Friday
- From 4.00 pm onwards, arrivals are welcome. Optional massage therapies are available, including aromatherapy full body massage, head, neck and shoulders massage, back massage, reflexology, reiki, and more.
- 6.15 pm Tai Chi class, suitable even for complete beginners.
- 7.15 pm Dinner
- 8.00 pm Short evening meditation
Saturday
- 8.00 am Meet in the yoga room for an introduction to mindfulness walking, followed by an outdoor mindfulness walk.
- 8.30 am Tai Chi and QiGong with Gavin Cooke
- 10.00 am Breakfast
- 10.45 am Free time
- 12.00 pm Mindfulness with Tim, focusing on staying present through mantra practice.
- 1.15 pm Depart by car for an outdoor walk lasting 50 minutes to 1 hour, then continue to the Buddhist temple. The session begins with outdoor meditations. Walking shoes or boots are recommended, as some woodland areas may be boggy.
- 4.00 pm Silent meditation at Jampa Ling Buddhist Temple
- 5.10 pm Return to the retreat center
- 5.30 pm Dinner, followed by evening relaxation and massages and therapies
- 7.30 pm Tai Chi with Gavin, 40 minutes
Sunday
- 8.30 am Tai Chi and QiGong with Gavin
- 10.00 am Breakfast
- 11.10 am Mindfulness with Tim
- 12.10 pm Cross over to the island for a temple visit and island programme, including kirtan sacred songs with other visitors and participants. This event takes place every Sunday. Some massages may also be scheduled during this time, arranged individually.
- 1.00 pm Optional talk on the Vedic wisdom of ancient India, or time to relax, unwind, and walk around the 22-acre wooded island
- 2.00 pm Kirtan chant music in the temple
- 3.00 pm The Sunday Feast in the Temple, a unique cultural experience with very good food as well
- 4.00 pm Ferry departure back to the mainland and end of retreat
Gavin Cooke first studied Tai Chi under Master Charles Thackaberry at the Irish Tai Chi Chuan Institute, the oldest running Tai Chi school in Ireland. Over seven years there, he trained in the Yang style short form, long form, straight sword form, and Qigong, and earned his teaching certificate in 2004. He then spent another seven years training with Master Jan Golden of Tai Chi Ireland, deepening his practice in Hunyuan Chen taichi, Bagua Zhang, and standing practices, with a strong emphasis on postural integrity.
Through Tai Chi and Qi Gong, we learn to align ourselves between heaven and earth. Over time, this practice helps release lingering tension from the physical, mental, and emotional bodies. The result is a stronger, more supple body and a calmer, clearer mind. It is a path that continues to offer rewards.
All prices include:
- Accommodation for the full retreat
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and complimentary herbal teas each day
- All classes and workshops
Fees for this retreat:
- £250 or €290 for a single room from Friday to Sunday
- Twin room: £225 or €260 per person
- £160 or €185 with no accommodation provided
- Stay Sunday night for £45
How to Book:
- Email to share your requirements and check availability.
- If you wish to confirm your place, a deposit of €150 or £125 per person is required.
