I recently had the opportunity to be the official photographer and also participate to ExPAONsion, an exceptional yoga retreat organized and guided by Ariane Vermeersch (@ariane_vermeersch) and Estelle Gagné (@estellegagne - @espace_m_yoga). It was a truly enriching experience both professionally and personally. Capturing shared moments of laughter, movement and connection was a source of inspiration and profound well-being for me!
Auberge Yoga Salamandre (@aubergeyogasalamandre), located in Lac Brome, proved to be the perfect setting for this retreat. Nestled in the heart of lush nature, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, the lodge welcomed us with an atmosphere of tranquility and serenity. From the moment I arrived, I felt the stress and worries of daily life dissipate, making way for a deep sense of inner peace.
Led by Estelle and Ariane, two inspiring women and yoga teachers, and accompanied by other passionate and fascinating individuals, the retreat was a perfect balance between the movement of the body and the tranquility of the mind. The morning yoga sessions were magical, bathed in the soft light of the sunrise. Each posture, each breath, and each movement were guided with clear intention and special attention to physical and mental alignment. Ariane and Estelle brought a warm and compassionate presence along with a vibrant energy! I truly believe that their ability to create a safe and supportive space allowed each and every one of us, in our own unique way, to explore our own limitations and find the keys to move towards deeper expansion and fulfillment.
However, this retreat was much more than just an encounter with yoga. We were invited to explore our senses, to immerse ourselves in activities that awakened our perception and opened us up to a greater awareness of our bodies. The food and culinary workshops and tastings with the magnificent Roxanne (@passions_plurielles) taught us the importance of nourishing our bodies with healthy and nourishing foods and savoring each bite with gratitude. The impactful breathwork experience with Francis (@francisdostie) allowed us to reconnect with our breath and our emotions. The musical and storytelling performance by Mathieu (@mathieu.lippe) brought us great joy and lots of laughter through the intelligence and depth of his words. And of course, meditation was a constant presence throughout the retreat, helping us dive deep within ourselves and cultivate an intimate connection with our inner being.
Beyond individual practices, what made this retreat truly special was the sense of community that formed within it. The fellow participants became true companions on this journey of personal expansion. We shared our stories, our laughter, our tears, and supported each other in our transformative processes. The moments of sharing in a circle, where everyone could express themselves freely and with trust, were profoundly inspiring and reinforced the feeling of love and compassion towards others, as well as towards oneself.
Ultimately, this retreat was an opportunity to immerse oneself in an immersive experience of transformation, rejuvenation, and elevation. I left the retreat with a heart filled with gratitude, and I am deeply thankful for the opportunity to live and photograph this experience. Through my lens, the smiles, tears, and laughter that I captured are the greatest lessons I take away from this experience.
These moments of connection with others and with myself have given me the opportunity to reflect on my personal journey and growth as a photographer. I have come to realize even more the importance of doing work that allows me to capture moments of connection and reach people on a deeper level. Photographing such powerful and meaningful moments, whether it's at weddings or other types of events like this retreat, is truly one of the aspects of photography that ignites my passion the most, and I'm excited to see how the new perspectives gained from this retreat will influence my future work!
Thank you to the beautiful souls who contributed to this retreat! @ariane_vermeersch @estellegagne @espace_m_yoga @aubergeyogasalamandre @may_photographie_ @passions_plurielles @francisdostie @mathieu.lippe @shopyod @idoinebio @invocationcanada @gutsykombucha @dosejuice @joaniesohamenergie