Our retreat leaders and trainers
In France
At Simply Canvas Farm in southwestern France, we collaborate with retreat facilitators and trainers, each of whom brings their own experience, background, and style of guidance. For us, a retreat in France isn’t just about peace, nature, and slowing down—it’s also about the people who help create that space. Our facilitators offer in-depth exploration of mindfulness, meditation, yoga, personal growth, bodywork, dance, storytelling, and living in connection with nature. This creates a warm and meaningful retreat experience abroad, with a strong focus on genuine connection and personalized guidance.
The founders and owners of Simply Canvas Farm
Sandra & Santi
- Specialization: meditation, mindfulness, permaculture, hospitality, connecting with nature
- Languages: Dutch, English, French, Lao, German
- Guidance: hosts at Simply Canvas Farm, with roles in, among others, the Digital Detox retreat, the Let’s Connect retreat, and a mindfulness retreat
- Best for: guests who want to feel at home in a place where attention, warmth, and connection are genuinely lived out without any fluff
Sandra and Santi are the founders and hosts of Simply Canvas Farm Retreat Center. Driven by their love for mindfulness, permaculture, and a life in harmony with nature, they have been shaping the atmosphere and foundation of this place in southwestern France since 2008—with both feet firmly on the ground and without any fluff. Their presence is felt in everything: from the tranquility of the countryside to the care they show guests, the meals, and the interactions—always with a touch of humor. During some retreats, they also play an active role in the program, but above all, they are the driving force behind the place—or the “space holders,” as they often call themselves. It is precisely this combination of life experience, warmth, and genuine hospitality that gives Simply Canvas Farm its unique character.
Learn about our retreat
counselors
On this page, you’ll meet the people who lead retreats at Simply Canvas Farm. Each facilitator has their own style, expertise, and energy. We meet all our facilitators in person before they come to our farm. For us, it’s never just a matter of anonymously renting a venue and simply hosting a retreat. We consciously choose to work in true partnership, so that every retreat is built on mutual trust, alignment, and commitment. It is precisely this way of working together that makes our offerings rich, warm, and personal.
PERSONAL GUIDANCE AND GENUINE ALIGNMENT
Those who choose a retreat abroad are often seeking more than just relaxation. Personal attention, safety, experience, and authenticity play a major role. That’s why we’re happy to introduce our facilitators to you. At Simply Canvas Farm, we work with people who share our values: care, warmth, connection, nature, and genuine encounters. This helps you, as a guest, get a better sense of the atmosphere, the guidance, and the retreat that’s right for you.
Martijn Aalbrecht
Specialization: food forests, permaculture, design, plant and soil
knowledge Language: Dutch
Leads: The Practical Food Forest Retreat
Best for: participants who want to start or expand a food forest and would like to learn from someone with extensive hands-on experience and a wealth of knowledge.
Martijn Aalbrecht leads the food forest course at Simply Canvas Farm in France. As one of the pioneers in the field of food forests in the Netherlands, he brings a wealth of knowledge about plant species, design, and implementation. Martijn makes complex information clear and practical, and also takes participants out into the field to experience food forest and permaculture projects up close. For anyone looking for a food forest course that offers substance, inspiration, and concrete next steps, Martijn is an expert and passionate instructor. He has already advised on and guided the creation of more than 100 food forests.
Christien Oudshoorn
Specialization: Deep Democracy, group dynamics, intercultural communication, conflict facilitation
Language: Dutch
Facilitates: Deep Democracy training
Best suited for: participants who want to learn how to discuss differences, tensions, and divergent viewpoints in a respectful manner
Christien Oudshoorn brings a warm, welcoming, and at the same time clear and direct style of facilitation. Drawing on her background in intercultural communication and her many years of experience with Deep Democracy, she knows how to create an atmosphere in which people feel safe to speak their minds. Christien has extensive experience facilitating groups and pays close attention to both the visible and less visible dynamics within corporate environments. It is precisely this combination of gentleness, professionalism, and depth that makes her a valuable facilitator at Simply Canvas Farm. She is a certified trainer for various levels of Deep Democracy.
Dieter van de Putte
Specialization: bodywork, movement, dance, breathing, dance
therapy Language: Dutch
Facilitates: Let’s Connect retreat
Best suited for: guests who want to release tension through movement and body awareness and experience a deeper connection with themselves
Dieter leads bodywork sessions during the Let’s Connect retreat at Simply Canvas Farm in France. Drawing on his background as a professional dancer and dance teacher, as well as his training in dance therapy, he works with a keen focus on what’s happening within the body. His workshops bring together movement, breathing, and body awareness. For participants who not only want to relax but also wish to connect more deeply with their bodies, Dieter offers open and expert guidance.
Olga Kroeze
Specialization: organic gardening, harvesting, preserving, canning, practical
vegetable gardening Language: Dutch
Leads: Foraging, canning, and fermentation during the Food Forest Course
Best for: participants who want to learn not only about growing and harvesting, but also about processing, preserving, and practical applications
Olga brings a wealth of practical experience in organic gardening to the Food Forest Course in France. With her knowledge of harvesting, canning, drying, preserving, and sterilizing, she demonstrates how to make meaningful use of the produce from your garden and food forest. Her teaching style is lively, engaging, and directly connected to hands-on practice: picking, tasting, and doing. For participants looking for a permaculture course in France that offers plenty of hands-on experience and practical knowledge, Olga is an inspiring instructor. She mentors 80 volunteers at the Warmoezerij Wolfslaar estate and was awarded a royal honor for her many contributions to our society, particularly in the ecological field.
Ellen Duim
Specialization: hand analysis, numerology, intuitive coaching, personal development
Language: Dutch
Leads: “Find Your Element” retreat
Best for: guests who want to gain more insight into their talents, desires, and personal direction
Ellen Duim leads the “Find Your Element” retreat at Simply Canvas Farm in France. With her many years of experience as a hand analyst and numerology coach, she helps people gain a clearer understanding of who they truly are and what truly motivates them. Ellen brings a combination of intuition, clarity, and gentleness, creating space for self-insight and personal growth. For guests who want to reflect on their talents, possibilities, and deeper desires, she offers an inspiring and engaged form of guidance.
Pieter Loogman
Specialization: mindfulness, Buddhist practice, daily life, practical application
Language: Dutch
Leads: mindfulness retreat in August
Best suited for: guests who want to integrate mindfulness into their daily lives in an accessible and practical way
Pieter Loogman has been practicing mindfulness in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh for over twenty years and brings a calm, clear, and practical approach to his guidance. He immersed himself in this tradition for many years, translated two books by Thich Nhat Hanh into Dutch, and also completed training as a mindfulness instructor using Jon Kabat-Zinn’s MBSR method. Pieter demonstrates how mindfulness doesn’t have to be something abstract, but can instead become a concrete source of support in daily life. For guests seeking warmth, practicality, and depth during a mindfulness retreat in France, he is a valuable guide.
LoAn Guylaine Tran - Cheng Feng 誠鳳
Specialization: Taoist medicine, Taoist practice, energy work, traditional wisdom
Language: French
Leads: "Fundamentals of Taoist Medicine" retreat
Suitable for: guests who wish to delve deeper into Taoist wisdom, energy, and the basics of Chinese medicine
LoAn Guylaine Tran, also known by her Taoist name Cheng Feng 誠鳳, leads the “Fundamentals of Taoist Medicine” retreat at Simply Canvas Farm in France. As a practitioner and teacher within the Taoist tradition, she brings a deep grounding in the teachings and practice of Taoist medicine. Since 2010, she has been studying and practicing under the guidance of her master, Li Shifu, in the sacred Wudang Mountains in China. For those who wish to authentically explore the fundamentals of Tao
The Offline Club
Specialization: digital detox, connecting offline, community, peace, and creativity
Language: English
Facilitates: digital detox retreat
Ideal for: guests who want to consciously step away from screens and reconnect with themselves, others, and their surroundings
The digital detox retreat at Simply Canvas Farm is led by the founders of The Offline Club: Jordy van Bennekom, Valentijn Klok, and Ilya Kneppelhout. Driven by their shared mission to engage more mindfully with technology and foster deeper, more authentic connections, they bring a fresh, contemporary, and approachable energy to the experience. Their guidance invites you to slow down, go offline, and make space once again for peace, creativity, and meaningful encounters. For anyone who wants to experience what less screen time and more genuine attention can bring, they are an inspiring team. One of them is present during the digital detox retreats, and they lead the sessions alongside owners Sandra and Santi.
Marente's Log
Specialization: plant sciences, regenerative agriculture, agroforestry, food forests
Language: Dutch
Teaches: Food
Forest Course Best suited for: participants who want to deepen their food forest plans with both scientific knowledge and practical experience
At Simply Canvas Farm in France, Marente leads the food forest course, drawing on her broad knowledge of plant sciences, agroforestry, and regenerative agriculture (she teaches at HAS). Through her work in research and environmental education, she naturally bridges the gap between theory and practice. Marente looks not only at the design of a food forest but also at its broader role within a sustainable agricultural future. For anyone looking for a food forest course abroad that offers both in-depth content and practical relevance, she is a valuable partner. An interesting fact is that Marente also runs her own business selling organic Christmas trees. In addition, she manages three food forests, the best known of which is Den Food Bosch.
yoyo Listens
Specialization: embodied work, listening, poetry, movement, personal development
Language: English
Facilitates: Storytelling Retreat
Best suited for: guests seeking a deeper connection with themselves and their story through mindfulness, movement, and inner exploration
Yoyo Listens co-facilitates the Storytelling Retreat with Nia at Simply Canvas Farm in France. With a background in storytelling, poetry, movement, and deep listening, Yoyo brings a calm, open, and inquisitive presence. Their guidance helps participants not only to tell stories, but also to feel and embody them. For those seeking to let their inner creativity, authenticity, and personal growth blossom, Yoyo offers a loving and valuable presence.
Nia Brands
Specialization: storytelling, creative facilitation, theater, personal expression
Languages: English, Dutch
Facilitates: Storytelling Retreat
Best suited for: guests who want to explore what’s inside them in a playful and profound way through stories, imagination, and creativity
Nia Mercken leads the Storytelling Retreat at Simply Canvas Farm in France. With a background in storytelling, theater, and creative guidance, Nia brings a unique combination of imagination, mindfulness, and depth. Her sessions create space to slow down, put inner experiences into words, and further discover one’s own voice. For guests seeking personal growth, creativity, and authentic expression, Nia offers a warm and inspiring form of guidance.
Jacquelien van Galen
Specialization: mindfulness, Buddhist practice, rest and recovery, days of mindfulness
Language: Dutch
Leads: mindfulness retreat in June
Best for: guests who long to slow down, embrace simplicity, and relearn how to pause and recharge
Jacquelien van Galen has been practicing in the Buddhist tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh since 1998, has been a member of the Order of Interbeing since 2004, and has been a Dharma teacher since 2026. After a long career in education, she has devoted herself to sharing mindfulness in daily life. Drawing from her own experience with the dynamics and hustle and bustle of the education sector, Jacquelien brings a calm, clear, and accessible quality to her practice. In particular, the themes of relaxation, pausing, and recharging take shape in her guidance in a natural and authentic way.
Sarah Schröder
Specialization: yoga, intuitive guidance, relaxation, group
classes Language: Dutch
Leads: yoga and sound healing retreats
Best suited for: guests who are looking for warm, accessible yoga classes that focus on what’s needed in the moment
At Simply Canvas Farm in France, Sarah Schröder leads the yoga and sound healing retreat with a warm, open, and cheerful energy. Her yoga classes aren’t focused on performance, but on attunement: what does a person need right now to experience more space, peace, and connection? Sarah teaches in an accessible and intuitive way, paying close attention to both the group and the individual. For those who long for gentleness, joy, movement, and a loving journey inward, she offers a light and supportive presence.
Marijke Steenbergen
Specialization: mindfulness, body-oriented therapy, relaxation, holistic guidance
Language: Dutch
Leads: mindfulness retreat in June
Best suited for: guests who want to combine mindfulness with body awareness, gentleness, and inner peace
Marijke Steenbergen has been practicing in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh since 2010 and has been a member of the Order of Interbeing since 2021. In her guidance, mindfulness and body-oriented work come together beautifully. Thanks to her background in psychology, her many years of experience in childcare, and her practice as a holistic massage and body-oriented therapist, she brings a warm, attuned, and practical approach. Relaxing, pausing, and recharging are key themes in this approach, both in her work and in her own life.
Anita Schreij
Specialization: mindfulness, self-care, kindness, mindful living, Buddhist practice
Language: Dutch
Facilitates: a mindfulness retreat in June
Best suited for: guests who long for more peace, kindness, and support in letting go of unhelpful habits
Anita Schreij has been practicing since 1995 in the Open Hart Sangha of Alkmaar/Bergen and has been a member of the Order of Interbeing since 2014. Her background in biology, her work experience in healthcare and education, and her years as a caregiver give her guidance a human and deeply lived depth. Anita knows from personal experience how difficult—and yet how necessary—it is to take good care of yourself. In her presence, you feel her attention, kindness, and the space to pause, rest, and make choices with greater awareness that truly nourish you.
Mariëtte, buy
Specialization: trance dance, meditation in motion, inner experience
Language: Dutch
Facilitates: Let’s Connect retreat
Best for: guests who want to step out of their heads and turn their attention inward through music and movement
During the Let’s Connect retreat in France, Mariette leads a trance dance workshop where music, movement, and inner experience come together. Her approach invites you to let go of your thoughts and trust more in what your inner self wants to express. If you’re looking for a meditative experience through movement and music, Mariette brings a free, calming, and inviting energy.
Geert Jan van Vlastuin
Specialization: sound healing, cacao ceremony, music, relaxation
Language: Dutch
Leads: Let’s Connect retreat, yoga and sound healing retreat
Best suited for: guests who want to relax, feel, and connect through sound, ritual, and music
At Simply Canvas Farm, Geert Jan leads both the yoga and sound healing retreat, and he also joins the Let’s Connect Retreat in France to share his sound healing. With his love for silence, sound, and experience, he creates moments of deep relaxation and connection. In his sessions, sound healing, cacao ceremonies, and music come together naturally. For guests who want to slow down and let themselves be carried by sound and atmosphere, Geert Jan offers a warm and inviting presence. He also provides wonderful personalized sound healing massages.
Gilles Seymus
Specialization: breathwork, body-oriented therapy, embodiment, communication
Language: Dutch
Facilitates: Let’s Connect retreat
Best suited for: guests who want to experience greater connection with themselves and others through breath, body awareness, and inner exploration
Gilles leads breathwork and body-oriented workshops during the Let’s Connect retreat at Simply Canvas Farm in France. As an integrative and body-oriented therapist, he works with embodiment, communication, and relationships, paying close attention to what’s happening within the body. In his facilitation, he helps participants get closer to themselves through breath and awareness. For those seeking depth, connection, and a more embodied experience, Gilles offers a safe and engaged presence.
Marja Kester
Specialization: life coaching, personal guidance, reflection, meditation
Language: Dutch
Facilitates: Let’s Connect retreat
Best suited for: guests who need personal attention, reflection, and a quiet moment to pause and reflect on what’s going on inside
During the Let’s Connect retreat at Simply Canvas Farm in France, Marja Kester, together with Sandra, leads the start of the day with a short meditation and reflection. In addition, she is available as a life coach for guests who need a listening ear, a mirror, or a deeper conversation. Marja brings calm, clarity, and attention, and helps participants look at what’s arising within them with greater balance. For those seeking space for personal reflection and gentle guidance, Marja is a valuable presence.
Wies Flowers
Specialization: transformative coaching, dance, intuitive work, voice, healing
Language: Dutch
Facilitates: “Are You in Your Element?” retreat
Best suited for: guests who want to explore what’s going on inside them on a deeper level and connect more deeply with their inner strength
Wies Bloemen leads the “Are You in Your Element?” retreat at Simply Canvas Farm in France, drawing on her rich background in dance, coaching, and intuitive work. Drawing on her experience as a choreographer and her deep exploration of various forms of healing and transformation, she brings a powerful yet safe presence to the retreat. Wies has a special sensitivity for what lies beneath the surface and helps participants connect with their inner world with clarity and gentleness. For those seeking deeper understanding, healing, and a more authentic connection with themselves, she is a valuable guide.
Noortje
Specialization: Musician, sound healing, soundscapes, gong bathing, voice liberation, drum & bass DJ
Languages: Dutch/English
Facilitates: Let’s Connect retreat
Best suited for: guests who need deep relaxation through music.
Noortje is one of the facilitators during the Let’s Connect retreat at Simply Canvas Farm in France. She will lead the sound healing sessions. And she usually pulls out her guitar during campfire gatherings. Noortje is a talented musician with a fantastic voice. She brings a sense of grounding and helps you sink into deep tranquility with the soundscapes she creates. Noortje is a young, cheerful, and valuable presence.
Joël van der Putten
Specialization: sound healing, vocal tuning, throat singing, live improvisational music, meditative sound journeys
Language: Dutch
Facilitates: Culinary Yoga & Sound Healing Retreat
Ideal for: guests who want to step out of their heads, relax deeply, and experience greater stillness, awareness, and inner connection through sound, breath, and resonance
Joël van der Putten of Divine Tuning brings sound healing to life at Simply Canvas Farm with a unique blend of vocal tuning, throat singing, and live improvised music. Drawing on years of experience in holistic wellness, music, and spiritual work, he creates deep, meditative sound journeys that help you ground yourself in your body and reconnect with who you are. His sessions are more than just relaxation: they open a space for stillness, awareness, and gentle transformation—where sound, presence, and inner experience come together. For those longing for a direct experience of peace and depth, Joël is a special guide.
Isaiah Bross
Specialization: vegetarian retreat cuisine, seasonal cooking, colorful & nutritious meals, cooking for groups
Language: Dutch/English
Leads: Culinary Yoga & Sound Healing Retreat
Ideal for: guests who love truly delicious food that feels light, nourishes, and connects—and for whom meals are an important part of the retreat experience
Isai Bros cooks as the retreat chef at Simply Canvas Farm for all kinds of retreats: from silence and yoga to dance, expression, and everything in between. His cuisine is vegetarian, seasonal, and always full of color and flavor—with dishes that aren’t just delicious but also truly support you in your process of resting, opening up, and recharging. Isai cooks with care and love, and you can taste it: at the table, a sense of coming together, settling in, and enjoying the moment naturally arises. For many guests, his food is one of the quiet highlights of the week.
Are you wondering which retreat or workshop is right for you?
Check out our current offerings or feel free to contact us. We’d be happy to work with you to plan a stay that aligns with your wishes, pace, and need for peace, deep reflection, or inspiration.
