Yoga retreats and courses in South West France at Radha Caudet

Monthly throughout the year: Introductions to the brilliant reflective yoga practices developed by Swami Sivananda Radha.'Strategies for life' 1st and 4th weekends. Using the symbolism and metaphors within the hatha yoga postures, discover the Hidden Language of Hatha Yoga. Explore your symbolic language of dreams to uncover the messages. Leave with a strategy for your life. Go deeper with the 5-day courses every 2nd week of the month 'Steps to Freedom' Use the guidance of the Kundalini system to show you your next steps.

Each day has the following pattern.
* 8-9.15 am Hatha Yoga* Breakfast
* 10.30-12.30 Workshop or Karma Yoga
* 1-2pm Lunch* 4.30-6.30 Workshop
* 7pm Supper
* 8-9 Satsang or Evening Activity

Satsang is a time when we join together to chant for the prayer-list.Swami Radha's teachings are very practical, providing the tools for independence and self-enquiry, and bring quality and awareness into daily life. Find out more by visiting the Yasodhara Ashram website.Workshops are based on the practices developed by Swami Sivananda Radha and could include Hidden Language of Hatha Yoga, Kundalini and Dream Interpretation, Meditation, Mantra and Sacred Dance. Karma Yoga is an integral part of the 5-day course but is not usually included as part of weekend retreats.On the 5-day courses Wednesdays are usually ‘’quiet days’’ when there is no formal teaching. Guests can choose to remain at Caudet or explore the surrounding area (see Local Area). There are pretty walks and we have bicycles which may be borrowed.

Danuta has been instructing Yoga for over 25 years, and has been a student and guide to the self-reflective practices of Swami Sivananda Radha since the early 90s. She has additional expertise in bringing the practices to those recovering from illness or injury, to children and to seniors. Steve and Danuta share the vision of developing the centre for the future. Having lovingly completed the main house, Steve continues to upgrade and renovate the facilities so the centre may serve more people in years to come.Taking a course facilitates meeting others of like mind, who are seeking deeper values in life. In this setting, you can draw together and find common ground - not by thinking the same way - but by thinking deeply and supporting one other in your pursuit of what is meaningful.

There are many ways to stay at Caudet. Prices range from 30€ per day for Karma Yogis to 110€ for course- participants. Rates vary with the season and the number of daily classes. It is possible to stay here without participating in any yoga at all!5-day coursesTailor-made to suit you. From Sunday afternoon until Friday afternoon, every 2nd week of the month throughout the year. These can be a general introduction to Swami Radha’s teachings, or an in-depth study of any of the practices such as the Kundalini system, the Hidden language of Hatha Yoga, Sacred Dance, Mantra and Meditation. Free pick-up from Toulouse and Bergerac airport or Agen train station.Weekend workshops and retreatsThese run every 1st and 4th weekend of the month throughout the year and could include the Hidden Language of Hatha Yoga, Meditation and in addition, a chosen focus, for example, Dream Interpretation. They run from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon.Personal Retreats and Karma Yoga opportunities are usually available throughout the year. Prices include all meals, accommodation and tuition. Pick-up from Agen train station, Toulouse or Bergerac airports included free. Group rates also available.

At Caudet Hamlet we are a work-in-progress! We have carefully restored the main house which had been empty for at least 50 years before we moved here in 2006. Our renovated facilities include a Yoga room, sleeping accommodation for 6, lovely bathrooms and a welcoming communal area. The land includes a vegetable garden and several outdoor spaces with superb views. Several of the outbuildings are awaiting renovation. The 2 acres of grounds with a spring, mature trees and a lot of wildlife is still largely untouched and offer secluded areas for walking and relaxing.

We offer well-appointed shared accommodation in the main house. Outdoors we have a tipi available, and ample space for camping. Private single and double rooms may be available, please ask when booking. All linen and towels are supplied.We use our own vegetables and other fresh local produce, organically grown, whenever possible. We often enjoy home-made pizzas or bread baked in our newly constructed oven. Delicious vegetarian meals are always available, and chicken and fish are sometimes served. We can cater for some dietary needs, please discuss with us when you book.

The little hamlet of Caudet (Caudet Hameau) is in the postal district of Marsolan, in Department 32, the Gers. It has been described as France's equivalent to Tuscany, with gentle rolling hills and scattered woodland. Sunflowers are a main arable crop, along with wheat, some maize and a few vineyards. The spa at Lectoure has many treatments and experiences on offer, sauna, steam room, massage (with or without water-jets) and mud treatments. Visit www.thermes-gers.com.There are pretty villages, markets and walks, the pilgrimage route of St Jacques de Compostelle passes through Marsolan, 2km away. There is a good open-air swimming pool in Lectoure, and a lake for swimming just outside the town. We are 3 hours from the Mediterranean and the Atlantic coasts. In 2 hours you can be in the heart of the Pyrenees. Visit www.tourisme-gers.com and www.gers-gascogne.com for more information.

In the Midi-Pyrenees the weather is usually hot in the summer, sometimes it rains a little, and sometimes it is very hot. The thick stone walls of the main house keep it deliciously cool indoors. Winter days can be sunny and warm, but sometimes the mist swallows the view. It can get cold.

By Rail:To Agen, where we will meet you, free of charge.By Air:Toulouse and Bergerac are our nearest airports where we will meet you free of charge.By Road:Our nearest towns are Lectoure and Condom in the midi-pyrenees, Departement 32, SW France. Caudet is ½ kilometer south off the Lectoure-Condom road, close to the village of Terraube. (5 minutes from Lectoure, 20 minutes from Condom) Advise us if you will be arriving this way and we can send you a detailed map and suggest routes down through France if you wish. Caudet is listed on Sat-Nav systems. It takes between 10-12 hours to drive from the north coast of France to Caudet. An alternative is to take a leisurely cruise down to Santander, and come north over the Spanish border. Its about a 5 hour drive to Caudet.