Czech Republic Retreat

Date for Retreat:  11 - 17 July 2022.  (Arrival on the 10th, departure on the 18th optional and at extra cost, yet advised if possible)

An opportunity, away from the distractions in your daily life and environment, to clear out, make space, let go of attachments and find your roots in the source of creation, beyond the boundaries created by the mind, allowing your soul the freedom to live every moment in the present, free from fears, worry, anxiety or anger. 

During this 7 day retreat you will receive tranmissions in order to help your life path shift towards your most essential qualities and potential in alignment with your soul's path, allowing you the support to make that quantum leap in your existence while learning some methods to help sustain your progress and maintain your new state of being.

The retreat has a spirit, energy and rhythm of it's own that will guide the process based on the participants, environment and other metaphysical factors. There may be a variety of spiritual, movement, energy development and healing practices done during this time, which will most likely include a variety of the following:

Yoga, Qigong, meditation, mantras, healing, tantra, work in nature, pranayama, karma yoga, sound work, visualisation, transmissions, chanting, energy and light work from various different systems and lineages.  

If you would like to know more about me, feel free to look at the "about" page with 3 subsections on my website.

www.lifeinspiredlight.com/biography

Ultimately, the aim of this retreat is to give you the opportunity to heal more deeply by developing higher consciousness, wisdom and compassion.

Testimonial from a past retreat:

"Annelie creates a beautiful, safe, nurturing & welcoming space on her retreats where she shares her unique experience, wisdom & healing practices with participants.  She’s a wonderful, gentle teacher & host and pays absolute attention to detail, holds the space and is fully aware of everyone’s needs.

When the Retreat finishes, the work & healing continues…."

Catherine K, London, UK

Finances and Payments:

Please make sure I am aware of your intentions to attend ASAP even if you are not certain yet since physical sleeping arrangements, food and transport has to be arranged in advance. Please contact me via the contact page or feel free to text if you have my number.  If you have financial concerns but still want to join, please contact me to find out about referrals that could bring you some discount.

*If you feel a resonance with the concept of "pay it forward", why not sponsor part or full payment for another person to join (either now of in the future) who may not have the same financial karma as you. Instead of donating to charity this year, why not offer some financial support to somebody who is on their path towards self discovery?  We all lack in some areas of life at certain stages, assisting others to find healing is often the path towards our own inner healing.  Please only do this if it is done from a space of wanting to share what you have, free from any expectations, free form ego, pity, shame or a need to save another.  Simply buy 2 tickets and message me to let me know that you will be a sponsor.  Alternatively, feel free to donate any amount towards somebody else's workshop fees.

- Transportation:  Re-connect with the journey of life

You are welcome to bring your own vehicle, but it may not be necessary to hire one specifically, since you will not be using it for the 7 days while in retreat.  Depending on the amount of participants, we may hire a bus for one of the days. For those who come from other countries, here are the suggestions:

- Suggested airports:  Prague or Brno

- Train connections:  Make your way from either airport to Ceska Trebova (you may need to take a bus connection from the airport to the nearest or central train station).

- From Ceska Trebova there are a few options:  

Bus to Litomysl and another bus to Trstenice or

Bus to Litomysl and taxi to Trstenice or

Taxi from Ceska Trebova to Trsenice

- There is a possibility to arrange transport if people were to share their travel plans with me.  Please send me your itinerary as soon as you have more clarity, or if you are flexible, let me help you find bookings as a group.

-Accommodation:  Re-connect with simplicity and nature

The accommodation for this retreat is basic, yet practical and beautiful. Building and renovations are still in progress in various parts  of the building and you will have to opportunity to grab a hammer, paint brush or broome in your free time. Currently there are only heating in some areas, but since it is summer, it should not be a problem.   

You will however have access to private bathrooms and warm showers.

Rooms are individual or shared depending on the price. For more details or to confirm your booking, please contact me to discuss your options.

*Extra nights before and after the retreat is available at 270 CZK (roughly £9.50/€11) per night.

- Only beds, sheets and pillows are included, so you will need to bring your own sleeping bag / bedding.  Limited stock of bedding, per set, is available at 130CZK (roughly £4.50 / €5.30). Please book this in advance.

- Machine washing is possible at 78 CZK (roughly £2.70 / €3.15) per load and the venue will provide washing powder.

Food:  Re-connect to community and co-working

Generally Healthy Vegetarian Breakfasts, Dinners, tea, coffee and snacks are included.

Please inform Annelie of any intolerances, allergies and food requirements necessary at least 1 week before.

-Extra dinner (150CZK / £5 / €6) on the 10th and breakfast (100CZK / £3.50 / €4) on the 18th will be available (A total of 250CZK / £8.50 / €10) for those arriving on the 10th and/or leaving on the 18th of July.

- People who pay more will have first option when it comes to rooms and yurt sleeping options.  The low price will only be available to those who earn a currency that is weaker than what it is in for instance Germany, Holland or UK, and will also be looked at individually.  People who can afford the normal price (anybody who have some form of an income and are not on some form of benefits or support) should pay the normal price.  The discounted price is for those who are in countries like Netherlands, Germany or UK who are on very low income or income support, as well as those from Slavic countries who earn a generally good income, these will also be looked at individually.

Payment equivalents in different currencies:

*Normal price (Nirvana) - £730 / €870 / 21 500 CZK

*Discounted price (Moksha) - £625 / €745 / 18 400 CZK

*Low price (Sartori) - £555 / €660 / 16 300 CZK

I am willing to offer anybody who brings somebody else a 10% discount, so if they were to bring 2 or 3 people, they can decrease the cost of their own ticket dramatically.

If somebody signs up for middle range, they will also need to get somebody paying middle range in order to get discount for that category, otherwise it will only be 5% discount.

I have both UK £ and Euro € bank accounts, so can receive payment directly in the currency people choose to pay.  If people pay in Czech koruna (CZK), the money will directly go towards the owners of the venue to cover costs of retreat.

There is a local shop 2-3 minutes walk away from the venue, so if you wanted to bring some extra Czech Koruna, feel free.

A few extra notes:

- There is a super full moon on the 13th of July around 8:30pm. The full moon offers a full reflection from the light of the sun.  This is a good time for quietness and stillness, observing the reflections and practicing the art of forgiveness. We will be doing less intentive movement this day while also aiming to arrange a fire puja in the evening if the weather allows.

- The schedule of this event will be decided closer to the time and will only be a rough guideline and subject to change due to weather, convenience, external factors and group requirements… life will guide the process to have the most beneficial outcome for all involved.

Please be aware of the following:

- There is a possibility of translation for people who do not understand English.  Please let me know ASAP of your requirements.

- No candles, insence, alcohol, drugs or any other substances that allows for altered states of consciousness will be allowed during this retreat.  There is a dedicated area for the smoking of cigarettes which we would be grateful if you could honour.

- You are welcome to bring your own favourite types of tea, snacks or food, but please either keep it in the kitchen or in an enclosed space where it will not attract insects or animals.

- In order to be in the highest level of alignment with nature and others, please bring organic/biological toiletries and cosmetics and be mindful about the time you spend in the shower to save water and keep warm water for others

Please bring:

- a journal to document your experience, realisations and for any other notes/ teachings

- at least 2 pens to write with

- a yoga mat

- warm clothes / layers for early mornings and late evenings outside.  Clothes should be suitable for movement, without restriction and in general, something that could get dirty without causing you too much distress.

- your own towel and an extra hand towel for a different purpose

- comfortable walking shoes as we will be going into the woods. 

- a pashmina / blanket for meditation to keep the energy inside and to keep you warm.

- natural bug / insect repellent or natural essential oils.

- sunscreen

- For those who have a tendency to be cold, please feel free to bring a hot water bottle.

More details to follow in time...  please let me know if you have any questions, that way I can inform everybody

Explanations of classes you may take part in:

Yoga:

It is not impotant how flexible or strong you are, but where your mind is when you are challenged or prompted to surrender.  Yoga is about the movement of breath and consciousness, the physical body is just the expression and physical manifestation.

There is an immense amount of joy that can come from stillness and movement when it is aligned with, and powered by the grace of the spirit's ability to bring harmony.  Through my classes and other work, I aim to offer an experience of all of the parts of one's being, the stillness, the strength, the flexibility, determination and focus;  but the most important part, is when you just know that a position "feels right" and you can hold it for infinity, with zero effort. 

It is this feeling of inter-connectivity in the physical, energy body and mind that creates sustainability and guides our understanding to find our life path and place in this universe.  Yoga is about the ability to find coherence, alignment and integrating all the parts of your being to bring you back towards the infinite potential of "the whole".  

Meditation: 

None of us know all the answers and solutions to issues we face in life.  We can speculate based on past experience and align our actions to the principles that govern life, but ultimately, what the actual action may look like, may be completely different to a previous time we had to deal with a similar situation, based on the context, as nothing stays the same...

The only way we can align ourselves to the highest good in ourselves, others and the present moment, is to become empty of all thought, of all ego and all preconceptions of what we think or feel should or could be true, right or real.  It is only once we achieve this state of emptiness that we can act from a space of humility and grace guided by that part of our consciousness that sees through eternal eyes, not limited to your sense of self, past traumas or beliefs.

Chi Kung / Qigong:

Chi Kung is an energy development practice that has been cultivated for thousands of years as part of the general medical system in China, benefitting all levels of the physical, emotional and spiritual health of people. It is accepted as part of the Integrative Medical system of healing in the West and recently becoming more known as a preventative health care tool to support our vitality, before, during and after periods of illness/disease.

Chi Kung helps to generate, harmonise and heal the energy and chi flow, countering the negative effects of astrological and human interferences, wi-fi signals, toxicity and many other forms of stimili we absorb on a day to day basis, causing erratic behaviours, explosive emotions and aggitation in our body and mind.  

For more information about Chi kung, please follow this link:  www.lifeinspiredlight.com/chi-kung-qi-gong

There are many benefits to a chi kung practice... but to mention just a few:

- support the healing of many chronic conditions and pain, 

- strengthen our focus, clarity and concentration, 

- help to rebalance mind and emotions through grounding and harmonising the energy flow 

- boost the vitality of the organs and general systems of the body

- calms the nervous system while counter-acting stress

and overall, creating a sense of empowerment, strength and connection within yourself for a happy, healthy mind. 

Ngal-So Tantric Self Healing:

"Ngal" means suffering and the causes of suffering. "So" means our potential to eliminate suffering and to develop a relaxed, peaceful mind

.

A deep explorative journey of the subtle mind and aspects of our attachments and limiting beliefs that keeps us stuck in the same suffering cycles of existence. Learn how to start manifesting a new consciousness by linking yourself back to where you come from, re-constructing the process of manifestation to bring clarity and connection inside of yourself as well as harmony and flow outside.  

This powerful journey includes prayers and mantras, visualisation, colour, symbol and sound healing as well as mudras and breathing techniques to support the process. It has its foundations in the Vajrayana path of the Buddha Dharma Teachings (Buddhism), but can be practiced by anybody who feel they resonate with the end result of healing, peace or the ultimate awakened state.  

This practice will contain ritual, prayers and mantras from the Buddha Dharma Texts and will only require your attendance through meditation, relaxation and if you choose, participation.  You do not have to actively take part.  Listening, observing and receiving these very powerful blessings will help clear obstacles in your path and assist in the process of finding peace and healing.

Terminology:

‘Lineage’ - refers to the unbroken line of direct transmissions of knowledge and experiences from master to disciple. The teacher guides the disciple to realise the inner experience of the path and to awaken one’s own inner guru; one’s own inner wisdom, compassion and power. The main responsibility of a master in a lineage is to adapt Buddha’s teachings to the capacity and mentality of people of that time, while still keeping its essence and meaning. That is how a lineage can keep the teachings alive.

'Chi' / 'life force' -  the energy that flows through you and connects you to everything else.  It is that which gives you life.

The concept of chi (also spelt Qi) has its roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Martial Arts, but the idea of a vital life force energy and its role in our health can be found in many cultures. In Yoga and Ayurveda we describe this life force as Prana.  Chi energy moves through the body, like blood, but like the breah, it exists in the unseen realms.  It is nourished by a healthy diet, enough sleep and movement practices and can be described as the purest energy that arises out of consciousness, awareness, stillness – through you into your body and all expressions of life.