“Wisdom is not knowing more; it is knowing with more of your self.”
— Cynthia Bourgeault
What does it mean to move with more of ourselves? What might be the benefit?
Come to Bonnevaux this October and explore that question through the ancient symbolic art of Yoga Asana, the contemporary science of Rolf Movement™, meditation, the slow reading of Wisdom texts, conversation and time in nature.
This semi-silent retreat is for beginning and ongoing yoga students, and for those interested in deepening their movement practice who may not have done any yoga before. It is also for those who are curious about the relationship between our embodiment and meditation practice.
Over these days together in silence, movement and meditation, we will explore, among other themes, the dynamics of rest, recovery and repair as wisdom skills; what it means to be “wired for connection” to self, other and Spirit; and what our embodied connection to Creation might mean.
At the heart of this year’s retreat is a question about the relationship between two ways of talking about ourselves and the world around us.
We tell stories using the symbolic language of Creation, and we investigate ourselves and our world using the language of contemporary science. Rather than setting these languages against one another, what happens when we allow both to speak fully, without reducing one to the terms of the other?
What might happen when we move with them, rather than simply thinking about them?
The cosmic language of Genesis, the Upanishads, the Gospels and other Wisdom traditions can breathe and move alongside the language of human embryology and physiological and psychological development, the science of the nervous system, posture, gesture, sensoriality and perception.
What does science tell us about how human beings become vertical, develop a midline, move in a world and so come to know and tell stories about it and themselves?
And what might the symbolic language of the Wisdom traditions and Yoga tell us about the same “midline” — “heaven and earth” — through the fractal images of the Tree of Knowledge, the Mountain, the Fountain and the River? What might these images reveal about Creation, within and around us, as an intelligible world, with a heart, inviting discovery?
We will explore these questions through movement and perception; some theory and discussion; journaling; images from anatomy, art and nature; and Wisdom texts.
“Wisdom is radiant and unfading,
and she is easily discerned by those who love her,
and is found by those who seek her.
She hastens to make herself known to those who desire her.
The person who rises early to seek her will have no difficulty,
for they will find her sitting at their gates.”— Wisdom 6:12–17
Please take a moment to read the following texts by clicking below on the toggles. They will help you understand better the direction and content which our substantial movement practice will take. You will find a sketch of the retreat schedule as well. Thank you and see you at Bonnevaux.
Yoga Asana & Rolf Movement™: the “backbone” of the retreat.
During morning and afternoon sessions each day, we will use the standing and upright balancing poses in Yoga as a framework for understanding how other yoga poses develop.
We will use movement theory, anatomy and art to explore principles like “ground and space,” “midline,” “posture as a potential for action,” and “spirals,” to name some.
“Standing up tall” in the rich variety of standing poses will provide the springboard for looking at walking, breathing and gesturing, as well as sitting poses, backbending, twisting and spiralling movements.
Through this exploration, we will ask not only how we move, but how awareness through movement changes what we can perceive, feel and do — and what it might mean to move and know with more of ourselves.
Embodied cues for coming to rest, recovery and repair.
We will explore the autonomic nervous system as the “hearth” of our embodiment, and how it works closely with the heart, face and voice in regulating our capacity to protect, connect, mobilise, rest and recover.
We will explore how our bodies are places of oscillation, rhythm and contrast. We are constantly rocking and wobbling as we breathe, balance, digest and move. We are resonating water worlds.
We will explore questions like:
- How can movement and yoga nourish health, wholeness and integration?
- What happens to our bodies, nervous systems and ways of seeing the world when we have been overwhelmed, and what might repair look and feel like?
Yoga and meditation as two dimensions of contemplative practice.
We will explore what contemplative and monastic traditions can teach us about silence, listening, rhythm, stability and transformation, as well as other tools for contemplative living.
We will explore questions like:
- What is the relationship between wisdom, Creation and embodiment?
- What might be the tools of contemplative practice?
- Who is my neighbour, and what does it mean to love and serve the other?
And as we allow the symbolic and scientific languages to dance together, we will look at these four Heart Blossoms on the Tree in Wisdom’s Garden:
Consent “Here I am / I am here.”
Welcome “Can I welcome what is here?”
Repair “Touching and being touched.”
Create “I and thou together.”
A sketch of our retreat schedule
The retreat begins on Tuesday afternoon and runs to Sunday lunch.
The mornings will be in gentle silence from the first meditation session until lunch, with conversation opening up into the afternoon and evening.
There will be four meditation sessions each day, Lectio Divina — a quiet, reflective time with texts from the Wisdom tradition — and Yoga/Rolf Movement™ sessions.
Time will be given for discussion, journaling, rest and integration.
Tracking insights from our practice sessions will be encouraged, so please bring a notebook and coloured pens or pencils to explore this way of working.
There will also be time for walks in the beautiful woods of Bonnevaux and its rolling hills, ancient trees, and vibrant birdsong.
Tuesday
13:30 -15:30 check-in
17:30 Welcome and Intro to meditation
18:00 Meditation and evening prayer
19:00 dinner
20:15 Intro to retreat and quiet evening practice
Wednesday to Saturday
7:00 meditation optional
7:45 meditation and morning prayer
8:30 breakfast & work period
9:30 – 12:00 movement practice, theory & discussion
— refreshment break included
12:15 meditation and midday prayer
13:00 lunch
14:30 – 17:45 movement practice, theory & discussion
— refreshment break included
— afternoon session length will vary from day to day to allow for rest and repair
18:00 meditation and evening prayer
19:00 Dinner
20:15 – 21:00 lectio, discussion, winding down practice
— time for questions and discussion
— not every evening; this will vary according to the needs of the group
Sunday
7:00 meditation optional
7:45 meditation and morning prayer
8:30 breakfast
9:30 – 11:30 closing session and discussion
12:00 Eucharist and meditation
13:30 lunch and farewells
Bonnevaux is an interfaith Christian community living in the spirit of Saint Benedict and his monastic tradition. Through the practice of meditation, the community is open to all people in search of a spiritual path for healing ourselves, the world and peace.
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.
Bonnevaux (Bonne Vallée , or Good Valley) is set within a beautiful valley formed by the river Rhune (la Rhûne) which descends past the Chapel and the 12th-century Abbaye, emptying into the lake beyond. The beauty and peace of Bonnevaux´s 65 hectares (160 acres) reflects the contemplative life lived here from its foundation as a Benedictine monastery in 1119 until the French Revolution. The community is continuing this policy as a living witness to the link between ecology and the human spirit. The land has over 20 different plant habitats, some of which are of heritage value.
Bonnevaux is located near Poitiers, in the southwest of France. The closest airport and train station is in Poitiers. You can get a taxi from there to Bonnevaux which is about a 30-minute drive away.
To make your journey easier, we offer a taxi booking service for our guests.
If you’d like us to arrange a ride, after you register, we will ask you for your arrival/departure time. We aim to group travellers together to share the cost and the journey; however, please note that carpooling depends on other arrivals and isn’t always guaranteed.
By Road
Parking is available on site.
Bonnevaux is about a 5 hour drive from Paris via the A10 motorway. Directions
By Air
The closest airport to use is Poitiers-Biard Airport. It is served by several low-cost airlines and convenient for those coming from Europe and the UK. There is a direct Ryanair flight from London Stansted to Poitiers.
For International travellers, you will need to fly into Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport. It is a major international hub with flights from around the world.
You could also fly into Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport, another international option, in southwest France.
If you are flying into Paris or Bordeaux airports you will then need to take a train to Poitiers to reach Bonnevaux.
By Train
There are some direct trains from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to Poitiers. Please check your connecting times.
From Paris all trains for Poitiers leave from Montparnasse Station. These high-speed trains are frequent and the journey takes about 1.5 hours.
By Taxi from Poitiers to Bonnevaux
The airport and train station at Poitiers is about a 20 minute drive to Bonnevaux.
There are several independent taxi companies you can contact to pre-book your ride:
gosebdriver.fr
allocab.com
poitiers-taxi.fr
taxipoitiers.com
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Speakers
Leader
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Giovanni Felicioni
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Giovanni Felicioni’s professional career spans more than 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. Over many years, 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 government-funded PAL, Movement and Meaning Laboratories, led 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. Giovanni’s work is Polyvagaly informed. Giovanni is a Benedictine Oblate. He was instrumental in the founding of Bonnevaux Centre for Peace, (France, 2018), the international home of the WCCM. He has been involved with the WCCM since its inception, has served on its Guiding Board and in other capacities over the years.
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Schedule
Yoga and Meditation Retreat
| Arrival | Tuesday 6 October 2026, check-in: 13.30 – 15.30 |
| Departure | Sunday 11 October 2026, after lunch (15.00) |
Tuesday
13:30 -15:30 check-in
17:30 Welcome and Intro to meditation
18:00 Meditation and evening prayer
19:00 dinner
20:15 Intro to retreat and quiet evening practice
Wednesday to Saturday
7:00 meditation optional
7:45 meditation and morning prayer
8:30 breakfast & work period
9:30 – 12:00 movement practice, theory & discussion
— refreshment break included
12:15 meditation and midday prayer
13:00 lunch
14:30 – 17:45 movement practice, theory & discussion
— refreshment break included
— afternoon session length will vary from day to day to allow for rest and repair
18:00 meditation and evening prayer
19:00 Dinner
20:15 – 21:00 lectio, discussion, winding down practice
— time for questions and discussion
— not every evening; this will vary according to the needs of the group
Sunday
7:00 meditation optional
7:45 meditation and morning prayer
8:30 breakfast
9:30 – 11:30 closing session and discussion
12:00 Eucharist and meditation
13:30 lunch and farewells
Bonnevaux is an interfaith Christian community living in the spirit of Saint Benedict and his monastic tradition. Through the practice of meditation, the community is open to all people in search of a spiritual path for healing ourselves, the world and peace.
We understand that you may need to arrive early or depart later due to your travel schedule. We are happy to accommodate this whenever possible. Please note that the cost of an extra night will depend on the room type you have booked for the retreat. Extra nights can be arranged after you complete your retreat booking. If this applies to you, please do not hesitate to contact us on contact@bonnevauxabp.com so we can assist with the arrangements.
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Contribution (per person)
| Room Type | Event Contribution | Extra Night Stay |
|---|---|---|
| Single room with ensuite bathroom | €950 | €100 |
| Single room with shared bathroom | €800 | €90 |
| Shared twin room with ensuite bathroom | €600 | €70 |
Membership Fee
An annual membership fee of 10€ must be paid before attending an event. This is valid from January to December.
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 prices reflect the need to achieve self sufficiency. If you are able to give a little more we would be very grateful. Please click here to donate.
Concessions
Full and partial scholarships are available. We do not turn anybody away for lack of resources. If you need a concession please do not hesitate to email us on contact@bonnevauxabp.com
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Dietary Information
We provide three freshly prepared meals per day, and throughout the day, refreshing drinks (coffee and tea) and fruit snacks are available for all retreatants.
Our kitchen offers vegetarian (no meat or fish), non-vegetarian, gluten-free, and lactose-free meal options. You can select your preferred option during the registration process.
Unfortunately, we cannot cater for specific intolerances and allergies as we do not have the facilities for this. Please also be aware that traces of allergens (e.g. nuts) may be found in the food at Bonnevaux.
To help us ensure your comfort and safety, please inform us of any other special dietary needs by emailing us at contact@bonnevauxabp.com at least 15 days before the event. Without this information in advance, we will provide our standard menu.
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Registration
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Cancellation Policy
Reimbursement Policy for Events and Retreats
We understand that unforeseen circumstances may arise that prevent participation in our events and retreats. To ensure fairness and clarity, please review our reimbursement policy below:
1 Cancellation by Participant
- Up to 31 days: full refund
- 30 – 22 days: 50% cancellation fees
- 21 – 8 days: 75% cancellation fees
- 7 – 0 days: 100% cancellation fees
Group bookings are subject to specific conditions, which will be communicated in writing prior to registration. These conditions may differ from the standard individual cancellation policy above.
An additional operational fee of 5% will be charged for any refund or cancellation.
Membership fees are non-refundable and non-transferable (not applicable to another person or another year).
2 Cancellation by Organizer
In the unlikely event that the organizer must cancel or postpone the event/retreat, participants will receive a full reimbursement of all fees paid. The organizer cannot be held responsible for any disrupted travel arrangements or any additional costs such as off-site accommodation.
3 Method of Reimbursement
Approved reimbursements will be issued to the original payment method within 14 business days of cancellation approval.
4 Travel Insurance
We strongly advise all participants to obtain travel insurance to cover unexpected situations such as illness and injury, family and personal emergencies, travel disruptions, event cancellations or other unforeseen situations. This provides peace of mind and protection against expenses outside the scope of this reimbursement policy.
For insurance claims, we can provide participants with an official certificate of paid contribution and non-attendance. Please email us at contact@bonnevauxabp.com to request this documentation.
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); Krzysztof Albinski (Executive Director)
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