Qi and Clay Retreat
Qi and Clay Retreat
Località Stibiveri, Borzonasca, GE, Italia
Up to 10 in group
Sep 18 - 21, 2025
Retreat Highlights
- • Practice Tai Chi Quan and Qi Gong in the heart of the Ligurian forest
- • Discover your primary Taoist element and how to balance it
- • Create your own ceramic pieces guided by expert hands
- • Experience the magic of traditional pit firing
- • Meditate in a straw-bale studio built with natural materials
- • Enjoy organic, homemade Ligurian meals
- • Unplug completely: no screens, no noise, no distractions
- • Restore your rhythm through movement, breath, and earth
- • Connect with like-minded people in an intimate group setting
- • Deepen your self-awareness through nature and creative expression
About this Retreat
Details of this retreat
Join us for a transformative retreat where Tai-Chi and pottery merge with the ancient wisdom of the Five Elements to harmonizes body, mind, and spirit in the Ligurian forest.
Rooted in the Taoist wisdom of the Five Elements, this experience weaves together ancient practices, creative expression, and a profound connection to nature. Experience the unique transformation of your handcrafted ceramics through the traditional pit firing process, where the elements come together to reveal the unpredictable beauty of natural alchemy.
Guided by the wisdom of Taoism, Tai Chi, and Qi Gong, you will discover your primary element and gain practical tools to support and balance it in daily life, aligning with nature’s rhythms. These ancient movement practices cultivate internal balance, vitality, and grounding, harmonizing breath, intention, and energy flow (Qi). Through their gentle yet powerful sequences, you will release tension, restore circulation, and strengthen your connection to both body and environment. This retreat provides a deeply transformative space to integrate these practices, restoring harmony within while cultivating the resilience and clarity to move through life with greater ease and adaptability.
Rooted in the Taoist wisdom of the Five Elements, this experience weaves together ancient practices, creative expression, and a profound connection to nature. Experience the unique transformation of your handcrafted ceramics through the traditional pit firing process, where the elements come together to reveal the unpredictable beauty of natural alchemy.
Guided by the wisdom of Taoism, Tai Chi, and Qi Gong, you will discover your primary element and gain practical tools to support and balance it in daily life, aligning with nature’s rhythms. These ancient movement practices cultivate internal balance, vitality, and grounding, harmonizing breath, intention, and energy flow (Qi). Through their gentle yet powerful sequences, you will release tension, restore circulation, and strengthen your connection to both body and environment. This retreat provides a deeply transformative space to integrate these practices, restoring harmony within while cultivating the resilience and clarity to move through life with greater ease and adaptability.
Schedule
Morning meditation and silent walk in nature
Tai Chi or Qi Gong morning practice
Nourishing homemade organic breakfast
Ceramic creation workshop (hand-building or wheel work)
Taoist Five Elements consultations or personal reflection time
Homemade organic lunch shared in community
Free time to rest, walk, or enjoy the forest
Afternoon Tai Chi or Qi Gong session
Traditional pit firing or ceramic glazing (on specific days)
Group circle or guided meditation
Homemade organic dinner
Evening sharing, tea or quiet contemplation by the fire
Tai Chi or Qi Gong morning practice
Nourishing homemade organic breakfast
Ceramic creation workshop (hand-building or wheel work)
Taoist Five Elements consultations or personal reflection time
Homemade organic lunch shared in community
Free time to rest, walk, or enjoy the forest
Afternoon Tai Chi or Qi Gong session
Traditional pit firing or ceramic glazing (on specific days)
Group circle or guided meditation
Homemade organic dinner
Evening sharing, tea or quiet contemplation by the fire
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change
Getting Here
Zen Chi Zone, Località Stibiveri, Borzonasca, GE, Italia
Directions
By Air
Nearest International Airport:
• Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport (GOA) – Approximately 65 km from Borzonasca.
Other Nearby Airports:
• Pisa International Airport (PSA) – About 120 km away.
• Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) – Approximately 140 km away.
By Train
From Genoa Airport, take the Flybus shuttle to Genova Sestri Ponente-Aeroporto railway station. Then, board a train to Chiavari. Trains run regularly and the journey takes about 1 hour.
By Bus
From Chiavari, local buses (routes 11 and 12) operated by ATP Esercizio connect to Borzonasca. Please note that bus services may be infrequent, so it’s advisable to check the schedule in advance.
By Car
Driving from Genoa Airport to Centro Anidra takes approximately 1 hour. The route follows the A12 motorway towards Chiavari, then continues inland to Borzonasca.
For detailed directions and assistance with planning your journey, feel free to contact us.
Nearest International Airport:
• Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport (GOA) – Approximately 65 km from Borzonasca.
Other Nearby Airports:
• Pisa International Airport (PSA) – About 120 km away.
• Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) – Approximately 140 km away.
By Train
From Genoa Airport, take the Flybus shuttle to Genova Sestri Ponente-Aeroporto railway station. Then, board a train to Chiavari. Trains run regularly and the journey takes about 1 hour.
By Bus
From Chiavari, local buses (routes 11 and 12) operated by ATP Esercizio connect to Borzonasca. Please note that bus services may be infrequent, so it’s advisable to check the schedule in advance.
By Car
Driving from Genoa Airport to Centro Anidra takes approximately 1 hour. The route follows the A12 motorway towards Chiavari, then continues inland to Borzonasca.
For detailed directions and assistance with planning your journey, feel free to contact us.
Accommodation
Guests will stay in charming wooden bungalows and traditional stone rooms, all nestled in the heart of the Ligurian forest. The atmosphere is warm, simple, and deeply connected to nature, perfect for rest and reconnection. The bungalows, built from wood, offer a cosy and rustic experience with shared bathrooms located just a few steps away. Each space is surrounded by trees and birdsong, inviting deep sleep and quiet reflection. Some stone-built rooms, designed with Feng Shui principles, are also available. These offer a more traditional setting, free from TV and electromagnetic pollution, ensuring a peaceful and undisturbed stay. All accommodations are thoughtfully maintained and immersed in the greenery, creating a unique environment where simplicity meets serenity.
Single Room with bathroom
Shared Room with bathroom
Shared Room in Bungalow with shared bathroom
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent
Our meditation and ceramics studio is a straw-bale house, built entirely according to bio-architecture principles and designed to be in full harmony with nature.
This unique space, warm in the cooler months and naturally breathable, is heated by a clean-burning pyrolytic stove, making it both sustainable and welcoming.
The atmosphere is serene and earthy, ideal for deep practice, focus, and creative flow. Whether we’re shaping clay, moving through a Tai Chi form, or sitting in silence, this s
This unique space, warm in the cooler months and naturally breathable, is heated by a clean-burning pyrolytic stove, making it both sustainable and welcoming.
The atmosphere is serene and earthy, ideal for deep practice, focus, and creative flow. Whether we’re shaping clay, moving through a Tai Chi form, or sitting in silence, this s
Meals
Menu Types
Vegan
Vegetarian
Pescetarian
Ayurvedic
Includes Meat
Organic
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Nut Free
We are happy to accommodate the following dietary needs with care and attention:
✔️ Vegetarian
✔️ Vegan
✔️ Gluten-free
✔️ Dairy-free
✔️ Allergies and intolerances
What's Included
- • 3 nights of accommodation in nature (wooden bungalow or stone house)
- • Daily Tai Chi Quan and Qi Gong practice
- • Ceramics workshop: hand-building and glazing
- • Traditional pit firing ceremony
- • Guided meditation and forest walks
- • 3 homemade organic meals per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- • Herbal teas and coffee
- • Group sharing circles
- • Use of the straw-bale practice and ceramic studio
- • All materials for ceramic creation and firing
- • Personal time for rest, reflection, and integration
- • Supportive guidance from experienced instructors
- • Access to the Ligurian forest and peaceful surroundings
- • Early bird bonus: complimentary Shiatsu session (if booked by June 30)
What's Not Included
- • Airfare
- • Transportation to and from the retreat center
- • Travel insurance
- • Additional bodywork or massage sessions (unless included in early bird)
- • Personal purchases or souvenirs
- • Extra snacks or drinks outside of meals
- • Optional excursions not listed in the retreat program
- • Accommodation upgrades (if available)
- • Ceramic shipping costs (if you wish to ship your pieces after the retreat)