A version of this article was used in Body & Soul Escapes by Caroline Sylge, Footprint Books, Bath, England, April 2007.

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It may be Buddhist in name and origin, but don’t think retreat; apart from the six daily scheduled meditations, there are saunas, Dartmoor trips, spontaneous games, final night cabaret, fireside chats and shared cooking. People come here to relax, or to open up and dive deep into practice. Rather than taking on a religion (or path, in this case), you can learn some life-skills.

Only the mornings are silent, apart from children’s time. Afternoons are free, or for the above activities. Meditation beginners are welcome, with instructions provided. Sittings take place in a magnificent canvass yurt, or Mongolian tent.

There’s an hour and a quarter of Qi Gong every day, including the first daily acitivity. It may look silly, but it works! At Qi Gong’s core is the art of Wu Wei: letting go of habitual striving through simple movements, standing postures, hand gestures, mental focus and intention. Brad teaches the Hua Gong style year-round, as developed by teacher Zhixing Wang.

Participants are allocated supportive base-groups who cook together for the camp and have group time with each of the teachers. Far from being claustrophobic, there’s lots of freedom to explore issues or be quiet.

An extensive programme of children’s activities is facilitated by dedicated staff. Expect around a hundred people including perhaps thirty children. The toilets are the best and cleanest I’ve ever encountered on a camp, with a choice of traditional sit-down or squat. There’s a great shower tent and a gas boiler for hot water, and around fifty per cent of the camp’s food is organic.

The final night cabaret is great fun, and probably half of the camp is involved; as with other activities, you don’t have to be.

For Camp/Workshop details, contact Brad Richecoeur or Daverick Leggatt at www.qigong-southwest.co.uk or ring (0044) 0845 3305086.

Glossary

Vipassana ali word meaning insight; the awareness practice employed by Siddartha Gautama the Buddha. It involves staying present with whatever arises in order to cultivate equanimity, compassion and other skillful qualities, plus liberation from unskillful ones.

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