
YOGA & HANDSTAND RETREAT
VAL-MORIN | JUNE 27-29 2025
An all-inclusive weekend retreat in the heart of the Laurentians. With a perfect balance of movement, mindfulness, and delicious healthy food, you’ll enjoy a refreshing break in nature surrounded by like-minded individuals. Daily yoga and handstand workshops, time for relaxation and immersion in nature, and nourishing and delicious catered meals are on the menu.
Venue Le Couvent Val-Morin - La Villa
The retreat will take place at Le Couvent Val Morin in the Laurentians of Quebec. The grounds host a gorgeous lake, outdoor seating and campfire areas, and an in-ground pool all nestled in the regional forest.
We will enjoy some of the best that Quebec summer has to offer, all while staying a reasonable distance from Montreal.
Activities Yoga & Handstands
Yoga Classes (Bilingual)
I will guide daily yoga classes throughout the weekend. These classes are designed to build strength, stability, and flexibility and to encourage playful exploration and progression of your practice. Of course, the sequences will be adaptable to your level of skill and energy.
I believe that the mindfulness, curiosity, and self-compassion we hone through our yoga practice are key to its longevity. My approach to teaching handstands involves integrating these skills and learning to listen to our body and maintain peace and breath, no matter how demanding or frustrating a hand-balancing practice can be.
Handstand Workshops (Bilingual)
Whether you are completely new to handstands, feel ready for the next step in your progression, or want to geek out on handstands with like-minded people, these workshops will meet you where you’re at.
We will pack three handstand workshops into the weekend! The drills throughout the workshops will be adaptable to your level and will surely leave you with tips and drills to start, fortify, or refresh your practice.
Meals Vegan & Vegetarian
All meals will be hearty, vegetable-forward, and nutritionally sound. They will be prepared by a caterer that prioritizes local and organic ingredients.
Agenda
FRIDAY
17h30-18h00 : Arrival
18h00: Introduction
18h15: Yoga Class
19h15: Supper
20h30 Free time / Campfire (Weather permitting)
SATURDAY
7h: Morning swim / Coffee Outside (Free time)
8h: Yoga Class - Dynamic vinyasa (Flipped Flow)
9h10: Breakfast
10h45: Handstand Mobility Workshop
12h15: Lunch (Outside - weather permitting)
13h15: Swim/Nature Walk/Free time
16h: Handstand Workshop
17h15: Supper
18h30: Yoga Class - Active recovery/ Restorative
20h: Free Time/ Campfire (weather permitting)
SUNDAY
7h: Morning Swim/ Coffee Outside (Free time)
8h: Yoga Class - Dynamic vinyasa (Flipped Flow)
9h10: Breakfast
11h: Handstand Workshop
12h15: Lunch (Outside - weather permitting)
13h: Leave for Hike
13h15: Hike
Accommodations Single, Double & Dorm-Style
Single Occupancy
EARLY BIRD: $750
EARLY BIRD (QUEEN-SIZE BED): $800
AFTER MAY 26th: $800
AFTER JUNE 1st (QUEEN-SIZE BED): $850
Double Occupancy
EARLY BIRD: $675
AFTER MAY 26th: $725
Quadruple Occupancy
EARLY BIRD: $650
AFTER MAY 26th: $700
Questions & Answers
Why should you consider a handstand practice?
For the journey. The handstand, like the rest of your movement practice, is much less about the destination. It is a dive into a holistic strengthening of your body, an opportunity to hone your concentration and mindfulness skills, courage and, above all, playfulness!
Hopefully you will stay for the fun you have developing the skills, drills, and strength you need along the way.
The approach will be through a playful and structured break-down of drills that I practiced or still practice and have found the most efficient–after years of flopping over!
Do I need to be able to hold a handstand to join?
Whether you are completely new to handstands, or are able to hold one, this retreat will leave you with tips and drills to startup, fortify or deepen your practice.
If you attended a previous “Handstand Toolkit” and want a little refresher, feel ready for the next step, or like you have hit a plateau, there will still be something for you. The drills throughout the workshops and classes will be adaptable to your level.
What will we be learning and practicing during the handstand workshops?
We will learn how to fall, to get that out of the way! Then, we will practice progressive drills both on and off of the wall to gain endurance, strength, and confidence.
Handstand-related flexibility & mobility
Wrist warm-ups & strengthening
Core & shoulder strength drills
Four leg variations (tuck, stag, frog, straddle)
Holding a straight line
Pressing drills and technique
Side bends and strength-building for a one-arm handstand
You will leave with the tools to structure your unique handstand progression with measurable goals.
What language will the classes be taught in?
All yoga classes and workshops will be taught bilingually in French and English
Will transportation to the venue be provided?
No. However, I will be facilitating the organization of ride-shares between participants. Almost everyone is coming from Montreal!