In part one of a two-part series on hosting a fitness retreat, we explore the experience of a hosting a Pilates retreat in Gascony, France with Joanna Fernandes.
I loved the idea of leading a retreat abroad on my own but initially I lacked the confidence to find the ideal venue and manage the event independently. That changed two years ago when Susie and James, owners of Domaine de Pignoulet in Southwest France, invited Pilates and yoga teachers to join a taster weekend at their venue, offering the opportunity to experience the location first hand and explore its suitability for hosting our own retreats. The weekend was fantastic and I fell in love with the venue, a charming, traditional French farmhouse, boasting luxurious ensuite rooms and generous communal spaces.
The venue offers everything required for a successful Pilates retreat, featuring two excellent studios – one indoors and one outdoors – allowing classes to run smoothly regardless of the weather. Guests can unwind in the picturesque garden areas, which are perfect for relaxing, sunbathing or enjoying a quiet read. The outdoor swimming pool provides another place for exercise and an opportunity to cool off during sunny days, while a treatment room with a skilled therapist offers various treatments guests can pre-book before the retreat.
Getting started
Energised and motivated after returning home from the taster weekend, I began promoting the retreat to my class members and one-to-one clients. Within two to three months, it was fully booked with 12 guests, marking a successful launch of my first Pilates retreat abroad.
After running my first retreat, the positive feedback from attendees was so enthusiastic that word quickly spread among my Pilates members. As a result, recommendations from previous guests have been sufficient to generate interest and fill spaces for this year, which is also fully booked.
“The members I anticipated would book didn’t, and instead I was joined by a wonderful and unexpected group who were fully committed to the whole experience.”
I start by emailing my members with details and dates for my retreats, including photos of the venue and countryside. I can direct members or potential retreat guests to my website’s Retreat page for further information. I also promote verbally during classes and discuss any questions with members.
Tackling the challenges
One of the initial challenges I encountered was ensuring that participants were comfortable with the idea of sharing rooms. This arrangement was not only more financially practical for my clients but it also enabled me to accommodate the maximum number of guests. By addressing this concern early on, I was able to create a more affordable and inclusive experience for everyone involved.
The most significant challenge I faced was securing early commitments from my members. When marketing my first retreat last year, I anticipated high demand as many of my clients had been asking me for some time to run a retreat abroad; however, because I began advertising more than a year in advance, many members were reluctant to commit so far ahead of time. I needed to collect deposits from clients so I could secure my booking. It was quite stressful, as I’d never invested so much in my Pilates business before. However, once I realised I just needed to promote more face to face in my classes, my retreat quickly filled up.
My first retreat launch really taught me to stop assuming. The members I anticipated would book didn’t, and instead I was joined by a wonderful and unexpected group who were fully committed to the whole experience from day one.
The perfect balance between relaxation and fitness
Clients attending my retreat experience a genuine escape from their busy daily lives, relaxing in scenic surroundings and enjoying a mix of social downtime and personal quiet. They can improve their Pilates practice and expand their knowledge of it each day and come together for excellent meals.
I structure the day with three different types of Pilates classes spaced accordingly so they get the right balance of fitness and relaxation. The sessions are designed to enhance technique, target learning, boost mobility, improve co-ordination, balance and flexibility, and support breathing and relaxation. They have the choice to opt out of a class if they wish to have more downtime.
I aim to create a comfortable atmosphere for attendees both in and out of classes. I plan each session to focus on a distinct theme or use of a particular piece of equipment, offering varied challenges and encouraging full concentration and dedication to their practice. Because participants have varying abilities, I provide multiple levels, alternative exercises and necessary modifications to help everyone engage at their own pace and in a safe manner. This approach ensures each person can successfully complete the session and leave feeling accomplished. I invite guests to use their downtime in ways that meet their own personal needs, so each can enjoy a unique experience.
“I often notice that after just 20 or 30 minutes surrounded by greenery, my guests seem lighter and calmer.”
I schedule outdoor activities for guests during the free time between sessions. They can enjoy these activities mid-morning and afternoon at their own pace, and it’s perfectly acceptable if they prefer a longer walk or nap and skip a session. I offer a couple of group walks on the timetable but guests can opt in or out or go at their leisure in smaller groups or alone.
Locally sourced cuisine and French wines
Susie and James are amazing hosts and they take care of everything to do with the delicious food and wine that we eat and drink on our retreats. They grow all their own herbs and many of their vegetables and salads in their garden, so we get to eat them all freshly picked. Much of the food they serve comes from a 20km radius and as much as possible they try to reduce their carbon footprint by buying local and seasonal products (e.g., they never see strawberries or any berries there in winter and asparagus has a four-week season only).
All the food is cooked expertly by James and Susie and is beautifully presented – it is such a joy around the table at every meal. Our protein sources include fish, meat and pulses, accompanied by fresh, colourful salads, vegetables and garden-grown fruit. Guests enjoy a range of treats, including French cheeses served as a third course before dessert, as well as cakes and cookies enjoyed at our leisure in the afternoon. All the wine comes from a local cooperative.
The chance to unwind
The relaxation aspect of my retreats is essential. I love seeing guests stretched out in the sunshine or tucked away in a quiet corner of the garden, soaking up the peace. It’s a real joy to watch everyone switch off from their phones and emails – even just for a little while – and simply enjoy being present.
I often notice that after just 20 or 30 minutes surrounded by greenery, my guests seem lighter and calmer. Being immersed in a natural green setting can significantly help to reduce levels of cortisol, which is the body’s main stress hormone. Those simple moments in nature really lift the mood and help clear the head.
Having the outdoor pool is a bonus. Whether we’re swimming in it or just relaxing nearby, there are smiles and laughter – the pool really brings people together. Swimming is brilliant for helping everyone loosen up after Pilates sessions and it’s great for the body and mind. It’s like pressing the reset button. Guests say that they sleep better after a swim or time outdoors, which is so important for feeling good, managing stress and anxiety and promoting wellbeing.
Personal connections
Personal connections are vital. I loved seeing how quickly the group bonded last year – guests who met at Stansted were already laughing together on the minibus from Lourdes airport to Pignoulet. By dinner, we’d all adopted Pilates nicknames, which made my first retreat truly memorable. The camaraderie added joy to mealtimes and enhanced our Pilates sessions, as everyone was mindful and compassionate, making the experience magical for the whole group.
I make a point to give each guest personal attention at my retreats, ensuring they feel comfortable and receive the experience they want. Before the retreat, I ask them what they hope to gain from the retreat so I can ensure they get that, both individually and as a group.
I enjoy connecting with guests outside sessions, learning about their lives and finding common ground – whether through table tennis, garden conversations or countryside walks. This human connection is one of the best parts of teaching and building relationships with my members.
Although I have had many memorable moments, the most significant one was witnessing how quickly the group bonded. We shared meals, tackled challenging sessions, laughed and relaxed by the pool together, transforming from strangers into a caring and supportive community in just a few days. Stepping away from everyday routines made space for genuine and meaningful conversations with others who all had Pilates in common. For me, that sense of connection was truly the highlight of the retreat.
“Retreats have become a high-value, premium-priced revenue stream that helps offset quieter periods during holidays and seasonal slumps.”
Another significant moment I witnessed was when one of my clients had a massage treatment with the intuitive therapist there, who told her she had been carrying a lot of stress in her waist and hip areas. The next morning in our Pilates session ‘Moves and Mantras’, where I gave each participant a card with a Pilates move on one side and a mantra on the back, this same client had a breakthrough and was able to perform her move the ‘Teaser’ effortlessly for the first time! She said she felt lighter and able to move her body in a way she’d not been able to before. Her mantra read, “Your life is about to be incredible”! Her treatment, combined with daily Pilates, relaxation, enjoyable company, healthy meals and restful sleep appeared to have opened both her mind and body and greatly improved her emotional and physical wellbeing. Watching her transformation was wonderful.
All these special moments completely confirm the value of the retreat experience for my clients.
Onto the next retreat …
Organising retreats has significantly enhanced my confidence as both a Pilates instructor and a business owner. I now consider myself fully capable of leading and demonstrating expertise within my profession.
Through these events, I have also had the opportunity to form valuable relationships with fellow Pilates professionals who organise their own retreats. These connections have expanded my professional network and opened up opportunities for future collaboration. Hosting retreats offers a refreshing change from routine teaching, reigniting my passion for instruction and reminding me of the reasons I began my career in fitness.
From a business perspective, retreats have become a high-value, premium-priced revenue stream that helps offset quieter periods during holidays and seasonal slumps. By turning a one-off event into a repeatable, annual occurrence, I am building a sustainable asset that continues to grow my brand.
The process of organising a retreat has also enhanced my abilities in project management, logistical planning, financial forecasting and marketing. As a result, I now have client testimonials as well as a collection of high-quality photographs and video content, which are invaluable for future marketing efforts and providing social proof of the retreat’s value.
My top tip if you want to start a retreat yourself is that it’s so important to find the right venue that will manage the catering, cleaning and logistics, so that you can focus on delivering high-quality sessions, give time to your guests and create the perfect group connection. Don’t rely on photos alone – visit your potential venue in person. It is so worth all the destination research, planning and hard work to ensure you have the perfect retreat!
If you host or participate in running retreats, we offer travel insurance which covers you when working abroad. Find out more at FitPro Insurance Services.
Joanna Fernandes
Joanna Fernandes trained initially as a dancer, laying the foundation for an impressive career spanning more than 35 years in the fitness industry. Today, Joanna runs a successful Pilates business, with retreats recently becoming an exciting and dynamic addition to her services. Her expertise also extends to delivering seated exercise classes for older adults in residential care settings. Joanna’s commitment to the transformative benefits of exercise continues to inspire and motivate clients, encouraging people from all backgrounds to embrace healthier, more active lifestyles. https://www.jofernandespilates.co.uk/retreats
