Kikuchi Yoga Retreats in Italy & Beyond
Explore Relax Restore Heal
with Susan Desmarais
Dear Lovers of Yoga,
Retreats are an opportunity to step out of our daily routine and connect ourselves to community with other like-minded people. It is a time to focus and expand both physically & mentally, inside & out. Through the joy of our practise, we tune our energies to a higher frequency, enabling us to better serve ourselves as well as those around us. There is no question that we are in a time where there is a growing need for connecting to a higher, universal energy in our lives. Yoga is the perfect vehicle to align our hearts with our bodies and our minds - to come back to spirit.
The retreat format has always been my favourite, both as a student and as a teacher. For it was over 10 years ago as a busy executive in Toronto, where I was blessed with the grace of teacher Glenn Mifsud and Stillpoint Yoga Retreat Centre. It was there where I took my first weekend residential 200 hour teacher training for one year. On the auspicious waters of Lake Ontario, I found a loving yoga community through Glenn and Stillpoint - both of which remain in my life today. It is this kind of group energy that I attempt to create at each Kikuchi Yoga Retreat - where students leave feeling uplifted, inspired, and empowered, with a deeper connection to self and to others, in the light of yoga.
For over seven years now, I have had the great fortune to host retreats in Italy with students from all over the world. Now it is with great pleasure that I share the beauty, grace and stunning landscape of not just Italy, but other places that inspire.
All Kikuchi Yoga Retreats are arranged with great care, by me, as an offering to you. In addition, through the process of getting to know a lovely yoga community in Europe over time, I am happy to offer even more retreats in 2010 held in a variety of places, arranged by fellow yogis at Health & Yoga Holidays and Free Spirit Travel. As a result, there are more destinations to choose from this year, such as Crete, Malaga, and Dahab.
Lastly, as an expression of gratitude for your support, I am delighted to offer a €25 reduction for those who return, or for those who refer someone to a Kikuchi Yoga Retreat.
I hope to see you in the light of yoga one day soon...
With Love & Blessings,
Susan
2010 Yoga Holiday Schedule Click on a retreat for more information
June 12-19 (Sat-Sat) / Yoga in Southern Spain
“Iccha, Jnana, Kriya - Attitude, Alignment & Action: Lining up with the Universal”
Please Book Directly with Free Spirit Travel: 01273 564 230 or email
July 13 -20 (Tues-Tues) / Summer Yoga in Crete
“The 5 Elements“ Balancing Energy Through the Chakras
Please Book Directly with Free Spirit Travel: 01273 564 230 or email
Feb 27 - Mar 13, 2011 / (Tues-Tues) / Yoga on the Red Sea
“From Tadasana to Savasana-
A Moving Journey from the Darkness of Winter to Brighter Days of Spring”
Please email Susan for more info: kikuchiyoga@mac.com
“The retreat gave me lots of things. I feel so relaxed, happy and full of love.”
-Anna (Sweden)
"Susan is unique. Her teaching style shows her profound understanding of yoga, in a place where east-meets- west. One can learn so much at her enjoyable, fantastic retreats."
-Chrystel (Italy)
Susan is a unique blend of Eastern and Western culture and she blends them both with panache, style and grace. She is a very radiant, very “rooted” Lotus.
-The Group
Susan's yoga retreat in Tuscany was so much more than I had anticipated. She is an incredibly talented and accomplished yoga instructor. Susan quickly assessed the wide range of ability present in the group and designed her classes to support all of us, regardless of our level and experience. Personally, I grew tremendously both in my yoga ability and spiritual awareness. Susan encouraged me to take risks and personally assisted and encouraged me to work slightly out of my comfort zone. I left the retreat relaxed, refreshed and a much better yoga practitioner than the beginning of the retreat just a week earlier!
-Susan (Holland)
“I yearn for the lovely and special retreat which I deeply enjoyed. My heart is still wide open thanks to your wonderful teaching and precious concern for all of us. I will never forget the kind healing of your hands touching my shoulders while lying in savasana”
-Chris (Belgium)
“Susan has the gift to make me humble and turn inside every time I work with her. She is fun, wacky, and quite humourous, yet she holds this place of self-discovery with compassion and sweetness. Thanks for being the teacher that you are.”
-Marieluise (Switzerland)
“Susan's teaching skills enabled me to go beyond my normal physical limits. Teaching us how to help others was a bonus. Her ability to create dynamic group energy made everyone feel welcome and part of something special.”
-June Yvonne (Italy)
"I appreciate Susan's teaching skills - she leads, guides, assists and encourages - challenging us at our individual levels. The retreat setting is a tranquil space to grow and deepen your practice. Connect with yourself. Connect with others. Connect with the universal."
-Carla (Holland)
“As a beginner yogi with very little experience of yoga, I completely immersed myself in a yogic lifestyle whilst on the Easter retreat. Susan is a truly inspirational teacher and I loved the partner work as it enabled me to learn from others and develop my own yoga practice confidently. Throughout the whole week there was a real sense of group ethos and strength - all of us working together towards one common goal. I had a fantastic time and this experience has motivated me to join my own yoga group back home.”
-Sarah (United Kingdom)
“I could feel the magic that ran through the group. I know each of us will bring home something very special, maybe even life changing.”
-Elizabeth (Italy)
Be in Community
Yoga holidays are an ideal way to meet others from all over the world. Organising a holiday for yourself or with friends can be a daunting task. At every Kikuchi Yoga Retreat, the accommodations and food are exceptional. The atmosphere is light and joyful, with a steady, strong focus on yoga.
Group Bookings
Susan is happy to work with group bookings, or even custom-tailor a retreat for you.
Explore, Relax, Restore & Heal
This is your holiday to enjoy! Plenty of free time is given between yoga sessions to rest and restore, or explore the local scenery by foot or by car. All retreats offer quality holistic treatments at reasonable prices. There is one free day midweek for everyone to enjoy as they choose. On that day, Susan offers her 3-hour guided, advanced “practise” in the morning. Local group excursions can be organised for that day, directly with the venue.
Locations & Venues
Susan personally selects magical regions and venues, mainly in Italy, but also in Turkey (Bodrum). It is a delight for her to share these places with those who prefer to have more of an “insider’s” experience of the region and its uniqueness in landscape, gastronomy and culture. Each venue has a feeling of community, graciousness & kind hospitality.
Yoga & General Programme
Arrival & departure days are just that. Arrival times range from 14:00-16:00. Arrival day entails a group orientation, usually at dinnertime. Departures are normally at 10:00.
Morning sessions (2-3 hours) offer an uplifting, invigorating practise, with emphasis on inversions, balancing poses & heart-opening. Every morning begins with a 15 minute Pranayama (breathing) session.
Evening sessions (1-1.5-2 hours) offer a quieter, restorative/therapeutic practise, which includes twists, forward bends and hip-openens. Sitting or walking meditation is included, with occasional chanting, and occasional group silence until dinner.
All sessions may include partner work.
All Levels
You will often see experienced yogis alongside absolute beginners at Susan’s retreats. Susan’s training background and therapeutic teaching style enables her to skillfully teach ALL LEVELS optimally. It is an honour for her to serve, uplift, inspire, and empower all attendees by connecting them with their own inner light.
All Soul’s Day Retreat / Umbria, Italy, 2009
Group Meditation / Golkoy, Turkey, 2008
New Year’s Retreat, Ponte Milvio / Rome, Italy, 2010
“There is a light that never goes out...”
Sept 6-13 / (Mon-Mon) / Annual Yoga Holiday on the Sea
“A Celebration of Yoga, Beauty & Community”
Please Book Directly with Health & Yoga Holidays: 020 8699 1900 or email
SPAIN (Malaga)
GREECE (Crete)
EGYPT (Dahab, South Sinai) / WINTER 2011