During this retreat you will enjoy the incredible hiking trails of Chamonix with our experienced guide, transformative yoga classes with our experienced and wonderful yoga teacher; Angela Sykes, delicious gourmet vegetarian food and free time to explore the Chamonix valley or relax in our luxury Alpine chalet.
Experience yoga on a deeper level as Angela guides you in an engaging and supportive way, through twice daily yoga sessions designed to inspire and uplift. During the sunrise practices we will take the time to wake up our energy, build strength, flexibility and a steady mind. They will include dynamic flows, pranayama, mantra, mudra, energising qi gong, meditation, body work and energy work. The sunset practices are designed to settle our energy, tend to our bodies and calm our minds. They will include gentle flows, yin yoga, pranayama, mantra, mudra, calming qi gong, yoga nidra, bodywork and energy work. The yoga sessions and styles will suit those newer to yoga and those who wish to deepen an existing practice.
This retreat includes:
- A full body welcome massage
- 7 nights accommodation in a beautiful chalet
- Healthy and delicious meals: Brunch, snacks and dinner (apart from one free evening to enjoy a meal at one of the fabulous local restaurants)
- Fresh juices and healthy smoothies every day
- A full week of yoga classes (check the retreat schedule for detailed info)
- All yoga equipment (mats, blocks, bricks, eye pillows, straps, bolsters and blankets)
- Guided mountain hikes
- A whole day at a wonderful local spa
- Transfers to and from Geneva airport according to these time slots
- A welcome pack
- Housekeeping
- Toiletries
ACCOMMODATION
Our large and beautiful Alpine chalet is perfectly located in the Chamonix valley for easy access to areas of interest, beautiful hiking trails and boasts stunning views of Mont Blanc. The chalet is just as intimate and cosy as it is spectacular and luxurious, thanks to its clever design with several sumptuous social areas.
The chalet is a former mill and has been built and decorated by the most sought after artisans in the valley, so every aspect has been finished to perfection and careful attention. The lovely yoga space is in the heart of the chalet with floor to ceiling windows that let in plenty of light under the beautiful wooden roof beams. The chalet also has its own spa area with a sauna and treatment room for the on-site massages.
It is centrally located in the Chamonix valley in the quaint village of Les Tines, a short distance from Chamonix town, with breath-taking panoramic views of the French Alps from the hot tub, sun terraces and garden.
HEALTHY EATING
The quality of the food on our retreats is very important to us. You will enjoy healthy, nutritional meals carefully chosen by our excellent chef to complement the retreat perfectly. The gourmet food on our retreats is absolutely delicious and mostly vegan or vegetarian but you can opt for fish or meat when booking your retreat. We use organic and local produce where possible.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Angela is a Senior Yoga Teacher registered with Yoga Alliance Professionals. She has been teaching professionally for 15 years, is a Yoga Teacher Trainer and Course Leader for Yoga Kula’s 18 month 300 hour Teacher Training. Angela is a Yoga Teacher Mentor, Coach and Founder of Yoga Kula Studios based in Leeds, UK.
Angela’s yoga journey began with a suspicion that the East might well offer answers to questions about her health. Suffering severe neck and back pain and low energy for many years, she was looking for something more profound than pain killers. Angela spent 5 years studying yoga in Japan, India and Sri Lanka learning the healing ways of the East. Eastern approaches to health and in particular yoga helped her to heal her body and understand herself on a much deeper level.
For the past 20 years Angela has trained and studied with a range of renowned yoga teachers and yoga institutions including the Bihar School of Yoga, Bharatt Shetty, BKS Iyengar of Pune, BNS Iyengar of Mysore, Vijay and Vinay Kumar of Mysore, Yogi Dinesh of Rishikesh, David Swenson, Richard Freeman, Kino Mcgregor, Joey Miles, Mimi Kuo Deemer, Shiva Rea, Jean Hall, James Rafael, Jambo Dragon and many more. She is trained in Ashtanga, Vinyasa Flow, Jivamukti Yoga, Hatha, Yin and Daoist Flow styles of yoga. Angela has have lived in ashrams in India, Sri Lanka and the UK and spent several weeks in the Amazon Jungle taking part in Shamanic healing ceremonies. She has taught yoga in the UK and internationally in India, Sri Lanka, Germany and Spain. Her next immersive trip is planned for this year where she will spend time in China studying Chi Gong with masters living in the Wudang Mountains.
Angela’s yoga sessions are a combination of asana – still and flowing, breathwork, meditation, mantra, wisdom, bodywork and energy healing.
Check out Angela’s website.
THE HIKES
Experience guided walks through the stunning French Alps.
Our gentle half day hikes last 2 – 3 hours with plenty of rest time to take in the incredible views. No prior fitness level is required. Our qualified and experienced walking guide carefully chooses trails to suit the abilities of our clients. She will make sure no-one is left behind, while imparting knowledge on the local flora and fauna.
On the full day hike we set off to explore some of Chamonix’s best hiking trails. Around midday we make ourselves comfortable in an idyllic setting for some high mountain yoga or meditation followed by a healthy packed lunch with impressive views like those at Lac Blanc. When rested, we continue our inspirational journey through the spectacular Mont Blanc mountain range before returning to the chalet to enjoy a fresh healthy smoothie and relax in the hot tub.
All hikes are optional.
WHAT TO BRING
Chamonix Mont Blanc is the most beautiful Alpine region in Europe and as with all mountain regions, the weather is unpredictable. It can be extremely hot on sunny days and occasionally very cold even in summer, so it’s a good idea to check the weather report right before you travel.
We recommend bringing hiking boots or sensible outdoor footwear, sunglasses, sun cream, a sun hat, a bathing suit (for the hot tub / spa), a backpack, a waterproof coat and warm layers. Don’t panic if you come unprepared or forget anything, there are plenty of shops in town.
We provide all yoga equipment (mats, blocks, bricks, straps, bolsters, eye pillows and blankets).
We also provide towels and bathrobes at the chalet so no need to bring your own.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
In light of recent events, our diligent staff have been retrained and now implement updated health and safety procedures in line with government guidelines. There will be a top to bottom disinfection of the property between retreats, extremely thorough cleans between use of the spa areas, regular disinfecting of surfaces and there’s no need to share yoga equipment. We also provide masks for anyone wishing to wear them and there are hand sanitising stations in place.
Please try to social distance as much as possible for 2 weeks BEFORE the retreat and check your temperature on the morning of travel. If you are feeling in any way unwell, stay at home. It may be possible to reschedule your retreat at no cost to you but please take out cancellation insurance to avoid any disappointment.
TESTIMONIALS
‘The whole experience was beautiful. The setting, the chalet, the food, the yoga, the massage, the food, the walks, the spa day, the food, and the total vibe – calm but energising, excellently organised but relaxed – were all perfect. The food was delicious, healthy, satisfying. El and Anna were totally brilliant. I loved the food. The yoga was inspirational, every day. But the aspect that perhaps I wasn’t expecting, and which surprised me, was the power, joy, and inspiration I gained from my fellow guests. Thank you all.
And did I mention the food..?’ – Simon Blake
‘The other guests were wonderful; inspiring and real pleasure to spend time with. Everyone involved in running the retreat was very welcoming, friendly and really fun to have around. Eleanor and Anna made us all feel really at home and looked after us brilliantly. Wonderful, inspiring, responsive yoga teacher. I had the best massage I have in years. The food was excellent, absolutely delicious. The views were magnificent. Perfect balance of structure and freedom.’ – Fiona Paveley
‘Had the most relaxing week. Such a great experience. Everything was so smooth, well organised. Awesome yoga and hikes of course. The venus is fabulous, with indoor spa, pool & jacuzzi, in-house cinema …the food was incredible. On top of all that, it was so lovely to meet new people and it truly ended up being a beautiful, fulfilling and humbling human experience. Thanks to all of you.’ – Morgane Boucherit
