Courses | La Roane - Yoga & Activity Holidays in France

Courses for 2021

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YOGA & ACTIVITY HOLIDAYS

DUE TO THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC, WE HAD TO CANCEL MOST OF OUR COURSES IN 2020. HOWEVER, WE WILL BE RUNNING ALL COURSES IN 2021 AS LONG AS THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT, AS PREDICTED, ALLOWS GROUPS TO GET TOGETHER. EMAIL US IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS.

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 (€15 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)

20-27 April: WALKIE TALKIE - Nigel and Anna Shamash……£660

Tuesday to Tuesday CANCELLED

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 three 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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30 April-7 May : YOGA WITH FIONA and JENNY - Fiona Dewar and Jenny Livingston ……£690

Friday to Friday CANCELLED

“ Yoga is a light which once lit will never dim” BKS Iyengar

This week of Iyengar yoga is about opening up and learning this life changing practice. There will be a morning session before breakfast with Fiona focussing mostly on the asanas and a late afternoon session with Jenny based on pranayama. The morning and afternoon sessions complement each other to balance body and mind and bring about inner peace and harmony. It’s a challenging, but not competitive, practice which emphasises the alignment of the body and correct breathing, while still taking into account each practitioner’s individual needs. It is suitable for people with a basic practice in Iyengar yoga.Fiona Dewar has practiced yoga as taught by BKS Iyengar since 1992, having been fortunate enough to learn directly since 1995 in Rishikesh. She returns annually to learn at the Iyengar Institute in Pune where she also has a home.She enjoys teaching and sharing her enthusiasm, encouraging people to learn this foundation for physical and mental wellbeing.Jenny Livingston has been a passionate student of yoga since her teenage years and has visited India several times to deepen her practice. She teaches regularly and has classes dedicated to the teachings of pranayama. This compliments her skill as a registered homeopath and teacher of mindfulness meditation.

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11-18 May: PERMISSION TO PLAY WITH IYENGAR YOGA- Maggie E O’Grady……£690

Tuesday to Tuesday CANCELLED
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 drawn from 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 practising 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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22-29 May: IMPROVISATION FOR THEATRE, COMEDY and LIFE - Alison Goldie........…£690

Saturday to Saturday CANCELLED

A week of joy and laughter in which a professional teacher and performer guides you through games, exercises and enjoyable tasks that will open your mind and flex your body. Give your grown-up self a rest and allow your childlike self to indulge in the absorbing business of playing rather than working. No experience required at all. All you need is a body and a voice – intellect is optional.

Alison will take you through a selection from her huge compendium of fun activities, tried and tested for many years in the finest retreat centres in the world. Some will be physical, some verbal; all will release laughter and bring out spontaneity. You will work in various teams: the big group, small groups and pairs. There’s no coercion, no expectations. Alison works with the abilities of the group to organically bring out the best in everyone. At the end of the week, you’ll be amazed how much braver and more expressive you are.

If you really want ‘outcomes’, you could say that the session will help you to:
-Use Your Imagination
-Be Creative
-Understand Communication
-Make Stories
-Grow in Confidence
– Look Stupid and Not Care
– Laugh Like a Drain
N.B. Not suitable for those of a miserable disposition.

As taught by Alison at drama schools, colleges, retreat centres, evening classes, corporate events and many other venues and institutions. Alison is currently on the faculty of Hoopla Improv, based in London.

Alison Goldie is a drama facilitator and life coach. Her background is in theatre and broadcasting as a performer, director, teacher and roving reporter. All her work is about communication and creativity leading to self-knowledge and a greater understanding of others. Her speciality is improvisation and she has worked with a diverse range of people all over the world to help them enjoy their lives more by embracing this fantastic skill. As an improviser, she performed for many years with the renowned company, Spontaneous Combustion and has been trained in the school of Keith Johnstone, the foremost guru of the craft. Her book The Improv Book: Improvisation for Theatre, Comedy, Education and Life (Bloomsbury) was published in 2015 and is one of the standard texts on the subject. See www.alisongoldie.com.

“She is a really skilled actor and led us into hours of hilarity and laughter; a great teacher, too, who distilled what was to be learnt with lightness, care and precision.” Alan Stanley

“Excellent leadership. Focussed, clearly presented. Sense of fun and exuberance. Gentle holding of group and empathy for participants. Wide knowledge of subject combined with extensive experience.” Jenny Doig

“Brilliant!!! Truly learnt many skills to apply to a fuller and more fun-filled life. Many exercises prised open a new creativity within me with many valuable tools to use in my professional capacity.” Paul Elven

“It was enormous fun and my sides literally ached with laughter.” Rachel Baird, Daily Express

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7-14 June: The CHAKRA EXPERIENCE: BODY, MIND and SOUL- Lisa Garvey-Williams and Emma Pugh…£690

Monday to Monday CANCELLED

Join Lisa and her sister Emma for a wonderful, soulful week of summer delights exploring the chakras! Taking one chakra at a time as our theme for the day, we will use a variety of tools to create a whole bodyfeelings-mind-spirit experience. In the morning we will explore that chakra through meditation and guided visualization, artwork, song and chanting, storytelling and poems, and also through yoga and movement. We will then explore the same chakra through our lunchtime nourishment with Enzo’s fine food. The afternoons will be for grounding and centering our experiences and reflections through quiet labyrinth walking and a gentle restorative yoga and meditation practice. Each day will bring a new chakra theme, and will also incorporate the previously explored chakra so that as the week unfolds we will invite a deep experience of wholeness and inner harmony. To be able to journey together in this way at this time of year is very poignant, as summer is a time of possibilities. As we celebrate the sun, we celebrate our own inner sun. It is an exuberant, colourful and passionate time when the Earth’s loveliness seems to go on and on, mirroring to us our own loveliness. It is a fertile time when that to which we pay close attention will expand and grow. Nature is dancing a sensual dance of blossoming and we too invite our own inner blossoming. We invite you to come and dance with us, bringing light and possibility into the world. Lisa is a Psychospiritual Psychotherapist, Counsellor and Group Facilitator. She has been running workshops and helping individuals in the rich journey of Self-discovery for over twenty-five years. She brings a warm, compassionate and supportive approach with a tremendous sense of fun and creativity. She has travelled widely
and studied yoga and meditation in India. Lisa is also a Veriditas trained Labyrinth Facilitator. www.lisagarveywilliams.com

Emma is a Yoga teacher and loves teaching regular classes and workshops in her hometown and a variety of other locations. She has also been leading personal development workshops in a variety of international organisations for ten years. Emma is fascinated by all aspects of movement and fosters a deep respect for the body, inviting curiosity and openness. Her teaching style is full of encouragement, and she has a great sense of play and of humour! www.emmapugh.com

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18-25 June: ART WEEK - Sandy Grant……£690

Friday to Friday

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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30 June-7 July: LIFE BALANCE WITH YOGA, CHAKRAS, PLAY AND MANTRA - Kate McKenzie…… £690

Wednesday to Wednesday

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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13 - 20 July: THE VOICE WITHIN AND SONGS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE - Juliet Russel……£690

Tuesday to Tuesday

An inspiring singing week to explore uplifting rhythms and harmonies from the Balkan Gypsy tradition to Africa to the Celts plus some of Juliet’s own compositions.

We will learn all songs in the aural tradition-so sessions are accessible to all singers -with no notation skills needed.
Juliet uses humour, visualisation and inspiring harmony in her practice of 30 years, to create an all-round, heart-opening vocal experience for those who love to sing.
There will also be an option in some sessions (for those who want), to explore our own vocal self-expression and a chance to learn some techniques to empower the voice.

Juliet Russell is a composer, musical director, singer and founder of Vocal Explosion, a leading, award-winning, world music and secular gospel choir. Her voice has been described as ‘brilliantly haunting’ by The Stage and in the last 20 years, she has taken her extraordinary sound around the world. Juliet’s music has been both heard and sung by over 40,000 people in over 30 countries and her compositions have been used in film, TV, commissions for royal visits plus radio, theatre, dance and football stadiums. You can find out more about Juliet’s work on her website www.vocalexplosion.co.uk

‘Accessible to all voices regardless of language or ability – beautiful’ – BIG GREEN FESTIVAL

“Powerful, human & exhilarating” – WOMAD World Music Festival

“Having presented more than two thousand events over the years, I would put Juliet Russell in the top ten most vibrant workshop leaders to date” – JAN BELL, Dumbo Arts Fest, NYC

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2 -9 August: YOGA WITH FIONA and JENNY - Fiona Dewar and Jenny Livingston ……£690

Monday to Monday

“ Yoga is a light which once lit will never dim” BKS Iyengar

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10-17 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 and practising for almost 10 years. 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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17 – 24 September: CIRCLE DANCE - Anne Armstrong……£660

Friday to Friday Full Course Waiting List Only Anne Armstrong-Circle Dance 2-9 June
Circle dances are drawn from many different cultures and traditions. They can be meditative, lively, playful, healing and fun. No partners needed. All are welcome.
Anne Armstrong returns to La Roane bringing a great wealth of experience, ability and enthusiasm. She has been involved with circle dancing for over 15 years and leads a number of groups in the UK. She creates a very convivial atmosphere in which everybody feels relaxed and inspired. Not suitable for complete beginners – Call Anne for more details 01580 211621 www.circledancenetwork.org.ukN.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.

26 Septembre-3 Octobre- YOGA ET MOUVEMENT DU CORPS-STAGE FRANCOPHONE Meggie Blankschyn……£660- €720

De Dimanche à Dimanche

Stage en français, ouvert à tous!

This course is in French but don’t let that stop you. A basic level of French is required but you don’t need to be fluent. Meggie speaks English too.

Cette semaine, le focus est aporté au corps. Reaprennez à le connaître, à le bouger, à l’aimer. La séance du matin sera plus libre, pour vous réveiller en douceur.

Après le repas du midi, une balade vous sera proposé pour découvrir les alentours, notamment une grotte utilisée pendant la resitance non loin de La Roane. La séance de l’après-midi sera relaxante, autour du yoga et de la respiration, entre asanas et pranayama.

Pour Meggie, le corps et son mouvement a toujours été au centre de ses découvertes et source d’inspiration. Dotée de la connaissance précise du corps, des muscles et de leurs fonctionnements, ainsi qu’un grand sens de l’humour, laissez vous guider avec expertise afin d’amener son corps au delà des attentes. Aucune experience n’est requise, Meggie s’adapte à chaque individu du groupe. Amenez juste votre curiosité et votre belle personne.

Meggie est une danceuse professionelle originaire d’allemagne. Elle a une carrière internationalle et a notamment étudié à Berlin, Budapest et Lausanne. Sa pratique est particulièrement inspirée du yoga, du Mouvement Gaga du language, de l’improvisation et du travail à deux. Elle a également un parcours en ballet, acrobatie et Kung Fu.

‘Je crois au plaisir de bouger, la delicatesse creée par la connection avec son propre corps.

Il y a ce désir et cette sensibilité dans chacun d’entre nous.

A travers une pratique guidée des outils d’improvisation et des asanas de yoga, nous allons mobilizer le corps de manière ludique.

Connectez vous à votre force, améliorez votre posture, relachez douleurs et tensions et laissez vous entrer en douceur dans le moment présent”