Breath Intensive

Breath Intensive is a five-day breathwork retreat at Mandali Retreat Center in Italy, led by the father and daughter team Freek Dam and Fenneke Dam. It is for people who want to use conscious breathing as a way into what sits just outside everyday awareness, and who are willing to bring commitment to the process. Pranayama, qigong, yoga and meditation run alongside the breath sessions, and the retreat is held in English whenever participants do not speak Dutch.

What to Expect

The idea at the heart of the week is simple: conscious breathing is a main entrance to whatever lies in the shadow of your awareness. Through repeated breathing sessions you get the chance to notice what is underneath and open toward the core of your being. The teachers are plain that change asks for bravery, commitment and determination, and that it begins when you take responsibility for your own happiness. Along the way you learn awareness exercises meant to carry over easily into daily life.

The retreat begins on a Sunday with check-in in the afternoon, dinner, and an evening introduction with the first breathing exercises. Bedtime is at 22:00.

The full days follow a steady rhythm:

- 07:30 to 08:30: yoga and meditation
- 10:00 to 12:00: intensive breathing
- 14:30 to 16:30: intensive breathing and qigong
- 16:30 to 19:00: sauna, a small group session or free time
- 20:30 to 21:30: an evening session drawing on qigong, holistic pulsing, pranayama, meditation and bio-energetics

Morning work also includes meditation with pranayama, a group breath session and dance, while afternoons add body awareness exercises. Free time after the morning session and the long break before dinner leave room to rest, use the sauna and jacuzzi, or walk in the surrounding countryside. On the final Friday there is yoga and meditation, breakfast, a session of easy breathing and the retreat closing, then lunch and departure at 14:00.

About Freek Dam

Freek Dam lives and works in the Netherlands. He is an experienced spiritual guide, psychologist and coach, and a co-founder of the Breath CoachTeacher Training.

About Fenneke Dam

Fenneke Dam, Freek's daughter, also lives and works in the Netherlands. She is a breath coach and an experienced yoga teacher, and she co-founded the Breath CoachTeacher Training with her father.

The Setting

Mandali Retreat Center sits in the Italian countryside, with scenic hiking trails, contemplative outdoor nooks and permaculture gardens around it. Inside are peaceful practice rooms, with yoga and meditation props provided. A Body Care Center offers a sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and indoor heated swimming pool, all free to use during the stay.

Rooms come as single, twin, premium shared, or a separate hermitage. Meals are vegetarian full board, with breakfast, lunch and dinner, and fruit, teas and filtered water available through the day. Guests fly into Milan, ideally Malpensa International Airport (MXP), and arrange their own transfers to the center.

Before You Go

Five nights of accommodation, all vegetarian meals, fruit, teas, filtered water, the Body Care Center facilities and every workshop and session in the program are included. Flights, transfers, and massages or therapies at the Body Care Center are not. Massages are available at an extra cost.

The material names no prerequisites, so come with openness and a willingness to work with your own breath. Sessions are held in English or Dutch depending on who is in the group.