In this 5-day retreat we will explore how contemporary contemplative tools can enrich our lives, our relationships and the world around us. Each day we will undergo a rhythm of meditation sessions, listening to scripture from the world wisdom traditions, and embodiment sessions using the ancient art of yoga and the contemporary art of Rolf MovementTM practice.
There will be short daily work periods after meals and time for solitude, for a nap or two, to walk in the beautiful woods of Bonnevaux and the neighbouring landscape with its rolling hills, ancient trees and the waves of vibrant birdsong. The morning from first meditation through to lunch will be in silence.
Bonnevaux is on the Camino to Compostela and, for those who want to, we will take a couple of walks together before the afternoon embodiment session.
Ample time will be given for integration of the embodiment work with times of theory and discussion. Journaling or tracking what you are learning in class will be encouraged (best to bring a notebook and some pencils and pens).
The movement work will be at the level of both the beginner and the ongoing yoga or movement practitioner. My intention is through the work we do together to shine light firstly on the principles behind how humans stand up, gesture and move in a world. The understanding is that by grasping key principles it then becomes easier to develop a creative practice that leads to healing and to wholeness of self and world.
Bonnevaux is an ecumenical Christian community living in the spirit of Saint Benedict and his monastic tradition. Through the practise of meditation the community at Bonnevaux can authentically say that it is open to all people in search of a spiritual path for the healing of self and the world and for peace.
This retreat is appropriate for beginners and ongoing yoga practitioners. Ample time will be given for journaling, questions and review.
This event takes place at Bonnevaux and offers an opportunity to discover the rich cultural and historical French and European heritage of the 12th-century Abbaye de Bonnevaux, as well as to explore the varied and natural beauty of the land which we cultivate as a model of ecological responsibility.
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Speakers
Leader
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Giovanni Felicioni
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Giovanni Felicioni is the Associate Director of Bonnevaux Centre for Peace, the international home of the WCCM. He has been involved with the WCCM since its inception, serves on its Guiding Board and is a Benedictine Oblate. Before his role at Bonnevaux, Giovanni’s professional career spanned 30 years as a bodyworker, movement instructor and therapist in London and Europe. He studied yoga with visionary and pioneer Mary Stewart (Vanda Scaravelli) and regularly taught on her London-based Yoga Teacher Training. He is a certified Advanced Rolfer®, a Rolf Movement™ practitioner and has served on the faculty of the Rolf Institute since 2000. Giovanni taught for Independent Dance, founded in London by Siobhan Davies, Gill Clarke and Fiona Milward. He taught the Masters in Creative Practice at Trinity Laban, run by Independent Dance and Siobhan Davies Dance. He was also a contributor at the PAL, Movement and Meaning laboratories, founded by Gill Clark and Susan Benn. In 2012 He founded the British Academy of Rolfing in London. Most importantly, these 30 years of personal research into the relationship between touch, movement, awareness and contemplation led him to over two decades of study with movement scientist Hubert Godard during Hubert's development of Tonic Function Theory.
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Schedule
Embodiment: creativity and healing, making all things new - Yoga Retreat
| Arrival | Tuesday 31 October 2023, check-in: 13h30 – 15h30 |
| Departure | Sunday 5 November 2023, after lunch (14h00) |
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Contribution
| Single rooms | 700€ |
| Shared / Twin rooms | 450€ |
The prices reflect the need to achieve self sufficiency. Therefore if you’re able to give a little more we would be very grateful. Please, click here to donate.
If you need a concession please let us know. We do not turn anybody away for lack of resources. Please, click the email address <contact@bonnevauxabp.com> to contact us.
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Dietary Information
At Bonnevaux, we aim for healthy, well-rounded, and nutritious meals. Please indicate your meal preference (non-vegetarian, vegetarian) below within the registration process.
* Unfortunately, we cannot cater to specific intolerances and allergies — we do not have the team or facilities for this. Please also be aware that traces of allergens (e.g. nuts) may be found in the food at Bonnevaux.
* We are committed to balancing protein, carbohydrates, fats and fiber from organic meat, plant-based proteins, vegetables, un-processed carbs, grains, legumes and fruit.
* Gluten and Lactose intolerance: we cannot create individually tailored meals. Should the main course at lunch contain your intolerance, you can always choose from the vegetables on offer and rice (plus non-gluten bread). The salad and soup bar in the evening will offer you a variety to balance out and complement what you have eaten for breakfast and lunch.
* Should you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at: contact@bonnevauxabp.com.
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Registration
To put your name on the waiting list for this retreat, please contact Marie-Christine Duperrier <contact@bonnevauxabp.com>.
Cancellation
— Please ensure you have travel insurance in place as we cannot refund cancelled travel for any reason.
— If you cancel your Bonnevaux booking up to 30 days before the event starts, you will be refunded the full cost of the event. Cancellations occurring within 30 days of the event start will be offered a voucher for a future event. Bonnevaux reserves the right to cancel events at any point – cancellations occurring within 30 days prior to the event start date will be subject to the voucher refund policy only.
Membership Fee ** – 10€
Membership fee is paid once per year, valid from Jan – Dec.
** by French law you must be a ‘member‘ of the charity (association ABP) Abbaye de Bonnevaux – Centre Pour la Paix in order to participate at an on-the-ground event at Bonnevaux – 86370 Marçay, France.
Membership is non-binding. It simply means that you are invited to attend the annual general meeting if you wish and that you may receive information about our events during the year.
The Abbey of Bonnevaux is the spiritual home of the World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM) which includes a Conference and Retreat Centre dedicated to peace. The on-the-ground activities of the Abbey are organized under the responsibility of l’Association Abbaye de Bonnevaux – Centre pour le Paix (ABP). The Association, which is governed by the French law of 1st July 1901, is registered in Poitiers under the reference RNA: W863007299.
Address : Bonnevaux, 86370 Marçay, France.
Phone number : 06 33 43 71 71 / 06 61 96 57 74.
José Pype (President of the Association); Giovanni Felicioni (Associate Director and Programme Manager)
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