in the Spanish 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
5 days of yoga and meditation guided by a teacher with over 15 years of experience, to rekindle & replenish the deep essence of your being, cradled in the lush mountains of the Spanish Pyrenees.
With food lovingly crafted by retreat cook, retreat chef trainer & food energetics expert & yogi Hayley , with vast experience , spanning over 15 years and hundred of retreats worldwide.
In beautiful accommodation in a retreat centre dedicated to your self discovery, immersed in nature.
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.
Daily morning & afternoon yoga & meditation practices where body is allowed & a deep listening encouraged, landing into deep rest & stillness, for a rekindling of your inner vitality, strength and ease for your inner radiant being to shine.
Hiking and silent guided walking meditation will be an intrinsic part of this retreat immersion. Strengthening the connection between the nature surrounding & your inner landscape.
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.
All bodies are welcome.
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.
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 5 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.
A way in for the cultivation of inner clarity, strength and vitality, for your inner blooming over the 5 days.
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 abundant summer mountain nature.
We will return to the mat in the late afternoon for evening yoga practice followed by dinner.
As well as a group hike during the 5 days , there will be two whole group silent guided walking meditations, in early morning or afternoon.
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
This is no ordinary retreat food or ‘healthy’ eating. Hayley skilfully weaves her background as a Yoga, Qi Gong and Movement practitioner/teacher together into everything that is created in the kitchen. She approaches cooking as a spiritual and mindfulness practice that elevates the act of cooking to a sacred level of detail and attention.
Hayley is also a passionate student of Food Energetics and works with Five Element philosophy to bring a subtlety of balance and connection that nourishes mind, body and spirit, aligns with seasonal rhythms, and that celebrates the land, local environment and its producers.
In addition to cooking for retreats Hayley is also a pioneer of Retreat Chef Training courses with over 80 graduates completing the programme.
Hayley will be designing a special menu for our retreat, designed to support and enhance the practices on offer and that will showcase the very best of the local produce and vegetables from the organic garden.
The schedule
1 hiking and 2 guided silent group walking meditations will be scheduled according to weather and the group during the 5 days
Thursday 6th July
Start time 4pm
4pm – 5.30pm Registration , Tea , Welcome and practicalities
6.30 – 8pm Opening Circle and Yoga Practice
8.30pm Dinner
Friday 7th & Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th
7.00- 8.00 am Early Morning Meditation
8.00 – Light breakfast
9.30- 11.30am yoga practice
11.30- 12 Free time
12.15 Lunch
Free time * hiking 2- 3 hrs on one afternoon
5.30 – 7.30pm Yoga Practice
7.30 pm Dinner
Monday
7.00 – 8.00am Early Morning Meditation
8.00 Light Breakfast
9-11.30am Yoga Practice & Closing Circle
12.00 Lunch
14.00 Departures / Retreat Ends
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
The Log Cabin Rooms
€525 per person – 2 people sharing , two single beds
€585 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 watch the sunrise or sunset or star gaze. Just behind you is the beginning of a path up into the lush forests.
The Yurt * new option
€505 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 toilet and shower.
Zendo Apartment One
€585 per person – for two people sharing
Zendo Apartment 2 Booked
€585 per person – for two people sharing
In the former barn, above the zendo, there are two spacious and 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
€625 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 Booked
€555 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 or 4 people.
Private Room Large Apartment Booked
€565 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 Thursday 6th July – arrival time from 2pm arrive by 4pm to start at 4.30pm
Finish Monday 10th July @ 1pm
By joining you agree to be present for the whole retreat.
Yoga 