A Restorative Storytelling and Creativity Retreat: Weaving Our Creativity and Joy Through Somatic Story
- Vasintha Pather / Weekend / 1 - 3 September

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Join Vasintha Pather, a registered Expressive Arts Therapist and leadership coach specialising in wisdom stories and creative expression in healing, for this deep, restorative and exploratory retreat using story and creative expression. The deep truths embodied in fairy tales are an important source of self-awareness, connection and growth as they depict complex internal processes and group dynamics. At the heart of stories is spiritual growth offering pathways to make sense of our lives and to experience restoration and healing.

On this weekend retreat, we will engage with the healing powers of story, creativity and embodiment to guide and restore our wellbeing. Expect gentle exploration, creative expression and restorative movement held within the nourishing surroundings of the BRC.

Drumming: Exploring Natural Rhythms
Richard Ellis and Marc Kress | Weekend | 8 -10 September

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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.

Mind, Body And Breath

Marc Kress | 5 days | 10 - 15 September

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Join Marc for some mid week sessions of chi kung and meditation. This will be an unscheduled 5 days to give you the opportunity to release, relax and restore - with an experienced teacher - in the tranquil and nurturing environment of the BRC. A 10 % discount applies.

Yoga Mind, Body And Breath: A Journey Of Self-Discovery
Marc Kress and Kirsten-Mia Hickey | Weekend | 15 -17 September

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The practice of yoga brings the mind and body together, grounding us in the present, connecting us with where we are and what our body tells us about ourselves. Yoga is a process of re-connecting to our body and breath, coming back into the present moment. Through regular practice of asanas, pranayama and meditation, yoga unlocks the deeper levels of our being. It is a way of moving into stillness in order to experience the truth of who we are. This retreat is open to beginners and experienced students. Please bring a yoga mat.

The Art Of Making Tofu 

Kathryn Millar | 18 September 

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Enjoy some time at the BRC learning to make tofu from scratch with Kathryn Millar. She will be offering a morning session on the art of  making tofu. The demo will take about 2 to 3 hours, where you can watch the process from beginning to end, and enjoy a sample of freshly made tofu warm from the press. If anyone would like to order a kit (as per the example on her website: https://www.fullsome.co.za/tofu-making-kits) please contact Kathryn in advance as she can bring them along to the BRC for you to take home.  

Kathryn Millar started making tofu during 2020 when lock down forced her to look for alternatives to her usual sources. The process became so enjoyable that Kathryn decided to create a tofu making kit, including a wooden cypress tofu press, which are very hard to come by in South Africa. She has taught well over a hundred people to make tofu through classes and demonstrations.

A Taste of Somatics: Feeling And Healing The Body From Within

Lisa Firer | Weekend | 29 September -1 October

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Join Lisa for a weekend of mindfulness-based-somatic movement in the tradition of Clinical Somatics. Learn gentle and mindful body-based practices to help release chronic tensions that underlie pain and stress. The retreat will offer some theory of somatic movement in general and Clinical Somatics specifically. Exploring the communication between the brain, nervous system and muscular system, we will learn about pandiculation, nature's way of releasing tension from the body. We will weave Basic Mindfulness practices and meditations throughout the retreat, develop your inner awareness and bring comfort and ease to the body through this slow and mindful approach. You will leave the retreat with some tools and practices to become your own body worker.

Healing The Family Tree: An Ancestor And Us Writing Retreat

Dorian Haarhoff | Weekend | 22 - 24 September

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The songs of our ancestors are also the songs of our children. Our stories are gifts we give each other and gifts we leave behind us. For, one day we too will be ancestors. In this retreat we write our stories and place them next to those of our family, immediate, extended and chosen. The idea of family can include not only blood, but our spiritual tradition, culture and the line of those who share our passions. The retreat also touches on healing the family tree and looks at questions such as how we can change the script and create new patterns.

Between First In-Breath And Last Out-Breath: The Art Of Story-telling

Dorian Haarhoff | 2 days | 24 - 26 September

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Ever since I heard my first love story I have been looking for you - Rumi

Who is the who that Rumi alludes to? There is something deeply fictional about us human beings. We are the stories we tell about ourselves. Rediscover the lost art of story-telling. Experience the joy, presence, mindfulness and transformation that arrive when we engage with a tale, learn how to craft it and inhabit it. We begin to see our lives as a story, keeping pace with the rhythm of our hearts, balanced between the in and the out of our breathing. Be enchanted by Zen and other tales from many paths.