Saturday 31st August to Saturday 7th September 2019
For many of us it is a rare luxury to be in nature for several consecutive days, to have uninterrupted time and space where we can connect with ourselves and listen to what is alive in us, beyond all the doing and busy-ness. This is a unique opportunity to retreat and practice yoga surrounded by the majestic beauty of the Italian Alps. The Retreat is located in the north west Italian Alps, near Aosta and the border with Switzerland. The venue is Mountain Refuge Vieux Crest, situated at 2000 metres above the village of Champoluc. The teacher for this Retreat is Eithne Kennedy.
The Retreat is open to all levels of Yoga practitioner – Eithne is an experienced teacher who regularly leads open level classes, workshops and retreats that cater for everyone from beginners to teachers. Some of the Yoga sessions will be held in the outdoors. Each day there is guided hiking / walking led by John Arnold. These are optional and routes will be chosen to suit the experience and fitness levels of guests.
The Teaching
Eithne has practiced many styles of yoga including Hatha, Anusara, Shadow, Vinyasa Flow and brings aspects of these together to create dynamic energising classes in addition to gentle yin style classes which allow us to stop and listen.
Eithne’s teaching style emphasises the importance of alignment and the breath while building strength and flexibility. She encourages you to find a balance between effort and ease, allowing you to find the space in your body that can take your practice a little deeper. The approach that she takes when teaching is that yoga is available to everyone; practicing yoga should be an enjoyable and uplifting experience that empowers the individual and offers a tool for life.
There are two daily practices of Yoga and meditation, some of which will be held outdoors. Each practice will incorporate physical asana, mantra meditation and pranayama; this is a rich experience of Yoga that can lead to a richer, more connected experience of ourselves. Before bed each evening there will be a soothing Yoga Nidra session, winding you down for a restful sleep.
We will approach this lightly, with a spirit of joyful enquiry, seeing what each day brings!
Without fixing too-rigid a schedule, the Retreat will include:
7am – 9am yoga and meditation.
Breakfast.
11am to 3pm walking and hiking.
5pm – 7pm Yoga and meditation.
Dinner.
Venue – Refuge Vieux Crest
The Refuge is located in the hamlet of Crest situated at almost 2000 metres above the village of Champoluc in the valley D’Ayas, 40 kilometres from Aosta in the north west Italian Alps. Vieux Crest web site is here and further photographs of the Refuge and surrounding area can be viewed in our Vieux Crest Gallery. Access to the Refuge from Champoluc is by four-wheel drive vehicle via a 20-minute drive on a forest track.
As mountain refuges go the Vieux Crest is very comfortable and cosy. There are twin rooms available and rooms of 3 or 4-person occupancy. Each has its own bathroom with shower. All linen and towels are provided.
Physical practice will be taught in the outdoor or indoor teaching area, depending on air temperature and weather conditions. The indoor space is suitable for up to 15 people which is the maximum number we will enrol for this retreat.
The Refuge’s restaurant is relaxing and highly recommended and caters for all dietary requirements. There will be traditional regional food, vegetarian meals and some interesting fusions. The menu can be modified each day to suit the tastes of everyone.
Travel
A Mindful Mountains representative and transfer vehicle will meet you at one of three airports; Geneva, Turin or Milan Malpensa. All three airports have daily flights from various UK airports, increasing your choice of departures. Transfer time from Geneva to Champoluc is 3 hours, from Malpensa 2 hours, and from Turin 1.5 hours. The transfer vehicles will be departing airports at 2pm on Saturday 31st August and arriving at airports by 1pm on Saturday 7th September. Please arrange flights to correspond with these times. In Champoluc you will transfer to a four-wheel drive vehicle to transport you to Refuge Vieux Crest.
Cost
The package price of £1150 and includes:
- Return airport transfers to / from Refuge Vieux Crest.
- 7 nights full board accommodation with a light sandwich lunch.
- 6 days of teaching with Eithne Kennedy.
- Daily guided mindful hiking / walking 3 to 4 hours with John and Eithne.
The cost does not include flights or insurance.
Payment in Euros is welcomed and the exchange rate at the time of booking will be applied. The payment details will be forwarded on booking.
Booking
Book this Mindful Mountains Retreat via our Contact form – providing your name, preferred arrival airport and a brief overview of Yoga, Meditation and Hiking experience. On booking a deposit of £100 is requested and final balance required four weeks prior to the Retreat. On booking you will be provided details of suitable clothing and asked for dietary requirements which we will cater for.
Further information and questions
Eithne will be pleased to answer your enquiries about the teaching. You can contact her directly through her web site http://www.eithnekennedy.ie/
For questions related to booking and other areas please contact John through the CONTACT form on this web site.