Workshop
The Power of Ritual: Breath & Steam — A Three-day, Two-night Immersive Experience
06/03 - 08/03
About the event
Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) invites you to The Power of Ritual: Breath & Steam – a transformative retreat exploring the art of ritual as a path to reconnection. Guided by international teachers and elders from diverse indigenous traditions, this immersive experience is part of a series of two Power of Ritual retreats offered in service of restoring connectedness.
At the heart of this work is the invitation to experience porosity: a gentle dissolving of our boundaries so that connectedness can move freely between ourselves, one another and the natural world. Through a breathwork ceremony and steam ritual we bring down the walls of separation and reawaken our shared aliveness with the more-than-human world.
This gathering – intimate and limited in size – is a rare chance to learn from the elders of two rich indigenous lineages: Colin Campbell from South Africa, and Jhon Kwano from New Guinea, the returning tribal ‘Messenger’. Together with Andrew McAulay, they guide participants through deeply experiential practices that integrate ancestral wisdom with contemporary ritual, helping to repair the fractured threads between human culture and the living cosmos.
Held within the serene surroundings of KFBG and Kadoorie Centre, this weekend offers space to connect with like-minded individuals, and to share insights and experiences through shared meals and facilitated reflection. Participants will be guided to cultivate a deep connection – with themselves, with others and with the Earth itself.
Traditional Southern African Steam Ritual
The steam ritual is a contemporary adaptation of an ancient Southern African tradition once widely practised among nomadic and preindustrial communities. It served as a communal act of cleansing and purification, as well as a sacred means of marking significant social or spiritual occasions.
While the ritual centres on the use of heat and the generation of steam, its deeper potency arises from the combination of collective chanting and the infusion of traditional medicinal plants into the steam itself. Each ritual is shaped by its intention (most commonly used for healing, renewal or celebration) with specific chants and herbal preparations chosen to align with the purpose and desired effect of the gathering.
Breathwork
Breath of Bliss™ is a transformational practice that infuses you with aliveness using breath, movement and sound. Benefits include integration of blocked energy/emotions, access to the unconscious mind to shed limiting beliefs and patterns, greater feelings of compassion and connection to yourself and others, and expanded states of consciousness.
Andrew began exploring breathwork as part of a journey of healing from cancer and, together with Jhon, became a breathwork facilitator in 2017.
Event Details
Date: 6 - 8 March 2026 (Friday to Sunday)
Time: starts at 17:00 on first day and ends at 19:00 on the last day
* Participants are expected to be in residence and participate in the entire programme.
Venue: Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden & Kadoorie Centre (most sessions and experiential activities)
The Hong Kong Girl Guides Association - Jockey Club Beas River Lodge (Accommodation)
* KFBG will arrange a shuttle bus to transport participants between the accommodation site and activity venues at KFBG or Kadoorie Centre during the residential retreat.
Language: English
Target Group: Aged 18 and above
Total Fee
Course Fee: HK$3,400
The course fee includes: activities, vegetarian meals, logistic arrangements during the retreat.
Accommodation (2 nights): from HK$800 (varies by room type)
*For more information about the rooms, please click HERE
Application: CLICK HERE
To apply for this residential retreat, please complete the enrolment form and pay the course fee as a deposit.
The retreat team will carefully review and consider all applications to ensure a diverse and cohesive experience for all participants. We will notify you of your enrolment result within 10 days.
The deposit fee is non-refundable unless your application is declined.
