7 Day Embodied Movement Women's Retreat - The Way Back to Yourself in France
Embodied Movement for Women: The Way Back to Yourself
There comes a point when the life you have built no longer feels like yours. When you've been so busy holding everything together — the job, the family, the endless list of things that need doing — that you've forgotten what it feels like to just be yourself. This retreat is for you. The Way Back to Yourself is a week-long women's retreat at La Commanderie — a former Knights Templar estate in the rolling hills of the Gers, South of France. Through women's circles, somatic movement, yoga nidra, breathwork, ritual and ceremony, you will journey through six themes that take you from where you are now — disconnected, uncertain, exhausted — to where you are going: back to yourself, and forward into who you are becoming.
Meet the instructors
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Highlights
- Each day moves through a new theme, taking you from where you are now to where you are going
- Women's circles: honest sharing, embodied practice, ritual and ceremony in a small, intimate group
- 6 nights stay in a former ancient stone Knights Templar estate in the rolling hills of the Gers
- Free afternoon: sauna, jacuzzi, rest, journaling — unstructured time where the real integration happens
- 800+ hours of specialist training: somatic movement, breathwork, womb healing, etc., woven together
- Nourishing organic plant-based meals: every meal gluten-free and dairy-free, created to support you
- Small and intimate: maximum 8 women, creating the depth of connection and safety
- A complete transformation arc: a carefully held journey from arrival to integration
Skill level
- Beginner
Yoga styles
6 days with instruction in English
Average daily hours of activity: 5
Accommodation
Facilities
- Hot tub / Jacuzzi
- Sauna
- Table tennis
- Dining area
- Fireplace
- Garden
- Kitchen
- Multilingual staff
- Picnic area
- Smoke-free property
- Terrace
- Yoga shala
- Free parking
- Free Wi-Fi
Imagine waking slowly with the sun, your bare feet touching cool stone. You move through a gentle morning practice, not to fix or perform, but to feel. Your body unfolds like a breath. You follow sensation, not instruction pressure. No perfection. Just presence.
You sip tea in the courtyard, the warmth of the cup in your palms, birdsong overhead, the scent of herbs on the breeze. You take your time. Later, you walk barefoot in the grass. You notice texture, temperature, and the way your breath moves in rhythm with your steps. You remember the world is alive, and so are you.
In the evening, soft music and candlelight welcome you into a space of deep rest. You lie down. You let go. You listen. And in that stillness, something inside you shifts — not because you tried, but because you allowed.
The rooms at La Commanderie are all shared rooms for 2 to 5 people. In addition, there are 4 glamping tents for 1 or 2 people.
- Double room – Furnished with either a double bed or two single beds. The room has a private bathroom.
- Mezzanine dorm – A cozier shared option for small groups or individuals who enjoy communal living. One shared bathroom.
- Large dorm room – A larger shared space, ideal for meeting new people while still having room to spread out. One Shared bathroom.
- 4 glamping tents – Each tent can be set up for single or double occupancy, offering a touch of adventure with the comforts of home. Shared sanitary facilities outside.
All beds feature Emma Deluxe Fusion Fresh Hybrid mattresses with temperature regulation, as well as three different pillows to suit your personal preference:
- A firm natural bolster pillow (100% duck feathers)
- A memory foam gel pillow
- A plush duck feather pillow
Quality linen bedding adds a soft, breathable layer for a restful night’s sleep, so you can drift off to the gentle sounds of nature and wake up feeling refreshed and renewed.
Program
Embodied Movement is a spacious 6-day retreat for women who have been so busy holding everything together that they've forgotten what it feels like to just be themselves.
This retreat is not about fixing yourself or becoming someone new. It's about coming home to yourself — with support, simplicity, and care.
Through women's circles, somatic movement, yoga nidra, breathwork, ritual and ceremony, you will journey through six themes that take you from where you are now — disconnected, uncertain, exhausted — to where you are going: back to yourself, and forward into who you are becoming.
You'll leave with
- A felt sense of who you are beneath all the roles you carry
- Clarity about who you are and what you want from this next chapter
- A body that feels alive, grounded and truly yours again
- A sisterhood of women who walked this journey with you
- Simple daily practices to carry the transformation home
Set at the historic La Commanderie in the Gers — with a saltwater pool, meditation chapel, jacuzzi, sauna and nourishing organic meals — this is an invitation to slow down, soften and remember what it means to be fully alive.
The Experience
Each day moves through a new theme — building gently from arrival to integration, so that by the time you leave, you haven't just rested. You have returned to yourself.
Day 1 — Landing in This Transition Arriving, settling, releasing what you've been carrying. A welcome dinner and opening circle to bring you home to yourself.
Day 2 — Reconnecting to the Body Somatic movement, breath awareness and body wisdom. Learning to listen inward again.
Day 3 — Desire and Clarity What do I actually want — beyond roles, expectations and what I should want? A deep dive into your own truth.
Day 4 — Self-Worth and Voice Taking up space. Speaking your truth. Expressing what has been held back.
Day 5 — Pleasure and Aliveness Rediscovering joy as a compass. Feeling alive in your body — not as something to chase, but something already available to you.
Day 6 — Integration and New Direction Who am I becoming? What do I take forward? A closing circle to honour how far you've come.
Mornings begin with meditation, breathwork and gentle movement. After a slow breakfast, we’ll meet in circle. The afternoons are yours to spend time by the saltwater pool, take a walk in the surrounding fields, rest, journal, or use the sauna and jacuzzi.
On specific days, we meet again late afternoons or after dinner for a ritual around the pool, or in the retreat's beautiful stone chapel.
Evenings gather everyone around the table for shared, organic plant-based dinners, with one special dinner out at a local restaurant on Thursday evening.
The practices you'll explore include somatic movement, yin yoga, restorative yoga, yoga nidra, breathwork, sound, touch, and body-led expression, all gently guided and adapted to your level and needs.
No prior experience is needed; just an openness to slow down, listen, and feel.
The week closes with a celebratory final dinner and a closing circle, and you’ll receive a follow-up online group session after the retreat to support integration back into daily life.
Imagine waking slowly with the sun, your bare feet touching cool stone. You move through a gentle morning practice, not to fix or perform - but to feel. Your body unfolds like a breath. You follow sensation. No pressure. No perfection. Just presence.
You sip tea in the courtyard, the warmth of the cup in your palms, birdsong overhead, the scent of herbs on the breeze. You take your time.
Then the circle gathers.
A small circle of women. A sacred space. Honest sharing, embodied practice, ritual and ceremony — moving through a different theme each day. Something shifts when women sit together in this way. What you thought was your own private struggle turns out to be the struggle of most women. You are witnessed. You are held. You are not alone.
Later, the afternoon is completely yours. You walk barefoot in the grass. You notice texture, temperature, the way your breath moves in rhythm with your steps. You remember the world is alive — and so are you.
In the evening, we gather around the dinner table — sharing food, stories and the quiet warmth of women who have spent the day going inward together. Some evenings hold ritual and ceremony. Others simply hold stillness. And in that space — whatever form it takes — something inside you shifts. Not because you tried, but because you allowed.
You'll leave with a felt memory of what it's like to be truly at home in your body — and the knowledge that you can find your way back there, anytime.
What you’ll experience
- Embodied movement practices that invite you to slow down, listen inward, and move from sensation
- Somatic explorations that help you reconnect with your body as a source of wisdom, creativity, and truth
- Gentle yoga like yin, restorative, and yoga nidra to soothe the nervous system and restore your natural rhythm
- Touch, sound, breath, and movement as portals into presence and pleasure
- Optional journaling or reflection practices
- Moments of stillness and silence, both in nature and within, where deep integration and clarity can arise
- Supportive group energy that honours your individuality, boundaries, and need for solitude or connection
- A spacious rhythm with plenty of time to rest, wander, reflect, and simply be.
Daily rhythm
Monday
- From 15:00 Arrivals and settling in
- 19:00 Welcome dinner
- 20:00 - 21:30 Welcome circle and yoga Nidra
Tuesday
- 07:30 - 09:00 Morning practice: Meditation, Breath Awareness & Somatic Movement
- 09:00 Breakfast
- 10:00 - 12:00 Women's Circle: Landing in This Transition
- Afternoon Free – Pool, walks, rest, journaling
- Lunch whenever you feel like it, or an optional lunch box
- 19:00 Dinner
Wednesday
- 07:30 - 09:00 Morning practice: Somatic movement and breath awareness
- 09:00 Breakfast
- 10:00 - 12:00 Women's Circle: Reconnecting to the Body
- Afternoon Free – Pool, walks, rest, journaling
- Lunchbox / free lunch
- 19:00 – Dinner
- 20:00–21:30 - Evening ritual (womb-earth connection)
Thursday
- 07:30 - 09:00 Morning practice: yin yoga & meditation
- 09:00 Breakfast
- 10:00 - 12:00 Women's Circle: Desire and Clarity
- Afternoon Free — explore surroundings, walk, rest, integrate
- Lunchbox / free lunch
- 19:30 Dinner at a local restaurant (included)
Friday
- 07:30–09:00 – Morning Practice: Breathwork & Expressive Movement
- 09:00 – Breakfast
- 10:00 - 12:00 Women's Circle: Self-Worth and Voice
- Afternoon Free — Pool, wellness, walks
- Lunchbox / free lunch
- 16:30–18:30 – Deep Rest Ritual in the Chapel
- 19:00 – Dinner
Saturday
- 07:30–09:00 – Morning Practice: Dance, Free Movement & Joy
- 09:00 – Breakfast
- 10:00 - 12:00 Women's Circle: Pleasure and Aliveness
- Afternoon Free — Pool, nature, pleasure, integration
- Lunchbox / free lunch
- 19:00 – Final Celebration Dinner
- 20:00–21:30 – Closing Ritual & Reflections
Sunday – Departure
- No formal practice
- Enjoy a lazy Sunday morning
- 09:00 Breakfast
- 10:00 - 12:00 Women's Circle: Integration and New Direction
- Check-out by 13:00
Instructors
Catja Østner
Catja is a joy-sparking yoga guide who blends deep rest, divine feminine magic, and soulful laughter. With 800+ hours of training in Yoga Nidra, Yin, Restorative, and Menopause Yoga, she leads retreats that feel like coming home. Think women’s circles, womb wisdom, and just the right dose of silliness and sacred. Her superpower? Helping you slow down, tune in, and remember how good it feels to be you. Come as you are—and leave rested, radiant, and ready to dance through life.
Retreat location
Welcome to La Commanderie – A Place to Breathe, Rest & Reconnect
La Commanderie is an old stone property in the countryside of Southwest France, surrounded by fields, sky, and quiet. It used to belong to the Knights Templar, and while life looks very different today, there is still a certain simplicity in the way the place feels. Solid. Unhurried. Grounded.
This is not a luxury retreat center.
It’s a place where things are kept simple on purpose.
A place where you can put your phone down, breathe, and land.
The Space
The Courtyard and Covered Dining Area
The courtyard is the central gathering space. It’s open and spacious, with an olive tree at its center.
Next to it, you’ll find a covered outdoor area (a préau) where we share meals together around a long table—protected from the sun, but still very much outside.
The Yoga and Practice Hall
A soft, light-filled space where the body can unwind and the nervous system can settle. Here we move, rest, breathe, and listen.
The Chapel
A very special space. The old chapel holds a quiet, sacred presence—ideal for meditation, ceremonies, and deep inner work.
Accommodation
A mix of shared rooms and glamping tents, designed to be comfortable yet grounded. This is not about luxury—it’s about simplicity, connection, and being close to nature.
There’s something quite beautiful about this simplicity—it brings you back to what actually matters. In a way, it echoes the spirit of the people who once lived here: a life with fewer distractions, more presence, and a closer connection to the essentials.
Surroundings
Surrounded by fields and open landscapes, with space to walk, rest, and breathe. There is also a pool, and nearby you’ll find small villages, local markets, and the gentle rhythm of rural French life.
The Experience
La Commanderie is not just a place for retreats.
It is a space of transition. A space where you are invited to:
- slow down
- soften the constant doing
- listen inward
- reconnect with your body, your rhythm, your truth
Life at La Commanderie is intentionally simple. Here, the days are not filled to the brim. There is space between things.
Space to rest.
Space to feel.
Space to simply be.
Through practices, shared circles, and time in nature, something begins to shift—often quietly, often gently, but deeply. Without constant stimulation, something else has space to emerge: clarity, sensitivity, presence.
This is a place for people who don’t need everything to be perfect—
but who are looking for something real.
A Different Kind of Retreat
This is not about escaping your life. It’s about returning to it—with more clarity, presence, and aliveness.
La Commanderie attracts those who are longing for something real:
depth, authenticity, and spaces where they can simply be.
A Space for the Feminine
This is a space devoted to the feminine. The feminine as a lived, embodied experience. A space where the feminine is given room to breathe, to unfold, to take her time. Where doing softens into being, and listening becomes more important than performing.
Here, we honor the cyclical, the intuitive, the sensual, the deeply human.
The parts of ourselves that are often quieted in everyday life.
This space is created for women who feel the call to return—
to their bodies, their truth, their inner rhythm. To remember what it feels like to be held without needing to hold everything together.
This is not a place to become something else.
It is a place to remember what is already here.
And to let that unfold, gently, in its own way.
Unique features
Activities
- Hot tub / Jacuzzi
- Sauna
- Table tennis
General
- Dining area
- Fireplace
- Garden
- Kitchen
- Multilingual staff
- Picnic area
- Smoke-free property
- Terrace
- Yoga shala
Services
- Free parking
- Free Wi-Fi
This Yoga Retreat is vegetarian-friendly
Click to see more vegetarian-friendly Yoga Retreats
Food
During the retreat, you will be nourished with delicious, plant-based food that supports your journey back into the body and home to yourself. The chef prepares each meal with love and care, with a focus on taste, nourishment, and pleasure.
All meals are:
- 100% organic
- Vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free
Three meals daily, with a gentle rhythm that supports the flow of the retreat, will be served:
- Breakfast is served between 09:00 and 10:00, offering a slow and spacious start to the day.
- Lunch is served as a lunchbox or light buffet, allowing you to eat at your own rhythm, whether you would like to take it into nature or enjoy it by the pool.
- Dinner is shared around 19:00, a grounding and connective moment at the end of the day.
- On Thursday evening, you dine together at a cozy local restaurant—this is included in the retreat price.
The retreat is alcohol- and smoke-free, allowing you to get the most out of the week—physically, mentally, and energetically. They are happy to accommodate allergies and food intolerances—please let them know your needs when you register.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Snacks
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Gluten Free
- Organic
- Lactose Free
- Whole food
Spa treatments
Spa, Pool and Sauna
During your stay at La Commanderie, you’ll have access to our pool and—depending on the weather and season—our small wellness area, created to help you unwind between sessions and enjoy quiet moments for yourself.
Jacuzzi
Our jacuzzi is heated and ready for you whenever you need a break. It’s ideal for relaxing tired muscles, warming up on cooler days, or simply taking a few minutes to pause and breathe.
Sauna
You’re welcome to use our sauna throughout the retreat. It’s a wonderful way to release tension, support the body, and deepen relaxation.
Pool
Our saltwater pool is heated during the summer (May-September) for optimal comfort and is ready for you to enjoy throughout the day.
For the brave souls (and the Vikings among us), the outdoor pool remains open during the colder season for a refreshing cold dip—perfect for alternating between the warm jacuzzi, the sauna, and the crisp outdoor water.
Massage
Treat yourself to a restorative massage during your free time. We collaborate with experienced local massage therapists who can come to La Commanderie — simply let us know when booking and we'll arrange it for you (1 hour, 80 EUR)
What's included
- A daily program including embodied movement, gentle yoga, meditation, somatic practices, women’s circles, workshops, rituals, and ceremonies
- A follow-up online group session after the retreat to support integration
- 6 nights accommodation at La Commanderie
- 100% organic, plant-based meals: breakfast, lunchbox, and dinner
- Afternoon snacks, fruit and herbal teas
- A shared restaurant dinner on Thursday evening
- Access to the chapel, yoga hall, and outdoor spaces, including the pool
- Use of yoga mats, blankets, and all equipment needed for the practices
- Bed linen and towels provided
- A follow-up online group session after the retreat to support integration
What's not included
- Travel to and from La Commanderie
- Travel insurance or personal spending
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Transfer not provided
Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport
144 km away from your destination
Transfer available for additional US$ 93 per person
Toulouse–Blagnac Airport
77 km away from your destination
Arrival by plane
The nearest airport is Toulouse-Blagnac. Assistance with transport recommendations and carpooling options can be provided upon request.
Arrival by car
Located approximately 1 hour 20 minutes from Toulouse and 2 hours 30 minutes from Bordeaux.
Arrival by train
Nearest train stations are Auch and Agen. Busses from Agen to Auch or Condom. Free pick-up from Auch or Condom can be arranged.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 30% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
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