IGNITE: THE RETREAT
7-Day French Wellness
You've spent decades being the answer to everyone else's needs. This retreat isn't about adding one more thing to your plate—it's about remembering who you were before the world needed you to be something else.
By the end of these 7 days, you won't just feel inspired—you'll have a tangible roadmap for what comes next. You'll understand why your old dreams might not fit anymore (and why that's okay). You'll connect with women who know what it's like to grieve the version of yourself you had to set aside while also feeling excited about who you're becoming. And you'll leave with permission—real, bone-deep permission—to want more, to take up space, to choose yourself without the guilt that's been following you around.
This isn't about discovering some hidden 'authentic self.' It's about integrating all the versions of you—the caregiver, the dreamer, the woman who's tired, and the one who's ready—into someone who finally feels whole."
The Countryside: Where Your Truth Takes Root
Paris to Countryside: Your Journey of Awakening
Picture this, you step off the plane in Paris, and something shifts immediately. The City of Light doesn't just illuminate the streets—it illuminates the parts of you that have been dimmed by years of living someone else's blueprint. As you walk along the Seine, past centuries-old bridges that have witnessed countless transformations, you feel the first stirrings of permission to be different.
The café conversations aren't about quarterly reports or productivity hacks—they're about art, dreams, the audacity of living fully. In this city where revolution is woven into the very cobblestones, you begin to sense that your own quiet rebellion is not just acceptable, but necessary.
The golden hour light catches the windows of Hausmann buildings, and you realize you're seeing everything—including yourself—with new eyes.
Then you leave the city's elegant urgency behind and sink into the rolling countryside, where time moves differently and your nervous system finally exhales.
Here, surrounded by fields and stone houses that have stood for centuries, you understand what it means to be rooted in something real.
The land doesn't ask you to perform or optimize—it simply holds space for you to remember who you were before the world told you who to be. In morning mist and evening wine, in conversations that meander like country roads, you feel that protected spark growing stronger.
The countryside becomes your cocoon and your mirror, showing you that transformation doesn't require force—it requires the radical act of coming home to yourself.
Let’s Celebrate Beautiful Food
In France, food is never just fuel—it's an experience, a celebration, an art form. This cultural reverence for cuisine invites you to break free from rushed eating habits and the complicated relationship many women have with food. When you're served dishes crafted from fresh, local ingredients, prepared with care and intention, something shifts. You stop counting and calculating, and you start experiencing. You reconnect with the pure pleasure of eating, remembering that your body isn't something to be controlled or punished, but rather a wise companion that deserves to be honoured and delighted.
As your body receives consistent, beautiful nourishment throughout the retreat, you may notice something remarkable: you feel more energized, more clear-headed, more connected to your intuition. This isn't coincidental. When you stop fighting against your body's needs and start working with them, when you give yourself permission to enjoy food without guilt, your entire system begins to relax and recalibrate. Food becomes what it was always meant to be—not a battleground, but a source of strength, pleasure, and deep healing that supports you as you step into this new chapter of your life.
You don't have to burn your life down to reclaim it
Many years ago, I walked away from my corporate career, sank every penny I had into a crumbling French farmhouse, and lived by the rhythm of church bells instead of email notifications.
It wasn't practical. It wasn't safe. My savings disappeared into stone walls and my original plan completely unraveled. Today, I'm back working a 9-5—but I still have my farmhouse, and more importantly, I still have myself.
Here's what I learned: Your dream doesn't have to look like mine. You don't need to buy a farmhouse or quit your job or make some grand dramatic gesture. But you do need to stop telling yourself that what you want doesn't matter, that it's too late, that you're being selfish for wanting more than what you already have.
This retreat isn't about escaping to France—it's about bringing the essence of that life home with you
The French have mastered something we've lost: the art of living with intention and pleasure within the boundaries of real life. They don't wait for retirement or the "right time" to enjoy their days. They understand that a beautiful life is built in small, deliberate moments—not someday, but today.
The mindset work no one wants to do (but everyone needs)
We'll dismantle the beliefs keeping you small—the fear of being selfish, the guilt about wanting more, the stories you tell yourself about why your dreams are "unrealistic." Not with toxic positivity, but with honest reflection and practical tools.
The French approach to daily living
How to slow down without abandoning your responsibilities. How to find pleasure in ordinary moments. How to dress, move, and show up for yourself in ways that say "I matter" instead of "I'll get to me later."
Your actual next steps
Not vague inspiration, but a realistic plan for what you'll do when you get home. Because dreams mean nothing without action, and action doesn't require perfection—just courage.
You'll eat food that nourishes and delights. You'll be in the company of women who understand what it's like to love your family fiercely while also feeling like you've disappeared. You'll have space to breathe, to think, to remember who you were before the world needed so much from you.
And you'll leave with something more valuable than motivation—you'll leave with proof that your dreams are worth pursuing, even if they look different than you imagined. Even if they're messy. Even if you have to work a 9-5 while you chase them.
Because here's the truth
My farmhouse dream didn't turn out the way I planned. It turned out better—because I learned that the dream isn't the destination. It's the audacity to believe you deserve more than just getting through your days.
You do deserve more. And it starts here.
Day 1: let the fun begin
The first evening, you cross more than the threshold of an intimate Parisian hotel—you cross the invisible line between who you've been and who you're ready to become. Here, as candlelight dances across unfamiliar faces that somehow feel like long-lost sisters, you taste your first sip of freedom. The woman who boarded the plane, heavy with the weight of everyone else's expectations, begins to dissolve like sugar in warm wine.
Around our table, there are no titles, no roles, no carefully curated versions of yourself—only the raw, beautiful truth of women who have answered the same wild call. As stories spill forth between dinner courses, you realise you're not just sharing a meal; you're participating in an ancient ritual of release. Each laugh that bubbles up unbidden, each vulnerable confession that slips past your usual defences, becomes an offering to the altar of your becoming.
In the soft glow of evening light, surrounded by the gentle chaos of authentic connection, you feel something shift. The armour you've worn for so long—the need to be perfect, productive, pleasing—begins to crack open, revealing the luminous woman who has been waiting beneath. This dinner isn't just the beginning of your retreat; it's the beginning of your return to yourself.
Day 2: joie de vivre in Paris
On the first full day of the retreat, you will be welcomed into the ancient embrace of the Hammam spa of Paris, where the ritual of bathing becomes a quiet ceremony of release. As the warm steam curls around the body, it whispers an invitation to let go - of old stories, of lingering doubts, of the weight carried unseen. Each drop of water becomes a blessing, washing away what no longer belongs, softening both body and spirit. In this sacred pause, space opens within, like a deep breath after silence, creating room for new possibilities to enter. Emerging from the baths, you are not only refreshed but renewed - ready to step into the days ahead with openness, clarity and a heart prepared to receive.
In the afternoon you will cross the threshold of one of Paris’s most treasured tea houses - a sanctuary where time slows and souls remember how to breathe. Around weathered wooden tables that have witnessed countless conversations across generations, something magical unfolds. Stories begin to surface, laughter bubbles up from places long forgotten, and in the eyes of women who were strangers just days before, you recognise the familiar light of your own journey. In this sacred pause between who you were and who you’re becoming, you discover that belong isn’t something you have to earn - it’s something you remember. The tea ceremony is a reminder that the most profound transformations often begin in the simplest moments; when we stop rushing, start listening, and allow our hearts to speak their truth to kindred spirits who understand the language of becoming.
Day 3:
Having begun the journey with Renewal, shedding what no longer serves and opening space within, you now step into Embrace—a day dedicated to celebrating yourself fully. Where the Hammam invited release, today a Parisian boutique invites joy, playfulness, and self-love. It is a moment to honour the body you inhabit, to delight in its unique shape, curves, and strength, and to reconnect with a sense of confidence and radiance. Renewal clears the space; Embrace fills it—with laughter, beauty, and the liberation of stepping into joy unapologetically. Together, these two days guide you from letting go to fully welcoming your heart and body alike.
Today, you'll find yourself drawn into the heart of a Parisian lingerie boutique—a sacred space where vulnerability meets courage. Here, beneath the soft whispers of silk and lace, lies an invitation to come home to yourself. This intimate experience isn't about becoming someone new; it's about remembering who you've always been beneath the layers of expectation and compromise.
As you move through colours that speak to your soul and textures that awaken your skin, something deeper stirs—a recognition of the woman who has carried you through every season of your life. Each piece you explore becomes a love letter to your body, a gentle rebellion against the voices that have told you to shrink, hide, or apologise for taking up space. This is your moment to reclaim the joy that lives in your bones, to feel the electricity of your own aliveness.
In the quiet intimacy of this experience, you'll rediscover that sensuality isn't about performance—it's about presence. It's about the courage to be tender with yourself, to honour the vessel that has held your dreams, your heartbreaks, your triumphs. Here, surrounded by beauty and possibility, you remember that celebrating yourself isn't vanity—it's a homecoming to the radiant woman who has been waiting patiently for your return.
The farmhouse calls to you like an ancient memory, its weathered stones and wild gardens whispering of simpler truths. Here, where earth meets sky in endless conversation, you shed the last remnants of who you thought you should be. Your feet find the pulse of the land as morning mist rises from fields that have held countless stories. This isn’t just a walk - it’s a pilgrimage back to the wisdom your body has always known.
In the kitchen that evening, shared laughter weaves magic more potent than any spell. Stories flow like wine, tears mix with joy, and in the golden light of lamps, you remember that nourishment - true nourishment - has always been more than food. It’s about feeding the parts of yourself that have been starving for connection, for authenticity, for the courage to be wildly, unapologetically alive.
Day 4: CREATIVE SPARK - AWAKENING
Morning breaks with an invitation to descend - not into darkness, but into the rich, fertile depths where your deepest dreams have been sleeping. In the farmhouse’s hidden corners and sun dappled gardens, you’ll discover spaces for reflection that feel like confessionals for the soul.
Here, with only birdsong as witness, you'll excavate the desires you buried beneath duty, the passions you silenced beneath shoulds.
Through gentle practices that honour both shadow and light, you'll learn to listen to the whispers that have been calling your name in the quiet moments.
This is where you meet the woman who knows exactly what she wants—not what others want for her.
In the alchemy of earth and introspection, you begin to understand that your authentic desires aren't selfish; they're sacred instructions for how to live a life that honours the fire within.
Passion mapping becomes the bridge between who you've become and who you've always been beneath the accumulated layers of expectation and obligation. Through guided visual exploration and reflective prompts, you'll excavate those abandoned dreams you dismissed as "impractical" and the quiet yearnings you learned to silence because they didn't fit someone else's definition of success.
As forgotten interests resurface—that art class you loved before your career consumed you, the travel dreams shelved for "someday," the creative pursuits you once called frivolous—you'll begin to see the patterns of what genuinely lights you up versus what you convinced yourself should matter. This process isn't about nostalgia; it's about recognizing that your soul has been leaving breadcrumbs all along, pointing toward what brings you alive.
The "joy map" you create becomes your compass for choosing yourself—a tangible, visual reminder of what truly resonates when you strip away the "shoulds" that have been directing your life.
By clustering your passions, desires, and energy-giving activities into themes, you'll discover the threads that connect who you were at seven to who you're meant to become at forty-seven. This map doesn't dictate a complete life overhaul; instead, it illuminates small, courageous choices you can make daily to honor your authentic self—whether that's finally taking that writing workshop, setting boundaries around soul-draining commitments, or simply permitting yourself to want what you want without justification.
When you leave with your personal joy map in hand, you'll have more than clarity about what matters; you'll have a sacred contract with yourself, witnessed and celebrated by women who whispered "me too" when you shared your deepest truths.
Day 5: Designing a life of meaning
Rediscovering your passions creates the spark, but intentional goal setting transforms that electricity into sustained light that illuminates your path forward. Without translating these newfound insights into concrete, purposeful plans, your joy map risks becoming another beautiful idea filed away in the "someday" drawer alongside all those other dreams you've deferred.
Through structured intention-setting exercises, you'll learn to bridge the gap between "I want to feel alive again" and "Here's exactly how I'm weaving aliveness into my Tuesday mornings."
This isn't about adding more to your already overwhelming to-do list—it's about designing goals that align with your rediscovered truth, establishing boundaries that protect your energy for what actually matters, and creating accountability structures that honour both your ambitions and your humanity.
You'll craft goals that feel like coming home rather than climbing another mountain to prove your worth.
This intentional planning process ensures that choosing yourself isn't just a peak retreat moment but becomes the foundation of how you move through the world.
Together, you'll identify the small, courageous first steps that transform abstract desires into tangible changes—whether that's blocking out sacred creative time before the demands of the day consume you, having that long-overdue conversation about what you actually need, or finally pursuing that certification that's been whispering your name.
By anchoring your goals in the "why" that emerged from your passion mapping, you create a life design that isn't driven by external validation or inherited expectations, but by your own fierce clarity about what brings meaning.
You'll leave not just knowing what lights you up, but with a roadmap for keeping that flame burning—complete with milestones to celebrate, sisters to hold you accountable, and the unshakeable knowledge that building a life aligned with your authentic self isn't selfish;
it's the most generous thing you can do for everyone who loves the real you.
Day 6: deep connections
As you walk the ancient cobblestone paths of Parthenay, you'll find yourself literally following in the footsteps of countless pilgrims who came before you—souls who also left behind the familiar to seek something deeper, something true.
These medieval travelers understood what you're learning now: that transformation requires movement, both physical and spiritual, and that some journeys can only be completed by putting one foot in front of the other with intention. As you trace the routes through weathered stone archways and past centuries-old buildings that have witnessed generations of seekers, you'll feel the profound connection between their courage and yours.
They faced uncertainty without GPS or guaranteed outcomes, sustained only by faith in their purpose and the fellowship of fellow travellers. Sound familiar? This walking meditation becomes a powerful metaphor for your return home—you won't have all the answers, the path won't always be clear, but like those resilient pilgrims, you'll have discovered that the journey itself changes you in ways you couldn't have planned.
Just as medieval pilgrims drew strength from their companions on the Camino, you'll carry home the unshakeable knowledge that you're not walking your path alone.
The resilience that allowed generations to traverse these very stones—through harsh winters, self-doubt, and the temptation to turn back—lives in you too, awakened and witnessed by the women who walked beside you this week.
When you face the inevitable moments of backsliding into old patterns or the pull of others' expectations, you'll remember the weight of history beneath your feet in Parthenay, the endurance of those who kept walking toward their truth despite every obstacle.
Your mini pilgrimage crystallizes an essential truth: the women in your retreat circle are your modern-day pilgrim companions, ready to remind you of your courage when you forget, to celebrate your small victories, and to whisper "keep going" when the path home to yourself feels long. You're not just taking home insights and intentions—you're carrying forward a pilgrimage that began centuries ago, now entrusted to you.
Day 7: Your next chapter
As you pack your bags and prepare to re-enter the life you left behind just days ago, you're returning as a fundamentally different person—and the toolbox you've assembled during this retreat becomes your sacred insurance policy against slipping back into the numbness.
Your joy map isn't a souvenir to frame and forget; it's a living document to revisit every Sunday evening when you're planning your week, asking yourself "which of these passions am I honouring this week?"
Your intentional goals, written in your own hand and witnessed by women who truly see you, become non-negotiable appointments with yourself—that morning writing practice before emails, that boundary conversation you've rehearsed, that creative class you've finally registered for.
The WhatsApp group or Voxer channel you've created with your retreat sisters isn't just for pleasantries; it's your lifeline for the Tuesday when you catch yourself people-pleasing again, the Thursday when old patterns whisper that your dreams are selfish, the moments when you need someone to remind you of the woman you became in France.
Keeping your passion fired up isn't about maintaining retreat-level intensity every single day—it's about building sustainable rituals that keep you tethered to your truth even when life gets loud again.
Schedule monthly "joy map check-ins" where you audit whether your actual life matches your stated values and adjust course without judgment when it doesn't.
Create physical reminders—a photo from your pilgrimage walk as your phone wallpaper, a stone from Parthenay's ancient paths on your desk, a playlist from the retreat for when you need to reconnect quickly.
Most importantly, honour the commitment you made to show up authentically in your newly formed soul-circle: share your wins, admit your struggles, ask for accountability, and offer it generously in return.
The women who whispered "me too" weren't just validating your past—they're co-creating your future, reminding you weekly that choosing yourself isn't a one-time decision made on retreat, but a daily practice best sustained in community.
Your next chapter isn't about perfection; it's about returning to yourself over and over again, equipped now with both the tools and the tribe to make that return possible.
Your Bonuses
You deserve to be spoiled, so we’ve added some treats just for you!
• Connection Call – 20 minutes of 1:1 time with Maria so we get to know each other personally and chat about how best to support you on your journey during the retreat
• Access to a Private Retreat WhatsApp Group – we connect pre-trip (you can ask questions and receive update-to-date trip info) and then we’ll stay connected post-trip – and of course swap photos!
• Pre-Trip Group Zoom Call – a fun opportunity to meet everyone in the group, share your intentions/hopes and discuss how to get ready for the journey!
• An extra special post-retreat 30 minute 1:1 Coaching Connection with Maria to ensure you have the support & tools to keep on track once you get back home.
• Post-Trip Group Zoom Call – we’ll gather to help integrate your learnings once back at home!
Your Host | Maria Hayes
Yoga and France transformed my life!
It wasn’t easy. But positive change often isn’t.
After a healthy dose of determination and hard work,
I now live a life I love.
Every day instead of waking up exhausted, lost, and disillusioned, I have the energy and joy to live in a meaningful and positive way - intentionally.
I like to call my change of direction a ‘pirouette’. Isn’t that a gorgeous image? A grown woman, laughing comfortably with joy, a sparkle in her eyes, and a dance in her steps.
My journey to France began when I needed to heal my body and soul. So, in 2015, I left my old corporate life behind to realise my dream. To live in France while running Pure Heart Wellness from my 18th Century French Farmhouse and teach others the tools to dance their own pirouette and live joyfully.
My wellness retreats are unlike anything you will find anywhere else. They are a safe place for women searching for their own true path.
Over the years, I’ve learned from retreat guests. They’ve given me hope, made me feel humble, shown me new ways of looking at life’s problems, and have shared their wonderful stories that have made me laugh until I cried happy tears.
Find your sparkle, dance your pirouette, and live a life that’s intentionally yours.
What’s Included:
★ 2 nights accommodation in Paris & 4 nights in French Farmhouse
★ Delicious, healthy meals from Friday dinner to Sunday brunch
★ Sacred transformational cleanse in a Hammam Spa Bath
★ Morning yoga sessions to energize your day at the Farmhouse
★ A soul nourishing Tea Tasting with an experienced tea guide
★ A life changing experience in a French lingerie boutique
★ Enlightening walk along cobblestones of the historical Pilgrim paths
★ A blissful sound bath ceremony to replenish your soul
★ Specially curated IGNITE goodie bag
What’s Not Included:
★ Your round-trip flight from your home to Paris (Charles de Gaulle Airport - CDG
★ Your travel to/from airport arrival to Paris and departure from French Farmhouse (we are able to assist with these arrangements)
★ All tips for the drivers, guides and servers.
★ Medical costs, the costs of hospitalization and evacuation from remote areas, travel insurance and additional expenses arising from the delay or extension of a trip due to weather, political disputes, sickness, failure of transportation, or other causes beyond our control.
Frequently Asked Questions
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I understand the investment feels significant, and that's a fair question to ask. Here's what I'd say: You've likely spent years—maybe decades—investing in everyone else. Your time, your energy, your emotional resources have gone to caring for others, building careers, managing households. That's real currency you've spent.
This retreat asks you to invest that same currency in yourself, and I won't minimize the cost. But consider what you're actually paying for: Seven days where you're not the answer to anyone else's needs. Space to grieve and honor the parts of yourself you've had to set aside. A concrete roadmap forward instead of another vague 'you should do something for yourself' moment. Connection with women who genuinely understand the specific weight of your story.
Most importantly, you're paying for permission—the kind that sticks, not the kind that evaporates when real life resumes. Permission to want more, to take up space, to stop carrying guilt as a permanent companion.
The real question isn't whether the retreat is cheap. It's whether staying exactly as you are—stretched thin, grieving quietly, unsure of what comes next—is actually affordable. Because that costs something too. It costs your aliveness.
If the financial barrier is real and hard, I want to hear about it. But if it's the voice that says 'I'm not worth this investment,' that's the voice the retreat is actually designed to answer."
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You've been the backbone for everyone else, and you're wondering if there's more to your life than this. The retreat isn't about fixing what's "wrong"—it's about reconnecting with the woman underneath all the roles you've been playing.
You're grieving something, even if you can't quite name it. Maybe it's a version of yourself, a dream that had to be shelved, or the life you thought you'd have by now. This retreat creates space to honor that loss instead of pretending it doesn't exist.
You want permission—real permission, not the guilt-ridden kind—to want more and choose yourself. You're tired of the internal voice telling you that taking care of yourself is selfish. Seven days with women who get it can shift that permanently.
You're ready for more than inspiration; you need an actual roadmap. By day seven, you'll have clarity on what comes next, not just feelings of "I should do something." You'll leave with concrete direction.
You're craving deep connection with women who truly understand your specific experience. Not surface-level friendship—real belonging with people who know what it's like to set yourself aside and wonder who you are now.
Your old dreams might not fit anymore, and you need help making peace with that. This retreat helps you integrate all versions of yourself into someone who feels whole, not fragmented between who you were and who you're becoming.
You know something has to shift, but you've been waiting for permission or the "right time" that never comes. This is it. This is the real time.
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You've spent years—maybe decades—being indispensable to everyone around you. The truth is that the world won't fall apart if you step away for seven days. Your family will manage. Your work will wait. But you won't get this time back if you keep waiting for the 'right moment' when everything is handled and everyone is settled—because that moment doesn't exist. Seven days away isn't selfish; it's the investment that actually allows you to show up more fully for everyone else when you return. You're not abandoning your responsibilities; you're honouring the one responsibility you've been neglecting: yourself. And when you come back integrated, clear, and whole, everyone around you will feel the difference.
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We honour all dietary needs—whether that's gluten-free, vegan, allergies, or any other requirement. When you register, simply let us know what nourishes your body, and our kitchen will take care of the rest. You're here to focus on yourself, not to worry about whether your meal works for you. We've got that covered."
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If there is a question we have not covered, please don’t hesitate to contact us at maria@pureheartwellness.com We are here for you !
Cancellation Policy
Your trip retainer of $tba is non-refundable.
Any cancellation received in writing {number of days} days prior to Day 1 of the retreat will result in a loss of 50% of the trip price. Any cancellation {number of days} days prior to Day 1 of the retreat will result in a total loss of funds. We reserve the right to cancel the trip if it does not meet the trip minimum (if we do so, your trip retainer and any payments received will be refunded).
Registrations received after {Date} must be paid in full.
Trip cancellation insurance is STRONGLY recommended. All cancellations and/or any refund requests must be made in writing to Pure Heart Wellness before our trip departs.
Our email address is maria@pureheartwellness.com
This cancellation policy is firm therefore please do NOT make any travel arrangements until you receive your registration confirmation from Maria.
Our full Cancellation Policy is available here (link)