Eric is an ex-modern dancer and has been teaching Pilates, dance and then yoga for nearly 20 years. He was trained by Fran Lehen in New York, who was herself trained by none other than Carola Trier - one of Pilates' students.
He has always practiced and is now teaching yoga using his lifelong knowledge from many different disciplines to create a yoga class that is well rounded and physical, focusing on alignment and technique.
Last updated March 5, 2017, 11:58 a.m. UTC
The Field Retreat is located in the middle of the beautiful French countryside in an old farmhouse/smallholding.
It is a place to come and relax, find new inspiration, find yourself, learn a new skill, or just for some peace and quiet.
Run by Helen Saunders and Eric Butler, we host various workshops and retreats that last from a weekend, a few days to a week at a time.
Subjects are different depending on the time of year. - Yoga, Pilates, Creative writing, sketching/painting, contact improvisation, and more to come.
We are also open as a rentable space for anyone with inspiration for a course or workshop to run themselves.
We are Vegan and Vegetarian and you will be able to learn how to make the dishes we eat should you wish to. There is also a guest kitchen, should you wish to be creative yourself.
Accommodation, is simple, cosy and comfortable and there is a small orchard, gardens and a plunge pool.
The Field is a quiet haven of tranquillity and learning. A place to boost your batteries, deepen your practice or simply unwind.
Helen qualified as a BCPA Pilates Instructor in 2008, after a long career in the theatre as a dancer, teacher and choreographer. (Royal Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet, Danish Dance Theatre, Twyla Tharp, and Tim Feldmann)
Helen and Eric opened Cardiff Pilates Studio in 2009, but after six years were lured away to the beautiful French counrtyside to build The Field Retreat.
Eric was trained as a Pilates instructor in New York by Fran Lehen, herself a student of Carola Strauss (one of Joseph Pilates' original students). He has been an instructor for almost 20 years, first at Fran's studio in New York, followed by his own studio in Copenhagen, then together with Helen at Cardiff Pilates Studio, and now at The Field. As an ex-modern dancer, dance teacher, masseur and yoga teacher he has great understanding of different body types and individual needs. He has been particularly successful helping clients with spinal problems.
