A Taste of Silence Retreat
A transformational 3 night / 4 day silent retreat in Belgium, perfect for beginners!
How often do you really take time only for yourself?
How often do you really shut off from the world, really slow down and just BE?
Have you ever truly listened to your inner voice?
A Taste of Silence Retreat is a retreat especially for you if you feel like you easily get overwhelmed by the business of the world around you, if you’re caught up in the doing of so many things and if you can’t see clear anymore if you’re doing the “right” things that feel good to you.
This retreat is perfect if you are already curious about why you’re doing what you’re doing, what is going on inside of you and if you want to explore these questions on a deeper level. If you’re curious to try something new and experience what silence can bring you. To get some rest and space to be with yourself. To get out of your busy mind, to get more connected with your body and your feelings and to connect with your silence within.
In our Western society it can feel very difficult to find rest and stillness in your daily life and A Taste of Silence Retreat will create this safe space for you, to really be able take a break, have a proper detox and get a reset. You will have the space to slow down, shut off from the outside world and dive deeper into your inner world.
All of this surrounded by nature in an old monastery tucked away in the Belgian countryside.
When?
There are no new dates yet, if you want to receive updates about future events, please leave me your e-mail and I’ll keep you updated!
There will be 2 days of full silence.
Where?
The retreat will be in the beautiful Akasha Retreat Center in Heks in Belgium. In this center I spent a lot of time as a karma yogi (volunteer) myself, so I’m very grateful that I have the chance to organize my own retreat there and share my love for this place and silence with YOU!
Akasha retreat center is a truly magical place. It’s an old monastery, it’s surrounded by nature with a big garden and with their adorable housecat Tosha (who’s always up for a cuddle).
They have a beautiful temple for all the sessions, a cosy common area for dinner and relaxing and of course clean and comfortable bedrooms (both private rooms and a dorm). It would also be possible to camp in the garden (limited spots available).
The food that will be freshly made by the lovely team is organic and vegan, with sometimes even some fresh veggies from their garden!
Here you can find some pictures of the place and I made a quick guided tour through the retreat center.
You can also check out some of my Reels (for example this one, or this one, or this one) if you want to see the “behind the scenes” ambiance ;).
PLUS… Here is a recap of the first succesful edition of A Taste of Silence Retreat in September 2024!
What?
A Taste of Silence Retreat will give you the opportunity to take time for yourself only and to become more aware of your thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations. You’ll get an introduction on meditation, breathing exercises, embodied movement and gentle yoga. You’ll get supporting background information about calming the mind, embracing and accepting what is and connecting with your inner being.
This retreat is all about YOU, as you ARE right here right now, for taking this time to connect with and embrace yourself.
The first day will be arrival day. Arriving in the here and now, taking a deep breath and connecting with the other participants.
The two full days will be full silent days, for you to have the time to really go inwards and come back home within yourself. The first day will be more focused on (calming) the mind, the second day about sinking deeper into yourself and connecting with your inner silence. There will enough free time to relax and reflect.
The fourth and last day will be the day focused on your heart. Closing the silence together, with sharing your experiences from the heart and reflecting on the tools and inspiration you’ve gained. Getting ready to go back to the noise of the outside world, but with this taste of silence to take back with you.
I’ll be your support and guidance this full retreat, together with the help from some amazing karma yogi and supporting yoga & embodied movement teacher Nadine:
“I‘m Nadine and I‘ll be teaching yoga und I’ll support at the retreat.
By traveling the world and participating at many retreats I’ve learned that everything we look for can be found within ourselves. Through connection in community we can create safe spaces to encourage each other, to heal and to grow.
My goal is to help you to get in touch with yourself and the world around you on a deeper level. Together we will move in silence. Using the wisdom of our bodies we get a deeper understanding of our feelings and emotions and become more conscious of our experiences. This can bring more freedom, empowerment and connection into our lives.”
Provisional schedule
The timetable is not final yet, but gives you a good idea of the program.
Day 1 – Arrival day
15:00 – Arrival
16:45 – Yin yoga session
18:00 – Dinner
19:30 – Introduction and explanation
20:30 – Body stillness meditation
21:00 – Free time (silence starts)
22:00 – Bed time
Day 2 – Silent day
07:30 – Wake up
08:00 – Yoga session
09:00 – Senses awareness meditation
09:30 – Breakfast and free time
11:30 – Inspiring lecture
12:30 – Breathing awareness meditation
13:00 – Lunch and free time (optional short 1-1 support)
16:30 – Movement and breathing exercises
17:30 – Walking and silent meditation
18:15 – Dinner and free time
19:45 – Yoga Nidra / Visualisation
20:30 – Free time
22:00 – Bed time
Day 3 – Silent day
07:30 – Wake up
08:00 – Yoga session
09:00 – Breathing awareness meditation
09:30 – Breakfast and free time
11:30 – Inspiring lecture
12:30 – Meditation “Who Am I?”
13:00 – Lunch and free time (optional short 1-1 support)
16:30 – Embodied movement
17:45 – Silent meditation
18:15 – Dinner
19:45 – Sound journey / Visualisation
20:30 – Free time
22:00 – Bed time
Day 4 – Closing day
07:30 – Wake up
08:00 – Yoga session
09:00 – Heartspace meditation
09:30 – Breakfast and free time
11:00 – Loving kindness meditation and closing silence
11:30 – Heart sharing
12:30 – Lunch and free time
14:00 – Closing session
What do I need to expect from full silence?
Being in silence means completely shutting off from external communication and daily distractions, so that you can fully go inwards.
This means: no talking or any non-verbal communication, no electronic devices and no reading. I’ll kindly ask you to leave your phone with us on the first evening to be returned at the end of the retreat.
Silence will be the base for you to become fully present, dive deep into yourself and give space to whatever wants to be seen within you at this moment.
For who?
This retreat is perfect for “beginners”. If you are curious about what being in silence can bring you and what will be happening inside of you when you let go of all the distractions from daily life for once. If you want to learn to love yourself with all aspects that make you your perfectly imperfect self.
If meditation, yoga and breathing exercises are new to you, this is the perfect introduction. Don’t expect difficult poses or deep and complex content. It will all be very accessible, personal and low key.
You can see this retreat as a buffet: a taster of different techniques and tools (that have helped me on my journey) to take home with you and which could make you decide to explore some of them deeper afterwards, if you feel like it.
But even if not, you’ll still go home fulfilled with a beautiful experience.
Even if you’re already familiar with yoga and meditation: then of course this retreat is also a great opportunity to pick up your practice or to give yourself at least the gift of slowing down, a detox from daily life and being surrounded by beautiful nature and people.
You are also more than welcome!
Why this retreat?
There are so many obligations and expectations and impressions in life – sometimes it feels never ending and as if you can’t escape. Friends, family, jobs, health, text messages, social media, advertisements, things you should work on to be “worthy” to live…
There’s so much input and pressure from the outside world, that we almost start to believe that we’re not complete, that something is wrong with us, that we aren’t good enough just as we ARE.
We seem to forget how to just BE with ourselves, as we ARE.
Besides that the world of yoga and meditation (or even “personal development”) can be overwhelming. There is so much you could or “should” do. It almost becomes another achievement or thing on the to do list.
We can feel busy and have busy minds, but don’t always know how to deal with it or what it actually is that causes this turmoil and we don’t know where to start in this world of tips and tricks.
It’s all about coming back to basics and realizing that everything is already perfect as it as.
Going into a 10-day silent retreat straight away can be a big step (I love big steps myself, but I know it’s not for everyone).
This retreat can be a perfect step to introduce yourself in a safe space to different tools and to get a taste of the silence within you. The peace we’re all longing for is actually closer than you think :).
Costs
The costs will depend on the room you’ll choose.
All prices are in euros.
Here are the different options:
– Camping with outdoor shower and compost toilet (and possible to use inside facilities as well), bring your own tent or camper €350,-
– Dorm shared room with maximum 6 people, bunkbeds. Sharing the bathroom with the Inspiration Room. NOW from €420,- for €390,-
– White room €475,- shared room with maximum 3 people, separate beds and own bathroom
– Inspiration room €550,- private room with double bed. Sharing the bathroom with the Dorm. (this is the price if you want to book this on your own) SOLD OUT
– Inspiration room €475,- private room with double bed. Sharing the bathroom with the Dorm. (this is the price per person if you want to book this room with 2 people)
– Cocoon room €625,- private room with double bed and private bathroom (this is the price if you want to book this on your own)
– Cocoon room €550,- private room with double bed and private bathroom (this is the price if you want to book this with 2 people)
You can find more information about the different rooms here.
Here you can find a quick guided your through the retreat center!
What is included in the price:
– A program filled with (among other things) slow yoga, meditations, breathing exercises, inspiring lectures.
– Yoga mats, meditation cushions and blanket
– 3x freshly made organic and vegan breakfast, lunch and dinner
– Always free tea, water and fruit available (be aware that there won’t be any coffee served)
– Accomodation during the retreat, including bedsheets and towel
What is not included:
– Your transport to the location (easy reachable by car or by train to Tongeren station). We can talk about pick up from and to the station.
YES I WANT TO JOIN!
Yes, you want to join? AMAZING! I’d love to see you at Akasha retreat center.
If you’re interested, please write an e-mail to hannah@hannahdemaagt.nl or fill in the form on the bottom of this page and we’ll go from there!
You’ll get all the extra information needed via e-mail, like what to bring with you and what the exact address is.
I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS!
Perrrrrfect, always welcome.
For questions or doubts you can also write an email to hannah@hannahdemaagt.nl or you’re also more than welcome to contact me through Instagram.
Just say “Hi Hansie, I have a question!” and I’ll answer as soon as possible
It would also be possible to book in a 20-minute (video)call to get to know each other first and to discuss if the retreat is something for you!
I can’t WAIT to go on an inner journey, together with you! <3
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What others say about A Taste of Silence
“When you lose touch with inner stillness, you lose touch with yourself. When you lose touch with yourself, you lose yourself in the world."
Hannah de Maagt
hansie
Hi! I’m Hansie. I’m a Dutchie based in the UK, living with my amazing English partner.
I’m living a free spirit life style, often on the road. Exploring both the outer as well as my inner world.
Trying to find happiness within myself, despite the circumstances. Being authentic and staying as true as possible to myself. Spreading a little bit of love, a little bit of light, a little bit of happiness. Living to be inspired, hoping to inspire you as well!
Hannah de Maagt
These books have supported me on my spiritual journey
