Brighten your day and step into spring. Join us for a personal retreat mid week. Meditation, qigong, tai chi, hatha yoga, fusion massage, walks and talks on medicinal plants 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.
Aso Balan is a certified 200-hour Hatha Yoga teacher and Wellness practitioner who has been practising for 20 years. Her mission is to make yoga accessible to everyone irrespective of their limitations and capabilities. She believes that practising yoga regularly with mindfulness and awareness is the key to attaining physical health. She also offers fusion massage blending yogic breathing with techniques from Thai, Ayurveda, and Aroma therapy.
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.
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 next dates are:
24-26 February 2026
24-26 March 2026
21-23 April 2026
Brighten your day and step into spring. Join us for a personal retreat mid week. Meditation, qigong, tai chi, hatha yoga, fusion massage, walks and talks on medicinal plants 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.
Aso Balan is a certified 200-hour Hatha Yoga teacher and Wellness practitioner who has been practising for 20 years. Her mission is to make yoga accessible to everyone irrespective of their limitations and capabilities. She believes that practising yoga regularly with mindfulness and awareness is the key to attaining physical health. She also offers fusion massage blending yogic breathing with techniques from Thai, Ayurveda, and Aroma therapy.
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.
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 next dates are:
24-26 February 2026
24-26 March 2026
21-23 April 2026
Brighten your day and step into spring. Join us for a personal retreat mid week. Meditation, qigong, tai chi, hatha yoga, fusion massage, walks and talks on medicinal plants 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.
Aso Balan is a certified 200-hour Hatha Yoga teacher and Wellness practitioner who has been practising for 20 years. Her mission is to make yoga accessible to everyone irrespective of their limitations and capabilities. She believes that practising yoga regularly with mindfulness and awareness is the key to attaining physical health. She also offers fusion massage blending yogic breathing with techniques from Thai, Ayurveda, and Aroma therapy.
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.
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 next dates are:
24-26 February 2026
24-26 March 2026
21-23 April 2026
Brighten your day and step into spring. Join us for a personal retreat mid week. Meditation, qigong, tai chi, hatha yoga, fusion massage, walks and talks on medicinal plants 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.
Aso Balan is a certified 200-hour Hatha Yoga teacher and Wellness practitioner who has been practising for 20 years. Her mission is to make yoga accessible to everyone irrespective of their limitations and capabilities. She believes that practising yoga regularly with mindfulness and awareness is the key to attaining physical health. She also offers fusion massage blending yogic breathing with techniques from Thai, Ayurveda, and Aroma therapy.
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.
Explore this ancient Chinese practice that boosts one’s health and vitality. 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 some 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.
Brighten your day and step into spring. Join us for a personal retreat mid week. Meditation, qigong, tai chi, hatha yoga, fusion massage, walks and talks on medicinal plants 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.
Aso Balan is a certified 200-hour Hatha Yoga teacher and Wellness practitioner who has been practising for 20 years. Her mission is to make yoga accessible to everyone irrespective of their limitations and capabilities. She believes that practising yoga regularly with mindfulness and awareness is the key to attaining physical health. She also offers fusion massage blending yogic breathing with techniques from Thai, Ayurveda, and Aroma therapy.
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.
Explore this ancient Chinese practice that boosts one’s health and vitality. 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 some 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.
Brighten your day and step into spring. Join us for a personal retreat mid week. Meditation, qigong, tai chi, hatha yoga, fusion massage, walks and talks on medicinal plants 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.
Aso Balan is a certified 200-hour Hatha Yoga teacher and Wellness practitioner who has been practising for 20 years. Her mission is to make yoga accessible to everyone irrespective of their limitations and capabilities. She believes that practising yoga regularly with mindfulness and awareness is the key to attaining physical health. She also offers fusion massage blending yogic breathing with techniques from Thai, Ayurveda, and Aroma therapy.
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.
Explore this ancient Chinese practice that boosts one’s health and vitality. 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 some 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.
Brighten your day and step into spring. Join us for a personal retreat mid week. Meditation, qigong, tai chi, hatha yoga, fusion massage, walks and talks on medicinal plants 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.
Aso Balan is a certified 200-hour Hatha Yoga teacher and Wellness practitioner who has been practising for 20 years. Her mission is to make yoga accessible to everyone irrespective of their limitations and capabilities. She believes that practising yoga regularly with mindfulness and awareness is the key to attaining physical health. She also offers fusion massage blending yogic breathing with techniques from Thai, Ayurveda, and Aroma therapy.
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.