7 Day Walking Meditation Retreat with Yoga in the Champagne-Ardenne, France
France Walking Meditation and Yoga Retreat
What do you need to really get to yourself? Experience the peace and beauty of nature combined with Indian classical yoga and meditation. This week is about relaxation and reflection. Everyone is engaged in consciousness and personal development in some way. Often, not enough thought is given to really change something in life. In the calming, inspiring, and natural environment of Centre Lothlorien, you'll use ancient meditation techniques to achieve true relaxation and find your deepest self. Every day you go out for a meditative walk.
Meet the instructors
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Highlights
- Daily Hatha and Ashtanga yoga
- Peaceful environment in the middle of nature
- Personal attention and exercise adjusted to your capabilities
- Every day, a walk on a different trail with different meditation exercises
- Practical advice on how to implement yoga in your daily life
- Less than one day drive by car
- 6 nights accommodation
- 3 vegetarian meals daily
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Yoga styles
Accommodation
Facilities
- Table tennis
- Barbeque facilities
- Dining area
- Environmentally friendly
- Garden
- Kitchen
- Labyrinth
- Lounge
- Multilingual staff
- Picnic area
- Terrace
- Yoga studio
- Bicycle rental
- Free bicycle
- Free parking
- Meeting room
The retreat takes place at Center Lothlorien. Center Lothlorien is an international guesthouse and course center in the northeast of France at a center point of western Europe.
It is located in the rural areas of the Champagne-Ardenne region in a unique natural location surrounded by forests. The center itself lies in a valley and covers approximately 14 acres with hills, fields, and 2 lakes.
This energetic and relaxing place is an ideal base to find peace and tranquility within you. Lothlorien Center is a Dutch initiative. At the center, vegetarian meals are being prepared.
Spacious room in the castle
- Available for single, double, or triple use
- Possibilities for a shared or a private bathroom
- Comfortable characteristic rooms with French furniture
Wooden log cabin
- Quietly located between the trees
- Has a convertible sofa bed (140 by 200), a bed (70 by 200), a small table, and 2 chairs
- Simply furnished outdoor kitchen on the veranda
Ample place for a caravan or tent at the Green Campsite
- Small-scale campsite surrounded by nature
- Facilities include toilets, hot showers, spacious kitchen, refrigerator, and laundry room
- Recreation room and sports equipment available
- Electricity available
Program
The activities are spread over 5 mornings from Monday to Friday. It consist of workshops and group sessions. Everyday you go for a walk on a different trail. Practical exercises include asanas, pranayama, and meditation. Attention is paid to your personal situation or difficulties.
The week is given in English, led by Pinky More. Pinky More teaches Indian classic yoga, as it is taught in India. Yoga goes beyond the classroom and can be implemented in every aspect of your life.
Content of the course activities
After a short preparation, you will head out in the quiet natural surroundings of Centre Lothlorien, with inspiring locations. During the walks and at several locations, you will experience different views on practice leading to meditation.
Styles of meditation used
- General meditation
- Mindfulness meditation
- Tratak meditation
- Mantra meditation
- Samadhi meditation
- Self-inquiry meditation
Sample daily schedule
An introduction to the weekly program will be given on Sunday evening. The course takes place from Monday morning to Friday morning.
- 07:30 - 08:30 Opportunity for early morning asanas
- 08:30 - 09:30 Breakfast
- 09:30 - 12:30 Course activities
- 13:00 - 14:00 Lunch
- 14:00 - 18:30 Free time
- 18:30 - 19:30 Dinner
- 21:00 - 22:30 A tour, lecture, or outside activity (not every evening)
Celebrate the week's ending on Friday evening in a way that is appropriate to the program.
Hiking / walking
Out of 5 days, 2 days you will go for one-hour walks and 3 days you will go out on trails through the countryside, forests and over hills, for approximately three hours, 10 kilometers. Every time you go out with a specific goal in mind, e.g. 'silence', 'awareness', 'mindfulness' and during stops, you will do meditative practices.
Instructors
Pinky More
Pinky More was born in India. Here she has completed an advanced teachers training program at The Yoga Institute in Mumbai, the oldest organized yoga center in the world. In Kerala, India, Pinky has studied Ayurvedic massage and Pancha Karma Therapy. Pinky is a certified Prenatal Postnatal and Garbhsanskar Guide certified by the World Yoga Organisation. Since 2012 Pinky organizes yoga retreats in France. Currently, besides leading her teacher training courses in France, affiliated with The Yoga Institute she participates in yoga programs in several European countries: Dubai, Ghana and India.
Richard Slager
Richard Slager was born in the Netherlands. For years he has worked in the hotel and tourism industry in different countries. In Kerala, India, Richard has studied the basis of Ayurveda and Herbology. Richard has completed the yoga teacher training course at The Yoga Institute in Mumbai. Now Richard teaches at The Yoga Teacher Training Course at Centre Lothlorien, organizes courses in the practical use of local herbs, and prepares oils and other herbal preparations.
Retreat location
Centre Lothlorien
Centre Lothlorien is located at an estate of 14 hectares with hills, gardens, fields, creeks, and 2 lakes, surrounded by forest. It is a quiet peaceful location.
The closest village, Foulain, is close to 2 kilometers away. The closest city, Chaumont, is 10 kilometers away and provides all the expected facilities. The area around the center has a lot of hiking and bicycling possibilities. You could walk for hours without seeing a soul.
Haute Marne
The Haute Marne is a tourist undiscovered department of France, in the Champagne-Ardenne Region. It is full of rolling hills, forests, valleys, and nostalgic French villages. Beautiful cities such as Langres and Troyes are close by.
Accessibility
The location is in the middle of Western Europe. Northeast France is easy reachable within a day by many countries, such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and Spain.
Distances
- Foulain, 2 kilometers
- Chaumont, 10 kilometers
This Yoga Retreat is vegetarian-friendly
Click to see more vegetarian-friendly Yoga Retreats
Food
Included in the package are breakfast, lunch, and dinner. During the breaks, tea is served with a snack. All guests may enjoy a delicious vegetarian dinner every evening on the terrace or in the lounge. Heart of India - Indian Classic Yoga finds healthy and tasty food important and uses many organic products, often from their own vegetable garden, to prepare the meals.
Dietary wishes are taken into account as much as possible. A surcharge may apply. Coffee, tea, and water during the day are included. Other beverages are for sale. Please send any dietary requests when making the reservation. A surcharge may apply.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Lacto-ovo Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Gluten Free
- Organic
Things to do (optional)
Available is an Ayurvedic treatment for 95 EUR. This consists of an intake to decide your physical type and body requirements, an Ayurvedic body massage, and an Ayurvedic steam cabin.
What's included
- Early morning asanas at 7:30 am
- Daily program from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
- Daily Hatha and Ashtanga yoga
- Daily meditative walk
- 6 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast, lunch, dinner, and tea breaks (vegetarian meals)
- Coffee, tea, and water
What's not included
- Tourist tax
- Airfare
- Airport transfers
- Personal expenses
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Charles de Gaulle Airport (Roissy Airport)
224 km
Transfer not provided
Orly Airport
223 km
Transfer not provided
Arrival by car
Centre Lothlorien is located in North-East France in the Haute Marne department. It is reachable within a day from many countries, such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and Spain. The distance from Utrecht is about 600 kilometers.
The location is near the junction of the motorways A31 (Route du Soleil) and A5 at Langres. You can exit the motorway at Langres-Nord.
Arrival by bus
You can make arrangements to arrive at Langres-Nord FlixBus stop. From here, a free pick-up can be arranged. For more information, please send Heart of India - Indian Classic Yoga an inquiry.
Arrival by train
From Paris, you can take a train to the city of Chaumont (52). Please check the SNCF website for timings. From Chaumont, a free pick-up can be arranged. Please contact the Heart of India - Indian Classic Yoga if you require a pickup from the Chaumont train station or Langres-Nord FlixBus stop.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 16.94% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookYogaRetreats.com. All major credit cards supported.