9 WED Evenings in Nonviolent Communication
9 WED Evenings in Nonviolent Communication
Up to 16 in group
Package Dates
Retreat Highlights
- Learn from the creator of the Unfold Cards, a project built to improve communication between people
- Turn "you always..." into honest words that invite listening instead of defence
- Understand what you really feel and need, even in moments of tension
- Nine weeks, so the practice becomes part of your daily life, not just an idea
- Bring home tools for difficult conversations with partners, family, friends and colleagues
- Learn how to stay present and help others feel heard when emotions run high
- A friendly, no-pressure group where you only share what feels right
- Cozy evenings in the yurta, surrounded by the forest of Camacha
About this Retreat
Your Guides
Creator of Unfold Cards, a reflective card system based on Nonviolent Communication that helps people understand their feelings, uncover unmet needs and transform conflict into connection. Unfold is a non-profit project with the goal of improving communication between humans. Maxim teaches Emotional Intelligence, NVC and mediation, and shares his practice openly, including his own moments of vulnerability and learning.
Details of this retreat
Nine Wednesdays, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, October 28 to December 23, 2026, to understand your feelings and needs, speak with honesty and empathy, and turn conflict into connection. Through Nonviolent Communication, Emotional Intelligence practice and the Unfold Cards, guided by their creator Maxim Petrenko, this is a space to slow down, listen deeply, and practise a new way of being with yourself and others.
What is Nonviolent Communication?
Nonviolent Communication (NVC) is a practical approach to communication built on a simple idea: behind every feeling is a human need, and behind every conflict are needs that have not yet been heard. Instead of judging, blaming or defending, we learn to say what we observe, name what we feel, connect it to what we need, and make a clear, respectful request.
A phrase like “You’re always on your phone” can become an honest expression of feeling and need, an invitation instead of an attack. This small shift can move a conversation from disconnection toward collaboration and trust.
In this course, NVC is explored through three dimensions of Emotional Intelligence: theory, practice and spirituality. We also learn the basics of mediation, so that you can help others feel seen and heard when emotions run high. No experience is required. We practise in a safe, respectful atmosphere, and everyone shares only as much as feels right for them.
What is Nonviolent Communication?
Nonviolent Communication (NVC) is a practical approach to communication built on a simple idea: behind every feeling is a human need, and behind every conflict are needs that have not yet been heard. Instead of judging, blaming or defending, we learn to say what we observe, name what we feel, connect it to what we need, and make a clear, respectful request.
A phrase like “You’re always on your phone” can become an honest expression of feeling and need, an invitation instead of an attack. This small shift can move a conversation from disconnection toward collaboration and trust.
In this course, NVC is explored through three dimensions of Emotional Intelligence: theory, practice and spirituality. We also learn the basics of mediation, so that you can help others feel seen and heard when emotions run high. No experience is required. We practise in a safe, respectful atmosphere, and everyone shares only as much as feels right for them.
Schedule
Every Wednesday 18:00 – 20:00 we gather in our mindfulness yurt at "Heart of Madeira", starting with a free dance warm-up and then diving into our Nonviolent Communication course, with an introduction, guided questions and circle or couple discussions around the different topics.
Oct 28 - Welcome and Introduction to NVC and the Unfold Cards.
Nov 4 - Observations vs. judgments: Seeing what is actually happening without evaluation.
Nov 11 - Feelings: Building a richer emotional vocabulary and learning what our feelings tell us.
Nov 18 - Needs: Universal human needs as the key to understanding ourselves and others.
Nov 25 - Requests: Making clear, doable requests instead of demands.
Dec 2 - Empathy: Listening to others with presence, and receiving what is hard to hear.
Dec 9 - Conflict escalators and de-escalators: Recognising patterns that intensify conflict and practices that restore connection.
Dec 16 - Mediation: Helping two people feel seen and heard, and finding common ground.
Dec 23 - Integration and closing circle. Bringing it all together, and meaning, purpose and service.
Oct 28 - Welcome and Introduction to NVC and the Unfold Cards.
Nov 4 - Observations vs. judgments: Seeing what is actually happening without evaluation.
Nov 11 - Feelings: Building a richer emotional vocabulary and learning what our feelings tell us.
Nov 18 - Needs: Universal human needs as the key to understanding ourselves and others.
Nov 25 - Requests: Making clear, doable requests instead of demands.
Dec 2 - Empathy: Listening to others with presence, and receiving what is hard to hear.
Dec 9 - Conflict escalators and de-escalators: Recognising patterns that intensify conflict and practices that restore connection.
Dec 16 - Mediation: Helping two people feel seen and heard, and finding common ground.
Dec 23 - Integration and closing circle. Bringing it all together, and meaning, purpose and service.
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change
Getting Here
Accommodation
Price per Evening Session
Price per 5 Sessions
Price for All Sessions
Venue & Amenities
Our Mindfulness Yurta at Heart of Madeira is a warm, enclosed space with a fireplace, set among the eucalyptus forest. Its calm, quiet atmosphere makes it a lovely home for yoga, meditation, movement, plant medicine and other retreats. There is room for up to 15 participants on individual mats, so everyone has space to settle in, move freely and go inward.
What's Included
- Weekly 2-hour sessions with Maksym Petrenko, creator of the Unfold Cards
- Introduction to Nonviolent Communication and Emotional Intelligence
- Practice of observations, feelings, needs and requests
- Empathy exercises and group practice
- Conflict escalators and de-escalators
- Basics of mediation
- Integration and closing circle
- Warm, safe group setting in the yurta at Heart of Madeira
What's Not Included
- Accommodation
- Unfold Cards (€20, optional)
- Travel to Camacha
- Meals and drinks
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