Flow – A River Adventure
Klarälven River, Sweden – 4th – 9th July 2017
We will meet at a remote wild river on the border of Sweden and Norway. We will build rafts together from heavy timber. We will pitch our tents on the rafts. And then we will meander downriver both together and alone through the untouched beauty of the Swedish forests.
People are happiest when they are in a state of flow—a state of concentration or complete absorption with the activity at hand and the situation. It is a state in which people are so involved in an activity that nothing else seems to matter. Our focus during this expedition will be about refining how we access our flow state and enjoy the nurturing aspects of the surrounding nature to inspire a deeper connection to ourselves and the external world.
The gentle practice of flowing down the river, while practising a variety of techniques including chi gung inspired by the elements, breathing techniques, and cold water therapy will support us in dropping into this unique state. The skills and experiences learned will be accessible and transferable back to everyday life.
At the heart of the expedition will be a 24 hour solo for which we moor our rafts along the riverside and hike up a wooded glade. Time alone in nature has long been known to be a most potent of medicines and this will be a space to explore flow states without any distractions.
On arrival, we will undergo have a local guide instruct us on how to construct the rafts in team. Once the rafts are built we will paddle through the afternoon and enjoy a cook out on a river bank together in the eventing.
Expect a combination of gentle paddling (around up to 4 or 5 hours per day) broken up by a range of activities, conversations and exercises. Activities will include workshops, dialogues, T’ai Chi or Chi Gong practices, awareness practices, wisdom teachings and of course time out in nature and time to enjoy good food and good company.
The wilderness ‘solo’ will consist of 24 hours alone in a marked circle alone in the wild. You will have a choice of where this will be and the idea is to stay in this circle for 24 hours inviting whatever lessons and insights Nature helps to bring. This process is very much inspired by ancient and indigenous practice while guided in a gentle and supportive way.
Food will be local and made with a great deal of love and care. Please do send us dietary and health information with the registration information.
Travel
On Tuesday 27th June the group will meet at 12 noon. We will meet at Gunnerud, approximately 90km north of Karlstad. Gunnerud is reachable by public transport from Stockholm or Karlstad.
Please contact us for more information about connections and travel.
Price
Cost: £895 price includes all guiding, meals and rafting equipment
Early bird: £815 before 31st December 2016
Two bursary places are available for this expedition at £650
*We are able to offer two low income places on this retreat. To apply, please contact us with a description of why you would like to come and be part of the journey.
Booking
To book please email [email protected] and we will send you a Registration form.
