I listen.
I soften.
I become still.
"Held by the Quiet"
Silence Retreat
22.11. - 28.11.2026
Schafferalm
Austria
"Amidst the stillness of the mountains, each moment becomes an invitation to breathe, to feel, and to return home to yourself — wrapped in quiet, grounded, and fully alive."
Be held by the Quiet this Winter.
Cradled in the snow-draped stillness of the Austrian Alps, you are invited to step into a sanctuary of rest, reflection, and renewal. Whether this is your first retreat or a return to familiar ground, the untouched majesty of the mountains and ancient forests offers a space to soften, to listen, and to remember your natural state of peace.
Each day will unfold gently — beginning and ending in quiet presence — giving you room to arrive fully in yourself. Over the course of our time together, we will share some days of silence, allowing body and mind to settle into deeper ease. This is an invitation to slow your pace, breathe with awareness, and release the noise that no longer serves you.
Yoga, Meditation, Natur
As winter begins to make its presence known and the earth slowly deepens into its quiet, cold embrace, we invite you to step into a week of profound stillness, gentle reflection, and deep inner renewal. Surrounded by serene landscapes and held in the sacred silence of the season, this retreat offers you the space to slow down, listen inward, and simply be.
In this season of turning inward, when the world around us settles into rest, we too can honor the quiet within. The crisp air, the softening light, and the stillness of nature guide us to reconnect with our deeper rhythms. We will embrace this time of dormancy, allowing ourselves to rest, reflect, and restore in preparation for the cycles of rebirth that lie ahead.
Each day will begin with gentle yoga and meditation, guiding us into a deep state of presence and stillness. These practices will anchor us in the body, allowing us to cultivate a sense of grounded awareness as we enter the silence of the retreat. After our morning rituals, we will embrace quiet throughout the day, with dedicated sessions for meditation and contemplation, offering you the time and space to simply be with yourself. The silence will hold you, allowing for profound introspection and connection with your inner world.
Throughout the retreat, we will also explore the wisdom behind silence and meditation, delving into the stories, theories, and scientific principles that support these practices. These teachings will offer insight into the power of stillness, helping you understand how silence nurtures the mind, body, and spirit. In the afternoons, we will embark on silent walks through the nearby forest, where nature’s calm will mirror our own inner quiet, allowing for deep reflection and peaceful restoration. There will also be plenty of time for rest, so that you may integrate the stillness and nourishment from both the practice and the environment. This retreat is a sacred opportunity to honor the quiet rhythms of the body and mind, and to return home to the simplicity of being.
We will be retreating in a beautifully renovated 300-year-old farmhouse, nestled high in the mountains at an altitude of about 1000 meters. This secluded mountain chalet offers the perfect environment to disconnect from the outside world — free from distractions, interruptions, and the constant hum of modern life. With no internet and minimal mobile reception, we are gifted with the rare opportunity to retreat fully into the present moment, embracing the silence and solitude that nature provides.
During our time here, we will be nourished by Kartin, my dear friend and a gifted Ayurvedic cook. Kartin will prepare meals that not only satisfy the body but also support the spirit, with each dish thoughtfully crafted to balance and restore. The food will be simple, wholesome, and deeply nourishing, allowing us to feel truly cared for as we dive deeper into our practice of silence, stillness, and self-discovery. This retreat is an invitation to disconnect, reset, and rejuvenate — physically, mentally, and spiritually — in a place that supports and amplifies your journey inward.
Spaces are very limited (6 participants) to ensure a personalized and intimate experience, so I encourage you to reserve your spot soon. The price covers all retreat costs, including accommodation, daily meals, snacks, workshop materials, and a special goodie bag. Travel costs to the venue are not included.
Join us and fully immerse yourself in this sacred time of rest, reflection, and renewal.
I look forward to sharing this journey with you and holding a space for connection, healing, and personal growth.
Barbara
WHAT
Held by the Quiet - Silence Retreat
WHEN
22.11.-28.11.2026
WHERE
Schafferalm, STMK
Adresse: Schafferalm, Preßnitzgraben 23, 8713 St. Stefan ob Leoben, Austria
WHO
For everybody (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced Yogis, Pregnant Women,...)
Don't hesitate to ask if you are not sure!
YOUR CONTRIBUTION
1650€ in total
Price:
800€ (Course and Course Material)
+
850€/Day (Accomodation in 2-3 Bed Rooms + 3 vegan Meals + Snacks)
The travel (by train/taxi or car) is not included in the price.
Read MoreA week of quiet, reflection, and presence — where stillness becomes your sanctuary.
Starts Nov 22
A Day at the Winter Retreat.
SAMPLE (optional and adjustable according to your needs):
06.00 – Sunrise Meditation
06.30 – Morning Yoga Flow
08.00 – Breakfast + Free Time
10.00 – Silence Walks, Workshops, Free time
13.00 – Lunch + Rest
15.00 – Silence Walks, Workshops, Free time
16.00 – Meditation + Gentle Evening Flow
18.00 – Light Dinner
19.30 – Satsang (Circle) + Meditation
Levels:
This retreat welcomes all levels, from complete beginners to seasoned yogis. Beginners can explore yoga and meditation while experienced practitioners can deepen their practice and find new inspiration.
Limited Spaces:
Join us on a first-come, first-served basis.
A Gift for You:
Take this time just for yourself and nurture your well-being. I can’t wait to welcome you!
Content + Specials.
-
Two daily Yoga Asana classes focused on meditation and stillness
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2–4 hours of silent meditation each day
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Pranayama (breathing techniques) to cultivate stillness
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Teachings on Yoga Philosophy centered on meditation and quieting the mind
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Silent walks in the nearby forest
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3–5 full days of *mouna* (noble silence)
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Course materials covering yoga, meditation, and pranayama
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Three nourishing meals per day, featuring freshly prepared regional vegan Ayurvedic cuisine by Katrin (includes breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner) + welcome soup on the first day
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7 nights accommodation at the beautiful Schafferalm, surrounded by nature
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Special well-being goodies
The healing place.
The chalet is a newly renovated 300 years old mountain farmers-house in the lower alps in Styria, surrounded by forests and meadows. The house and the whole area nearby are ancient power places, that invite you to come into silence and peace. The place is a place to be.
The chalet offers 5 rooms with 2-4 beds including their separate bathroom and toilet. The whole interior is made of natural materials. Even the new roof and Seminar-Room was built out of the families own wood from their forests.
It has 3 floors. The entrance floor with its cosy kitchen and dining area, next to the oven, which we fire with wood. What a lovely smell and energy. On the first floor there are 3 bedrooms and on top is another bedroom as well as the Yoga and Meditation Room.
This place of peace and harmony supports in its very special way each individual on his/her spiritual and personal journey. The beautiful nature and the peaceful atmosphere of the chalet cause a feeling of coming home and thus create the perfect framework to fully engage with yourself.
The perfect place to retreat in silence.
Welcome to this healing place.
One of the rooms on the top floor.
The perfect place to retreat in silence.
To walk without talk is balm for our soul.
You will see many different traces from rabbits, foxes, mice and more.
After some hours in the fresh air, we will find our way home.
To walk without talk is balm for our soul.
Your host.
Hello, I am Barbara, the founder of BE IN TOUCH and the beautiful oasis for healing in Vienna called "the sanctuary".
I am a professional Somatic Coach specialized for trauma, trained in Body-Mind Coaching, Conflict Resolution, Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy, the Grinberg Method, Yoga 500+, Yoga Therapy, Reiki, Ayurveda, Trauma Sensitive Yoga as well as a professional Educational Scientist.
I am currently under the guidance of my dear teachers Peter Levin, Scott Lyon, Stacy K. Hains, Manuela Mischke-Reeds, Kai Cheng Thom, Rae Johnson, Richard Strozzi-Heckler, Prasad Rangnekar (Hatha Yoga), Doug Keller (Yoga Therapy), Joachim Pfahl (Trauma Sensitive Yoga) and Trista Zinn (Hypopressives Canada).
I cherish retreating into silence, and I’ve fallen in love with gathering among women in Circles. Being part of a group, held in a safe space, is a profound gift for our collective well-being. During a retreat, we can fully let go of our efforts, gradually entering a simple, pure, and 'effortless' state of being. For me, it always feels like coming home—a return to a place within where I can clearly see and feel what truly matters in life. This deep understanding inspires me to create and hold this sacred space for you during our time together.
