Purification and Creation Retreat: Yoga, Dance, and Nature in the Belgian Ardennes

The retreat is structured around five classical elements—earth, water, wood, fire, air—plus silence and something called Chi/Bliss. Each day, you'll move through these in a guided program that includes slow Japanese Butoh movement to help you drop out of your busy head, Tibetan Tantrayana and Tog-Chöd sword yoga for the wood element, and Freedom and Vision Dance for the fire element. The Sufi dance, which happens daily, is described as a healing dance that helps purify your inner water balance. It sounds unusual, but in practice it's just a lot of different ways to get your body moving and your mind quiet, all led by Sophie, the host, who's clearly very experienced.

What makes this retreat different from a standard yoga holiday is the creative thread running through it. Alongside the movement, there are guided meditations and time set aside for creative expression—drawing, painting, whatever comes up. The idea is that once you've cleared out the old, you get to consciously design what you want next. It's a very hands-on, practical approach to intention-setting, and it means you'll leave with a clearer sense of direction, not just a tan.

The location adds a lot. The Old Presbytery at Chamai is a real, lived-in home, run by Sophie and Gert, who started developing it as a retreat centre in 2019 on the site of Sophie's ancestors. You'll be welcomed into their world—they live there with their dog Aster and their young daughter Aube—which makes it feel much more personal than a purpose-built retreat resort. The village of Hodister is quiet and authentic, and the surrounding Ardennes forests are stunning for the daily nature walks.

Food is a communal affair. Meals are vegetarian, made with fresh, organic, local ingredients (some from the garden), and you'll be asked to help out in the kitchen now and then—chopping vegetables or picking herbs. It's simple, nourishing food, the kind that goes with a weekend in the countryside. There's oatmeal and fruit in the morning, a hot vegetable-heavy lunch, and soup and salad with bread for dinner. Tea, coffee, and water are always available.

What's included

- 2 nights accommodation - 3 daily delicious and nutritious meals - Water, tea, coffee served throughout the day - Group excursions/activities - Nature hikes with a trusted guide - Specialized workshops (yoga, meditation, dance) - Free cancellation up to 30 days before arrival

What's not included

- Flights costs - Travel insurance - Visa fee