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Unique 4 Day Zen Yoga Experience Focusing on Oriental Posture, Alignment in Pays de la Loire, France
Yoga Thym, La Haute Laudais, 44110 Chateaubriant, Loire-Atlantique, Pays de la Loire, France
Life-Changing Yoga Retreat in France with Nik Kiyoko
Have you ever wondered why you're asked to take five deep breaths in the Downward Facing Dog pose or what your unique distance between your hands and feet is supposed to be? Are you new to yoga? Maybe you practice via the internet at home or once a week in a large class and have little or no feedback on your alignment and postures. If you’re looking to deepen your practice and correct your alignment, this retreat is designed just for you!
Instructions will be offered in English and/or French.
Meet the instructors
Nik
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Highlights
- Explore the fundamentals of gentle yoga poses that enhance alignment and posture
- Personalized attention to help you develop a deeper understanding of your body
- Four Key Oriental elements to foster a connection between your mind and body
- Enjoy the serene atmosphere of Chateaubriant, surrounded by lush landscapes
- Learn skills to develop your personal practice
- Suitable for all levels
- 3 nights accommodation
- 2 entries to AquaChoisel wellbeing space
Skill level
- Beginner
Yoga styles
4 days with instruction in French
The organizer also speaks: English
Group size: Maximum of 4 participants
Accommodation
Check-in Time:
15:00
Check-out Time:
12:00
Facilities
- Dining area
- Garden
- Kitchen
- Free parking
- Free Wi-Fi
Part of the benefit of this retreat is that you stay in Nik-Ki's home complex, a quaint 300-year-old farmhouse, and buildings set among the Breton and French countryside. Surrounded by her family, Nik-Ki has lived in her home for early thirty years with Mum, Sylvie. Some of the old farm buildings have been converted, too; one into a family home for her youngest son, David, and his young family, and another for the yoga studio and guest accommodation.
The Lodge
On the ground floor is the studio space. The upper floor has two double beds for single occupancy, a shared bathroom with bath / shower and sink, and a separate toilet. The third room is a cozy sitting / reading area / workshop space.
Meals are taken in Nik-Ki's Farmhouse across the driveway.
Program
Immerse yourself in the tranquil beauty of the countryside surrounding Chateaubriant, where ancient, medicinal Zen yoga techniques will guide you to a more balanced and fulfilling practice.
Yoga is not something you do. It's not even a hobby or a past-time. It's a lifestyle.
Come and discover what it feels like to immerse yourself in the ancient world of Zen!
This is a unique opportunity to go deeper into each basic yoga pose.
Using Zen discipline, you will explore the ancient medicinal practice of well-being, (not modern yoga often taught through internet home practice or large western classes), covering in detail over 50 plus basic Hatha poses.
What you’ll experience:
- Four days of in-depth learning: Explore the fundamentals of gentle yoga poses that enhance alignment and posture, tailored for all levels, including those seeking to refresh their practice. This retreat is truly international; the classes are in English and/or French
- Expert guidance by Nik Kiyoko: A highly experienced stretch instructor, Zen master, and psychologist who will provide personalized attention to help you develop a deeper understanding of your body, movements, and stretching. Although Nik-Ki's maternal language is English, she is capable of teaching in French (with the occasional use of an A.I. translator for the more complicated explanations or pronunciations)
- Holistic approach: Engage in daily sessions that integrate the four Key Oriental elements needed to foster a connection between your mind and body
- Relaxing countryside setting: Enjoy the serene atmosphere of Chateaubriant, surrounded by lush landscapes and peaceful surroundings that inspire relaxation and rejuvenation
Why this retreat is perfect for you:
- All levels welcome: Whether you’ve never stepped on a mat or have some experience, Nik Kiyoko's supportive environment will empower you to explore your practice Oriental style—a level far superior to most western experiences
- Focus on home practice: Gain valuable tools and techniques that you can incorporate into a daily routine, ensuring you leave with the confidence to continue your journey at home with an option to continue with a home study course to create your unique 12-minute daily lifestyle practice
Your 4-day program includes:
Day 1
- 15:00 Check-in to your accommodation
- 15:30 - 16:30 Discover the Zen principles behind the foundations of practice, the Classic Sun Salutation
- 17:30 - 18:30 Zen yoga session (10 poses in detail)
- 19:00 - 20:00 Supper
- 20:15 - 21:15 A deep relaxing, pre-sleep meditation
Days 2 and 3
- 07:45 - 08:00 Mindful focus and intentions
- 08:00 - 09:10 Zen yoga session (10 more poses)
- 09:15 - 10:15 Breakfast break
- 10:30 - 11:45 Mindful walk or inside activity
- 11:45 - 13:00 Free time (massages on request)
- 13:00 - 14:00 Lunch break
- 14:15 - 17:00 Relaxing at AquaChoisel
- 17:30 - 18:30 Zen yoga session (10 more poses)
- 19:00 - 20:00 Supper
- 20:15 - 21:15 A deep relaxing, pre-sleep meditation
Day 4
- 07:45 - 08:00 Mindful focus and intentions
- 08:00 - 09:10 Zen yoga session (10 more poses)
- 09:15 - 10:15 Breakfast break
- 10:30 - 11:45 Mindful walk or inside activity
- 11:45 - 13:00 Preparation for departure
Included excursions
- Two visits to AquaChoisel Center at Chateaubriant
- Countryside walks (weather permitting) or other inside activity focusing on mind and body relaxation
Instructors
Nik Kiyoko
Nik-Kiyoko has over 30 years studying the mind-body connection. She started her long career as a sports physio for a semi-pro rugby team in the UK and studied psychology before looking to the Orient for answers. It was there she met a Zen Master who introduced her to an active form of yoga not often practiced outside of Asia. Passionate to share this unique Oriental version, Nik-Ki opened her home complex and created one of the most successful retreat in France. After more than 10 years teaching yoga, the focus of her retreat is still based on medicinal Zen alignment, activations and posture.
Retreat location
This journey of peace, clarity, and inspiration to transform your mind and body is set among idyllic rural countryside in northwest France; the region known as La Pays de la Loire. Chateaubriant is a large market town located in the center of a triangle of historic cities - Rennes in the north, Nantes to the south-west, and Angers to the south-east.
This Yoga Retreat is vegetarian-friendly
Click to see more vegetarian-friendly Yoga Retreats
Food
Sylvie provides an array of wholesome home-baked dishes that will tempt and tantalize your senses. Her vegetarian menus are lovingly prepared. Between 9:15 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. enjoy a self-service style breakfast in the farmhouse kitchen or dining. Choose from cereals, yogurts, fruit, fresh-baked croissants with homemade jams, and eggs. Teas, tisanes, coffee, and orange juice are all available. Wholesome two-course lunches are served between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. A satisfying supper and delicious dessert are ready around 7:00 p.m. (subject to the program timings).
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
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
Things to do (optional)
- 30-minute deep therapeutic back, neck, and shoulder massage
- 60-minute relaxing body massage
- Entry to AquaChoisel swimming pool
What's included
- 3 nights comfortable accommodation, towels included
- Breakfasts, two-course lunches, and two-course evening meals (vegetarian) + beverages
- 3 mindful morning sessions
- Transfers from Chateaubriant train station
- 60+ posture instructions for alignment and deeper understanding of Zen yoga
- 2 entrances to AquaChoisel Wellbeing Space (pool not included)
- 3 pre-sleep meditations
What's not included
- Travel costs
- Entrance to the swimming pool at AquaChoisel
- Health or travel insurance
- Personal hygiene products
How to get there
Recommended Airports
NTE
Nantes Atlantique Airport
63 km
Transfer not provided
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at Nantes Atlantique Airport (NTE). Airport transfer is not provided.
Yoga Thym does not offer a private collection service from Nantes airport for this retreat. You can hop on a bus directly outside the terminal building (Hall 1 Arrivals) to Nantes train station, where you'll catch the Train-Tram (TT) to Chateaubriant, where Yoga Thym will pick you up free of charge. If you drive, there will be free off-road onsite parking available.
Arrival by train
Yoga Thym provides free transfers from/to Chateaubriant Train Station.
- Trains from Paris: via Rennes, then change for Chateaubriant, or via Angers, then change for Chateaubriant (bus)
- Trains from Nantes: Train-Tram directly into Chateaubriant Train Station
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 10 days before arrival.
10
Special offer Discount
This listing has a Winter offer discount of 10% if you book between 2025-Jan-19 and 2025-Feb-28.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookYogaRetreats.com. All major credit cards supported.
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