Why I started yoga week...

For my first blog post, I’d like to start at the beginning and share the
reasons why I began hosting a yoga week in the first place. At the risk of
sounding cliché, yoga week actually began with an end.

In the late 90s, I went to New Age Health Spa to mourn the death of my
significant other, and while there, I found the wonderfully inspiring Anna
Walsemann. I took many of her classes while at New Age, and knew I had found
something. I had to share this discovery with others. It was the start of
what would in the future become a bi-annual week long yoga retreat.

A few years later, yoga week began to take on a more finished shape in my
mind. Sharing some of my favorite things was a strong motivation and, of
course, the incomparable Anna had to be the teacher. First, I found my
favorite place for yoga week: Villa Plantat. The elegant 1830 Mas had
everything necessary for a retreat center: a studio with breathtaking views,
open air, and plenty of unique room for the participants. Conducive to
feelings of peace and joy, full of beauty, this 400 acre vineyard/farm was
the quintessentially French place to welcome guests, with lovely areas for
people to gather together as well as find time and space for private
reflection. The spring-fed swimming lake beckons and it was almost
impossible to walk by without jumping in for a swim. There were also plenty
of paths for walking or hiking, including some that go right to the
vineyards where the estate wine is made!

Which brings me to another one of my favorite things: food. With a garden
right on the property, I knew Huguette, our talented chef, would be able to
whip up some truly delicious gourmet Provencal cuisine that would pair well
with the local wines. After all, can one really host anything in France
without the very best food and wine? For each meal, guests could dine
together, sharing local wine, gourmet French cuisine, and most importantly
feelings of pleasure and enjoyment. The sweet air and quiet evenings at
Plantat are a perfect for having fun with new friends, reconnecting with old
ones, but also for a private, reflective and calming experience.

As for who to invite and what kind of programming to have, I knew I wanted
to open the experience up to anyone, regardless of previous training, age,
race, or gender. I knew Anna, who has been a dancer and teacher for over 35
years could create a program that would focus on individual development,
fully experiencing the work, feeling joy, and having fun, while
accommodating both the beginner and the advanced yoga student. In addition
to the daily yoga classes, I wanted there to be daily special events
focusing on Pranayama (breathing), Qigong, Tai Chi, restorative poses,
partner yoga and more. And while I wanted to share this experience with
many people, I knew that in order to truly commit to individual growth, I
would limit the retreat to 10 people. In the end, it’s not about making
money, but rather sharing an experience of restorative yoga, delicious food,
fabulous wine, the knowledge of Anna, and the beauty of the French
countryside with others.