Qi Medicine
Healing Through Qigong & Nature
May 17-22 2026 at Hollyhock, Cortes Island, Canada
“The outer ecosystems that are in desperate need of our care are intricately connected with the systems that reside within your own body. Consider that your healing journey is not solely about yourself but is a defiant act of hope and a catalyst for change within our larger ecosystem. And because you are energetically interconnected to everything in existence, by following your Tao you contribute to the healing of our planet as a whole.”— Stephanie Nosco
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
Experience the medicine of Qigong and Nature Connection on this transformative inner journey back to yourself.
Join Qigong teacher, author, and somatic educator Stephanie Nosco, alongside nature connection guide and educator Ben Leggett, for this special silent retreat that explores the art of Qigong and the practice of deep relationship with the living world.
We will practice in social silence, encouraging the Shen (mind/attention) to settle into the body and the land, so we can listen more deeply to our intuitive capacities and the wisdom of nature. The forest, ocean, and sky will serve as our teachers, offering a living mirror as we move, breathe, and open to the energy of life all around us.
In this retreat, we’ll explore the Animal Frolics of the bear, crane, and deer—among the oldest known Qigong forms, each carrying ancient medicine and teachings drawn from the natural world. Through learning to move like these animals—grounded, graceful, and vital—we awaken the innate wisdom that arises when the body leads and the mind listens.
Stephanie will lead guided Qigong sessions, silent meditation, meridian stretching and self-acupressure. Ben will guide participants in deepening their sensory awareness and relationship with the land through practices of nature connection and contemplative time in nature.
Restore your energy, remember your belonging, and awaken to the quiet guidance of the living world.
When, Where & Investment
May 17-22 at HollyHock Retreat Center, on Cortes Island, Canada
The retreat will commence after dinner on the first day of the retreat. Check-in time and arrival details will follow.
The retreat will end after lunch on June 22nd. We recommend booking your flights so you can stay for the entire duration of the retreat. Because it takes some time to get back to mainland Vancouver, please give yourself a day in between arriving and departing HollyHock, if you are flying internationally.
Tuition for this program ranges from $1587.50 to 5056.00 depending on your choice of accommodation, and includes all meals.
*For our American friends, the Canadian dollar is approximately 30% less than the American dollar. So keep that in mind.
An intimate retreat limited to a maximum of 25 participants
3 nourishing meals made from local ingredients and even from the Hollyhock garden when possible a day, teas, herbal drinks, and choice of accommodation (scroll down for options)
An intimate experience with the natural world, among world class beaches, wildlife, and ocean life.
Relax in the hot tub, sauna or garden spaces; enjoy beach access, and access to hiking trails
Buddhist teachings about silence and the importance of listening
Taoist teachings about Qigong and Chinese Medicine
Intimate opening and closing ceremonies
3 guided sessions per day with Stephanie, including Qigong, yin yoga, and breath work
2 guided meditations per day with Stephanie or Ben
Intentional guided periods of nature connection with Ben
What you can expect…
The Journey to Cortes, Island, Canada
The Journey to Cortes Island is a long one, which may pose a challenge, but also adds to its charm. There’s something special about retreating to a remote location and fully committing to being away. Here are some notes about travel:
The closest international airport is Vancouver, BC. From there, you have a couple of options:
Take a seaplane directly to Cortes Island.
Fly to Campbell River or Comox and then take a water taxi to Cortes.
If you prefer a road trip, you can take a ferry from either Seattle or Vancouver.
Hollyhock offers free shuttle services that pick you up from the water taxi or ferry terminals.
For detailed travel instructions, please refer to Hollyhock's official travel guide {here}
Why silence?
Social silence will be held for the majority of the retreat. This means the focus will be held internally, and socializing with other participants will be saved for the beginning and end of the retreat time. While we also value the importance of community and connection, silence offers a rare opportunity to give the areas of our brain that are responsible for speech a time to rest, and to use that energy for genuine self reflection. In many different traditions, retreat was not intended as a time to be social, but rather to work on the primary relationship you have with yourself and with the land. While we often think of renunciation as something lacking, it is a freedom and a gift to offer your attention back to yourself, your soul and to nature.
It is important to mention that Silence also includes the renunciation of technology. We strongly recommend keeping your phone off, or at least on airplane mode (service and signal are limited given the remote location). If you require your phone during retreat, we ask that you use it in private, so that others who decide to fully renounce technology are not taken out of their own experience by others.
Reweaving Our Belonging
In these daily outdoor sessions, Ben guides you into an intimate, experiential relationship with the land. This is not a workshop about nature — it is an invitation to remember yourself as part of it.
Through sensory awakening, quiet sit spots, elemental rituals, and soul-oriented wanderings, you’ll explore what becomes possible when you slow down enough for the Earth to speak back. Each session opens a doorway into deeper presence: the softening of the senses, the widening of perception, and the simple, ancient act of listening.
As you connect with the forest, shoreline, wind, and wild beings of this place, you’ll be invited to discover your own inner wilderness — the untamed, intuitive part of you that knows how to belong. We’ll explore how the patterns of the living world mirror our own inner landscapes, and how relationship with place can become a source of clarity, resilience, and guidance.
This offering is for anyone longing to reconnect with the natural world, with their own body, and with the quiet truths that emerge when we allow ourselves to be shaped by the Earth. Through daily time on the land, reflective sharing, and simple ceremony, you’ll leave not only refreshed, but rewoven into the wider web of life — carrying a renewed sense of intimacy, aliveness, and ecological belonging.
Retreat Schedule
Sample schedule (details TBD)
7:30 am- Morning Movement and Meditation
8:30 am - Breakfast and free time
11:00 am -1:00 pm - Qigong/Movement Session
1:00 pm - Lunch and free time
2:30 pm - 4:00 pm - Nature Connection
6:00 pm - Dinner and free time
8:00 pm - Yin/Restorative Yoga
9:00 pm - Journaling and Reflection
10:00 pm - Lights Out
Additional Activities, such as massage, hiking and swimming can be added during your free times.
About Hollyhock
Hollyhock Retreat Center is nestled on the stunning Cortes Island in British Columbia, surrounded by lush forests, breathtaking ocean views, and serene beaches. The campus is designed to promote holistic well-being and personal growth, offering a tranquil sanctuary for participants of all backgrounds.
Accommodations at Hollyhock range from cozy dormitory-style rooms to private cabins, each thoughtfully integrated into the natural landscape. The center features beautifully landscaped gardens, walking trails, and communal spaces that encourage connection and reflection.
The facilities include a main lodge for dining and gatherings, where delicious, locally sourced meals are prepared. A variety of workshop spaces are equipped for diverse activities, from yoga and meditation sessions to creative arts and learning experiences.
With a focus on sustainability, Hollyhock emphasizes environmentally friendly practices, aiming to create a harmonious relationship between guests and the natural environment. This welcoming community fosters collaboration, learning, and shared experiences, making it an ideal destination for those seeking personal transformation and connection with nature.
Meet the Team
Stephanie Nosco
Qigong Therapist, Psychotherapist, Author, Yin Yoga & Meditation guide.
Ben Leggett
Nature Connection Mentor, Ecological Educator, Wilderness Rites and Ritual, Meditation Guide
