Time Stood Still…

….for me from 11th to 16th June when I immersed myself in The Maas Clinic Scientific Wellness Retreat.

It must have been December last year that the seed was sown! I knew that there were plans afoot for a retreat to be set for summer 2025. I had seen the promotion both online and as a colourful postcard and the thought that stayed with me was … how pretty the Manoir looked. 

The chateau (or manor) was situated in southwest France and it looked very enticing! The stone building was laid out simply, almost symmetrically with smart red shutters on the windows and there was a stunning area outside for us to sit, eat and relax ‘en plein air’. There is a beauty in simplicity, and it really appealed to me. There was even a ‘beckoningly blue’ swimming pool drawing me in! The idea that we could learn about our health and dedicate time to re-educating ourselves as well as enjoying an exciting escape seemed tantalising! 

Something was calling to me; maybe it was in my subconscious mind, maybe it was instinctive but there began a slow steady pull in the direction of the little hamlet of St. Julien! How I longed for peace, relaxation, nature, nurture, sunshine and cool water to swim in and a break so that I could reset and refresh!

The location was perfect; nestled in the Dordogne, overlooking the river way down below and the view stretched as far as Domme, a medieval town perched high on the horizon – right across the valley from us. We would be staying in the heart of the French countryside – La Belle France. I have lived and studied in France; I love speaking French, and I adore France. Some of my closest friends have been French or are French. It felt perfect for me and even if I had not been to this place before and even if I was going solo – I knew that it would feel like home! 

So, on the morning of the 11th of June, I flew into Bordeaux Airport and took the ‘navette’ to the railway station, ‘Bordeaux – Saint – Jean’ where I teamed up with a fellow traveller also heading to the retreat. We immediately hit it off and we chatted about all sorts of things! It was as though we had known each other for ages! We were so engrossed in our conversation that as we neared Sarlat, we almost missed admiring the chateaux of Castelnaud and Beynac. These castles were on opposite sides of the Dordogne River and were famous for playing a role during the Hundred Years War when there were battles between the English and the French! 

The train journey took just under two and a half hours, and it went by in a blink!! When we arrived at Sarlat-la-Canéda, we were warmly met and greeted by Cath Maas who helped us with our cases and whizzed us to Cénac-et-Saint-Julien in about twenty minutes! 

We could not have arrived on a more perfect day! The temperature was high, but it was not too too warm and the ‘Manoir des Pendoyes’ was charming. Laurens welcomed us and helped us with our luggage. I was shown my room which I subsequently regarded as my little inner sanctuary for the rest of our stay. It was tranquil, spacious, practical and it was mine for five nights! I knew in my heart of hearts that I needed this space and a complete escape from my life’s responsibilities, and it did feel like a ‘Homecoming’! The entire ‘Manoir’ felt like a Sanctuary, and I was fortunate enough to share it with some very special people! 

After opening our exciting welcome gift bags, we had some delicious refreshments and met some of the other guests before exploring the pool and admiring the views from the ‘terrasse’!

We had a lovely dinner and were introduced to Fabrice, the talented chef who looked after us superbly and cooked and created the most delicious and healthy fayre! We all wanted to take Fabrice back in our suitcase – he really was a master chef I think!!! 

The next day I surprised myself as I was up early doing yoga and Annie took us through some poses and stretches and moves – a really cracking start to the day! It felt effortless moving from ‘bed to yoga mat’ and it was delightful to exercise outside on the grass; the hour passed swiftly without a second thought. We also learnt some cool breathing sequences which were a good prep for the day! Breakfast was copious and well-deserved and it was pleasant sitting ‘al fresco’ before the sun really beamed down on us and prompted us to reach for sun block. Thus the daily yoga session followed by ‘petit déjeuner’ was all very well-timed!

The first three mornings we were together, learning with Laurens about our health. On reflection, the entire retreat was an opportunity to learn and to ask questions and to share and acquire knowledge and experiences. I was in a space where I could trust the people I was with and therefore, I was receptive to information and to analysing the results of our health tests; the whole week was like a brainstorm!! 

The first session with Laurens was titled…
‘UNLOCK YOUR NUTRITIONAL BLUEPRINT’

We looked at our DNA test results. We all asked questions and learnt so much about our genome. There were some surprises and Laurens explained that there was always some way of countering any missing genes or ‘not so good’ genes!

The second day’s workshop from Laurens’s…
‘ELEVATE YOUR HEALTH WITH BIOMARKER TESTING’ 

We received the results of our blood tests and discovered how our phenome could influence our genome. Once again there was much open discussion, and we learnt from each other as well as from Laurens. I made many notes! 

On the third day we learnt about…
‘FOOD AS MEDICINE: BIOHACKING YOUR HEALTH JOURNEY’

This was revealing as well as fascinating and shortly after this concluding workshop, we participated in Annie’s juicing demonstration. Annie guided us through the process, and we all tasted the green juice which was composed of fresh spinach, cucumber, orange and green apple. It was delicious and looked easy to make! We now have a whole menu of fruit juices, and I have been juicing most days since my return!!

The afternoons were spent relaxing, swimming, chatting and ‘shooting the breeze!’ On the first day we all went to explore the caves in Rouffignac. I had not signed up for this trip but I’m so glad I joined the group at the last minute! It was so incredibly interesting, and the prehistoric art really was awe inspiring! Our French guide was super keen and he went into detail, answered questions and pointed out the mammoths, the bison, the ibex, the horses, the reindeer and even the claw marks made by cave bears; all of these were carved on the rock walls and the highlight was a beautiful  ceiling which was like a collage of all the animals. These drawings had been skilfully done by human beings so many thousands of years ago – it was awesome to witness. There was a little train which took us deep inside the caves. Once you had journeyed right into the epicentre, you felt you were in the bowels of the earth. It was ‘cool’ in both senses of the word!! 

The second afternoon there was an opportunity to visit an organic vineyard and on that day it was so hot that we spent most of the time inside talking to Nathalie Dalbavie, the vineyard owner in Saint Cyprien. She talked to us about the ‘terroir’ and how they had produced sulphite-free organic wine.

The experience was fabulous. (as was the wine!) 

The third afternoon we visited beautiful Domme, a fortified town which was built in the Middle Ages. As well as taking in the stunning views, we sauntered through the narrow streets, stopping to admire local crafts, pottery, sweet smelling soaps and other merchandise and it was a chance to buy gifts to take home!

The last afternoons were spent relaxing and if you wanted a massage there was a skilled and wonderful French lady who could help with facials, body massages and more. 

The rhythm of our days centred around yoga, breakfast, workshops, lunch, relaxation, outings, one to one consultation with Laurens, bio scans, osteopathy, good conversation, drinks and dinner and yet more interesting interactions. We learnt so much; we bonded, we confided, we laughed and we felt very connected as a group.  

The ‘pièce de résistance happened on our last evening – there was a host of hot air balloons (Montgolfier) which blew in so close to us at Pendoyes – it was as though this display had been arranged especially for us. The balloons literally danced and glided all around the Manoir; above us, in front of us and then some of them dipped down over the cliff as if to skirt the surface of the river and then they popped back up. They were so elegant and free – it made me think how liberating all of this was! I did feel ‘free’ throughout our wonderful stay at the retreat! 

It was very difficult to leave on the last morning! Cath and Laurens looked after us right up to the last minute – arranging healthy packed lunches and organising our transport back to the train station. We have been sent so much information and some excellent resources since returning home. 

There is a clarity that remains with me and an incentive to take note of the bio hacks and an enthusiasm to take the supplements. Already when I arrived home – I felt energised in a new way! I am already sleeping better, looking after myself better and eating and drinking better! A renewed transformation! A new me! I hope now that I can help my family to feel better! I was inspired to come on this retreat, and I am so pleased I did! I listened to my own intuition!

Thanks to Laurens and Cath for an outstanding wellness retreat and I know that I will be seeing them again soon as we have a follow up three-month assessment! I have kept in touch with all the guests and feel as though we will always remain friends even if we are living in different corners of the globe!! Thanks again to Cath and Laurens for looking after us so so well.

Kate Sarkis – Retreat Guest 2025