This retreat promises to be a great combination of excellent yoga, mindfulness meditations, incredible mountain walks (take it from us, the views from Chamonix’s hiking trails will blow you away) and plenty of healing relaxation time, including a full body massage and a day at a fantastic Italian spa in the center of Chamonix.
Our wonderful instructors for this retreat are Michael Jarvis and Kate Tyler. Michael draws from his Ashtanga Practice, Vinyasa Training and love of gentle Hatha, Yin and Slow Flow Yoga to bring each student a high-quality, safe learning experience that forms a strong, deep and gentle practice. Michael has a light-hearted gentle approach to teaching and strongly believes that enabling people to become sensitive to the sounds and sensations of their own bodies and minds, allows them to have a greater experience of life on and off the Yoga mat.
Michael is joined by friend and fellow teacher Kate Tyler, a Clinical Director and Trauma Specialist who runs her own clinic in England offering specialist psychological therapies. Kate has been delivering Mindfulness teachings for a number of years including the renowned 8 week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Course.
This retreat offers the opportunity to embed a daily Yoga practice and learn ways to incorporate Mindfulness Practices and Meditation into your daily life. With morning Vinyasa Yoga and Meditation with Michael and late afternoon Meditation and Mindfulness sessions with Kate, working with movement, sound, silence and senses. Coupled with mindful mountain walks, periods of silence to reflect on the experiences of daily life and all of the wonderful luxuries that Bluerise has to offer, this time away will give you an opportunity to slow down and to return with ways to manage the daily internal and external chatter. A perfect way to rest, restore and reflect.
This retreat includes:
- A full body welcome massage
- 7 nights accommodation in a beautiful chalet
- Healthy and delicious meals. Breakfast, lunch and dinner (apart from one free evening to enjoy a meal at one of the fabulous local restaurants)
- A full week of yoga classes (check the retreat schedule for detailed info)
- Daily mindfulness meditations
- Guided mountain hikes
- A day at a fantastic spa
- Transfers to and from Geneva airport
ACCOMMODATION
Our beautiful Chamonix chalet is situated high above the valley floor, with stunning views of the magnificent Mont Blanc mountain range. The chalet has 7 bedrooms, all designed and equipped to a very high standard. All bedrooms can be shared twins or doubles with a super king size bed, all have an ensuite bathroom, LCD TV and DVD player and a South facing Balcony (several have swing chairs and sun loungers).
The chalet has its own spa with a steam and sauna room, treatment room for the on-site massages, huge living area with double height picture windows and the ideal yoga deck, complete with Jacuzzi and pool, surrounded by breath-taking scenery.
During your retreat, there will be an excellent full-time chef, chalet host and driver providing catering, cleaning, driving and 24hr assistance.
Please specify, when booking, if you would prefer not to share a room.
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 chef to complement the retreat perfectly. The food will be absolutely delicious and mostly vegetarian or vegan but you can opt for fish or meat when booking your retreat. Please include your dietary requirements in the section provided at checkout. We use organic and local produce where possible.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS
MICHAEL JARVIS
Yoga Teacher
It is easy to see that the lovely Michael is a passionate practitioner that has encompassed the philosophy of Yoga within all areas of his life.
His classes offer a safe, friendly and warm environment to experience the beauty of Yoga. They are built to empower people to find their own inner wisdom and reconnect to their intuitive movement and energy. Whether your intention is to increase your flexibility, relieve stress, or improve your strength, Michael’s classes will do the trick.
Michael has studied with many great teachers through his Foundation Training with The British Wheel and a 12 month Yoga Alliance teacher training programme through YogaLondon and Holly Warren. He has completed an in-depth Teacher/Facilitator Training for Yoga Nidra with Uma Dimsmmore-Tuli through Yoga Campus in London and is currently finalising his training with Ralf Marzen at the Mudita School of Thai Massage to become a fully qualified Thai Yoga Masseur. This spring he will be deepening his Yin training with the wonderful Norman Blair.
Through deep learning and personal practice Michael has developed and integrated this beautiful ancient tradition of bodywork, breath, mindfulness and stillness into his own routine which, he finds, supports a rich, fulfilling and healthy lifestyle.
Michael’s website: www.michaeljarvisyoga.com
KATE TYLER
Mindfulness Teacher
Kate discovered Yoga and Meditation in her teens and has been a lifelong practitioner of both ever since. She trained as a Yoga Teacher in her early twenties before embarking on a career in Mental Health Nursing on which she focussed her attention over the next 15 years. During that time she specialised in the treatment of Addictions and Eating Disorders but it wasn’t until she began working as a Community Nurse for the MOD that she became once again fascinated by the clear mind/body relationship with stress and trauma. Kate then studied for a Masters Degree in Psychological Trauma alongside undertaking her teacher training through Exeter University and has worked in the field of trauma ever since. She is an accredited EMDR Consultant offering training and supervision to numerous clinicians delivering trauma therapy across the country. Kate also teaches a programme of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction courses from the Maldon Mindfulness Centre as well as workshops and retreats in conjunction with Michael Jarvis – friend and Yoga Teacher.
Kate is the Clinical Director of Silver Street Clinic which she set up with her business partner in 2013. The clinic provides specialist psychological services for Psychological Trauma (civilian and military), Eating Disorders, Sexual Disorders and Addictions as well as for more general conditions such as Anxiety, Depression and Stress Related problems. It also houses the Maldon Mindfulness Centre which trains and supports an ever increasing community of Mindfulness practitioners.
Kate’s approach to Mindfulness teaching aims to be inspiring but light-hearted and humorous with an acceptance of people just where they are now, embracing the core principles of embodiment, open mindedness and compassion.
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 and nature expert, Susanna Walker, carefully chooses trails to suit the abilities of our clients. She makes sure no-one is left behind, while imparting knowledge on the local wildlife and beautiful 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 a high mountain yoga session followed by a healthy packed lunch with impressive views. 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 to relax in the hot tub, sauna and steam room.
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 always 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 bathing suit (for the hot tub / spa / pool), a backpack, a waterproof coat, a hat and warm layers. Don’t panic if you come unprepared or forget anything, there are plenty of shops in town.
The yoga classes will take place on the decking outside the chalet surrounded by the stunning Mont Blanc mountain range but we do have an indoor room to use on rainy days. We provide blankets as well as all yoga equipment (mats, blocks, bricks, straps, bolsters, eye pillows and blankets) but please bring extra layers in case of cold days.
We also provide towels and bathrobes at the chalet so no need to bring your own.
During the meet and greet we will go over the schedule and weather report for the week so we can adjust the schedule a bit if necessary (hiking on sunny or slightly overcast days). We will fit the massages in around the schedule.
an adjust the schedule a bit if necessary (hiking on sunny or slightly overcast days). We will fit the massages in around the schedule.
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. It is now obligatory for our staff to wear personal protective equipment (PPE). We will also provide masks for our guests to use and there are hand sanitising stations in place.
We now have a lower maximum number of clients (10) and if you opt for a shared (twin) room you will be in one of the two largest rooms, with daily thorough cleans of the bathroom and each guest having their own sink, products, towels and bathrobes. There will be a top to bottom disinfection of the property between retreats, extremely thorough cleans between use of sauna / steam room (only one person at a time and 30 – 40 minute slots), regular disinfecting of surfaces, no sharing of yoga equipment, general social distancing rules which we will go over with you on arrival and whenever possible we will practice yoga on our spacious deck in the fresh mountain air.
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
‘WOW!!! It has been an absolutely amazing week. The retreat is all I had been hoping for and even far exceeded my expectations on many fronts. Our private chef Jonno deserves a special mention – he is truly wonderful. The chalet is cosy and the views are unbeatable. Eleanor and the team were also fabulous. Last but not least, Michael is not just a great yoga teacher but also such a lovely soul xx I would definitely recommend this retreat to anyone who fancies a break in the French Alps!’ – Charlotte Ho Man Chee
‘I can’t recommend this retreat enough! Wonderful people, surroundings, yoga, food, activities….everything. I will be booking again.’ – Rhonda Martin
‘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
‘My yoga retreat with Bluerise far exceeded my expectations. All of the staff were keen to make every day an enjoyable one, and nothing was too much trouble. The schedules were planned each day, though nothing too rigid, the accommodation was outstanding, and to top it all the food was 5* quality. I can’t wait till my next one!’ – Vanessa Reeve
