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Preceding Day
Saturday 25 October 2025
Following Day

  • Sacred Drumming: Exploring Natural Rhythms

    Teacher: Richard Ellis and Marc Kress
    Cost: 2 days accommodation + R500 surcharge
    Dates:

    richard ellismarc kressDrumming and music-making are ancient ways of transcending our routine lifestyle, opening ourselves to spiritual realms of healing and creativity, which is experienced as liberating and rejuvenating. This is because the universe is a flux of pulsating rhythms and drumming connects us to these rhythms, thus facilitating a change in consciousness and a sense of belonging and well-being, which, in turn, promotes deep relaxation and healing. In this retreat, we will learn basic drumming techniques and explore rhythmic creativity  including a segment on Shamanic, Celtic, and Nordic Viking drum patterns which will be combined with meditation practice and contemplation. A Sound Journey meditation using exotic instruments will also be included. The objective of this retreat is to find a balance between the hands-on experience of drumming and its more profound spiritual effects on the human psyche.

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    Richard Ellis has been a drummer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist for the past forty years. He was a founding member of The Usuals with Kenny Henson. He formed the first all-percussion group Interitmo with Mike Mazzoni in 1997, and in 1999 started the first Drum Circle in Durban at the Bat Centre. Over the past twenty years he has conducted corporate team building, sound relaxation therapy and healing workshops with Marc Kress. He facilitates sound journey meditation/rhythm workshops on drums and percussion for all ages and levels of expertise. His mission is to connect people with their inner rhythm and sound, thereby helping to create a stress-free community.

    Marc Kress has been playing drums and percussion for more than 20 years and has been extensively involved in corporate team building and drum circle events. Marc has played in various bands such as the Interitmo Drummers and Mlilo. He has also collaborated with Richard Ellis in various percussion projects, sound-journey workshops and The Durban Drumbeat Festival. Marc believes that much like in the practice of yoga, drumming can lead to higher states of awareness, stilling the mind and transforming consciousness.

  • A Personal Retreat : Rest, Reflect, and Restore – 15% discount mid-week

    Teacher: Shogan Parker
    Cost: Number of days' accommodation
    15% discount offered for mid-week bookings in August
    Dates: 08:00am - 05:00pm 

    will parkerAs autumn approaches, we invite you to take a break and join us for an unstructured personal retreat. During your stay, you can enjoy qigong 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.

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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.