Sam runs the yoga. She is a certified Yoga Alliance instructor with a 200-hour certification from Barcelona and 20 years of yoga experience. Her own practice started in Florida with Hot Hatha, then widened into other styles including Yoga Synergy, before she trained to teach Vinyasa in Barcelona. Classes are held in the studio attached to the house, which was purpose-built with underfloor heating and smart lighting. Guests can use the space outside class times as well.

What separates this from a larger retreat is the scale and the setting. It is a private house with its own studio and heated pool, surrounded by vineyards and châteaux, and it takes small groups only. On arrival, Sam sits down with each guest individually to talk through what they want from the week, so the teaching can be pitched at the people actually in the room — from complete beginners to regular practitioners.

The location is on the Dordogne–Lot-et-Garonne border in historical Aquitaine. The rivers Lot and Dordogne are close by, and the towns of Sarlat, Monpazier and Cahors are within reach, along with bastide towns and castles. Electric bikes are available to rent, and a bike ride can take you to a local vineyard to taste wine straight from the producer.

Food depends on the week. On fully catered retreats, chef Charlie cooks lunches and dinners; guests describe it as restaurant quality, served in a relaxed way, with wine from small local vineyards. On self-catered weeks, Charlie cooks on request and breakfast is laid out each morning — pastries, fresh fruit, jam, granola and yogurt, with the fridge stocked with milk, juice and water and tea and coffee available throughout the day.

The wider team adds optional extras. Georgia Clare runs mini workshops on meditation, journalling and life direction. Nelly is a qualified beauty, massage and aromatherapy therapist offering facials, manicures, pedicures and massage, and Arna is also a massage therapist. The house is also available outside the retreat programme as a venue for others to host their own retreats, with the season running from May to October.

What's included

- Accommodation in the private house on the property - Use of the purpose-built yoga studio with underfloor heating and smart lighting - Yoga classes with Sam - Individual consultation with Sam on arrival - Breakfast each morning (pastries, fresh fruit, jam, granola, yogurt, tea and coffee) - Lunch and dinner on fully catered retreat dates - Use of the heated swimming pool, gardens and terraces - Use of the jacuzzi bathtub

What's not included

- Travel to and from the retreat - Airport transfers - Travel insurance - Lunch and dinner on self-catered dates - Electric bike rental - Massage, facials, manicures and pedicures - Meditation and journalling workshops with Georgia Clare - Personal expenses

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