The upsurge of interest in the ancient practice of yoga attests to its proven physiological and psychological benefits. But 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 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.

The essential art of walking - this most ordinary activity of daily life - has been degraded into mindless, extreme exercise. As we change this conditioned mindset, we can restore the poise and elegance of body-mind. In this retreat, we will learn the basics of good body management in daily life as we sit, stand, bend, walk and do what we do. These basic activities are hugely compromised by the stresses and challenges of our lives and times, including sedentariness and techno-speed, resulting in strain, injury (back pain being the norm), diminished attention-focus and performance. Current research reveals the all-round benefits in walking and walking well. We will re-learn walking as nature designed it - effortlessly, gracefully, consciously - in an atmosphere of quiet attentiveness, thereby restoring our inherent poise, grace and kindness. Natural conscious walking then becomes an art, a therapeutic life skill which leads to health and well-being. This is meditation-in-action: a mindful body and embodied mind.

Come and join us for some serious fun and adventure this winter!  Spend 4 days filled with games and stories, nature walks, making art and toasting marshmallows under the stars in the beautiful environment of the BRC. This is a family retreat aimed at children of school-going age (10 and up) and offers a basic introduction to Buddhist thought and practice as well as guidance for parents and children to explore spirituality through connecting with nature and creative expression. Children must be accompanied by an adult, preferably a parent.

Evolutionary Biology and Quantum Physics reveal a universe that is infinitely interconnected and where everything co-arises with a multitude of other things. It is a dimension of reality that is spaceless and timeless: an Implicate Order, or Singularity. Every single event that has ever happened or has the potential to happen is embedded in it. As living beings, we are woven into this unimaginably complex causal network where nothing escapes being recorded and is ready to act out whatever needs to be resolved. This is strikingly similar to the Buddha’s teachings on Dependent Origination (paticca samutpada}: karma.

Hell is Other People: these words by the French existentialist philosopher, Jean-Paul Sartre, often seem to be too true for comfort. But we can neither choose our parents nor our siblings. And that is only the beginning of a life that is dominated by interpersonal relationships - some of which will prove to be harmonious, others deeply problematic.  Relationships expose our expectations and projections; the psychological games we play with ourselves and others. We tend to stagnate and become rigid, unavailable, because we fear that opening up to another person leaves us vulnerable to manipulation, abuse and hurt.  But that is good news: relationships can become dynamic opportunities to move beyond narrow self-interests and fixations - enabling us to grow beyond our inhibitions and boundaries.  This retreat suggests ways of doing this.

You don’t have to be or become an artist to be able to sketch what is in front of you.  Everybody can see that some things are shorter than others or to the left or right of something else.  So you simply draw it like that.  You don’t have to be - or become - an artist to do that.  All you need is one eye and two fingers.  Participants will be taken through a series of practice sessions in this type of “Seeing-Drawing” after which they will draw a variety of subjects, from still life through to landscape scenes and portraits - all in the space of a weekend. Sketching is one of the loveliest of skills anybody can acquire. You can take your pen and sketchbook anywhere and experience what it is like to be truly present in where you are.  All materials will be provided.

The Buddha’s teachings emphasise the importance of taking care of ourselves in order to be of service to others.  Most of us, whether we are professional caregivers or people caring for family, colleagues or friends, miss this vital step.  When we are told to take better care of ourselves we either feel we don’t have the time or don’t know how to do that or where to begin.  The secret lies in finding your Centre – because when we are centred in our own wholeness we are able to deal with what life throws at us.  This retreat will teach you practical tools to help you find, regain and retain your balance and centre so that you can ride life’s merry-go-round with equanimity.  This retreat is ideal for care workers and anyone wanting to be more effective in caring for themselves.

In a series of talks and Mindfulness meditation sessions, we will explore the chemistry which mediates the effects of mind states on the body (psychoneuroimmunology - PNI). The talks and demonstrations will show that we can attain optimal wellness and performance by getting to know our temperament and personality traits; by being more present-minded; and through sensible, informed ways of living and behaving.

Stoep Zen means to apply traditional Zen Buddhism to contemporary life in South Africa - to be able to meditate in a chair on a stoep as well as on a cushion in the meditation hall.  This is a Zen retreat that makes a bridge between formal Zen practice and daily life. It includes meditation, talks, exercise, interviews and fireside chats and is held in silence.

Yoga asanas (postures) massage the internal organs, nerves and glands, improving their performance. They enhance energy levels and stamina, flexibility and agility of the body and mind, enabling you to lead a more active and creative life. Sleep and digestion are improved.  Yoga’s focus on the body and correct breathing improve energy levels and the immune system.  As you let go of resistance and allow the muscles and tendons to release into the postures, you learn to let go of resistance in other areas of life, accepting what is and what cannot be changed, helping you to make better choices. Wear comfortable clothes. Bring a yoga mat.