Mon 15 Mar 2027 – Sat 20 Mar 2027
Shaolin Retreat in the Black Forest
The 5 pillars of Shaolin practice
Secure Early-Bird spot nowRetreat details
A week of Shaolin practice in the Black Forest
This retreat week offers you the opportunity to leave everyday life behind for a few days and immerse yourself deeply in the Shaolin arts.
High above the Simonswald valley, surrounded by forest, mountains and plenty of quiet, practice, community, retreat and rest come together.
At the centre are the five pillars of our practice at Shaolin Chan Arts: Shaolin Kung Fu, Qi Gong, Taijiquan, Chan meditation and philosophy. They are not taught as separate disciplines, but complement and deepen one another. Powerful movement meets silent practice. Concentration meets relaxation. Physical training meets meditation and philosophical reflection.
In this way, a holistic space of practice emerges over the week — physically challenging (not overwhelming / adapted to the levels!), inwardly gathering, and with a direct connection to everyday life.
March brings a special quality to the Black Forest: the quiet of winter can still be felt, while the first movement of spring is already beginning in nature. A good moment to pause, gather strength and devote several days entirely to your own practice.
The five pillars of the week
Shaolin Kung Fu
Stance work, basic techniques, forms, strength development and application. In training we cultivate body structure, coordination, focus and endurance. Elements from Sanda and practical applications complement the traditional Kung Fu practice.
Qi Gong
Calm and precise movements connect body, breath and attention. Qi Gong supports regulation, perception, quality of movement and inner gathering, and forms an important counterbalance to vigorous training.
Taijiquan
Flowing movement, balance, connection and soft power. In Taijiquan we explore how relaxation and structure work together, and how movement can become increasingly more conscious and effortless.
Meditation
Sitting, walking, silence and presence. Meditation accompanies us throughout the week and creates a space in which perception can become finer and the mind quieter.
Chan & Philosophy
Impulses from Chan, Buddhism and the Shaolin tradition give the physical practice a wider context. This is not theory for its own sake, but the question of how what is practised can be found again in one's own life.
This retreat is ideal for you if you…
The retreat is limited to a maximum of 14 participants.
What to expect
- Shaolin Kung Fu with stance work, basic techniques, forms and application
- Qi Gong
- Taijiquan
- Sanda and practical applications
- Chan meditation and walking meditation
- Philosophy & Buddhism
- Personal reflection and transfer into everyday life
- Small group and personal guidance
- Vegetarian full board
- Beautiful rooms with a private bathroom and a private balcony or terrace
- Sauna, panoramic terraces and fire pit
- Nature and walking paths right outside the house
- Time for rest and retreat
- Community with like-minded people
Daily schedule
The exact schedule is adapted according to the group, weather and process. A typical retreat day may look roughly like this:
*Guided self-study is an optional block.
Location & accommodation
The retreat centre sits in a quiet hillside location above Simonswald in the Black Forest. From here the view opens out over the Simonswald valley. Around the house there are forest, meadows and small paths – a beautiful setting for retreat and shared practice. We have a meditation and training room, comfortable lounge areas, two panoramic terraces, a lounge, a fire pit and a garden sauna. All rooms have a private bathroom as well as a balcony or terrace. The cuisine is vegetarian and prepared with great care. During the retreat, three meals a day as well as coffee, tea and snacks are included. Between training sessions there is enough time for exchange, to withdraw, go for a walk, use the sauna or simply enjoy the quiet of the place.
Requirements
- Openness to new experiences
- Basic physical health
- Willingness to engage in holistic practice
- No prior experience required
- Minimum age: 16 years, younger upon request
You do not need prior experience and do not need to be in top shape. Training is adapted to your possibilities, not the other way around. The content is taught according to the different levels of experience and ability, so that both beginners and already experienced practitioners can practise in depth.
Whenever the weather allows, we take part of the practice outdoors into nature.
If you are unsure whether the retreat is right for you, please feel free to write to us.
Framework
Date
Mon 15 Mar 2027 – Sat 20 Mar 2027
Arrival and check-in on Monday from 12:00.
Shared start at 13:30.
The retreat ends on Saturday around 12:00 after a final shared training session.
Prices
Early bird until 31 Dec 2026
| Early Bird | Regular | |
|---|---|---|
| 3-bed room (per person) | CHF 1'400 | CHF 1'650 |
| Double room (per person) | CHF 1'500 | CHF 1'750 |
| Single room | CHF 1'700 | CHF 1'950 |
Additional option Junior Suite
A 35 m² Junior Suite with valley view and balcony can be booked for one or two people.
| Early Bird | Regular | |
|---|---|---|
| Double occupancy (per person) | CHF 1'750 | CHF 2'000 |
| Single occupancy | CHF 2'000 | CHF 2'300 |
Only available once.
Included in the retreat price:
- 5 nights
- vegetarian full board with three meals per day
- coffee, tea and snacks
- comprehensive retreat and training programme
- personal guidance from experienced teachers
- use of the seminar and training room
- sauna and retreat infrastructure
Travel
The retreat centre is near Simonswald in the Black Forest, about a 30-minute drive from Freiburg im Breisgau. Free parking is available at the house.
By public transport you travel to Freiburg im Breisgau and from there by S-Bahn to Bleibach. From there a short taxi ride to the retreat centre is possible.
For travel by air, EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is about 70 km away. Alternatively, the airports of Zurich and Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden are good options.
Before the retreat we also share a list where participants can sign up for car pools.
Participants
To keep the group personal and respond individually to the participants, the retreat week is limited to a maximum of 14 people.
Testimonials
Experiences from participants — tap an image to watch the video.
Registration for the Shaolin Retreat Week in the Black Forest 2027
Mon 15 Mar 2027 – Sat 20 Mar 2027
With your binding registration, a deposit of CHF 600 is due. The remaining amount will be invoiced two months before the retreat. Early-bird prices apply for registrations until 31 Dec 2026.