Wales Retreat - May 2026 ~ Yoga With Gandha

Roots & Renewal: Yoga, Nature and Cacao

A wonderful 4 night-5 days Retreat in the Welsh countryside

Friday 29th May - Tuesday 2nd June 2026

Welcome to the second edition of our Wales Yoga Retreat — an experience shaped by the magic of last year and thoughtfully expanded for an even more nourishing journey. Over our days together at Garth Barns, I will guide the practices of Vinyasa Yoga and Yoga Nidra, and invite you for an Adaptive Asana Lab Workshop, a responsive workshop shaped by the needs and interests of the group. Iren Merdinyan will once again bring her grounding presence, leading Restorative and Yin Yoga sessions imbued with depth and softness, and opening each day with a Cacao ceremony that unites this sacred drink with a centering meditation.

Iren will also lead us into a playful chocolate-making workshop, and go deep within through an embodied somatic yoga workshop.

As part of the retreat’s supportive environment, we’re delighted to welcome back local chef Rosie, whose cooking and presence were so loved last year; this year’s menu will include a little fish for more balanced nourishment, while still catering for vegetarian and vegan diets with advance notice. And to deepen your connection with the land, Veronica, the retreat owner, will guide us on local walks to share the area’s hidden gems. Optional treatments and 1:1 Yoga sessions — from face gym to futon massages, 1:1 somatic work, we invite you to personalise your retreat with exactly the care you need.

A typical day on retreat begins with a peaceful morning walk, a grounding cacao ritual, and an energising Vinyasa practice leading into a nourishing brunch. The afternoons offer a mix of nature time, massages, free time, and themed workshops. In the evenings, we come together for either dynamic explorations such as the Asana Lab or slower practices, closing the day with a shared dinner and relaxed connection.

Scroll down for pricing and accommodation options.

About the venue:

Garth Barns, is a magnificent countryside destination complete with luxury accommodation, large gardens and woods, direct access to fantastic walking opportunities, in Caersws, Mid Wales, about 3 and a half hour by train from London Euston.

Facilities include a small gym, sauna and fire pit, private lake for wild swimming and canoeing.

The yoga studio is fully equipped with mats, blocks and bolsters and has underfloor heating and plenty of natural light.

All prices are intended per person.

Include brunch, dinner and afternoon snacks, all yoga classes and workshops.

Exclude travel to and from venue, optional massages and 1:1 sessions, travel insurance.

A £350 non refundable deposit (per person) is required to secure your booking, the remaining balance is due by 29th May 2026.

About Iren Merdinyan

Founder and guardian of Cacao Connexion, Iren is a Cacao Medicine Woman and Yoga teacher, deeply committed to the art of working with Ceremonial Cacao, sharing the healing benefits of Yoga and relaxation, and crafting raw chocolate. With a commitment, Iren works with the healing essence of Cacao with love and integrity to honour the medicine of Cacao in harmony with Pachamama's rhythm. Her focus has been on Heart-Opening practices through Cacao and functional Yoga practices to awaken the Heart Energy Centre and connect us to a deeper sense of self.

During the 5 days, Iren will offer daily Cacao and Yoga Heart-Opening Practices. This is a chance to go deeper to open your Heart Energy Centre. You will work on releasing tensions and emotional blockages. Through cacao and yoga, tension within the physical, mental, and emotional layers can be gently released. Cacao provides clarity and guidance, supporting the release of emotional barriers, letting go of the past, setting meaningful intentions, fostering creativity, and navigating future steps with a renewed sense of purpose.

Testimonials

I am not sure where to start to tell you how wonderful Gandha’s yoga retreat was – from the incredible location tucked away in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, to the early morning walks through the olive groves, to the wonderful home cooked meals and great company of new friends and of course, most importantly the yoga! Thoughtful and strengthening, energising and restorative, Gandha knows just how to enhance the joy of each day with her yoga practices. I cannot wait to join her on another retreat!

Attending the Tuscany yoga retreat was truly a transformative experience. Nestled in the heart of the rolling Tuscan hills, each day was a perfect blend of serenity, rejuvenation, and mindful connection. Gandha guided us through practices that were both grounding and elevating, making yoga feel accessible and deeply meaningful, no matter our experience levels. The setting was beyond picturesque, with morning practices overlooking fields and olive groves, and evenings filled with vibrant sunsets and shared laughter. The farm-to-table meals were not only nourishing but also introduced us to the exquisite flavors of Tuscany, making every meal a mindful celebration of local, fresh ingredients. What set this retreat apart was the sense of community it fostered. Surrounded by such a supportive group, I felt encouraged to explore and embrace both the physical and spiritual elements of yoga in ways I hadn’t before. I left feeling renewed, centered, and grateful for the experience. If you’re looking for a retreat that balances relaxation, personal growth, and cultural immersion, this Tuscany yoga retreat is a must.

I attended the retreat in September 2020. The venue was gorgeous, set in the midst of beautiful Tuscan countryside, with superb food and wine (yay!) and a tranquil atmosphere. The attendees were great fun and it was refreshing to spend time with such an interesting group. Gandha had put together a varied programme of yoga, sightseeing and other treats, but we still had plenty time for relaxing by the pool and chatting with new-found friends in the group. I admit that I was a little nervous about the retreat beforehand as I didn’t know what to expect. I’m a very casual yoga attendee and I wasn’t sure I would be able to handle several sessions every day. I needn’t have worried. Gandha made all the classes different, each offering something new, in a friendly and supportive environment. I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed my time on the mat and the progress I made in the week. I came home feeling so relaxed and rejuvenated. I’ve already signed up for the next retreat and I can’t wait to return.

I was lucky enough to secure a slot in a recent yoga retreat hosted by Gandha in Tuscany – Sept 2020. What a fabulous week. The yoga practice of classes and workshops allowed us to experience a huge variety of poses, positions, flows, balancing, stretches and meditation. Lots of options to accomodate your own individual ability and experience. Gandha’s sessions are well planned, progressive, professional, supportive and encouraging. The retreat programme included sight seeing, free time, walking, wine and cheese tasting and great Tuscan food. Relaxed, friendly and a great group of participants from all age groups and cultures. The individual touches of welcome gift and dinner time chats are really special. A relaxed, gracious and professional yoga practitioner – focusing on the participants getting the most out of their practice. A real treat and fabulous experience. Looking forward to the next retreat.

Thanks to one of the best yoga teacher I ever met, Gandha, because with her simplicity, her smile and her energy she put together a wonderful group for a retreat in one of the best place ever. A retreat made of light heartedness, sunrises, food (lots of food), silence walks, nature, horses and wine (lots of wine, again).

My experience of the Yoga Retreat organised by Gandha in Italy September 2020 during a period when the world was in turmoil was an ideal experience that gave me the lasting happiness and energy to be in a world in distress and yet I was able remain positive and strong. The retreat was nothing short of incredible. It was extremely well organised in every detail including group activities between yoga session to wonderful Italian towns, a wine and olive oil tasting activity, through to the glorious environment and rustic accommodation with incredible food. This environment created fun and a group of very happy yoga participants. The yoga sessions were the perfect blend of learning, relaxing and improving your yoga skill set. Just imagine the fabulous blend of time to explore Italy, great yoga and delicious food in a rustic rural setting. Thank you so much Gandha for a wonderful experience and being such a mindful teacher.

Un’esperienza profonda: sono partita da sola e con poca esperienza di yoga in presenza e sono tornata con un ricco bagaglio di amicizie e conoscenze su una pratica che sempre piu’ fa parte della mia quotidianità’. Uno dei doni della vita nella splendida cornice della campagna toscana.