The Hero’s Journey 2025 – a call to adventure with Michael Hamilton and Sabine Glück
Archetypal stories of the hero on a journey have been told since ancient times. The tales teach us, that change is possible for everyone. They are about exploring themes and dilemmas that more deeply signify the spiritual challenges we face throughout life. Challenges that are necessary for our own personal development and growth.
In 8 weekend modules from September 2025 through April 2026 we embark on an adventure of our body, mind and heart. We explore how we can be guided and grounded in processes of change and growth, drawing from the teachings of Yogic and Buddhist practices and philosophy, complemented with approaches and exercises from western psychology.
How do we embody the essential? How do we recognize and grow beyond an edge that no longer serves us and with that live out more of our innate potential? How do we open up to the silent whispers of our heart?
In this intensive we gift ourselves with time and space to truly connect with our body, mind and heart. Inspired by the practices and teachings of Yoga, Buddhism and Western Psychology we explore and engage on a journey of deeper understanding and self-exploration of our individual path towards development and growth. The teachings encourage personal reflection, inspire individual practice and offer a safe space in a group to explore and expand.
The intensive consists of 7 weekend modules that take place at Airyoga and run from Friday through Sunday afternoon. An additional 5-day retreat at Casa Corvo in Ticino completes the course. Each weekend kicks off with a long morning sadhana curated around asana, pranayama, chanting and meditation set to the module’s theme. In the afternoons we continue the exploration with input, exercises and discussions.
Dates and location
Mod 1: 26-28 September 2025
Mod 2: 31-2 November 2025
Mod 3: 21-23 November 2025
Mod 4: 19-21 December 2025
2026
Mod 5: 16-18 January 2026
Mod 6: 6-8 February 2026
Mod 7: 13-15 March 2026
Mod 8: 8-12 April 2026 Retreat Casa Corvo
Times
Friday 08.00 – 11.45 & 13:15 – 16:30
Saturday from 13.00 -17.00
Sunday from 8.00 - 10.00 & 12:15 – 14:45
Module 8 (Retreat at Casa Corvo)
Arrival on April 8, 2026 (check-in from 15.00)
Departure on April 12, 2026 after brunch (11.00)
Requirements for attending
· At least 2 years of regular Yoga practice
· Familiarity with Yogic and/or Buddhist philosophy acquired e.g. in a Yoga Teacher Training, self-study or similar
· Physical and mental health
· English (Sabine can offer German translation)
Cost
The course rate is CHF 3’650.- (incl. VAT)
Payment is as follows:
· CHF 500 upon application (reservation fee, non refundable)
· CHF 3’150 before July 31, 2025
Included are:
· Teachings
· All supporting text material for the different modules
Not included are:
· Cost for board and accommodation in double bed rooms at Casa Corvo (CHF 520)
· Travel cost to Ticino
For applications, questions and other concerns please email michaelhamiltonyoga@gmail.com
Content of each module
Module 1: Foundations in Mind, Heart and Body Yogic Practice
September 26 - 28, 2025
In this module we will build a foundation from which to explore the practice methods that support participants on their personal path towards a deeper understanding and the cultivation of inherent heart qualities.
In the theoretical part, we introduce the Buddhist teaching of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Noble Path and discuss its meaning in the context of our modern life.
This module is the starting point of a journey. We get in touch with one another and start growing together as a group which opens up a sacred space arising out of trust to support each individual on their personal journey.
Module 2: The forces within us
October 31 - November 2, 2025
This module is dedicated towards clarifying one’s individual motivation and intention for the practice. In contemplation and reflection, we move closer to what truly matters to us and what our heart longs for. We gently touch on individual tendencies and investigate how they shape the ways we look at ourselves and the world around us. Informed by a deeper understanding of the internal forces driving us, we encourage participants to connect to an intuitive and personal approach towards the manifestation of their vision.
To support us in this exploration, we introduce e.g. kleshas as described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra as well as three levels of emotional experiences as described in Buddhism.
Module 3: Playfully approaching the individual practice
November 21 - 23, 2025
The third module is a playful exposition of and a deeper dive into the different orientations towards Asana, Pranayama/Kriyas, and Meditation in order to connect participants to an experiential understanding of the different approaches. Enriched by theoretical knowledge on Asana sequencing, different aspects of the meditation practice as well as approaches to classical Pranayama practice, this module gives Yogis concrete tools to keep up a purposeful practice at home.
Theoretically we will base this weekend on inspiration from e.g. the Krishnamaycharya traditions (Ashtanga, Iyengar), teachings from the Bhagavad Gita and the three turnings of Buddhism (Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana).
Module 4: Awakening to wisdom
December 19 – 21, 2025
This module is dedicated to the teachings of natural wisdom that reaches beyond the conceptual mind. Letting body, mind and heart be our guides, there is the potential to discover that natural presence is always and already here and profound transformation can occur by resting in just simply being.
The Satipatthana Sutta, Heart Sutra and other Buddhist texts are introduced with the aim to broaden our understanding and encourage the inner exploration.
Module 5: Unleashing inherent heart qualities
January 16 - 18, 2025
The module’s focus is the traditions emphasizing and the practices cultivating heart qualities such as compassion, patience and kindness. Participants are guided to familiarize themselves with their inner landscape and find ways to move closer to inherent heart qualities that touch their life and the life of the people around them in a beautiful way.
To support us in this module’s dialogue and practice we draw inspiration from texts such as The Way of the Bodhisattva(Shantideva).
Module 6: Working with difficult emotions
February 6 - 8, 2026
The sixth weekend focuses on working with difficult emotions. The practice offers a safe space to confront us with difficulties and with that, opens up the opportunity to learn and discover skillful means when encountering distress. Methods from Essential Psychotherapy (approach integrating psychotherapeutic work with Buddhist mind training) are introduced, which invite us to embrace healing and stimulate inner maturity through self-exploration.
Module 7: Re/vision
March 13 - 15, 2026
In this module the participants are encouraged to pause and reflect on the past weeks. How did my individual practice unfold? What creates resonance, what resistance? How do I connect to the motivation that keeps my practice steady? Does the practice lead me closer to my vision and heart wishes? Where do I want to go from here? How can I dedicate my life energy to the wellbeing of me and other beings?
Module 8: Retreat week Casa Corvo
April 8 - 12, 2026
These days are an invitation to unplug, slow down, relax and integrate the practices and experiences of the past months. A long morning practice in silence, the surrounding nature and sharing this experience with a group of likeminded practitioners support us in further cultivating a gentle awareness. There will be enough time for walks, swimming, and discovery trips into the surroundings.
Biographies of the teachers
Michael Hamilton is a committed yoga and meditation practitioner who teaches mindfulness and compassion using the methods of Yoga, Buddhism and Psychology.
Meditation studies and deep contemplative practice forms the foundation of his teachings on yoga and its integration into our daily lives. With an eye for detail and alignment, he emphasizes the internal practice of yoga through mindfulness.
He is deeply grateful to all those that have helped and guided him on his path, particularly Daido Roshi for his acts of kindness, Vivekanada and Baddhamanika for their endless patience, Richard Freeman and Mary Taylor for their insights into approaching practice, Doug Keller for therapeutic body awareness and Wolfgang Erhard and Lama Lhündrup for awakening the Bodhisattva spirit within.
Michael lives with his wife Sabine Glück in Zurich, Switzerland. For more information please see www.michaelhamiltonyoga.com
Sabine is a Yoga and meditation practitioner and teacher and is co-directing the Center of Mindfulness in Zurich. She has practiced and studied avidly since 2010. Her love and commitment to spiritual practice influences her life and what she shares as a teacher.
Sabine honors her primary teachers of Hatha and Classical Yoga, Richard Freeman and Mary Taylor, Michael Hamilton and Doug Keller as well as U Vivekananda and Baddhamanika for their compassionate and wise guidance in meditation practice.
She holds an MA in Psychology from the University of Zurich and is a certified MBSR teacher (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction). Currently Sabine is absolving a 3-years training in Essential Psychotherapy, an approach integrating psychotherapeutic methods and Buddhist wisdom.
Sabine lives in a remote valley in Ticino, Switzerland. She is regularly retreating for longer practice periods. Register here.