Southwestern France
Somatic Stretch®
and Somatic Sound
June 7-14, 2025
Where Mary Magdalene has been revered and celebrated for centuries.
Where the Church is the land and your Body is the Temple.
More Info and RegistrationSomatic Stretch® and Fractal Anatomy
In the warmth of this ancient land, we will learn about the Fractal nature of our anatomy and the healing power of sound. Unwind tensions, release pain syndromes and fill up the sacredness of your inner sanctuary as we journey through the Songlines of your Body, and the Magdalene mysteries.
Healing, healthy biodynamic and organic Food
Food is an integral part of retreat. The Eastern medicines have always known that how we digest thoughts is directly related to how we digest our food. Throughout the retreat, this awareness arises naturally as part of our exploration.
Our personal, French chef 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.
Increase flexibility through Somatic Stretch®
A family lineage from Grandfather to Mother to Daughter, you will be guided by Meredith into the refined regions where easy movement meets its first edge, and carry your Body into the realms of open, easy engagement.
We will weave our way through an understanding of our own fractal anatomy and use this knowledge to help us get to the core of pain syndromes, releasing issues more easily, without strain.
Reduce Pain and Increase pleasure
We will be learning about the stretch reflex and how we can move so little, and yet gain so much in even the short span of a moment. Learning Somatic Stretch® gives us tools to bring home to help you transition through pain syndromes, to fluidity and ease.
Frozen shoulder? Low back pain? neck and shoulder tension? Digestive issues? Sciatica? We will be covering your specific issues, changing the way you feel, and giving you techniques to take home so you can keep yourself moving in a pain-free direction.
Magdalene and bio-acoustic Journeys with Ani Williams
Ani Williams is a world-renowned harpist and singer, and has recorded more than two-dozen albums of original sacred music based on ancient spiritual traditions. She has done seminal work in the study of sound healing and the relationship between musical tones, the human voice and healing.
Ani is also a pilgrimage guide who will be leading us in an afternoon journey to ancient sites of Mary Magdalene as well as one afternoon workshop on bio-acoustic sound and healing with our own voices!
“Ani Williams is one of the most celebrated harpists and singers of her generation, with dozens of recording credits to her acclaim. A pioneer in the field of women’s sacred music, she delights in performing her original instrumentals and songs at sacred sites all over the world.”
— PJ Birosik, Musik International Corp
Transcendental Music
An International Kirtan Wallah you will love, Adam Bauer's music brings with it a resonance of true Healing. We are lucky to have him at this retreat to bring us morning inspiration, evening peacetime, and some deepening melodies to the stretch.
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.
Journey through the Occitane lands of Mary Magdalene
Between classes that reduce your pain, relieve aches, and revitalize movement and joy in your body, we will be journeying to sacred sites of Mary Magdalene, visiting historic ruins and learning stories of the Cathar region. Come with us on breathtaking hikes to swim in wild waters and visit the local farmer's market offering food, wares, and antiques that France is famous for!
Frequently Asked Questions
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What's not included
Myth #1: I need to be flexible to do this!
This is what you come here for! The secret is the stretch reflex, which you will learn to embody so that you can bring home new insights into your own patterning, inside and out, and create some serious strides in really amping up your health and flexibility. If you can sit on the floor, you can do this amazingly easily! "How did I move so little and gain this much flexibility"! - is a common phrase at our retreats.
Myth #2: Flexible people don't need to do this!
The inner sanctum of where you move easily can lead you to places you've never felt before. This draws you into the interior, to listen to the impulses of our nervous system that express themselves in rays of geometry that guide us to deeper insight and expansion. There is a whole world of exploration you will not have known before you experience this work.
Somatic Stretch® classes
This technique, handed down and refined into a method through three generations, uses the stretch reflex to radically improve flexibility and tension release, which results in an ability to alleviate pain and increase bounce!
Sound Healing
Harpist, Singer, Songwriter, Author, Sound Therapist and Pilgrimage guide, Ani Williams, will be transporting our voices through an afternoon workshop, while Adam Bauer leads us in sacred chant each evening.
Fractal Anatomy and the Geometry of Healing
We will be learning how joints are fractal and how we can help our shoulders and hips - not to mention everything else! You don't need to be a therapist to understand it, or use it in a way that truly empowers your ability to self heal.
Click here to learn more about Fractal Anatomy.
An Idyllic Homebase
Our location in Mournac is ideally located in the heart of Magdalene country. We will be visiting two sacred sites on two different afternoons in this historic region led by Ani Williams.
