Summer Retreat in the Mountains of Alta Garrotxa , Catalan Pyrenees
The offering
“The way of love is not a subtle argument,
The door there is devastation.
Birds make great sky circles of their freedom
How do they learn that ?
They fall.
And by falling they’re given wings’
Rumi
Yoga , Meditation , Continuum & Hiking – plus Conscious Dance /Movement
Over the 6 days, be guided in morning & evening practices for your discovery of inner ease, strength & vitality. Lead by a teacher with over 20 years of experience, in a space crafted for your inner unravelling, radical rest and clarity .
Intrinsic to this immersion is time spent together in group silent meditative walking and hiking to strengthen the connection between the land & your inner landscape.
With incredible food & beautiful accommodation , cradled in the stunning mountain landscape of the Alta Garrotxa National Park.
With plenty of free time to go walking in the forests, or bath in the river and water pools that are within the retreat estate.
In an area that abounds with wildlife and each season has its own beauty at Les Gavatxes, that stretches up into the forested mountain landscape and down to the river in the valley.
A beautiful time of year to rest in deep nature & open to embrace your connection to life all within the community of the group.
A yoga and meditation practice suitable for all , with or without previous experience.
The place
Breathe between two valleys, discover yourself again, immersed in nature
Cradled in the mountains of the nature reserve of Alta Garrotxa, lies the beautiful 56-hectare estate of Les Gavatxes. With views down into the meadows and up towards the higher peaks, our wonder is kindled. Mind and body can rest easily.
The resident community will ensure you have what you need for a peaceful and memorable stay.
Located near the spectacular medieval village of Beget in the pristine and tranquil nature of the deep pyrenees north of Olot. The estate (56 hectares) mostly consists of forests, meadows, and two rivers. All power is from renewable energy and water comes from a spring.
In spring, summer and autumn the landscape is in constant flux, with ever-changing wildflowers, shady forests, and wildlife such as deer, boar, vultures, and eagles abundant. When you are here you will certainly be surprised… It is a well-kept secret for walkers and nature lovers.
There are many hiking trails in the area for all levels of difficulty and experience.
What we will do
The mornings will be dedicated to practice . We shall being with early morning meditation & walking meditation.
Followed each morning by a 2 hour yoga session, where we will begin with a gentle invitation to open up the body, exploring and deepening into posture over the 6 days.
A yoga practice inspired by Vanda Scaravelli that cultivates presence, and an orientation to an awakening of the dance of the spine through playful exploration through the asanas, through breathe and simply arriving into meditation.
Inviting you to embrace much more than just ‘doing’ the posture honouring body wisdom.
One afternoon there will be a group silent walking meditation through the forests. And an opportunity to bath in natural pools near the end of the trail. With one other shorter walking meditation in the forest surrounding over the 6 days.
In addition, one evening at the end of the retreat we shall enjoy a 1 hr Conscious Free Dance/ Movement session.
We will have lunch at 12.30 which will be followed by afternoons for your rest and free time.
Walk or hike into the forest or to take a short walk down the valley to the rivers and water pools to bath in the incredible wild mountain landscape. Or rest in the many contemplative spots in the beautiful acres of land in which the retreat centre is nestled. Watch the incredible sunsets and be bathed in the sounds and sights of mountain nature.
We will return to the mat in the late afternoon for a 2 hr evening yoga practice followed by dinner.
I will offer a few short periods of silence to allow an arrival into deep rest and connection. In the surrounds of deep nature, silence is a gateway into a deeper connection to presence.
Participants often find that rather than shutting out the world the gift of silence offers a discovery of a sense of deeper ease and connection with others and to life.
The Food
Delicious & balanced food created by the resident cook Eva. You will be nourished by beautiful and lovingly created vegan /vegetarian dishes using local and organice produce , plus vegetables from the organic garden and wild food foraged from the estate land.
The schedule
2 hiking & guided silent group walking meditations will be scheduled according to weather and the group during the 6 days immersion
Saturday 6th July
Start time 4pm
4pm – 5.30pm Registration , Tea , Welcome and practicalities
6.00 – 8pm Opening Circle and Yoga Practice
8.30pm Dinner
Sunday 7th July
7.15- 8.00 am Early Morning Meditation
8.00 – 8.30am Walking Meditation
8.30 – Light breakfast
9.30- 11.30am Yoga practice
11.30- 12.15 Free time
12.15 Lunch
Free time *optional hiking 2.5 hrs / guided walking meditation 1.5 hrs during the 6 days
4.15pm Tea & snack
5.00 – 7.00pm Yoga Practice
7.30 pm Dinner
Final Day Thursday 11th July
7.15 – 8.00am Early Morning Meditation
8.00 -8.30am Walking Meditation
8.30 Light Breakfast
9.30 – 11.30am Yoga Practice & Closing Circle
12.30 Lunch
13.30 Departures Begin
All yoga and meditation classes will take place in the beautiful Sala a room with heating to be able to receive groups all year.
The accommodation
All prices are per person and include all teachings, accommodation, food , snacks and drinks. Airport transfers can be easily arranged for an additional cost.
The Log Cabin Rooms
€675 per person – 2 people sharing , two single beds
€795 single private occupancy
The log cabin is located an easy 5 minute walk away from the main house, with an uninterrupted view over the Salarsa Valley.
It has 4 cosy light rooms and a large bathroom. With a large fully equipped open plan kitchen & dining area with a large table and chairs for those of you sharing together. And an area with sofa and soft chairs for you to lounge and share.
In between practice, the log cabin is a beautiful place to rest. You can enjoy the large front veranda with glorious views out onto the valley with a tea or your book or hammock . Or watch the sunrise or sunset or star gaze.
Just behind you is the beginning of the estate path up into the lush forests.
The Yurt * new option
€650 per person for two people sharing , two single beds
The beautiful Yurt . If you would like to be that closer to nature over your stay this is the perfect option. With its own outside kitchen area, and outside compost toilet and shower.
Zendo Apartment One
€825 per person – for two people sharing
In the former barn, above the zendo, a spacious, light and delightfully comfortable apartment. In Apartment A enjoy exquisite views of Coma Negra.
For 2 people with two single beds or a double bed. Ideal if you are a couple or coming with a friend and wish to share privately with your own facilities. Each Zendo Apartment comes with its own private kitchen and bathroom. And sofa area to lounge in .
Watch the sunrise or sunset , with exquisite views down the valley to the beautiful peak of Come Negro.
Simply and tastefully decorated. You will be at ease in these delightful spacious, lightfilled apartments.
Zendo Apartment 2
€825 per person – for two people sharing
In the former barn, above the zendo, the second of two light, spacious and delightfully comfortable apartments.
For 2 people with two single beds or a double bed. Ideal if you are a couple or coming with a friend and wish to share privately with your own facilities. Each Zendo Apartment comes with its own private kitchen and bathroom. And sofa area to lounge in .
Watch the sunrise or sunset , with exquisite views down the valley to the beautiful peak of Come Negro.
Simply and tastefully decorated. You will be at ease in these delightful spacious, lightfilled apartments.
La Casita
€850 per person – for two people sharing
La Casita is a charming choice. A spacious & cozy log cabin with two single beds or one double bed. Nestled in the gardens away from the main house , adjacent to what we call the Buddha-field with views to the forest, to the main house and the stunning ” Coma negra” mountain.
La Casita has a large bedroom , bathroom with shower and a living room / kitchen area with sofa and table and beautiful views down the valley to the main house.
The Large Apartment
€750 per person – for two people sharing
The large apartment is part of the original main farmhouse at ground level. This spacious apartment has two single beds and a large open plan living room and kitchen.
The apartment has an adjoining bathroom that is shared with one other room for single private occupancy. So a bathroom for sharing between the 3 people.
Private Room Large Apartment
€785 for one person with a queen double bed
A beautiful private room with a double bed and own entrance.
You will feel very well cared for in this charming room.
Sharing a bathroom with two others.
Optional therapies
Biodynamic cranio- sacral therapy will be on offer for an extra cost.
How to get there
Les Gavatxes , 17867 Beget (Girona) Spain
From Barcelona it is easily reachable by bus. To Olot or the nearest small town Castelfollit de la Roca. Let us know in advance and we will arrange a pick up for a small fee.
By bus http://www.teisa-bus.com from Barcelona or Girona to Castellfollit de la Roca. From there you can be picked up .
By car /vehicle approx 2 hr 15 min drive from Barcelona .
By plane – the nearest airport is Girona from where you can arrange a transfer from Girona Airport for a small fee .
Buses also run from Girona to Olot & Castellfollit de la Roca.
From Barcelona El Prat you can hire a car , or take public transport as above.
There will also be opportunities for car sharing . Please let us know your travel plans well in advance to help you organise this.
The Timings
Start Saturday 6th July – arrival time from 2pm arrive by 4pm to start at 4.30pm
Finish Thursday 11th July @ 3.30pm
By joining you agree to be present for the whole retreat. Please check with us in advance if you need advice on the retreat arrival/departure times to ensure you connect with your transport connections.
Yoga 