Happy Lab
A retreat and healing holiday
to free your creativity,
recharge your batteries
and just be happy
photography & creative writing,
fun activities & inspiring discoveries
This retreat is for you if
- You want to free your creative self and take charge of your own happiness
- You are ready to get out of your comfort zone to learn about yourself
- You would like to experience new things for your happiness toolbox
This had been a well kept secret ; it is not anymore. In May 2018 Conde Nast Traveler proclaimed the city of Arles in Provence in the South of France as the new art Mecca. The New York Times also put Arles on its list of places to go in July 2018; Arles was actually one of the only two French places to make it on this prestigious list. Vogue Paris described it as a must-see cosmopolitan destination.
What we believe in
Everyone is creative – creativity is a vital part of ourselves as human beings. Yet we often put our creative part to the side in everyday life; we forget, we don’t have the time or we don’t give ourselves permission to… and then what happens? Maybe a loss of lust for life… maybe a burnout…
The Happy Lab is an experiential workshop, or retreat, where you will play with photography and creative writing, be kind to yourself through yoga and other gentle exercises for mind body and soul, and discover a great place and other beautiful minds.
In the Happy Lab you have the opportunity to
- live and breath in the great, artistically vibrant town of Arles
- experience it with the guide of a local, taking you off the beaten track
- have fun and explore in the company of like-minded souls
- rest, renew and (re)connect to your Self
- pamper all your senses
- be cared for so you can focus on being well and creative
They talk about it
“Arles, France’s old arts Mecca, is also its newest”
The NY Times
“Arles, Provence’s new cultural cradle”
VOGUE Paris
“A must-see cosmopolitan destination”
I come into my power and wisdom,
into my deeper knowing,
into that newness which becomes the gift
I share with the world.
Jan Phillips, author, artist, activist
Your hosts and facilitators:
Delphine loves creating universes and developing ideas and projects. Envision what does not yet exist, put it into words or images and then into action. For more than 20 years, she has been using these skills in the media, social entrepreneurship, creative, film and tourism sectors. A journalist then scriptwriter, a member of the Société Civile des Auteurs Multimédia et de la Société des Auteurs et Compositeurs Dramatiques, she leads, among others, creative writing workshops.
Founder of Mia Casa guest house in 2010, she lives there with her children Lou Mia and Gabriel.
Carmen, photographer, certified yoga teacher, founder of Divine Retreats and Totally Blissed Out – Happiness Project, is passionate about capturing the beauty of life and living, bringing people together in beautiful places and helping them connect with their own beauty and greatness. Hence she’s been organising retreats in divine locations in Greece and Tuscany from 2010. Since her first visit to Arles she felt inspired by this vibrant artistic town and by Mia Casa owner Delphine, so together they created the Happy Lab.
Delphine, by Carmen
“Delphine is a breath of fresh air! Behind her elegant, sophisticated and gentle demeanour, Delphine is a powerhouse of a woman! Creative multi-talent with a sharp business head, she juggles family life, guest house and creative projects single-handedly, and at the same time is a wonderful people connector. One of her fortes is to recognize people’s talent and true voice and this makes her a dream creative coach to have and the perfect leader for this workshop where she will help you dig deep and find your own true voice. She has a special gift to make you believe in yourself!“
Carmen as seen by former clients
Yogi Malik in Yoga Magazine, May 2010, described the first Divine Retreat oranised by Carmen as “Simply divine”
” …I don’t know how she did it but we had so much fun and instead of feeling self-conscious she made me feel free and playful. We had the best time ever while she was shooting away and I felt really seen by her. Carmen loves people and sees beauty everywhere, her photos show for it. I still treasure them and the memories they bring back of that beautiful afternoon in the Pelion.” Lisan Bremmers, Hooyoga, Sweeden
“I’m not a natural candidate for yoga classes; Carmen brought about a feeling of Zen-like calm in me – Carmen’s caring attentive and thoughtful encouragement and guidance made each experience enjoyable and, most importantly, free of embarrassment (which for a, not so young, male is the biggest barrier to any such activity). I can wholeheartedly recommend Carmen and her yoga lessons.” Jason Turner, London
Ultimately, Do You Want to be Happy?
This retreat is for you if
- You want to free your Creative Self and take charge of your own Happiness
- You are ready to get out of your Comfort Zone to discover and share your Gifts with others
- You like to play and learn new things for your Happiness Toolbox
This had been a well-kept secret; it is not anymore.
In May 2018 Conde Nast Traveler proclaimed the city of Arles in Provence in the South of France as the new art Mecca.* The New York Times also put Arles on its list of places to go in 2018; Arles was actually one of the only two French places** to make it on this prestigious list. Vogue Paris describes it as a must-see cosmopolitan destination.
Arles as seen by
Condé Nast Traveler
Arles, France’s Old Arts Mecca, Is Also Its Newest
The NY Times
Arles, Provence’s new cultural cradle
VOGUE Paris
In the 19th century, Vincent van Gogh immortalized it on his canvases; in the 1970s, the city became the international capital of photography and today it is a must-see cosmopolitan destination. Here is why you absolutely must go to Arles >
You are Creative. Yes, You!
What We Believe In
Everyone is creative – creativity is a vital part of ourselves as human beings. Yet we often put our creative part to the side in everyday life, we forget, we don’t have the time or we don’t give ourselves permission to use our time for creativity … and then what happens? A loss of lust for life … we slowly burn out ..
The Happy Lab is an experiential workshop, or retreat, where you will play with photography, creative writing, yoga and other gentle exercises for mind body and soul, and engage in fun activities and discoveries,
Within a small group of like-minded people, you will have the opportunity to express yourself, to discover yourself anew as you connect with your creativity and liberate your real self.
The happy you is the real you! You might just surprise yourself! This is going to be fun!
So, now, will you decide that you’re going to take some time off, to have fun and work on yourself, that you deserve that from yourself,
that your life deserves some prime time –
because you are creating your own production.
AS I CREATE
I come into my power and wisdom,
into my deeper knowing,
into that newness which becomes the gift
I share with the world …
In the Happy Lab you have the opportunity to
- live and breath in the great, artistically vibrant town of Arles
- experience it with the guide of a local, taking you off the beaten track
- have fun and explore in the company of Like-Minded Souls
- have time for yourself to rest, renew and (re)connect to what is most important to you
- pamper all your senses with the exciting and relaxing programme carefully designed for you
- enjoy being cared for so you can focus on being well and creative – and develop your skills in this field with the help of professional guidance
Your hosts and facilitators:
Delphine as seen by Carmen
“Delphine is a breath of fresh air! Behind her elegant, sophisticated and gentle demeanour, Delphine is a powerhouse of a woman! Creative multi-talent with a sharp business head, she juggles family life, guest house and creative projects single-handedly, and at the same time is a wonderful people connector. One of her fortes is to recognize people’s talent and true voice and this makes her a dream creative coach to have and the perfect leader for this workshop where she will help you dig deep and find your own true voice. She has a special gift to make you believe in yourself!“
Carmen as seen by former clients
” …I don’t know how she did it but we had so much fun and instead of feeling self-conscious she made me feel free and playful. We had the best time ever while she was shooting away and I felt really seen by her. Carmen loves people and sees beauty everywhere, her photos show for it. I still treasure them and the memories they bring back of that beautiful afternoon in the Pelion.” Lisan Bremmers, Hooyoga, Sweeden
“I’m not a natural candidate for yoga classes; Carmen brought about a feeling of Zen like calm in me – Carmen’s caring attentive and thoughtful encouragement and guidance made each experience enjoyable and, most importantly, free of embarrassment (which for a, not so young, male is the biggest barrier to any such activity). I can wholeheartedly recommend Carmen and her yoga lessons.” Jason Turner, London
Ultimately, Do You Want to be Happy?