As autumn approaches, we invite you to take a break and join us for an unstructured personal retreat. During your stay, you can enjoy gentle yoga, qigong, massage therapy, and meditation - to promote relaxation. Alternatively, you may choose to simply enjoy the tranquillity of the space, embracing the art of doing nothing. Imagine cozying up by a warm fire, savouring delicious vegetarian meals, and immersing yourself in silence. This time out offers a slower rhythm, allowing you to step back from the busyness of life and find peace within.

This weekend retreat offers a grounded introduction to Buddhist meditation. Whether you are completely new to the practice or returning to the basics, this is an opportunity to slow down, reconnect, and begin again — right where you are.

With breath as our anchor and body as our home, we settle into the immediacy of the present moment. The bowl reminds us to empty ourselves of distraction, to receive whatever the moment offers, and to meet experience with humility and care.

The retreat will include guided sitting and walking meditation, open discussions on the principles of the Buddhist philosophy, and time for quiet reflection. Together, we will explore how awareness, kindness, and clarity naturally arise through steady, embodied practice — supported by the stillness of the BRC and the power of shared silence.

All are welcome, regardless of background or belief. No prior experience with meditation is needed.

Nowhere Else To Be is a series of mid-week zazenkai held in Noble Silence at the BRC. Each zazenkai invites us to rest deeply in the present moment and attune to the simplicity and stillness of the unfolding moment. We will return to the basics of practice - stillness, silence, breath. With nowhere else to be and nothing else to do, we settle into what is.

This zazenkai is suitable for those with a regular meditation practice or prior retreat experience who feel ready to spend a day in silence, stillness, and simplicity. It offers a simple, structured, and spacious container in which to reconnect with presence, nature, and the still point within. The emphasis is on returning to what is already here — without distraction, without pressure, without needing to be anywhere else.

Come sit with us - there is nowhere else to be.

For the Zazenkai series, the dates are: June 24-26, July 29-31, August 26-28, September 16-18, October 21-23 and November 25-27

We warmly invite you to Return to Presence, a deeply nourishing, African-rooted retreat designed to support your healing, alignment, and reconnection with your true self. Facilitated by Buhle,Tinashe, and Tholinhlanhla this retreat is a portal into presence, embodiment, and ancestral remembering - a homecoming.

Over the course of 2 or 4 rejuvenating days, we will:

Let go of what no longer serves us, individually and collectively, through guided emotional release and inner child healing
Align with your centre through yoga, African sound healing, and the spirit of Ubuntu
Awaken to the present moment, beyond the mind, beyond the ego
Be held in sacred sharing circles for reflection, connection, and integration
Engage with a compassionate psychologist, who will hold space and respond to your questions on healing, life, and transformation
Close with a manifestation circle, affirming your soul-aligned desires
Rooted in nature, community, and tradition, this retreat offers a gentle but powerful return to presence. In a fast-moving world that constantly pulls us into overthinking, distraction, and disconnection, this space offers a sacred pause. Through movement, sound, journaling, breathwork, rest, and meaningful dialogue, we will co-create a space where healing becomes possible, and presence becomes our guide. You will leave feeling more grounded, whole, and alive.

Get 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).

For 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.

Through breath, sound and movement, our bodies down-regulate the nervous systems, and our hearts, minds and bodies can align and drop into rest and repair.  Join Eleen and Christel, long-time collaborators, in this winter retreat to slow down, turn inward with beautiful music, sounding and movement (based on short music journeys, neigong, TRE - tension release exercises - and biodanza) in a safe, sacred space.

Join 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 a more immersive and holistic experience:

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

Krishia Schilz will be offering morning yoga

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

In this 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.

This mid-week retreat will offer a mixed modality intensive workshop including yoga and movement, guided meditations, Reiki healing, chanting, crystal work and energetic activation to cleanse, balance and recalibrate your energetic centers for clarity and alignment to a high vibrational frequency. Delicious vegetarian meals, connection to nature and downtime to rest, reflect and relax will ensure you leave feeling alive and revitalized.