Authentic Connection
A three-day retreat of mindfulness, yoga, and heartfelt human connection.
3–5 July 2026 · Schweinheim Monastery, Eifel, Germany
A weekend of being fully yourself.
If you've been longing to slow down, reconnect, and meet others in a space of honesty and care — this retreat offers a gentle reset for body, mind, and heart.
In the peaceful surroundings of a historic Eifel monastery, we'll explore what it means to truly connect: first with ourselves, and from there, with others. Through yoga, meditation, and relational practices inspired by Authentic Relating, Compassionate Communication (NVC), and Zen Coaching, you'll be invited into a weekend of stillness, clarity, and heartfelt connection.
You'll nourish your body with plant-based meals, your mind with silence and nature, and your heart through real, human connection. In a welcoming, international group, you'll rediscover authentic ways of being and relating.
Yoga · Meditation · Authentic Relating · NVC · Zen Coaching
What you'll experience
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Yin Yoga, Vinyasa Flow, and Yoga Nidra.
Gentle practices to arrive in your body and deepen inner connection
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Authentic Relating & NVC
Relational exercises that make communication honest, safe, and alive — connection without masks or performance.
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Silence & Nature
Space for reflection, journaling, or simply being with the beauty of the Eifel forest. A group hike included.
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Bonfire Evening
Mantra circle, and a bonfire under the stars — warmth, laughter, and genuine togetherness.
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Plant-Based Meals
Nourishing vegetarian and vegan dishes prepared with care. Shared meals as part of the connection.
Day 1: Landing and Grounding
Our journey begins with arrival and grounding. As you settle into the peaceful rhythm of the monastery and the forest around it, the pace of life naturally slows.
We come together in our first circle to connect, share intentions, and create a field of safety and trust — welcoming all parts of ourselves. Afterwards, we unwind with gentle yoga, easing tension and arriving fully in the body.
The evening opens with a nourishing shared dinner.
We will continue our evening with two gentle practices to help you land. You're invited to check in with yourself before we begin exploring together what authenticity actually means to you through a simple inquiry practice.
The night closes with Yoga Nidra, a slow and nurturing journey inward for deep, restorative rest.
Day 2: Connecting with others
We rise with morning yoga, followed by breakfast and a full day of connection.
The morning session opens with a slow meditation before we dive into the foundations of Nonviolent Communication: feelings, needs, and actions. We move between teaching, embodied practice, and dance.
After a nourishing lunch, we head outside. In pairs, we walk the forest paths with three questions as our companions.
The afternoon continues with the Curiosity Game, connection exercises, and a few moments of lightness and play — because laughter is part of this too. We close with some of the most honest prompts of the weekend.
We come together for dinner and end the evening around the fire with mantras, ecstatic dance, and the simple joy of being seen in your full expression. The night closes gently, with silence and rest.
Day 3: Connecting with the world
Our final day is about integration, bringing what's shifted back into life.
After morning yoga and breakfast, we gather one last time: sharing what yesterday stirred, moving through inquiry and Authentic Dancing, and sitting with the deeper question of what it means to truly be seen by another.
We share a last brunch together before the afternoon turns to harvest — each person naming their most important insight, weaving together what the group has created, and exploring how to keep this alive at home. A free one-on-one coaching session is offered to support you in the weeks ahead.
We close with a ceremony that honours the journey, the group, and yourself — before stepping back out into the world, a little more you than when you arrived.
Our retreat venue
Schweinheim Monastery, Eifel
Enjoy your little break at Schweinheim Monastery, in the historic setting of the former Cistercian convent. Quietly located in the northern Eifel, in the sunny valley of the Steinbach stream, this place offers soothing silence, relaxed care from the monastery team, and wide open nature to breathe deeply.
Wide meadows, ancient stone walls, and the stillness of the forest are your backdrop for the weekend. Experience a time in which you can leave everyday life behind and truly recharge.
What is included in the retreat
Accommodation & Meals
Accommodation and all meals in a single room at Schweinheim Monastery.
Retreat
3 yoga sessions, 3 group sessions and connection exercises, daily meditations, yoga nidra session
Goodies & Journal
You will receive health goodies and a journal with reflection questions and health tips.
Come as you are.
Secure your spot now — the group is intentionally kept small.
We will send you all the information:
Our Retreat Team
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Alicia Buss - Yoga Teacher · Mindfulness Coach · Founder, The Self Care Network
For a long time, I carried quiet assumptions about who I needed to be to belong. Then something shifted. When I chose courage and let myself be truly seen, I was met with something I didn't expect: real, loving, caring connection.
As a certified yoga teacher, mindfulness coach, and retreat facilitator, my greatest teacher has been my own journey inward. I learned that the most profound connections begin when we are simply ourselves.
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Andreas Fredriksson - Zen Coach · Facilitator · NVC & Authentic Relating
Andreas spent years as a management consultant before discovering what was possible when he finally felt safe enough to open up. That experience of being met with genuine curiosity and acceptance changed everything.
Trained in Zen Coaching, IFS, Authentic Relating, and NVC, he supports people in finding the courage to let their authentic self through — in words, movement, and honest dialogue.
Is this for you?
This weekend is for you if…
You're tired of surface-level connection and long for something real.
You want to feel more at home in yourself and express yourself without overexplaining.
You're curious about Compassionate Communication (NVC), Authentic Relating, or embodiment but don't know where to start.
You just need a proper reset — body, mind, and heart.
You want practical tools for deeper conversations with partners, friends, and colleagues.
You're looking for a community of people who get it — to keep practising with after the weekend.