Finding Balance in the Heart of Southern France

Step Away from the Noise

In these challenging times, burnout and emotional fatigue are more common than ever – and you are not alone.

This retreat offers age-old tools, grounded in wisdom and science, to support growth from within.

Join us for a 7-day restorative immersion in the serene beauty of Southern France. Designed for women navigating emotional overwhelm, life transitions, or simply longing to feel more connected, vital, and purposeful.

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Step into Stillness

Seoka Salstrom, PhD standing in a forest in autumn

Seoka Salstrom, PhD

Through a neuroscience-informed process, you’ll be guided to rest, reflect, and realign. Led by Seoka Salstrom, PhD an intuitive clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience, this retreat blends evidence-based practices from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with compassion and humor. Through guided experiences, shared reflection, and community, you’ll gain practical tools to reconnect with your inner clarity and return home feeling renewed.

This retreat welcomes women ages 21 and up from all walks of life.

Whether you're going through perimenopause or you are an empty nester, a dedicated professional, a caregiver, recently retired, or navigating a transition that defies labels— you belong here.

The practices we explore are powerful because they resonate across life stages. Challenges like burnout, overwhelm, and disconnection are not confined to one phase of life—they’re part of the human experience.

At the Finding Balance in the Heart of Southern France Retreat, you’ll discover tools for renewal and a supportive community that truly understands.

  • The 7-day experience follows a carefully designed flow rooted in neuroscience. The flexible three-phase approach includes:

    1. DEEP REST: Reset Your Nervous System

    • Step out of overdrive and into restoration

    • Explore the meaning of rest in your life

    • Slow down and welcome whatever arises

    2. EXPLORATION: Learn, Explore, and Accept

    • Gently confront barriers, unhelpful patterns, and internal narratives

    • Discover how avoidance feeds suffering

    • Learn the ACT philosophy and its power to transform

    3. INTEGRATION: Bring it Together and Take it Home

    • Identify what truly matters to you

    • Anchor newfound clarity with a commitment to values-based living

    • Leave with a renewed sense of purpose and a roadmap for action

  • This 7-day journey includes:

    • Thoughtfully designed, flexibly offered phases: Deep Rest, Exploration, and Integration

    • Evidence-based workshops rooted in neuroscience and ACT

    • Gentle movement, guided or solo nature walks, and cultural experiences

    • Nourishing meals prepared with fresh, local ingredients

    • A small, supportive circle of women who understand your world

  • This experience is especially for women:

    • Who wish to gift themselves with a nurturing and intentional time of rest

    • Feeling stuck, exhausted, and ready for change

    • Experiencing burnout from caregiving, work, or life transitions

    • Those ready to transform, not just cope with life’s challenges

 

Overview

HIGHLIGHTS | Flexible retreat phases, spacious rooms, tranquil setting, gentle walks, optional cultural and historical experiences, customized group menu, and delicious local food and wine.

AMENITIES | See what’s included

MEETING POINT | Toulouse, France

ITINERARY | Sample daily schedule

PAYMENT OPTIONS | Payment plans and multi-currency checkout

WHO | Women 21 years or older

DATES | November 5 - 11, 2025

DURATION | 7 days, 6 nights

LODGING | Retreat house

PARTICIPANTS | 8 to 12 people

MEALS | Included with serious allergies and dietary restrictions taken into account. Learn more.

PACKING LIST | View suggested items

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Additional Details

  • We’re thrilled that you want to join us! To secure your spot, please pay the deposit by clicking the button “See Availability." After that, Seoka will reach out to you via email to set a time to discuss the retreat further. If it seems that this retreat aligns well with your interests and goals, we’ll officially confirm your participation. And if it turns out it’s not quite the right fit, no worries—your deposit will be fully refunded.

    Once your participation in the retreat is confirmed, we kindly ask that you wait to book your flight until we inform you that we’ve reached the minimum number of participants. Thank you for your understanding!

    Early booking is recommended—spaces are limited to preserve intimacy and personalized care. If you have any questions, please email contact@atharaadventures.com.

  • We offer integrated support, including:

    • Pre-retreat virtual orientation

    • Optional follow-up group and individual video calls

    • A supportive email series to encourage post-retreat changes

    This helps ensure that your growth continues long after the retreat ends.

  • All retreat activities are optional, allowing you to honor your own pace and needs.

  • Massage

    Receive a nurturing massage with a local practitioner.

    The Nurture & Renew Package

    A restorative upgrade for deep personal care and comfort that includes the above two add-ons and more.

    • Spacious, private room — elegantly furnished with serene views over rolling hills and en suite bathroom

    • Welcome gift of holistic self-care items — handmade, natural, and thoughtfully chosen to support your retreat experience

    • Post-retreat 60-minute coaching session — explore personal insights, challenges, and goals with retreat leader, Seoka Salstrom, PhD.

    • A deeply restorative minute massage — melt tension and awaken body awareness

    • A 30-minute private breathwork session — gently reconnect with your body’s rhythms and deepen your recovery

    • Cozy Athara Adventures hoodie — your soft, wearable reminder of strength, comfort, and connection

  • We intentionally create a safe, judgment-free space where vulnerability is welcomed and respected. Group sizes are small to allow deep connection and personal attention. Confidentiality and mutual respect are at the core of our group agreements, which are the foundation of our time together. Disrespectful or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.

  • Athara Adventures requires you to obtain travel insurance. Check out our detailed explanation here.

 

Want more information? Download the retreat brochure to see available amenities, daily activities, package options, and additional details.

Interested in a private retreat? We offer tailored options and flexible dates to customize your group’s experience, so connect with us today!

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Château de Puissentut, your home away from home

 

We honor the full complexity of your identity and lived experience. Our culturally responsive retreats support BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, gender-diverse guests, as well as veterans and their unique challenges.

The education and coaching provided are not a substitute for professional medical advice or mental health care.

Photo credit: Château de Puissentut
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Free 30-Minute Workshops with Seoka Salstrom, PhD