A Retreat Focused on Connecting with Nature and Yourself

3-Day Retreat in Clerlande

with Shinrin Yoku Forest Bathing

Donatienne and Valérie invite you to a 3-day rejuvenating retreat in the heart of the pine forest. In a small group, you’ll be guided through the Japanese practice of Shinrin Yoku (or “forest bathing”).

Escape the daily grind and reconnect with what truly matters through forest bathing, a unique sensory immersion where slow walking and mindful observation of nature soothe the mind. Let the sounds, scents, and colors of the forest guide you as you fully embrace the present moment, far from the noise of cities and screens.

Rediscover a deep sense of well-being: your stress melts away, your immune system is strengthened by the essences of the trees, and your mood naturally brightens. Enjoy improved concentration, restful sleep, and renewed serenity for revitalized overall health. Join us for this transformative experience and treat yourself to a welcome break in nature.

This retreat is for people who wish to:

• Change the way they view the forest

• Find more inner peace and joy

• Gain tools to manage daily stress

• Find more meaning and coherence in their lives

• Break free from mental ruminations and return to the present moment

On the agenda:

• Daily Shinrin Yoku practice

• Awaken your senses

• Fully reconnect with yourself and the present moment

• Moments of renewal, alone and in a group

• Meals (sometimes in silence) in the presence of the monks

• Opportunity to participate in services with the monks

Location:

Clerlande Monastery, in the Lauzelle Woods, near Louvain-la-Neuve. The site where “Cimes et Racines” (inner transition) was developed.

Schedule:

From Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. to Friday, November 20, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.

Required items:

• Clothing appropriate for the weather conditions for spending time in the forest

• Essentials for 2 nights

• Bed linens (available for rent) and a towel

Accommodations:

At the Clerlande Monastery guesthouse (a 20-minute walk from the Ottignies train station). Double room with private bathroom or single room (without private bathroom).

Cost:

    Accommodation fee at the guesthouse with full board: €215

Financial Contribution:

•  Accommodation and full-board fee: 215 €

•  Activity fees: between €150 and €350 depending on your income

• A deposit of €100 is due to Calendula ASBL: BE33 5230 8119 5846 (Triodos), with your name in the payment description.

• The price includes lodging, activities, and meals (except for the first evening, when we’ll share a potluck dinner).

• Single rooms are available at the same price (more basic and without private bathroom facilities)

Your guides:

Valérie Dulière and Donatienne de Borman, both trained physicists, met while working as guides at the Tervuren Arboretum. Their passion for this practice and their desire to share the benefits of the forest with others bring them together. In this way, they sow the seeds of peace. They co-lead this retreat and offer it to you in a gentle, safe, and welcoming setting.

Donatienne is a grandmother, a prison chaplain, and has been a forest bathing guide for 6 years. She contributes to the Cîmes et Racines collective, which is establishing a new center for inner transformation at the Clerlande Monastery. She loves sharing what inspires her, brings her peace, and recharges her. Witnessing the life within each person fills her with joy. www.calendulaplus.be (0479/981.089)

Valérie is the mother of two young children. She has the mindset of a scientific researcher and is passionate about forest bathing and relaxation techniques. She is currently completing her training as a facilitator and a counseling consultant at the Ecoute ton Corps school. She enjoys fostering connections between people and nature so that everyone can find their place in it. www.sharingyoku.com (0485/300.403)

Information and registration:

Through this website, by email (sharingyoku@gmail.com — Valérie) or by phone (0479/981.089 — Donatienne). Registration is limited to 10 participants.