Holistic Learning Retreats in the Charente, France

Name: Holistic Learning Retreat – Massage
Start: 2025-09-14T17:00:00+01:00
End: 2025-09-21T10:00:00+01:00
Location: Learning Retreat

This is more than a holiday, more than a training course, it’s an experience! With time to learn the subject of your choice, time to just chill, or time to spend exploring the local area, this is something you’ll remember for a lifetime, and the knowledge you’ll gain will help you, your family and friends moving forward.

Nestled in stunning French countryside, you’ll spend a week in the lushest surroundings, with rivers, lakes and historic chateaux all close by. If you want to share this experience with a loved one who doesn’t want to take part in the learning that’s absolutely fine; there is plenty to do and see locally to keep them occupied!

Week long courses run Sunday to Sunday in March, April, September and October. You’ll arrive from 4.30pm on Sunday afternoon spending the first evening getting to know your host and fellow guests/students over welcome drinks and dinner. There are 2 or 3 learning days (depending on that weeks subject) and 3 or 4 days to yourselves with set times for meals and on-the-go options.

Breakfast is very informal, basically a help yourself to the brekkie of your choice: fresh pâtissiers, fruit, cereals and other delights will be available from 8.00-9.30am. Lunch is at 1.30pm and, weather permitting, is served in the courtyard. Dinner is at 7pm each evening. Learning days start at 10.00am, with mid-morning and mid-afternoon breaks for tea and coffee, and the day finishes around 4.30/5.00pm.

On free days you can either lunch at the house or take a picnic with you if you’re heading out for the day.

The following Sunday you’ll vacate your room by 10.00am, relaxed and ready for the journey home. All courses, except for Reiki II and Reiki Master, are aimed at the lay person, to enable you to have tools to use in the home with family and friends, however they are suitable for therapists wishing to add another modality to the tool kit.

Course subjects

Acupuncture and an introduction to Chinese medicine

Discover how a needle can be used to change the flow of energy around the body to improve health in so many ways. This course is designed to introduce you to the basics and maybe give you a taster to go on to study the subject in depth!

You will learn how to safely use the needles on yourself first, then you can move to family and friends. Discover the many benefits of this ancient and incredibly versatile holistic modality

Anatomy for the beginner

This vast subject needs to be studied over many weeks, and years, so this is a taster course and part of an annual series looking at the body one system at a time. This means you can join at any time and even miss a year and not miss out.

In 2025 we will be studying the muscular-skeletal systems, the respiratory system and the nervous system. These study days will give you the basics knowledge to study on a formal course and go on to be qualified to become a practitioner in any Holistic therapy.

An introduction to Aromatherapy

This covers how to safely use and blend oils at home for use on your family and friends; you’ll discover how they are made and what they can do.

Essential oils are the basis for so many everyday products and are used in medicine all around the world. Learn the basics on this course, it may leave you wanting to know more.

An introduction to Homeopathy

Learn about the history and principals of Homeopathy and how to use some of the basic remedies at home on family and friends, such as Arnica, Aconite and Apis.

Arnica is the great healer, widely used in helping bruising come out.
Aconite is fantastic for shock, and Apis, would you believe, is a great anti-histamine amongst other things.

Applied Kinesiology

On this course you’ll learn how muscle testing can help you understand your body’s limitations, allergies, intolerances and diseases. It’s a great way to talk to the body and get honest answers.

Massage

Here we explore massage for the individual and couples. You will learn the basics of a full body massage and how to “feel” the muscles and what needs help.

Even if your partner doesn’t fancy doing the study, they may want to be the “body” you practice on!

Mindfulness & Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)

Using visualisation, guided meditation and NLP techniques, these few days will change the way you think and see your world.

If you are looking for transformational ways to de-stress or generally ‘change your mindset’ this course is for you.

Reflexology

In these sessions you’ll learn how to perform this amazing foot “massage” which accesses every part of the body, to enable you to safely perform it on family and friends to improve their health and wellbeing.

Reiki I and II.

Examine the history and the symbols as well as all you need to know to perfect your skills as a hands on (or off) healer.

This course teaches you how to become a Reiki practitioner, how to start your practice, all about the Chakras, and how universal energy moves through your hands to heal others.
At the end of the week you will receive your certificate and be ready to start your 21 days of reiki self healing.

Reiki Master.

This course is for those Reiki II practitioners, with at least 2 years hands on experience, who have decided they now wish to take the next step and become a teacher themselves.

On this course you will be given the final symbols, be taught how to attune others as well as how to write your own course books. At the end of the week you will receive your Reiki Master certificate and you will have joined your peers in the exciting world of teaching.