Stillness – A Winter Retreat for Reflection & Presence
With Shifu Yan Xin, Amy Jennings, Suphi McCabe and Paul Quinn
December 7 - 10, 2026
Theme:
Quiet restoration.
A deeply restorative close to the year, the Stillness retreat invites guests to rest, reflect, and find peace amid the calm of winter. This retreat is designed to slow down the pace, allowing time to reconnect with yourself, tune into the rhythms of the season, and gather energy and clarity for the months ahead.
Led by a team of experienced facilitators, the retreat blends gentle movement, mindful practices, restorative rituals, and nature-based experiences with plenty of time for rest and reflection. From morning yoga and meditation in silence to guided hikes, sauna rituals, and cosy fireside moments, every element is designed to be approachable, welcoming, and rejuvenating. Guests can engage as much or as little as they like, creating their own rhythm of stillness and restoration.
Silent Mornings:
Silence will be observed from wake-up until lunch on Days 2 and 3. Guests are encouraged to embrace this as a meditative practice. To support focus and presence, phones are not permitted in public areas throughout the retreat.
Itinerary:
Day 1 – Monday, 7 December
3:00 pm: Check-in & Warming Welcome Drink
4:30 pm: Opening: Shaolin Wholistic Experience
6:30 pm: Dinner
8:00 pm: Guided Bedtime Relaxation
Day 2 – Tuesday, 8 December
8:30 am: Morning Meditation & Yoga in silence
10:15 am: Quiet Reflective Breakfast
11:30 am: Sound Bath in silence
1:00 pm: Lunch (silence ends)
2:00 pm: Free Time to relax & get ready for hike
3:30 pm: Hiking into darkness
6:30 pm: Dinner
8:00 pm: Sensory Experience
Day 3 – Wednesday, 9 December
8:30 am: Morning Meditation & Yoga Practice in silence
10:00 am: Quiet Reflective Breakfast
11:30 am: Nature Workshop: Wreath Making
2:00 pm: Lunch
3:30 pm: Sauna Experience – Piritis
A grounding heat ritual with optional cold plunge, alternating between warmth and cool air, inviting deep restoration and presence.
6:30 pm: Dinner
8:00 pm: Evening to hibernate, read a book, enjoy a fireside tea in The Barn, go to bed early
Day 4 – Thursday, 10 December
8:30 am: Closing Practice: Shaolin Holistic Experience
10:15 am: Breakfast
11:00 am: Check-out
About the Leaders
Shifu Yan Xin
Shifu Yan Xin is a 34th Generation Shaolin Warrior Disciple, a master teacher, and the living heart of KungFu.Life. His presence is quiet but powerful, his teachings ancient yet deeply alive—rooted in the wisdom of the Shaolin Temple and expressed through the fullness of his life experience. From a young age, Shifu Yan Xin was […]
Learn more about Shifu Yan Xin
Amy Jennings
Amy Jennings is a botanist, conservationist and beekeeper with a deep appreciation for plants and nature. A masters in biodiversity conservation allowed Amy to further explore her interest in ethnobotany, which looks at the connection between people and the plant kingdom. This research took her to countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, Jordan, India, Tibet and […]
Learn more about Amy Jennings
Suphi McCabe
Suphi, a native of Alabama, loves nothing more than growing and cooking fresh, soulful food. She also offers Pirtis Sessions—a cosy, heart-warming sauna experience to relax and connect. Both passions let her share warmth, nourishment, and a little Southern sunshine wherever she goes!
Learn more about Suphi McCabePaul Quinn
Paul is a fully qualified Mountain Leader and Guide. He is also a seasoned trainer in Mountain Navigation and Group or Team Management. Working with and on behalf of Mountaineering Ireland, he delivers programmes and training in Group Management Protocols and Plans for various hiking clubs and organisations. Paul’s backyard has always been Glendalough and […]
Learn more about Paul Quinn