At potent summer solstice an invitation into connection, presence and heart in magical Catalunya.
Dive into heart and body wisdom. Rekindle joy, ease and inner freedom.
Through the time, space and rest the holding space of this retreat offers, inviting you to reconnect with you and the embodied expression of your inner knowing and authenticity.
Julie invites you to a healing yoga, meditation and voice retreat where body is welcome, deep listening explored and our body’s inherent wisdom given the conditions to show up.
The yoga will invite you to a deep listening , where an awakening of the spine invites touching deeper levels of being, strength and freedom of movement.
An exploration of posture through an allowing and honouring of body.
The “Song of the body’ can reveal itself, freedom and creativity of movement, your true self.
The meditation inviting deep rest first so that tension can dissolve for deepening levels of awareness and awakening to naturally arise.
And from here exploring the depth of our voice to allow freedom of expression and sound , simply arriving into this invisible part of body. Your authentic voice. This year a wonderful addition. Facilitated by Esther and Marc who are Mantranima.
All immersed in the fullness of summer in magical Catalunya. At this potent time of year a wonderful opportunity to be in body and sit with heart in the community of the group in deep nature.
All are welcome for those with no experience or for those with previous experience of yoga and meditation.
Price for 4 days/ 3 nights including all teachings, yoga, meditation, voice workshop and kirtan plus accommodation and food. €295
Private single and double rooms are also available for a supplement.
Located at the beautiful well being retreat centre, Alaya , only 45 minutes from Barcelona airport , making it easily accessible by car, train , or taxi pick up .
About Alaya Retreat Centre
Alaya Retreat Centre, Cal Pau Cruset is a beautifully and lovingly renovated traditional Catalan farmhouse dating over 150 years old. Situated among vineyards in the Alt Penedes, the town of Torrelles de Foix is a region famous for its wines and champagnes.
The grounds accommodate many gardens and patios to settle down with friends you meet, a good book or even a glass of wine or local Cava. Then there is a swimming pool, barbecue, jacuzzi, sauna, sunbeds and a small bar. Not forgetting the organic vegetable garden and the resident pig “Lola”.
It is an inspiring, idyllic and peaceful place where the owners have worked with love and care to create the perfect surroundings for students to come and fully immerse themselves on retreat. The calm and beauty of the vineyards and hills that surround the house together with the dedication of the experienced expert retreat team at Cal Pau Cruset make it a truly unique and perfect place for yoga retreat.
Alaya is only 45 minutes by road from Barcelona airport , making it easily accessible. And well served by flights from all main European cities. From the UK, Gatwick, Bristol, Stansted, Luton and Southend airports all have regular and economic direct flights to Barcelona El Prat.
From Barcelona trains run regularly to Vilafranca de Penedes train station from where you can be picked up by Alaya staff to take the short 15 minute drive to the retreat centre. Car shares are often always available between participants driving to the retreat centre too.
The daily programme
Julie will offer one yoga session on the arrival day and two yoga sessions each day on Friday , Saturday and Sunday. And on the Saturday evening Mantranima will lead the voice & kirtan workshop.
An early morning 8 – 10am and evening 5-7pm. On the arrival day Thursday there will be an opening session in the evening.
Meditation will also be offered each day in the early morning or afternoon.
There will be an invitation to sit and share summer solstice through simple ritual in the circle of the group over the 4 days.
On the Saturday evening there will be a Kirtan Workshop – In Your Own Voice. 8 -10pm
The yoga sessions will begin with a gentle invitation to open up the body and then gently explore and deepen into different postures, breath and meditation through the weekend. The yoga will be suitable for all. Experienced and those new to yoga.
There will then be time in the day to enjoy free time, immersed in the inspiring natural surroundings ,you might rest by the pool or in the gardens, go for a walk through the valley and forests, or to the nearby lake.
On one day there will be an option to put on our hiking shoes, take a picnic lunch and walk as a group and enjoy a meditation together.
There will be a period of silence from the evening through to morning on the Thursday or Friday to support each other in arrival into the invitation to be with our heart and being together , in gentle mindfulness.
All yoga and meditation classes will take place in the beautiful Sala a room with central heating to be able to receive groups all year.
In Your Own Voice – A Kirtan Workshop by Mantranima
Mantranima is a vocal duo from Barcelona founded by Marc Cinanni and Esther Pallejà. The group mixes devotional music with modern arrangements—combining calming male and female voices with ambient tapestries. Their debut album, The Barcelona Kirtan Project was released in the fall.
In this workshop, Marc & Esther will guide participants through a journey of sound, music, and meditation to connect with their body and find their authentic voice. The session will culminate with live chanting to Mantranima’s music.
For more information:
Optional therapies
During the long weekend Julie will also be offering cranio-sacral sessions in the free-time between yoga classes.
A wonderful opportunity to experience the work, if you are new to it, and support the deep practice you will be doing.
Cranio-sacral is a non-invasive, gentle hands-on treatment that invites the body’s own healing system to resolve and release any dis-ease carried in the bodymind. It is generally suitable for everyone and people often report a feeling of deep relaxation and coming home to themselves.
The food
All the healthy, wholesome and plentiful food offered at Alaya is made with dedication to true nourishment and the ingredients often come from the gardens that have been flourishing for many years in the hands of the team that has been attending to their growth. Otherwise ingredients are sourced locally from known organic growers in the community.
Beginning with Friday evening dinner you will be offered delicious, organic meals created by Alaya’s dedicated team. Followed by deliciously nutritious breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday and breakfast and lunch on Sunday.
Meals are prepared with fresh, seasonal, and locally grown ingredients, perhaps from the small vegetable garden.
The meals prepared are vegan and vegetarian All special dietary requirements are catered for, please ask when making your booking.
Accommodation
To make your booking or for your questions and enquiries
Please contact Julie Tucker
yogajulietucker@gmail.com
+34 672 483 949
Autumn Retreat at Arcadia
near Banyoles, Cataluny
26th – 28th October 2018
After the hectic holiday season would you like to press pause and recharge?
Julie invites you on a retreat for you , where body is allowed, surrender into deep rest encouraged and a rediscovery of your body’s natural wisdom cultivated. Inviting you to reconnect to your inherent clarity, strength and vitality as you dive into Autumn.
A yoga and meditation practice suitable for all , with or without previous experience of yoga.
This yoga invites you to a deep listening of the body, an awakening of the spine through playful exploration of our body through the asanas, through breathe, meditation and simply arriving into a sense of wholeness. Cultivating freedom , strength and flexibility of body and mind in movement.
A space to connect with you this autumn. An opportunity to sit and listen with your heart at whatever point you are in your life all within the community of the group.
About Arcadia
Arcadia is a beautifully and lovingly renovated traditional Catalan farmhouse. Situated among the forest of in the beautiful valley del Biert , by Banyoles Lake north of Girona .
The space is divided between the main building, dating from the fifteenth century, and other smaller buildings creating among them a cozy ensemble. It combines a rustic design with modern elements creating beautiful and comfortable environments. It has 10 rooms, a spacious dining room with living room and a sala of almost 200 square meters.
The grounds accommodate many gardens and patios and a medicine wheel , all to support the space of peace and tranquility on retreat. Then there is a swimming pool, sauna and meditation roundhouse.
It is an inspiring, idyllic and peaceful place where the community of Arcadia have worked with love and care in harmony with the natural surroundings to create the perfect environment for students to come and fully immerse themselves on retreat. The calm and beauty of the valley and forest that surround the house together with the dedication of the experienced expert retreat team at Arcadia make it a truly unique and perfect place for yoga retreat.
Arcadia is only 25 minutes by road from Girona and Girona airport, making it easily accessible. Barcelona El Prat airport is also accessible and well served by flights from all main European cities.
From Barcelona buses run regularly to nearby Banyoles only 10 minutes by taxi to the retreat centre. Trains also run regularly to Girona train station .
The daily programme
Julie will offer two yoga sessions each day from the Saturday morning. An early morning 8 – 10am and evening 6-8pm. On the arrival day Friday there will be one session, we will practice from 7 – 8.30pm.
The yoga sessions will begin with a gentle invitation to open up the body and then gently explore and deepen into different postures, breath and meditation through the weekend. The yoga will be suitable for all. Experienced and those new to yoga.
There will then be time in the day to enjoy free time, immersed in the inspiring natural surroundings , rest in the gardens, go for a walk through the valley and forests, or to the nearby lake. On the Saturday there will be an option to put on our hiking shoes, take a picnic lunch and walk as a group to the monastery ruins and enjoy a meditation together. There is also a sauna available for the group for a small supplement.
The evening yoga session on Friday and Saturday will be a more restorative practice and the afternoon session on Sunday a gentle closing practice.
There will be one period of silence between Friday evening and Saturday morning to support each other in arrival and to begin the invitation to be with our heart , in gentle mindfulness.
Optional therapies
Julie offers biodynamic cranio sacral treatments.
Reiki and anti Stress massage will also be on offer by resident practitioners for an extra cost.
The food
Beginning with Friday evening dinner you will be offered delicious, organic meals created by Arcadia’s cook. Followed by deliciously nutricious breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday and breakfast and lunch on Sunday.
Meals are prepared with fresh, seasonal, and locally grown ingredients, perhaps from the small vegetable garden.
The meals prepared are vegan and vegetarian All special dietary requirements are catered for.
Accommodation
Arcadia offers elegant accommodation. The main building which houses the accommodation is uniquely designed by the community, offering the highest quality of comfort and space to students. There are 10 beautiful rooms which are all shared rooms for up to 4 – 6 people but can also be offered for a supplement as private rooms or for couples.
Price €265 early bird before 31st July 2018
after 31st July €295
Yoga 