Serenity in Chalabre, France
Date to be Announced ~ Please let us know of your interest at CHadventures@outlook.com
The definition of serenity is a state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled. Achieving this positive state of mind means you won’t feel as troubled by life’s ups and downs.
Join Arlena, Diana, and Gertrud at the Yobaba Lounge located in a 13th-century medieval bastide village in the foothills of the Pyrenees in the very south of France to begin your journey to the glorious state of serenity. Learn mindful practices such as Pranayama, Meditation, Yoga Asanas, Mindful Healthy Eating, and Gertrud’s specialized practice of Embodiment Meditation.
Our venue, the Yobaba Lounge, is a village chateau with a walled garden oasis and labyrinth. It’s hip, stylish, and a little worn around the edges. The chateau has the feeling of a spiritual sacred space.
This retreat promises to be life-changing!
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Practice mindfulness at this exclusive sanctuary that invites you to experience the most transformational and relaxing week of your life.
The chateau is located in a medieval village in the south of France at the foothills of the Pyrenees. It is situated 100km/62 miles from the Mediterranean. This region is known for its fascinating history and outstanding natural beauty.
We will practice pranayama, meditation (guided, embodiment, and mantra), and yoga asanas as we explore mindfulness.
We are so lucky to host our retreat at Gertrud Keazor’s Yobaba Lounge. Gertrud will also share her wonderful practice with us. Conde Nast Traveler magazine has written about her practice ~ “embodiment pioneer Gertrud Keazor guides you to inhabit that soft animal of your body rather than bludgeoning you into the perfect Warrior II. Eyes are kept shut, all the better to enjoy birdsong and the soft breeze. Forget rigid adjustments – follow your unfurling. You twist and twine around the mat, working deep into the fascia; it’s as much an emotional as a physical workout.”
This retreat invites you to soften in order to expand and find your inner bliss through mindfulness to create more alignment in all aspects of your life.
This retreat is open to all levels from beginner to advanced practitioner.
We are certified instructors in all types of Yoga -Vinyasa, Hatha, Yin, Restorative, Chair, Yoga for Healthy Aging, as well as Primordial Sound Mantra Meditation. We are happy to set up workshops or personal instruction if requested.
Dates: To be announced
Minimum Number of Guests: 7
Maximum Number of Guests: 16
Pricing per person double occupancy: *
**See Cancellation Policy below**
Single Supplement: *
Deposit of * is due upon booking
Balance due by *
* To Be announced when retreat is arranged.
What to Expect On This Retreat
This retreat will help you reconnect with your inner essence so that you may experience your world from a different perspective. This is powerful and transformative. In a short space of time, this helps us to slow down, to feel less anxious and more excited about our lives.
Explore the region during the day or just relax. Conversations flow at meal times. Often guests group together for spontaneous outings. Wild swimming in mountain lakes, plunging in crystal clear rivers. Enjoy Gertrud’s soulful practice of Embodied Meditation, volunteer in the kitchen and learn some of the Lounge’s outrageous vegan food, and reset your groove.
Delicious vegan and plant-based food, soulful yoga, meditation, pranayama, and mindfulness all while staying in stylish accommodations in this gorgeous chateau in the foothills of the Pyrenees in the very south of France
We begin on Saturday once everybody has arrived. After settling into your room, we will meet for a Restorative Yoga practice and orientation, followed by perhaps a stroll around the garden or whatever suits you after your journey. Dinner will follow at the chateau’s dining room.
The days that follow will spread between Pranayama, Meditation, yoga practices, walks, visits to the village and the private beach by the river or simply relaxing. We have a crystal singing bowl healing scheduled.
There will be an excursion to the Gorge de Galamus, the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Cite of Carcassonne, and a trip to one of the markets. Options are available for trekking activities as well.
We are certain you won’t be sorry you decided to join us!
What About The Food?
Vegan and plant-based food is a big thing at the chateau – they love making it. And you will love eating it! The kitchen is called Narnia. Magic happens there. It is the center of laughter, experimentation, and propitious mishaps.
“Food has become a ritual at Yobaba. A ritual of joy and service. It’s not just about what is in the food or on the plate, it is also about the plates, the cutlery, and the bowls themselves.” ~ Gertrud
Arlena Mourier
Arlena is a retired Payroll professional from a major Eastcoast Transportation Company. She is the proprietor of Choose Happiness Adventures and a devoted Yogi.
As part of Choose Happiness Adventures’ offerings, she leads and arranges self-guided walking and hiking tours on the Camino de Santiago and interesting destinations in Portugal. She has walked the Camino 14 times since 2012.
Arlena is a 500-hour Certified Yoga Instructor in Hatha Yoga. She also holds certificates for Restorative Yoga, Yin Yoga, Yoga for Healthy Aging, Rewind Gold, and Chair Yoga. She is a certified Primordial Sound Mantra Meditation Instructor and also is a certified Mindfulness Instructor.
Your Retreat Leaders
Diana Fiore
Diana is a practicing Esthetician. While searching for peace and joint pain relief, Diana discovered the joy and power of yoga. She was instantly amazed by the way yoga healed her from within. She is a lifetime devotee of yoga and meditation, she has been especially drawn to the body/mind/spirit connection that yoga provides.
Diana is a 200-hour Certified Yoga Instructor. She also holds certificates for Yin Yoga and Reiki Levels 1 and 2.
Diana enjoys living near the seashore, paddle boarding, traveling, hiking, and spending time with her children, friends, and family while continuing her lifelong journey toward living a mindful, meaningful life. ॐ
Gertrud Keazor
Gertrud is the proprietor of the Yobaba Lounge, our retreat venue. Gertrud is a retired international fencing athlete, successful dotcom entrepreneur, massage therapist, and a Reiki Master. In 2016 Gertrud formalized a mindfulness practice called Embodied Meditation, which she teaches at Yobaba Lounge and will share with us as our guest instructor.
This practice incorporates the use of Ujjayi breath and mindful yogic movement using sound and visualizations to facilitate a deep state of meditation and awareness of inner space. She has transformed her own life through this comprehensive healing practice.
Gertrud has also developed a mindfulness food philosophy and clean food diet which compliments and accompanies the retreats she runs.
What Are The Optional Activities?
- 5-day Ayurvedic cleanse
- Day trip to climb the magic mountain of Bugarach
- Rent a kayak or paddleboat on Lac Montbel
- skin/hair detoxes
- Massage treatments
- Reiki healing
- Rent a bike or electric bike at the local Carrefour Express in Chalabre
5 Walking Destinations to Explore
- Relax by the private walnut grove and the River Hers
- Watch the sunset over the Pyrennes at Chapelle Calvaire
- Take a daytime walk on the roundtrip route to Chapelle Calvaire
- Swim in the nearby lake in a secluded spot – Lac Montbel or at the lakeside beach
- Walk or cycle the old Voie Verte towards Camon
- Walk into Chalabre
What’s Included?
- Private Facebook Group
- 8 days/7 nights’ accommodations in our private chateau
- 3 gourmet meals are prepared and served daily by Gertrud and staff
- Wine with dinner
- Crystal Singing Bowl sound healings
- Massage (1 included per guest)
- Morning and evening pranayama, meditation, and yoga asana practice.
What’s Not Included?
- Airfare to and from France
- Transport to and from the Venue
- Hotel transport or stay before or after our retreat
- Personal, medical, or trip cancellation insurance. We suggest using Travelguard.com or Allianzetravelinsurance.com
- Lunches or drinks during our excursions
- Blocks and straps (please bring your own if you use them)
- All optional tours
How Do I Get to the Yobaba Lounge From and To The Airport?
The staff of the Yobaba Lounge are happy to coordinate your airport transfers or train station transfers if you would like. They can assist with finding local persons to come and meet you, this is less expensive than a formal taxi or Uber. To have the Yobaba Lounge coordinate your transfers please click here.
You can also consider ride-share services, such as Bla Bla Car or Rome2Rio to book your arrival and departure transfers.
When planning your arrival, please note that you can check into Yobaba Lounge any time after 3 p.m. on arrival.
Our Retreat will begin that evening once all the retreat guests have arrived. On departure, check-out time is by 11:30 a.m.
Our Venue
Welcome to The Yobaba Lounge
We are located 50 km/31 miles southeast of Carcassonne, in the foothills of the French Pyrenees. The area is known for its Cathar history and its wild, unspoiled nature.
The chateau has the feel of a secret temple … It’s both majestic and louche, part grand house, part boho shack, accessorized via Marrakech, Ethiopia, and Liberty of London. It combines authentic charm, discreet luxury, and a contemporary atmosphere.
This exclusive sanctuary invites you to experience the most relaxing and enjoyable retreat of your life.
The Chateau
The chateau features a total of 9 guest rooms, 6 bathrooms, and a fully equipped kitchen (without a microwave).
The Yoga Shala is on the top floor, overlooking the medieval rooftops, greeting the morning sun. Mats and cushions are provided – not blocks and straps (please bring your own).
There is an orangery in the walled garden which is a beautifully bright workshop space with excellent acoustics.
There is a private walnut grove a 5-minute walk from the chateau, by the side of the river Hers. This is a fabulous space for hanging out, taking a dip in the shallow, clear, and cool water, or to just simply relax in one of the hammocks.
Getting to Yobaba Lounge
- Fly into Toulouse, France or
- Fly into Carcassonne, France
- Fly into Paris, then bus or train to Carcassonne
- check www.RomeToRio.com for other options
Average Weather during May in Chalabra
Daytime Temperature: Highs mid 60ºs to low 70ºs Fahrenheit
Evening Temperature: Mid 50ºs Fahrenheit
Dates: To be announced
Minimum Number of Guests: 7
Maximum Number of Guests: 16
Pricing per person double occupancy: *
**See Cancellation Policy below**
Single Supplement: *
Deposit of * is due upon booking
Balance due by *
* To Be announced when retreat is arranged.
Cancellation Policy:
A 15% USD deposit is required at the time of registration. Any cancellation will result in a total loss of your deposit. If you must cancel your reservation, your money will be refunded minus the deposit up until 90 days prior to the beginning of the retreat. After 90 days prior to the beginning of the retreat, no refunds will be made. We reserve the right to cancel the trip if it is not meeting the trip minimum, should we do so, your deposit and all monies paid will be refunded in full.
**Trip cancellation insurance is always recommended when making travel plans. We suggest Travel Guard Insurance which can be found online.**