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23 June 2025 - 29 June 2025
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Monday
23 June
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Teacher: Jason Ross
Cost: 3 days accommodation + R350 surcharge
Dates:
 Through a merging of concepts from Existential Psychoanalysis and Secular Buddhism, this retreat explores Buddhism as a form of therapeutic living. The retreat will take us from the concept of inherent “lack” (sunyata), through “longing” (“tanha”), to “love” (metta). Along this journey, we will consider the implications of the Buddhist notion of “non-self” (anatta) for the practice of psychotherapy and its practical application to our everyday lives.
This retreat involves philosophical discussion, therapeutic engagement, a variety of sitting practices, walking meditation, basic yoga (no experience needed), written reflection and group discussion. It is an ideal retreat for those interested in a practical, therapeutic and atheist (non-soteriological) approach to Buddhism.
View teacher details Hide teacher details Dr Jason Ross is a practicing psychologist with a PhD in Philosophy and Psychoanalysis from the Global Centre for Advanced Studies. He takes a critical stance towards conventional psychology and its ideas of what it means to be supposedly normal. He proposes a move away from its impoverished language of diagnosing individual experience and a return to a more embodied, socially embedded, poetic, and philosophical engagement with our struggles. He campaigns for a psychology that is more interested in providing a therapeutic experience than attempting to explain our problems away. He is particularly sceptical of Psychology’s more recent incorporation of “mindfulness” into its methodology, viewing this as a contradiction of the Buddhist philosophy from which “mindfulness” originally emerged. His work, therefore, attempts to do justice to the existential philosophical thread that runs through most Buddhist teachings, merging this with an existential psychoanalytic method. Jason was first introduced to Buddhism through the teachings of Rob Nairn and Louis Van Loon in the 90’s, and his hope is to pay tribute to the legacy of these teachings. He is currently most influenced by the work of Stephen Batchelor and David Loy.
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Teacher:
Cost: Number of days' accommodation
Dates:
 Find meaningful solitude on a Self-Retreat. One can do as much (or as little) reading, walking, meditation or resting as one chooses. Enjoy walks and bird watching in 300 acres of beautiful rolling hills and indigenous forests. Enjoy some qigong, meditation and treatments and savour our delicious vegetarian food; or browse our well-stocked library. Visit the stupa and the raked Zen sand gardens and walk the labyrinth. Massage treatments, guided walks, qigong and meditation are offered by resident staff mid week. Self-Retreats are an ideal opportunity to be in a gentle, sympathetic space where one can be still and get in touch with oneself.
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Tuesday
24 June
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Teacher:
Cost: Number of days' accommodation
Dates:
Find meaningful solitude on a Self-Retreat. One can do as much (or as little) reading, walking, meditation or resting as one chooses. Enjoy walks and bird watching in 300 acres of beautiful rolling hills and indigenous forests. Enjoy some qigong, meditation and treatments and savour our delicious vegetarian food; or browse our well-stocked library. Visit the stupa and the raked Zen sand gardens and walk the labyrinth. Massage treatments, guided walks, qigong and meditation are offered by resident staff mid week. Self-Retreats are an ideal opportunity to be in a gentle, sympathetic space where one can be still and get in touch with oneself.
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Wednesday
25 June
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Teacher:
Cost: Number of days' accommodation
Dates:
Find meaningful solitude on a Self-Retreat. One can do as much (or as little) reading, walking, meditation or resting as one chooses. Enjoy walks and bird watching in 300 acres of beautiful rolling hills and indigenous forests. Enjoy some qigong, meditation and treatments and savour our delicious vegetarian food; or browse our well-stocked library. Visit the stupa and the raked Zen sand gardens and walk the labyrinth. Massage treatments, guided walks, qigong and meditation are offered by resident staff mid week. Self-Retreats are an ideal opportunity to be in a gentle, sympathetic space where one can be still and get in touch with oneself.
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Thursday
26 June
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Teacher:
Cost: Number of days' accommodation
Dates:
Find meaningful solitude on a Self-Retreat. One can do as much (or as little) reading, walking, meditation or resting as one chooses. Enjoy walks and bird watching in 300 acres of beautiful rolling hills and indigenous forests. Enjoy some qigong, meditation and treatments and savour our delicious vegetarian food; or browse our well-stocked library. Visit the stupa and the raked Zen sand gardens and walk the labyrinth. Massage treatments, guided walks, qigong and meditation are offered by resident staff mid week. Self-Retreats are an ideal opportunity to be in a gentle, sympathetic space where one can be still and get in touch with oneself.
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Friday
27 June
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Teacher: Buhle Mabanga, Zawadi Yamungu, Tinashe
Cost: 2 or 4 days days accommodation + R400 surcharge
Dates:
   Join Buhle for 2 to 4 days of Ishta Yoga which is a blend of different styles of yoga practices. Ishta is an acronym for Integrated Science of Hatha, Tantra and Ayurveda, but also has deeper meaning in its Sanskrit roots that translates as “that which resonates with the individual”. As students, we each have our own path, and it is this very personal journey that Ishta Yoga seeks to encourage. In this full-rounded practice, you will also experience tapping, pranayama (breathwork) and inner child healing meditation. This retreat will also incorporate African indigenous music with Zawadi and Tinashe.
View teacher details Hide teacher details Buhle Mabanga is an accredited yoga and mindfulness teacher and founder of Nomvula Well-Being Movement. She began practising mindfulness, yoga and meditation four years ago with teachers Nandiva from Ishta Yoga and Mark Joseph from Mindful Revolution. In addition to her mindfulness and yoga work, Buhle is an artist, a children’s book author, a spoken word writer and a fashion designer.
Zawadi Yamungu is a South African indigenous musician born in Kwa-Zulu Natal. She started her career with a local church group and was later exposed to acting, dance and composing music which enhanced her career as a professional artist. Umakhweyana, Ugubhu string bow and penny whistle are some of the instruments she plays. Working with Mbuso Khoza's African Heritage Ensemble, she has also collaborated with Gcina Mhlophe, Madala Kunene, Themba Mkhize, Nduduza Makhathini and other legends.
Tinashe is an indigenous instrument artist, hailing from Harare, Zimbabwe. His music - influenced by his late teacher - sparked the heart of his talent from a tender age. He plays the instruments mbira, flute, djembe drum and marimba. He has been with the Nomvula Well-Being as a sound healer and is uniquely talented.
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Teacher:
Cost: Number of days' accommodation
Dates:
Find meaningful solitude on a Self-Retreat. One can do as much (or as little) reading, walking, meditation or resting as one chooses. Enjoy walks and bird watching in 300 acres of beautiful rolling hills and indigenous forests. Enjoy some qigong, meditation and treatments and savour our delicious vegetarian food; or browse our well-stocked library. Visit the stupa and the raked Zen sand gardens and walk the labyrinth. Massage treatments, guided walks, qigong and meditation are offered by resident staff mid week. Self-Retreats are an ideal opportunity to be in a gentle, sympathetic space where one can be still and get in touch with oneself.
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Saturday
28 June
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Teacher: Buhle Mabanga, Zawadi Yamungu, Tinashe
Cost: 2 or 4 days days accommodation + R400 surcharge
Dates:
Join Buhle for 2 to 4 days of Ishta Yoga which is a blend of different styles of yoga practices. Ishta is an acronym for Integrated Science of Hatha, Tantra and Ayurveda, but also has deeper meaning in its Sanskrit roots that translates as “that which resonates with the individual”. As students, we each have our own path, and it is this very personal journey that Ishta Yoga seeks to encourage. In this full-rounded practice, you will also experience tapping, pranayama (breathwork) and inner child healing meditation. This retreat will also incorporate African indigenous music with Zawadi and Tinashe.
View teacher details Hide teacher details Buhle Mabanga is an accredited yoga and mindfulness teacher and founder of Nomvula Well-Being Movement. She began practising mindfulness, yoga and meditation four years ago with teachers Nandiva from Ishta Yoga and Mark Joseph from Mindful Revolution. In addition to her mindfulness and yoga work, Buhle is an artist, a children’s book author, a spoken word writer and a fashion designer.
Zawadi Yamungu is a South African indigenous musician born in Kwa-Zulu Natal. She started her career with a local church group and was later exposed to acting, dance and composing music which enhanced her career as a professional artist. Umakhweyana, Ugubhu string bow and penny whistle are some of the instruments she plays. Working with Mbuso Khoza's African Heritage Ensemble, she has also collaborated with Gcina Mhlophe, Madala Kunene, Themba Mkhize, Nduduza Makhathini and other legends.
Tinashe is an indigenous instrument artist, hailing from Harare, Zimbabwe. His music - influenced by his late teacher - sparked the heart of his talent from a tender age. He plays the instruments mbira, flute, djembe drum and marimba. He has been with the Nomvula Well-Being as a sound healer and is uniquely talented.
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Teacher:
Cost: Number of days' accommodation
Dates:
Find meaningful solitude on a Self-Retreat. One can do as much (or as little) reading, walking, meditation or resting as one chooses. Enjoy walks and bird watching in 300 acres of beautiful rolling hills and indigenous forests. Enjoy some qigong, meditation and treatments and savour our delicious vegetarian food; or browse our well-stocked library. Visit the stupa and the raked Zen sand gardens and walk the labyrinth. Massage treatments, guided walks, qigong and meditation are offered by resident staff mid week. Self-Retreats are an ideal opportunity to be in a gentle, sympathetic space where one can be still and get in touch with oneself.
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Sunday
29 June
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Teacher: Buhle Mabanga, Zawadi Yamungu, Tinashe
Cost: 2 or 4 days days accommodation + R400 surcharge
Dates:
Join Buhle for 2 to 4 days of Ishta Yoga which is a blend of different styles of yoga practices. Ishta is an acronym for Integrated Science of Hatha, Tantra and Ayurveda, but also has deeper meaning in its Sanskrit roots that translates as “that which resonates with the individual”. As students, we each have our own path, and it is this very personal journey that Ishta Yoga seeks to encourage. In this full-rounded practice, you will also experience tapping, pranayama (breathwork) and inner child healing meditation. This retreat will also incorporate African indigenous music with Zawadi and Tinashe.
View teacher details Hide teacher details Buhle Mabanga is an accredited yoga and mindfulness teacher and founder of Nomvula Well-Being Movement. She began practising mindfulness, yoga and meditation four years ago with teachers Nandiva from Ishta Yoga and Mark Joseph from Mindful Revolution. In addition to her mindfulness and yoga work, Buhle is an artist, a children’s book author, a spoken word writer and a fashion designer.
Zawadi Yamungu is a South African indigenous musician born in Kwa-Zulu Natal. She started her career with a local church group and was later exposed to acting, dance and composing music which enhanced her career as a professional artist. Umakhweyana, Ugubhu string bow and penny whistle are some of the instruments she plays. Working with Mbuso Khoza's African Heritage Ensemble, she has also collaborated with Gcina Mhlophe, Madala Kunene, Themba Mkhize, Nduduza Makhathini and other legends.
Tinashe is an indigenous instrument artist, hailing from Harare, Zimbabwe. His music - influenced by his late teacher - sparked the heart of his talent from a tender age. He plays the instruments mbira, flute, djembe drum and marimba. He has been with the Nomvula Well-Being as a sound healer and is uniquely talented.
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Teacher:
Cost: Number of days' accommodation
Dates:
Find meaningful solitude on a Self-Retreat. One can do as much (or as little) reading, walking, meditation or resting as one chooses. Enjoy walks and bird watching in 300 acres of beautiful rolling hills and indigenous forests. Enjoy some qigong, meditation and treatments and savour our delicious vegetarian food; or browse our well-stocked library. Visit the stupa and the raked Zen sand gardens and walk the labyrinth. Massage treatments, guided walks, qigong and meditation are offered by resident staff mid week. Self-Retreats are an ideal opportunity to be in a gentle, sympathetic space where one can be still and get in touch with oneself.
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