An ideal opportunity to relax, have fun and to deepen your yoga practice

18 - 25 June 2011 - Teachers: Nicky Lowe and Nigel Shamash

Cost : from £480 per person

La Roane is the perfect place for yoga. It is located in an idyllic 20 acre estate, with wide open spaces and woodland walks, a haven for the spiritual seeker and nature lover. As the night draws in to reveal its starry sky, the silence is broken only by the sound the cicadas or the call of the nightingale. It is a place to unwind and return to that quiet place within. Space to think, space to breathe, space to be – is what La Roane quite naturally has to offer.

Here you will find an abundance of wildlife (deer, hare, buzzards, singing frogs and butterflies) and wild flowers.

One mile away is the Gorge de L'aveyron, with stunning views of the river valley and a network of caves which were used during the war by the French resistance.

Three miles away is the mediaeval market town of St Antonin, the setting for the the film 'Charlotte Grey' starring Cate Blanchett.

La Roane really is 'home from home', a place to be totally at ease in and drop into a slower, often more appealing, pace of life.

Nicky Lowe is a dedicated and skilful teacher and brings an infectious enthusiasm to her classes. The morning session will be tailored to all levels of experience and ability and the focus will be on alignment and presenting the true shape of the physical postures. This will allow a deeper understanding of the postures and will encourage and inspire you in your own daily practice. The session will end with some light pranayama (yoga breathing) and meditation.

Nicky will lead another yoga session on some of the afternoons: a slower more explorative approach to the postures, again followed by pranayama, relaxation and meditation.

The morning will start with 30 minutes of gentle exercises before breakfast with your host, Nigel Shamash. This will involve wake up exercises, stretching and vocal expression leading to a series of meditative, grounding exercises based on chi kung. Nigel will also lead music and creativity sessions some afternoons involving vocal exercises, improvisation, harmony, devotional chants, movement and dance - great fun and a chance for everyone to join in no matter what your level of ability.

During the course of the week there will be a visit to the local market and a one day excursion, walking, picnicking, swimming in the River Aveyron and drinking coffee in one of the surrounding historic villages.

The area around La Roane is great walking and cycling country (bicycles available free of charge) with the spectacular Gorges de l'Aveyron just a mile away. For the experience of a lifetime, visit the Grotte Trasadou and La Dame Blanche, prehistoric caves that were used by resistance fighters during the last war.

The local town of St Antonin is 3 miles away; a magical medieval town, which retains its original charm. It is the scene of a very colourful market every Sunday and was the setting of the film 'Charlotte Grey' with Cate Blanchett.

Flowing though St Antonin is the River Aveyron, ideal for picnicking, swimming and, for the more adventurous, canoeing down the rapids.

Guests are housed in 3 beautiful buildings set around a large oval-shaped pool in a lovely sunny spot in the centre of the garden. Accommodation is in comfortably furnished single and double rooms - indoor towels provided. Plenty of bathrooms for everyone.

The sauna and table- tennis table are nearby with a luxury tree house and a yurt in the woods (available for guests).