This retreat invites you into the quiet art of haiku as a contemplative practice. Rooted in the spirit of Zen, haiku offers a simple yet profound way to see clearly, feel deeply, and return to the present moment. Through silence, walking, writing, and shared attention, we will explore how just three lines - and one breath - can open the heart and still the mind. Our time together will include periods of seated meditation, nature-based observation, guided haiku writing, and gentle reflective exercises. No writing experience is needed - only a willingness to pause, notice, and respond with honesty and care.
This retreat is for anyone seeking to reconnect with presence through the quiet doorway of poetry and the practice of seeing.
Step into spring and join us for an unstructured personal retreat. Qigong, yoga, massage therapy, walks and talks on medicinal plants and meditation are on offer. Alternatively, you may choose to simply 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.
Jean-Francois Sobiecki is a pioneering South African medicinal plant researcher, a qualified nutritionist, herbalist and research associate with the University of Johannesburg. He has conducted over 20 years of ethnobotanical research on South African medicinal plant use. With a B.Sc.Hons. EthnoBot. (UJ), Dipl Clin Nutr. (Aus) in qualifications, a book and a number of academic publications under his belt, he has been invited to present at international conferences. He is trained and qualified in medical anthropology, permaculture, clinical nutrition, and massage therapy and runs a private herbal and holistic medicine practice in Johannesburg and conducts regular workshops, trainings and tours on medicinal plant use for the public.