After many years travelling and working overseas, then running a very successful art department along with being a practicing artist and yoga teacher I decided to pursue my dream to organise my own art and yoga holidays.
In my research it was difficult to find an art holiday that was not focused on demonstrations and techniques, or a yoga holiday combined with other interests. So I started to create the kind of holiday that I would like to go on. I needed a house full of character in a warm climate under big blue skies. I wanted a structured art course with room for freedom, along with daily teacher led yoga sessions. Finally, and probably the most important ‘must’ for a memorable holiday, freshly prepared, tasty Mediterranean food, flowing wine, convivial conversation and laughter with like-minded people
Art and Yoga Holidays started with great success in 2003 with sixteen guests at Cerf Gris in the south of France. In 2008 Gardoussel became our ‘house in the mountains’ near Nimes.
“It is fantastic working with such happy and enthusiastic guests in the stunning setting of the south of France. It is so rewarding to watch guests relax, open up, create, discover, soften and just revel in time and space of their own”
After eight happy years at Cerf Gris I have now moved venues to the beautiful Maison Verte in Roujan
Yoga is important in my daily life, to keep me healthy, balanced and focused. I am a qualified Iyengar yoga teacher with 15 years experience. I first studied Iyengar yoga with Mike Byron-Mckay in New Zealand and then qualified to teach in 1998 in the UK.
“Third time(3 years running) and it gets better and better. Karen gives us positive feedback on our art and gets us into yoga positions we never thought possible. We always go home thinking we must do more in the winter.”
About you? What kind of person comes on an Art and Yoga Holiday?
Guests have travelled from Canada, Australia, Germany, Spain, UK, Italy and America, often independently. Ages range from 20-75. Some have never tried yoga before, a few are practioners of 20 years. Some are ‘rusty’ artists, some remember drawing well at school, many just crave some ‘time out’. Quite a few visitors want to simply pursue a hobby in more depth, learn new skills or reinvigorate their work. You are all welcome!
When not in France Karen teaches yoga and exhibits her collages in London and Cambridge. You can see Karen’s work each July as part of Cambridge Open Studios www.cambridgeopenstudios.co.uk or at The Pond Gallery in Clapham www.pondgallery.co.uk
View Karen’s work at www.karenstampercollage.com
Collage workshops run throughout the year. Please email for information.