Beyond Words
8th-13th October 2024, France
So much of our human experience is beyond language. It is simply felt. Except, it’s not always that simple, is it? In a world where distractions tug at our attention in every moment, accessing the deeper layers of our being – the juicy stuff beyond words – takes time and space, with guided practices to bring us back to our centre in a setting that’s peaceful and held. This five-day immersion is your invitation to go to that place; to take time away from responsibilities and truly nourish yourself in a private hamlet in rural South West France.
Expect playful flows, embodied movement, meditation, breathwork, sound healing, yin and more: practices that encourage a deepening and softening into being.
You’ll spend time connecting in community, moving your body in creative ways, eating delicious food, absorbing the tranquil French countryside and resting as much as you need to, all in the safe hands of two experienced facilitators and friends. Expect playful flows, embodied movement, meditation, breathwork, sound healing, yin and more: practices that encourage a deepening and softening into being. This is a retreat experience that invites you to go inwards. A journey through the body to meet what wants to express.
After the summer months where self-enquiry tends to give way to hedonism, October is THE perfect time to transition into a new chapter with intention. It’s the month of balance (the stars officially called that one). Oh, and we also have two gorgeous studios to practise in, as well as two swimming pools, and all the bedrooms are equally gorgeous. If you’re feeling the call to peel back some layers, go deep into your experience and find your joy, mark your diary and join us in beautiful France!
EARLY BIRD OFFER ON
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EARLY BIRD OFFER ON ✺
Collette Davis
“Words are so powerful but they’re always only pointing to the experience, they’re never going to be the experience itself.”
Amassa is located just west of Toulouse and has two studio spaces, two pools, beautiful rolling fields and local markets a plenty! Our venue is a private hamlet made up of a collection of stone cottages and barns, situated within 6 hectares of fields, gardens and woods. Consider it our own little village to explore and call home for five blissful nights.
The Venue
We have the luxury of yoga-ing in two large studio spaces! While flowing through your vinyasas in the main studio you’ll enjoy the light pouring in from the large double-height sliding windows where the old barn doors once lived. Then up on the mezzanine, we’re blessed with a cosy, bright and airy studio space designed for rest and relaxation. We’re even spoiled with underfloor heating (hello ultimate yin relaxation), yoga mats, props, blankets, and excellent sound systems. It doesn’t get much better than this!
Each cottage has its own lounge and kitchenette area as well as outdoor terrace and gardens beyond! Expect French rustic charm, blended with modern comforts and furnished with locally sourced vintage finds.
You’ll be completely immersed in rural beauty, waking up to birdsong, enjoying the peace and quiet, and revelling in the simplicity of being. We carefully chose this venue over many others because for us it’s the full package, a quiet kind of luxury.
You’ll find plenty of little nooks to nestle in for solitary moments with a book, sketchpad or journal. There’s space for you to stretch out in a hammock or lounge chair and drift off into a nap. If you fancy a dip in one of the outdoor swimming pools, or you’re in the mood for a game of ping pong, boules, perhaps a bike ride to enjoy the surroundings, there’s everything to meet your energy and desires.
What you can expect
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Yoga
Morning + evening movement ~
We’ll begin each morning with a guided meditation followed by a playful and dynamic vinyasa flow class. When we gather in the evenings we’ll invite a softer energy as we drop into guided pranayama and yin or restorative yoga to wind down from the day. Each practice will be 90 mins.
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Workshops
For the curious ~
We’ll hold space for you to rediscover your intuitive way of being through journalling practices, immersive sound baths, guided breathwork, embodied movement, gathering in circle and more. These curated sessions are designed for you to drop from the thinking mind into a deeper felt sense of your experience.
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Nourishment
The food ~
All brunches, snacks and dinners will be vegetarian and lovingly prepared by the talented Shoots and Leaves, who use seasonal, local ingredients (think incredible French produce!) and have a low/no waste ethos. When was the last time you didn’t have to cater for yourself for five whole days? Bliss.
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Thermal Baths + Spa
Optional pampering ~
Fancy a mini adventure (just 20 mins’ drive) to the thermal spa? Catch a ride with us after morning practice to enjoy the natural hot thermal pool, hammam, sauna and jacuzzi for €18. There’s also the option to book a private treatment with a massage therapist onsite and relax at the venue.
Meet your guides
Although we met during our yoga teacher training back in 2018, it’s only in the last few years that our relationship has blossomed into a close bond. Our natural synergy and shared vision for the way we live and guide practices has made planning this retreat very special, organic and exciting. We can’t wait for you to experience the gifts we’re sharing from a place of deep friendship, mutual understanding and trust.
Whether I’m leading an embodied yoga flow, sound bath or sharing circle, I invite a sense of curiosity and playfulness into everything I offer. A self-confessed textbook Libra, I’m a big advocate for holistic balance and feel as much at home on the dance floor (with Charley) as I do in the yoga studio. Spawned from a deep belief that the wellbeing world can get a bit too serious sometimes, I take a light-hearted yet heartfelt approach, helping you to access your innate joy, freedom and liberation.
Faith McAllister
I guide students on an intentional, invigorating journey away from the inner critic and toward a place of peace and awareness. Whether leading a dynamic or powerful vinyasa flow, a deeply restorative class, or guiding you gently through a meditation, my teachings are creative, playful and thoughtfully designed for all levels to explore. I have a wealth of knowledge in various movement practices from a background in dance, and hold a compassionate space for everyone of all abilities to jump in and play! When not at yoga it’s likely you’ll find me under a disco ball (with Faith).
Charley Logan
Accommodation and rates
Each cottage hosts one to three bedrooms and comes with its own lounge, kitchenette and outdoor terrace. The rates below include all classes, workshops, catering and housekeeping.
⇣ EARLY BIRD OFFER ⇣
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FULL PRICE - £1125
Prices are per person for a single bed in a triple room. This includes a private bathroom, fresh linens and towels.
You can secure your space with a £350 deposit.
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FULL PRICE - £1225
Prices are per person for a bed in a twin room. This includes a private bathroom, fresh linens and towels. Beds can be arranged as a double for sharing on request.
You can secure your space with a £350 deposit.
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FULL PRICE - £1575
Enjoy a private room with a double bed, en-suite bathroom, fresh linens and towels all to yourself.
You can secure this room with a £350 deposit.
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✺ Five nights accommodation at Amassa
✺ Morning and evening practice (90 mins)
✺ Opening and closing circle
✺ Movement workshop
✺ Guided sound bath
✺ Journaling
✺ All vegetarian brunches, snacks and dinners
✺ A welcome gift
✺ Housekeeping of rooms with fresh linens and towels
✺ Total use of the grounds, yoga spaces, yoga props, bicycles, games, swimming pools
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✺ Massage treatments with onsite therapist
✺ Excursion to the thermal spa
✺ Transfers from Toulouse airport to the venue (we can link you with guests arriving at a similar time and help organise taxis)
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✺ Flights/transport to Toulouse
✺ Travel and health insurance
BOOKING
BOOKING
If you’re ready to join us in France, please express your interest by completing the form below and we'll reply with details of how to secure your space with a deposit of £350. Feel free to use the message box for any queries too – no question is too small! Prefer email? Drop us a line here. You’ll hear back from us within 24 hours.
Besides putting a lot of love, time and energy in organising this retreat, we also have to make non-recoverable payments in advance to make them happen, so please read our terms and conditions here carefully before you book.