Retreat - Find your own expression in dialogue with Mother Earth
6th June- 13th June 2026
During this retreat we deepen our connection to Mother Earth and step into our power. In the process of finding our own expression, each participant sews a power doll by hand.
We spend our time in nature on the beautiful island of Brac. Through shamanic journeys, a medicine hike, yoga and meditation, we immerse ourselves in the power of the earth mother. Held and nourished by the power of her heart, we show you how you can communicate with her and with places of power to overcome what is holding you back. These tools will enable you to shape your own life and find your strength, also during the time to come. As an initiation, we will visit the mystical dragon's cave.
In the shamanic understanding, every person has their own unique qualities to express in their earthly life. We will hold the space for you in which you can connect with your intuition and sew your power doll. Supporting you in your creative exploration, you will become clearer how you can live an breathe your qualities. We will sit on the floor in a circle and make our dolls by hand without any patterns or guidelines. You can bring your favorite materials from home and use items you find in nature. We will also bring a supply, including sheep's wool for filling the dolls.
Retreat facilitators
Laura Erceg-Simon
A trained actress, Laura has been working as a clown with the Red Noses for 13 years. She is involved in permaculture and shamanism, gives shamanic treatments and has been sewing dolls and giving doll courses for 17 years.
Due to a long illness in childhood and adolescence, her life has always been a search for healing through artistic expression. She wants to pass this on to those around her.
She says of this new course: "With this new course, I want to give more space to the heart-opening aspect, which I have been able to observe during my courses over the years.” (In connection with the Earth Mother, we give our healing path an artistic expression through the dolls.)
Website in German
Sabine Engelhardt
Since her youth Sabine has experienced moments of clairvoyance . As the founder of Gea Viva, she has lived in close connection with nature for many years and communicates with the invisible forces of the earth (geomancy). She practices permaculture and is a yoga teacher.
It is important to her that we live in harmony with the earth and all living beings. To this end, she inspires people to reconnect with nature, find their inner truth, and follow the guidance of their heart's.
Website
The place
Gea Viva is located in a peaceful olive grove on the Croatian island of Brac, a ten minute’s walk from the sea and the harbor town of Milna. A group of women, led by Sabine, have created a stone circle there, which is the focal point of Gea Viva, It’s healing field that will support our process. The camp is designed according to permaculture principles, with a vegetable garden, solar showers and composting toilets. No alcohol or drugs are consumed on the premises.
Retreat programme
We will begin each morning with yoga. After breakfast, there will be approximately four hours of retreat programme, followed by lunch. The afternoons are free for swimming, rest, etc. We will immerse ourselves in nature and spend the entire day outdoors. Please be aware that we will go through processes, both individually and as a group, that can be intense.
The retreat begins at 18.00 hrs on the day of arrival and ends after breakfast on the day of departure.
The retreat languages are German and English, and there is time to translate anything required.
Food and practicalities
The cuisine at Gea Viva is vegetarian and we will prepare the meals jointly. Some ingredients will be from the garden. If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know on the registration form. Please note that no alcohol or drugs are consumed on site.
The fishing village Milna has shops, restaurants, bars, ATMs, a currency exchange office, a doctor, a pharmacy, and a post office.
Gea Viva is easily accessible by public transportation. Here is more information on how to get there.
Fees
Tiny house
1070 € single occupancy | 895 € shared by two
This unique tiny house is equipped with two double beds, a seating area, a terrace with sea views, and it has electricity. Showers and toilets are shared. Bedding and linen are provided. Please bring your own towels.
Glamping hut
895 € single occupancy | 825 € shared by two
The glamping huts feature two single beds, camping lamps, a thatched roof for shade, and small terraces with sea views. Bedding and linen are provided. Please bring your own towels.
Tent
810 € own tent | 860 € hire tent
To truly connect with the earth, bring your own tent. We also have tents for rent, including a matt, sleeping bag, and pillow.
Own camper
825 € Camper up to 7m length
Our camper pitches are located within the campsite. As we are off-grid, the solar energy generated cannot power fridges in campers. Space is available in the shared fridge in the kitchen.
Sockets to recharge electrical appliances are located in the kitchen.
The following is included in the price
Shamanic process, Yoga, meditations
Sewing the dollw
Trip to the dragon’s cave
7 x breakfast, 6 x lunch und 6 x supper, Vegetarian, prepared jointly
7 night’s accommodation
1 year’s membership of Gea Viva
Booking and deposit
A deposit of €200 is due upon booking, with the remaining fee due upon arrival. You can pay by bank transfer or in cash. Please register by April 20th. For bookings before March 1st, we offer a 5% discount.
For cancellations up to one month before the start of the retreat, we will refund the deposit, minus a €50 processing fee. For cancellations within the last 30 days before the start of the retreat, we will retain the deposit and the full participant fee must be paid. If political travel restrictions are imposed, we will refund the entire amount.
Rezensionen
“Die erste Puppe unter Anleitung von dir, Laura, war genau so ein seelischer Akt wie damals mit den Märchen. MALIE (MAya LIEbt) kam als mein inneres Kind zu Welt. Als Mädchen, das die Gesetze der Liebe in sich trug und noch nicht aberzogen oder vergessen hatte. Sie berührte auch mein Unterbewusstsein und trug mich weiter in meiner Transformation.
Meine Dankbarkeit ist gross, dir begegnet zu sein, dir mit deinen Seelenpuppen. Und ich freue mich, wenn diese Art Wandel zu innerer Weisheit und Liebe geschehen darf durchweitere Puppenkurse.”
— Maya, Schweiz
“Was Sabine anbietet kommt von Herzen, und das habe ich sofort bei meiner Ankunft wahrgenommen. Bei ihren Auszeiten stellt sie sicher, dass es es nicht zu viele Teilnehmende gibt, damit sie jedem ihre persönliche Aufmerksamkeit geben kann. Ein entspanntes Gespräch am Küchentisch kann tiefe persönliche Muster und Blockaden bewusst machen und Sabine ist darin geübt, mit diesen zu arbeiten und sie zu heilen. Gebe Dir selbst die Möglichkeit dieser Transformation.”
