Yoga & Somatic Movement Retreat with Helen McCabe – (and Photography with Paul Barton)
Saturday 3rd – Friday 9th September 2022
We are so excited to be returning to the beautiful YogApulia next year and would love you to join us for this 6 day retreat, a wonderful opportunity to unplug, explore yoga practices and somatic movement in a small group setting, and be nourished by delicious vegetarian/ vegan food. There will also be the option for photography tuition with the fabulous Paul Barton, as well as exploring the local area, famous for its Trullo architecture as well as olive oil and wine production. (There are olive trees over 2,000 years old in this region). Or you could just laze next to beautiful swimming pool with a good book.
This retreat is suitable for all levels of experience and is limited to a maximum of 12 people to that we can provide plenty of individual support and tuition. (If you are a complete beginner to yoga please get in touch before booking a space)
The Retreat
YogApulia is a boutique retreat centre exclusively for yoga and meditation practice, which was set up and run with a lot of care and love by Mark & Nicola, themselves dedicated yoga practitioners. The retreat has been renovated to create an intimate space in tune with the natural rhythm of nature, where guests can escape from the demands of the modern world to deepen their practice in the beautiful, peaceful setting of the Valle d’Itria in Apulia, Italy. Delicious Vegetarian or Vegan brunches and supper are prepared by the wonderful chefs each day using local produce.
The Practice
Both Yoga and Somatic Movement practices are powerful and yet simple tools for wellbeing. During this retreat, Helen will hold a space within which to share elements from both of these practices, exploring simple tools and techniques to support each person’s individual needs.
The morning sessions will begin with gentle somatic movement and breath awareness, followed by yoga practice, which will be a combination of both guided and self practice, according to the group.
After the morning sessions we will come together to enjoy a delicious brunch, prepared by the wonderful chefs at the retreat, followed by free time to relax or explore the area. On three of the days, there will be a late afternoon group class to explore somatic movement and restorative yoga. Both of these practices are wonderfully relaxing but also a powerful tool for releasing stuck stress in the body. The gentle mindful somatic movements help us to really develop a deeper ‘felt sense’ of our bodies and breath.
Additional Options – Individual Yoga or Photography Tuition with Helen and Paul
From our experience of teaching retreats over the last few years, we wanted to provide an opportunity for more individualised teaching and support, which the beauty of having a small group enables us to do. So we will be offering the opportunity for our guests add on individual yoga sessions (either as a 1-2-1 or smaller group sessions with friends), during the week, so that Helen can support you with specific aspects of practice that you would like to work with.
There will also be the opportunity to explore photography with Paul Barton. Whether your a beginner wanting to learn some basic techniques and how to take great images with your smart phone, or a more seasoned photographer looking to deepen your knowledge, Paul will be available for individual tuition throughout the retreat. With over 40 years experience as a professional cinematographer and stills photographer, Paul’s passion for the craft is infectious. He has a particular love for capturing the natural world, from plants and landscapes to all the creatures that live there (including humans).
‘The practice of photography is very much like meditation. Using the camera lens to focus consciousness is a brilliant yet simple way for learning how to really observe our surroundings, develop patience and the ability to be fully present in the moment’
* Both individual and group sessions will be available and can be booked in advance, before the start of the retreat.
* You don’t have to own a fancy SLR camera, an iPhone or smart phone will be just fine, and there will be an opportunity to explore using a DSLR camera and various lenses during the retreat.
What previous guests say about us: “Helen and Paul are the perfect complementary couple to create the ideal retreat environment. I met both during the retreat they led in Mustang, Nepal and immediately felt cradled into a loving, supportive space to explore deeper into my asana and meditation practice!"
Retreat cost
The cost for the retreat is payable in two parts:
£325 GBP payable to Yoga at the Space
To include Yoga Tuition (5 x morning practices; 3 x afternoon classes;
45 min 1-2-1 or small group class) and a Photography Q&A session with Paul
570 Euro per person payable to YogApulia,*
To include 6 x nights Accommodation, based on 2 people sharing a twin room
Dinner x 6 nights; Brunch x 5 mornings and breakfast on the Friday morning
(checkout day); tea /coffee during the day and light afternoon snacks and refreshments
*(35% single supplements apply)
A 25% deposit is required by both YogApulia and Yoga at the Space in order to secure your place, and the balance payable 30 days before the start of the retreat.
What’s included:
Accommodation in shared twin rooms
5 x Morning practice classes with Helen
and 3 x Late Afternoon classes / workshops
1 x 45 minute 1-2-1 or small group Yoga /somatic movement session with Helen*
Small group Photography Q&A session with Paul**
2 delicious vegetarian meals daily, to include breakfast/brunch and evening dinner.
Snacks and refreshments through the day
Swimming pool
Free time each day to explore the local area (we recommend hiring a car)
Optional extras that can be arranged:
Olive Oil and Local wine tasting excursions (optional at additional cost)
Massage treatments (available upon request at additional cost)
Additional 1-2-1 or small group yoga sessions can be pre-booked at a cost of
£45/ hour (subject to availability)
**Additional 1-2-1 or small group Photography tuition sessions can be booked at a
cost of £45/ hour (subject to availability)
What’s Not Included:
- Travel arrangements including flights and transfers to and from YogApulia
- Medical / Travel insurance – We highly recommend that you have this
- Optional extra classes or excursions as detailed above
- Transport to/from the retreat centre ( *YogApulia can help organise local taxis, this will be an additional cost paid direct to the taxi driver) – Car Hire is recommended
- Massages – available upon request at additional cost
Check In / Out and other information:
Our check in time is from 15.00 on the Saturday and check out by 10.30 on the Friday
Breakfast/brunch is served at 10.30 and evening dinner from 18.30
The retreat does not serve or sell alcohol
Booking Details
helen@yogaatthespace.com.
We will then send you the booking information and payment details so that you can confirm your space.
For further information about YogaPulia please visit https://www.yogapulia.com
More about Paul
Over the years, his work has enabled him to travel extensively, to experience many diverse locations and to observe the inner workings of cultural and natural systems, but above all, to meet and work with some pretty wonderful people. He has just completed filming a feature length documentary which has taken him to locations as varied as the Mongolian desert, the Amazon rainforest and the mountain tops of Taiwan. He and Helen also led a photography and yoga retreat in the remote Himalayan region of the Anapurna mountains at the end of 2018. He absolutely loves this work and the people he gets to collaborate with,
perhaps more than anything because it enables him to work so closely with light, both natural and ʻdesignedʼ. Light, in all its manifestations, is at the very heart and structure of life and the universe we live in. Understanding how to work with it will always produce the most stunning images.
Accommodation and Facilities
Accommodation consists of seven twin/double bedrooms all with private ensuite bathrooms and AC for the hottest summer months. All rooms are renovated to a high standard using locally sourced materials, to create a luxurious yet simple and understated feel. A large outdoor courtyard provides the main communal eating space, and several outdoor terraces offer a place to relax in the sun or the shade.
Situated at the heart of the complex, the swimming pool acts like a colourful meeting point – with the blue water combining with the green olive trees and the red soil.
The international airport at Brindisi is approximately 40 minutes drive away and Bari is further to the north approximately 55 minutes drive. Hiring a car in Puglia is relatively inexpensive and provides a great way to explore the surrounding countryside, local historical towns and beaches. Both Bari and Brindisi airports have a large selection of hire car companies including Avis and Hertz. It is recommended to book a car before your arrival.
‘The practice of Yoga as a tool to connect with ourselves and expand our consciousness’
About Helen
Helen has practiced yoga since 1991 and has been teaching for over 17 years. She is based in Dorset and teaches weekly classes, including Ashtanga guided self-practice, Hatha yoga and somatic movement classes, as well as teaching beginners’ courses, mentoring new teachers and teaching pre-natal Yoga. She runs regular retreats and workshops both in her own space and internationally.
Helen started practicing yoga, as new mum-to-be, working in an exciting but stressful job in the film industry and immediately recognised what an incredible tool for life it was. It has played a major part in her life ever since. She is a registered Senior Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance Professionals and has had the privilege of studying with many fantastic senior teachers over the years, including John Scott, Lucy Crawford, David Keil and Dena Kingsberg, amongst others.
Helen teaches with a gentle, inclusive and encouraging approach and is passionate about supporting students to connect to the energetic and meditative aspects of the practice of yoga, working with practitioners to develop a resourcing self practice of their own. She considers herself to be a student first and foremost and is currently furthering her study and knowledge of yoga as a therapeutic practice through the Yogamedicine® advanced training programme. She is a qualified somatic movement coach with Align Somatics and is committed to process of ongoing learning, listening and enquiry as life evolves.
