Éveil Hivernal:
Looking Back on Our January Retreat

You never quite know how a winter retreat will unfold. You picture an atmosphere, a rhythm, an energy… but until you're actually there, it all stays fairly abstract.

For Éveil Hivernal, it all began under sunshine and snow.

Arrivals happen on Thursday in the late afternoon. Snow is everywhere, the cold has well and truly set in, and everyone gradually makes their way to the chalet.

Coats come off, we warm up, we explore the place. The group slowly takes shape. Some come from Paris, Lyon, London, Switzerland, Dubai… Many don't know each other yet.

The opening circle is a moment to set the first intentions, simply. Why are you here?

Then, fairly quickly, we dive into the heart of the weekend with a first practice: a vinyasa guided by Alexandra and Maïwenn. Bodies loosen up, breaths fall into sync, and the group begins to connect.

Dinner, prepared by Agathe, brings everyone together around the table. Conversations are still a little shy, but already flowing. The evening lays the foundations.

The next morning, the day kicks off with a Power Vinyasa guided by Alexandra. The body wakes up gradually, but the intensity rises fast. The heat builds, the breath settles, and the group starts to find a true shared rhythm.

Then, a complete change of scene. We all hop on the gondola together up to a mountain restaurant. Outside it's cold, snow is everywhere, and once at the top, we settle in for a wonderfully cosy lunch. We take our time, we laugh, we chat, we soak it all in.

On the way back, everyone picks their own way down. Some walk through the snow, others prefer the gondola.

The afternoon is dedicated to discovering aerial yoga. In small groups, everyone takes their turn. We tame the hammock, try out inversions, discover brand-new sensations.

In the evening, Maïwenn leads a Yoga Dance session. Everyone is dressed in black, a choreography takes shape, and soon everyone is caught up in the game. The evening continues over drinks. Bonds keep forming, more and more naturally.

Saturday is very intense. The morning starts with a dynamic vinyasa flow, followed by an inversions workshop: headstand, handstand, Pincha Mayurasana. We try, we fall, we start again.

Very quickly, a group dynamic takes hold, and we play games in teams. We cheer each other on, we laugh, we challenge each other. Some overcome their fears, others simply discover new sensations.

The afternoon is more free. Aerial yoga for some, sauna for others.

At the end of the day, Maïwenn guides a Yin & Yoga Nidra under a starry sky projected onto the ceiling. A true pause after all the intensity.

In the evening, everyone dresses in white. Temporary tattoos, champagne, music… And very quickly, the party takes off. We dance, we laugh, we let go completely. The celebration lasts until 1:30 am.

The wake-up is calmer, but everyone is there for the final practice. Alexandra guides a ladder flow. We build the sequence step by step until we can repeat it on our own.

Then comes the closing circle. The words are sincere, the feedback touching. Departures follow, each at their own pace.