1-Day Retreat — Perceiving and Experiencing All "12" Senses

Since this is a one-day retreat, there are no details about accommodations here.

If you’re traveling from farther away and need a place to stay, please feel free to contact me directly, and we’ll find a good solution.
There are plenty of guest rooms and hotels in the area.
You can also spend the night in a camper at the starting point. However, you’re responsible for making your own arrangements.

Meals are self-catered and tailored to each participant’s personal preferences, using food from their backpacks. Please bring your own meals and, if desired, small snacks for the day. This allows everyone to accommodate their individual needs, dietary preferences, and tastes.

During the retreat, we’ll take a relaxing break in nature to unwind, mindfully take in our surroundings, and enjoy the food we’ve brought along. Fresh spring water will be available at the rest area. Please plan your own drinks for the hike.

Please also keep in mind that you’ll need to carry your own food in your backpack. 🌿💧🥾

Detailed Itinerary for the 1-Day Retreat “Perceiving and Experiencing All 12 Senses”

This retreat combines mindful nature experiences, sensory awareness, and a gentle hike into a special day-long experience. Together, we’ll embark on a journey of discovery through nature and focus our attention on the twelve senses that help us consciously perceive the world.

Arrival and Settling In

We’ll start by meeting at the agreed-upon starting point and getting to know each other in a relaxed atmosphere. After a brief introduction to the day’s schedule, participants will gain insight into the concept of the twelve senses and their significance for our daily experiences. From the very first few meters, we’ll begin to consciously direct our attention to our surroundings and our perceptions.

A Relaxed Hike and Initial Sensory Experiences

The first part of the hike follows easily navigable trails through the diverse landscape of the southern Black Forest. As we walk together, we incorporate initial sensory exercises into the tour. The focus is not on performance or knowledge, but on consciously experiencing the moment. Participants discover how differently the senses interact and how perception can change through focused attention.

Immersing in Nature and Deepening Sensory Perception

In the middle section of the tour, we leave the wide trails and venture into more natural terrain. We explore the Wehratal core zone of the Black Forest Biosphere Reserve. Here, the focus is on the twelve senses. At various stations, short exercises and prompts invite participants to specifically perceive and sharpen individual senses. Depending on the situation, we might experience, for example:

> consciously listening to the sounds of nature,
> intense seeing and observing,
> sensing the ground beneath our feet and movements,
> balance and spatial orientation,
> the effects of scents and natural materials,
> perceiving temperature, proximity, and distance,
> experiencing silence and inner mindfulness.

The exercises are designed to be simple and are suitable for anyone interested. No prior experience is required. Since we’ll be walking on natural trails at times, sturdy shoes and sure footing are recommended.

Group Break in Nature

At lunchtime, we’ll take a leisurely break at a selected spot in nature. Participants are responsible for bringing their own lunch from their backpacks. This allows each participant to accommodate their personal preferences and needs. Fresh spring water is available at the rest stop, inviting you to consciously experience the special quality of natural water.

Return Journey and Reflecting on the Experience

During the final third of the hike, we return to the starting point at a leisurely pace along well-maintained trails. The intense sensory focus now gives way to a relaxed pace. Participants have the opportunity to let the day’s impressions sink in, share their experiences, or simply enjoy nature in silence.

Conclusion

To conclude the retreat, we take time for a group reflection. Which senses were engaged most intensely? What new experiences were gained? With heightened awareness, many encounters with nature, and fresh inspiration for everyday life, the day comes to a close—an experience that invites us to perceive the world more consciously once again.

A retreat for everyone who wants to not only see nature but also experience it with all twelve senses. 🌿✨👣

Getting There

The meeting point for the retreat is at 10:00 a.m. at the parking lot by the dam of the Wehratal Reservoir near Wehr (Baden).

Participants are responsible for their own transportation and may travel either by private vehicle or public transportation. Please plan your travel well in advance, especially if you are traveling by bus or train, as public transportation options in the region are sometimes limited.

For participants arriving by car, parking is available at the meeting point. If you’re traveling by public transportation, we recommend checking the current schedules in advance and allowing enough time for any transfers.

The cost of travel to and from the retreat is not included in the retreat price and must be covered by the participants themselves.

Please make sure to arrive at the meeting point on time so that we can start the day together in a relaxed manner. 🚶‍♀️🌿🚶‍♂️