Courses | La Roane - Yoga & Activity Holidays in France

Courses for 2022

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YOGA & ACTIVITY HOLIDAYS

DUE TO THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC, WE HAD TO CANCEL MOST OF OUR COURSES THESE LAST TWO YEARS. HOWEVER, WE ARE STILL HERE AND FEELING VERY POSITIVE ABOUT 2022! WE HAVE MISSED YOU AND CAN’T WAIT TO HOST YOU AGAIN!

Book early to avoid disappointment and for cheaper plane fares – courses may fill up months in advance.

A maximum of 18 participants on each course ensures a nurturing environment. Around 20 hours of structured group activities leaves plenty of time to laze around by the pool or explore on your own.
A number of excursions are on offer each week. There are various options depending upon the time of the year and the needs of the group:
• a morning at our traditional local market in St Antonin.
• a day trip visiting one of the nearby mediaeval villages: walk, picnic, swim in the River Aveyron.
• an optional 3 hour canoeing trip through the river’s spectacular limestone gorges where you may see herons and kingfishers (€18 per person). Those not canoeing will be offered an alternative excursion visiting another mediaeval village, going on a walk followed by a picnic by the river.
• an evening trip to listen to or dance to a local band.*

Courses take place either in a lovingly restored former barn with a high ceiling and exposed beams or in our outdoor yoga studio.
Do you have a friend or partner who would like to come to La Roane but not do the course? There is a £70 reduction for non-participating guests. Always plenty to do and see so they won’t get bored.

“Its incredible…a wonderland.” Betty (group participant).

“Everything was amazing – venue, food, care, excursions etc. I can’t explain adequately how much it has lifted me and the memory will stay with me for ever.” Adele (group participant)

17-24 May: WALKIE TALKIE - Nigel and Anna Shamash……£660

Tuesday to Tuesday

A week to discover rural France and to awaken your potential for love and joy.

Join us on this life-changing week led by your host Nigel Shamash and his daughter Anna!

In the mornings, Anna will take you on a guided walk to discover the beauty of the area like never before, taking in the flora and fauna (if you’re lucky!) as well as the local history and heritage. Walks will be a maximum of two hours over gently undulating terrain. You will be back for a delicious lunch, freshly prepared by Enzo. Afternoon sessions will be restoring, calming and grounding. Nigel expertly combines chi kung, yoga, pranayama, introspection, singing, chanting, a bit of silliness and lots of laughs. This week will also include a cooking demonstration in which our award-winning vegetarian chef Enzo will share some of his secrets. No previous experience needed, just some sturdy legs, walking shoes and an open mind.

Nigel, the owner of La Roane, has lived here these past 25 years. He founded Cortijo Romero (see www.cortijo-romero.co.uk ) in 1986 and was its resident director for 5 years before moving to France. He has had a varied career as a banker in South America, Senior Lecturer in Business Studies at Portsmouth University and a yoga teacher and masseur in Australia. He has spent a lot of time visiting yoga ashrams in India and alternative communities in California. He has a profound interest in all aspects of the spiritual path with a particular interest in yoga and music. He is fun-loving with a special blend of humour and sensitivity – an ideal host and group leader. He has recently written his autobiography, you can find out more here.
Anna, Nigel’s daughter, has been running la Roane for the last four years. Growing up at La Roane and going to school locally has given her a love of nature and an inside knowledge of the surroundings. She has a degree in History from Toulouse University, thus adding a historical dimension to the local exploring. She is eager to share her enthusiasm of her hometown.

They say “Spring is the most beautiful time to be at La Roane. The trees, the flowers and the butterflies are awakening. There’s a sense of joy and renewal that we can take in and learn from. We love working together and are excited to be sharing this week with you.”

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17-24 June : PERMISSION TO PLAY WITH IYENGAR YOGA - Maggie E O’Grady ……£690

Friday to Friday

This week with Maggie is about allowing yourself to have fun with Iyengar yoga and go that bit further.
Iyengar yoga has a very serious reputation but that doesn’t mean it has to be strict. Maggie teaches with an emphasis on enjoying yourself while paying attention to detail – the alignment and the safety of her students. We all want to have fun, so time on the mat has to be playful!
Yoga is more than just postures; it’s a way of life and Maggie is keen on sharing the philosophy behind yoga, including Sanskrit epics, the balancing of the chakras and her insights of Ayurveda. She is inspired by the teachings of Patanjali’s 8 limbs, which includes the continuous study of yogic philosophy, chanting, pranayama, focused attention on the present moment and meditation.

Maggie has been practicing yoga for over 25 years and started teaching 15 years ago when she felt the need to share the benefits that Iyengar Yoga brought to her life. Meditation has also been an essential part of her daily routine since 2005 and she took up Transcendental Meditation in 2014 as it corresponds to the same Vedic roots as Iyengar yoga. In 2016, she qualified as an Independent Teacher of Transcendental Meditation. She currently teaches in and around London.
For Maggie, the yoga path is a journey full of wonder and delight, and this enthusiasm is palpable in her yoga classes.

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26 June-3 July: ART WEEK - Sandy Grant……£690

Sunday to Sunday

Anyone can learn to draw and paint – all you need is enthusiasm!

We all have far more artistic ability than we are aware of; with the right approach and guidance, everyone who wishes can produce amazing drawings and paintings. This week will focus on oil/pens &ink. Complete beginners are very welcome.

Sandy has worked as a drawing and painting tutor for over a decade running classes across Scotland. From weekly life drawing classes held at the Botanics in Glasgow since 2009, Sandy now offers a whole range of drawing and painting classes to cater for complete beginners, amateurs and artists. He has been running painting holidays for the last four years and is delighted to be returning to La Roane for his second year. La Roane is the perfect setting for anyone wishing to develop their artistic abilities.

You will be working with many materials to try out expressive mark-making, understanding colour, portraying light and shadow, observational drawing, mastering perspective, composition and many more subjects. The work either takes place outside in the grounds of La Roane and in the landscape nearby – the Gorges of the Aveyron are only a ten minute walk away; with warm temperatures each day it is perfect weather for drawing and painting in the open air. There is also a large indoor studio in case of a rainy day. www.artclassesinthebotanics.com

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12-19 July: LIFE BALANCE WITH YOGA, CHAKRAS, PLAY AND MANTRA - Kate McKenzie…… £690

Tuesday to Tuesday

Kate McKenzie-Yoga 3-10 June Apart from the first day, morning yoga class take place before breakfast. It will begin with a gentle opening of the body and attunement of the mind to the breath. It will build into a flowing, dynamic and strengthening sequence, always incorporating the cultivation of awareness, physical alignment, breath and chakras (energy centres). Afternoon sessions vary and may include elements of the following: moving meditations on the chakras, free dance movement, group singing and harmony, mantras, kundalini kriyas, alongside guided relaxations, yin and restorative postures. These sessions are designed to heighten self-awareness and free our innate creative spirit. They are offered in a totally supportive environment free from judgement and expectation.
After dinner, we will gather together for group singing with Kate and Nigel Shamash (your host), an evening stroll, a game of table tennis or simply to hang out and chat and listen to the call of the night creatures…a truly inspirational and life-changing week! Further details see www.katemckenzie.co.uk

“Kate adds a magical dimension to all her teaching” Jennifer, course participant

“She was aware of all our needs and brought in a dimension of love and kindness” Sally, course participant

“A great source of inspiration” Hugh, course participant

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9-16 August - YOGA WITH DAVY AND JANAKI- Davy and Janaki……£690

Tuesday to Tuesday
Enjoy allowing your body and mind to experience many strands of yoga under the tuition of Janaki and Davy. Each day there will be two sessions where you can experience Janaki’s unique style of hatha flow yoga and Davy’s dynamic ashtanga yoga style. In addition, there will be chance to explore pranayama, meditation and visualisation with plenty of time for advice and help with your yoga practice. Beginners and more experienced yogis alike are welcome and over the week, we can explore together backbends, twists, balances and inversions, and much much more, going as far as your mind and body will allow. You will have a lot of fun and laughter and surprises! Janaki has been teaching and practising yoga for many years and graduated from Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Ashram, Kerala in 1998.
Davy has been teaching since 2008 and practising since 1999. He is co-founder of the Brighton Yoga Foundation and Festival, now a registered charity, which organises an annual free yoga festival in the city and year-round programmes of community yoga outreach to people who need the benefits of yoga the most.
Davy and Janaki share a sense of fun and a passion for yoga and they believe it should be inclusive and available to all.www.inspirationyoga.net
janaki@inspirationyoga.net or call 07905 494009

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16 – 23 September: CIRCLE DANCE ……£660

CIRCLE DANCE WITH SUE KEWLEY Friday to Friday

Circle Dances both ancient and modern are drawn from diverse cultures, and may be energetic and lively or gentle and reflective. We deeply regret that Anne Armstrong, who has hosted a total of 28 Circle Dance holidays at La Roane is no longer able to be with us. She will be greatly missed but her legacy of Circle Dance will continue. This year the week will be led by Sue Kewley with Sandie Wade. Sue Kewley has been an inspirational teacher of Circle Dance for over 30 years, leading regular weekly and fortnightly groups as well as days of dance and short holiday courses. For over 10 years Sue worked closely alongside Labyrinth, a Circle Dance Band of talented musicians, exploring a variety of music, whilst leading monthly gigs. Sue offers a wide repertoire of dances drawn from many different cultures and traditions, being particularly drawn to those of Eastern Europe and Israel. Her clear, inclusive and entertaining teaching style is further enhanced by a deep interest and understanding of the history and meaning behind each dance. Her ultimate aim is for everyone to experience the joy to be found in dancing.

She will be supported by Sandie Wade, who also brings a wealth of experience, ability and enthusiasm. She has been dancing and teaching for many years and leads several regular groups in a variety of settings, including dance days and week-end courses. Sandie enjoys teaching a wide range of dances, and has a light and easy style, which reflects her conviction that Circle Dance can be fun AND touch the heart and soul.This week is only suitable for dancers with some experience.

N.B. The single supplement of this course is only £40 (as opposed to £70 on other courses) and the transfer charge (2 ways) is £45 instead of £60.