Workshops & Retreats
Please bring your own mat as well as a Shavasana blanket and eye pillow, if you use them. Jade Yoga mats are available to buy at the online store or in studio.
Images from the town of Uzès, village of Saint Quentin La Poterie and the garden yoga studio
Yoga Retreat with Ríonach in the South of France
18 – 25 June, 2022
A whole week of immersion in your yoga practice, with expert tuition, healthy food, lots of sunshine and plenty to see and do for art, history and nature lovers. The retreat will take place in the picturesque village of Saint-Quentin-La-Poterie, France, just 3km from the beautiful, historic town of Uzès, with its stunning architecture, eclectic mix of shops and tempting cafés and restaurants. The area is unspoilt by too much tourism and Uzès is a town where people live and work, with its bustling Saturday market catering to the locals, not just tourists. It’s in the heart of France’s Languedoc/Provencal region, with Nimes and Avignon just 40 minutes drive away. The Pont du Gard (built in the 1st century AD) is one of the region’s most famous tourist attractions and just 20 minutes drive away, with a beautiful spot for river swimming and kayaking en route.
Accommodation is a 3-minute walk away from the outdoor studio, in a lovingly restored 18th-century guest house with spectacular gardens, a huge swimming pool and elegantly furnished, extremely comfortable en-suite bedrooms. (If you would prefer to arrange your own accommodation, you can pay for yoga and meals only.)
The beautiful rooms, garden space and pool
TIMETABLE:
8 am – 8:15 am: Morning meditation
8:15 am – 10:15 am: Yoga Practice (Teacher-assisted self-practice (Mysore-style))
10:30 am: – 11: pm Brunch
4:30 pm – 6:30 pm: Afternoon Yoga (this session will be devoted to technique workshops, Pranayama, Meditation and Yin and Yoga Nidra on alternate days)
7 pm: Dinner
(On Saturday, 18th of June, there’s an early flight from Dublin to Nimes with Ryanair, so we’ll have a welcome brunch in the garden and an afternoon yoga session before dinner at 7 pm. On Saturday the 25th, a final morning practice and brunch will be offered before departure)
Each day will start with a morning meditation. Teacher-assisted self-practice (Mysore-style) will follow, where you’ll enjoy one-to-one guidance as you are supported by the group’s energy in a peaceful, sunlit garden studio. (You do not need to know the sequence to attend – you will have a week of one-to-one instruction in class to learn a sustainable, beneficial sequence that works for you). After an imaginative and substantial vegetarian brunch created by our expert, professional vegetarian chef, you’ll have the afternoon free to explore the beautiful countryside or just rest and enjoy the sunshine by the pool. Late afternoon classes will include Yin, Pranayama, Meditation, discussion and philosophy as well as instruction on technique to support your practice. During these classes, our lovely chef will be busy in the kitchen preparing our evening meal which we will enjoy together in the garden.
Saint Quentin La Poterie, is a beautiful, typically Provencal village with cobblestone streets, interesting shops, cafés and a twice-weekly lively market. It is also, as the name suggests, is famous for its beautiful ceramics. You’ll find artists at work in their studios throughout the village, selling their work at very reasonable prices. Since the Middle Ages, the high-quality clay in the soil led to the development of the village’s ceramic production. The Avignon Popes ordered some of the floor tiles for their Palace from Saint-Quentin’s craftsmen. The ceramics industry, which disappeared in the mid 20th century, was revived in Saint-Quentin during the 1980s and today, the village boasts a wide range of pottery workshops with artists showing a rich variety of styles and techniques (porcelain, glazed earthenware and sandstone, sculpture and cooking pots). The pottery museum and Terra Viva, a contemporary ceramics gallery, both hold annual exhibitions.
Getting There:
The nearest airport is Nimes (40 minutes drive) and Ryanair offers a direct flight on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Marseilles airport is 1 hour and 50 minutes drive away. The TGV (high speed train) serves Nimes and Avignon from Lyon and Paris, and a regular train serves both stations from Carcassonne (with a shuttle bus to the train meeting every flight). If you choose to fly to Nimes, or you choose the fly/train option, pick-up can be arranged from Nimes or Avignon if you don’t want to rent a car. Sharing car rental is also an option. Please contact me to discuss your travel arrangements if you are unsure what would work best.
Costs
1 week Single room + Brunch, dinner and yoga classes : €1,250
1 week Shared room + Brunch, dinner and yoga classes: € 875
1 week Brunch, dinner and yoga classes (no accommodation): €525
BOOKING CONDITIONS
Your deposit secures your place. The full balance will be due by April 30th. In the event that travel is cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic, you will be fully refunded, including your deposit.
A deposit of €200 secures your place. 8 places only. PAY YOUR DEPOSIT NOW.
Kino MacGregor Workshop, September 30 – October 2, 2022
This is a wonderful opportunity to practise with one of the world’s leading teachers. The workshop will be held in the Bray/Greystones, County Wicklow area (venue to be confirmed).
EARLY BIRD PRICES TO JUNE 30th, 2022:
Full workshop: €285
All Day (Saturday): €130
All Day (Sunday): €120
Friday Evening: €65
Friday, 30 September
6 – 8 pm Just Breathe
The breath is the thread that links the conscious and the subconscious mind, the mystical passage between the material and the spiritual. Without the magic of the breath, the practice of yoga is mostly “just bending.” With careful attention to the breath, the sacred space of the body is revealed and the mind experiences the height of spiritual realization. Leave this two-hour immersion in the breath and the practice with a deeper understanding of the subtleties of the inner body. Practice with a new mindset and plant the seeds of peace. Learn how the breath unlocks new levels of practice and unlocks many difficult poses. Prepare for practice, theory and light sweating as the breath unlocks the fire of tapas, purification. Appropriate for all levels.
Saturday, 1 October
10 am – 12 pm The Spiritual Journey of Asana.
Dive into a technique-driven practice and in-depth discussion of the yoga practice and leave with a renewed inspiration for the deep work of the yoga practice. Directly experience the process of yoga transformation through a firm foundation in traditional spiritual principles as applied in practice. Expect asana breakdowns as well as alignment-driven exploration of the yoga poses as a connection to the inner tradition of spiritual inquiry. Feel, experience and explore the inner world of yoga in this class and leave with a new paradigm for understanding the yoga practice. Expect to sweat as you move through the practice and open your mind to new techniques to unlock difficult asanas. Appropriate for all levels.
1 pm – 3 pm Fearless Backbends
If you enjoy a challenge but think you are too stiff to ever bend your back then this is the perfect class for you. By understanding how to work your body in a safe way you will learn what it takes to really bend over backwards with no fear. The secrets of deep backbends are available to you through the integration of sound anatomical principles, healthy alignment techniques and intensely fun stretches. The dynamic movement mechanics of bending your spine are the key to limitless flows of energy and in this class you will begin to explore your natural potential for deep backbends with safety, support and enthusiasm.
3 pm – 4 pm The Equanimous Mind: Meditation & Discussion
Dive down into the inner world equipped with a calm, steady mind and a courageous heart. Train the mind to be single-pointed in the Eka-Tattva state and cultivate a state of equanimity. A strong mind is a vital tool on the path of living the yogi’s life. Join this session and begin your spiritual journey.
Sunday, 2nd October
10 am – 12 pm Ashtanga Yoga Full Primary Series.
Surrender to the traditional Ashtanga Yoga method with careful emphasis on the traditional vinyasa method and have fun along the journey. Experience the integrity and purity of the Ashtanga Yoga practice and be prepared to sweat.
1 pm – 3 pm True Strength
The powerful strength-based asanas and transitions of the yoga practice are often intimidating and difficult to practice. Join this session to tap into your natural strength as Kino shares the techniques and tips that she uses to develop and build strength. You will leave this session with a methodological approach to strength that will transform your practice. True strength is rooted in the spiritual lessons of the practice and moves far beyond brute force. Explore everything from lift-ups to inversions to arm balances from a radically new perspective and leave with real tools to apply in your practice and your life. Appropriate for all levels.
Workshop Terms & Conditions
This workshop is currently open only to those who can provide proof of Covid vaccination.
In case of cancellation by the customer, a full refund, less a 10% administration fee, will be offered for cancellations up to 6 weeks before the workshop start date. In case of cancellation by Ríonach Yoga or Kino MacGregor, a full refund will be offered.
After that date, no refunds can be offered. However, you can transfer your workshop place to another participant if you send us full details of the transfer (name, address and email of the alternative participant).