Returning to Joy and Stillness

5-day retreat for mind and body

Category: Zhineng Qigong, Compassionate Inquiry® Languages: English Registration until: 2027-03-12

Join our expert guides to explore how the work of Gabor Maté and Dr Pang Ming can combine to support you in finding greater inner peace and joy.

Both Gabor Maté and Dr Pang Ming bring focus to the importance of relationship within their work. Relationship with ourselves, relationships with others, what these relationships trigger and reinforce within us, and how this is expressed through our emotions. Together, we will learn to recognise our relational patterns, meet them with greater awareness and care, and find our way back to ourselves. This journey can help us regulate our emotional landscape, deepen self-compassion, and create more space for joy and inner stillness. No previous experience is required, just a willingness to explore, listen, laugh and learn.

Highlights

• Morning Qigong Practice
• Talks and Discussions
• Tuition and Support
• Practice in Nature
• Evening Practice

The programme

• Day 1 - Arrivals, introductions and settling in
• Day 2 - Exploring Common Ground
• Day 3 - Exploring Broader Perspectives
• Day 4 - How to apply your new understanding in the real world
• Day 5 - Celebrating and Closing

A typical day

• 07:30 — Morning Qigong Practice
• 09:00 — Check in and Discussion
• 10:30 — Brunch
• 12:30 — Talk and Tuition
• 15:00 — Practice in nature / enjoy the site's facilities
• 17:00 — Small Group Session
• 18:30 — Dinner
• 20:00 — Evening Practice

What is included

• 4 nights in a shared glamping tent (2 or 4 people per tent)
• All tuition and practice sessions
• Use of all the facilities on site

Not included

• Flights
• Airport Transfers
• Travel Insurance

Price & payment

From €1300

£1100 per person (approx. €1300) when booking before 1st Dec 2026. £1300 per person (approx. €1540) when booking on, or after 1st Dec 2026.

£400 deposit secures your place, balance of payment due by 12th Mar 2027 - If cancelling after the 1st December and prior to the 12th March, we reserve the right to retain your deposit in the event that we cannot fill you place. - If cancelling on or after the 12th March we reserve the right to retain the full price should we not be able to fill you place.

Where you will live

Each of our tents has a private entrance and its own outdoor space. Tents are fully equipped with authentic teak furniture combined with Siberian larch flooring. Bathrooms are attached and are equipped with all necessary facilities.

What you will eat

You'll indulge in delicious and nutritious vegetarian cuisine served buffet-style twice a day. We employ interesting cooking methods like sous-vide and crafting raw desserts to preserve the maximum nutritional value of ingredients. Treat yourself to healthy and flavorful meals in the cozy ambiance of our retreat.

Two vegetarian meals per day

What else will be part of your experience

Delightful treats and serene moments

John Millar

Qigong Teacher and Founder of the Qigong Academy

An internationally renowned Zhineng Qigong practitioner, teacher and researcher. His light-hearted approach embraces the crossovers between pure Qigong and its wider application. His work around western medicine has led to long-term research with Oxford University, and his commitment to Zhineng Qigong has seen him work with Gao Yuan on retranslating Dr Pang’s writing.

https://qigongacademy.org/

Irina Sadakova

Certified Compassionate Inquiry® Practitioner and Qigong Teacher

A Certified Compassionate Inquiry® Practitioner, educator, and Qigong practitioner and trainer. She brings together Compassionate Inquiry®, the psychotherapeutic approach developed by Dr Gabor Maté, and Qigong — inviting participants to explore their inner patterns with curiosity and compassion while using mindful movement to deepen the connection with their bodies.

Contacts

Email: info@qigongacademy.org WhatsApp: +447909513839 https://qigongacademy.org/ https://community.qigongacademy.org/c/in-person-events/returning-to-joy-and-stillness