- Bergerac Airport transfers to the property (35 EUR roundtrip)
- Medical or travel insurance
- Additional treatments such as massage and reflexology are available on site (65/75 EUR for 1 hour)
- Please note that these must be pre-booked prior to arrival
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport
103 km
Transfer not provided
Bergerac Dordogne Périgord Airport
46 km
Transfer available for additional US$ 48 per person
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport (BOD) or Bergerac Dordogne Périgord Airport (EGC). From Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport (BOD), you can travel by train to Saint Astier train station. Free pick-up from this station is available. Transfer from and to Bergerac Dordogne Périgord Airport (EGC) is available upon request at an additional cost of 40 EUR.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 30% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.
