On my Europe trip last summer, I knew wanted to experience something different from the usual monuments. Through some online friends, I found out about an Acroyoga retreat happening in a remote village of Chatel en Trieves in the French countryside. So I packed my bags and headed to the nearest city, Grenoble.
The Journey to the Village
Getting there was a journey in itself. Public transportation was extremely limited from Grenoble, so I had to carpool with other participants. I met the nicest couple ever and we became fast friends. We even had a picnic lunch by a lake on a chilly, foggy day. It was such a special moment.
Villager Life
Chatel en Trieves was a small quaint village. There was a chalet with bunk beds, but some of the participants opted to camp in their own tents or campervans. The most happening event in the village was the arrival of the pizza truck, which I was always looking forward to. There were also plenty of farm animals like sheeps and ponies to keep us company!
Making New Friends
Most of the participants were French, with some other hailing from Germany and Spain. I was the only Singaporean! We managed to immerse ourselves in the French culture, and make new friends from different parts of the world. Our communal meals brought us together and allowed us to bond over cooking and cleaning.
My Acroyoga Journey
The peaceful surroundings allowed me to truly relax and focus on my practice. I learnt new skills like Icarians and whips, which I would have never been exposed to in Singapore, because there are no teachers to do that. What really inspired me was the diversity of the participants, which was so refreshing to see since a lot of acro practitioners in Singapore tend to be more homogenous.. The atmosphere was incredibly supportive and encouraging, with everyone pushing themselves to step out of their comfort zones.
Bringing My Takeaways Home
This acro retreat in the French countryside was a life-changing experience that allowed me to find inner peace and growth. Coming back home, I am glad I was able to bring part of the culture of stepping out of comfort zone to Singapore by encouraging everyone to be bolder!
Want to experience a yoga retreat? I am hosting a women-only yoga retreat to the Gili Islands today! (All experience levels welcomed) 👇
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