Test: Residential Retreat: Compassion Weekend

This is a residential (in-person) retreat suitable for anyone who has been practising meditation for 6+ months. We will share Adhisthana Retreat Center with the live-in Buddhist community, however we teach a fully secular approach to mindfulness, and invite people of all beliefs or none to join us. We warmly welcome those new to Breathworks, as well as old friends. 

Fees & Accessibility

Single Room: Between £600 - £675
Shared Room: Between £500 - £575
Worried about money? Click here to learn about financial support available.
 

Compassion, the 'twin' of mindfulness

Mindfulness helps us see clearly. Compassion helps us respond kindly.

A helpful image is of a bird in flight — carried by two balanced wings. One wing is awareness and steadiness; the other is kindness and care. For the bird to fly, both need to be strong.

It’s the same in life. Without compassion, mindfulness can become detached and clinical — all observation, no warmth. Without mindfulness, compassion can become overwhelming — all heart, no steadiness.

This retreat will explore how these two qualities support each other — helping us meet difficulty not with harshness or avoidance, but with clarity, courage and care.

The weekend includes guided meditation, silence, mindful movement, and time to reflect with a team member if you wish. It’s a simple programme designed to help steady your mind, open your heart, and meet life’s challenges with balance.

Meet Your Retreat Leaders

Vidyamala Burch OBE

Vidyamala is a world-renowned mindfulness and compassion teacher, author and coach.

Drawing on her own experience of living with chronic pain, she developed Mindfulness-based Pain Management (MBPM), a pioneering programme now used globally to support people living with pain, illness and stress.

Vidyamala is an OBE recipient for services to wellbeing and an honorary member of The British Pain Society.

She offers wise, practical guidance for living with greater ease, compassion and meaning.

Karen Liebenguth

Karen is an accredited mindfulness teacher, leadership coach, and restorative justice facilitator with Breathworks UK.

She specialises in coaching ethical leaders and guiding organisations to foster compassion, wellbeing and belonging.

Karen brings a mindful, creative and down-to-earth approach to her work, often coaching outdoors in nature.

She has trained in mindfulness, compassion, eco-psychology and restorative practices, and works with individuals and teams across corporate, public and charitable sectors.

Why Join This Retreat?

• Expert Guidance: Learn directly from Breathworks founder Vidyamala Burch OBE, whose internationally recognised approach combines practical wisdom with decades of personal experience
  
  
• Deepen Your Resilience: Discover how compassion meditation can help you navigate life transitions, health changes, and relationships with greater emotional balance
  
  
• Reconnect with Nature: Step away from digital overload and constant news cycles to restore your well-being in the peaceful countryside setting
  
  
• Personalised Support: Receive individual attention through one-on-one or small group sessions with our experienced team members who can address your specific practice questions
  
  
• Find Mental Clarity: Experience a thoughtfully designed program that creates space for the deep rest and mental clarity that becomes increasingly precious as we age
  
  
• Nurture Your Body: Participate in gentle, adaptable mindful movement practices specifically designed to support physical well-being, including options for those with mobility challenges or chronic conditions
  
  
• Build Meaningful Connections: Share time with like-minded people in an atmosphere where authentic conversation and genuine community can flourish
  
  
• Take Home Practical Skills: Learn sustainable techniques you can integrate into your daily life to maintain calm and presence long after the retreat ends
  
  
  

What Is A Residential Retreat?

A meditation retreat is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with or deepen your mindfulness practice, in the company of expert meditation teachers and a like-minded community. A residential retreat means you'll stay onsite for the entire experience, allowing for full immersion without daily distractions.

This long weekend retreat is perfect for those new to retreat experiences – it's long enough to experience the benefits but short enough to feel manageable for first-timers.

The retreat experience includes:

• Guided and unguided meditation practice 
• Educational seminars with clear, accessible teaching
• Gentle movement sessions suitable for all bodies and abilities
• Supportive group discussions
• Periods of "warm silence" (don't worry – we'll explain how this works!)
• Shared mealtimes with freshly prepared vegan food provided
• Free time to wander the beautiful gardens, rest, or journal
• Comfortable, simple accommodation to support your practice. 
  
  

What to expect on a meditation retreat

You'll follow a daily schedule that balances structure with flexibility. Our experienced teachers will guide you every step of the way, making the practices accessible whether you're new to meditation or have an established practice. The atmosphere is warm, inclusive and non-judgmental – there's no "right way" to experience a retreat.

Many people find that even a short residential retreat offers a refreshing perspective and valuable skills they can bring back to daily life.

Living with a health condition or disability? 

Inclusivity and accessibility is at the heart of all Breathworks events. Adhisthana Retreat Centre is fully wheelchair accessible. As well as wheelchair accessible single rooms, we reserve single rooms with private bathrooms for those managing health challenges.

Whilst we encourage you to attend as much of the retreat programme as possible for maximum benefit, we fully support you making intentional, wise decisions for your body and needs. This might mean having a sleep during one of the rest breaks or swapping group work for private reflection. We provide mats, cushions and chairs so you can find a meditation posture that works for you. During teaching sessions, we encourage you to look after your body, whether that's lying down with your eyes closed and listening, or moving gently (in a way that doesn't disturb others of course!) 

We know that money can be a barrier to accessing mindfulness, especially for those with a disability or health condition. Please click here to learn more about the financial support available. 

The Venue: Adhisthana Retreat Centre

Nestled in the heart of the Malvern Hills, Adhisthana offers a serene environment to immerse yourself in mindfulness and nature. The 26-acre grounds include peaceful woodlands, wildflower meadows, tranquil ponds, and a sunken garden. A highlight is the ancient oak tree, estimated to be 800-900 years old—a symbol of the deep-rooted wisdom you’ll connect with during the retreat.

You will be sharing space with the residents of Adhisthana, an international Buddhist community. The accommodation is comfortable and has the basics for your stay. The charm of Adhisthana is its setting which, whilst not luxurious in terms of amenities, holds great natural beauty and reverence as a retreat centre where people have been meditating for more than 11 years.

Accommodation & Cost

Rooms at Adhisthana are simply furnished with beds, bedside tables, chairs and lamps. Accessible rooms and some single rooms  will have their own private bathroom. Numerous shared toilets and bathrooms are also available on each floor, as well as throughout the retreat centre. 

Breathworks is a UK registered charity with a mission to make mindfulness accessible to everyone. When you purchase a ticket for one of our events, you are not only investing in your own wellbeing, but paying it forward to someone else in need - All profits are reinvested to support our charitable work, helping us cover essential costs like staff, operations, and expanding our impact. 

We trust our participants to assess their eligibility honestly and ask you to consider the Standard Rate if you possibly can, to keep our offering sustainable. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your situation, please contact us here.

Living with a disability or health needs? 

To ensure your stay is as supportive and inclusive as possible, we offer:

• Wheelchair accessible rooms with ensuite 
• Single rooms on the ground floor 
• Single rooms with a private wash basin or ensuite 

If you would like to request one of these rooms for your stay, please fill in this short online form here.