Vihasa Transdisciplinary Training Retreat in KwaZulu-Natal

On 16 April, a vibrant gathering of 42 individuals came together at Selborne Golf Estate in KwaZulu-Natal for a transformative Vihasa training retreat. The group included 32 transdisciplinary professionals, six facilitators, and four support staff members representing five countries across Southern Africa: Botswana, Mozambique, Eswatini, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Within South Africa alone, participants travelled from six provinces — Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and the Western Cape.

The diversity of professions represented reflected the growing reach and relevance of Vihasa. Participants came from fields including education, community development, healthcare, counselling, nursing, social work, human rights, law, engineering, IT, commerce, and the arts. Despite their varied backgrounds, all arrived with a shared openness to personal growth, collaboration, and meaningful transformation.

For many, the journey began with uncertainty about what the four days would hold. Others had already explored the Vihasa website and arrived with curiosity and anticipation. As the retreat unfolded, participants gained a deeper understanding of Vihasa’s evolution — from its origins as a face-to-face support programme for healthcare practitioners to a broader transdisciplinary offering that now serves professionals across sectors, strengthened further by its online presence following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first day centred on the Inner Values module, inviting participants into deep reflection on their core values and the powerful question: “Who am I in all that I do?” This process opened the door to profound moments of healing and self-awareness. Many recognised how far they had drifted from what mattered most in their personal and professional lives. As the day progressed, a renewed sense of purpose, meaning, and enthusiasm for their work began to emerge.

Day two introduced participants to the seven spiritual tools of Vihasa. Through experiential learning, they explored each tool in practice and began working in pairs to design sessions they would later facilitate themselves. The day concluded with a visit to Pennington Beach, where colleagues from landlocked regions experienced the restorative and grounding power of nature — a reminder of self-care as an essential part of sustainable service.

The third day placed participant-led facilitation at the forefront. Working collaboratively in pairs, participants facilitated sessions from the teamwork module, demonstrating the strength of learning within community. The creativity and innovation displayed were deeply appreciated by the training team and highlighted the richness of collective wisdom.

One of the most moving moments of the retreat was the “Tunnel of Virtues.” Participants walked through a corridor formed by their peers, while others softly shared the virtues and strengths they recognised within them. The experience created a powerful atmosphere of affirmation, connection, and appreciation.

The evening brought joyful celebration through song, dance, and the vibrant rhythms of African drums — capturing the spirit of a truly African experience rooted in unity and shared humanity. As some participants needed to depart early, the group also celebrated eight colleagues who received certificates recognising them as qualified Vihasa trainers.

The final day created space for reflection, integration, and open dialogue. Important conversations emerged around the future identity of the organisation, including discussions about renaming the Values in Healthcare Association of South Africa to better reflect its growing transdisciplinary and Africa-wide presence.

The retreat concluded with clear and actionable plans for continued collaboration across the represented regions. Strong friendships were formed, meaningful partnerships emerged, and a collective vision for the future began to take shape.

This is only the beginning.