In Detail + FAQ

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  What is it?
  
  
  

  MINDFULNESS

  Mindfulness is an increasingly popular (therapeutic) approach. Mindfulness-based interventions have been tried out in a wide range of vulnerabilities, with the strongest evidence for use in depression and anxiety. Mindfulness operates by changing the person's relationship with unhelpful thoughts and emotions. The need for home practice is both a strength and a weakness. Some find home practice too demanding and a barrier to effective utilisation of mindfulness. Maybe during this retreat you'll discover a set of practical tools that, once learnt, can be applied to ongoing life difficulties; in this way mindfulness may have a place in promoting recovery and flourishing. Additionally, mindfulness may be beneficial for clinicians to promote well-being and enhance the therapeutic relationship.

  
  
  

  QI GONG

  Learn the eighteen movements of Shibashi over the retreat; a set of exercises drawn from different traditions, designed to promote well-being in a more efficient body. Shibashi means eighteen in Chinese. This is one of the most commonly practiced series of Qi gong movements in the world. It is designed to enhance the general health and wellbeing of the practitioner and can be both energizing and deeply relaxing as well as a joy to practice. Drop into the energetic felt sense of being in your body as it moves rather than worrying too much about doing each movement exactly right. The fluid movements follow your breathing, creating a soothing sensation flowing through your body. The mind is relaxed and observes the movements or creates an image inspired by the name of each movement.

  
  
  
  
  
  
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  TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
  
  
  

  
  
  
  

  Arrive (any time) from 5pm - Day 1 - ’Settling In’

  • 5.30pm: Group Meets ‘orientation to retreat’
  • 6.30: First Practices - Meditation (and then free time to explore)
  • 7.30: Dinner
  • 8.30: Reflective Practice (‘intentions’)
  • 9.00: End of day brief practice

  ’Day 2’

  • 7.30am: Morning Practice (Mindful Movement + ‘unguided’ Sitting Practice)
  • 8.30: Breakfast
  • 10.30: Sitting-walking-sitting ‘cycle of practice’
  • 1.00: Lunch
  • (Free time to explore the local landscape)
  • 4.00: Sitting-walking-sitting ‘cycle of practice’
  • 7.15: Dinner
  • 8.30: Input (Making Effort in Mindfulness)
  • 9.00: End of day brief practice (‘Open Awareness')

  Day 3

  • 7.30am: Morning Practice (Mindful Movement + ‘unguided’ Sitting Practice)
  • 8.30: Breakfast
  • 10.30: Sitting-walking-sitting ‘cycle of practice’
  • 1pm: Lunch
  • (Free time to explore the local landscape)
  • 4: Sitting-walking-sitting ‘cycle of practice’
  • 7.15: Dinner
  • 8.30: Input (Making Effort in Mindfulness)
  • 9.00: End of day brief practice (‘Open Awareness')

  Day 4

  • 7.30am: Morning Practice (Mindful Movement + ‘unguided’ Sitting Practice)
  • 8.30: Breakfast
  • 10.00: Mindful Movements + Body Scan
  • Mindful Tea Break
  • 12.00pm: Walking + 4 Stage Meditation
  • 1.00: Lunch
  • 3.30: Sitting Practice and ‘Coming out of Silence’ process
  • Afternoon Tea
  • 5.00: ‘Open Awareness’ – Just Sitting Practice)
  • 7.15: Dinner
  • 8.30: Sitting and then Whole Group mindful Q&A

  Day 5 - 'Closing'

  • 7.30am: Morning Practice
  • 8.30: Breakfast
  • 10.00: Whole Group Meets (ending process)
  • 12.30pm: Lunch
  • 14.00: Closing

  
  
  
  
  
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  Frequently Asked Questions
  
  
  
  
  

  
  

  ABOUT THE VENUE
  About 50 kms from Oporto airport Nestled in the beautiful North of Portugal, this center is the perfect site for retreats. It offers fresh air, mountain vistas, gorgeous wooded acreage, personalized service and the best facilities around. Located just 40 minutes from Oporto Airport, with great accesses, you will feel a million miles away from the city, but we're close enough for an easy getaway. The meditation gardens offers sanctuary to reflect and recharge in natural beauty with sounds of water all around.
  Accomodations - Good bedrooms with its own newly remodeled private bathroom with toilet, sink and shower. Sheets, blankets, towels and soap are provided. Rooms have adjustable heaters and wireless internet. The food is great and ajustable to specific needs.

  
  
  

  What time should I plan to arrive? When do we finish?
  We will begin checking people into the retreat at 11am on the first day of the retreat. However, it may be possible for you to arrive before 1pm and have access to your room. We ask that you plan on arriving no later than 14.30pm so that we can begin with the full group in attendance at 15pm. We plan to end the retreat by 2:00 pm on the last day so please plan your travel accordingly, using the time guidelines above. Sometimes situations arise in which people have to leave the retreat earlier than noon on the last day but we strongly urge you to avoid this if at all possible.

  
  
  

  Is there wireless service/cellular phone use?
  Please do not expect to get consistent, reliable wireless internet service while at the retreat center. It is most advisable to leave your computer at home because of the retreat nature of the training, however we recognize that sometimes computer use is a necessity. Most cellular phones will work in this location. Again, however given the nature of the training there will be limited opportunities to use them, so informing those who may need to contact you of these limitations ahead of time will be helpful.

  
  
  

  Is it possible to stay extra nights at the facility or arrive a day or two early?
  The retreat center is often booked both right before and right after our training, so arriving early or staying an extra night or two after the retreat is over is not likely to be a possibility. You can of course arrange to stay at lodging near the retreat center if you would like to extend your stay. Contact us directly at email to make such arrangements.

  
  
  

  What do I need to bring?
  If it is at all possible, please bring a meditation cushion (zafu) and a yoga mat. We will have a few cushions but not enough to go around, so if you have one and can squeeze it into your luggage or bring it as a carry-on please consider doing so. It is always advisable to check the weather forecast prior to traveling, to help guide you in proper clothing choices.

  
  
  

  The relatively remote location makes security a minor concern, but we do want people to know that with shared sleeping quarters and very limited availability of keys to lock rooms, we highly recommend leaving valuable items at home to reduce the possibility of anything being lost or stolen. Certainly some of us will have vehicles where such items can be secured if this is necessary.

  
  
  

  What should I expect regarding the format of the training?
  This training is taught in a retreat format, which means there is a great deal of mindfulness practice embedded in the training. The venue very much facilitates this format; we will will meet, eat and be housed in a relatively secluded area. There are no other large groups planned in the center that week so it should be relatively quiet and secluded. The rooms are clean and comfortable, but not by any means luxurious.