5-Day Swiss Retreat: Alpine Escape

"Our minds, bodies, and physical reality are interconnected. This interconnection ensures constant communication among the three. Therefore, when we change the state of one—such as our environment—it influences change in the others, such as our mindset."

-Graeme Raymond, Founder of Expere

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞:

• Date: May 8 - 12, 2024

• Venue: Kurhaus Retreat Center 

• Address: 7063 Tschiertschen-Praden, Switzerland

• Price: €850 (incl. lodging, food and programming)

We're off to Praden, Switzerland for a 5-day retreat in the beautiful Swiss Alps. Surrounded by mountains, rivers, water falls and hiking trails, the programming includes daily yoga, meditations, breathwork, and workshops.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝:

• Escape into a beautiful, natural environment

• Yoga twice a day to refresh the body and mind.

• Learn the science behind meditation and breathwork, with practical training.

• Leave with mindful practices you can incorporate into your daily life for ongoing growth.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧:

Part of the programming involves lectures and training on the intricacies of our mind-body connection. In our training, we explore the following:

• Understanding Yourself: Discover how your thoughts and behaviors are shaped by your experiences.

• The Reframing Method: Learn our unique technique to reshape your thought patterns and habits for a more fulfilling life.

• Hands-on Exercises: Participate in interactive activities including meditations, breathwork sessions, yoga and group exercises.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭:

Graeme Raymond: Graeme's exploration of mind and consciousness began in his teenage years when he first discovered meditation. He further expanded his knowledge at Queen's University, Canada, where he studied Philosophy and Theology, graduating in 2011. Today, as the Program Director and instructor at Expere, Graeme has made it his life's mission to assist individuals in connecting their mind, body, and soul to unlock their highest potential.

Elisabeth Janzer: Elisabeth has a background in psychotherapy, with a keen passion for spiritual practices and self-development. She has also completed 500-hour yoga teacher training with the Yoga Alliance in 2020, as well as Yin yoga teacher training in 2024.  Elisabeth's true joy and purpose lie in guiding individuals on inward journeys through the integration of yoga, movement, meditation, and ceremonial practices. By combining the wisdom of yoga with the transformative potential of psychotherapy, she provides a unique and profound experience for those seeking holistic healing and personal growth.

Katrine Breidahl: Katrine is a professionally trained psychotherapist associated with the Sisifos Center in Copenhagen. She studied under the Greek philosopher and psychologist, Panos Charbis, known for his extensive work with depression and late-modern dual symptoms. Katrine is well-versed in (meta)cognitive therapy, but her primary focus is in psychoanalysis and psychosynthesis. This therapeutic approach aims to integrate the body, mind, and the mechanisms of personality, often referred to as the 'soul'. 

Michele Cesale: Michele (affectionately goes by Mick) is the owner and manager of the Kurhaus Retreat Center. Native to the area, he has made it his life's mission to empower people to co-grow in the beautiful Swiss mountains. Surrounded by nature, the Kurhaus is deeply connected to environment around, allowing all who attend the Kurhaus to calm their mind, to grow, and to find oneself. 

𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞:

All lectures, sessions and activities are optional. 

Wednesday

• 13:00 - 15:00 Arrivals

• 18:00 Dinner

• 19:00 Orientation

Thursday

• 07:00 Yoga

• 09:00 Breakfast

• 10:00 Workshop

• 11:00 Practice

• 13:00 Lunch

• 15:00 Workshop

• 16:00 Practice

• 18:00 Dinner

• 20:00 Yoga

Friday

• 07:00 Yoga

• 09:00 Breakfast

• 11:00 Practice

• 1:00 Group Excursion

• 20:00 Yoga

Saturday 

• 07:00 Yoga

• 09:00 Breakfast

• 10:00 Workshop

• 11:00 Practice

• 13:00 Lunch

• 15:00 Workshop

• 16:00 Practice

• 18:00 Dinner

• 20:00 Yoga

Sunday

• 07:00 Yoga

• 09:00 Breakfast

• 10:00 Closing Meditation

• 12:00 - 15:00 Departures

𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞:

In the heart of Praden is the Retreat Center Kurhaus. Kurhaus is a traditional, rustic Swiss chalet and studio in the heart of the Alps that caters to large group sizes. Praden, Switzerland is known for its beautiful location in the Swiss Alps and its stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Unlike numerous alpine ski resort towns in Switzerland, the municipality of Praden and its neighboring areas have imposed strict development restrictions, fostering the preservation of their traditional, authentic Swiss culture and close-knit community.

The Kurhaus is a 4-story building that includes a yoga shala, a dinning hall, a quiet community space for relaxing and reading, as well as multiple shared bedrooms on the upper floors. Please note that the Kurhaus is a charmingly rustic building. Though there is internal heating, some areas of the building lacks insulation. We recommend bringing warm clothing to ensure your comfort. 

𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬:

• We welcome you to Kurhaus on Wednesday, any time after 13:00. We kindly ask that you do your best to arrive sometime on Wednesday, as we will be starting our orientation that evening. If you are arriving late in the night, please let us know so we can prepare for your welcome. 

• Bedrooms consist of single beds and bunk beds arranged in a dormitory-style setup. If you are coming with one or more people that you would like to share a room with, please let us know when you fill out the registration and we will do our best to accomedate.

• The bathrooms and showers are shared and co-ed.

• Given the amount of activity throughout the day, and the likelihood of some retreat participants going to bed early, we ask that we keep the noise level low after 21:30.

𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝:

• The registration price includes all program costs, as well as the costs for meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and accommodations for the entire duration of the retreat.

• All meals are homecooked vegetarian and delicious! :)

• There will also be snacks, tea and coffee offered throughout the day, and we will have both dairy and plant-based options. 

• This retreat is centered around connecting with the mind and body to become more sensitive to the exchange of information between the two. To ensure an undistracted and harmonious group dynamic, we kindly request that you refrain from consuming any psychoactive or mind-altering substances, including alcohol, during the retreat.

𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬:

Since 2023, over 200 people have participated in one of our classes, workshops, retreats, and online programs. Below are some of our testimonials from participants who have joined us in one of our previous retreats:

"One of the big experiences I had was in one of these breathing practices we did, and this was the most powerful thing I’ve ever felt in my entire life. This is when I felt like I was coming home to myself, and all of a sudden I broke into tears. Something inside of me said ‘Where have you been all of these years’.”

- Bahram at our Switzerland retreat in August 2023.

Click here to see Bahram's testimonial video

“I really like the part that combines the science, so we learned a lot of practical knowledge to understand [the exercises] better - why and how does it work - and implement [the knowledge].”

- Sara at our Switzerland retreat in August 2023.

Click here to see Sara's testimonial video

"It has brought me closer to myself. More in touch with my body, my feelings. How to use the mind in a proper way, if the mind can make you sick it can also make you proper and healed.”

- Mel at our Switzerland retreat in August 2023.

Click here to see Mel's testimonial video

"I've been really blown away by the realizations that I've had, and the experience that I've had, doing exercises that tied together in such an effective way to help me have a really incredible experience. It's brought clarity to my life, it's given me a sense of purpose and it has sharpened up the vision I have for my future, and the direction I am going to move my life in - starting immediately."

- Amin at our Switzerland retreat in August 2023.

Click here to see Amin's testimonial video

"Really this place is a safe space. You can open up, the people are nice, the food is nice and the program is well curated. Within meditation and breathwork, this was really a first time for me, and I felt safe and guided in a very nice way. I dived deep into myself, which was very interesting because I always knew there was something hiding that I didn't have access to, which now I am much more clearer on that." 

- Dario at our Switzerland retreat in August 2023.

Click here to see Dario's testimonial video

𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲:

Our team includes trained trauma-informed professionals who are available onsite to assist participants in navigating any challenging emotions, feelings, or memories that may surface during the workshop. Furthermore, we ensure that all participants are equipped with the knowledge and understanding of how to hold a supportive and empathetic space for one another.

We prioritize confidentiality and create a secure environment for our participants. Confidentiality extends to the experiences, stories, and personal insights shared during the program, as well as the emotions and feelings expressed. We value and respect each individual's privacy, ensuring that everyone feels safe and comfortable when communicating their thoughts and experiences.

𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞:

Due to the strong physical and emotional releases that may arise, this workshop is not recommended for people with cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, glaucoma, retinal detachment, history of psychosis, severe mental illness or pregnant women.

Still have questions? Feel free to reach out to us directly at hq[@]expere.co, or message us on Instagram: @experehq

From all of us at Expere, we look forward to seeing you in May! 💫