Mustang Spirit & Massage Training Retreat

Professional Massage Training Retreat in Provence, France

Mustang Spirit & Massage Retreat

100-Hour WSO-Accredited Massage Training Pathway

Mustang Will Ranch · Bargemon, Provence, France
31 October–5 November 2026 · 6 Days / 5 Nights · Maximum 10 Participants

Retreat & Accommodation from €1,110
Professional Massage Training: €550

An Immersive Massage Training Retreat in Provence

Step away from the traditional classroom and experience professional massage training surrounded by the beauty and tranquillity of the Provençal countryside.

The Mustang Spirit & Massage Retreat combines practical massage education with breathwork, somatic practices, embodied awareness, nourishing food and unique experiences with the mustangs of Mustang Will Ranch.

Designed for aspiring and experienced massage therapists, bodyworkers and wellness professionals, the retreat offers extensive hands-on practice, personalised guidance and individual feedback in an intimate group of no more than 10 participants.

You’ll develop practical skills in deep-pressure massage, pressure control, body mechanics, posture, anatomy, massage sequencing, professional boundaries and therapeutic touch, while exploring practices that encourage greater body awareness, presence and therapist wellbeing.

The aim is simple: to help you become a more confident, skilled and responsive massage practitioner while giving you space to recharge, reconnect and learn in an extraordinary natural environment.

Your Massage Trainer & Retreat Host

Natalie Boddy

Natalie Boddy is the founder of Harmonie Rock Therapy Beauty & Massage Training Centre in Antibes and the lead massage trainer and host of the retreat.

With more than 20 years of international experience in massage, beauty therapy, spa management and professional training, Natalie brings extensive hands-on industry experience to her teaching.

Her career has included therapeutic and luxury spa environments, including the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, as well as training massage therapists and wellness professionals internationally.

Natalie’s approach combines technical precision with body awareness, sensitivity and confident therapeutic touch. Her teaching goes beyond learning a massage routine, helping students develop the posture, strength, awareness and professional confidence needed for sustainable massage practice.

Professional Massage Training

The massage course combines theory, demonstrations and extensive supervised hands-on massage practice.

Throughout the retreat you will explore:

• Deep-pressure massage techniques
• Pressure control and quality of touch
• Effective body mechanics and posture
• Therapist strength and endurance
• Relevant anatomy and safe practice
• Massage sequencing and flow
• Confident, responsive therapeutic touch
• Professional boundaries and consent
• Giving and receiving constructive feedback
• Creating a safe, professional treatment environment

Participants both give and receive massage, providing valuable experience from the perspective of both therapist and client.

This practical approach allows you to develop your technique through repetition, observation, feedback and direct experience.

Breathwork, Somatic Practice & Embodied Awareness

Excellent bodywork involves more than technique.

Throughout the retreat, complementary practices encourage greater awareness of your own body, breath, boundaries and communication while supporting recovery from the physical demands of massage work.

These sessions are designed to complement your massage training and help you develop a calmer, more grounded and attentive approach to working with others.

SOMA Breathwork with Kate Tarratt Cross

Kate Tarratt Cross, also known as The Breath Chef™, is a Health & Wellness Coach, SOMA Breathwork instructor, retreat facilitator, private chef and author.

Kate combines breath, movement, nourishment and reflective practices in her approach to wellbeing.

During the retreat, she will lead a nature-connected SOMA Breath workshop, providing an opportunity to explore breath, movement and body awareness alongside the physical massage training.

Embodied Boundaries with Lara Lark

Lara Lark is a certified Somatic Relationship & Intimacy Coach and Sexologist (ABS) specialising in somatic awareness, communication and the mind-body connection.

Workshop: Embodied Boundaries - Where You End & Others Begin

Through practical and embodied exercises, Lara will guide participants in exploring how to recognise and communicate their needs, preferences and limits with greater clarity.

The workshop develops awareness around boundaries, consent and authentic communication — essential foundations for safe, respectful and professional massage practice.

The Mustang Experience

One of the most distinctive elements of this massage retreat in Provence is the opportunity to spend time with the mustangs of Mustang Will Ranch.

Away from the massage table, the horses offer a completely different environment in which to explore observation, presence and non-verbal communication.

Mustang Will Ranch - Mary Williams

Mustang Will Ranch was created by Mary Williams, whose passion for horses led her to discover the wild mustangs of Montana.

Inspired by their freedom, sensitivity and spirit, Mary created Mustang Will as a place where people in Europe could encounter and learn more about these remarkable horses.

During the retreat, Mary and Robert will facilitate a Mustang Experience Workshop, inviting participants to slow down, observe the herd and explore awareness, connection and non-verbal communication around the horses.

Your stay also directly supports the ranch and its work with the American mustangs.

Robert Troesch - International Horseman

Robert Troesch is an international horseman and author of Quality Horsemanship Volumes 1 & 2.

His approach is deeply influenced by the Californian Vaquero tradition, with an emphasis on patience, observation, trust, clear communication and respect for the horse.

Together, Robert and Mary will create an experiential workshop centred on observing subtle signals, developing awareness and connecting with the horses without force or expectation.

Participants will also experience an individual energy-healing session on a massage table in the peaceful environment near the horses.

Life at Mustang Will Ranch

Professional massage training is balanced with opportunities to rest, move, explore and enjoy the natural surroundings.

Depending on weather and availability, retreat experiences may include:

• Guided experiences with the mustangs
• Nature walks and foraging
• Yoga and gentle stretching
• Meditation and self-massage
• Sauna and jacuzzi
• Archery
• Introduction to cow roping
• Introduction to whip cracking
• Evenings around the fire
• Stargazing

These experiences are woven around the training programme, creating space for both focused learning and genuine restoration.

Morning Ritual

Each morning begins with a gentle lymphatic wake-up ritual, encouraging movement and body awareness before the day’s physical training.

Morning movement or outdoor yoga may also be included, weather permitting.

Nourishing Food for Body & Soul

Retreat Chef - Karine Cummins

Food is an important part of the retreat experience.

Our retreat chef, Karine Cummins, founder of Soul Food, brings more than 30 years of experience in catering and hospitality and trained at Le Cordon Bleu.

Her varied career has taken her from yachts and private villas to restaurants, theatres and large catering events.

Throughout the retreat, Karine will prepare colourful, generous meals inspired by Provençal, Mediterranean, Indian, Thai and Lebanese flavours, using fresh, seasonal, local and organic produce wherever possible.

Expect nourishing breakfasts, wholesome lunches, homemade afternoon treats, sharing plates and relaxed evening meals.

The retreat table is also a place to slow down, connect with the group and enjoy good food together.

Accommodation at Mustang Will Ranch

Stay on-site surrounded by countryside, open skies and horses.

Accommodation is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Wild Ranch Villa - Pimparin

A spacious 150 m Provençal villa with several bedrooms and private bathrooms, a large living room with fireplace, fully equipped kitchen, terrace, private tennis court, barbecue and surrounding land.

Blue Corn - Shared Room

Capacity: Up to 3 people
Beds: 3 single beds
Price: €1,110 per person

Apache - Shared Suite

Capacity: 2 people
Beds: 2 double beds, one person per bed
Price: €1,250 per person

Sundance - Private Room

Capacity: 1 person
Bed: Double bed
Price: €1,450 single occupancy

Sagebrush - Private Room

Capacity: 1 person
Bed: Double bed
Price: €1,450 single occupancy

L’Écurie

A fully equipped 55 m apartment with a bedroom suite, private bathroom, kitchen, comfortable living area and private terrace overlooking the mustang fields.

L’Écurie - Shared Accommodation

Capacity: 2 people
Beds: 2 double beds, one person per bed
Price: €1,200 per person

La Petite Cayuse

A charming wooden caravan offering a cosy and private ranch experience, with a double bed, kitchenette and private bathroom.

La Petite Cayuse - Private Roulotte

Capacity: 1 person
Bed: Double bed
Price: €1,300 single occupancy

Retreat Programme

The programme balances professional massage training, hands-on practice, breathwork, somatic awareness, recovery and mustang experiences.

Day 1 - Saturday, 31 October

4:00 PM - Arrival, welcome drinks and settle into your accommodation
6:30 PM - Welcome dinner and meet the group

Day 2 - Sunday, 1 November

8:00 AM - Morning lymphatic ritual and breakfast
9:00 AM - Outdoor yoga/movement, weather permitting
10:00 AM - Massage theory and written assessment
11:00 AM - Massage demonstration and hands-on practice
1:00 PM - Lunch
2:30 PM - Supervised massage practice
4:00 PM - Lara Lark: Embodied Boundaries - Where You End & Others Begin
6:00 PM - Dinner
Evening - Restorative practice, sauna/jacuzzi and fireside relaxation

Day 3 - Monday, 2 November

8:00 AM - Morning lymphatic ritual and breakfast
9:00 AM - Outdoor yoga, weather permitting
10:00 AM - Massage demonstration and hands-on practice
1:00 PM - Lunch
2:30 PM - Supervised massage practice
4:30 PM - Kate Tarratt Cross: SOMA Breathwork Workshop
6:00 PM - Dinner
Evening - Relaxation and integration by the fire

Day 4 - Tuesday, 3 November

8:00 AM - Morning lymphatic ritual and breakfast
9:00 AM - Outdoor yoga, weather permitting
10:00 AM - Massage demonstration and hands-on practice
1:00 PM - Lunch
2:30 PM - Individual horse-side energy sessions hosted by Natalie Boddy
5:00 PM - Free time
6:00 PM - Dinner
Evening - Sound bath, restorative practice and fireside relaxation

Day 5 - Wednesday, 4 November

8:00 AM - Morning lymphatic ritual and breakfast
9:00 AM - Final massage training and supervised practice
1:00 PM - Lunch
2:00 PM - Mustang Experience Workshop with Mary Williams and Robert Troesch
6:00 PM - Dinner
Evening - Closing celebration, certificate presentation and live music around the fire

Day 6 - Thursday, 5 November

8:00 AM - Morning ritual and farewell breakfast
By 10:00 AM - Departure

Leave Provence with new massage skills, greater confidence and meaningful connections to carry into your future practice.

The programme may be adapted according to weather, group requirements and ranch activities.

What You’ll Take Away

By the end of the retreat, you will have had the opportunity to:

• Develop greater confidence in deep-pressure massage
• Improve pressure control and quality of touch
• Refine your posture and body mechanics
• Develop greater physical efficiency as a massage therapist
• Complete extensive supervised hands-on practice
• Strengthen your understanding of professional boundaries and consent
• Explore breath and body-awareness practices
• Develop greater sensory awareness and presence
• Explore non-verbal communication through the Mustang Experience
• Build confidence in your professional massage practice

WSO-Accredited Massage Training & Certification

The in-person retreat forms part of the 100-hour WSO-accredited massage training programme.

Participants wishing to complete the full professional qualification must also complete the required home-study components, including:

• Online anatomy
• Health & safety modules
• Treatment case study

Following successful completion of all required course components, participants receive the WSO Massage Therapy Certificate.

Graduates can then explore appropriate professional insurance according to the regulations and insurance requirements of the country in which they intend to practise.

Retreat Location

Mustang Will Ranch
Bargemon, Provence, France

The ranch is approximately 1 hour 20 minutes from Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE).

Flights and airport transfers are not included. Group transfer coordination may be available on request.

Registration & Payment

Registration closes: 30 September 2026

A 30% non-refundable deposit is required to secure your place.

The remaining balance is due by 1 October 2026.

Places are limited to a maximum of 10 participants.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need previous massage experience?

No. The retreat welcomes beginners who want to develop professional massage skills as well as experienced massage therapists, bodyworkers and wellness professionals looking to refine their technique.

Training is practical and supervised, with guidance adapted to participants’ experience levels.

What does the €550 professional massage training fee include?

The training fee includes professional massage tuition, practical demonstrations, extensive supervised hands-on practice, personalised feedback and course learning materials.

The in-person retreat forms part of the wider 100-hour WSO-accredited training programme. The full WSO Massage Therapy Certificate is issued following successful completion of all required training and home-study components.

Is this the complete 100-hour massage qualification?

The retreat provides the in-person practical component of the 100-hour WSO-accredited massage training programme.

To complete the full qualification, participants must also complete the required home study, including online anatomy, health & safety modules and a treatment case study.

Once all requirements have been successfully completed, participants receive the WSO Massage Therapy Certificate.

Ready to Join Us in Provence?

Combine professional massage training with six days of nature, movement, nourishing food, embodied practice and unforgettable experiences with the mustangs.

With just 10 places available, the Mustang Spirit & Massage Retreat offers an intimate environment in which to learn, practise and reconnect.

31 October–5 November 2026
Mustang Will Ranch · Bargemon, Provence, France

Retreat & Accommodation from €1,110
Professional Massage Training: €550