Dégel: A Nervous System Regulation Yoga and Somatics Retreat

• Location: Center Arc-en-Ciel, Sutton, QC

Step into the promise of spring with a yoga and somatics spa weekend designed to re-energize your body, mind, and spirit. Dégel (“unfreeze”) offers tools to awaken your vitality as well as nurturing deep relaxation. Inspired by the thawing of ice into flow, this full-moon retreat invites you to emerge from winter’s stillness into the energy of early spring, embracing movement, connection, and renewal.

Hosted by Shanthi Minor, D.O., and Laure Marin, this retreat is rooted in nervous system care, offering somatic practices, yoga, Qi Gong, movement meditation, pranayama (breathwork), kirtan (mantras and chanting), and nervous system education to provide you with practical tools and help you integrate balance and flow into your daily life.

During the Retreat you will:

• Learn practical skills to manage stress and energize yourself in daily life.
• Befriend your nervous system: identify and regulate fight, flight, freeze, and fawn responses.
• Ground in somatic practices to deepen your connection with your body.
• Connect with others in a community guided by experienced facilitators.
• Offer deep rest to your nervous system, including mornings until 10:00 AM in noble silence to promote regulation and enhance sensory awareness.

Highlights of the Weekend

• Somatic Integration Exercises: Improve functional mobility and refine the quality of your movements on and off the mat. Exercises are based on Polyvagal theory, Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement lessons, and Alexander Technique principles.
• Pranayama (Breathwork): Energize and balance your body while cultivating mindfulness and presence.
• Yoga Practices: Align your body and mind with daily Hatha yoga sessions.
• Aquatic Movement and Relaxation: Release tension and find deep relaxation in the heated pool.
• Kirtan Chanting & Nada Yoga: Connect through mantra, sound vibration, and Bhakti yoga to uplift your spirit.
• Qi Gong & Movement Meditation: Harmonize your energy and develop self-awareness, strength, and longevity through flowing, meditative movements.
• Nervous System Education: Learn practical tools and insights to regulate your system and cultivate resilience.
• Somatic Tools: Enhance your well-being and that of your clients, if applicable (tax receipt available upon request for professionals in manual therapy, mental health, and other).

What’s Included

• Two nights’ accommodation in a double or private room
• Six delicious vegetarian meals
• Access to the onsite spa: heated pool, sauna
• Nature walks and forest trails
• Each morning will begin with noble silence until 10:00 AM, supporting deeper nervous system relaxation and allowing participants to ease into the day with calm and clarity

Accessible to all. No prior experience in yoga or other practices required. Retreat will be given in French, and also in English if needed by even one participant.

Investment

• $540 double room with shared bathroom
• $610 single room with shared bathroom
  • +$35 for private bathroom
• $420 without accommodations

Early bird price until February 14, +$50 after

Location

Arc-en-Ciel Retreat Center in Sutton (larcenciel.org).

Registration

Send an e-transfer to [email protected]

Send us an email at [email protected] as well, so we can send you more details by email closer to the event date.

Registration fees are non-refundable, but they are transferable. You can resell them on the event page and elsewhere if you are unable to attend, and we can also contact those who have expressed interest on a waiting list.

Testimonials

"I want to express my heartfelt thanks for everything that made the Cocoon Retreat one of the best experiences of my life. From the moment I arrived, I felt surrounded by such warmth, care, and positive energy.

Since the retreat, I’ve been practicing the techniques we learned, especially those that help me relax and center myself. Thanks to this retreat, I’ve been off my sleeping medication since the first night—a change that feels miraculous to me. Thank you for creating such a transformative space for us. I truly hope our paths cross again one day."

— M.H.

"The warm welcome of each participant and the personalized attention, along with the gentle and humanistic approach, made this retreat with Shanthi a wonderful experience!"

— L.B.

"Dear Shanthi and Laure Marin, thank you for holding such a beautiful and safe container with well-thought, crafted, and delivered offerings. This definitely surpassed my expectations."

— K.K.

Schedule (subject to change)

Friday

• 15:30 - Arrival as of 3:30 PM at Arc-en-Ciel
• 18:00 - Dinner
• 19:30 - Opening Circle, Somatic Exercises for the Nervous System, Qi Gong, Rest

Saturday

• 07:30-08:30 - Gentle Reflective Yoga
• 08:30-09:30 - Breakfast
• 10:00-12:30 - Qi Gong, Movement Meditation, Embodiment Exercises
• 13:00-14:00 - Lunch
• 14:00-15:00 - Free Time (walk in nature, enjoy the spa…)
• 15:30-17:30 - Nervous System Education Discussion, Aquatic Movement in the heated pool
• 18:00-19:00 - Dinner
• 20:00 - Free Time: Follow your flow—kirtan chanting, unwind/float in water, free movement space, relax in the sauna…

Sunday

• 07:30-08:30 - Qi Gong
• 08:30-09:30 - Breakfast
• 10:00-12:30 - Yoga, Somatic Practices, Closing Circle
• 13:00 - Lunch
• 14:00 - Goodbyes and Departure by 3:00 PM

Please note that attendance for each proposed activity is entirely optional—you’re invited to listen to your needs in the moment and make this retreat your own!

Facilitator Bios

Shanthi Minor, D.O., R.Y.T.

Shanthi is an Osteopath, Yoga Teacher, Massage Therapist, Life Coach, Somatic Educator, and Dance Facilitator. She holds certifications in Somatics + Dance (Somatic Embodiment and Regulation Strategies, Contact Improvisation, Feldenkrais and Massage, Focusing Massage, Authentic Movement), Yoga, and Life Coaching. With over three years of intensive practice in India and a personal journey dedicated to meditation, energy work, and growth since 2007, Shanthi supports participants in discovering their own insights and path.

Laure Marin de la Vallée

Laure is a holistic health educator. After contending with over 20 years of chronic auto-immunity, they found stable and flourishing health through total lifestyle change. Laure is dedicated to helping others find their own way. Massage therapist (Tui Na), Craniosacral Therapist, Qigong practitioner, dancer, writer, and perpetual student of somatic methods, Laure shares their practice with joy and generosity. 🌐 www.laure.love

Rekindle your inner vitality and welcome the flow of spring with Dégel.

🗓️ Limited to 18 participants—reserve your place at [email protected] today!