Mind-Body Medicine Retreat Program
a comprehensive journey to increased health and well-being
Diepkloof Nature Reserve
South Africa
Our 6-day intensive retreat program is open to those who want to enhance their inner growth, health and well-being or personal leadership through mind-body medicine. Blending therapy based on the healing power of nature with concepts, tools and techniques derived from cognitive-behavioral psychology, the program is restorative and comprehensive and offers the opportunity to align yourself with your nature, to re-align one’s life to one’s passions. The purpose of this work is to create a healthy state of mind in order to better deal with life challenges.
The program takes place at Diepkloof Private Nature Reserve where wild unspoilt nature may enable you to find, restore and develop your personal inner connection with nature.
Hippocrates pointed to the value of understanding the connectedness between the healing power of the nature residing within us and the healing power of the nature surrounding us. We consider Nature co-teacher in our programs and therefore invite you to explore nature at Diepkloof. Encounter your inner nature while meeting open space, animals and silence.
This retreat week will be led by Barbara de Beukelaar MSc. Our staff has a rich educational and training background and varied experience in change and leadership programs for individuals and organizations as well as in working with people who are dealing with a crisis, like a potentially life-threatening illness. For more information about the teaching staff please check www.hekademos.org.
In its comprehensive approach our program integrates cognitive, physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of our being; we address our wholeness as human beings. All that we teach is based on ancient knowledge and current medical and psychological scientific research. The focus is on learning self-help tools that decrease stress and emotional or physical pain and that increase happiness.
The program is a 6-day residential program and includes lectures, assignments, meditations, structured and unstructured experiences, exercises in working groups, and one-to-one meetings as desired. We empower and challenge ourselves through connecting deeply with our own nature and the nature that surrounds us.
All that is offered is aimed at strengthening the underpinnings of effective personal growth and leadership through selfreflective learning, which deepens the connection with our authentic self. It is through more deeply connecting with our own nature that we can meet our fullest potential as leaders in our own lives and move to increased health and well-being.
Concepts addressed are: emotional competence and thought transformation - responsibility - change and resolving old issues - dealing with stressors - spiritual beliefs - living with hope and trust - inner wisdom/guidance - non attachment - and more. One learns how to think healthier, feel better and connect with surrounding and inner nature.
Although this program is open to everyone and focused on how to increase personal growth, we very much welcome those who are facing or who have healed from an illness. If one is currently dealing with an illness please know that the program supports people in whatever medical treatments they are already following, while offering an additional mind-body approach for mobilizing their own healing energy.
Participants are offered ways to impact their own health and wellbeing. Studies have shown that beliefs, attitudes and emotions can impact our health and the course of a disease. Healing does not always mean the body gets well or recurrence can be prevented. The program includes learning how to deal with the unknown, and how to create peace of mind around death and dying in order to live one’s life to the fullest today.
Training Program
Hekademos Foundation offers a training program to educate therapists, social workers, nurses, physicians, psychologists, coaches and volunteers in understanding the concepts of our Mind-Body Medicine programs. By offering training we hope to serve the community in two ways. First of all we wish to support professionals in their personal as well as professional life so they can work in good health themselves and enjoy a good quality of life. Secondly we offer professionals training and support in dealing with their patients/clients in a holistic and comprehensive way - with hope, camaraderie and compassion.
Participation in only one 6-day retreat session generates immense knowledge, insight and immediately applicable skills.
For those who, after having had this introductory session, desire to help their clients through mindbody medicine, we offer tailor-made training to meet the needs of the trainee. In addition, we offer a 2-year training program that can lead to certification as a Hekademos Mind-Body Practictioner. One will develop competencies in guiding clients through emotional distress and becoming well equipped to approach clients in a comprehensive way - including the emotional, cognitive, behavioral, social and spiritual aspects of our being.
If you are interested in training with us please contact us.
Schedule & Location
We will welcome you at Diepkloof on Saturday between 12.30 and 13.30. The session will conclude on Thursday by 11.30. The teaching staff is available at any time during the day, in between sessions, ensuring that each participant receives personal attention. There may be evening programs. Since nature has an important role in the program we will be outside whenever appropriate.
Diepkloof is magically beautiful, with spectacular views of the mountains wherever you are. We are grateful to be hosted by Ton and Marinka Poiesz who, rightfully so, call this area a Monastery of Nature. Diepkloof is part of Compassberg Protected Environment in Eastern Cape - river springs and sources have been restored, indigenous animals brought back, guest lodges have been built with sustainable material and Diepkloof is self-supporting in using solar energy as well as heating. Rooms are comfortable and provide two single boxspring beds. Most rooms have en-suite bathrooms.
Please note: Medical care will not be available on the premises.
Diepkloof is situated in the Sneeuberg Mountains at an altitude of 1.500 meters. Please be prepared for these conditions so you can enjoy the experience.
Cost & Registration
Cost of the program is ZAR 9.500,- per participant who attends for the first time.
If you are dealing with or have healed from an illness we do advise you to bring a support person to the program. The cost for the support person is ZAR 4.750,–.
For people not living in South Africa the price for first attendance is € 1.500,–. A support person pays half of this amount, € 750,–.
Included are lodging, three meals a day, selected drinks and snacks. Excluded are travel cost to/from Diepkloof Nature Reserve. We can advise you on the best ways to travel to Diepkloof.
It is our policy to make the program available to anyone who believes can benefit from it. Please let us know if the price would withhold you from participating. We will look into ways to be of financial support. As well, we have a reduced rate for returning participants.
For further information or a registration form, please contact Barbara de Beukelaar:
barbara@hekademos.org
C + 31 (0) 654 773 895
S barbaradebeukelaar
http://www.hekademos.org
