NEW MOON WEEKEND RETREAT
Re-align with your path
28-30 March 2025
Durbuy, Ardennes, Belgium
Re-align with your path
28-30 March 2025
Durbuy, Ardennes, Belgium
If you are seeking a deep reset – physically, mentally, and emotionally – this New Moon Weekend Retreat in the Belgian Ardennes is for you. Here, you will step away from the stress, noise, and demands of daily life and immerse yourself in gentle and calming well-being practices of yoga, meditation, sound healing, and nature connection. You will return home feeling relaxed, energised, and nourished.
This retreat is a deep and holistic experience blending movement, mindfulness, meditation, and nature – for you to return home not just relaxed, but truly transformed.
This retreat gives you space to slow down and recharge through well-being practices and nature immersion – so that you can return to your daily life feeling refreshed, centered, and energised
With yoga, guided meditation, and sound healing, you’ll release tension, quiet your mind, and cultivate inner peace – so that you can navigate life’s demands with more ease and clarity.
The New Moon workshop and runic reading will help you gain insight and set powerful intentions for your next life cycle – so that you can move forward feeling aligned and purposeful.
The How to Sit in Meditation Without Pain workshop will give you practical tools and posture adjustments, allowing you to meditate with ease and comfort – so that you can experience deeper focus and stillness when meditating without physical distraction.
Through forest bath, grounding walks, and outdoor meditation, you’ll reconnect with nature and its calming rhythms – so that you can feel more grounded, present, and in tune with yourself.
This retreat brings together like-minded people on a similar journey, creating a space of support, shared wisdom, and deep, meaningful conversations – so that you can build new connections and get inspiration.
Enjoy the crisp and fresh air carrying the sounds of nature. Feel the sense of deep peace and calm, knowing that you are giving yourself exactly what you need.
You wake up in the peaceful stillness of the Ardennes. Begin your day with an opening intention-setting meditation and energising yoga, feeling your body awake and fully alive.
A nourishing breakfast waits for you, wholesome and prepared with care. Sipping your warm tea, you feel a sense of ease and presence, knowing this weekend is just for you.
You walk silently through nature, feeling the earth beneath your feet, hearing the crunching leaves, and allowing yourself to slow down and simply be. You pause for a clarity meditation in nature, guided to listen inward and trust the whispers of your intuition. As the day unfolds, you dive into the New Moon workshop, a space for release and renewal. With guided journaling, you plant the seeds for a new chapter and have a sense of lightness and excitement.
After a nourishing lunch and some much-needed me-time, you gather for an educational workshop on sitting in meditation without pain – a powerful shift that will transform your practice.
As the sun sets, you move through a gentle yoga session, allowing yourself to sink deeper into relaxation, release tension, and unwind.
The vibrations of Tibetan Singing Bowls wrap around you, melting away any stress, carrying you into a state of deep rest. Time slows, your body softens, and your mind becomes quiet as you finish the day with a closing meditation.
Before bed, you take a moment to journal your reflections, capturing the insights of the day. Your body feels light, your breath soft, and your heart open. You close your eyes with a sense of deep peace, knowing that you have given yourself exactly what you needed.
Nestled in the forest, our retreat venue is a cozy and tranquil residence designed for deep rest and relaxation. You will stay in comfortable apartments and rooms, available in single, twin/double, or triple settings.
Bathrooms are shared with one or two other guests. Bed linen and towels are provided, so you can travel light and focus entirely on your retreat experience.
The spacious Yoga Hall is fully equipped with yoga mats, meditation cushions, and other props.
Every meal is an invitation to slow down, savour, and nourish yourself. Thoughtfully prepared at an authentic vegetarian and vegan local restaurant, our meals are crafted with fresh, wholesome ingredients, bringing together comforting flavors and vibrant colours.
Mornings begin with a heartwarming breakfast: artisanal baked goods, creamy spreads, fresh fruits, and warm drinks. Midday, you’ll enjoy a rich meal inspired by oriental flavors, where fragrant spices, nourishing grains, and colourful vegetables come together in a Thali platter. Dinner is a light selection of warming soups, seasonal vegetables, and fresh salads.
Our retreat takes place at Bhaktivedanta College, a hidden gem in the Ardennes region of Belgium. Just a short distance away, you’ll find Durbuy, often referred to as ‘the smallest city in the world.’
Surrounded by lush forest, our venue is a secluded haven for deep reflection, renewal, and connection with nature. A scenic forest path is the perfect space for quiet walks, mindful contemplation, and grounding practices.
This is an ideal escape from the noise of daily city life – for you to reconnect with yourself, align with the energy of the New Moon, and have a deep nourishing rest.
This retreat is a sacred container of time and space – a chance to step away from daily routine and immerse yourself in rest and renewal.
Designed according to my signature SHAPE method, the retreat follows the cycle of 5 Nature Elements, with each of them being a unique lens for transformation:
Arrival and welcome
Evening practices
Morning practices
Afternoon practices
Evening practices
Morning practices
Closing rituals
Arrival and welcome
Evening practices
Morning practices
Afternoon practices
Evening practices
Morning practices
Closing rituals
You’ll experience two yoga sessions daily – energising Vinyasa yoga in the morning to awaken your body and calming Restorative, Yin and Nidra yoga in the evening to help you unwind and reflect. Each session is inspired by the energy of the 5 nature elements, guiding you through awakening, grounding, flow, transformation, and renewal.
Every class is thoughtfully adapted on the spot to meet your unique needs, movement experience, and energy levels, ensuring that the practice feels accessible and personal.
Meditation is an integral part of this retreat, giving you moments of stillness, reflection, and deep connection to yourself and nature. Each session anchors you in the present, helping you release what no longer serves you and create the space for new possibilities – aligning perfectly with the energy of the New Moon.
We will meditate during the morning yoga sessions to set your intention for the day, and during the evening yoga sessions to integrate your experiences of the day. We will also meditate in the forest to have a fully immersive experience and receive clarity from the wisdom of nature surrounding you.
This is your opportunity to engage your senses and absorb the restorative energy of nature, away from the noise of daily city life.
As you walk in silence, you will tune into the sounds of rustling leaves, the scent of fresh earth, and the feeling of forest air on your skin. With each breath, you will invite a deep sense of calm and clarity.
Guided prompts along the way will help you anchor into the present moment, making this practice mindful and grounding.
Let go and surrender to the soothing vibrations of Tibetan singing bowls. This sound journey inward will guide you into a state of deep relaxation – to melt away tension, quiet the mind, and restore inner balance.
As the sound waves ripple through your body, you feel lighter, clearer, and more at ease. This will help you integrate the retreat experiences and tune into the transformative energy of the New Moon.
The New Moon is a time of renewal, intention-setting, and fresh start – a reset that invites you to release what no longer serves you and consciously step into the new life cycle.
In this guided workshop, you will review important aspects of your life and plant seeds of clear, heart-centered goals.
Through journaling prompts, you will get clarity and feel alignment with your intentions – fully supported by the energy of the New Moon.
In this practical workshop, you will learn how to sit in a way that supports your body and prevents pain and discomfort. We will use customised alignment to make powerful adjustments that fit your unique anatomy.
With my first-hand experience in prolonged meditation practice – including intensive 10-day silent retreats and personal recovery after knee surgery – I will guide you through effective techniques so you can meditate with ease and presence.
Bonus: This workshop is part of my Yoga Alliance Continuing Education (YACEP) offerings, meaning you will receive a certificate of completion that can be counted towards your YACEP credits.
In moments of transition, we often seek deeper insight and guidance.
During this retreat, you will have an opportunity to turn to Runes – an ancient system of symbols where each of them carries a unique meaning and energetic imprint, and gives you profound perspectives on your choices.
You will also be guided through an Oracle Card experience, where intuitive messages will help you connect with your inner wisdom.
This weekend is about reclaiming time for yourself and restoring your energy.
Going through deep practices and shared experiences, true integration happens in the quiet moments – when you simply allow yourself to be. Each day of the retreat has a dedicated time for you to chill, read a book, journal, go for a walk, and admire the beautiful skies. It is your opportunity to listen inward and integrate everything you have learnt and experienced.
Hi, I’m Irina Oshchepkova! I am a certified yoga teacher with 1300+ hours of teaching experience and 12+ years in the corporate world.
I see so many people craving rest, clarity, and space to breathe, yet struggling to find the time. Between endless to-do lists, career ambitions, and daily responsibilities, we often postpone what truly matters – our well-being, our dreams, our alignment with ourselves.
This is why I created this nurturing weekend retreat – a sacred 3-day pause where you can step away from the noise, reconnect with yourself, and realign with what truly matters.
With my signature SHAPE method, I guide people through a structured process inspired by nature meant to create lasting transformation.
You will leave this retreat feeling lighter, clearer, and deeply refreshed, carrying forward a sense of renewal and inner peace.
I had a great time here at the retreat, every aspect was very well thought out. The yoga classes were very good, they helped with more body awareness. I could train more and relax more, and be more focused on me.
I feel that [the retreat] really changed me, it really helped me to connect with myself, to connect with nature, to be in contact with my body and my real feelings that we don’t have the time to listen to every day.
The number one benefit I got from coming to the retreat was the inspiration from nature. I feel so alive, fresh and powerful. You can't miss it! You don't have to worry about anything because of all the activities handled by the host.
The payment is non-refundable but can be fully transferred to another person, if you’d like to gift the experience. All the payments are made by credit card or by direct bank transfer. Please contact me at [email protected] for details on bank transfer, invoicing and possible payment plans.
Do you have any questions that you would like to discuss with me in detail? Book a free call with me!
It’s time to step away from the noise of daily life and gift yourself a weekend of deep rest, clarity, and renewal. A chance to reconnect with yourself, align with the energy of the New Moon, and plant the seeds for the next chapter of your life journey.
This retreat is a sacred pause, a reset, and a powerful opportunity for transformation.
It is your invitation to create the space for what really matters. Will you take it?
All levels are welcome, from zero to advanced! Each class is adapted to the needs of participants
Make sure to bring comfortable clothes for yoga, outdoors and indoors. Comfortable shoes for walking are highly recommended. I will send you a detailed list when you book your experience.
By car
It takes 1 hour 40 min by car from Brussels city centre. I highly recommend carpooling among the guests for environmental reasons – so if you plan to come by car and have space for fellow passengers, please let me know, and I will get you in touch.
The address of the retreat centre is: Bhaktivedanta College, Petite Somme 10, 6940 Durbuy.
Getting to/from the retreat centre by train
Take a train from Brussels to Marloie or to Barvaux (source: SNCB https://www.belgiantrain.be/).
Friday 28 March (ca. 20 euro per person): 13:37 From Brussels Central (train IC 2113) – 15:21 Arrival Marloie [train journey of 1 hour 44 min]
Sunday 30 March (ca. 20 euro per person): 12:39 From Marloie (train IC 2134) – 14:40 Arrival Brussels Central [train journey of 2 hours 1 min]
From/to Marloie, I will arrange a pick-up service at an additional cost of 13 euro per person. It will take around 20 min.
Friday 28 March (ca. 23 euro per person): 14:01 From Brussels Central (train IC 512 + L 5564) – 16:05 Arrival Barvaux [train journey of 2 hours 4 min]
Sunday 30 March (ca. 23 euro per person): 13:06 From Barvaux (train L 5561 + IC 2135) – 15:40 Arrival Brussels Central [train journey of 2 hours 34 min]
From/to Barvaux, I will arrange a pick-up service at an additional cost of 6 euro per person. It will take around 10 min.