Well-Being Retreat with Max Strom

This breathing retreat brings together breathwork, gentle movement, lectures and meditation over seven days at the Mandali Retreat Center in Quarna Sopra, in the Verbano-Cusio-Ossola area of northern Italy. It is led by Max Strom, a four-time TEDx speaker, author and global "Breathe to Heal" teacher. The retreat suits people who want to ease stress and anxiety, restore sleep, and spend a week in a quiet setting with others. Prior experience of Max's teaching is asked of every participant.

What to Expect

The focus of the week is deep relaxation, nourishment on every level, and personal growth. Max's work uses specific breathing patterns paired with gentle movement, designed to help relieve stress and anxiety and to support better sleep. The practices are accessible and beneficial for everyone.

Arrival is on a Friday. Check-in opens at 2:00 pm, dinner is at 7:00 pm, and a welcome and introduction session follows at 8:15 pm, with light breathwork to help you sleep. The first full class is the next morning.

From Saturday to Wednesday the days share a rhythm:

- 8:30 am: breakfast in silence
- 10:30 am to 12:15 pm: movement and breathing
- 1:00 pm: lunch
- 2:00 to 4:30 pm: free time
- 4:30 to 6:30 pm: lecture, breathwork and gentle movement
- 7:00 pm: dinner
- 8:30 to 9:15 pm: lecture, meditation or free time

Beyond the breathwork, the week includes lectures on personal growth and direction in life, question and answer sessions, self-enquiry and writing, and guided meditations and visualizations. All classes are taught in English. The schedule may be modified.

On the closing Thursday, rooms are vacated by 10:00 am. From 10:30 am to 12:30 pm there is seated breathing, a talk on bringing the practice into daily life, and good-byes, followed by lunch. Luggage can be stored at reception, and you are welcome to stay on and use the grounds and facilities after lunch.

About Max Strom

Max Strom is a four-time TEDx speaker, author and teacher known around the world for his "Breathe to Heal" work. He also leads the Inner Axis 200-hour Teacher Training and the Breathe to Heal Facilitator Training, and he teaches both in person and through online workshops.

The Setting

Mandali Retreat Center sits in the hills above Lake Orta. The centre has peaceful practice rooms, scenic hiking trails, contemplative outdoor nooks and permaculture gardens. Rooms are comfortable and cosy, and are offered as shared, twin or double, and single. The Body Care Center has a sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and indoor heated swimming pool, free to use. Massages and therapies are available there at extra cost.

Meals are Italian vegetarian cooking: three a day, with snacks, fruit, coffee, tea and filtered water between them. Guests who stayed at Mandali often mention the food, the comfort of the rooms and the quiet.

Most guests fly to Malpensa International Airport. Flights and transfers to and from the centre are not included.

Before You Go

Each participant is asked to have practiced with Max before, either in person or through his online workshops. If that is not possible, practice at least five times with his 16-minute YouTube sequence, "Instantly Release Anxiety: Max Strom's 16-Minute Inner Axis Breathwork & Gentle Movement", before committing to the retreat.

Tuition covers all classes and lectures. Accommodation and food are arranged and paid separately, and cover six nights with full board. Included are yoga mats, bolsters, blocks, straps, meditation cushions and chairs, as well as free parking and Wi-Fi in the library. A tourist tax is added per person. Lunch on arrival day is available on request. Wear clothing that lets you move freely.