YOGA & BREATHWORK

In this retreat we will focus on how using our breath and movement impacts our mental, emotional, physical and spiritual state. During daily pranayama, yoga, and meditation sessions we will have routines that mobilise and move our energy, as well as balance and calm it.

RELEASE, BALANCE & ENERGISE

PROGRAMME

Our daily yoga sessions will usually be a dynamic vinyasa style and also integrate more relaxing and deep stretching. On Friday and Sunday the yoga sessions will be 60 minutes, on Saturday we will have a 90 minute session. All yoga sessions finish with an optional head and neck massage in savasana. :)

On Saturday morning we will have a "conscious connected breathing" session together. The style of breathing we do can lead to certain spiritual, emotional and physical states that may be holotropic in nature, lead to emotional release, a letting go of tension and/or create a greater centredness after the exercise. This style of breathing is also known to have mental health and trauma processing benefits.

During our pranayama sessions at 8am each morning before breakfast, we go through a routine that "wakes up" our organs, digestive system and generally our body and mind; as well as balancing our active and passive energies to start the day in a state of balance.

We will try different meditation styles. Of-course you are welcome to follow your own style if you prefer. On Saturday we will take a walk in nature and have our meditation there.

DAILY SCHEDULE

Friday

Check-in is possible from 2 p.m. Afterwards, feel free to use the wellness area with 4 saunas, take a dip in the lake or explore the surrounding area by taking a walk. We will start with a welcome round to get to know each other, have our first yoga session and have dinner.

Saturday

We start the day at 8 a.m. with pranayama - breathing exercises that stimulate and balance our energy for the day. This is followed by breakfast at the lavish breakfast buffet, which also offers vegan and gluten-free options.

After breakfast, we will have a conscious connected breathing session which lasts about two hours, including the introduction and some resting time to integrate afterwards. I will instruct a breathing technique and the accompanying music will help us go deeper into the experience.

Afterwards you can recharge with a three-course lunch. We will go on a post-lunch walk and meditate in nature, followed by a dynamic 90-minute yoga class.

For dinner you can choose to dine à la carte in the hotel restaurant from a menu that offers both healthy and vegan options, as well as traditional German and Italian dishes including pizzas from a traditional wood-fired stone oven.

Sunday

After the pranayama at 8 a.m. and the subsequent breakfast, we will have a meditation session followed by a yoga class and a closing round.

You are welcome to stay at the hotel during the afternoon if you wish to use the sauna or take another walk in nature, bike ride or dip in the lake.

LOCATION

The Landhotel Altes Zollhaus is located in the small village of Neuhermsdorf in the Ore Mountains, Germany. Surrounded by beautiful forests, fields, and streams, you experience silence and the soothing as well as refreshing sounds of nature here.

The Landhotel Altes Zollhaus focuses on wellness experiences. We will be using its beautiful, bright yoga room on the third floor with a wonderful view into the forest and over the hills into the Czech Republic; as well as an outdoor yoga terrace that allows us to practise at the fresh air under the sun.

The hotel has 4 saunas, for which the use is included in the retreat, and offers a wide range of massages and treatments. There are also two bathing lakes, one in the forest and the other next to the hotel garden, for a refreshing dip in your free time.

The hotel rooms are lovingly furnished, each with individual paintings by often local artists.

For lunch and dinner, we can dine in the vaulted restaurant with a wide-ranging menu, or in the Italian-style pizzeria with an original stone oven and pizzas made by a Sicilian pizza baker.

FAQs

What is conscious connected breathing?
The conscious connected breathwork we will do fundamentally consists of deep in- and exhales without gaps in between and at a faster rate than "normal" breathing. The benefits of, and experiences during and after it, range from emotional release, trauma processing and psychedelic-like experiences to feeling more present, connected, grounded and authentic.

You control of the depth and intensity of the experience by how deeply and quickly you breath. The method is a simple yet effective way of accessing levels of consciousness we may connect to less day-to-day.

Is the retreat suitable for my yoga level?
Anyone is welcome to join and we will cater to each participant's yoga needs. I am used to teaching mixed-level classes and sessions are tailored to make sure beginner yogis have thorough explanations and cues as well as alternative poses to more advanced ones in the flows; and that advanced practitioners have the opportunity to work up a sweat and challenge themselves with trickier poses.

I recommend that beginners are willing to challenge themselves and try to reach their edge, as it can lead to a beautiful sense of accomplishment. Feel free to let me know your yoga level and expectations while booking, or reach out to discuss if you have any questions. Anyone can always take a break during a yoga class or choose to skip yoga classes if they prefer partaking only in the breathwork and other parts of schedule.

How large is the group?
We will have up to 8 retreat participants.

Who's the teacher? :)
It's me, Katharina Kunze. Find out more about my teaching style and teaching/yoga background on the "Teacher" page.

What kind of weather can I expect during the retreat?
The weather around Landhotel Altes Zollhaus is mild compared to other areas in Germany because of its altitude (around 700m above sea level). This makes it incredibly pleasant in summer with temperatures in the mid 20s - around 23°C to 25°C - and perfect for our programme; allowing us to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air outdoors during yoga, meditation and breathwork practice at pleasant temperatures.

There are two lakes for bathing around Landhotel Altes Zollhaus, where you can take a dip to cool off; and four saunas at the hotel in case you want to have a good sweat in the evening. Surrounded by lush forests and fields, taking walks around Landhotel Altes Zollhaus in July is a refreshing, green, grounding and uplifting experience.

FOOD

Breakfast

Delicious, varied breakfast buffet to meet your dietary needs. There are vegan spreads, plant-based and lactose-free milk, as well as egg dishes and cold-cut meat and cheese platters. In addition to the usual selection of German bread rolls and pastries, gluten-free bread can be served if required (preferably with advance notice). There is also a varied range of muesli and seeds/seeds, fresh fruit and vegetable slices, homemade jams, and juices (included in the retreat package).

Lunch

Vegetarian/vegan 3-course menu (included in the retreat package).

Dinner

À la carte in the restaurant or in the pizzeria which uses a traditional stone oven (dinners are not included in the retreat package).

If you have any food allergies or preferences, please let me know at booking so that I can inform the kitchen ahead of time and cater to your needs. :) Many thanks!

RETREAT PACKAGE PRICES

525€ for 1 person in a "sleeping pod"
600€ for 1 person in a single room - one room left!
650€ for 1 person in a double room (single occupancy - you have
the room to yourself)

890€ for 2 people sharing a "sleeping pod"
1090€ for 2 people in a double room
790€ for 2 people in a double room with only 1 retreat participant
(e.g. yogi + partner)
Yogi: full package included (see list on the right and above).
Non-participating partner: only accommodation and breakfast included.

Children & dogs: Children and dogs are welcome at the hotel. Please let me know if they are joining so that we can organize the appropriate rooms for you. Unfortunately dogs can only stay in certain hotel rooms for allergy reasons, so it will be important to make sure we block one of those for you in advance. Thanks!

Included:

• 2 nights accommodation at Landhotel Altes Zollhaus (5-7 July 2024)

• 3 yoga classes of 60 to 90 minutes each

• a conscious connected breathwork session

• 2 pranayama sessions

• 2 meditation sessions

• daily large & varied breakfast buffet

• a 3-course lunch (vegetarian/vegan/taking into account dietary preferences)

• daily entry to the sauna landscape

Not included:

• 2 dinners à la carte

• additional spa and wellness treatments (e.g. massages)

• transfer to/from the hotel

• insurance

CONTACT & BOOK

Feel free to ask me any question about the retreat, yoga style, the hotel, preparation, etc. You can send me a message directly here, send an email to katharina.kunze@gmail.com or reach me on messaging services on +49 1523 8131 548. I'm looking forward to hearing from you,

Kat