Awakening to Self
An Immersive IFS Dyad Retreat
Deepening Self-Led Relational Awareness
A retreat for IFS practitioners and parts-informed explorers ready to soften protectors, be witnessed in real time, and deepen access to Self through the power of presence and relational meditation.
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In this immersive 4-night, 3-day retreat, we combine dyad meditation with experiential IFS practices to create a living field where parts can emerge, be seen, and naturally relax in connection. Through structured relational space, daily demos, and embodied integration, we invite a quieter system and a fuller expression of Self-energy.
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Whether you come with parts holding intensity, parts in hiding, or just a desire to be with your system in community—you are welcome.
This might be for you if...
You’ve been walking the IFS path for a while now — mapping protectors, tending to exiles, glimpsing Self-energy.
And lately, you’ve been longing for something more embodied.
Less talking about parts, more being with them.
Less theory, more felt experience.
More space. More presence. More Self.
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You want to sit in silence with another and notice what arises — the fidgets, the feelings, the flutters of curiosity or fear — and meet it all from your own unfolding center.
You’re not here to fix. You’re here to feel. To notice. To be with.
What this retreat offers
Awakening to Self is a 4-night in-person retreat for people already familiar with Internal Family Systems (IFS).
It’s a space to slow down, breathe deeper, and listen inward — not just on your own, but in relational space.
The core of the retreat is dyad meditation: a potent form of self-inquiry practiced with another human present, offering you the rare chance to watch your parts emerge in real time — and to welcome them home.
We interweave:
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45-minute dyads, several times a day
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IFS + Dyad demonstration sessions
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Healing circles & gentle sharing spaces
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Movement and somatic grounding
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Silent integration time in nature
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Spacious meals, tea breaks, and candlelit transitions
It’s not a place to push or perform. It’s a space to meet what’s already here — and invite more of your Self to join the conversation.
Why combine Dyads & IFS?
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As IFS practitioners, we often work with our clients or in solitude. This retreat offers something different: a consistent, safe, and Self-led group field where you can meet your parts as they arise naturally—in voice, posture, pace, silence, and connection.
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Dyad meditation provides the structure to slow down, unblend in real time, and receive another’s presence without advice, fixing, or analysis.
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When parts are seen without agenda, they soften. When protectors feel safe, Self emerges. This is the foundation of our retreat.
Who this is for
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This retreat is for you if…
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You’re already familiar with IFS (either as a practitioner or an informed explorer)
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You have experience meeting your own parts with care — and know how to ground yourself or ask for support
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You’re curious what happens when you’re in relational space with others doing the same
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You want to practice presence, not perform perfection
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You’re drawn to slow, deep, embodied group work
This retreat probably isn’t for you if:
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You’re completely new to IFS or have no experience with parts work
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You’re currently in acute emotional distress or require intensive therapeutic support
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You need a lot of intellectual content or structured teaching
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You’re uncomfortable being in silence or stillness with others
Retreat Flow
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Day 1: Listening Inward
Parts come into view. You begin noticing who shows up in silence, in presence, in stillness. -
Day 2: Softening Around the Edges
Protectors are gently acknowledged. You start seeing what they’re holding and what they need to rest. -
Day 3: Sitting in Self
More Self becomes available. You may begin to move, speak, or listen from a deeper stillness. No rush. No drama. Just presence.
The practical bits
We begin with dinner and an opening circle on Day 0.
We close mid-day on Day 4 after a morning of harvesting, integration, and goodbyes.
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Location
Held in a peaceful natural retreat space (insert region), surrounded by quiet paths, woods, and gentle open skies.
Private or shared rooms. Simple nourishing meals. Space to breathe.
Investment
We aim to keep pricing spacious and fair. (Sliding scale or fixed fee here — insert info.)
There’s an application process to ensure mutual fit.
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Interested?
If your inner parts just took a breath of relief — or leaned in with curiosity — that may be your answer.
We’d love to hear from you.
Location
Meals
Rooms
The Domain of Château Frandeux is quietly located, on the edge of the Belgian Ardennes. The area is also known as the Land of the Valleys. A land of castles with a rich and varied heritage.
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The Château is located directly on a lake and surrounded by beautiful nature. Bring some walking shoes for a forest walk!
As you enter there is a spacious lounge with a majestic fireplace and a piano. From here you have a fantastic view over the grand lake.
You will be served daily freshly prepared meals, snacks, tea, and coffee included in the price.
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Breakfast, lunch and dinner are prepared by our skilled chef and are vegetarian and organic and served in the Chateau dining hall.
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Note, We can cater for other diets, but please let us know timeously.
All rooms in the chateau are simple but stylish, with views of the beautiful surroundings.
Each room is comfortably furnished and all have a washing stand.
Seven rooms have access to their own sanitary facilities (shower and toilet). The remaining rooms share nine toilets and 10 showers.
All beds are made on arrival and equipped with a set of towels.
Past Participant Reflections
Fully experiential retreat
The main focus of the retreat will be on direct experiencing primarily through dyad work but also through individual and group processes, including body movement and integration time in nature. Facilitators will be there not to teach, but to offer guidance and support.
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Art materials will be provided for those wishing to explore their inner world creatively.
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Intensity and dedication
This retreat will be held as a sacred time for your deepest self. By “intensive retreat”, it means that you will be working from around 7:30 a.m. in the morning to around 9:30 p.m. in the evening. Compassionate Self asks you to refrain from using the internet (including email and phone), unless absolutely urgent, for the duration of the entire retreat. They will be inviting you, during breaks and free time, to keep your intention and focus on conscious inquiry into your deepest authenticity (rather than engaging in casual socializing).
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Make yourself at home...
There will be freshly prepared nourishing meals throughout the day. Meal breaks offer time to relax by the fireplace in the lounge.
The sauna will be made available in the evening for those who are interested.
TESTIMONIALS
“The realisation: I am allowed to be there, I am allowed to show myself with a smile and a tear. Thank you for the guidance! This retreat was palpable proof for me “my path is mine to walk, AND I don’t have to walk it alone”.
Nele Mestdagh
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“I experienced Nic and Sarah’s guidance as clear, soft & comfortable in a strong and solid way. Which gave me the opportunity to go deep, relax, let go, feel openness, love and most of all great joy.”
Petra van Hauwaert
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“The Dyad retreat with Sarah and Nic brought me to a surprisingly deep silence. After the retreat, I felt more space to remain calm in situations and to react from a more relaxed place.”
Stijn van Hulle
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“I want to thank you both for the retreat. For your expertise and professionalism, and the clarity with which you provided the information and instructions. That brought incredible peace and clarity to me and allowed me to surrender in confidence and flow of the day and all the dyads brought. For safety too, thanks in part to your loving and open presence. And then I haven’t even mentioned the beautiful surroundings in autumn colours, and the pure food, both so welcome and supportive of the process of slowing down and getting closer to myself.”
Liesbeth Fivez
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“This retreat reminded me of what is essential to me. Nic and Sarah created the opportunity to remind us of who we really are. I encountered myself and the other participants in many ways and I am very grateful for that. I feel deeply nourished.”
Hilde van Gool
