WRITE • EDIT • PUBLISH
Explore Your Wild Side!
Wild Swim and Yoga Retreat
With Joyce Harper and Wendy Yorke
Domaine de Mournac, southern France
30 May – 6 June, 2026
Lake, sea and river swimming, natural waterfall cold water dips, country hikes and natural warm thermal spring bathing, plus daily yoga in a beautiful, historic 14th century coach house setting surrounded by vineyards, with stunning views of the Pyrenees mountains. Be guided to the best cold water and wild swim sites in the famous Aude region of Occitania, southern France, by female health expert and scientist Professor Joyce Harper and venue host and resident guide, Wendy Yorke, together with daily yoga with Saveria.
With all your daily needs catered for at the luxury venue by our in-house experienced, retreat chef, Mhari Elizabeth, and author of her own recipe book, Nourished by Plants, you will be nurtured and nourished, not only by the organic, freshly-made daily menu and living water experiences, but also with the range of activities to feed your soul. Nature meditations; intention setting maze; crystal bowl sound bath; dancing; chanting; nature walks; all inclusive, while optional, essential oils body massage and foot reflexology aromatherapy massage can also be provided.
Earth; connect with nature and be grounded
Water; let go and energise
Air; realign your roots and source
Fire; live your true passion and purpose
A few words from retreat participants who attended our first retreat in 2025.
“If you are looking for a little piece of paradise in which to unwind and work out the next chapter of your life, Domaine de Mournac is the place! Wendy and Joyce are the most welcoming hosts.” Jenny
“A beautiful week in an amazing setting with wonderful people, amazing food and lots of fun and cultural activities.” Lavinia
“It was an opportunity to completely unwind and take stock of everything happening in my life. I feel strong and positive about what is ahead of me now.” Fiona
“Well thought out agenda with swimming locations that were all different and stunning. Loved the yoga, thank you.” Sue
“My goal for the week was to go out of my comfort zone, and I certainly did that, although I didn’t take part in the wild swimming and there was no pressure to do so. I loved it.” Yvonne
“Wonderful relaxing week. Fantastic food. Beautiful swimming spots, amazing yoga I feel very well cared for and the planning for each day was very well orgainsed.” Kerry
“A great week of swimming in lakes, the sea and natural hot springs. Wendy and Joyce were amazing guides. Yoga, massage and reflexology were great, loved the food and the venue is so beautiful.” Susan
A bit more about the Wild Swim and Yoga Retreat…
Joyce Harper is a University College London, UK, professor of reproductive science and is a passionate cold water swimmer, having run women’s circles and swim groups. She a founding member of the SwimHer research group who have published three papers about cold water swimming and women’s health and are conducting further research. In 2025 she completed the Event Water Safety Management course with Surf Life Saving GB and is going to take the Institute of Swimming SEQ Level 2 Outdoor Swimming Leader Course, Summer 2025. Joyce is part of the Big Retreat Festival team and has conducted a research study to determine if attending such events improves mental and physical health and wellbeing.
Wendy Yorke is an experienced retreat leader based in southern France, where she hosts the stunning venue, Domaine de Mournac, and guides international clients on local hikes, treks, mountain walks and nature meditations. She runs her own author coaching, editing, literary agenting and publishing consulting business. Wendy is a qualified Personal Coach and Executive Coach, certified by the Coaching Academy of London and has a lifelong career in corporate communications. She is an avid swimmer and sailed around the world in the Blue Water Cruising Rally 1998 – 2000. Wendy has completed numerous first aid and offshore medical and life saving training courses, and worked as a PADI dive master, leading groups underwater.
The Wild Swim + Yoga Retreat offers a week of optional activities for all participants. The daily schedule begins with a Hatha Yoga session, followed by breakfast and a daily adventure, where we will take you to swim or dip in natural lakes, rivers, hot springs, a waterfall and the Mediterranean Sea. Most sites are easily accessible and only one day involves a 60-minute uphill walk. At each site we provide guided short nature meditations of about 20 – 30 minutes and we take a daily picnic lunch.
There are also a number of evening events on offer, including a sound bath, disco dancing night, discuss your favourite book, a welcome sharing circle, discussions about health and happiness, and a final feedback session. All of these events are optional and it is your choice each day what you take part in. You are welcome to relax at the peaceful Domaine and gardens, or by the heated pool admiring the beautiful view, if you prefer. And you are also most welcome to join the daily adventures in nature and not to swim if you prefer. Additional body massage and essential oils, foot reflexology treatments can be arranged. It will be a time to relax, restore and reset.