Day Embodied Martial Arts Philosophy Retreat for Presence & Healthy Boundaries in Heidelberg, Germany
Day Embodied Martial Arts Philosophy Retreat for Presence & Healthy Boundaries in Heidelberg, Germany
Do for Life Dojang, Zeppelinstraße 189, Heidelberg-Handschuhsheim, Deutschland
Up to 20 in group
May 13 - 17, 2026
Retreat Highlights
- Martial-arts wisdom without fighting — experiential, not theoretical
- Open to all levels (beginners to seasoned movers) — clear English guidance
- Breath-led presence first, then gentle mindful movement
- Relational learning with non-contact partner practice (supported & challenged, never forced)
- Small group, caring pace, honest reflection circles
- Ocean rhythm in Lagos — time for walks, journaling, quiet
- Vegetarian kitchen (vegan options) — we cook and eat together
- Private villa, home-like atmosphere — not a hotel vibe
- Inner transformation over performance — depth without hardness
- Human pricing with solidarity tiers
About this Retreat
Björn is a Heidelberg-based martial arts teacher and founder of Do for Life. For nearly two decades he has led the Taekwon-Do Center Heidelberg, guiding children, teens, and adults with a calm, human approach that puts growth over performance.
His work makes the philosophy behind martial arts experiential: non-contact and invitation-based. Björn teaches in clear English/German and welcomes all levels. Sessions begin with breath to settle the system, then move into mindful, low-impact exploration and relational partner practice where you’re supported and gently challenged.
Academically grounded and heart-led, Björn earned a PhD researching teachers as health promoters in Taekwon-Do. He integrates practical psychology and nervous-system awareness with traditional values, shaping spaces that feel safe, respectful, and quietly brave.
What to expect with Björn: simple cues, precise attention, and room to slow down. You’ll meet yourself without pressure, discover soft strength over force, and leave with a steadier way of acting with intention (on the mat and in daily life).
Katrin is the quiet anchor of Do for Life: a co-facilitator who brings warmth, clarity, and steadiness to the room. She helps turn philosophy into something you can actually feel: a calmer breath, a clearer choice, a kinder way of meeting yourself and others.
Her focus is relational presence. Katrin guides gentle, non-contact partner explorations, offers simple reflection cues, and keeps consent and choice at the center. Beginners and seasoned movers feel equally welcome in her sessions. There’s no rush, no pressure, just space to arrive and grow.
Katrin also cares for the edges that make learning easy: pacing and transitions, moments of rest, a cup of tea when it matters, and the small details that help a group become a community.
Details of this retreat
You don’t need to be into martial arts or philosophy.
This retreat focuses on achieving inner stability, setting clear boundaries and maintaining a calm nervous system under pressure, all through the teachings of non-contact, non-sparring embodied martial arts philosophy.
Join us for a 3.5-day bilingual retreat in Heidelberg to learn how to stay calm under pressure, set clear boundaries, and develop a grounded presence. The retreat involves non-contact practice (no sparring or fighting), simple movements, reflections and integrations that can be used at work, in relationships and in daily life.
Many people are functioning, but not truly grounded. They manage stress, overthink decisions and lose clarity in difficult conversations.
Our 3.5-day Do for Life Heidelberg Experience offers a different kind of reset, combining embodied practice inspired by non-contact martial arts with honest reflection and a supportive group environment. You don't need to be into "philosophy" or even "martial arts", as you'll discover what works for you and take home practical tools for achieving calmness, setting boundaries, and maintaining presence.
Highlights:
Calm under pressure: nervous system tools you can use anywhere
Clear boundaries without becoming hard or distant
Non-contact practice: no sparring, fighting or body contact
Bilingual group (DE/EN); beginners welcome!
A real mix: practice + reflection + integration (not training all day)
Designed for everyday life: conversations, decision-making, leadership and family life
This retreat focuses on achieving inner stability, setting clear boundaries and maintaining a calm nervous system under pressure, all through the teachings of non-contact, non-sparring embodied martial arts philosophy.
Join us for a 3.5-day bilingual retreat in Heidelberg to learn how to stay calm under pressure, set clear boundaries, and develop a grounded presence. The retreat involves non-contact practice (no sparring or fighting), simple movements, reflections and integrations that can be used at work, in relationships and in daily life.
Many people are functioning, but not truly grounded. They manage stress, overthink decisions and lose clarity in difficult conversations.
Our 3.5-day Do for Life Heidelberg Experience offers a different kind of reset, combining embodied practice inspired by non-contact martial arts with honest reflection and a supportive group environment. You don't need to be into "philosophy" or even "martial arts", as you'll discover what works for you and take home practical tools for achieving calmness, setting boundaries, and maintaining presence.
Highlights:
Calm under pressure: nervous system tools you can use anywhere
Clear boundaries without becoming hard or distant
Non-contact practice: no sparring, fighting or body contact
Bilingual group (DE/EN); beginners welcome!
A real mix: practice + reflection + integration (not training all day)
Designed for everyday life: conversations, decision-making, leadership and family life
Schedule
07:45 – Light tea & quiet arrival (device-free)
08:00–08:40 – Breath-led presence (nervous system reset)
08:45–09:30 – Mindful movement (non-contact, beginner-friendly)
09:30–10:30 – Communal vegetarian breakfast
11:30–12:30 – Workshop: See · Beat · Move (partner exploration)
12:30–15:30 – Free time: ocean walk, journaling, rest
15:30–16:15 – Soft timing drills & integration
16:15–17:00 – Tea & open Q&A
17:30–19:00 – Community cooking & dinner (vegetarian; vegan options)
19:30–20:15 – Evening circle (reflection)
20:15–21:00 – Gentle breath downshift / stretch (optional)08:45 – Arrival, tea & quiet settle (device-free)
09:00–09:40 – Breath-led presence (nervous system downshift)
09:45–10:30 – Mindful movement (non-contact, beginner-friendly)
10:30–11:00 – Break (tea, light snack)
11:00–12:00 – Workshop: Way · Presence · Oneness (partner exploration)
12:00–14:00 – Lunch break (nearby cafés; optional group table)
14:00–14:45 – Soft timing drills & relational practice
14:45–15:15 – Open Q&A / integration
15:30–16:15 – Gentle practice & recap
16:15–16:30 – Closing circle
21:30 – Quiet hours
08:00–08:40 – Breath-led presence (nervous system reset)
08:45–09:30 – Mindful movement (non-contact, beginner-friendly)
09:30–10:30 – Communal vegetarian breakfast
11:30–12:30 – Workshop: See · Beat · Move (partner exploration)
12:30–15:30 – Free time: ocean walk, journaling, rest
15:30–16:15 – Soft timing drills & integration
16:15–17:00 – Tea & open Q&A
17:30–19:00 – Community cooking & dinner (vegetarian; vegan options)
19:30–20:15 – Evening circle (reflection)
20:15–21:00 – Gentle breath downshift / stretch (optional)08:45 – Arrival, tea & quiet settle (device-free)
09:00–09:40 – Breath-led presence (nervous system downshift)
09:45–10:30 – Mindful movement (non-contact, beginner-friendly)
10:30–11:00 – Break (tea, light snack)
11:00–12:00 – Workshop: Way · Presence · Oneness (partner exploration)
12:00–14:00 – Lunch break (nearby cafés; optional group table)
14:00–14:45 – Soft timing drills & relational practice
14:45–15:15 – Open Q&A / integration
15:30–16:15 – Gentle practice & recap
16:15–16:30 – Closing circle
21:30 – Quiet hours
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change
Getting Here
Pranado, Do for Life Dojang, Zeppelinstraße 189, Heidelberg-Handschuhsheim, Deutschland
Directions
Nearest airports
Frankfurt International (FRA): Easiest hub for Heidelberg.
Stuttgart (STR): Good alternative with straightforward rail links.
Mannheim City (MHG): Small regional airport near Heidelberg.
From FRA (recommended)
Train: From Frankfurt Airport take an ICE/IC to Mannheim Hbf (~30–40 min), then regional/S-Bahn to Heidelberg Hbf (~10–15 min).
Taxi from Heidelberg Hbf: ~10–15 minutes to the dojang.
From Heidelberg Main Station (Hbf)
Tram: Take a tram toward Neuenheim/Handschuhsheim (e.g., lines 21/24).
Get off at Heiligenbergschule or Jahnstraße on Berliner Straße.
Walk 3–8 minutes to Zeppelinstr. 189.
Taxi: ~10–15 minutes, depending on traffic.
By car
Approach Heidelberg via A5 → A656 toward Zentrum.
We offer free, limited on-site parking (first come, first served).
Additional free street parking is usually available in the neighborhood—please observe local signs.
Frankfurt International (FRA): Easiest hub for Heidelberg.
Stuttgart (STR): Good alternative with straightforward rail links.
Mannheim City (MHG): Small regional airport near Heidelberg.
From FRA (recommended)
Train: From Frankfurt Airport take an ICE/IC to Mannheim Hbf (~30–40 min), then regional/S-Bahn to Heidelberg Hbf (~10–15 min).
Taxi from Heidelberg Hbf: ~10–15 minutes to the dojang.
From Heidelberg Main Station (Hbf)
Tram: Take a tram toward Neuenheim/Handschuhsheim (e.g., lines 21/24).
Get off at Heiligenbergschule or Jahnstraße on Berliner Straße.
Walk 3–8 minutes to Zeppelinstr. 189.
Taxi: ~10–15 minutes, depending on traffic.
By car
Approach Heidelberg via A5 → A656 toward Zentrum.
We offer free, limited on-site parking (first come, first served).
Additional free street parking is usually available in the neighborhood—please observe local signs.
Accommodation
Early Bird Ticket (for bookings until 31 March 2026)
Regular Ticket
Solidarity Ticket
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
This is a non-residential retreat held in our quiet Dojang in Heidelberg (shoes-off, respectful atmosphere, wooden floor). There are no on-site rooms; guests book their own lodging. The Dojang provides a calm, clean practice space with changing area, restrooms, tea/water and light snacks.
If you’re traveling in, we can share a short list of nearby hotels/guesthouses in the Altstadt/Neckar area on request. Many cafés are within walking distance for lunch or an optional group dinner after the day’
If you’re traveling in, we can share a short list of nearby hotels/guesthouses in the Altstadt/Neckar area on request. Many cafés are within walking distance for lunch or an optional group dinner after the day’
What's Included
- Guided breath-led and non-contact embodied sessions (English)
- Opening circle, brief reflections, and supportive partner explorations
- Use of the Dojang space (mats as needed), changing area & restrooms
- Tea, water, and light snacks during program breaks
- Fresh practice notes / recap sheet for integration
- Optional group photo & contact swap (community)
- Solidarity pricing options
What's Not Included
- Accommodation (non-residential retreat)
- Meals outside of light snacks (lunch/dinner taken at nearby cafés or self-arranged)
- Local transport / parking
- Travel insurance and any personal expenses