A Day Retreat & Return - with ancient Eastern wisdom & practices

A Day of Retreat and Return on Sunday, March 29, Amsterdam - Weaving ancient Eastern Taoist wisdom and practices through Tea Ceremony and Meditation, Live Guqin & Xiao Flute Lay-down Concert, Chi Kung and Tai Chi, Mantra Singing Circle.
As Spring arises and the year turns outward, we invite you to join us for a day of rising from within - with quiet practices, remembrance, and prayer, guided by Maarten and Leila.
In harmony with the ancient wisdom of the Tao, the living rhythm of nature — this day invites us to attune to the gifts and the natural flow of the Spring season.
This gathering is an invitation to rest in stillness, to receive the medicine of the season, and connect deeper to your natural state of being, your essence, and to remember the way home, wherever you are. And getting ready from within to show up to this uprising season.
No experience is needed — only your open presence and willingness to return.

THE FLOW OF THE DAY
Through the quiet grace of an ancient Tea Ceremony and Meditation, guided by soundscapes from Guqin & Xiao Flute - beautiful yet rare instruments that carry around 3000 years of history rooted from China. To help you gently open up senses, quieter your mind and drop more into the present moment of being. Followed by a lay-down concert to rest and dive in deeper.
Explore more about Leila's Tea Ceremony: https://www.instagram.com/leilali_teaceremony
Listen to Maarten's live music tunes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiyf9KKcWY_EJJ0GxdXxwwijgRm8S0fM7&si=uCoJf5PEUOqJziF1
We will then gently flow to Chi Kung and Tai Chi (for all levels including beginners) - to open up your Chi centers and your life force energy, softening into presence and embodying the wisdom of the season. Both are disciplines that emphasise mindful awareness combined with Kung Fu movements. By right posture and correct breathing, we stimulate the meridians, the five yin organs and the three alchemic jewels.
Watch more Maarten's Tai Chi videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@maartenbeets5166
Together, we will come to a circle in mantra chanting — further opening up your power center from the roots and lifting our voices in prayer and blessings as an offering to the mystery that moves through all things. Mantra is nature singing for itself. By the resonance and frequency of repeated intention and sound we purify ourselves from the stagnant into the fresh and new.
We will close the container through making intuitive art journaling for insights to land, as well as an open sharing circle to share and integrate the experiences together to the ground level.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION:
Date & Time: Sunday, March 29 from 11:00-18:00 CET
Door opens from 10:45 CET
Location: West of Amsterdam
A Welcome Email will sent with more details a few days before the event.
Please bring your potluck lunch to share.
Regular: 78 euros
Bring 1 friend for 2: 120 euros

TESTIMONIALS
“Well organised and a good opening space thanks to Leila.” - Mindy
“I had a wonderful experience at Leila’s ceremony. Her practices allow you to connect deeper to your senses and feelings. Leila was a very caring and gentle space owner, I am grateful for this journey we've experienced together” - Anna
"I've been taking weekly qi kung and tai chi classes with Maarten for two years now. His dedication and passion for these forms exceed my expectations. I've had other teachers, but with Maarten, I'm learning to improve my posture and breathing from the ground up, gradually feeling my own inner strength. Ultimately, I can perform the form with depth and a deep understanding of the movements' meaning... You can learn that from Maarten!" - Martine
"Maarten isn't my first tai chi teacher, but after one lesson with him, I knew I wanted to stay. He has a profound knowledge of qigong, tai chi, and the workings of the human body. He conveys all this knowledge clearly, addressing each student at their own level. His lessons are characterized by personal attention: he understands my limitations and where I am in my development. And no matter how hard and serious we train, Maarten has a pleasant sense of humor that puts things into perspective, creating a relaxed atmosphere in class, and I go home smiling." - Desiree
“Leila is simply my dear tribe. I've been journeying with them for over a year now and it's always such a beautiful experience. Full of creativity, love and life-force energy. The container they provide is always a sacred space we everyone is safe to be themselves. I'm so grateful for you, beloved!” - Olivier

BIO - WHO WE ARE
Maarten: Inspired by the non-dual teachings and nature itself, Maarten has been practicing and sharing his gifts for more than two decades - through holistic massage, Qigong and Taiji. These methods prepare the soil to establish oneself into once own awakening, which was always already ever present.
Maarten started his Chi Kung and Tai Chi training in 2000 with OMGaleano, a disciple of Chen Xiao Wang. He is the founder of Tai Chi Well - a platform offering a holistic approach; a meditative field in which we can gain strength physically, emotionally, energetically, mentally, and spiritually by deeply relaxing in simplicity and empowering ourselves with nourishing self-discipline.
For more info: https://www.taichiwell.nl/
Leila:
Born from a traditional Chinese medicine family, yet living in the west for half of her lifetime, Leila calls herself an Artist of Life and Weaver of different worlds - the East and West, the Spirit and Matter, etc. She is passionate about making art with life and supporting people through Tea Ceremony, Meditation, Plant Medicines and Healing Arts, in harmony with the ancient wisdom of the Tao - The Way of Nature.
She hosts a variety of Tea, Medicine and Shamanic Ceremonies, combined with embodiment practices to bring us back to what truly matters in our body and heart.
She is also a facilitator in the field of Sensuality, Tantra and Playfulness, sharing her gifts in creating sacred spaces and working with life force energies into transformation, through Tantric Bodywork and Group Ceremonies.
She is committed to help people integrate those profound experiences and ancient wisdom into a mindful and balanced lifestyle. For more: www.leilali.com
Looking forward to journeying with you soon! If you have any questions feel free to reach out at [email protected] or whatsapp +31 613596848.
With love,
Leila & Maarten

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