Kickstart Your Yoga Practice on a Beginners’ Retreat in France
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According to research, if you try something new, you’re treating yourself to an abundance of benefits –and that includes starting a yoga practice.
Doing something for the first time helps you to overcome fear, grow your sense of adventure, improve your brain function, and stimulate your creativity. It also provides you with a sense of achievement, while allowing you to know yourself better and meet new people.
But let’s be honest, as exciting as it can be, a new adventure can be also intimidating; especially if you don’t have the right guidance, or if you’ve been active for a while and don’t see any improvement.
On a yoga retreat for beginners, you’ll be able to understand the basics of yoga and hit the ground running. You’ll learn the names of the poses, pay better attention to proper alignment and immerse in the yoga philosophy. So, if you’re new to yoga, there’s no better way to build the foundations.
Why choose France for a beginner’s yoga retreat?
A beginner’s yoga retreat in France is an experience like no other. The country features some of the most remarkable landscapes you can imagine. With gently rolling hills in the north and west, the Pyrenees in the south, and the Alps in the east, there are plenty of natural spaces where you can strike your best asanas in connection with mother nature.
Also, France has become a top yoga destination as the practice is a very popular activity in the country. There are several excellent schools teaching a variety of yoga styles, and the French people have adopted yoga as a holistic and restorative exercise.
Read More: Affordable Yoga Retreats in France to Live the Good Life on a Low Budget
Recommended beginner yoga holidays in France
Want some suggestions on where to go in France? Here are five excellent options for a beginner’s yoga retreat in France.
Yoga and Meditation, Mindfulness Hiking, Cooking class, and Personal Development on Côte D'Azur
- Duration: 7 Days
- City: Saint-Jeannet, Cote D'Azur
This retreat takes place in the peaceful village of Saint-Jeannet, on France’s famous Côte d’Azur. A typical and charming French medieval village, it is perched at the foot of the Mediterranean hills called “Baou”.
You’ll stay at The FrogS'House Bed and Breakfast, close to Nice (30 minutes by car) and the French Riviera (15 km). The house is a former family hotel, that has been reorganized to be turned into a warm and comfortable bed & breakfast. The rooms have either a sea view or a hill view.
You’ll enjoy daily yoga sessions, a walking meditation session, a day of well-being that includes a sound bath, and a personal development workshop. In addition, you’ll attend a French cuisine cooking class and delight your taste buds with cheese and wine tastings.
The program also includes walks in the forest, as well as free time to explore the charming area.
The retreat is instructed in French, but there will also be translations in English and Spanish.
During this holiday, you’ll be served daily organic breakfasts, brunches, and a homemade picnic on two hiking/walking excursions. A welcome cocktail and a farewell dinner are also included in the package.
Read More: Why Go on a Rejuvenating Short Break in France
Hatha Yoga Immersion Retreat in Saint-Just-d'Avray
- Duration: 8 Days
- City: Beaujolais
Immerse yourself in the traditional principles of yoga. For eight days, you’ll be doing Hatha Yoga and meditation guided by expert instructors who will help you take your first steps in your practice.
You’ll learn about the symbolic significance of asanas, the yogic system of chakras, self-inquiry meditation, and yogic purification techniques. All meals, from dinner on the day of arrival to breakfast on the day of departure, are included.
Horses, Meditation, and Yoga Retreat in Occitanie
- Duration: 8 Days
- City: Montbel
This yoga retreat for beginners is perfect for those who love yoga and horses. It takes place in an authentic French country farmhouse, with a private lakeside beach of clear and clean waters.
The program includes 2 yoga and meditation sessions per day, 3 daily vegetarian meals, daily coffee and tea breaks with snacks, and a daily coaching session with horses.
The yoga and meditation sessions are designed with an emphasis on body awareness, which is widely beneficial for horse riders and beginner yogis.
Tao Yoga, Qigong, and Meditation Retreat in Southern France
- Duration: 4 Days
- City: Ariège
On this retreat in France, you can choose between a Tao yoga, Qigong, or meditation program. If you choose Tao yoga, you’ll learn up to 60 easy moves and postures that will help you improve your energy flow.
With the Qigong program, you can explore either the Eight Pieces of Brocade form or the Five Zhang Organs. All include standing meditation, alignment practice, and warm-ups.
If you prefer to deepen your meditation knowledge, choose the meditation program. The methods you can learn include Buddhist and Taoist meditation, as well as Dharmatta-intrinsic awareness.
All programs include breakfast, lunch, and a four-course evening meal, prepared with fresh ingredients from the organic garden. In addition, you’ll have plenty of free time to explore the safe and wild nature around the retreat center.
Holistic Yoga and Meditation Retreat in Basque Country
- Duration: 4 Days / 3 Nights
- CIty: Bidart
Nestled in the heart of the breathtaking Basque countryside, the charming village of Bidart awaits you for an unforgettable 4-Day Holistic Yoga and Meditation Retreat!
The vibrant town of Biarritz is just a stone's throw away and is only 30 minutes from San Sebastian, Spain. Surrounded by stunning mountains and wild nature, you'll be in the perfect place to explore this idyllic region.
During your stay, indulge in daily Pranayama and Sound Healing sessions, led by expert instructors. The retreat caters to both beginner and intermediate practitioners and offers a variety of yoga styles including Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin, Restorative, Nidra, and Ashtanga.
Expect to enjoy active walks by the ocean, daily organic and vegetarian breakfasts, and 3 nights of comfortable accommodation. It’s no wonder that this retreat is one of the most popular yoga getaways in France!
Best time to go on a yoga retreat in France
France is the most visited country in the world. In 2018, it received 89.4 million visitors. This means that you can find tourists basically any time of the year. However, to help you plan your vacation better here’s some information about what to expect from each season:
Traveling to France during spring (April and May) might be a good idea, as the weather is warm, but it isn’t crowded yet. Plus, you can enjoy the sight of beautiful lavender fields.
June to August are probably the most popular months. There’s just something about the summer that invites people to go outside and enjoy themselves; it could be the sunshine, the school breaks, or the warm air. Whatever magic this season has, it also spreads throughout France!
During fall, the leaves change color, the summer crowds are gone and the weather is pleasant, so it’s also a good time to visit.
Finally, the winter months (January to March) are recommended for those who want to avoid the crowds more than anything and don’t mind the cold weather.
Are you already an experienced yogi? There are plenty of advanced yoga retreats in France to take your practice to the next level.