Embracing joy once again

After the joy of co-leading our first retreat in 2024, Elsa and I couldn't wait to teach another one together again—and this fall, we did! We hosted the second edition of the Embrace Joy Retreat, this time at a new location: Le Couvent Val-Morin. While we loved the cozy, rustic ambiance at Kabania, we wanted a space that was specifically adapted for yoga retreats—and Le Couvent certainly fit the bill. It is exceptionally well equipped, with a beautiful heated yurt that served as our studio space, complete with plenty of props to support a variety of yoga practices.

We stayed at Le Havre, which truly lived up to its name—a little haven tucked away in the middle of the forest. The communal space featured long tables where we gathered for meals and shared conversations, as well as cozy couches perfect for relaxing and chatting by the fireplace. The room was also spacious enough to host our inversions workshop, allowing us to use stable wall space so yogis could turn upside down comfortably and confidently. There were some real breakthrough moments, as a few participants overcame their fear of inverting, which was such joy to witness!

This year, we also introduced a new element to our Saturday evening workshop: dance and movement with Elsa. It offered participants an opportunity to let loose, release inhibitions, and experience free-flowing movement without fear of judgment. While some may have arrived feeling a little self-conscious, by the end it felt as though everyone had softened into the experience, reconnecting with a deeper aspect of themselves. We closed the evening chanting mantra, allowing everyone to turn even more inward, grounding in our essential nature through the power of vibration.

All in all, the weekend felt full and complete. We are deeply grateful to each and every yogi who joined us and contributed to the collective joy through their unique presence. We moved, chanted, and connected. There were deep conversations and heartfelt exchanges, alongside lighthearted moments, silliness, and plenty of laughter.

We also extend heartfelt thanks to our cheffe extraordinaire, Carolyn Landriault, who spoiled us with nourishing comfort food and delicious sweet treats, as well as to our incredible photographer Javier Pelaez, whose keen eye captured the magic of each moment.

photo credits: Javier Pelaez

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"Une fin de semaine remplie de douceur, d’apprentissages, de défis et d’écoute de soi dans la pratique du yoga, entourée de personnes toutes incroyables, bienveillantes et merveilleuses, en mangeant des repas vegans délicieux. J’ai adoré et j’y retournerai 🙂"

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You know what they say: "Good things come in threes!" Our 3rd fall retreat is already in the works! You can find out all the details here.