Ame Wren & Johnathon Holmes instruct Yoga

Ame Wren

Known for her lighthearted but highly specific approach to the yoga practice, Ame has become a go-to teacher for those seeking knowledge and guidance on everything from the mysteries of triangle pose to rising above the riffs of modern-day competitive yoga culture.

Ame is the founder and director of Boston Yoga School which offers exceptional yoga studies programs in Boston, Haverhill, Maine and upstate New York. A dedicated student of both Iyengar and Ashtanga styles of yoga, she prides herself on being a devoted seeker and aims to inspire others to stay on the path of yoga and of teaching. She is greatly indebted to her teachers Richard Freeman, Carrie Owerko, Nikki Costello and Patricia Walden.

Ame has been a featured teacher in Yoga Journal, at Wanderlust Festival and was awarded the honor of “Best of Boston” in 2010. She travels extensively leading retreats, trainings and workshops all over the world. In addition to her yoga studies she also holds a BA in Philosophy & Religion and an MA in Cultural Studies.

Johnathon Holmes

Johnathon Holmes took his first yoga class on a whim. He was new to Boston and noticed that many people seemed to have yoga mats surgically attached to their back when walking down the street—what was all this about? Not knowing what he was getting himself into, Johnathon signed up for a 2-hour Iyengar class at his gym; three blankets, two blocks, and one strap later, he was in love. He was asked to move in a way that was completely foreign and he walked out of class eager for more. The benefits of the yoga practice were immediate, and he sensed a profound shift had taken place.  Little did he know that this was just the beginning.

Johnathon completed his 200-hour teacher training with the Boston Yoga School, directed by Ame Wren. Johnathon also studies with and is inspired by Tim Kelleher and Peter Crowley. Linking breath and movement seems so simple, yet has such a profound effect when practiced with purpose.

As a registered nurse, Johnathon is also interested in how the regular practice of yoga can help students cultivate physical, emotional, and spiritual health. His class is an expression of his love for playfulness and structure. He aims to provide a space where students of all skill levels and background can find stability, play with their edge, and create space to let a little more light in.

Wine & Culture France Yoga Retreat – June 10-17, 2017

Get ready for a French holiday that you will not want to miss!

This trip is the perfect opportunity to combine a once-in-a-lifetime locale with daily yoga practices and community cultivation. We will begin most days with a sweaty practice to wake us up and prepare the senses for the day ahead. After our French adventures we’ll cool down with a yin-inspired practice and meditation, prepping you for the best sleep you’ll ever have, amongst the vineyards and the sounds of the countryside. Practice will be catered to the group’s energy and inspired by the landscape.

This one of a kind French adventure offers the perfect melding of yoga and an unblemished example of a culture filled region!

What’s included:

• Yoga most mornings & each evening with Ame & Johnathon
• 7 nights chateau accommodation
• 3 farm-to-table meals each day
• Wine tasting
  • Sample the best of the region during an evening with a local sommelier
• Local vineyard winemaker for a day!
  • Teach your tastebuds with a lunch food/wine pairing class
  • Create, blend and bottle your own unique vino memories to bring home
• Day trip to La Roque Gageac and Beynac
  • Boating on the Dordogne
  • Excursions through medieval La Roque and Beynac
• Trip to the Issigeac market
  • Catch the tastes and colors of this medieval town during their famous Sunday market
• Transfers (on arrival and departure days only) from the Bergerac airport or train station

What’s not included:

• Airfare to Bergerac, France (EGC)
• Additional excursions
• Alcohol (beyond what is noted above) or items of a personal nature/souvenirs
• Travel insurance (recommended)
• Gratuities

Schedules will vary slightly and final itineraries will go out to the travel crew about a month prior to departure. Our schedule below gives you an overall picture of what a week in gorgeous south of France will look like:

Day 1

• Midday arrival to Bergerac
  • Transfers from the Bergerac airport or train station (on arrival and departure days only)
• Check-in and soak up the general countryside splendor
• Evening de-travel and welcome yoga class
• Gourmet group welcome dinner

Day 2

• Early morning coffee, tea and fruit available
• Wake up and refresh morning yoga
• Local and fresh breakfast
• Day trip to the locally famous Issigeac market
  • Stroll through the medieval town’s farmers market for local and organic yummies
  • Enjoy the local flavor and introduction to one of the area’s historic villages
  • Souvenir shop, mix with the locals and sample tastes of the region
• Head back for lunch at the chateau
• Late afternoon yoga in the chateau yoga ‘stable’
• Group dinner

Day 3

• Early morning coffee, tea and fruit available
• Morning yoga class
• Local and fresh breakfast
• Enjoy a chill morning
• Dig into a country fresh lunch
• Enjoy an afternoon in the country
  • Walk a country lane
  • Chill in the pool
  • Explore the town of Bergerac
• Head back for an evening yoga class
• Delicious evening group dinner
• Post dinner sommelier visit
  • Enjoy an evening tasting and learning about some of the regions most delicious wines
  • Get the scoop on the local wineries in preparation of the next day’s vineyard visits

Day 4

• Early morning coffee, tea and fruit available
• Morning yoga class
• Fresh poolside breakfast
• Enjoy a free day to explore or relax
  • Book a day trip exploring local castles, Lascaux or local nature
  • Rent a bike and cruise through the countryside
  • Relax by the pool and chill
• Afternoon lunch at the chateau
• Early evening yoga class
• Poolside group dinner

Day 5

• Early morning coffee, tea and fruit available
• Morning yoga class
• Fresh poolside breakfast
• Head out to a local organic vineyard to be a winemaker-for-a-day!
  • Hands-on exploration of the vineyard and winery
  • Enjoy a farm fresh lunch with a wine/food pairing talk from the vintners
  • Test your blending skills as you create your own bottle of wine to enjoy, bottle and take home
• Late afternoon yoga class on the outdoor deck
• Sunset group dinner

Day 6

• Early morning breakfast
• Day trip to picture perfect Aquitaine region
• Head to La Roque Gageac for a scenic Dordogne river trip
  • Board an authentic Gabarre river trip
  • Marvel at the centuries old buildings (1100s!) built up against and into the sheer cliff face
  • Catch a fish-eyes view of the castles dotting the Dordogne
• Explore the castle town of Beynac
  • Marvel at the castle on the sheer limestone cliffs
  • Stroll through the 12th century village
• Picnic lunch
• Late afternoon yoga class
• Gourmet group dinner

Day 7

• Early morning coffee, tea and fruit available
• Morning yoga class
• Fresh poolside breakfast
• Enjoy a last full day at your leisure
  • Head back to a favorite spot
  • Stroll through the beautiful countryside
  • Take off on one last adventure
• Early evening yoga class and closing circle
• Final group dinner

Day 8

• Morning breakfast, hugs and goodbyes
• Transfer to the Bergerac airport or train station with new friends and awesome memories!