I always trust my intuition when shaping the journey of our retreats—and this time, it led us somewhere truly profound.
During our recent 3-day of Silence Retreat, nestled in the gentle embrace of Hierberg, we welcomed a powerful new element: Forest Bathing.
A Seed of Connection
I met Katriina (Forest Minded) back in 2018, and something about her presence stayed with me. She once encouraged me to speak publicly about my urban algae farm project idea for the Flyer overpass in Gent—a vision to reduce CO₂, cut noise pollution, and create ecological solutions in Ledeberg.
That moment of encouragement planted a seed. This year, it blossomed into collaboration—and what a gift that turned out to be.
Cleansing, Breathing, Arriving
On the second morning of the retreat, we entered silence.
We began with grounding rituals like Jala Neti (a yogic nasal cleansing technique, read the post) to clear both breath and mind, helping us gently arrive into the present moment. Through soft yoga, breathing practices, and shared stillness, we opened ourselves to a deeper connection—within and nature.
The Forest as Healer
After brunch, we walked together into the forest with intention.
Katriina from Nature Minded guided us gently into a slower rhythm, where our senses awakened.
We observed the colors, the shadows, and the dancing light.
We listened deeply to the wind, birdsong, and our breath.
We touched, smelled, and sensed the vibrant life all around us.
Science has shown what ancient cultures always knew: just like sunbathing boosts our vitality, forest bathing—or Shinrin-yoku—restores our nervous system, supports immunity, and uplifts the soul.
We didn’t just walk through the forest.
We became part of it.
For that afternoon, we were family with the trees.
We breathed with them, not just beside them.
Evening Magic: Chakras, Sound & Fire Ritual
That evening, we deepened inward through chakra-balancing practices and a sound journey—letting vibration carry us into release, harmony, and restoration.
After the session, we lit a sacred fire.
Some of us wrote something we wished to let go of, or something we were grateful for, and offered it to the flames.
A quiet yet powerful ritual, making peace with what has been and creating space for what wants to arrive.
By the final day, we moved through embodied movement in silence, letting the body speak where words could not, unwinding any tension that was still left.
The welcoming space of Hierberg held us for two nights of deep rest and reflection.
Why We Chose Silence
Because silence heals. Because every person is a healer. Every person has intuition. But when there’s too much noise, we can’t tune in.
Silence gives us space to listen to ourselves, to feel again, to move from automatic mode to conscious living. And silence isn’t about being anti-social—
80% of communication is non-verbal. In silence, we speak volumes. We feel each other’s energy. We surrender and simply be.
Nourishment Through All the Senses
A silent retreat is not just about stillness—it’s about presence in every aspect of life. And that includes food.
Every meal, lovingly prepared by Deep, was inspired by the chakras (check his website for recipes).
Vibrant, healthy, grounding dishes—no coffee, no alcohol, no meat, a detox weekend. Just pure, healing nourishment that supported our inner work.
And yes—we all slept like babies.
What Forest Bathing Taught Us
This retreat reminded me—and all of us—that our connection to nature and with ourselves is not a luxury. It's a basic human need.
Just like we need the sun, we need the forest to restore, to remember, to come home to ourselves.
Forest bathing, like sunbathing, is essential. It reduces inflammation, slows your pace, and invites you to use all your senses: to see the colors, smell the leaves, feel the breeze, hear the rustle, and become one with nature.
You breathe in spring, soak in summer, exhale in autumn, and pause in winter.
As Katriina said: This is how nature speaks:
And when the sea calls you, go. When the forest calls you, go. Change is the only constant.
And we, as humans, must remember how to take part in ecology, not just observe it.
Healing Touch: Therapies That Supported Our Journey
We were also held by the hands of two wonderful therapists:
Kristien (Innerwork Holistic Body Therapy), whose transformational cupping and foot reflexology brought deep physical release and grounded energy.
Nayara (Nail Spot & Other Things), who offered soothing massage, helping us melt into ourselves, and reconnect with our breath through gentle, intuitive touch.
These therapies were the perfect companions to our silence—reminders that healing also comes from receiving.
This Retreat Was for You
This retreat was for you— the one who’s always doing, and not taking care of yourself.
A reminder to pause, to enjoy summer.
You will never again forget where you left your phone or your keys— because you’re finally present, living in the here and now.
We explored the difference between hurting and suffering, and how acceptance transforms our experience.
Suffering often comes from resistance. But once we accept, we begin to heal.
Want to Experience This Too?
If all of this speaks to your heart—Forest Bathing, chakra-inspired meals, yoga, meditation, sound journeys, healing treatments, and deep rest—you’re warmly invited to our next retreat.
We’d love to hold space for you.
Come as you are. Leave nourished, grounded, and reconnected.
Add comment
Comments