Nurturing Shala
Your stay & booking
Shared room
At home at Viveka
£700 early bird per person · £750 standardAfter the £200 deposit: £500 early-bird balance / £550 standard balance
A place in a room shared with one other guest.
Choose shared room2–5 April 2027 · French Pyrenees
Back to
Balance
Yoga for Healthy Backs
Step away from everyday demands for a three-night yoga retreat in the French Pyrenees. Explore a more spacious, responsive spine, with time to rest and reconnect.
With Ankit Kumar & Claire-Louise Symonds
When2–5 April 2027
Friday to Monday · Three nights
WhereViveka Centre for Being
Nescus, near Foix, France
For youAll levels welcome
Supported yoga, breath and rest
Your stayFrom £600 per person
Early bird until 31 January
£200 non-refundable deposit
An invitation to slow down
Reconnect with your body.
Make room for ease.
Our backs carry us through everyday life. This retreat is an invitation to pause and explore how we move, with curiosity, patience and care.
Whether you’re new to yoga or returning to your practice, we’ll explore the relationship between the feet, pelvis and spine through supported yoga, breath awareness and guided relaxation. Props and adaptations offer space to find what works for you.
Between practices, there is time to rest, share a meal or wander outdoors. You don’t need to fill every moment. You’ll explore ideas for a personal back-care practice to take home: support when your back feels tired, comfortable movement and greater awareness in sitting and standing.
During our time together
Practice, pause
and let it settle.
Supported backbends offer a glimpse of the approach we’ll explore: thoughtful alignment, helpful props and time to notice how you feel. Each practice is adapted to the person.
Find length and support
Ankit’s sessions explore how grounding through the feet and balancing the legs and pelvis can invite length along the spine and breadth across the back ribs. Twists develop gradually; supported backbends explore opening through the chest and upper back.
Explore with props
Drawing on Sharat Arora’s distinctive method, Ankit uses blocks, belts, chairs, bolsters and blankets to adapt the practice. These offer support and feedback, helping you notice unnecessary effort and find your own way into a posture.
Listen, soften and rest
Claire-Louise brings Scaravelli-inspired movement, Yin yoga and somatic awareness. Sustained, supported stillness, mindfulness and Yoga Nidra offer time to notice sensations, emotions and your sense of energy, with patience and curiosity.
Reflections from Southampton Yoga Association
“The expert use of props made each posture more accessible, offering both support and depth”
Read the heart-opening workshop review
“Ankit won us over with his blend of ancient wisdom, authenticity, warm humility and gentle humour.”
Read the Celebration Day review
Your teachers
Thoughtful guidance.
A warm welcome.
Ankit Kumar
Originally from India and now based in Brighton, Ankit is the teacher behind Nurturing Shala. He began practising yoga while volunteering at an ashram in the Himalayas after graduating. He holds a Master’s degree in Yoga, focused on traditional Hatha yoga and classical Indian philosophy, and a diploma in therapeutic massage. He has eight years of teaching experience.
Years of training under Sharat Arora at the Himalayan Iyengar Yoga Centre inform his attentive approach to alignment, breath and supported movement. His teaching adapts to modern bodies and busy lives while keeping awareness and connection with ourselves at its heart. He will lead our exploration of back and spinal wellbeing.
Claire-Louise Symonds
Claire-Louise has taught yoga since 2007. Her approach brings together Scaravelli-inspired and Yin yoga, mindfulness and nature connection.
Co-hosting and teaching alongside Ankit, she brings a gentle focus on somatic awareness, Yoga Nidra and rest.
Our home for the weekend
A place to practise
and pause.
In the foothills of the French Pyrenees, Viveka offers a dedicated yoga studio, welcoming shared spaces and gardens that lead into woodland.
Find a quiet corner on the terrace, spend time in the gardens and two woodlands, or settle into the sitting room with a book. There is also a meditation hut and a woodland sitting circle.
Explore Viveka Retreats & events
Space for practice and everyday pleasures
What’s included
in your stay.
- Three nights in your chosen room or bell tent.
- Yoga teaching with Ankit and Claire-Louise, including supported movement, breath awareness and rest.
- Two vegetarian/vegan meals a day, cooked by Jon with locally sourced ingredients.
- Retreat administration.
Time between sessions
Shared meals, quiet moments and time outdoors are part of the experience. There are opportunities for guided or solo afternoon walks around Nescus, the Col de Marrous and Chapelle de St Joseph.
We encourage you to set devices aside and enjoy being here. There’s room to spend time alone as well as with the group.
Travel and transfers are extra. Please discuss dietary and access needs with Ankit before booking. No alcohol is served.
Staying at Viveka
Your stay, at your pace.
All prices below are the full retreat cost per person in pounds sterling (GBP), for 2–5 April 2027. Accommodation, two meals a day, teaching and administration are included. Travel and transfers are extra. The £200 non-refundable deposit is part of the total, not an additional charge.
Early-bird prices are available through 31 January 2027. Standard prices apply from 1 February.
Private room
At home at Viveka
£740 early bird per person · £790 standardAfter the £200 deposit: £540 early-bird balance / £590 standard balance
A room in the house all to yourself.
Choose private roomShared bell tent
Under canvas
£600 early bird per person · £650 standardAfter the £200 deposit: £400 early-bird balance / £450 standard balance
Glamping in the garden, sharing with one other guest.
Choose shared bell tentPrivate bell tent
Under canvas
£660 early bird per person · £710 standardAfter the £200 deposit: £460 early-bird balance / £510 standard balance
Your own bell tent in the garden.
Choose private bell tentBooking & payment
- Choose your accommodation. Review the total and remaining balance, then select your accommodation in secure checkout.
- Pay a £200 non-refundable deposit. Your deposit confirms your place and is part of the total retreat price.
- Pay the remaining balance by 16 February 2027. This is 45 days before the retreat starts on 2 April. The balance is paid separately and will not be charged automatically.
Your place at Back to Balance
Start your booking
Select your accommodation to see the full payment breakdown. Please email Ankit before paying if you need to confirm room availability, suitability, arrival arrangements or the full cancellation terms.
Pay a £200 non-refundable deposit for one guest through Stripe. Choose your accommodation again at checkout.
Pay £200 deposit securelyQuestions, dietary requirements or access needs? Contact Ankit before booking.
Planning your journey from the UK
A long weekend in France.
Space to arrive slowly.
The retreat runs from Friday 2 to Monday 5 April 2027 at Viveka Centre for Being, Le Ballé, Nescus, near Foix. Arrange your journey separately and contact Ankit to coordinate your arrival before booking travel.
By train
From London, take Eurostar to Paris, then plan your onward train to Foix. The brochure describes overnight services from Paris and daytime journeys, often via Toulouse. Allow time to change stations in Paris where needed.
Via Toulouse Airport
Toulouse is the nearest airport. From there, continue by public transport or ask about a shared taxi to Viveka when guests arrive at similar times. Please confirm the taxi cost with us.
Foix is around 20 minutes’ drive from the centre. A Foix pick-up or drop-off costs €20 per person each way.
Check routes, timetables and fares for your dates with the travel providers. Arrival and departure times should be confirmed with Ankit before purchasing tickets.
Discuss your journey with AnkitThe practical details
A few things
to help you plan.
Read what you need, in your own time.
Read the retreat brochure (PDF)Can I come as a beginner or on my own?
All levels of yoga experience are welcome. You can book a private room or bell tent, or a place in shared accommodation. If you’re coming alone and considering a shared option, contact Ankit to discuss the arrangements.
What will the daily programme be?
The retreat brings together alignment-based yoga, supported postures, somatic and Yin practices, breath awareness, mindfulness and Yoga Nidra. Between sessions there is time for meals, rest and walks. Please contact Ankit for session timings and arrival/departure arrangements.
Meals & dietary requirements
Two vegetarian/vegan meals a day are included, cooked by Jon using locally sourced ingredients. No alcohol is served. Please discuss dietary requirements when booking.
Staying an extra night
An extra night costs €100, including a room, supper and breakfast, paid directly to the centre. Please confirm the date and availability with the centre before arranging travel.
Is this retreat right for me?
All levels of yoga experience are welcome. We’ll ask about injuries and health conditions when you book. Please contact Ankit to discuss your experience, access needs or whether the practice is suitable for you. This is a yoga retreat, not a medical treatment programme.
Deposit & remaining balance
The £200 deposit per person is non-refundable and forms part of your total retreat price. The remaining balance is due by 16 February 2027, 45 days before arrival. It is paid separately and will not be charged automatically.
What are the cancellation terms?
The £200 deposit is non-refundable. Please ask Ankit for the full cancellation and refund terms, including those for the remaining balance, before paying.
What should I bring?
Please contact Ankit for the packing and equipment details, especially if you choose a bell tent or need particular props or access arrangements.
We’re here if you need us
Begin with a conversation.
If you have questions about the practice, your stay or joining us,
you’re welcome to get in touch.