Expand + Anchor
Open outward, settle inward
18th - 23rd May 2027
Join myself and fellow teacher Echo Elliott for a nourishing six day (five night) retreat in France
The yoga.
Echo Elliott is one of London’s most loved senior yoga teachers with over ten years of teaching experience. While she is known for her skilful and creative approach to asana, Echo’s teaching extends far beyond the physical practice. The depth of her offering is rooted in her lived experience and a profoundly authentic, contemporary understanding of yoga philosophy.
I’ve been teaching yoga for the past nine years, since graduating from the Royal College of Art. I completed my advanced teacher training with ISHTA yoga in London and use my practice to explore the intersections between tantric philosophy, the subtle body and somatic movement, completing my Feldenkrais practitioner training in 2024.
Join us next Summer to explore the balance between expanding outwards through movement, breath and exploration, whilst equally cultivating inner steadiness, softness and a deeper presence.
Expect nourishing yoga practices, somatic movement, long outdoor meals, quiet moments, and plenty of space to rest, swim, and simply be. Set within the warmth and spaciousness of South-Western France’s countryside this retreat offers a chance to step away from our everyday lives in order to reconnect with ourselves more fully.
The venue.
Set amongst rolling hills, the sun-drenched village of Mauroux in South West France invites you to adapt to its slower pace. Surrounded by vineyards, wild grasses, and large, open skies, this landscape unfolds gently; soft enough to settle into.
Mauroux itself sits quietly within the Lot-et-Garonne countryside, where narrow roads wind between orchards, fields, and limestone buildings weathered by time. The days move slowly. Light stretches long into the evening. Cicadas fill the air with a steady rhythm that seems to blur the edges between rest and wakefulness.
At the centre of this landscape sits Amassa, our home while on retreat.
This restored hamlet balances simplicity with warmth. Stone walls and natural textures keep its buildings connected to their surroundings, while generous communal spaces create a sense of openness throughout. There is a feeling of life unfolding both indoors and out: morning coffee in the sun, long shared meals beneath the trees, slow afternoons by the pool, and practice spaces filled with light.
Amassa is a place designed for a long exhale. A place to soften away from our usual daily pace. Somewhere that reconnects us with something more spacious and grounded within us.
Details.
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Our wish for this week is to provide a soft landing for your body and mind. To create a space that allows you to slow down and pour into yourself. While on retreat there'll be time for both activity and quietness, alone time as well as connection.
Whether you’ve been practicing yoga for years, a few months or, if we’ve never met before and you don’t have any experience at all - we warmly welcome you to join us on retreat. We know there is so much for you to gain from this experience.
This retreat is for you if:
You need time to unwind, relax and rejuvenate
You could use a digital detox and/or a dose of nature
You have a yoga practice and would like to deepen your embodied understanding
You’re new to yoga, but open-minded about what it can do for you
You want to feel more at home in your body
You’re looking to re-connect with yourself
You want to experience positive connections with others
You want to experience the peace, stillness and creativity of a relaxed mind
Please email us if you have any questions about whether this retreat is right for you.
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6 days / 5 nights stay at Amassa
Bus or taxi transfer from Toulouse airport for recommended flights
Nourishing, seasonally-inspired meals freshly prepared for us by our private chef
Joyous morning yoga accessible to all with Echo
Blissful afternoon sessions with Oceana
Optional workshops
Preparing for deep, restful sleep with evening relaxation practices
Time and space for in-depth conversation
Mindful countryside walks
Evening stargazing or, curling up with an inspiring book
Watching the sun rise with a warm cup of tea
All props including blocks, bolsters, blankets and eye pillows
Towels and linens for cosy comfort
Expert care and guidance from our amazingly friendly retreat team
Snacks, fruits, filtered water, tea and coffee available throughout the day
WiFi access
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Travel to and from Mauntoux, France
Travel insurance (recommended)
Excursions or day trips
Alcoholic beverages or fizzy drinks
Extra food, drinks or any entry fees while out and about
Doing laundry (charged at 10€ per load)
Massages and other holistic treatments offered on site
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Although we are offering a full retreat programme, there will be down time for you to use however you'd like. Some options for outings include:
Lounge by the pool
Get a good sweat going in the sauna
Borrow a good book from Amassa’s extensive library
Take a stroll across Amassa’s 16 acres of land
Challenge someone to a game of table tennis
Gather a group for a board game or puzzle
Go for a bike ride (the venue has approx 5 adult bikes and helmets)
Play a game of boules or petanque
Explore the Friday morning market at Lectoure (20 mins drive)
Head to Lectoure’s thermal spa and wellness facilities (19€ entry fee per person / 20 mins drive)
Visit the Château de Bonaguil (20 mins drive)
Wander the medieval hilltop villages of Puy-l'Évêque (20 mins drive), Monflanquin (30 mins drive) or Cahors (50 mins drive)
Walk part of an ancient pilgrimage route at Chemin de Saint-Jacques de Compostelle (2.5-hour hike)
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Amassa is a easily accessible by road and well-connected by excellent rail links.
BY PLANE: The nearest airport is Toulouse Blagnac. Flights from London take just under two hours and the retreat venue is a 1-hour drive from the airport via a pre-arranged shuttle bus.
BY TRAIN: Take the Eurostar from London to Paris Gare-du-Nord (2 hrs 15 mins travel time). Transfer to Montparnasse railway station using either the Metro, RER or a local taxi. Catch the TGV from Montparnasse to Toulouse Matabiau station (4.5 hrs travel time). From here you can either hire a taxi to the venue or use the local shuttle bus to meet us at the airport.
BY CAR: Driving from London to Mauroux takes just under 12 hours, but there are plenty of places worth stopping off at en route if you wanted to add on a pre-retreat road trip.
A typical day will look something like this…
Light breakfast
Morning practice
Brunch
Free Time / Excursion / Workshop
Evening practice
Dinner
Guided Relaxation / Sound Bath
The schedule.
The Accommodation.
Amassa is a lovingly restored hamlet made up of four individual houses, each with their own layout and unique features.
Quince House
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Best for being in the communal fold.
Quince’s lounge features high beamed ceilings (think loft rather than quaint cottage), and French doors leading to a wraparound south-facing terrace. The nearby garden faces the smaller swimming pool with stunning views beyond. The large communal dining table is in the open plan lounge and easily accessed from the professional kitchen or the terrace.
Please note that although the communal lounge, dining area and chef’s kitchen form part of this house, sound does not travel due to the thick stone walls.
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Bedroom 1 (14.5 m2 / 156 sq ft) features dual aspect windows looking to the south and east. It is best suited as a private or twin room for close pals as there is only a small gap between beds.
£1650 early bird / £1750 standard (shared occupancy with ensuite bathroom)
OR £1890 early bird / £1990 standard (single occupancy with ensuite bathroom)
Bedroom 2 (14 m2 / 150 sq ft) is a cosy room with a single east-facing window.
£1650 early bird / £1750 standard (shared occupancy with ensuite bathroom)
OR £1890 early bird / £1990 standard (single occupancy with ensuite bathroom)
Bedroom 3 (14 m2 / 150 sq ft) is a bright room with French double doors leading directly onto terrace, with garden and pool beyond. This room is fully accessible. As the room opens on to the communal lounge space, possible late night sound from the lounge need to be considered.
£1650 early bird / £1750 standard (shared occupancy with ensuite bathroom)
OR £1890 early bird / £1990 standard (single occupancy with ensuite bathroom)
Fig House
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Best for lush greenery and watching the sun set.
Fig is located nearest to the yoga studio, and farthest from Quince House where dinners will often take place. Fig’s highlights include original terracotta tiles, exposed stone walls, wooden beams and underfloor heating throughout. A spacious and bright open plan lounge is shared by all Fig residents. It contains a fitted kitchen which includes a dishwasher, hob, oven and sink. Large, sliding glass doors will lead you on to a west-facing private terrace with panoramic views over the woodlands and countryside beyond.
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Bedroom 1 (25 m2 / 270 sq ft) is a large, deluxe twin room with free-standing bath tub, plus a separate ensuite bathroom with shower. Dual aspect windows look to the south and west, and you’ll have your own front door.
£1700 early bird / £1800 standard per person (shared occupancy with ensuite bathroom)
Bedroom 2 (14 m2 / 150 sq ft) is a beautiful twin room with west-facing window and roof light to star gaze from bed! This room is accessed via a few steps. The private shower and toilet are next door with separate access.
£1650 early bird / £1750 standard per person (shared occupancy with private bathroom)
OR £1890 early bird / £1990 standard (single occupancy with private bathroom)
Bedroom 3 (17 m2 / 180 sq ft) This gorgeous twin room is set apart from the others in Fig House, with its own entrance from the terrace. It has triple windows looking onto the woods, and an ensuite bathroom with shower.
£1650 early bird / £1750 standard per person (shared occupancy with ensuite bathroom)
Vine House
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Best for period features and cosy comfort.
Vine is one of the oldest remaining houses within the Amassa hamlet. Its original terracotta tiles, wooden beams, open fireplace, and ancient stone sink have all been retained. This house is shared by only two bedrooms, both of which benefit from modern ensuite bathrooms with rain showers. The open-plan lounge and kitchenette with direct access to the gardens make for a comfortable stay.
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Bedroom 1 (17 m2 / 183 sq ft) a light and airy room with French double doors and heavy linen curtains (note: no shutters or blackout curtains) leading to the terrace, and private garden area. A beautiful black and white tiled floor adds the finishing touch.
£1650 early bird / £1750 standard per person (shared occupancy with ensuite bathroom)
Bedroom 2 (20 m2 / 215 sq ft) a cosy room with painted floor boards and a west-facing window looking out over the woods. Please note, with this room only having one window it can be darker than other rooms.
£1680 early bird / £1780 standard per person (shared occupancy with ensuite bathroom)
OR: £1300 early bird / £1400 standard per person (triple occupancy with ensuite bathroom)
Pine House
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Best for complete privacy.
Pine is a secluded and self-contained one bedroom suite. It features an open-plan lounge and bedroom area. French doors lead directly to the gardens, and own south-facing terrace. There is a separate toilet and shower room. It can be used as double or triple accommodation.
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Suite (48 m2 / 515 sq ft)
£1800 early bird / £1900 standard per person (double occupancy with private bathroom)
£1400 early bird / £1500 standard (triple occupancy with private bathroom)
Booking.
A £100 Earlybird discount will be available for newsletter subscribers booking before 31st January 2026.
A £350 (per person) non-refundable deposit will reserve your space. The remaining balance is due 8 weeks before the retreat begins (by 30th March 2027).
Payment plans are available for all payments (including the deposit) - please don’t hesitate to get in touch to arrange a plan that suits your needs.
Please read my booking terms and conditions thoroughly and make sure you can agree to them before enquiring.
For more information, or to reserve your space email me (oceana.mariani@gmail.com) directly.