Heartcore: Awakening the Freedom of Body, Breath & Being

Heartcore is a five-night wellness retreat at Mandali Retreat Center in Quarna Sopra, in the Verbano-Cusio-Ossola area of Italy. It brings together somatic movement, breathwork, insight meditation and integration practices for anyone curious about resting more fully in body, breath and awareness. Gijs Fermie is the teacher. The retreat is open to all levels, and the emphasis is on slowing down, listening inward and taking something practical home.

What to Expect

The program draws on four strands, each with its own part of the day.

Somatic movement comes first, in the early morning. These sessions focus on interoception, the sense of what is happening inside the body, and are practiced without judgment or evaluation. The aim is to learn to trust the body's signals through gentle exercises that ease stress and ground you.

Conscious breathing takes up the late morning. In guided breathwork sessions you explore several techniques, intended to support emotional release, mental clarity and a renewed sense of energy.

Insight meditation happens in the early evening. It is rooted in intuitive mindfulness and self-inquiry, and invites a curious, compassionate look at your own experience.

Integration activities fill the afternoon: nature walks, sharing circles and sonic emotion regulation, meant to help the week's insights settle into everyday life.

The daily rhythm is steady. Somatic movement runs from 07:00 to 08:30, followed by breakfast in silence until 09:30. Conscious breathing is from 11:00 to 13:00, lunch follows, and the integration activity runs from 15:30 to 17:00. Insight meditation is from 18:00 to 19:00, with dinner at 19:00. On the arrival day there is a welcome meeting at 15:30, an introduction practice at 17:30 and dinner at 19:00. On the departure day, an integration practice at 07:00 leads into breakfast, a sharing circle from 10:30 to 12:00, and lunch at 12:30.

About Gijs Fermie

Gijs Fermie leads the retreat and its four strands of practice.

The Setting

Mandali Retreat Center sits in Quarna Sopra, with peaceful practice rooms, scenic hiking trails, contemplative outdoor nooks and permaculture gardens. Yoga and meditation props are provided. The Body Care Centre has a sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and heated indoor swimming pool, all free to use for guests. Massages and therapies there cost extra.

Accommodation is part of the five-night stay, with single, twin, premium and shared rooms, or a hermitage. Three vegetarian meals are served each day, with fruit, tea and filtered water available throughout.

The nearest international airport named for the retreat is Malpensa.

Before You Go

No prior practice is required. The retreat is described as being for everyone with a real interest in awakening the heart-core, and the program is taught in English.

Included are five nights of accommodation, full board with vegetarian meals, fruit, teas and filtered water, use of the Body Care Centre facilities, and all workshops and sessions in the program.

Not included are flights to and from Malpensa International Airport, transfers to and from the retreat center, and massages or therapies at the Body Care Centre.