Dance With Life Retreat

Life is short and there will always be dirty dishes so let’s dance!

Instinctively we all know that life is a dance – a dance of energies in constant motion, with self and other. But what we don’t always have is the opportunity to learn, remember or practice the unspoken rules of this dance. Rules that when mastered bring much balance, grace, harmony and richness to our lives.

Join integrative life coach Andrew Cuerden with his psychotherapist partner Carmen Rendell for a light-hearted yet lovingly held retreat for couples, a retreat in which they will use “Metaphysical Dance” as a method to ones relationship to self and other through the fun embodiment of partner dancing.  Physically practice and appreciating the the energetic rules of life such as awareness, connection, leading, following, balance, timing, trust etc to help rekindle greater presence, purpose, intimacy and joy.

Metaphysical Dance is a gentle therapeutic and self-development modality that uses dance as a moving meditation to uncover the unconscious beliefs and patterns that create our thoughts, emotions and actions. It also helps cultivate new ways of thinking, feeling and moving that can bring about more ease and flow.

It is also an embodied exploration into the intersections of mental, physical (scientific) and spiritual universal wisdoms that creates a greater sense of connection and appreciation of the world around us.

And where better to learn how to dance with life than in a fairytale French chateau in spring?

So we invite you to join us from 6th to 12th May at Chateau de la Segue near Toulouse in the southwest of France. Set amid wild flower meadows and gardens, the chateau provides not just an enchanting venue for dancing but an uninterrupted flow of  tranquility in which to gently unwind and nourish your relationship with yourself and your partner.

Our 6 night retreat runs from Tuesday afternoon to Monday morning with optional airport pick up and drop off. The retreat schedule is carefully paced to balance structure and free time. Mornings are dominated by group activities – embodied movement practices including mindful walking and gentle yoga followed by breakfast and fun and enlightening dance sessions.

Afternoons are free for personal creativity and recreation with optional sessions of 1-1 coaching. On Sunday we offer an excursion to the lovely produce market in Montcuq, the mediaeval hilltop village of Lauzerte – and for keen walkers, a stretch of the ancient pilgrim path.

But as Samuel Beckett said, ‘Dance first, think later. It’s the natural order.’

Each morning of the retreat, through a range of solo and partner dance exercises and music, we will explore and communicate through body language, such as tone, posture, weight, eye and body contact. Appreciating the nuance but profound aspects of connection, boundaries and the dynamic art of leadership and followership for the wellbeing of all. We will discover how to achieve more with less, to move through rather than around, to dance with rather than against situations, and to experience dance as a foundation on which to build authentic self  “under-standing”, expression and belonging.

Of course dance demands trust and so to ensure the intimacy and rapport that can nurture mind, body and relationship our retreat group is restricted to six couples only.

The peace and warmth of the Chateau play their part here, with comfortable communal spaces and generous double bedrooms – an ambience of relaxed luxury that retains many of the original 18th century architectural features. Dining is often outside – either on the panoramic terrace or in our lovely summer kitchen. All meals are provided, including morning coffee and afternoon tea.

Our menus are as organic, locally sourced and healthy as they are delicious, and our chef is more than happy to meet specific dietary needs.

The chateau has a heated outdoor pool, sports equipment and billiard room. Its wilderness garden offers many secluded corners for creativity – in solitude or togetherness. On clear nights its hilltop position and dark skies offer a breathtaking field of stars.

In short, if dance delivers more joy in life, so does a spell at Chateau de la Segue. We offer you both and we trust that everyone will leave after this precious retreat restored in energy, confidence, connection and purpose for the exciting dance floor of life.

For an downloadable, and sharable PDF summary (inc images) of the retreat click Dance with Life Retreat

Prices for 6 nights

There are 5 beautifully appointed double bedrooms.

3 x Large ensuite bedrooms = £3,550.00 per couple

1 x Large bedroom with shared bathroom = £3,474.00 per couple

1 x Normal bedroom with shared bathroom = £3,400 per couple

Prices include: 

• Airport Transfers (Toulouse – Chateau De La Segue – Toulouse)
• Luxury accommodation
• All meals including teas/coffees and homemade cakes/snacks.
• House Red & White wine with dinner only. Extra wine available to buy. 
• Transport to and from market town on Sunday excursion with picnic lunch. 
• All group activities and 1:1 coaching

Prices do NOT include:

• Flights
• Purchases or activities in market town on Sunday. 

To book your place please email us at carmen@soulhub.co.uk and we will send you a deposit invoice of £500 per person to secure your place. This deposit is non-refundable.

In order to make use of the private transfer to and from Toulouse Airport we suggest booking the following flights:

Full payment is required before 6th April 2025. 

50% cancellation fee for bookings cancelled 60 days or less from start date of retreat.

100% cancellation fee for bookings cancelled 30 days or less from start date of retreat.