Days start with yoga or mindfulness outdoors, followed by breakfast and then a walk or a therapy session. The sample programme runs: welcome circle, forest bathing, gentle outdoor yoga, evening meditation and stargazing on day one; morning yoga, a guided nature hike, arts and crafts and sunset meditation on day two; nature therapy meditation, soul writing, drumming and sound therapy and deep relaxation on day three; mindful movement, a longer guided hike, personal reflection and a closing meditation on day four; and morning mindfulness, a gratitude forest walk and an integration circle before departure on day five. Check-in is from 09:00 on arrival day and check-out is 17:00 on the last day.

What separates this from a standard yoga week is the guiding. Jo is a certified nature therapy guide, meditation and mindfulness instructor, breathwork coach, past life regressionist and hypnotherapist with 19 years of experience, and she tailors the programme daily rather than running a set timetable. Guests have written about sessions adjusted to their energy and about being driven further afield to cooler lakes and rivers when the weather turned hot.

The setting is the village of Escueillens in the Aude, in the old Languedoc. The surrounding hills are planted with vines and sunflowers, with woods, wild orchids, rambling brooks and Cathar castles nearby. The hosts keep a library of books and maps on the castles and local walks, and lend out walking poles, backpacks, water bottles, lunch boxes and cagoules so you don't need to pack your own.

Food is cooked by Jo, largely with local and organic ingredients, much of it bought at farmers markets. Full board is the standard price, but bed and breakfast, half board and self-catering can be arranged if you say so when booking.

Optional extras include past life regression sessions at €60 each, a half-day or full-day trip around the Cathar castles with transport and entry included, and private classes. Market visits, medieval towns, caves, wine tasting and swimming in lakes and rivers can all be arranged but are not part of the retreat price.

What's included

- 5 nights accommodation in a private apartment - Airport pickup and drop-off at Carcassonne - All retreats in English (French on request) - Water, tea and coffee served throughout the day - Welcome drink - Daily yoga classes - Daily pranayama classes - Daily meditation classes - Transportation during the retreat - Nature hikes with a trusted guide - Specialised workshops - All nature therapy activities - 3 daily meals - Pre and post retreat support from the hosts - Luggage storage - Parking - WiFi connection

What's not included

- Flight costs - Travel insurance - Visa fee - Additional activities not included in the itinerary - Past life regression sessions (€60 per session) - Cathar castle entry fees (most under €10) - Market, medieval town, castle and cave visits - Wine tasting and restaurant meals - Toulouse-Blagnac Airport transfers (€180 round trip per person)