A week of wonder, mindfulness, yoga, meditation, and warmth during one of the most special weeks of the year. A week also of learning to let go, and beginning anew... of coming home, and arriving...

We will stay at an amazing country house close to Toulouse, in the middle of nature. It is carefully selected for the atmosphere and the authenticity. Oh, and also has a sauna, hammam, jacuzzi, and an (outdoor) swimming pool to relax during the free moments :).

*** Last places available ***

A New Year ... a new way of approaching life. This retreat will learn you the art of being present, compassionately embracing and deeply observing. A week to expand the possibilities in perceiving the world in and around ourselves... and to enter the new year with a refreshed sense of awareness!

We will investigate how expansion can take form on the different layers of experience (brain, body, mind, heart and subconsciousness) so that a holistic understanding is established.

The intention for this retreat is to connect to a particular kind of attention and open awareness - able to observe thoughts, emotions, stress, tensions, and learn from them, without letting them define reality.

Developing an awareness that favors the processof thinking to the content of thoughts, and deal differently with what is truly there. Letting go of all the layers of the mind, and reactions, and simply be here, enjoying life, and taking in the moment.

***Mindfulness-based meditation forms the core of the open mind sessions, and will complement heart-, and positive neuro-plasticity meditation practices. ​ We also integrate insights from neuroscience and deep ancient Buddhism (Theravada, Zen and Tibetan) to deepen the practice.

• Open mind sessions - Sharings, reflections and theory will be alternated by sitting and walking meditations, and some silent moments to integrate some insights deeper. 
• Daily Yoga sessions - Hatha in the mornings for an active freshness, Nidra or Yin yoga in the afternoons for deep relaxation
• Optional massages (Shiatsu, Thai, Reiki, Swedish) to release blockages and enter deep relaxation
• Free afternoons to explore the cute villages and nature around
• Use of Welnness facilities - sauna, hammam, jacuzzi, swimming pool
• Delicious vegetarian food buffets - organic and very tasty prepared by our amazing chef Jorge! Also vegan possible at little extra cost
• An amazing community of like-minded people with different backgrounds, dreams and hearts - both total beginners and experienced meditators and yogis, are welcome. In this journey we go beyond the 'knowing'. Life as it is. Simply. Here. 

The quality of life is in proportion to the capacity of being present.
And the quality of our presence depends on the quality of our observation.

Tuning into an open observational space
that doesn't try to change stories, opinions, judgments, emotions
but simply - and more profoundly -
cuts through it.

A kind of awareness that is able to connect
with the wisdom of the body,
the clarity of the mind,
and the compassionate heart.

Observing different components of experience,
letting the outcome of this investigation be OPEN
to receive what one needs in this moment in life.

Suitable for both beginners and experienced practicioners... We will touch upon different layers of our experience. See if you can read this with an open mind though as this list could be longer or shorter depending on what you bump into.... this retreat is foremost an experience ....

Mind

• developing open mind qualities like focus, open concentration, compassionate attention, choiceless attention, curiosity, creativity and a beginner's mind
• unraveling the mind-body mechanisms and patterns 
• letting go of thinking patterns and story lines 
• developing cognitive flexibility to see new possibilities
• learning the art of being present

Body

• restoring balance in the body as a gateway for an open mind
• observing the influence of mental and emotional states on the physical body
• walking meditation, Hatha yoga (morning) and yin/nidra yoga (afternoon), meditative dancing (optional)

Emotion

• observing the true nature of emotions: non-self, impermanent, feedback loop
• tapping into different layers of open attention relating to letting go, acceptance, compassion, and empathy
• learning the role of subconscious mind and old emotions in developing in open mind
• open mind practices in dealing with stress and emotions

Brain

• learning to tap into the adaptive brain network and implications for the open mind state
• tapping into the parasympathetic nervous system
• storing positive experiences in memory to create new neural traces

Heart

• tapping into the open brain waves of gratitude, shared joy, equanimity, and loving kindness
• learning to soothe the heart rythm pattern for an open mind to flourish
• activating the soothing system for the release of oxytocin

Behaviour - committed actions

• replacing old, habitual, automatic ways with new flexible and intentional ways of behaving
• learning the subconscious mechanisms that drive your actions
• taking actions in creating the life you want