4-Day Retreat
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Vipassana & Embodied Insight
3rd Edition of our in-person retreat
A unique retreat that supplements Vipassana Meditation with movement practices from Butoh, dance improvisation and ecosomatics to support the unfolding of embodied insight.
What is individual and collective silence?
What supports me to feel connected to myself, others, and nature?
How do I release control and surrender myself to movement (life), without fear of being seen?
How do I see myself and others with less fear, judgement, and interpretation?
How do I realise the true nature of my body, mind and spirit?
Over four days, we connect with ourselves and each other, supported by a simple schedule.
At 6 AM, we begin with Vipassana meditation, followed by guided movement practice. After breakfast, we engage in a contemplative movement session in the studio.
In the afternoons, following a one-hour group meditation, we explore simple exercises from dance improvisation to cultivate embodied insight, presence, and listening. In the evenings, there is space for a Dhamma talk, and a group meditation.
The retreat differs from a traditional Vipassana retreat in that our solo meditation practice is complemented by practices that help us meet the world and move with awareness. Embodied Insight means carrying what we cultivate on the cushion into movement — engaging with authenticity and a lived, embodied understanding of Non-Self, Impermanence, and Interdependence.
A 48-hour silence period will help us deepen our process and support inner and collective silence to emerge. Writing, alone time and group sharing will help us integrate what we learn. We encourage you step away from the online world during the retreat.
As facilitators, our experience in intensive meditation retreats found fertile ground when we ventured into the realm of dance.
We believe that the practices of silence and stillness are profoundly enhanced by dance and movement therapy, deepening and fostering connections with beauty, mystery, and interconnectedness. The transformation moves from the individual to the collective.
Photos from our first two retreats in Portugal (2024) and Germany (2025)
Retreat Schedule
Wednesday 12 | Arrival in Afternoon / Dinner and Meditation
Thursday 13 | Introducing the Practices
Friday 14 | Silent Day
Saturday 15 | Silent Day
Sunday 16 | Morning Session and Departure
Daily Schedule
6AM | Group Meditation
7AM | Guided Movement Practice
8AM | Breakfast
10AM | Authentic Movement
1PM | Lunch
2PM | Rest
3PM | Walking Meditation
4PM | Afternoon Session
6PM | Dinner
8PM | Q&A and Group Meditation
10PM | Rest
Photos of Quinta Ten Chi Venue in Sintra, Portugal
Accommodation & Venue
Quinta Ten Chi, Sintra about ~1h from Lissabon, Portugal.
A large community center with a big practice space, nestled in the lush microclimate of Sintra amongst a quiet, natural neighbourhood.
Accommodation is your choice of
Shared dorm with a shared bathroom
Sleeping in your own Tent or Van.
Accommodation nearby from Airbnb for single rooms.
The shared accommodation is part of the practice of simplicity and being together in silence.
Food
There will be three daily meals and a tea station.
A healthy breakfast including oats, fruits and sourdough bread.
A wholesome warm lunch with a daily salad.
A light dinner consisting of a soup and extras.
All food will be home-cooked vegetarian meals largely gluten-free. The food will be cooked by the mother of Sandra and her friend.
How to get to the venue
50 min by Car from Lissabon.
2h, with Public Transport from Lissabon.
There will be a Whatsapp group to self-organise sharing transport.
For further questions please email Reimar.
Pricing
4 Nights of Accommodation
3 Full retreat days, 2 Half days for arrival & departure
includes 3 vegetarian meals per day
390 EUR // price in dorm or own van/tent
350 EUR // price without accommodation
We can help you arrange a single room nearby via Airbnb, please email us. The price for these is between 200 - 450 EUR for the 4 nights.
Deposit & Cancellation Policy
125 EUR deposit is required to secure your spot.
100 EUR refundable up to 2 months before
50 EUR refundable up to 1 month before
If these prices are not accessible to you please reach out via email to Reimar.
There is also a helper spot who just pays food & accommodation.
Participants & Accessibility
This retreat is for you if you have an interest in meditation and are curious about how to EMBODY your practice beyond the cushion. It is helpful if you have some basic experience of meditation and a daily practice.
You do not need to have any specific experience in movement, just a curiosity to learn what this field is about. The practices we explore are very gentle and do not require any physical fitness or ability.
However, the space is not wheelchair accessible due to stairs and nature paths.
Optional Osteopathic Session with Sandra
Sandra will be offering optional one-to-one Osteopathic treatments during the retreat.
"Osteopathy offers a hands-on, holistic treatment of functional complaints of the body. We bring the body back into balance and help it to access resources to heal itself."
Facilitators
A shared passion for practices of Body & Mind. Sandra, my partner and Francisco, a dear friend, are wonderful humans that I met through dance.
