Hear Your Nervous System: Somatic Movement & Yoga Retreat for Professionals

Embark on an extraordinary journey of self-discovery and renewal amidst the landscapes of Sweden. Our exclusive retreat, "Hear Your Nervous System: Come Back to the Body," extends a warm invitation to health and wellbeing professionals, as well as individuals from various walks of life, to embark on a three-day immersion into the depths of their body, mind, and the natural world.

In a world characterized by relentless busyness and perpetual distraction, it's all too easy to lose touch with our authentic selves. This retreat offers a sanctuary—a space where you can slow down, tune in, and reconnect with the essence of who you are, cultivating a profound sense of wellbeing along the way.

Led by esteemed Somatic Movement Therapist, teacher, and educator Jane Okondo, alongside the expertise of Živilė Virkutytė from Less Stress, participants will delve into the intricate workings of the nervous system through somatic therapy, sensory experiencing, Body-Mind Centering methods and many more. Recognizing its profound impact on our overall health and happiness, you'll explore practical tools and insights aimed at nurturing your own nervous system, fostering a deeper sense of safety and resilience both personally and within your community.

Each morning, you'll begin your day with gentle yoga and breathwork practices followed by various somatic practices during the day . Designed to quiet the chatter of the mind and soothe the tensions of the body, these sessions serve as a gentle invitation to journey inward, supported by the nurturing embrace of nature that surrounds you.

We believe that healing amplifies even more in communities. By reflecting one another verbally or non-verbally, we may gain more profound and embodied understanding about ourselves. Through meaningful discussions and experiential exercises, you'll forge connections with like-minded souls, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual understanding that transcends the confines of the retreat itself.

Whether you're a seasoned health professional seeking to deepen your understanding of mind-body wellness or an individual yearning to reconneect, the retreat offers a transformative journey for all.

Places are limited to max 15 people. 

PROGRAMME (it may slightly change)

FRIDAY, May 3

- Arrivals from 16h

- 17-19h Introduction Cycle: orientation, reflection, somatic movement, intentions, opening ritual.

- 19-20.15 Dinner

- 20.30-22h – Short Introduction to Continuum and experiental practice that explores baseline of our nervous system, body awareness, and fluid movement with simple sounding.

- 22.30 – 8AM Rest

SATURDAY, May 4

- 8.30-10AM Gentle yoga, movement and breathwork

- 10.15-11.00 Breakfast

- 11.30 – 14.00 Mapping our nervous system, guided movement inquiry and bodywork.

- 14.00-15.30h Lunch

- 16-18h Continuum practice and Macro-mapping (embodiment of 3 brains: enteric, cardiac, cranial)

§ MAP 2 Macroscopic

§ MAP 3 Central Peripheral

§ MAP 4 Sensory/Motor: direction of flow in the NS

§ MAP 5 Differentiating Somatic from Autonomic – Volitional from non-volitional

§ MAP 6 ANS

- 18-19h Soothing Reflection time

- 19-20h Dinner

- 20-21.30 Personal journey work through Sensory Experiencing tools, followed by guided movement via presence skills and reflection. 

- 21.30-23 Sauna

- 23-8am Rest

SUNDAY, May 5

- 8.30 – 10AM Movement practice

- 10.15-11.00 Breakfast

- 11.00 – 13.30 Authentic Movement integration circle, refelections and closing.

- 13.45-15h Lunch 

- Cleaning, Departing 15 to 16h.

About teachers

Jane Okondo is a Somatic Movement therapist. She is also co-director and faculty for the Integrative Bodywork and Movement Therapy Diploma, where she teaches Authentic Movement and Therapeutic Presence, Somatic Psychology, Embodied Anatomy, and Movement Development. Jane is a member of the Continuum Teacher Association offering retreats in the UK and guest faculty on the Continuum program at the Somatic Akademie in Berlin.

Jane is originally trained as an Integrative Arts Psychotherapist and has a postgraduate diploma in Biodynamic Cranial Sacral therapy and a Master’s in Somatic Movement, from UCLan, UK. She is a registered Somatic Movement Therapist (MSMT/E), registered by the International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association and her post-graduate studies in Somatic Trauma are with Somatic Experiencing ® and NeuroAffective Touch ®.

Her focus of research in her practices is the connection between breath, somatic patterns and fluid body dynamics and how movement supports our access to resiliency and connection.

More about Jane: https://somaflow.okwellbeing.com

Živilė Virkutytė is a qualified Trauma-Informed Somatic Movement Practitioner with certifications in IBMT, BMC, and DAM, as well as a Yoga Teacher (RYT 300).

As a co-founder of LESS STRESS, she is dedicated to providing a safe and supportive space for healing. Her expertise in psychology, mysticism, and collective and personal trauma guides individuals towards holistic well-being.

With a background as a dance artist, Živilė skillfully integrates movement into her practice, fostering an environment that encourages personal growth and transformation.

More info: https://thelessstress.com/

This retreat qualifies for an educational credit towards ISMETA registration.

Price

The price include workshops, practices, 6 vegetarian/vegan meals, sauna, towels, bedding and accomodation (prices vary according to a room). 

If you prefer, you can  bring  your own yoga mat and a favorite blanket.

REGISTRATION AND BOOKING HERE:

Single basic room accommodation 

Shared basic room accommodation (2 people per room) 

Single lux room accommodation

Shared lux room accommodation (2 people per room)

Practical details

Gullnäsgården is beautifully located in northern Bohuslän, on the island of Tjärnö, 10 km southwest of Strömstad, 16.5 miles north of Gothenburg, 9 miles north of Uddevalla and 14 miles south of Oslo. Signed to Saltö, Tjärnö from the E6. If you drive from the north, drive past the northern entrance, and possibly also the southern entrance to Strömstad to avoid driving through the city, although it may be a little closer. Take the third exit signposted towards Saltö, Tjärnö.

Train/bus to Strömstad via Gothenburg, Herrljunga or Uddevalla. During high season, there is a direct train from Stockholm to Strömstad.

From Oslo there is a train to Halden and a bus from there to Strömstad. Sometimes a bus trip goes directly to Strömstad, otherwise Nettbuss, Bus4you and Flixbus usually go to Tanum Rasta, which is 3.2 kilometers from Gullnäsgården.

Resplus- Tågföretagen and Länstrafiken in collaboration SJ 0771-757575. You usually get the best price about 3 months before departure. Västrafiken – local traffic bus Stömstad-Gullnäs and regional train/bus Flixbus  0771-218 218

Fly to Oslo/Gothenburg and then bus to Strömstad  from Gothenburg also by train.

Notify if collection is desired at Strömstad station, for a small fee. Strömstads Taxi phone 0526-122 00.

A few bus trips run between Gullnäsgården-Strömstad on weekdays, the bus stop is right by the farm's mailbox, bus no. 997, Västtrafik.

Car up to the farm, there is a bridge connection : 5 km south of Strömstad, at the adventure park at Daftöcamping, a branch road to Daftö, Öddö, Tjärnö and Saltö begins. You have to go that way for about 5 km. You have then passed 2 large bridges and a small one. After the second large bridge, it is another 1000 m. Shortly after some red boathouses, at the Gullnäsgården sign, you turn off to the left. The exit is obscured by a rockfall in a curve, so slow down at the sea farmers. To the right of the driveway are parking spaces and the main building; yellow paved with a broken roof, is next to a row of elms, about 100 meters from the highway.

We recommend carpooling if possible!

GPS coordinates: 58.88736, 11.17040 or N 58°53.217' E 11°1

For any further questions or inquiries email us zivile@thelessstress.com