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Detailed List of Retreats

This symbol indicates that the retreat is held in Noble Silence throughout, except for periods of instruction, discussion or interviews.

"Doing Your Own Thing" Self Retreats are available throughout the year between the Conducted Retreats (and occasionally on weekends).

Retreat
29 August 2024
  • A Personal Retreat : Rest, Reflect, and Restore – 10% discount mid-week

    Teacher: Robyn Aitken, Keelan Naidoo, Tracy Tabac
    Cost: Number of days accommodation

    robynkeelantracyJoin us for a personal retreat mid-week and some optional gentle yoga, breathwork, meditation and massage.  Enjoy the tranquillity of the space and embrace the art of doing nothing – seriously. This time out offers a slower rhythm, allowing you to step back from the busyness of life and find peace within.

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    Robyn - Transformational Hatha Yoga Instructor Robyn is a level-3 (300 hour) instructor with a Yoga Alliance International (YAI) certification in Transformational Hatha Yoga. Transformational Hatha Yoga is a powerful system of yogic techniques that helps to balance our lives in a way that keeps us naturally happy and healthy, physically and mentally strong and emotionally stable. Robyn uses the science of yoga to offer Transformational Hatha Yoga (THY) as a complimentary or stand-alone activity, using asanas, pranayama, meditation and visualisation to increase awareness, consciousness, concentration, productivity, intention and freedom.

    Keelan - Hatha Yoga Instructor Keelan offers gentle hatha yoga and guided meditations. He completed the 200-hour hatha yoga teacher training course in 2019 (IYA).

    Tracy – Breathwork Instructor (Breathing Free) Level 2 Somabreath qualified. She focuses on three pillars of breath: Awareness, Regulation and Transformation and explores various techniques, some very ancient, that can aid in alleviating stress and anxiety, creating calm, as well as energising and activating our energy. For more transformational healing, she offers a curated experience with music and guides you through a breathwork journey using the Conscious Connected Breath framework. She also offers stress relief massage.

     
17 April 2026
  • The Architecture of Relationship

    Teacher: Shelley Lewin and Sav Goldridge
    Cost: 2 days accommodation +R400 surcharge
    Dates: Friday 17 April 2026 - Sunday 19 April 2026

    s lewinsav2025Co-hosted by The Relationship Architect, Shelley Lewin and Enneagram practitioner and master coach Sav Goldridge, this retreat is for individuals (regardless of relationship status) and couples who are ready to transform how they relate - to themselves and others. Through a carefully curated blend of guided teaching, reflective exercises and experiential group practices, you will begin to design your relationships more consciously – creating greater health, fulfilment and resilience - rather than repeating patterns by default.

    Grounded in Shelley’s Uncomplicated Love framework, enriched by the wisdom of the Enneagram, Shelley and Sav will guide you to:

    • Understand the underlying dynamics of healthy, intimate relationships
    • Greater clarity on what aligned, meaningful connection looks like for you
    • Break free from unconscious and unhelpful relational patterns
    • Develop practical tools for skilful communication and constructive conflict
    • Strengthen your sense of agency in how you build and sustain connection

    This weekend is about transforming how you relate - to yourself, to others, and to the life you are creating. A copy of the book Uncomplicated Love: A step-by-step guide for building a thriving relationship can be purchased at an additional charge of R250.00.

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    Shelley Lewin is a specialist in personal and professional relationship development. Since 2006, as The Relationship Architect she has partnered one-on-one and two-on-one with growth-minded couples, senior decision makers in Fortune 100 companies and high-performing leaders, equipping them with the tools to navigate relationships with clarity and purpose. As the author of Uncomplicated Love: A step-by-step guide for building a thriving relationship, her writing is featured across print, digital media, TV, and radio. Shelley's signature retreats are based on ‘the art, science, and practices of love’ outlined in her book- providing a practical yet transformative framework for couples to engage in immersive experiences designed to heal, strengthen, and elevate their relationships. She lives in Cape Town with my husband of 20 years and her Burmese cat, Beanie, while her teenage son pursues his dream of becoming a PGA tour-ready golfer in the U.S. She finds joy in nature, walking barefoot on Muizenberg Beach, listening to podcasts on human potential, and continually deepening her understanding of what it means to love and lead authentically with an alignment of head and heart.

     Sav Goldridge, is a master credentialled coach with more than 6500 hours of experience, which includes working with couples, families, C-Suite Executives, Leaders, individuals and teams within multiple organisations and industries across South Africa and internationally. Reading Sandra Maitri's book, "The Spiritual Dimension of the Enneagram - Nine Faces of the Soul” in 2011 marked the beginning of a profound resonance with the spiritual and psychological aspects of the enneagram. The pages of her book unveiled a deep connection to Sav's Enneagram type, illuminating how she had learned to both survive and thrive by unconsciously disowning parts of myself. This profound revelation became a catalyst, propelling her onto a personal odyssey and a passionate love affair with the Enneagram. She is passionate about authentic expression, conscious connections with Self, others and the natural world and creating awareness of neurodiversity and the impact of trauma. As a neurodivergent thinker and speaker, she shares her life story of overcoming challenges such as rape, extreme poverty and abuse, and thriving despite developmental trauma and adverse childhood experiences.

24 April 2026
  • Reclaim Your Power: A Journey To Inner Balance

    Teacher: Heike Sym
    Cost: 3 days accommodation + R350 surcharge
    Dates: Friday 24 April 2026 - Monday 27 April 2026

    heike sym2020We all have inner guidance and knowledge, but we don't always know how to access it and use it as the incredible gift it is. We are constantly trying to keep up with the ever-increasing pace and demands of our lives which leaves us with high stress levels and exhausted. On this retreat we will fortify our spirit, embrace our personal power, and allow our light to shine brightly again, the way the universe intended. Through talks, meditation, group work, transformational exercises, relaxation and conversation, we will journey back to our centre - to our most natural and balanced state of being. Deepening our connection with our inner self allows us to stand strong in our own personal power in the here and now. We will learn to listen less to the limiting, fear-based voices of our mind, and start aligning with our intuition, to our core that already knows that we are born as an unstoppable and magnificent force.

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    Heike Sym was born in Bavaria, Germany, and fell in love with South Africa when she arrived in 1993 to volunteer as a Child Care Worker. She specialised in behaviour and learning difficulties and as a Montessori therapist, trainer and counsellor. She taught at St Philomena's Children's home in Durban for over 16 years and was involved in social outreach projects associated with it. She has also taught and counselled at primary schools and has continued to develop her spiritual interests over the years. She is now embracing her calling as a medium, energy healer, numerologist, metaphysical profiler and teacher. She gives regular talks, courses and interviews on radio, and offers individual sessions.

27 April 2026
  • Beginner's Mind, Quiet Mind: Meditation Practice For Meaningful Daily Living

    Teacher: Tsunma Tsondru
    Cost: 3 days surcharge + R450 surcharge
    Dates: Monday 27 April 2026 - Thursday 30 April 2026

    tsunma tsondruIt is important for us to take time out from the incessant demands and fast pace of daily life. The BRC gives us a space to step off the wheel and the time to come home to the quiet, strong refuge which lies at our centre. Cultivating the natural state of peace and ease that lies there reveals our true nature - which enables us to not only help ourselves, but to help the world of which we are part. Then daily living becomes meaningful. This 3-day mid-week retreat will bring out our Beginner’s Mind through the practice of meditation. The time will be silent, quiet, and slow. There will be meditation instruction and guidance, formal sitting, and time for walking, writing, or staring into the distance. The retreat is suitable for those with or without meditation experience and will be held in an atmosphere of introspection.

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    Tsunma Tsondru is a nun ordained by Tai Situ Rinpoche in the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. She met Buddhism through Louis van Loon at the BRC in the 90's. After working as a lawyer and environmental scientist, she left for Spain for a traditional Kagyu three-and-a-half-year retreat, followed by a second retreat of four years. Returning to Cape Town, she served on the Board of the Southern African Faith Communities Environmental Institute - a multi-faith NGO - for 6 years and as its Executive Director. She later spent a 10-day intensive retreat with Joanna Macy, engaging with Macy’s “Work That Re-Connects”, which she teaches at the BRC and other places, Her particular interest is deep ecology, eco-philosophy and wilderness work, and the role that spirituality, ethics and connection/interdependence can play in transforming us and our economic and social systems in protection of the Earth.

01 May 2026
  • Cultivating Hope And Joy In Adversity

    Teacher: Tsunma Tsondru
    Cost: 2 days accommodation + R450 surcharge
    Dates: Friday 01 May 2026 - Sunday 03 May 2026

    tsunma tsondruIn the face of stresses both planetary and personal - climate change, biodiversity loss, societal upheaval - cultivating inner resilience and hope becomes not just personal, but deeply ecological. Practices like meditation help quiet the mind and ground the nervous system, allowing us to respond to crises with clarity rather than fear. Reconnecting with nature deepens our sense of belonging to the Earth, reminding us that we are not separate from the systems we seek to protect. And in moments of wonder and awe - whether in the stillness of a forest, the glitter of a starry sky, or the simplicity of meditation - we tap into something greater than ourselves, igniting a reverence that fuels both courage and compassion and active hope.

    The weekend will be a poetry-inspired time of meditation practice, deep-time walking and creative imagining, with a touch of morning yoga.

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    Tsunma Tsondru is a nun ordained by Tai Situ Rinpoche in the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. She met Buddhism through Louis van Loon at the BRC in the 90's. After working as a lawyer and environmental scientist, she left for Spain for a traditional Kagyu three-and-a-half-year retreat, followed by a second retreat of four years. Returning to Cape Town, she served on the Board of the Southern African Faith Communities Environmental Institute - a multi-faith NGO - for 6 years and as its Executive Director. She later spent a 10-day intensive retreat with Joanna Macy, engaging with Macy’s “Work That Re-Connects”, which she teaches at the BRC and other places, Her particular interest is deep ecology, eco-philosophy and wilderness work, and the role that spirituality, ethics and connection/interdependence can play in transforming us and our economic and social systems in protection of the Earth.

05 May 2026
  • Dirt And Dharma - A Nature Retreat

    Teacher: Shogan Parker
    Cost: 2 days accommodation+ R350 surcharge
    Dates: Tuesday 05 May 2026 - Thursday 07 May 2026

    shogan parkerThis retreat brings our practice into direct contact with the living earth. With each step, each breath, we are invited to drop below the noise of thought and return to the ground beneath our feet -  to the dirt, the air, the quiet movement of life all around us. Through walking meditation, outdoor stillness, mindful movement, and creative response, we will explore the meeting point of inner and outer landscapes. We will work with natural phenomena as invitations to presence, humility, and embodied wisdom.

    The retreat includes periods of zazen, slow walking in nature, writing or drawing as contemplative response, and gentle ritual grounded in the turning season. Come as you are, and leave more rooted.

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    William (Shogan) has been practising meditation for nearly 20 years, cultivating stillness and inquiry. He took precepts with Dae Chong, Osho at Poplar Grove and now leads morning and evening zazen at the BRC, weaving verses from the Dhammapada into meditation for reflection and insight. With a keen interest in how the Dharma might evolve in an AI-driven, multiplanetary future, William embraces both tradition and possibility. He also guides qigong in the mornings and offers tai chi in the afternoons, integrating movement into mindfulness. His practice is an invitation - to sit, to move, and to explore the ever-expanding nature of awareness.

08 May 2026
  • THE AWAKENED MAN – Tame Your Mind, Revitalise Your Soul

    Teacher: John Homewood
    Cost: 2 days accommodation + R600 surcharge
    Dates: Friday 08 May 2026 - Sunday 10 May 2026

    john homewood nov2019Are you a man whose very identity, relationships, career and beliefs are in transition?
    Is your heart yearning for a more meaningful and soul-centred vision for your life?
    Are you also a man who has been doing everything “right” by societal standards - yet still feels like something’s missing?
    Do you feel called to something deeper, more meaningful - but don’t know what that is or where to begin?

    This powerful retreat facilitated by John Homewood will assist you to find new focus, vision and purpose. By shifting self-limiting perceptions and attitudes, you will release that which no longer serves you and become open and receptive to the potential that life has for you now.

    You will gain greater wisdom, purpose and self-knowledge, combined with greater self-worth and emotional balance. You will leave refocused and de-stressed, and with greater mental and emotional resilience. This profound shift experience will open the doors for you to navigate this rapidly changing world with new tools and a more effective level of awareness and insight.

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    John Homewood, founder of Mind Enhancement Systems and Wisdom to Nourish, is an integrative spiritual Life Coach and inspirational teacher, with more than 20 years of experience in guiding others, both and internationally, to uncover their true essence and purpose in this life. He and his partner, Michelle McClunan, also host Journeys of Awakening.com

12 May 2026
  • Staying In The Flow - A Gentle Yoga And Meditation Retreat

    Teacher: Keelen Naidoo
    Cost: 2 days accommodation
    Dates: Tuesday 12 May 2026 - Thursday 14 May 2026

    keelanThis mid-week retreat will offer gentle hatha yoga and guided meditation and will provide an opportunity to change your perceptions of everyday life, find more balance, and develop more attunement with the present moment. Beginners to yoga and meditation are welcome.

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    Keelan Naidoo offers yoga and meditation as tools to find more peace and balance and to manage the challenges of modern day life. He completed the 200-hour Sivananda hatha yoga teacher training course in Kerala, India (IYA) and worked in the financial services industry for more than a decade. He is currently a resident volunteer at the BRC and offers daily yoga and meditation.

     
15 May 2026
  • THE ALCHEMY OF PRESENCE – Transform Through Conscious Co-Creation - Part One

    Teacher: John Homewood and Michelle McClunan
    Cost: 2 days accommodation + R600 surcharge
    Dates: Friday 15 May 2026 - Sunday 17 May 2026

    john homewood nov2019michelle mcclunanStep into a life‑changing journey of renewal and awakening. This powerful retreat invites you to experience the alchemy of true transformation and fresh beginnings. Through their wisdom, intuitive guidance, and over forty years of combined experience in transformational workshops, John and Michelle will lead you into a space where profound change becomes possible. Together, they weave a rich tapestry of:

    • Deep meditations that quiet the mind and open the heart
    • Process art sessions that are both profound and joyfully creative
    • Energy body movement practices to restore flow and vitality
    • Immersive nature walks that reconnect you with the Earth’s rhythms

    You will be gently guided through processes to release the old patterns and identities that no longer serve you, enabling you to step into the authentic essence of who and what you truly are meant to be now. These two teachers with more than 40 years of combined experience, will gently guide you into embodying the truly life-changing 5 Golden Keys of Awakened Living.

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    Michelle McClunan is a renowned Astrologer, Life Coach and Process Art Facilitator and uses a multi-faceted approach to help people understand themselves, navigate their lives and rediscover their true purpose and potential. Using her own non-outcome based creatively experiential methods, Michelle will guide you into a receptive state, where you are able to receive signals and messages from the intuitive intelligence that resides within you.

    John Homewood, founder of Mind Enhancement Systems cc and Wisdom to Nourish, is an integrative life coach and inspirational teacher with more than 20 years of experience in guiding others, both locally as well as internationally, to find their true essence and purpose in life. He and his partner, Michelle McClunan, also host Journeys of Awakening.com .

17 May 2026
  • THE ALCHEMY OF PRESENCE: Integration And Deepening – Part Two

    Teacher: John Homewood and Michelle McClunan
    Cost: 2 days accommodation + R600 surcharge
    Dates: Sunday 17 May 2026 - Tuesday 19 May 2026

    john homewood nov2019michelle mcclunanFollowing the transformative journey of Part One, Part Two is a continuation, going even deeper. It offers a more intimate and personalised experience integrating the 5 Golden Keys of Awakened Living. With this more select group, John and Michelle will guide you into the deeper meaning and integration of the teachings in practical ways, helping you to embody presence in everyday ways.

    This second retreat is about moving beyond inspiration into application, integrating the alchemy of presence into your relationships, work, health, and daily choices. Through:

    • Focussed counselling and guidance on your personal challenges and life issues
    • Practical tools, nature immersion, and exercises to anchor presence in real‑world situations
    • Deep meditations and energy practices to sustain inner balance
    • Creative and reflective processes that open new pathways of awareness

    This retreat is your opportunity to receive more direct attention, personalised counsel, and practical integration strategies that ensure the shifts begun in Part One take root and flourish in your life.

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    Michelle McClunan is a renowned Astrologer, Life Coach and Process Art Facilitator and uses a multi-faceted approach to help people understand themselves, navigate their lives and rediscover their true purpose and potential. Using her own non-outcome based creatively experiential methods, Michelle will guide you into a receptive state, where you are able to receive signals and messages from the intuitive intelligence that resides within you.

    John Homewood, founder of Mind Enhancement Systems cc and Wisdom to Nourish, is an integrative life coach and inspirational teacher with more than 20 years of experience in guiding others, both locally as well as internationally, to find their true essence and purpose in life. He and his partner, Michelle McClunan, also host Journeys of Awakening.com .

22 May 2026
  • Recovery To Self - How Free Do You Want To Be From Your Addictions?

    Teacher: Warren Shaw
    Cost: 2 days accommodation + R400 surcharge
    Dates: Friday 22 May 2026 - Sunday 24 May 2026

    warren shawWhy do we need to Recover to our true Self - to our Buddha nature? Often we may find ourselves using various substances or strategies addictively which can include everything from food, alcohol, recreational or prescription drugs, social media, or where we are in abusive relationships. When this affects our daily lives and more importantly the relationships that mean the most to us, we have lost our true nature of self.

    In this retreat we will explore the Buddha’s teaching on the cause of suffering (Samudaya), the origin of suffering - our attachment, our craving and ignorance that generate negative karma. We will discover that there is a solution in the Four Noble Truths which results in the end of suffering (Nirhodha) and the possibility of achieving liberation (Nirvana) from the cycle of suffering and the rebirth to our true self (Samsara). Our karma and shortcomings can be removed only by ourselves. We are personally responsible for their creation, and we are responsible for their elimination. This retreat will be helpful to people in need of recovery and speaks to any aspect of ourselves that needs to heal.

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    Warren Shaw holds an Addiction Treatment accreditation from Yale. His journey to recovery started at the BRC. He has had long term sobriety and is passionate about helping others to deal with any addiction that may be causing them suffering. He also runs workshops with his wife Natascha at the BRC exploring the nature of a successful, happy relationship. They live in Johannesburg, with Smokey Joe their Dachshun and travel extensively around our beautiful country and enjoy the gifts of Recovery.

26 May 2026
  • Baby Steps To Living Your Brilliance: Neuroscience, Gratitude, And The Art of Sustainable Transformation

    Teacher: Patti Good
    Cost: 2 days accommodation + R350 surcharge
    Dates: Tuesday 26 May 2026 - Thursday 28 May 2026

    patti good2026This two-day gratitude retreat is designed for people who want real change, not through force or fixing, but through gentle, steady, sustainable transformation. Blending contemporary neuroscience with grounded spiritual practice, this retreat focuses on micro-habits that gently rewire the nervous system while deepening your capacity for presence, gratitude, and self-trust. Rather than aiming for dramatic breakthroughs, we work with small, precise shifts that the brain can actually integrate, changes that continue unfolding long after the retreat ends.

    Over two days, you will learn how gratitude functions not just as a mindset, but as a biological and energetic practice that supports emotional regulation, clarity, and resilience. Through guided experiences, reflection, and simple daily rituals, you will begin installing habits that feel natural, authentic, and aligned with who you truly are. This retreat is for those who sense their brilliance isn’t something to achieve, but something to remember, patiently, kindly, and step by step.

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    Patti Good is not your typical healer; she’s a modern-day alchemist. She combines spiritual wisdom, deep therapeutic and trauma-release techniques, cutting-edge energy medicine, and shamanic healing to inspire meaningful change that truly lasts. A Senior Accredited Journey Therapist, BodyTalk Practitioner, and Reiki Master, Patti co-founded the Inner Journey Clinic on Harley Street in London, where she practised for many years. She is now based in the Cotswolds, working globally with clients to help them liberate their headspace, heal their hearts, reclaim their power and raise their self-worth so radically that living their dreams becomes the only option.

29 May 2026
  • Why Does The Buddha Smile?

    Teacher: Stephen Coan
    Cost: 2 days accommodation + R400 surcharge
    Dates: Friday 29 May 2026 - Sunday 31 May 2026

    stephen coan2024The feast of Wesak is the most important day in the Buddhist calendar, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha 2,500 years ago, and is held annually on the full moon of the lunar month of Vesakha (coincidental with May). We will mark this festival with a programme of sitting and walking meditation plus reflections on the Buddha’s life and teachings and, in union with Buddhists around the world, hold a traditional Wesak ceremony - a lantern-lit circumambulation – on Saturday evening. Apart from a talk or two - some thoughts on the Buddha’s smile - plus discussion, the weekend will place an emphasis on meditation, the basic Buddhist practice common to all traditions – simply breathing in and breathing out – doing exactly what the Buddha did. The schedule will include time to enjoy the beautiful grounds of the Buddhist Retreat Centre.

    *Please note this retreat will be held in Noble Silence.

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    Stephen Coan has been teaching and retreating at the Buddhist Retreat Centre for over three decades. Inspired and informed by the Theravada and Zen Buddhist traditions his retreats place emphasis on the centrality of practice in living a skilful and enlightened life while also exploring the profound benefits of doing nothing, seriously

05 June 2026
  • Izwi Lika Nomkhubulwane: The Voice Of The Mother Within - A Weekend Of Rest, Sacred Sound And Ancestral Remembrance

    Teacher: Buhle Mabanga assisted by Siyabonga Nsizwane & HloniphaniArt Mthethwa
    Cost: 2 days accommodation + R400 surcharge
    Dates: Friday 05 June 2026 - Sunday 07 June 2026

    buhle mabangaThere comes a time when the silence begins to speak.
    It sounds like your grandmother's voice. The wind through the trees. The waters you have cried. The child within, asking to be held.
    This retreat is a listening.

    Izwi lika Nomkhubulwane — the voice of the Great Mother — is an invitation to return. To your body. To your breath. To the memory your blood has been carrying long before you had words for it.

    Over one weekend in the sacred hills of Ixopo, we will slow down enough to hear what has always been trying to reach us. The ancestral wisdom. The inner child. The dream life. The feeling we were never taught to feel. This is not a workshop. It is a remembering.

    What we will move through together:

    • Ubuntu Ishta Yoga — the body as the first doorway
    • Guided ancestral meditations
    • Dream journaling and storytelling
    • Inner child healing
    • Sacred sound healing rituals
    • Sacred walks in nature
    • Restorative silence
    • Moments of stillness, song and community

    Anyone who is ready to feel. Anyone who has been running and is ready to rest. Anyone who senses that their healing is connected to something older than themselves. No experience needed. All are welcome.

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    Buhle Mabanga — known as Nomvula, she who brings the rain — is a yoga and mindfulness teacher, founder of the Nomvula Wellbeing Movement, artist, children's book author and spoken word writer. She has taught at the Buddhist Retreat Centre, Dharmagiri Sacred Mountain Retreat and Waterfall Retreat Centre. She trained with Nandiva from Ishta Yoga and Mark Joseph from Mindful Revolution. Her work is rooted in ancestral healing, inner child healing and the understanding that the body already holds everything we need to come home to ourselves.

    Siyabonga Nsizwane is a sacred percussionist and sound healer who channels ancestral rhythm through drums, breath and vibration. His presence in ceremony is felt before it is heard — rhythm as medicine, as memory, as the heartbeat underneath everything.

    HloniphaniArt Mthethwa — known as HloniphaniArt — is a guitarist, vocalist and multidisciplinary artist born in Catoridge, Durban. Trained at Ekhaya Multi Arts Centre and internationally recognised through productions including Bayede Shaka and Azania, Hloniphani's string work opens what words alone cannot reach. He brings the melodic thread that runs between the living and the remembered.

12 June 2026
  • Traditional Hatha And Raja Yoga

    Teacher: Duncan Rice
    Cost: 2 days accommodation + R350 surcharge
    Dates: Friday 12 June 2026 - Sunday 14 June 2026

    duncanrice fullJoin Duncan for a weekend of reflection, rejuvenation, relaxation and restoration. The retreat is based on the ancient practices of hatha and raja yoga and is open to all levels of ability, including beginners, who wish to understand the fundamentals of yoga and develop, or deepen, their own practice. In the tranquil environment of the Buddhist Retreat Centre, we will discover how shatkarmas (cleansing techniques), asanas (postures), pranayama (control of the breath), mudra (gestures to manipulate and stimulate the energies in the body), bandhas (energy locks with the body) bring us into equilibrium. These traditional practices will help us to develop awareness of body, mind and breath. As the body gently opens like a lotus flower, and we start to release our past impressions, so the mind becomes relaxed preparing us for meditation. We will follow traditional guided meditation techniques in the meditation hall and in the labyrinth to quieten the mind, calm anxieties, recover balance in life and enhance creativity, insight and self-reflection.

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    Duncan Rice offers community-based yoga at "Yogam Yoga" in Durban. He has studied and lived in India for many years and has followed the teachings of Patanjali (Ashtanga Yoga), Ayurveda and Hatha Yoga which are laid down in some of the oldest texts of yoga. His yoga is rooted in ancient tradition passed down by the teachers over thousands of years teaching that we are a multi-layered being from our physical body to your subtle body. Yoga is about creating health and equilibrium in our body, calming the mind and allowing us to be in touch and at peace with our true self.

19 June 2026
  • Wisdom of Wintering - A Yoga Retreat

    Teacher: Carey Would and Christie Holt
    Cost: 2 days accommodation + R400 surcharge
    Dates: Friday 19 June 2026 - Sunday 21 June 2026

    carey wouldchristie holtJoin Carey and Christie as we return home to the essence of our beings. Through meditation, yoga, and talks exploring the themes of rest and ritual, we will remember what it means to live in a rested and rooted state. As the winter solstice draws us into the quiet heart of the year, we invite you to join for a soulful yoga retreat to restore. Held during the longest night and the turning point toward light, this retreat offers a pause, a time to slow down, reconnect with your inner landscape, and honour the wisdom that emerges from stillness. We will offer grounding yoga practices such as fireside yin and mindful slow flows as well as mindful meditation practices and a winter solstice circle, honouring the ritual of being with the season as it is. We will also offer a Rituals for Radiance workshop to explore how we can tend to ourselves in our day to day. This is a space to exhale, to retreat inward and reflect on the first half of the year and what is yet to come.

    Whether you’re feeling depleted, curious, or simply called to pause, Wisdom of Wintering offers a deeply supportive container to restore your body, quiet your mind, and rekindle your inner light.

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    Carey Would has been teaching yoga for over ten years, and is an accredited Mindfulness Facilitator. As her own practice has evolved, so too has her teaching. She teaches inclusively for all levels and at a pace best described as slow, and mindful. Recently, she has also deepened her appreciation of nature by becoming a Nature Facilitator within the Kinship Programme, whose overarching mission is to cultivate a critically conscious community who practise and advocate for sustainable living. Alongside her yoga and mindfulness practice, she is focused on child-led, immersive, inquiry-based learning in nature. Her classes which fuse nature, mindfulness and yogic principles together have been described as ‘a balm for the nervous system’.

    Christie Holt is a Canadian-born yogi who has found a home in South Africa. With a deep reverence for both nature and yoga, she weaves these together to inspire others to live in harmony with the earth and the land. Through her teachings, she encourages students to reconnect with their innate sense of belonging - to their inner light and and to one another. She nurtures a sense of community and connection, inviting all to return to their bodies and the present moment at her open-air studio, Kāya Shala.

22 June 2026
  • Mid-year Solstice Immersion

    Teacher: Karen Verburgh
    Cost: 3 days accommodation + R450 surcharge
    Dates: Monday 22 June 2026 - Thursday 25 June 2026

    karen verburghThe winter solstice is an ideal time to take stock, reflect, reset, and realign for the rest of the year. This mid-year retreat will help participants find their flow and will focus on connecting with ourselves, our bodies and the dynamics at play in our lives, allowing for rest and rejuvenation. Activities will include nature walks, conscious movement (like Mana moves and qigong), meditation, storytelling, deep listening circles, and Family & Systems Constellations. We will go slow with time for reflection. The retreat will be emergent, depending on who we are as individuals and as a group, and the aim is to be present and connect with what unfolds. Karen will be offering Kahuna massage afetr the retreat by appointment.

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    Karen Verburgh has been supporting individuals, teams, and organizations since 2000 in finding and maintaining a state of flow. Her approach varies based on the needs of those she works with. For teams and organizations, she often provides coaching, training, and Constellations. For individuals she offers coaching and counselling, Family & Systems Constellations, and Kahuna Bodywork. She always works systemically - “Sensing into what is emerging and what life is calling me to do I have practised for a long time. It helps to stay grounded, centred and purposeful. I love life, as well as my work." For thos wishing to stay on, Karen will be offering Kahuna massage by appointment.

26 June 2026
  • From Seeking To Seeing - The Heart Of Meditation

    Teacher: Dave Gardner
    Cost: 2 days accommodation + R450 surcharge
    Dates: Friday 26 June 2026 - Sunday 28 June 2026

    dave gardner 2022In this weekend retreat, participants can expect to be guided gently through the process of becoming mindful through meditation and movement. David will lead sitting meditation as well as walking and moving meditation in the inspiring and nourishing sanctuary of the BRC. He will also facilitate intentional open discussions around the fire to stoke the wholesome sparks of enquiry and deep listening. Whether you are a beginner or committed practitioner, this process will empower you to cultivate presence, clarity, adaptability, creativity and patience. The retreat will be held in an atmosphere of noble silence and introspection.

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    David Gardner has been teaching for 13 years and studied meditation, yoga, martial arts, movement, acrobatics and dance with some remarkable teachers across the world. He formed 'Original Condition' - a practice for people to remember the heart of life. He is a preceptee at Poplar Grove and has been practising with Antony and Margie Osler within the Zen tradition. Dave has also been inspired by Joseph Goldstein, Bhikkhu Anālayo, Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach.

28 June 2026
  • From Seeking to Seeing - The Heart Of Meditation (3 Day Extension)

    Teacher: Dave Gardner
    Cost: 3 days accommodation + R450 surcharge
    Dates: Sunday 28 June 2026 - Wednesday 01 July 2026

    dave gardner 2022This 3-day extension will allow for a deepening and continuity of practice from the momentum gained over the weekend. Participants can expect to be guided gently through the process of becoming mindful through meditation and movement. David will lead sitting meditation as well as walking and moving meditation in the inspiring and nourishing sanctuary of the BRC. He will also facilitate intentional open discussions around the fire to stoke the wholesome sparks of enquiry and deep listening. Whether you are a beginner or committed practitioner, this process will empower you to cultivate presence, clarity, adaptability, creativity and patience. The retreat will be held in an atmosphere of noble silence and introspection.

    View teacher details
    David Gardner has been teaching for 13 years and studied meditation, yoga, martial arts, movement, acrobatics and dance with some remarkable teachers across the world. He formed 'Original Condition' - a practice for people to remember the heart of life. He is a preceptee at Poplar Grove and has been practising with Antony and Margie Osler within the Zen tradition. Dave has also been inspired by Joseph Goldstein, Bhikkhu Anālayo, Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach.

03 July 2026
  • Iyengar Yoga: Nudging The Body Into Shape And Health

    Teacher: Judy Farah
    Cost: 2 days accommodation + R450 surcharge
    Dates: Friday 03 July 2026 - Sunday 05 July 2026

    judy farah2019Get moving again! The upsurge of interest in the ancient practice of yoga attests to its proven physiological and psychological benefits. Our sedentary, western lifestyle has stiffened our limbs and spine to such an extent that many people find the yoga asanas (poses) difficult to perform. Iyengar yoga evolved to deal with this problem - safely, without forcing the body into harmful contortions. Iyengar yoga uses simple, but carefully calibrated props and other supports to achieve postures that would otherwise be unattainable except after years of practice. This retreat is suitable for beginners and for those who may have practised other forms of yoga. It is an introduction to the Iyengar method. For those who wish to consolidate their practice to a deeper level, the additional 5-day retreat is strongly recommended (6-11 July).

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    Judy Farah began her yoga practice at the age of 18 and has been teaching Iyengar yoga for the past 20 years. She has travelled to Pune many times to study and practise under the guidance of Gurus, BKS, Geetaji and Prashantji. She has attended many seminars of visiting Senior Iyengar teachers and travelled extensively to study under various other Iyengar teachers. This included doing a 6-year Medical/Remedial Course with Stephanie Quirk. It is her ongoing devotion to yoga practice that is her driving force in life.

05 July 2026
  • Iyengar Yoga: Deepening Your Practice

    Teacher: Judy Farah
    Cost: 5 days accommodation + R450 surcharge
    Dates: Sunday 05 July 2026 - Friday 10 July 2026

    judy farah2019For those who wish to consolidate and deepen their yoga practice, this 5-day intensive retreat is highly recommended. Apart from increased levels of fitness and vitality, you will reap the benefits of being in the tranquil, natural environment of Ixopo. You will leave feeling stretched, relaxed and fit for life.

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    Judy Farah began her yoga practice at the age of 18 and has been teaching Iyengar yoga for the past 19 years. She has travelled to Pune many times to study and practise under the guidance of Gurus, BKS, Geetaji and Prashantji. She has attended many seminars of visiting Senior Iyengar teachers and travelled extensively to study under various other Iyengar teachers. This included doing a 6-year Medical/Remedial Course with Stephanie Quirk. It is her ongoing devotion to yoga practice that is her driving force in life.

10 July 2026
  • Pixels And Precepts: Navigating Mindfulness And Technology

    Teacher: Shogan Parker
    Cost: 2 days accommodation + R350 surcharge
    Dates: Friday 10 July 2026 - Sunday 12 July 2026

    shogan parkerWe live online - scrolling, swiping, clicking, posting. Tech isn’t optional anymore; it’s the air we breathe. But what if the same devices that fragment our attention could also wake us up? This retreat goes straight into the digital fire. Phones and devices aren’t banned - they are part of the practice. We will meditate with them, use them, and examine the way they wire our choices and shape our sense of self. Expect meditation, silent reflection, mindful app use, and sharp discussion. Expect to see your habits in the light of the Noble Eightfold Path: algorithms meet Right View,
    social feeds meet Right Speech, endless scrolling meets Right Concentration. You won’t leave with a digital detox - you will leave with a retooled relationship. Your device will carry a new homescreen: curated apps, links, and practices that help, technology serve awakening instead of scattering it. Bring your phone. Bring your habits. Bring your curiosity.

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    William (Shogan) has been practising meditation for nearly 20 years, cultivating stillness and inquiry. He took precepts with Dae Chong, Osho at Poplar Grove and now leads morning and evening zazen at the BRC, weaving verses from the Dhammapada into meditation for reflection and insight. With a keen interest in how the Dharma might evolve in an AI-driven, multiplanetary future, he embraces both tradition and possibility. He also guides qigong in the mornings and offers tai chi in the afternoons, integrating movement into mindfulness. His practice is an invitation - to sit, to move, and to explore the ever-expanding nature of awareness.
     

12 July 2026
  • No Cure For You: If Buddha Were Your Psychoanalyst

    Teacher: Dr Jason Ross
    Cost: 4 days accommodation + R450 surcharge
    Dates: Sunday 12 July 2026 - Thursday 16 July 2026

    jason ross2024Through a merging of concepts from Existential Psychoanalysis and Secular Buddhism, this retreat explores Buddhism as a form of therapeutic living and  will take us from the concept of inherent “lack” (sunyata), through “longing” (“tanha”), to “love” (metta). Along this journey, we will consider the implications of the Buddhist notion of “non-self” (anatta) for the practice of psychotherapy and its practical application to our everyday lives. This retreat involves philosophical discussion, therapeutic engagement, a variety of sitting practices, walking meditation, basic yoga (no experience needed), written reflection and group discussion. It is an ideal retreat for those interested in a practical, therapeutic and atheist (non-soteriological) approach to Buddhism.

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    Dr Jason Ross is a practising psychologist with a PhD in Philosophy and Psychoanalysis from the Global Centre of Advanced Studies. He takes a critical stance towards conventional psychology and its ideas of what it means to be supposedly normal. He proposes a move away from its impoverished language of diagnosing individual experience and a return to a more embodied, socially embedded, poetic and philosophical engagement with our struggles. He campaigns for a psychology that is more interested in providing a therapeutic experience than attempting to explain our problems away. He is particularly sceptical of Psychology’s more recent incorporation of “mindfulness” into its methodology, viewing this as a contradiction of the Buddhist philosophy from which “mindfulness” originally emerged. His work, therefore, attempts to do justice to the existential philosophical thread that runs through most Buddhist teachings, merging this with an existential psychoanalytic method. Jason was first introduced to Buddhism through the teachings of Rob Nairn and Louis Van Loon in the 90’s, and his hope is to pay tribute to the legacy of these teachings. He is currently most influenced by the work of Stephen Batchelor and David Loy.

17 July 2026
  • Fear To Fundamental Well-Being: Healing Relaxation, Yoga And Meditation

    Teacher: Albert Osel
    Cost: 2 or 3 days accommodation + R450 surcharge
    Dates: Friday 17 July 2026 - Monday 20 July 2026

    albert st mammes oselAlbert will offer a relaxation retreat with methods to soothe and balance the nervous system, and heal the mind from excessive negative thought patterns. Counteracting the contractions of chronic stress will help participants access states of bliss, clarity, peace and kindness.

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    Albert Osel has travelled the world to learn the best methods for subduing the stress response, after he recovered from debilitating anxiety himself. A former novice monk, he now runs workshops for people struggling with severe anxiety, and facilitates mindfulness programs in the corporate environment. As a member of Harvard's Langer Mindfulness Institute he has taken his workshops to an international audience. His book, Angel of Fear, was published in 2016.

     
21 July 2026
  • Money As Spiritual Practice - Learn How Money Can Bridge Your Material And Spiritual Life And Become A Form Of Spiritual Practice

    Teacher: Felicity Hart
    Cost: 2 days accommodation + R400 surcharge
    Dates: Tuesday 21 July 2026 - Thursday 23 July 2026

    felicityjoanhart2025Engaging with money often feels stressful, regardless of our financial situation. It frequently evokes fear and anxiety, with our minds focusing on worries about scarcity, loss, or depletion. These conditioned thinking patterns focus our attention on what is lacking, and over time preoccupation with money can negatively impact other areas of life.

    Join Felicity Joan to discover how money can serve as a bridge between your material and spiritual life, transforming it into an integral part of your spiritual practice. This retreat is designed to help you explore four spiritual disciplines, two spiritual laws, and a self-directed challenge. The goal is to reshape your beliefs about money, establish a healthy relationship with it, learn how to assign money its rightful place in your life, and allow it to become a conscious aspect of your spiritual journey.

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    Felicity Joan Hart is an experienced teacher, mindfulness facilitator, wisdom keeper, guide, and coach specialising in the integration of spirituality into all areas of life and well-being. With almost forty years of experience in yoga, mindfulness, and meditation, she leverages her extensive expertise to design bespoke programmes that support individuals in cultivating self-awareness and pursuing enlightened living. She holds an Honours Degree in Psychology, a certification in Mindfulness-Based Interventions from the University of Stellenbosch, as well as international coaching qualifications. She is currently studying to become a spiritual director with the Centre of Contemplative Spirituality, Pretoria. Her teaching style is interesting, intuitive, precise, responsive, and engaging. When not working, you will find Felicity happily designing, decorating, and tending to her herb garden. She is a firm believer in the healing power of naps, walks in nature, quiet time, and chocolate.

24 July 2026
  • Embracing Impermanence : A Raku Workshop – With A Taste Of Forest Bathing, Sound Therapy And Reflexology

    Teacher: Sharon Paterson, Bernard Chatikobo, Belinda Best and Shogan Parker
    Cost: 2 or 5 days accommodation + R350 surcharge
    Dates: Friday 24 July 2026 - Wednesday 29 July 2026

    sharon patersonbernard chatikobo2025belinda bestshogan parkerJoin Sharon for a unique and meditative ceramics/pottery workshop, where we will explore the ancient art of Raku, a traditional Japanese technique which celebrates the beauty of imperfection and impermanence.

    In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn the basics of Raku, from preparing and shaping the clay to glazing and firing, embracing the unpredictability of the firing process and the beauty of imperfection. Included will be an organic saggar firing where participants will be shaping and burnishing their pots. These will be fired in a drum surrounded by organic materials. As these combustible materials burn, they produce a reduction atmosphere within the saggar which reacts with the clay. This method results in unique, subtle, unpredictable results. These are one-of-a-kind pieces that showcase the beauty of chance and unpredictability in the firing process.

    Through this creative journey, we will cultivate mindfulness - letting go of expectation and embracing the present moment. No prior ceramics experience is necessary – just an open heart and mind. We look forward to sharing this transformative experience with you.

    For an immersive and holistic experience:

    Bernard Chatikobo will be offering forest walks and introducing 'forest bathing' with traditional Mbira music for healing and harmony

    Belinda Best from “White Lotus Oneness” will be offering Reflexology blended with Himalayan Sound Alchemy and Rife Frequency therapy.

    Shogan will be offering a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony on the final evening.

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    Sharon Paterson is a potter and stained glass artist. Currently, she teaches pottery at her studio in Ballito and has a retail shop in Salt Rock. The sea and life style influence her style of pottery. She produced a lot of wild life pottery and dinnerware  while living in Mpumalanga for thirty-four years. Recently, she and a friend collaborated online and started a website called Curiosity. Their slogan is “Ceramics for Change” and their ambition is to empower local artists and give them a place to work and platform from which to sell their art. 

    Bernard Chatikobo is a part-time ranger in the Hawaan Forest in Durban where he takes people on guided walks, introducing 'forest bathing' and traditional Mbira music for healing and harmony. His passion is trees and birds. He will be leading the walks over this retreat where one can immerse oneself in nature and find inner serenity.

    Belinda Best is a Reflexologist, BioResonance and Rife Practitioner, Sound Healer, Reiki Practitioner, and Enneagram Coach,  who uses an integrated  therapeutic approach to assist people on their journey to vibrant wellness.

    William (Shogan) has been practising meditation for nearly 20 years, cultivating stillness and inquiry. He took precepts with Dae Chong, Osho at Poplar Grove and now leads morning and evening zazen at the BRC, weaving verses from the Dhammapada into meditation for reflection and insight. With a keen interest in how the Dharma might evolve in an AI-driven, multiplanetary future, William embraces both tradition and possibility. He also guides qigong in the mornings and offers tai chi in the afternoons, integrating movement into mindfulness. His practice is an invitation - to sit, to move, and to explore the ever-expanding nature of awareness.

31 July 2026
  • Reset for The Latter Half Of 2026: Meditation, Qigong, Yoga And Healing Treatments

    Teacher: Brendon Small, Kugan Naidoo, Warren Horsley and Nolwazi Bandezi
    Cost: 2 days accommodation + R500 surcharge
    Dates: Friday 31 July 2026 - Sunday 02 August 2026

    brendon smallkugan naidoo lotuswarren horsleynolwazi bandeziIf you are yearning for a serene environment to explore the possibilities that await you in the second half of 2026, this largely unstructured weekend promises to be enriching and rejuvenating. Immerse yourself in the calming practices of qigong, meditation, and hatha yoga guided by skilled instructors Brendon, Kugan and Warren. Additionally, Nolwazi Bandezi, a qualified therapist, will be available for personalized healing therapies by appointment, enhancing your journey of self-discovery.

    The BRC offers the perfect backdrop for you to embrace the art of simply "being," allowing you to connect deeply with yourself and the world around you. Join us for a transformative experience that invites reflection, healing, and growth.

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    Brendon Small has been exposed to various traditions and teachers on the Buddhist path over the last two decades and has attended a number of retreats at the BRC. He is a firm believer in the importance of meditation and mindfulness and enjoys sharing his enthusiasm for practice.

    Kugan Naidoo, a certified Iyengar Yoga teacher, began his yoga journey at the tender age of ten, learning and practising at the Divine Life Society Ashram, Durban. His love of yoga led him to complete a 200 hr TTC with Yoga Alliance, followed by a 200 hr TTC in Advanced Yoga in Nasik, Maharashtra, India. In 2017 he completed a 300 hr TTC in Restorative and Therapy Yoga, in Rishikesh, followed by a 3 year Iyengar Level 1 Teacher Training Course. In addition, Kugan completed intensive training at the RIMYI, Iyengar Institute in Pune, India, under the leadership and guidance of Geeta Iyengar, Prashanth Iyengar and Abhijata Iyengar. He has led several programmes at schools, gyms and rehabilitation facilities working closely with several organizations as well as the office of the Consulate General of India in Durban. Apart from recording the ‘Yoga For Wellness’, Series 1 and 2 for SABC TV 3, he has led the International Day Of Yoga celebrations in Durban for several years. In 2018, Kugan was diagnosed with a debilitating Auto Immune Disease and was unable to teach, but he used the power of yoga for his transformation and healing journey.

    Warren Horsely has been deeply fascinated by Eastern philosophy and practices since childhood. His dedication to personal growth and holistic well-being has led him to train extensively in various martial arts disciplines, including Karate, Kung Fu, and Muay Thai. Among these, he has developed a particular passion for Qigong and Taoist meditative practices, notably the Inner Smile and Microcosmic Orbit techniques. In addition to his martial arts pursuits, Warren has a profound appreciation for nature, which is reflected in his professional role as a landscape and environmental manager. He advocates for a balanced approach to life, emphasizing the importance of harmonizing physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. His commitment to integrating these principles into his daily life and work serves as an inspiration to those around him.

    Nolwazi Bandezi, a therapist and owner of Neno, a 100% women-owned business located in Morningside, Durban, will be offering treatments such as tension relief massage using a combination of different therapies (Swedish, Lomi Lomi, Myofascial, deep tissue therapy, lymphatic drainage massage) and incorporated is Thai stretch therapy, Reflexology and Ayurvedic Head massage.

03 August 2026
  • Light, Angles And Zen: A Photographic Workshop

    Teacher: Andrew Brown
    Cost: 2 days accommodation + R350 surcharge
    Dates: Monday 03 August 2026 - Wednesday 05 August 2026

    andrew brownAlthough aimed mostly at beginners and those with an intermediate knowledge of photography, anybody interested in using the beauty, variety and inspiration found at the retreat centre to improve their photography, is welcome. The basic technical aspects will be briefly taught and explained, and retreatants will use this knowledge, along with a Zen type of mindfulness and awareness to endeavor to remove some of their “suffering” and improve the way they look at photography. The emphasis will be on fun and looking at the art of photography with a different mindset. Please bring a camera, a tripod, flash units, spare batteries and a sense of humour.

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    Andrew Brown received his first camera at eight years old and has retained his love for photography since then. He thinks of himself primarily as a travel photographer, which effectively covers many genres: food, architecture, street, portraiture, landscapes and wildlife. He occasionally writes too and has had articles published in Food and Home Entertaining magazine. A regular visitor to the BRC, he tries to apply Zen and Buddhist philosophy to his photography and believes in getting the picture right the first time. He also leads groups of unsuspecting photographers into the markets in Durban, hoping to show them how the other side lives.

07 August 2026
  • Going With The Flow: Integrating Meditation And Mindfulness Into Our Daily Life

    Teacher: Bruce van Dogen
    Cost: 2 days accommodation + R350
    Dates: Friday 07 August 2026 - Sunday 09 August 2026

    brucevandongen dog2026Join Bruce in exploring the roots of mindful awareness through Kundalini yoga. Immerse yourself in the transformative practices of meditation, chanting and the gentle resonance of the gong and crystal bowls for healing relaxation - practices that nurture your mind, body and spirit enhancing inner peace and vitality.

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    Bruce van Dongen founded the Waterfall Retreat & Environmental Centre in 2003. An engineer by profession, he returned to KwaZulu-Natal to create a sanctuary rooted in environmental care, inspired by yoga, meditation, and deep respect for nature.

     
10 August 2026
  • A Journey Into Emotional Healing Through The Chakras

    Teacher: Rose Rapson
    Cost: 2 days accommodation + R350 surcharge
    Dates: Monday 10 August 2026 - Wednesday 12 August 2026

    rose rapson 2026This retreat offers a gentle yet powerful introduction to emotional healing through the understanding and balancing of the body’s energy centres, known as chakras. The retreat will combine guided exploration of your body’s energy centres and restorative healing techniques for inner alignment, stress releif and emaotional clarity.

    You will leave feeling lighter, more grounded, and emotionally clearer to continue your healing journey, maintain balance and reconnect with a deeper sense of peace and alignment in your everyday life.

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    Rose Rapson is a dedicated Reiki Master and practitioner based in Durban. With over two decades of experience, she is passionate about supporting and empowering others to optimize their well-being through the transformative art of Reiki and Chakra work. Her Reiki journey began in 1998 and it has been a profound path of self-discovery, spiritual growth and physical healing. She had the privilege of training under two Reiki Masters, culminating in the completion of her Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki Master training in 2016, which inspired her passion for teaching Reiki to others.

14 August 2026
  • Feedme Slowly - Somatic Eating And Movement Retreat

    Teacher: Nicholas McLean
    Cost: 2 days accommodation + R500 surcharge
    Dates: Friday 14 August 2026 - Sunday 16 August 2026

    nicholas mcleanThe Slow Way Retreat Part 1 Feed Me Slowly - Somatic Eating And Moving Retreat

    In a world ruled by speed and distraction, The Slow Way Retreat offers a gentle invitation to pause, smell, taste and reconnect with the magic of life through food. Guided by Nicholas McLean, FeedmeGreen founder, we will explore intuitive SomaSensing movement, presence in nature, and of course The Slow Feast — a practice of somatic eating that awakens the senses and cultivates presence. This weekend of slowness restores balance to the nervous system, deepens awareness, and awakens the joy of living. Through slowness, life comes alive.

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    Nicholas McLean is a Slow Way Ambassador, Curator of Conscious Nourishment and Founder of FeedmeGreen. A Somatic guide, facilitator, and food alchemist, he is devoted to helping people slow down, connect deeply with Life, and nourish themselves holistically. Through Slow Feasts, Slow Way Trails and the Slow Way Programs, he invites you into presence, heightened awareness, and a joyful sense of community. His offerings are grounded in a reverence for nature, with somatic awareness, and in faith that food - when approached slowly and mindfully - can be one of life's greatest teachers and medicines.

16 August 2026
  • Feedme Slowly - Holistic Gut Healing Retreat

    Teacher: Nicholas McLean
    Cost: 3 days accommodation + R500 surcharge
    Dates: Sunday 16 August 2026 - Wednesday 19 August 2026

    nicholas mcleanThe Slow Way Retreat Part 2: Feed Me Slowly - Holistic Gut Healing Retreat

    This extended retreat offers a deeper journey into The Slow Way building on from the weekend retreat. A holistic yogic retreat uniting nutrition and gut health with nervous-system awareness, and embodied mindfulness. Nicholas McLean of FeedmeGreen will be your guide within -  through SomaSensing movement, presence in nature, and immersive Slow Feasts, exploring somatic eating as a tool for deeper nourishment, awareness, and restoration. By slowing down and tuning in, we restore vitality, balance digestion, and open to feel life's immense energy.

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    Nicholas McLean is a Somatic Health guide and the Founder of FeedmeGreen. He creates immersive experiences that help people slow down, reconnect with their bodies, and explore presence through movement, nature, and Slow Feasts — a practice of somatic eating that celebrates life and nourishes on all levels. Through his retreats and programs, Nicholas invites participants into heightened awareness, restored vitality, and joyful connection, fostering a deeper sense of aliveness and harmony with self, others, and the natural world.

     

21 August 2026
  • Three Treasures For Mindful Living - A Pathway To Balance

    Teacher: Bridget Hawkins
    Cost: 2 days accommodation + R400 surcharge
    Dates: Friday 21 August 2026 - Sunday 23 August 2026

    bridget hawkins2024

    In this retreat, we will explore three fundamental areas of our human experience, the three treasures - a healthy body, a happy heart, and a clear and present mind - to create an awareness of and implement techniques for harmony and balance in everyday life. This  relaxed retreat will  incorporate blended sessions of yoga and qigong. We will practise various breathwork and meditative techniques and explore our creativity with an introduction to Neurographic Drawing, a mindful, automatic style of drawing developed by Russian psychologist Pavel Piskarev. The premise is that we are able to rewire our neural pathways when practising this style of meditative drawing. It is a simple therapeutic technique which does not require any artistic experience. We will also take an in-depth look at water crystalography and its spiritual significance by looking at the studies of people like Masaru Emoto and Veda Austin. There will be plenty of time to absorb the stillness of the beautiful surroundings of the BRC with meditative walks and sunset qigong.

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    Bridget Hawkins has immersed herself in Hatha Yoga for 25 years, teaching both adults and children's yoga for the past 13 years. She teaches a blended form of yoga and qigong, finding that both disciplines have a synchronistic energetic flow that is therapeutic, particularly benefiting those with health issues and injuries. Two years of research into various mindful practices, including neurographic drawing, led Bridget to create a beta program where participants spent a month implementing mindful practices, improved eating habits, exercise, and creative endeavurs. This became the foundation of the Three Treasures Mindful Living program. In 2024, she put the Three Treasures Mindful Living program into booklet form, adding stories to make it a user-friendly guide and useful toolto refer to afetr the retreat.

24 August 2026
  • The Deepening - Find Your Way Back To Nature Healing

    Teacher: Bernard Chatikobo and Chris Rooke
    Cost: 2 days accommodation + R400 surcharge
    Dates: Monday 24 August 2026 - Wednesday 26 August 2026
    bernard chatikobo2025chris rookeBorn out of Back2NatureSA and now evolved into NatureHealingWithBernard, this retreat is a sanctuary for those seeking true presence and inner renewal. Through forest basking, energy healing, mindful walking and the ancient resonance of mbira music, participants are guided to restore energy, sharpen focus, strengthen confidence, and embody calm - in the midst of life’s struggles. Led by Bernard Chatikobo, this journey is more than a retreat. It is a return to the quiet intelligence of nature, a reconnection with your inner self, and a step into the deepening of your mind, body, and spirit. Chris Rooke will be offering qigong daily.
     
    This is where you find your way back.


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    Bernard Chatikobo, Usui Reiki Master and Nature Guide at the  Hawaan Forest Nature Reserve, is the founder of NatureHealingWithBernie. He offers retreats designed for profound reconnection, blending forest basking, mindful walking, energy healing and mbira sound journeys with practical tools to boost energy, improve focus and master presence. Trusted by participants for his deep knowledge of nature and energy healing, Bernard helps people discover that true calm is measured by how we respond in times of stress, not by the absence of challenge. His retreats invite a deep return to nature, a reclamation of balance. 

    Chris Rooke began his journey into complementary health in London in the 1980's studying Zen Shiatsu, Macrobiotics, Taichi and Qigong. In 1992 he emigrated to South Africa and presently practises Iridology and the Trauma Release Process. He also teaches a number of qigong forms in the Upper Highway area such as White Crane, Zhan Zhaung, Chi Lel and Five Yin Organ qigong.

28 August 2026
  • Returning To Being: A Restorative Retreat

    Teacher: Marrion Clarke and Carey Would
    Cost: 2 days accommodation + R400 surcharge
    Dates: Friday 28 August 2026 - Sunday 30 August 2026

    marrion clarke2025carey wouldWhen we reflect on how best to support others, we sense a clear and growing need - not only for a beautiful, nourishing space to retreat to, but also for practices that guide us gently back into the fullness of being. In the tranquil embrace of nature, we will explore ways of loosening the grip of habitual busyness and reconnecting with what softens, soothes, and restores us.

    This retreat offers a gentle blend of mindfulness, breathwork, yoga, and compassion-based practices - all grounded in present-moment awareness. We will spend time in stillness and in movement, with guided practices to support emotional regulation, embodied presence, and a deeper sense of ease. There will be spacious periods of silence, as well as time for sharing in our human experience. We will have time to immerse in the natural beauty of the surrounding forests and gardens. Whether you are feeling depleted, seeking clarity, or simply longing for deep rest, this retreat is an invitation to return to your own steady centre.

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    Marrion Clarke turned to yoga as a lifeline - and what began as a search for balance became a journey back to herself. Having completed her 200 and 300-hour Yoga Teacher Trainings in 2014 and 2022, she continues to find enchantment in the transformative power of this ancient practice. A dozen years later, and she still calls the mat 'home' as she guides her students to peel back their layers, laugh at their imperfections, and rediscover the brilliance that has been within them all along. Her philosophy is simple, yet profound: to love and embrace our shadow as tenderly as our light - for it is in this sacred dance that true transformation unfolds.

    Carey Would has been teaching yoga for over ten years, and is an accredited Mindfulness Facilitator. As her own practice has evolved, so too has her teaching. She teaches inclusively for all levels and at a pace best described as slow, and mindful. Recently, she has also deepened her appreciation of nature by becoming a Nature Facilitator within the Kinship Programme, whose overarching mission is to cultivate a critically conscious community who practise and advocate for sustainable living. Alongside her yoga and mindfulness practice, she is focused on child-led, immersive, inquiry-based learning in nature. Her classes which fuse nature, mindfulness and yogic principles together have been described as ‘a balm for the nervous system’.

04 September 2026
  • Living With More Everyday Joy

    Teacher: Jane McIntyre
    Cost: 2 days accommodation + R400 surcharge
    Dates: Friday 04 September 2026 - Sunday 06 September 2026

    jane mcintyreThis retreat will help you embed more Joy in your everyday life through the simple practices of Gratitude, Connection and Playfulness. It is based on the brain science of wellness and performance, the Global Joy Summit on the wisdom of the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, as well as incorporating daily practices of The Artist’s Way. The objective is to leave behind a few habits that have really proved to make a difference in the way we experience the work we do, the interactions we have and our response to even the most difficult challenges. It is a genuine opportunity to make a real and lasting shift that puts that bounce back into your step. Jane has applied the tools and practices we will use in this retreat over many years, and found them to be invaluable in her own life and those of the people she has coached and trained through Artist’s Way and Joy courses she has run. Please bring a journal and pen.

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    Jane McIntyre has led business teams as a manager and a coach in South Africa and across Europe, lectured at UKZN and VEGA, and facilitated several spiritual and creativity courses. She is passionate about implementing what she learnt through post grad Neuro-leadership studies, The Artist’s Way and The School of Practical Philosophy about how we focus and wire our brains to live with more connection and joy. In her opinion, Joy is one of the most valuable and empowering gifts we can give ourselves and others.

09 September 2026
  • Always Already: An Exploration of Mindfulness Without Effort

    Teacher: Dr Simon Whitesman
    Cost: 4 days accommodation + R400 surcharge
    Dates: Wednesday 09 September 2026 - Sunday 13 September 2026

    simon whitesmanFor many of us who have been on the path of self-discovery and awakening, the paradox of this process reveals itself sooner or later: on the one hand, the steady, developmental, aspirational path that leads towards liberation at some indefinable future and on the other, the growing realisation that this liberative possibility is always and already available, right where we are. The subtle shift that begins to happen is an increasing curiosity and enquiry into the quality and sense of Awareness itself, rather than what Awareness is aware of i.e. the objects of awareness or contents of consciousness. This transition is a subtle one. It invites momentary glimpses, a non-conceptual recognition, of the sense of Awareness that is always available – the prior condition - irrespective of our present experience. This retreat will be an exploration for those who sense their practice is transitioning at this inflection point. A regular contemplative practice is usually necessary as the ground from which to enquire and explore these glimpses. This foundation allows us to be aware of, and be able to work with the tendency to be identified with the thinking mind. We will explore meditation, softening into effortlessness, alongside enquiry as way to sense our way into this simple, subtle quality of the Awareness that is always already whole, in the spirit of curiosity, communal support and care. This will be less about getting somewhere, going ‘deeper’ or changing our state, but rather seeing what is already available right where we are, however we are. There will also be ample space and time for rest, being in nature, connecting or dropping into silence.

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    Dr Simon Whitesman MBChB PhD is a Cape Town based integrative medical doctor, psychotherapist and mindfulness teacher with over 30 years of experience at the intersection of medicine, psychotherapy and contemplative practice. He has a medical degree from the University of Cape Town and PhD from Stellenbosch University, holds a diploma in psychodynamic psychotherapy and is an accredited teacher of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR). He is the founder of the Institute for Mindfulness South Africa, a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting training and community access to context-relevant and trauma sensitive mindfulness practice. In 2012 he developed and co-taught a 2-year professional training in Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs) in collaboration with Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. More recently he created a shorter, accessible 3-month online course, designed to equip professionals with brief, trauma-sensitive practices relevant to their work settings. His contemplative journey began in 1992 and incorporates both universal Dharma (contemporary mindfulness) and Buddhadharma, Advaita Vedanta, with increasing orientation towards non-dual awareness teachings. His root teachers include Jon Kabat-Zinn, Kittisaro and Thanissara, Martin Ayelward, Adyashanti and Mingyur Rinpoche.

18 September 2026
  • Somatic Movement - Ease of Being

    Teacher: Lisa Firer
    Cost: 2 days accommodation + R400 surcharge
    Dates: Friday 18 September 2026 - Sunday 20 September 2026

    lisa firer 2024Join Lisa for a deeply relaxing and nourishing weekend of mindfulness-based Clinical Somatic Movement. Exploring the communication between the brain, nervous system and muscular-fascial systems, we will learn about pandiculation, nature's way of releasing built-up tension from the body. Slow down and learn gentle practices to help release chronic muscle tension that underlie pain and stress in body and mind. Develop your inner awareness and bring comfort and ease to your body. Basic Mindfulness practices and meditations will be woven throughout the retreat. This weekend is suitable for everyone and will meet you where you are. All bodies welcome!

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    Lisa Firer is an artist and facilitator. Focused on embodied learning, her approach is strongly rooted in mindfulness and movement. She trained to teach the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction programme in 2005 at the University of Massachusetts, USA, Centre for Mindfulness and has a certification in teaching Mindfulness-based Interventions from Stellenbosch University. Lisa is also an internationally accredited Biodanza facilitator, a system of human development using music and movement. She is Level 3 facilitator of somatic movement exercises through the Somatic Movement Centre and has a certification in Pain Reprocessing Therapy.

25 September 2026
  • Soft Body, Clear Mind, Open Heart : Somatic Movement For Relaxation

    Teacher: Lisa Firer
    Cost: 2 days accommodation + R400 surcharge
    Dates: Friday 25 September 2026 - Sunday 27 September 2026

    lisa firer 2024Whenever your heart space, your mind space, and your body space are all present and accounted for at the same time, you can experience pure presence, a moment of deep inner connection with the pure, gratuitous Being of anything and everything. It will often be experienced as a quiet leap of joy in the heart.” -Richard Rohr

    Through somatics, movement, mindfulness, music and poetry, let’s tune and harmonize the instruments of body, mind and heart.

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    Lisa Firer is an artist and facilitator. Focused on embodied learning, her approach is strongly rooted in mindfulness and movement. She trained to teach the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction programme in 2005 at the University of Massachusetts, USA, Centre for Mindfulness and has a certification in teaching Mindfulness-based Interventions from Stellenbosch University. Lisa is also an internationally accredited Biodanza facilitator, a system of human development using music and movement. She is Level 3 facilitator of somatic movement exercises through the Somatic Movement Centre and has a certification in Pain Reprocessing Therapy.

     
28 September 2026
  • Family Systems Constellations And The Rhythms Of Nature

    Teacher: Christel and Erik Andersen
    Cost: 3 days accommodation + R350 surcharge
    Dates: Monday 28 September 2026 - Thursday 01 October 2026

    erik christel andersonDuring this retreat we will experience the larger systems that shape and support human life. Through Family and Systems Constellations, we will explore how family patterns, loyalties, and inherited dynamics continue to influence our relationships, choices, and inner life. This allows us to see patterns clearly, and to emerge with a deeper sense of connection to ourselves and our ancestors.

    Alongside this, we will draw on nature-based systems and rhythms, the African medicine wheel, cycles, symbol, art, and music. The intelligence of the natural world, reminds us that healing and orientation arise through rhythm, relationship, and attentive presence. Together, these two streams meet in a larger supportive holding field.

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    Christel Andersen is an experienced Souljourney group facilitator, nature - and tourist guide, numerologist and GIM-music therapist. She has facilitated a number of retreats at the BRC over the past 3 years and in a variety of settings around South Africa over the past 23 years. She loves to share her knowledge and insights using the tools which she has learnt over the years: the language of symbol, numerology, nature and creativity. Her retreats are a fun, varied and informative experience which provide retreatants with practical tools to navigate the journey of life. Her most poignant experiences of flow, Divinity and unity have been in these shared creative experiences.

    Erik Andersen is a facilitator and teacher working with Family and Systems Constellations and contemplative practices. His work helps people gain insight into family patterns, inherited dynamics, and the relational systems that shape their lives. He works in an embodied and experiential way, supporting clarity, presence, and integration rather than analysis or fixing. He lives in KwaZulu-Natal with his wife Christel and son Nikolas. He uses a wheelchair due to muscular dystrophy, an experience that informs his sensitivity to fields, limitation, and connection, both in life and in his work. Erik is registered with SCASA.

02 October 2026
  • Iyengar Yoga : Moving into stillness

    Teacher: Riva Hirschowitz
    Cost: 2 days accommodation + R400 surcharge
    Dates: Friday 02 October 2026 - Sunday 04 October 2026

    riva hirschowitzIn our fast paced lives, we need the time to find quiet and calm. With this quiet we find the resilience to face the world and all that comes our way. Through Asana (posture), pranayama (breath control) and meditation practice as well as periods of silence, we give ourselves time to uncoil and find space mentally and physically. This space gives breath to our emotional well-being. This retreat is suitable for yoga students who would like to experience Iyengar yoga and those who would like to deepen their understanding and practice of Iyengar yoga.

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    Riva Hirschowitz began practising yoga as a way to de-stress -  like many who come to yoga. Yoga has become a way of life for her, both in her practice and in teaching. She regularly attends classes and workshops with international senior Iyengar teachers as well as classes at the Iyengar Institute in Pune, India (with Geetaji, Prashantji and Abhijata Iyegar).

09 October 2026
  • Standing Like A Tree To Power Up Your Chi: Chi Kung For Vitality

    Teacher: Paul Dorrian
    Cost: 2 or 4 days accommodation + R350 surcharge
    Dates: Friday 09 October 2026 - Tuesday 13 October 2026

    paul dorrianZhan Zhuang (‘Standing like a Tree’) Chi Kung is unlike most other Chi Kung styles, in that with the exception of changing from one static posture to the next, as well as a few gentle steps to finish off one’s practice, the practitioner remains absolutely still, whilst cultivating a mind like still water. Regarded by many contemporary Masters as the most powerful of all Chi Kung practices, it opens all of the nine energy portals in the body, and encourages one’s Chi (life force) to flow powerfully throughout one’s entire being, to work its magic on the internal organs. In this retreat Paul will teach the Six Posture Zhan Zhuang Set, which assists in developing a strong physical structure as well as creating a greater supply of healing Chi to promote health, vitality and an increase in physical energy. The benefits of Zhan Zhuang also include the cultivation of a better posture as well as reducing tension in one’s muscles, thereby assisting the practitioner to live their life in a more relaxed manner.

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    Paul Dorrian is a former university lecturer, international management consultant, author and speaker. His interest in improving employee wellness in the workplace led him to teach Chi Kung and Tai Chi Chuan. Paul has studied these disciplines under various teachers in the UK and Spain, and with his late Master, Dr Nico Snyman, as well as with his Grandmaster Dr Lin Feng-Chao. He now teaches Tai Chi Chuan in the Yang style and Chi Kung in the Pa Tuan Chin, Healing Sounds and Zhan Zhuang styles as well as ancient Taoist Chi Kung healing meditations, in Pietermaritzburg and Howick

14 October 2026
  • Awaken The Lioness

    Teacher: Prof Leonina Kaestele
    Cost: 2 days accommodation + R400 surcharge
    Dates: Wednesday 14 October 2026 - Friday 16 October 2026

    leonina kaesteleThis workshop is an invitation to reconnect with your inner strength, clarity, and self-trust. The lioness symbolizes power, intuition and authentic leadership. Through Guided imagery, nature-based rituals and reflective dialogues you will explore what nourishes your strength, what you are ready to release, and how you wish to shape your path forward. The retreat draws on biophilia - our deep connection to the living world - and uses the lioness as a symbol for empowering yourself. By reconnecting with your inner wisdom, you gain access to inner resources such as courage, resilience and inner stability. This workshop is for women who feel the call for change, who sense that more is possible and wish to move toward  a good future with clarity and trust.

     

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    Prof Leonina Kastele is a lecturer, therapist, and educator. She works internationally and offers classes and workshops on imagery, counseling, self-development, and future-oriented change, with a focus on inner growth and the power of imagination.

16 October 2026
  • Zen Pen Words, Being And Breath

    Teacher: Dorian Haarhoff
    Cost: 2 days accommodation + R400 surcharge
    Dates: Friday 16 October 2026 - Sunday 18 October 2026

    dorian haarhof25I wait for the mountains and rivers to reclaim their shapes.
    There is no light in the deepest hours of the night.
    Yet, I know you are there in the depth of the night. (Thich Nhat Hanh)

    In this writing retreat amid nature, we explore the bond between writing and meditation. We write and meditate on the many changes and transformations we experience as we journey along the river of our lives. We consider how creativity steadies the boat and how writing helps us dip the oars into dark water so we may navigate the river safely.

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    Dorian Haarhoff is a writer, story-teller and mentor. Passionate about developing innate creativity and imagination, he believes in the power of stories to spread loving-kindness, to grow the moment and bring healing. His retreats are based on his text, The Writer’s Voice. He draws inspiration from zen, mythology, narrative therapy, creation spirituality, the new physics and eco- and Jungian psychology. A former Professor of English (Namibia) Dorian has facilitated over 25 retreats at the BRC, his spiritual home. His poems appear in the BRC cookbooks, Quiet Food and The Cake the Buddha Ate.

18 October 2026
  • Crafting Words In The Silence Of Shared Space

    Teacher: Dorian Haarhoff
    Cost: 2 days accommodation +R400 surcharge
    Dates: Sunday 18 October 2026 - Tuesday 20 October 2026

    dorian haarhof25This Life so short, this craft so long to learn (Chaucer)
    This retreat is for those who wish to begin or develop a piece of writing. We listen, observe, attend and allow the text to take us where it wants to go. We get out of the way so we can be spoken and written through. We move between input and silent writing time. Like the potter, we spin, shape and fire our words so they can find their simple beauty.

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    Dorian Haarhoff is a writer, story-teller and mentor. Passionate about developing innate creativity and imagination, he believes in the power of stories to spread loving-kindness, to grow the moment and bring healing. Dorian’s retreats are based on his text, The Writer’s Voice. He draws inspiration from zen, mythology, narrative therapy, creation spirituality, the new physics and eco- and Jungian psychology. A former Professor of English (Namibia) Dorian has facilitated over 25 retreats at the BRC, his spiritual home. His poems appear in the BRC cookbooks, Quiet Food and The Cake the Buddha Ate.

     
23 October 2026
  • Open The Heart And Still The Mind: Infusing Mindfulness With Metta And Compassionate Wisdom

    Teacher: Sue Cooper
    Cost: 5 days accommodation + R450 surcharge
    Dates: Friday 23 October 2026 - Wednesday 28 October 2026

    sue cooper 25This 5 night Open the Heart And Still the Mind retreat is an immersion into nourishing and ennobling silence and is an opportunity to cultivate and deepen your meditation practice with a heart-based focus. Sue offers an integration of the psychological and spiritual dimensions of this path of compassionate awareness, combining more than 40 years of meditation practice with her extensive experience as a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist.

    We will draw on the support of nature and the teachings that are revealed by practising in the exquisite environment of the Buddhist Retreat Centre, where the truths of impermanence and our inter-connectedness with each other and with nature express themselves daily, through the beauty and wisdom of the ever-changing conditions.
    We will cultivate a safe and nourishing home within, inspired by the wisdom and practices of the Brahma Viharas (the Four Immeasurables), which deepen our capacity for loving- kindness (metta), spacious inner freedom, appreciative joy and compassionate wisdom and action.
    In addition to the silent and guided meditations in all postures, there will be daily qigong, gentle, mindful movement and additional, optional massages offered to enhance our embodied experience. Sue will include short, individual sessions throughout the retreat, as well as time for reflection, journaling, walks in nature and deeply replenishing rest.
    Please note: This retreat carries a teacher's fee for all retreatants, offered on a sliding scale. Please contact Sue directly on for further details, including reductions if needed and to arrange a recommended pre-retreat session. Her website link is https://stillmindretreats.com/event/retreat-infusing-mindfulness-with-metta-compassionate-wisdom-2026/

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    Sue Cooper is a Cape Town-based Clinical Psychologist with extensive experience as a psychoanalytic psychotherapist, working in private practice since the early 1990's. She has a long-standing interest in the interface between psychological and spiritual approaches to self-discovery and inner healing, and has attended Buddhist meditation retreats, mainly in the Theravada tradition, for 40 years, both in South Africa and at Gaia House in the UK. She has been inspired by the teachings of Ajahn Chah of the Thai Forest tradition and is deeply grateful to her primary teachers: the late Godwin Samararatne, Kittisaro and Thanissara, Ajahn Sucitto and Stephen and Martine Batchelor. She has a particular interest in exploring how our practice enables us to embrace our humanness, integrating love and loss in our lives, so that we can live and die with compassionate awareness. She offers weekend and longer retreats throughout South Africa at Temenos, Mont Fleur, Bodhi Khaya and Somerset Gift in the Western Cape; Dharmagiri Sacred Mountain Retreat Centre and the Buddhist Retreat Centre in KwaZulu Natal; and Emoyeni Retreat Centre in the North West Province, as well as "Open the Heart and Still the Mind" courses, on-going weekly groups and monthly half-day/day retreats in Cape Town. See: https://stillmindretreats.com and please contact {

     

30 October 2026
  • The Practice Of Deep Listening: Integrating Mindfulness And Meditation, Movement And Therapeutic Sound

    Teacher: Despina Forbes
    Cost: 2 days accommodation + R400 surcharge
    Dates: Friday 30 October 2026 - Sunday 01 November 2026

    despina forbes2022This retreat is a quiet invitation to slow down and return to yourself. Within the sanctuary of the BRC, Despina will gently guide you on a journey dedicated to the art of deep listening and the cultivation of heart-full presence. Days will be held in the gentle embrace of noble silence, supported by a rhythm of mindful movement, meditation, and intentional sound. Together, we will explore practices such as mindful walking, sitting meditation, movement and the resonance of "full-body listening." By weaving these practices of movement, stillness and sound invites possibilities for insight, clarity and transformation. This retreat will be held in an atmosphere of silence.

    ‘In the quiet of your own presence, may the truth of your heart find its voice’

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    Despina Forbes is a counselling psychologist, yoga and mindfulness meditation practitioner and sound therapist whose intention is to hold space for facilitating well-being through the practice of embodiment and sustainable therapeutic practices for the purpose of cultivating awareness, healthy change, compassion, resilience and collective well-being.

01 November 2026
  • Qigong - Going With The Flow

    Teacher: Dianne Franklin and Sharleen Lupke
    Cost: 4 days accommodation + R350 surcharge
    Dates: Sunday 01 November 2026 - Thursday 05 November 2026

    sharlene lupke dianne franklinQigong means life energy in Chinese. Qi (energy) is considered to be an animated power that flows through all living beings. Gong means work or skill with something.

    Qigong is an ancient series of gentle movements working with life energy to control the flow and distribution of qi improving overall health and harmony of body and mind. This is a relaxed retreat with free time allowing you to appreciate the natural energy and beauty of the BRC.

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    Dianne Franklin has been practising qigong for about 30 years having initially attended Max Weier’s retreat many years ago at the BRC, and regularly thereafter. She has also been teaching qigong for over 5 years. She is an Advocate who has also been practising Buddhism for 30 years.

    Sharleen Lupke will co-facilitate this retreat. She is a legal practitioner who started practising qigong with Max, a qigong Master from Switzerland, 30 years ago.

06 November 2026
  • Buddhism: The Basics

    Teacher: Stephen Coan
    Cost: 2 days accommodation + R400 surcharge
    Dates: Friday 06 November 2026 - Sunday 08 November 2026

    stephen coan2024Looking for an entry point into Buddhism? Then this is the retreat for you! Who was the Buddha? What is Buddhism? Is it a religion or a philosophy? What are its teachings and practices? These questions and others will be addressed in this retreat which will examine the life of the Buddha, the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path while at the same time foregrounding the simple meditation practices - sitting and walking - from which the experience-based teachings emerged. A schedule of talks, discussion, and practice held within the supportive frame of Noble Silence will also include time to enjoy the beautiful grounds of the centre.

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    Stephen Coan, variously author, journalist, film and theatre director, has been teaching and retreating at the Buddhist Retreat Centre for nearly four decades. Inspired and informed by the Theravada and Zen Buddhist traditions, his retreats place emphasis on the centrality of practice in living a skilful and enlightened life while also exploring the interface between poetry and silence and the profound benefits of doing nothing, seriously.

13 November 2026
  • Practical Consciousness - A Weekend Your Soul Will Thank You For

    Teacher: Dash Singh
    Cost: 2 days accommodation + R350 surcharge
    Dates: Friday 13 November 2026 - Sunday 15 November 2026

    dash singh2026Are you struggling to keep pace with an ever-changing world? This retreat offers an invitation to reconnect with your “secret superpower” and re-discover how truly remarkable you are. Do you feel stretched by constant change, longing for greater inner peace and clarity? Do you sense that you are meant for more, yet feel unable to “crack the code” to lasting transformation? Have you explored many paths, only to find that real change still feels just out of reach? This retreat creates a safe space to awaken your natural ability for conscious living. Through simple, practical tools, you will learn how to work with your thoughts, emotions, and awareness in profound and accessible ways.
    We will explore expansive themes such as Universal Consciousness and the meeting point between ancient wisdom and modern quantum insights, while grounding these ideas in everyday practices. Meditation, affirmations, journaling, and visualisation will be woven throughout the weekend to bring clarity, balance, and intention into your daily life. You will leave feeling refreshed, inspired, and empowered, carrying with you tools and insights to support a more conscious, aligned, and fulfilling way of living.

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    Dash Singh is a Consciousness Advocate, Inspirational Speaker, entrepreneur, and lifelong student of inner awakening. With almost two decades of personal and professional exploration, his journey has been shaped by a deep commitment to understanding consciousness and living in alignment with universal principles. Inspired by thought leaders such as Dr Wayne Dyer, John Kehoe, Tony Robbins, Robin Sharma, and Deepak Chopra, Dash has immersed himself in the study of personal growth, awareness, and mindful living. His background includes a BSc and NHD in Engineering, as well as a postgraduate qualification in business management, giving him a unique blend of analytical insight and heartfelt inquiry. After transitioning from the corporate world, Dash chose a path that honours both his entrepreneurial spirit and his passion for consciousness. He approaches his work with humility, curiosity, and authenticity, seeing himself as a perpetual student -continually seeking to elevate his awareness and support others in doing the same. His personal mission is simple yet profound: “To raise the consciousness of as many people as possible and leave the planet a better place than he found it.”

20 November 2026
  • Awaken The Feminine – A Weekend Of Rest, Ritual And Reconnection

    Teacher: Margarita Celeste and Michelle Strybis
    Cost: 2 days accommodation + R400 surcharge
    Dates: Friday 20 November 2026 - Sunday 22 November 2026

    margarita celeste michelle strybisJoin us for a heart-opening weekend as we gather to awaken the Sacred Feminine within. Through the powerful practices of astrology, soulful yoga, and feminine embodiment, we will remember what it means to truly listen to our bodies, trust our intuition, and reconnect with our inner rhythm.This intimate offering is open to mothers and daughters, sisters, friends, and solo journeyers—all women ready to soften, deepen, and rise together in sacred sisterhood.

    ✨ Astrology workshops with Margarita Relationship Astrology Specialist
    ✨ Gentle, intuitive yoga with heart-led Yoga teacher
    ✨ Sound Journey, meditation and circle sharing
    ✨ Time to rest, reflect, and receive in the peaceful, natural surrounds of Ixopo

    Whether you are yearning for clarity, connection, or simply a break to come home to yourself, this weekend is an invitation to be held, seen, and nourished.

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    Margarita Celeste was intuitively drawn to the starry skies from a young age. In 2013, she enrolled for Rod Suskin's three-year Diploma course, receiving a scholarship for her final year, after which she studied formally with the School of Intuition And Healing. Her passion is to guide others towards a more conscious state of being. She has a deep interest in alternative healing such as reiki, crystal therapy, kinesiology, chakra balance, tachyon healing and life alignment.

    Michelle Strybis danced from a very early age and has always been aware of the way movement affects our moods and mental states. Her journey with yoga started on a visit to an ashram in India many years ago where she completed her Yoga Teacher's Training in Bangalore. She has since visited India annually to further her yoga studies. In 2017 she completed a pre-and-post natal Yoga Teacher's Training and in 2018 she qualified as a meditation teacher in Dharmsala. She is passionate in sharing how yoga and meditation can help to keep us centered in our everyday lives.

27 November 2026
  • Transformation Through Mindfulness

    Teacher: Nolitha Tsengiwe
    Cost: 2 days accommodation + R400 surcharge
    Dates: Friday 27 November 2026 - Sunday 29 November 2026

    nolitha tsengiwe2021Through being and accepting what is happening within us, staying with experience and learning to see more clearly we can taste into a mind and heartfulness that is larger than our habits that keep us stuck.The practice of Mindfulness supports us in discovery of who we are beyond our limiting histories, stories and ideas. Grounding into our bodies through bringing presence to our breath, our flesh and bones we come into the shared embodied realm. Drawing on tools from the Buddha's teaching we will embark on this voyage together, in a shared context, with the inner journey of each of us also finding its own inner way. The retreat will be held in noble silence with dharma teachings and one to one interviews, meditatios and sunrise qigong.

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    Nolitha Tsengiwe has always been curious about “what truth is.” Her search for truth led her to become a practising Buddhist under the guidance of Kittisaro and Thanissara who are disciples of the Thai Forest Buddhist tradition master, Ajahn Chah. She is a graduate of CDL4 at Spirit Rock Meditation Centre, USA, and is currently enrolled in a 4-year Buddhist teacher training course under Joseph Goldstein at the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts. She is a psychologist in private practice and an executive coach. In both roles, her primary goal is to create a holding space for people who are seeking truth as a doorway to freedom.

03 December 2026
  • Art of Living Silence Retreat

    Teacher: Vljaylakshmi Sewnarain
    Cost: 3 days accommodation
    Dates: Thursday 03 December 2026 - Sunday 06 December 2026

    vijaylakshmi sewnarainThis 3-day Art of Silence Retreat provides optimal conditions for going deep within, quietening our mental chatter, and experiencing profound rest and inner peace. The course builds upon the Sudarshan Kriya breathing technique offered in the Art of Living Happiness Programme. The practice of silence - consciously withdrawing our energy and attention from outer distractions - has been used in different traditions throughout time as a pathway to physical, mental, and spiritual renewal. By participating in various course processes specifically designed to take us beyond our usually active minds, we experience an extraordinary sense of peace and renewed vitality that we carry home with us and into daily lives.

    The prerequisite to attending the Art of Silence retreat is the Art of Living Part 1 The Happiness Course.

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    VIjaylakshmi Sewnarain is a pharmacist by profession and is a dedicated meditation and yoga teacher with over seventeen years of experience in guiding individuals on their wellness journey. Trained by The Art of Living in various yoga styles and mindfulness practices, she emphasizes the importance of holistic well-being nurturing the body, mind, and spirit. Vijay creates a supportive environment for students of all levels, and by using the Art of Living practices and teachings, helps them cultivate inner peace and resilience. In addition to leading classes, she offers workshops and retreats that explore the deeper aspects of yoga and meditation. She believes in the transformative power of these practices and is passionate about helping others discover their own paths to self-awareness and balance.

11 December 2026
  • Japanese Brush Painting And Ceramics: Sumie And Raku With Qigong And Meditation

    Teacher: Ingrid Adams, Sharon Paterson, Bernard Charikobo,Chris Rooke, Shogan Parker
    Cost: 4 days accommodation + R500 surcharge
    Dates: Friday 11 December 2026 - Tuesday 15 December 2026

    ingrid adamssharon patersonbernard chatikobo2025chris rookeshogan parkerThis retreat offers a unique approach encompassing brushwork painting, pottery, meditation, qigong, forest bathing, a traditonal tea ceremony and an ambient atmosphere. Ingrid will teach the classical Japanese brush painting techniques - Sumie - as these are applied to traditional subjects, such as landscape, bamboo and flower studies - as well as contemporary subjects. The traditional materials and tools - solid pine-soot ink, a ceramic slate to liquefy it, a bamboo-stemmed brush and absorbent mulberry paper - will be provided. Beginners are welcome - according to Ingrid: "some of the best paintings have emerged from students who have not had any art training before". Sharon will offer the ceramics or Raku and explore various glazing and firing techniques. Each retreatant will receive a bisque-fired tea bowl to decorate and glaze. The kiln will be fired up, after which we will watch the magic as the bowls emerge triumphantly from the scorching heat! If you are suffering from stress and anxiety, these modalities will calm and refresh you.

    Chris will offer sunrise qigong, while Bernard will offer relaxation walks in the forest. Shogan will be guiding the meditation and hold a traditional Japanese tea ceremony on the final night.

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    Ingrid Adams qualified as a fashion designer, an art teacher and completed a B.A. Fine Arts with Unisa. She travelled extensively whilst running a successful business in fashion and home textiles. Viewing Sumie and ink painting in China, Japan and Korea, she embarked on a Sumie course with Louis and was instantly smitten. Retiring from business, she completed a B.A. Fine Arts Honours, and a Masters and a Doctorate with UKZN university, Pietermaritzburg. Both her research and practical were focused on Sumie. She currently paints and teaches Sumie part-time.

    Sharon Paterson is a potter who teaches ceramics at her studio in Ballito. She has a retail shop in Salt Rock. The coast and its  life style influence her style of pottery and she produced a lot of wild life pottery and dinnerware while living in Mpumalanga for thirty-four years. Recently, she and a friend collaborated online and started a website called Curiosity. Their slogan is “Ceramics for Change” and their ambition is to empower local artists and give them a place to work and platform from which to sell their art.

    Chris Rooke began his journey into complementary health in London in the 1980's studying Zen Shiatsu, Macrobiotics, Tai Chi and Qigong. In
    1992 he emigrated to South Africa and presently practises Iridology and the Trauma Release Process. He also teaches a number of qigong forms in the Upper Highway area such as White Crane, Zhan Zhaung, Chi Lel and Five Yin Organ qigong.

    William (Shogan) has been practising meditation for over 20 years, cultivating stillness and inquiry. He took precepts with Dae Chong, Osho at Poplar Grove and led morning and evening zazen at the BRC while he was a resident staff member as well as retreats. With a keen interest in how the Dharma might evolve in an AI-driven, multiplanetary future, he embraces both tradition and possibility.

    Bernard Chatikobo is a part-time ranger in the Hawaan Forest in Durban where he takes people on guided walks, introducing 'forest bathing' and traditional Mbira music for healing and harmony. His passion is trees and birds. He will be leading the walks over this retreat where one can immerse oneself in nature and find inner serenity.

18 December 2026
  • Finding Meaning And Purpose - Buddhist Insights Into The Nature Of Mind

    Teacher: Ven Khenpo Jamyang Gompo
    Cost: 2 days accommodation + R400 surcharge
    Dates: Friday 18 December 2026 - Sunday 20 December 2026

    ven khenpo jamyang gompoWe all wish to have happiness and avoid the uncomfortable feelings that seem to dominate our daily life: feelings of dissatisfaction, unease, anxiety that keep us awake at night; our agitation with loved ones and anger towards others. It is times like these that create uncertainty and a feeling of helplessness; we want to be happy, contented and have a sense of peace in our hearts. Khenpo Jamyang Gompo will gently guide participants to a deeper understanding of how these emotions arise and how we can find a sense of meaning and purpose in whatever circumstances we find ourselves.

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    Ven Khenpo Jamyang Gompo was born in 1971 in South India and enrolled at early age as a novice monk at Sakya Monastery in South India and studied under many eminent masters of his tradition receiving many teachings including both oral and explanatory transmissions and empowerments. He received recognition for his learning from his teachers and was thus conferred Khenpo Title/Degree in 2015, which is equivalent to a Geshe degree. After completing his monastic education, Ven Jamyang worked as Abbot of the Sakya Monastery, Mundgod, South India. Later, he was appointed as Director of the same monastery for five years. Being fluent in English and well versed in Buddhist philosophies and meditation practices, he is knowledgeable in other fields of learning including Tibetan literature and linguistics and has a good grounding in and understanding of modern Sciences.

23 December 2026
  • The Four Immeasurable Gifts At Christmas

    Teacher: Tsunma Tsondru
    Cost: 4 days accommodation +R450 surcharge
    Dates: Wednesday 23 December 2026 - Sunday 27 December 2026

    tsunma tsondru

    Christmas is a time of the giving of gifts. All birthdays are honoured with gift-giving. Usually these gifts are of ‘things’. Yet the very best gift we can give is not anything tangible or material. It is to definitively take away the suffering of oneself, and of others. And this, after all, is the reason why we give material gifts in the first place. It’s also the reason why we do the myriad things we do in our lives. It’s because we are constantly in pursuit of this (seemingly unattainable) state of being: peace, happiness, contentment. The unlimited and ultimate gift would be to be happy without end, at peace without end, to give happiness and peace to all, without end. The Four Immeasurable Gifts are the ultimate gift. They are boundless equanimity, loving kindness, compassion, and joy. They define a path and practice leading to all-encompassing peace and happiness. They lead us back to our true nature, which is peace.

    Take time out at the BRC this Christmas to slow down into the moment and unwrap the Four Immeasurable Gifts. We will discover them through meditation, contemplation, journaling, and by just being present. 

    The retreat will be held in an atmosphere of introspection and silence.

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    Tsunma Tsondru is a nun ordained by Tai Situ Rinpoche in the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. She met Buddhism through Louis van Loon at the BRC in the 90's. After working as a lawyer and environmental scientist, she left for Spain for a traditional Kagyu three-and-a-half-year retreat, followed by a second retreat of four years. Returning to Cape Town, she served on the Board of the Southern African Faith Communities Environmental Institute - a multi-faith NGO - for 6 years and as its Executive Director. She later spent a 10-day intensive retreat with Joanna Macy, engaging with Macy’s “Work That Re-Connects”, which she teaches at the BRC and other places, Her particular interest is deep ecology, eco-philosophy and wilderness work, and the role that spirituality, ethics and connection/interdependence can play in transforming us and our economic and social systems in protection of the Earth.

    William (Shogan) has been practising meditation for nearly 20 years, cultivating stillness and inquiry. He took precepts with Dae Chong, Osho at Poplar Grove and now leads morning and evening zazen at the BRC, weaving verses from the Dhammapada into meditation for reflection and insight. With a keen interest in how the Dharma might evolve in an AI-driven, multiplanetary future, William embraces both tradition and possibility. He also guides qigong in the mornings and offers tai chi in the afternoons, integrating movement into mindfulness. His practice is an invitation - to sit, to move, and to explore the ever-expanding nature of awareness.

28 December 2026
  • Three Wise Medicines For Living Your Life In The New Year

    Teacher: Tsunma Tsondru
    Cost: 4 days accommodation + R450 surcharge
    Dates: Monday 28 December 2026 - Friday 01 January 2027

    tsunma tsondruNew Year is a good time of the year to take stock and contemplate our moment-to-moment, here-and-now reality in all its fullness. It’s a traditional time for clarifying our motivations, and for starting afresh with new intentions. A time, in other words, to reboot the system. Give yourself the gift of time over this New Year period to collect the Three Wise Medicines of gratitude, ahimsa and contentment, to reflect on the past year, and uncover how you can best live your life in the coming year. During this time together we will let our body, speech and mind fall silent through the practice of meditation and silence. In working with the Three Wise Medicines, there will also be time for writing and contemplation, walking and ceremony especially outside in nature. We will welcome the New Year with a circumambulation around the  lantern-lit  Buddha Rupa, gonging out the old year. The retreat will be held in an atmosphere of silence and introspection.

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    Tsunma Tsondru is a nun ordained by Tai Situ Rinpoche in the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. She met Buddhism through Louis van Loon at the BRC in the 90's. After working as a lawyer and environmental scientist, she left for Spain for a traditional Kagyu three-and-a-half-year retreat, followed by a second retreat of four years. Returning to Cape Town, she served on the Board of the Southern African Faith Communities Environmental Institute - a multi-faith NGO - for 6 years and as its Executive Director. She later spent a 10-day intensive retreat with Joanna Macy, engaging with Macy’s “Work That Re-Connects”, which she teaches at the BRC and other places, Her particular interest is deep ecology, eco-philosophy and wilderness work, and the role that spirituality, ethics and connection/interdependence can play in transforming us and our economic and social systems in protection of the Earth.

01 January 2027
  • Time To Focus And Tune Into 2027: Gently Kickstart The New Year With Qigong, Yoga, Meditation and Healing Treatments

    Teacher: Brendon Small, Dianne Franklin, Marrion Clarke and Nolwazi Bandezi
    Cost: 2 days accommodation + R500 surcharge
    Dates: Friday 01 January 2027 - Sunday 03 January 2027

    brendon smalldi franklin2023marrion clarke2025nolwazi bandeziIt is difficult to make decisions about important issues in your life when you are immersed in them. You need some distance from them, physically and psychologically to see them clearly for what they are. Only then, can you gain a fresh perspective on them. So, if you feel you need a gentle, uncluttered space to tune into what lies ahead for you in 2027, this largely unstructured weekend will prove useful. Experience sunrise qigong, yoga and meditation with Di, Marrion and Brendon and healing therapies with Nolwazi Bandezi, a qualified therapist. The BRC provides an ideal opportunity to be in a sympathetic space to experience what it is like to "just be".

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    Brendon Small has been exposed to various traditions and teachers on the Buddhist path for more than two decades and has attended several retreats at the BRC. He is a firm believer in the importance of meditation and mindfulness and enjoys sharing his enthusiasm for practice.

    Dianne Franklin is an Advocate in private practice. She has been studying Buddhism and Qigong for twenty years. She is a student of Max Weier, the Swiss Qigong Master. Her teachers include Rob Nairn, Tenzin Palmo and Ken Holmes.

    Marrion Clarke found yoga at a crossroads in her life. Needing to make urgent lifestyle changes to heal, she completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training in 2014, followed by her 300-hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Training 8 years later under the guidance of Cheryl Lancellas of Devahiti Yoga. Yoga engenders an intense responsibility to live in alignment with nature, and its transformative power keeps us grounded, focused and accountable on and off the mat. Marrion is passionate about sharing the asanas and philosophy of yoga and embracing our shared humanity.

    Nolwazi Bandezi, a therapist and owner of Neno Spa in Morningside, Durban, will be offering treatments such as tension relief massage using a combination of different therapies (Swedish, Lomi Lomi, Myofascial, deep tissue therapy, lymphatic drainage massage). Incorporated is Thai stretch therapy, Reflexology and Ayurvedic Head massage.

05 January 2027
  • In 2027 Receive Clear Insights And Guidance To Plan Your Year Ahead

    Teacher: Christel Anderson
    Cost: 3 days accommodation + R400 surcharge
    Dates: Tuesday 05 January 2027 - Friday 08 January 2027

    christel anderson2023Christel has used the ancient Science of Numerology to empower and guide her clients for more than 20 years. It is an incredible personal development tool which brings wisdom, clarity and affirmation, in profound ways. Numerology is also a valuable guidance tool for planning a year ahead, making major life decisions, or simply understanding your current life situation. Christel uses her hands-on approach and creative skills of music, movement and art to teach Numerology which make it very easy to understand and to apply immediately.

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    Christel Andersen is an experienced Souljourney group facilitator, nature-and-tourist guide, musician and GIM-music therapist. Numerology has brought much depth and many insights into her life journey and she loves sharing this wisdom with others. She has facilitated Numerology workshops and offered one on one consultations for many years. Numerology is affirming and empowering and sharing it with others is her joy.

08 January 2027
  • Take It Easy - Reconnect With Your True Self

    Teacher: Nilam Narsee
    Cost: 2 days accommodation + R350 surcharge
    Dates: Friday 08 January 2027 - Sunday 10 January 2027

    nilam narseeJoin us for a transformative getaway to unwind, recharge, and rediscover your inner peace. This retreat is designed to help you slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with your authentic self. The retreat will incorporate:

    Pranayama: Harnessing the power of breathwork to calm your mind and nourish your soul

    Meditation: Exploring mindfulness and inner stillness in a supportive environment

    Dance: Letting go and expressing yourself through movement

    Discourse: Engaging in meaningful conversations and connecting with like-minded people.

    You will leave refreshed, renewed, and restored.

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    Nilam Narsee was born in India and has made South Africa her home for the past 28 years. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry in India before pursuing her passion for yoga, qualifying as a traditional hatha yoga teacher at Yogam Yoga under the guidance of Duncan Rice. In addition to her yoga teaching, she is a dedicated health and wellness coach affiliated with a health club in India. Her mission is to promote a medicine-free lifestyle rooted in Ayurvedic principles to help individuals achieve well-being and mindful living.

10 January 2027
  • Nothing Is The Same For Everyone: An Ayurvedic Retreat

    Teacher: Dr Keshia Abraham
    Cost: 4 days accommodation + R400 surcharge
    Dates: Sunday 10 January 2027 - Thursday 14 January 2027

    dr keshia abrahamWhen was the last time you truly listened to what your body and life are asking for?

    Nothing Is the Same for Everyone is a five-day restorative Ayurvedic retreat at the Buddhist Retreat Centre guided by Dr. Keshia Abraham. Rooted in the understanding that balance looks different for each person, this experience invites you to slow down and reconnect with your natural rhythms. Through reflective writing, guided conversation, meditation, gentle movement, nature walks, and optional one-on-one consultations, you’ll gain clarity about what restores and sustains you—leaving grounded, refreshed, and renewed.

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    Dr Keshia Abraham is an international educator and cultural healer who designs spaces where learning feels like remembering. Trained in Ayurvedic Yoga, Comparative Literature, Africana Literatures, and International Education, her work moves at the intersection of story, land, and the living body of culture. A devoted words worker and tender space-maker, she curates experiences that slow time, soften the edges, and invite deeper listening - especially for those shaped by the journeys of the African diaspora. Rooted in Ayurveda and Ifa wisdom traditions, her offerings affirm that balance is not something we chase, but something we allow - through attention, appreciation, and care.

15 January 2027
  • Cultivating Mind-Heart Resonance Through Emotional Awareness And Mindfulness

    Teacher: Shanil Haricharan
    Cost: 2 days accommodation + R400 surcharge
    Dates: Friday 15 January 2027 - Sunday 17 January 2027

    shanil haricharan2021Join us for a transformative retreat as we explore the intricacies of our unpredictable world and strive to nurture a life filled with authenticity and purpose. Inspired by the insights of philosophers such as Krishnamurti, Buddha, and Aristotle, we will embark on a journey of self-awareness, acknowledging that understanding ourselves is essential for navigating the challenges we encounter. Drawing on the insights of Jungian psychologist James Hollis and the poetic wisdom of Rumi, we shall confront the challenges that impede our growth and discover how to embrace our authentic selves. Enhance your emotional intelligence and mindfulness as you apply valuable self-insights to your personal development journey in our fast-changing world and explore ways to enrich your life with purpose and vitality, even in the face of the challenges that we encounter.

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    Shanil Haricharan possesses extensive expertise as an academic, activist, advisor, writer, and coach, bringing more than 35 years of experience in public policy, democratic governance, leadership, and institutional reform across Africa. He is presently employed at the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance at the University of Cape Town, where he engages in teaching and research focused on emotional intelligence, leadership, mindfulness, well-being, and organisational culture. He serves as a board member for three non-profit organisations dedicated to human rights and evidence-based policymaking. Shanil possesses a BSc in Medical/Life Sciences, an Advanced University Diploma in Adult Education, an MBA, and a PhD, concentrating on emotional intelligence, public leadership, and organisational culture. Additionally, he has completed the Gestalt International Organisation and Human Systems Development Programme.

22 January 2027
  • Time To Renew Your Fire - A Weekend Retreat For Burnt-Out Phoenixes In Need Of Soul Rekindling

    Teacher: Elana Bregin
    Cost: 2 days accommodation + R400 surcharge
    Dates: Friday 22 January 2027 - Sunday 24 January 2027

    elana bregin2024Take back your life, it’s the only one you’ve got! The past few years seem to have been particularly challenging for many of us. Unsettling changes, prolonged stress, life crises of one kind or another, or simply giving away too much of your vital fire to another can leave you feeling dangerously close to burn-out and struggling to regain your sense of balance, purpose and passion.

    This recalibration workshop is geared at those who feel they have lost the compass. Under the experienced guidance of creative journey guide and author, Elana Bregin, you will be led through the gentle process of rebuilding your inner fire and reclaiming the joie de vivre that may have gone missing in the stresses and traumas of daily life. Amid the quiet beauty and sacred peace of the BRC grounds, well supported by the Centre’s delicious meals, cosy fires and revitalising ambience, we will open our senses and heart chakras and start the conversation with our deeper selves that relaxed attention enables.There will be periods of writing reflection, group sharing, inspirational walks and uplifting talks, to help us get back in touch with who we really are and want to be.

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    Elana Bregin is an award-winning author and creative-writing facilitator who worked for many years as a publishing-house editor. She has given several inspirational retreats at the BRC and has a particular interest in the therapeutic aspects of creativity and its ability to reconnect us with personal meaning and the wider currents of life in which we are embedded.

     

29 January 2027
  • Healing Qigong For Health And Vitality

    Teacher: Dr Hu Jin-Yun
    Cost: 2 days accommodation +R400 surcharge
    Dates: Friday 29 January 2027 - Sunday 31 January 2027

    dr hu jin yun2025Explore this ancient Chinese practice that boosts one’s health and vitality with dynamic teacher, Andy Hu who has been offering retreats at the the BRC for many years. Participants will learn the key techniques of how to master qigong and incorporate it into their daily lives, effortlessly. These techniques are easy to learn, are useful and powerful. The healing power of qigong works on both the physical and spiritual level - if it is done correctly. These techniques include breathing, timing, warm-ups, postures, movement and mind projection. Dr Hu will also introduce acupuncture and Chinese medicine for detoxing, lowering cholesterol, decreasing body fat and relieving water retention. This retreat is designed to suit beginners, as well as those who have practised qigong previously.

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    Dr Hu Jin-Yun is a certified Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor both in South Africa and China. He received his Master's and PhD Degree in medicine from the Heilongjiang Chinese Medicine University in China. Apart from his medical and academic studies, he has been practising Tai-Ch, and Qigong in Taiwan since 1995. He currently lives in Somerset West in the Cap where he has his own private clinic, the Helderberg Acupuncture Centre. He is the current acting chairperson of the South African Association of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture and regularly presents seminars there.




Mailing List

Submit your details to be informed of BRC retreats and activities.

Wishlist

If anyone would like to get involved by donating goods to the Centre, please see the much-needed list of items below, or email :  

  • Food processor
  • Single and double bed linen (Beige or White)
  • Bath mats (Beige or White)
  • Bath and hand towels (Beige)
  • Indigenous trees
  • Vegetable seedlings
  • Bonemeal
  • Large gardening tools
  • Brush cutters
  • Small generator
  • Garden furniture
  • Garden chairs and table

Contact Us

Office hours:
Weekdays: 08:00 to 1200 and 14:00 to 16:00:
Saturdays: 08:00 to 09:00 and 13:00 to 14:00
Sundays: 08:00 to 14:00

Email: (preferred communication)

BRC Mobile numbers:
066 395 4682
082 579 3037

BRC Emergency number:
082 741 7901

Durban mobile number:
082 466 8306 (Chrisi)

Physical address:  D64, Nirodha Farm, Ixopo, 3276
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GPS coordinates: 30°06'15.4"S 30°02'46.6"E

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