be outside
coaching
Soulful Human & Nature Experiences
At all Seasons
autumn cocoon retreat
November 8-10th, 2024
about retreat
Nature is the most direct gateway to reconnect with yourself, get a deep feeling of well-being, open your senses, and at the same time, reinforce your immune system. Natural beauty invites to relax, nourish our bodies, our minds and our souls.
We welcome you in a small village of typical Swiss houses surrounded by a pristine alpine environment. Come and enjoy the energy of this exceptional valley while dipping into a hot tub after a full-day outside!
This retreat will specifically focus on Nature being a part of our lives: internally and externally. Emotional, physical, mental and spiritual effects of Nature in our lives. Become natural, become Nature.
We will eat creative food prepared by a private chef and immerse into the Outside world by involving in different type of movement and meditation practices.
Nature connection practices are pathways to returning to a basis of health and happiness. While exploring the outside environment- nature, one can reconnect with oneself.
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In this retreat we will have half day to indulge into cooking together, learn about plant based food, its benefits and how to cook it. By already well known and reputed chef Donata.
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Val d’Hérens is known for its unspoiled nature, variety of landscape- mountain lakes, glaciers, and the protected area of Ferpecle that is known not only for its breath-taking landscape but also for high energy.
In autumn due to the vegetation in this valley, it becomes a colourful valley.
Nothing recharges your batteries like a breath of alpine air. Genuine valley traditions, unspoilt nature, ancient houses made of sun-darkened wood.
The Val d’Hérens stretches from the Rhône Valley near Sion, some kilometres south of the majestic Dent Blanche, which, at 4,358 metres, is the emblem of the valley.
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Dent Blanche - the most prominent mountain in the region
Retreat Venue
In the Val d’Hérens valley rich of patrimony and culture, one can find 300-400 old houses called ,grenier’, ,raccard’, ,mayen’, some preserved, some getting demolished and lost.
The place where we will be staying has saved 6 of them and created a tiny village, this is where we will be staying- this is an exceptional place, old from outside, creative and limitless inside.
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Retreat venue- 6 front houses
Inside the house...
Made for cozy autumn evenings
Sleeping area
Novembers are special in the mountains
activities during retreat
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Hiking (all levels)
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Nature Connection practices based on Shinrin Yoku (japanese for forest bathing)
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Creative healthy food incl cooking class
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Hatha flow and Yin yoga
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Hot Tub
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Chanting bowls
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Voyage through the senses
retreat Chef donata, inspired by nature
Donata creates food with love & passion. She is a nature lover and gets her main inspiration to cook from the nature - using natural products. Aesthetics of food is part of her style, she spoils multiple senses of the one who tastes her food.
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Lithuania is her home country and her initial inspiration to cook came from her mothers vegetable & fruit garden.
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You will eat healthy & natural food prepared by Donata. Allow your body to energize with seasonal & local goodness. Find joy in eating the rainbow on your plate and feel yourself becoming more grounded and feeling comfortable in your own skin.
food Philosophy
In our retreats we create plant based food with the intention to nourish self and receive energy through the food. Beauty on the plate is important as well the the quality of ingredients ( seasonal, local) and using your own senses. Cooking is not an execution of To Use ingredients but a journey of the senses of the one who cook and the ones who eat the food.
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Donata cooks with love and passion- retreat participants notice it in the food. Kitchen and nature is where i feel recharged and happy, - says Donata
The benefits of such food are:
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Nourishment through nutritious food & beauty on the plate
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Sustainability
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Feeling light after eating
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Mindful eating
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cooking class
Cooking class is an opportunity to learn about the principles of plant based food as well as how to cook it.
What an opportunity to feed your body with nourishing food and take news ideas home.
Activities outside as well as inside will immerse you into Nature. You will leave this retreat recharged by nature and with cooking recipies in hand.
what we will cook
We will cook some most loved foods by the participants. In the menu:
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Pumpkin Soup
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Vegetable Pie
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Salad (pumpkin & black lentils)
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Nature Cake
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The most loved Mountain Power Bar
ruta - retreat creator
Ruta Mikulenaite did her first hike back in 2013- she then realized that the real life is not happening in the indoor- office environment but rather outside.
This made her realize that she was missing something important in her life- connection with Nature. Since then, most of her time she spends outside- climbing, hiking, wild camping, walking in the forests, parks and other natural places. She has become hiking ‚guru‘ and is now passionate to share the most beautiful places in the Swiss Alps with the others. Retreat participants often say that Ruta's passion for Nature is contagious.
Ruta is a professional neuro-coach (Neuroleadership Institute, London), forest therapy guide (Association of Nature and Forest Therapy, USA) and mountain leader (Association of Mountain Guides in Switzerland). Ruta has also studied ancient yoga in Bali and is a certified yoga teacher. She loves bringing nature to the mat through the practice of yin and and yang yoga.
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By creating Be Outside Coaching movement, she has connected her 2 major passions: activities outside and human evolution. Be Outside Coaching delivers immersive and holistic Nature experiences in the different corners of pristine the Swiss Alps. Ruta is based in Montreux Riviera and is living her passion to Nature to the fullest.
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Be Outside. Be Authentic. Be You
Testimonials From Last Retreats
'After 3 weeks I still close my eyes and find myself immersed in a powerful experience in nature leaded by Ruta.
I'm a nature lover and explorer yet the wonderful retreat had layers of experience that I did not expect. I would do this again any time, and I recommend anyone who would like to let themselves be guided both in the outside and inside for a little while, to join one of Ruta's retreats. I went there with the intention of simply do what I was told, without questioning or wondering why. I just did it and gave myself to it and it was really wonderful. Thank you Ruta, hope to see you again!''
Barbara, business owner and artist from Italy
'I am just back from my 2nd retreat with Ruta which urges me to book the next one 😊
The retreat locations are very special ranging from historic hotels to secluded chalets in nature. The program is so nicely planned from the hiking routes to yoga sessions, full of moments to connect to yourself, to nature and to like minded people which come together for the same purpose to share this wonderful experience.
I love the fact that I just give a break to my routine and let myself enjoy all tiny details prepared by Ruta, taste new ways of connecting with nature and listen to my soul as I walk the beautiful paths 💜'
Selen from Switzerland
'This year has been so hard and I have felt a terrible urge to escape my daily life, the uncertainty and the heavy routine. Joining Ruta's Autumn retreat was one of the best things that happened to me in 2020.
Ruta's carefully chosen location for the retreat was beyond what I could have imagined.. She is madly passionate about nature and outdoor living and she transmits this passion and to everyone around. I have discovered forest bathing, mindful hiking, participated in many activities I've never heard of before, I have let myself follow the rhythm and it was incredibly calming, nurturing and emotional experience.
I'm impressed with Ruta's facilitation skills too.
We were a group of 12 women with 12 different nationalities, cultures, backgrounds, personalities and expectations sharing this 3-day experience. Ruta managed all that diversity and strong emotions coming out with ease. She created an inclusive and safe environment for all of us to feel comfortable, heard and supported. Through many different activities, each of us could find a way to share (or not) that one was comfortable with. She managed to keep us motivated and outdoors even when the weather was difficult, during those 3 days we had sun, rain and even snow!!
The retreat was well planned, the sessions were well prepared with little surprises that went straight to the heart of each participant (I can't name as it would be a spoiler for next participants!)
I loved the place so much that I have prolonged my stay by an additional day and I'm already looking forward to next year!!'
Alena, business owner & mother of 2 from Switzerland
Logistics details and booking
Price and booking policy:
Retreat dates:
October 17-20d, 2024. Important: this is 4 full days retreat.
On Thursday it will start at 12 pm and on Sunday we will finish at 4pm
Please plan accordingly.
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To ensure quality and intimacy, this retreat is limited to max 10 participants.
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An exclusive retreat location offers different type of accommodation.
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Room options & price:
Shared room with 1 person: 890 CHF (only bookable when you come with a friend)
Private small room and shared bathroom: 990 CHF
Superior private room shared bathroom: 1190 CHF
Standard private house private bathroom & stunning view: 1290 CHF
Deluxe private house private bathroom & stunning view: 1390 CHF
You can share 1 house just with your friend ( there are 2 separate rooms). In that case price is:
990 CHF for one who stays in a small room with a single bed
1190 CHF for one who stays in a big room with a double bed
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To secure booking: 50% deposit. The rest to be paid 1 month before retreat (October 10th).
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Cancellation policy:
6 weeks before the retreat: 50% refundable
1 month before retreat: non-refundable
If retreat has to be cancelled due to any force majeure, 100% amount will be reimbursed
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What is included in the price?
· Accommodation in a local high quality Swiss houses
· Facilitation & all activities included in the retreat program:
yoga, meditation, hiking, coaching, forest bathing, access to hot tub
· Vegan food (breakfast, lunch/snack & dinner)
· Transport to the nearby village during the retreat
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What is not included in the price?
· Alcohol during retreat (not recommended anyway)
· Transportation to the retreat venue
· Personal travel & accident insurance
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registration
can't wait to see you in the mountains!
