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 & yogi Hayley , with vast experience , spanning over 15 years and hundred of retreats worldwide.
In beautiful accommodation at this stunning 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 rivers and water pools that are within the retreat estate, for your connection with deep nature.
A deepening into being , in deep nature, cradled in the summer mountain landscape.
For your vital essence and renewal , through the gateway of your heart.
Julie invites you on a retreat where body is allowed, a falling into deep rest, a deepening into posture for a deepening into being , rekindling natural vitality , inner strength and deep ease .
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.
Silent guided walking meditation and group hiking supporting the nourishment of your inner landscape through deep connection to the land 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.
An opportunity to sit and listen with your heart at whatever point you are in your 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.
Les Gavatxes or Kshanti Les Gavatxes is near the village of Belen 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.
Les Gavatxes is located in the nature reserve of the Alta Garrotxa region, in the north of Catalonia. At 660 meters nestled in the lower Pyrenees with the highest peaks visible and not far away. The area abounds with wildlife and each season has its own beauty.
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.
The Historic Farmhouse
Les Gavatxes is a traditional Catalan Masía with plenty of history, built over two hundred years ago it has been lovingly restored and expanded. The Masía is located in the beautiful landscapes of La Alta Garrotxa nature reserve with the spectacular medieval village of Beget nearby.
It was purchased by the artist and architect Leo De Wolf and his wife, a writer Corrie Kopperdraijer, who turned it into a center for meditation and personal development. You can purchase the book written by Corrie about Les Gavatxes project in this link
It is currently run by new owners as of February 2022, who have the purpose of continuing the legacy of the Meditation and retreat Centre.
What we will do
The mornings will be dedicated to practice . We shall being with early morning meditation , where you will be encouraged to lay down to meditate for your deep rest , for the allowing of a landing into the intelligence of the deep soil of your body, for transformation and energy and insight to arise.
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 through a honouring of your body wisdom.
Inviting you to embrace much more than just ‘doing’ the posture , nourishing an intuitive practice where we listen to the wisdom of the body : where we are kinder , more patient , more present to ourselves and the body responds by softening, opening and the postures open to us.
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 to walk, lay or rest in the many contemplative spots in the beautiful acres of land in which the retreat center is nestled.
Where there are plenty of opportunities to wander or hike into the forests or to take a short walk down the valley to the rivers and water pools to bath in this incredible wild mountain landscape. Or to start gazing at night underneath the vast night sky.
We will return to the mat in the late afternoon for evening yoga practice followed by dinner.
There will be 2 opportuniites over the 5 days in the afternoon to take a silent guided walk together to be bathed in the forests, and deepen the inner unravelling of your inner landscape through your connection with the land.
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.
For your free time, there is all you need within the estate of Les Gavatxes: rest in the beautiful gardens or wild landscape and meadows of the estate. Take a walk up into the forest for mountain views or go down to the river and natural pools to bathe in the summer days. Watch the incredible sunsets and be bathed in the sounds and sights of abundant summer mountain nature.
There are also many hiking trails in the area for all levels of difficulty and experience.
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
- 2 hiking and 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 Lying down
8.00 – Light breakfast
9.30- 11.30am yoga practice
11.30- 12 Free time
12.15 Lunch
Free time
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
With plenty of time in the day to enjoy free time , immersed in the inspiring natural surroundings , rest in the gardens, go for a walk through the forested autumn mountain landscape or to the nearby river.
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
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.
Zendo Apartment One
€585 per person – for two people sharing
Zendo Apartment 2
€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.
The Large Apartment
€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
€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.
To make your booking please go here
How to get there
We will help you to coordinate car shares from Barcelona area to the retreat centre.
Les Gavatxes , 17867 Beget (Girona) Spain
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 40 min drive from Barcelona .
By plane – nearest airport Girona or Barcelona El Prat.
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 