We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so
as to have the life that is waiting for us. – Joseph Campbell
17-22 October 2021
with Holly Niemela
2020. The whole world has been affected by a global pandemic. Not one person was exempt from the possibility of getting CV19, many had it, many died—globally. It was a strange way to finally experience the world united…and around an illness? What was the message? For me it is the need to find and live inter-connection. As citizens of this world we can bond to make positive global change. It just starts within each of us, individually, first.
2021. My favorite podcaster/author of the moment Jamie Wheal sums it up here:, “the Coming Alive arc of life, where we imagine and then pursue the best of what’s possible, slammed up against the Staying Alive arc of life, where we dump everything that’s not vital overboard, in the hopes of staying afloat”…is exactly what we are all encountering today—savor or save our lives!
I believe finding solace in our soul is the missing connection, it is the path of our recovery, post-pandemic. We are on the brink of a new era. Can we wean wonder from our experience since march 2020? As we enter the Age of Aquarius, individual consciousness is our grail that we find in our destination of inner space. Please join me on my first post-pandemic, full throttle inner adventure for those who wish to re- connect to themselves. For those who need solace and serenity.
This last year has been chaotic. Let’s re-group, let the dust settle, and re-connect to ourselves. I partner with silence and nature to guide you to your essence, your sacred soul. My intention is to teach what I’ve learned over the past 18 months. One of the most important lessons is on how to manage your different emotional and mental states— we’re living too much on our fight/flight/freeze nervous system and hardly ever even visiting the rest/digest side. How to modify your hormonal output? How to boost peak states? How to find balance?
With the group we will explore our own facets like a multisided diamond—each person is a reflection of some part of ourselves. Skills—empathetic listening, the capacity to hold and examine two opposing ideas or adaptation awareness will be taught, along with others and always through embodiment, perception and sensation. Our days start with early morning grounding—outside on the grass. Then, embodiment practices from yoga and chi gong… along with chanting, breath work and meditation. We’ll do the wim hof method (cold water bathing in the local river for the daring and deep breathing practices).
We’ll create rituals to install in daily life to enhance meaning and sense, pamper the body, cut the chains that bind our mind and play in this remote natural environment: the fields, the woods, the river— taking in the energy of the nature and the dawn of a new world during the autumn harvest.
Time to do nothing, time to reflect, time to share with others, time to ask oneself “what do I want to live for the next part of my life? Be prepared to open and vibrate on a higher level of awareness. This week is a total no wifi, no internet, no telephone experience with moments to be in Silenco.
soulful solace, wild serenity retreat…with your guide, Holly Niemela, a Paris-based teacher of ancient practices adapted for modern times.
Since 1987, Holly has trained in yoga, meditation, mindfulness and various mind-body therapeutic practices (polarity energy healing, bodywork’87, reiki master early 90’s, Regression therapy’03, Shunya/Tantric/
For twelve years Holly was instructed in traditional yoga in India and France with Swamis from the Dashnami Order of Saraswati, established by the philosopher Shankara in the 8th century and still flourishing in India today. In 2002 she was initiated as a Karma Sannyasin in the Dashnami Order of Saraswati. In 2009, Holly was part of the first wave of teachers to bring mindfulness to France with Jon Kabat-Zinn’s MBSR (mindfulness-based stress reduction) program.
With 30+ years of professional experience, she has become an ”ambassador of well-being” guiding individuals, groups and companies towards the development of an optimal lifestyle for work and play. Holly is one of the first 100 worldwide certified teachers of the Google developed program “Search Inside Yourself, the unexpected path to success & happiness at work.”
Anchored in neuroscience and evidenced-based research, Holly’s conferences, programs and international retreats highlight how ancient practices can be adapted for our fast-paced, digital world to develop our inner connection to outwardly create, collaborate, and be compassionate human beings.
The important details to secure your spot on soulful solace, wild serenity retreat
Total Price Per Person: Single Room 1600€, Double Room: 1450€ all inclusive: room, board & teaching (except transportation)
WHAT’s Included:
Eremito
950€ single, 725€ per person double
6 days, 5 nights. All meals provided, breakfast, lunch and four-course dinner. Set menu of simple but wholesome vegetarian dishes inspired by traditional monastic recipes with water, coffee, tea and herbal infusions during the day, wine with dinner. Medieval Spa&Steam, Service & Tax 10%. Eremito asks for a non-refundable deposit of 200€ for a single room or 300€ for a double room to reserve your spot immediately on the retreat. The balance due of 750€/single or 1150€/double is asked to be paid by 1 september 2021 and is non-refundable after this date.
Holly Niemela
650€ per person
All teaching, guiding, presence, organisation and accompaniment during the retreat. Approximately 5 hours of group teaching daily. We will wake early, chant, meditate and practice different embodiment rituals from Yoga and Chi Gong to awaken and vitalize. Daily teachings from ancient yogic philosophy, guided journaling and group discovery work. Three seated meditations per day (one in Nature). There will be time alone; to listen, to explore, to reflect, to nap and to relax. The days are punctuated by our meals in front of the open fireplace, exchanges and practices designed to help us drop our masks, be vulnerable, be ourselves. On the third day I will teach the Wim Hof inspired cold water bathing and breathing practice.We will celebrate the Full Moon of 20 October with a Yagya Fire Ceremony. We will respect silence from dinner till we sit for breakfast the next morning. Holly asks for a non-refundable deposit of 100€ to reserve your spot on the retreat and the balance due of 550€ for teaching teaching fee of 650€ per person be paid in full by 1 september 2021(non-refundable after this date).
Travel details
The easiest arrival port is Rome where you take a train from Rome Termini to Fabro-Ficulle; depart every 2 hours, 10€ each way (1.30min) or from the train of Florence. Upon arrival in Fabro, Eremito will come to pick up you with their car, 40€ each way
(30min). Count approximately 100€ in travel costs to and from Rome/Florence. Or car pool with others! 5
Soulful Solace, Wild Serenity Retreat: Proposed Schedule
Sunday 17 October 14h arrival, settle-in, explore.
16h Invocation & Intention Ceremony, gentle embodiment practice, yoga nidra and meditation. 19h30 Dinner.
Silencio from dinner till breakfast.
Monday – Thursday
7h Wake up Bells. Detox Drink. 7h15 Outdoor Morning Ritual, followed by Chanting, Yoga/Embodiment & Meditation in the yoga shala. 9h Breakfast, 10h30 Teaching, 13h Lunch. 14h-17h30 free time. 17h30 Teaching & Practice.
19h Evening meditation 19h30 Dinner.
Silencio from dinner till breakfast.
Friday 22 October 7h30 wake up bells. 8h Morning Practice with Closure Ceremony. 11h00 Hearty & Festive Brunch. 14h Departures.
+++ Wed 20 October Evening Yagya (fire) Full Moon Ceremony. Eucalyptus hammam and medieval spa bathing daily. Massage on demand.
Terms and Conditions for the Soulful Solace, Wild Serenity Retreat
Eremito and Holly Niemela (we) are two independent businesses and all those that come our way are much appreciated and respected. Please read the following to understand fully our terms and conditions for this retreat from 17 to 22 October 2021.
RESERVATION DEPOSIT
When you sign up for the Soulful Solace, Wild Serenity Retreat, Eremito and Holly Niemela each ask for a non-refundable deposit (Eremito 200€ single or 300€ dbl
and Holly 100€ per person). Once your deposits have been received we can officially register your place. With your transfer comes the understanding that you have read and agreed upon the terms and conditions of this page.
THE BALANCE DUE PAYMENT
The balance for both Eremito and Holly Niemela is due by 1 september 2021. You will receive a reminder prior to the deadline but if your payment is not received by that date of 1 september 2021 then your place will be lost and made available to someone on the waiting list. There is no exception to this condition–no refund.
COVID CANCELATION POLICY
The location of Eremito is deep in the countryside with lots of space to practice and good fresh air. All guests must show their QR Code of Vaccination or a negative PCR test result not older than 48 hours (and sent by email to us prior to your departure). If your government enforces a travel ban (meaning not allowing you to leave your country and travel to Italy) Eremito and Holly Niemela will refund you the total amount paid minus the deposit paid. Please note a travel ban is something different from travel restrictions and travel warning to a risk area. No exceptions.
OTHER
Due to non-recoverable payments that we must make in advance to secure the retreat, exceptions to our policies cannot be made for any reason, including (but not limited to) natural disasters, bad weather, acts of terrorism, illness, pandemics, health conditions, medical or personal or family or work emergencies, or change of mind. If you cannot reach the retreat due to unforeseen circumstances such as (but not limited to) strikes, weather circumstances, and missed, delayed or canceled flights, retreat fees are unfortunately non-refundable and non-transferable. If you arrive late or need to leave your retreat early, you will not receive any refund on the remaining time of your scheduled stay.
IN CASE WE MUST CANCEL
If Italy closes its borders and we must cancel the Soulful Solace…Retreat, Eremito and Holly Niemela will notify you as soon as possible and you can request a full refund minus the deposit. We are not accountable for your expenses incurred in preparation for the retreat, such as airline tickets, loss of work, visas fees and/or other costs associated with preparation for your trip.
TRAVEL & HEALTH INSURANCE
We feel that it is important in today’s world to expect the unexpected, thus we highly suggest that you purchase travel insurance. Furthermore, your participation in the classes, hikes and workshops are at your own risk and you must employ your own judgment as to which movements, positions, and exercises are appropriate for your level of training, overall physical fitness and experience as well as mental stability. All participants are required to have international health insurance that also covers medical care and transport home if needed.