Have you ever felt like you’re running through life with no finish line in sight? The never-ending to-do lists, the constant ping of emails and WhatsApps, the pressure to tick all the boxes for your health and wellbeing—it can get overwhelming. Sometimes, you just want someone else to take the reins so you can step back, breathe deeply, and just be.
Two weekends ago, we gave ourselves permission to do just that—and the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. It all unfolded during the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, when nature is at its peak and everything feels more vibrant, more alive. A moment that invites stillness, reflection, and light—both around us and within.
We joined a yoga and hiking retreat that took us into the heart of the mountains—no signal, no noise, just fresh air and a return to the essentials. We hiked up 800 meters, rotating walking partners along the way, which made space for unexpected conversations and connections. Sharing the trail with inspiring women we didn’t know pushed us gently out of our comfort zone—and reminded us how energizing it is to meet people through something real.
After the final climb, the sound of the rushing river and the first glimpse of the lake and the Cabane de Louvie brought a wave of gratitude. We’d arrived. Tucked high in the Alps, the cabane was stripped down to the basics. Shared dorms, simple food, and yet, it offered everything we needed.
We took a chilly dip in the lake before settling in, then gathered for apéro and dinner. As the clouds danced above our heads, we flowed through a guided evening yoga session outdoors by Amélie Bertschy (the organizer of this sejour). There’s something about moving your body surrounded by that kind of beauty—it stays with you.
Lights were out by 10, tucked into our sacs à viande (yes, that’s a thing), alarms set for sunrise yoga. At sunrise, someone’s cuckoo alarm stirred us awake. Wrapped in layers, and blankets, we rolled out our mats for yoga overlooking the Grand Combin. The cold air nipped at our faces, but the view was more than enough to warm us up. Plus we got a bonus visitor from an ibex intrigued by our yoga poses maybe …
The hike down the next day was equally unforgettable. With the Corbassière Glacier (where there is Cabane Panossière - another mountain retreat option) stretching alongside us in the distance yet so close and the Grand Combin still keeping watch, we descended slowly, soaking in every bit of that vast, panoramic view.
The trail was quieter this time—each of us a little more in our thoughts, already starting to process the shift from this mountain stillness back to our daily routines. There was a sense of fullness, but also reflection: how do we carry a piece of this slowness with us?
Disconnecting like this, even just for a weekend, is something we didn’t know how much we needed. It reminded us that going off-grid and out of your comfort zone is sometimes exactly what brings you back to yourself. That new people can bring fresh energy. And that nature—raw, wild, and essential—can do wonders for a cluttered mind.
Our weekend ended in Verbier, where you could actually also start the hike to the cabane and go just for the day if you don’t have two days to spare.
But if this speaks to you, maybe it’s time to carve out a pause of your own.
This retreat will take place again in September and October. If you're craving stillness, connection, and mountain air, consider this your invitation.
