Somatic Stretch®
and
Neural Resonance Therapy®
Southwestern France
May 24-31, 2025
Learn about meridians, fractals, and specific acupressure points to help yourself and others. Journey with Somatic Stretch® through the songlines of your body, and travel through the lore of these sacred Magdalene lands.
Register HereJourney through the Occitane lands of the Cathars and Mary Magdalene
Between classes that revitalize movement and joy in your body, and learning how fractal anatomy can be used to troubleshoot pain syndromes for ourselves and others, we will be journeying to sacred sites in Mary Magdalene territory.
We will travel to historical ruins as we learn stories of the Cathar region, visit sacred swimming havens, and have experiences on this energetically powerful land that may surprise you.
What will you learn at this retreat?
* New and easy-to-access methods to release tension causing aches and pains in your body
* Acupressure points for specific issues you can use to help release tension on yourself and others
* What fractals are and how you can use this knowledge to create powerful yet gentle physical releases
* Become familiar with Meridians in the body as we follow muscular patterns that run throughout the soft tissues
* How to work on one part of the body to release another area in pain
* and so much more!
Bring any conditions of concern and you will leave having a surprisingly thorough understanding of how to access and ameliorate them!
Neural Resonance Therapy®
~ a hands-on practice
Meredith Sands Keator is a lineage holder of Somatic Stretch® and founder of Neural Resonance Therapy®, a hands-on method of somatic therapy that can release tension through the use of acupressure points, coupled with the understanding of fractal anatomy, meridians, and tensegrity in the body.
The Body taught Meredith what fractals are, and Somatic Stretch® taught her how to use this insight to release tension within herself. Neural Resonance Therapy® is the technique she created to use these insights when working with others in therapeutic practice, which she shares with practitioners and lay persons alike.
When not out exploring among the beautiful Pyrenees, we will be learning hands-on, practical applications to relieve common aches and pains, and fast-tracking somatic releases to create greater wellbeing.
Morning flexibility with Somatic Stretch® - for the inflexible!
Somatic Stretch® is a technique passed down through three generations of Finnish health pioneers. This method increases flexibility and improves posture and mobility quickly - without strain - by working with the body's stretch reflex in a very different way.
We will start our mornings learning how to stretch by relaxing, rather than reaching. This keeps the body safe while giving the muscles permission to elongate, and helps blood and nutrients access hard-to-reach areas that cause discomfort. You will unlock old pain patterns you had given up hope on, and leave with a level of ease and fluidity in your body - along with a method you can fit easily into your day to keep the goodness flowing!
Journey through the mystery of Rennes le Chateau and sacred Magdalene sites
The history in this region is legend. We will be learning about the mystery of Rennes le Chateau where the Da Vinci Code novel by Dan Brown was based on, and learn why this area draws so much attention worldwide!
We will also go to the sacred waters of the Fontaine des Amours considered to be a baptism spot by the Magdalene herself. Whether she was there or not, you will understand why this local swimming hole is known for the sanctity it offers.
Visit the local French Sunday market and famous Mont Segur
The Sunday morning market the day after you arrive is a local tradition where the vibrant community mingles, and everything is on offer from antiques to artisanal crafts to amazing local food!
We will be hiking later that week up to the historical Mont Segur - the famous last stronghold of the Cathars. This is a significant part of local history and something we will be learning more about as we walk in the footsteps of these stoic people.
Transcendental Music
Meredith is a trained community song leader and she will be sharing some beautiful harmonies to open our bodies and voices! It doesn't matter if you think you 'can't sing', the resonance of sound can be found in spaces of ease, just as we work with the 'space that feels good' in Somatic Stretch®. Morning and evening meditations will honor where comfort is found as you journey ever more deeply into the alchemy of release.
Healing, Healthy Biodynamic and Organic Food
Food is medicine and an integral part of every retreat. Eastern medicine has always known that how well we digest our food is related to how well we digest our thoughts!
Our personal chefs are outstanding and will be creating our meals from local biodynamically - or otherwise organically - grown food. The allergy-aware fare will keep us nourished throughout our retreat and cater to dietary requests. Usually, retreats are alcohol-free but due to the remarkable, biodynamic wines in the Occitan region, we put rose, white, and red wine on the table at mealtimes in true European fashion.
While every diet is catered to, we will be nourished with largely vegetarian fare with some poultry and fish included.
Breakfast, lunch and dinners will be eaten together around this beautiful table in our ancient, stone haven in the Domaine's historical home.
Ancient Earth
This is not a stock photo;). Our homestead of ancient stone sits amidst rolling hills and fragrant lavender, where we will be lounging poolside between classes and meals.
This Domaine is one of the oldest in the region, beautifully renovated over the years with lovely sleeping accommodations, yoga shala, group gathering areas and vistas overlooking the French countryside.
