Details

This auction is for the unique opportunity for 2 guests to attend a fabulous 6-night Yoga Mind & Body Retreat (22 – 28 June 2017 only). The winner will be staying in a Double/Twin Room with Private Bathroom at a beautiful farmhouse in La Poublee, Le Mazeau, Vendee. Your stay includes: transfers to and from La Rochelle, Poitiers or Nantes airport and all food and drink consumed at the villa, valued at approximately £799 GBP/ $1,020 USD*.

Prize stay dates: this 6-night prize can only be taken 22 June – 28 June 2017. Guests arrive late afternoon of Wednesday 22 June and leave morning of Wednesday 28 June 2017.

Please note this auction has a reserve price set of £240 GBP.

Yoga Mind & Body 6-Day Retreat at Le Mazeau Villa, The Vendee, France

Yoga Mind & Body is a yoga-teaching academy based in Surrey and Hampshire. Their raison d’etre is to increase participation in yoga by promoting an inclusive form of yoga for a wide orbit of ability and experience. Their experiences incorporate yogic exercise, breathing, relaxation and meditation. Teaching is in keeping with the heritage and values of traditional yoga and the approach is factual and fresh, tapered for the nurture of a healthy body and mind.

The yoga retreats continue this theme with some focused yoga, but it’s always sure to be fun and not taken too seriously. Guests are there to enjoy yoga whilst having a great time doing just what you want to do. The great thing about one of these retreats is that the professionals have time to work with people on a more individual basis and in many ways, it’s an ideal place for beginners to develop their practice.

At the same time, you won’t feel too tied to yoga as the team want you to have a truly happy and memorable holiday; as well as great yoga experience. Located in a beautiful French National Park, there’s lots to do nearby including: beaches, walks, village markets, cycling, golf.

The quality of food during your retreat is a highlight with catering to suit all diets. Plus, (although clearly anything to excess is not good yoga) you can drink as much wine as you may wish – or alternatively opt for a healthy drink – it’s always your choice.

There will be a total of 3 yoga sessions per day, one before breakfast, one before dinner, and one before bed. The latter is to be a short relaxation and meditation session.

In addition to yoga, you can enjoy Holistic Beauty and Massage Treatments with Chandrika Shah, one of the students. Chandrika will provide Reiki and massage treatments on-site. All you do is book with her before or during your stay when you would like these therapies. £39 for a 60-minute treatment, with a 20% discount for more than one booking.

Yoga Teachers

Johnston Lowry (the Founder of Yoga Mind and Body) will be doing most of the teaching, supported for some sessions by Clare, an excellent local teacher (from England) who has lived in France for some years. You will, therefore, get a variety of approaches: always a good thing, particularly during a retreat. Johnston will be covering all the pre-bedtime relaxation and meditation sessions.

One-to-One or One-to-Two Yoga Sessions

Johnston will be able to provide a small number of one-to-one or one-to-two coaching. All you do is book with him before or during you stay. The cost will be £39 per person, with a 20% discount for more than one booking.

During your stay, you will have the opportunity to improve your Yoga skills but, above all, you will have the chance to relax and eat well in a magnificent house in the heart of the French countryside. The winner will be staying in a Double/Twin Room with Private Bathroom in a beautiful riverside farmhouse situated in the Marais Poitevin. The prize includes transfers to and from La Rochelle, Poitiers or Nantes airport, and all food and drink consumed at villa. The beautiful house is full of rustic charm with 8 guest bedrooms, Sky TV and wifi, and outside you will find a newly renovated eating area with a pizza-oven, BBQ, and handmade table overlooking the gardens and river, perfect for a get-together. There is also a heated swimming pool with a bespoke seating area built alongside for relaxing in the sunshine.

SAMPLE DAILY ITINERARY
A typical day would begin with an hour-long morning yoga session by the pool from 8.30 – 10.00am followed by a healthy continental breakfast.
After breakfast, you can go on different excursions pre-organised, for example walks by the rivers and canals of the Venise Verte, the beach, La Rochelle, vineyards tour, explore local towns and markets where there are many fabulous restaurants and cafes for lunch or relax by the pool.
There will then be another yoga session from 5.30 – 7.00pm before a nutritious gourmet meal prepared by our hosts Emily and Matt.
After supper, you can choose to read, chat with friends or round off your day from 9.30 – 10.00pm with a guided meditation or deep relaxation before bed.
None of the activities are compulsory so you can choose how you would like to spend each day.
Overall the holiday is very relaxed, fun and a chance to unwind whilst exploring different aspects of your yoga and meditation practice, with an experienced teacher in a beautiful, nurturing environment.
DESCRIPTION AND CONDITIONS OF THE RETREAT
Summary
The 6-day and 3-Day Retreat will run over a weekend (June 22nd to 28th June) with yourself arriving on late afternoon of Wednesday 22nd June or Sunday 25th and leaving on the morning of Sunday 25th or Wednesday 28th June.

MENU
The menu will always try to use local, seasonal, fresh produce as much as possible and subject to availability. Vegetarian and vegan menu options are available if you would prefer and a glass of wine or two is included!

Breakfast:
Fresh fruit, berries etc, fresh pastries, fruit tea’s, detox juice, various juices, chia porridge.

A typical Lunch:
Starter
Asparagus with capers and egg
Seaweed, ginger and carrot salad.
Stuffed Romano peppers with ricotta and mascarpone
Main
Cauliflower steaks with zahter
Butternut Squash With Ginger Tomatoes And Lime Yoghurt
Dessert
Homemade fruit sorbet

A typical dinner:
Starter
Roast Butternut Squash And Red Onion With Tahini And Za’atar
Marinated Mushrooms With Walnut And Tahini Yogurt
Celeriac purée with spiced cauliflower and quail’s eggs
Main
Roast Chicken With Dates, Olives And Capers
Sweet And Smoky Mexican Chicken
Griddled fish or chicken with Farro And Roasted Red Pepper Salad.
Dessert
Grilled Peaches, Apricots And Figs With Scented Yoghurt
Roasted figs with pomegranate molasses and orange zest
Roasted rhubarb with sweet labneh
A variety of Cheese’s

INCLUDED IN YOUR STAY:
Food and drink at the villa, as well as excursions, are included in this price
Flights are your responsibility. Transfers to and from the airport (not ferry-ports) to Le Mazeau are covered within your stay
Price excludes any meals out, where there will be a £20 supplement.

IMPORTANT STUFF FOR GOOD KARMA
Please make sure we are informed of any health conditions or special needs you may have prior to booking. Our contact details are below or visit www.yogamindandbody.uk
The costs and booking of flights or ferry are totally your responsibility.
Bedlinen will be changed on Sunday.
Travel/medical/personal insurance is totally your responsibility. Please ensure you have all the necessary documentation with you.
You can travel light but make sure you do have sun-protection, and some warm clothing, just in case! It’s a good idea to bring your own mat. However, we will have plenty of mats at Le Mazeau. It’s not an issue whether you do or don’t bring your own equipment. A limited number of bolsters, blocks, straps and light blankets, for use during the yoga sessions, will be available.

Terms and Conditions

: Luxury Travel Diary terms and conditions apply. This auction is for 2 guests to attend a 6-night Yoga Mind & Body Retreat (22 – 28 June 2017 only), staying at La Poublee, Le Mazeau, Vendee, in a Double/Twin Room with Private Bathroom. *This auction item is valued at approximately £799 GBP by Big In France – please note this valuation is the list price provided to Luxury Travel Diary by the Auction Prize Provider and should be used as a guide only as cheaper discounted rates may be available. No cash alternative is available. This auction item excludes flights and transport, except for the transfers mentioned in the auction description above – you will need to arrange your own flights / transportation to and from your home to La Rochelle, Poitiers or Nantes Airport in France to coincide with the course. This auction prize can only be taken 22 – 28 June 2017. A place on this course is subject to availability. If this course is unavailable you will be offered a place on a different course later in the year. Please note this auction has a reserve price set of £240 GBP. Please note the following is not included: Visas and travel / medical insurance, any meals out. Winners must pay for their auction item in full via Paypal within 48 hours of the auction end, otherwise Luxury Travel Diary Ltd. reserves the right to offer the auction item to the next highest bidder with immediate effect.