Self-development stay Consciously in the body
The Darkness Therapy Centre is not only about darkness - it is also a space for deep rest within oneself and with a connection to the Beskydy nature.
In addition to staying in the dark, we therefore embarked on activities such as conscious walking in the forest, breathing exercises or cold therapy, which together help to calm the nervous system, release tension and open the way to inner perception. The darkness may be the beginning - but the real touch with the present comes through the whole environment and a conscious approach to oneself.
What activities does this weekend stay include?
Cold therapy
For a moment, let go of your thought processes and let the following apparent contradiction pass through you - Warm your soul by plunging into ice water.
You will stay in this water for a few minutes and experience the feeling of rapture into the present. Even I could not imagine the sensation of cold a few years ago, but now I can safely tell you that it is again one of many thought constructs.
Even our ancestors were exposed to cold throughout their lives. Breathing technique is part of the input, which will allow you to build up your body's protective mechanisms so that there is not so much stress in it. But before we head into the icy water, we will work through all the pitfalls together over the course of the weekend due to breathing patterns and health conditions.
Healthy breathing Buteyko
Healthy breathing is the very beginning of all being, of a healthy mind and body. Everything in our universe breathes, including us. The average person breathes about 20,000 times a day. Relative to 5 meals, that's quite a difference.
In this workshop, you will learn how breathing is related to your body's biochemistry and biomechanics, how energy is created and gets into your cells and what happens when it's not there, learn some basic techniques to improve your breathing pattern, and a powerful deep calming breathing technique.
This course will be conducted by Ondra Rais, who is a certified instructor of healthy breathing Buteyko organized by Rosta Vaclavek and Jirka Uhlir. Ondra was born in Duchcov. He graduated from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering of the Czech Technical University. Once a pure materialist, over time he found and still finds that the technical, physical, logical and material essence of existence is very important, but not the only one. Therefore, at some point in his life he became interested in other aspects of existence. He is also the captain of a sea yacht and whenever he is at sea or anywhere in nature, he feels freedom and the lion needs that from time to time. Ice water diving has become Ondra's passion in life.
Conscious walking and a trip to Ondřejník
Conscious walking is a simple but deeply transformative practice in which we shift our attention from automatic movement to the present moment. Each step becomes a meditation - we become aware of the touch of our feet on the ground, the rhythm of our breath, or the sounds of the forest.
It's not about the goal or the speed, it's about being here and now. Through slowing down and focusing on the physical experience, the mind naturally calms down, the body relaxes, and space is created for inner peace, insight or release of emotions. Conscious walking is a return to the self - through nature, movement and silence.
Ondřej and Jessica will be your guides here.
Campfire ritual
Bonfires are great therapybecause they combine simplicity, nature and human closeness into one deeply soothing experience.
The flames are hypnotic: Looking into the fire calms the mind, reduces stress and induces a meditation-like state.
Shared silence and words: Around the fire, people naturally open up or, conversely, quietly connect - without pressure to perform or obligation to speak.
The ritual of slowing down: To light the fire, to keep it going, to sit by it - all this teaches us patience and presence.
A campfire is therefore a great silent form of therapy where we heal through fire, stories and a return to the natural rhythm of life.
Calls in the dark
Calls in the dark are no ordinary conversations. Faces, roles and masks disappear in the darkness. Only the voice remains - truer, more raw, calmer. Without visual stimuli, perception deepens, thoughts slow down and words take on new meaning.
In the dark you can hear the other, but above all yourself. You can speak or just be. In such a space, what remains hidden in daylight often emerges - real feelings, questions and answers.
About our guide Lence - Lenka is like the darkness itself - empathetic, kind, calm and in one feels safe in her presence. Just like the darkness, Lenka helps with respect and sensitivity to calm the mind, soften perception and open up subjects that often remain invisible in the light.
Lenka also has many years of experience in giving massages, craniosacral therapy and other methods to better anchor oneself in the body.
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