The Power of Ritual: Breath & Steam — A Three-day, Two-night Immersive Experience

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 weekend 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.

About the Teachers

Colin Campbell 

As a descendant of Scottish aristocracy, born in Zimbabwe (1963) and trained by some of the most renowned African healers of Southern Africa, Colin Campbell has become known for being a knowledge-bridge between rare pre-industrial African culture and contemporary Western culture.  

As a child, Colin travelled through Africa with his father, Alec Campbell, a celebrated cultural historian and archaeologist. From the age of seven, he was introduced to some of the most powerful African healers and magicians in Botswana, who instantly recognised the boy’s calling as a healer and accepted him as a student. Colin experienced and integrated ancient aspects of traditional African knowledge through the rigorous rituals and training from his teachers. This resulted in a deep understanding of animism and its inextricable connection to the natural world. 

Through his in-depth knowledge of African culture, Jungian psychology and contemporary artistic practice, Colin has cultivated a uniquely authentic personal philosophy that he has developed into wilderness-based practices. His practices aim to take people of all nations into a restored and reconnected relationship with the wider natural world.

Jhon Kwano

As an elder from the Lani tribe in the highlands of New Guinea, Jhon Kwano is from the last generation of his people to receive traditional initiation. He was identified from an early age for the role of Messenger, sharing the message of his tribe with outsiders and reporting back what he has seen in the outside world. He is the only one known to be playing this role outside of Melanesia. As such, he is authorised to represent not only the Lani, but also other cultures in both New Guinea and the rest of Melanesia.

New Guinea is one of the most bio-culturally diverse places on Earth and Jhon’s people still live as their ancestors have for thousands of years, in harmony with nature.

Andrew McAulay

Andrew was born in Hong Kong and educated in England. After spending some time in a meditation centre in his early 20s, he returned to Hong Kong to help transform KFBG’s mission from agricultural aid to nature conservation and holistic education. He has chaired the KFBG Board since 1999 and also chairs the Board of KFBG's sister organisation, Partnerships for Community Development (PCD). Andrew loves to spend time in nature and continues to practice and teach meditation, as well as breathwork. He has also published two books of poetry and most recently, the ‘Little Fish’ storybook.

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.

Enquiry

Please email to Ms Jamie Ngai at jamie.ngai@kfbg.org, or Ms Natalie Ng at natalie.ng@kfbg.org 

Terms & Conditions

Upon submission of your application and payment, you are deemed to have accepted all Terms and Regulations of this retreat, and the guidelines below:

Kadoorie Centre Rules and Regulations 

KFBG Visitor Guidelines

In case of any dispute, the organiser has the right to the final decision.