3 Day Purification & Creation Yoga, Nature & Dance Retreat in the Belgian Ardennes

This retreat takes place at Chamai, a retreat house in the old presbytery of Hodister, a village of a few hundred people surrounded by the forests of La Roche-en-Ardenne. Sophie, a descendant of the building's original occupants, and her partner Gert started developing the centre in 2019. They live on site with their daughter Aube and their dog Aster, who has become something of a local attraction for guests. A natural pond sits in the garden, and the whole place has the unpolished feel of a family home that happens to host retreats.

The theme is purification and creation. Each day follows the five-element structure: starting with the stillness of nature, then movement meditation (water), slow Japanese Butoh to shed the pace of daily life (earth), Tibetan Tantrayana yoga (wood), free dance and Vision Dance (fire), and creative work exploring what you want to bring into being (air). Sufi dance, the whirling dance of love and freedom, features as the closing practice of each day. The intention is to clear out the noise and then set a direction for the coming months.

Days are spent in the garden, in the house's practice room, and on forest walks with the group. There's also time set aside for creative expression — drawing, painting, or whatever comes up. The group is deliberately small, between one and four guests, which keeps everything intimate. Meals are mostly vegetarian and largely from the garden or local producers, and you're expected to lend a hand with cooking or tidying up. It's not a hotel experience; it's more like spending a long weekend staying with people who have a very particular way of living and are happy to share it.

This is a retreat for people who are comfortable with silence, with some introspection, and with a schedule that mixes structure with spaciousness. Complete beginners to yoga are welcome, and the practices are adapted to whoever's in the room.

What's included

- 2 nights' accommodation in a shared or private room (or tent space) - 3 daily meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) with water, tea, and coffee throughout the day - The full 7 Elements daily program: movement meditation, Butoh, Tantrayana yoga, Freedom Dance, Vision Dance, Sufi dance, and creative expression - Guided nature hikes in the Ardennes forests - Use of the retreat house and garden - Campfire evenings

What's not included

- Flights and travel costs to Hodister - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Alcoholic beverages - Personal snacks and spending money