Yoga & Meditation Deepening Retreat in the French Countryside

The 11-day Deepening Retreat at Domaine de Mournac is the annual extension of Borde Blanque's International Raja Yoga Teacher Training. It's for people who've already completed the Basic or Intensive Retreats here and want to keep developing their practice in a supported, structured setting. The 2026 theme, 'The Heart of Understanding', takes its name from Thich Nhat Hanh's commentary on the Heart Sutra, a core Buddhist text, and the teaching also explores the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (Chapter II, sutras 19–27, and Chapter IV).

A typical day starts with a morning session of yoga asanas and meditation, followed by a silent breakfast. After breakfast there's a second meditation, either indoors or out on the grounds, then a sharing circle and a short philosophy session unpacking the theme. Afternoons are entirely free — you can rest, journal, wander the woods, swim in the outdoor pool, or take a short drive to a local market or medieval village. Evenings bring a gentle asana practice and a closing meditation.

The teaching is led by Rev. Elleke van Kraalingen, who's been practising yoga and meditation since her teens. She trained as a clinical and health psychologist, life coach and naturopath, and has run her own teacher training school in the Netherlands before setting up the retreat centre in France. She's the author of several books on meditation and the Yoga Sutras, and the teaching here is practical — rooted in classical yoga philosophy but applied to everyday life. Alongside her partner Pieter, she's been hosting retreats at the domaine for over 20 years.

The retreat centre itself is a 14th-century coachhouse set on a hill overlooking the Pyrenees. The yoga studio has a terrace with mountain views, and the house has two cosy living rooms and a dining room. With a maximum of 12 participants, the atmosphere is intimate and supportive. It's a chance to go deeper into your practice than a standard holiday retreat allows, with personalised guidance and the space to really explore what meditation means to you.

What's included

- 10 nights' accommodation in a shared or private double room - 3 daily vegetarian meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - Coffee, unlimited herbal teas, and snacks - 18 yoga and meditation sessions of 3 hours each - Philosophy sessions on 'The Heart of Understanding' and the Yoga Sutras - Teacher training course and certification - Swimming in the outdoor pool - Bed linen, bath towels, and yoga mats and gear - Use of yoga blocks, straps, and bolsters

What's not included

- Airport transfers - Flights and transport to the venue - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Personal expenses and optional excursions