Serenity and Freedom in the South of France - This September
Join us at the Les Labadous retreat center in the South of France for a transformational healing experience with 20 years of proven results. Designed for those who are tired of managing and ready to heal at the root. Retreats are available from 6 to 14 nights starting at USD 2,100 / 1,900 euros, per person.
What If the Patterns That Keep Holding You Back Weren’t Flaws, but Outdated Beliefs Formed to Protect You? What If You Could Truly Break Free From Cycles of Self-Sabotage and Reclaim Lasting Peace?
The truth is, negative beliefs are the root cause of persistent psychological suffering. They are adopted during painful experiences to help us survive. While they once served a purpose, these beliefs now distort how we see ourselves and the world, driving patterns of self-deception and reactive, conditioned behavior. The good news is this: when even one of these beliefs begins to shift, your entire experience of life begins to transform. This is why we created our retreats in the South of France. At the heart of this experience is the Six Steps to Freedom, a powerful process developed by Diederik Wolsak to uncover and heal the beliefs that keep negative patterns in place. These are not abstract ideas. They are clear, repeatable steps that allow you to trace and heal any belief system, in a judgment-free environment where your innate and peaceful nature is restored. You are not alone in seeking lasting peace. But change begins with a choice. With just a little willingness to see things in a new light and to question old beliefs, freedom becomes your new way forward.
What You'll Experience
Therapeutic Group Sessions
Dive deep every day, into the core beliefs that drive negative patterns of thought and experiences in your life, and emerge with a lifelong tool for peace of mind. Plus a virtual session with our founder, Diederik Wolsak.
Yoga, Mindfulness and Breathwork
Integrate movement and mindfulness with gentle yoga and awareness practices daily. Gain profound insight and perspective during our focused and intensive holotropic breathwork session.
Delicious Regional Cuisine
Farm-to-table meals in a healing environment are served family-style three times daily. Snacks and refreshments are available throughout the day.
Beautiful Outings and Walks
Each retreat will have an outing to a historical point of interest, and frequent walks around the Aude valley and Rennes-le-Château areas.
Retreat Dates
September 2025
September 7th - 13th (6 night retreat)
September 15th - 21st (6 night retreat)
September 7th - 21st (14 night retreat)
Hear Transformative Stories from Our Guests
If you're still on edge and don't know if you want to come here… just gift it to yourself. It's 10 days of your entire life, and in those 10 days, you can learn tools that could change your entire life. I’ve never experienced anything that goes so deep into the root of inner chaos to bring real freedom. The place is paradise, surrounded by nature, incredible staff, deep teachings, and profound healing. You can only come out of it richer.
Karo Goldstein - Watch her full review of the retreat online here: https://tinyurl.com/KarolGoldstein
I came in stuck, trying to manage challenging life situations and relationships that weren’t working. After doing the program, I was able to disconnect and focus on what I came to do in this beautiful environment. It wasn’t a lecture, it offered something different, and I got to learn from others and contribute, even as I was still learning. The simplicity of it makes it memorable and powerful. You can come exactly as you are. There’s a balance of deep work and joy, amazing food, nature walks, and healing. I feel clearer, lighter, and more connected, and for that, I am deeply grateful.
Nadine Verna - Watch her full review of the retreat online here: https://tinyurl.com/NadineVerna
The Choose Again program is absolutely changing lives. It's changed my life. I'm reminded that the power of change is within me… I can choose to wake up in the morning and choose to be happy, to see the love in the people that are around me. It's just really overpowering. This work is truly life-changing. It's not textbook learning — it's opening yourself up to something that is already there, and all you have to do is be willing to accept it.
Britt Walker - Watch his full review of the retreat center online here: https://tinyurl.com/BrittWalker
An Investment in Your Freedom
6 Night Holistic Retreat (September 7-13 or September 15-21). Accommodations from:
$2,100 USD / €1,900 Euro
all included except transportation
14 Night Holistic Retreat (September 7-21). Accommodations from:
$4,200 USD / €3,800 Euro
all included except transportation and meals on Sept 13-14
Ready to Join Us?
Endorsements
Your Questions Answered
I'm successful but struggling inside. Is this really for me?
Yes. This work is extremely beneficial for people who seem to have everything together on the outside but feel stuck in some aspect of their lives.
Is this a luxury retreat or serious inner work?
This is serious, life-changing inner work in a beautiful, supportive environment. While El Cielo is stunning and the accommodations comfortable, you're coming to do profound healing work, not to relax on vacation.
What should I pack for my stay at the retreat?
We will supply you with a list of recommended items to bring for your stay.
What is included and what is not included?
Our 6-night retreats include all aspects of the therapeutic program, housing, meals, and outings. Local transportation is the responsibility of our guests. We offer a ridshare program to connect guests to travel locally and share expenses for rental cars, taxis, etc.
Our 14-night retreats include all aspects mentioned above, except for meals for the 2 days between workshops. Guests will have access to a shared kitchen area and the opportunity to visit nearby restaurants and shops. We offer a ridshare program to connect guests to travel locally and share expenses for rental cars, taxis, etc.
What languages are spoken at the retreats?
Our retreats are hosted in English, and basic conversational English is required to participate. However, we have staff and assistants on site who are native Flemish/Dutch, German, and French to assist with basic translations as needed.
Would You Like a Call to Review?
Our top priority today is ensuring that our retreats are the best decision for you, and that our work resonates with your goals. Contact us for a no-pressure, friendly call to review.
Choose Again El Cielo Center - Costa Rica
Google Reviews
A Life changing experience to go there and worth every penny! The centre of El Cielo is exactly how the name says… heaven on earth! It is peaceful and the staff is incredibly supportive, loving and very experienced. I still dream about the most healthy, nourishing and delicious food. In the 10 days of the retreat, I have learned more about myself than in 4 years of continuous spiritual work. Thank you🙏🏼
Read moreNicole Marra
3 months ago
Een waanzinnig mooi centrum met de beste therapie ooit!
Read moreMarlies De Bruijn
2 years ago
New Greivin
3 years ago
I've been twice to the centre and cannot say enough about it. The program itself is life changing and transformational and the location, people, and experiences are priceless.
Read morelauren olson
3 years ago
Sophie Huang
5 years ago
Google Reviews Cont.
Choose Again and their entire team is an incredible gift to the world. I’ve been practicing their work since the beginning of 2018. I then visited El Cielo in Costa Rica in October of that year. To say the work and this place changed my life is an understatement. This is truly a space where you can simply be all that you are and heal your heart with practical tools that work on every day life. The retreat center is beautiful. The mindfulness space where we practice yoga, meditation, Breathwork and so much more is so sweet. The open kitchen looking over lake Arenal is breath taking. I appreciated the structure and schedule. It allowed for lots of reflection and growth within while providing activities to engage deeper. Of course it’s challenging and you have to be willing to do YOUR work. It’s really a space where you get out what you put in. I’m not sure what the other person is talking about when they say it’s not the same but it’s still ran by the same people that started it. Seems fishy to me but hey... they have their own healing to do. As we all do. If you’re struggling in any way, this place will lovingly guide you back to yourself. It’s a practice and you are worthy of the joy and peace that resides within you. Within us all! I will forever be grateful to my teacher Diederik Wolsak, counselor Gadi and Paul and all the other staff and attendees. It’s been over three years now and I use this work every day. I teach it in my practices and share my love everywhere I go. It’s a good life today. All because I learned to Choose Again!
Read moreAiua Wild
4 years ago
I went to Choose Again Centre in Costa Rica for an amazing month. El Cielo is a great place to heal your mind. The food was great and lodging comfortable and clean. And the daily program has opportunities for self reflection, intention and gratitude. The location of center in the midst of lush landscape is delightful. Finally, I am grateful for the staff and facilitators. Great job, all!
Read moreZorina Wolf
3 years ago
Choose again has changed my life. The practice of the 6 steps to freedom has given me peace of mind. I hope to return one day for a longer stay.
Read moreSabrena Miller
4 years ago
Choose Again, what a life saver this organization has been to me in my life's journey! My visit to the center was life changing. The counselors were so helpful in guiding me through their six step process to clear the blocks to who I am. These six steps have changed me forever! The whole program they have set up made it a very comfortable and safe place to share my fears and anxiety. I am absolutely grateful to Choose Again. I highly recommend this center if you are having any difficulties, stress or anxiety in your life. What they taught me has change my life forever! 💯❤
Read moreDeanna Townsend
4 years ago
"When the student is ready the teachers will appear." That has been my life experience and is very true for me with the Choose Again Society. I fortunately had some exposure to the Choose Again studies prior to my life exploding in a hundred ways so I knew exactly where it was that I needed to immerse myself at and that was in Costa Rica at the Choose Again healing center. There I was guided into a journey of self healing with very capable counselors. I was given the gift of being able to unearth all of my misbeliefs about myself and reveal the Truth of who I am now and have always been. Innocent, Whole, Complete, Joyous, Love. The center itself is quite wonderful with quiet rooms, beautiful views, wonderful food, amazing wildlife and time to just be. I use the tools I learned there in my daily life. It is also great knowing that I am supported with online circles or one on one counseling after leaving the center and I have created a whole new friendship group within the Choose Again Society.
Read moreVicki Russell
4 years ago
I have been practicing the choose again six steps for around 3.5 years now and have seen incredibly positive changes in my life and in all my relationships, including the one with myself. It’s amazing how I have a simple tool now to learn from any upset or feeling that I used to want to escape from (preferably by overeating or overworking myself). I have a ton of experience with traditional counselling which has never helped as profoundly or with such lasting effects as choose again.
Read moreNicole Marra
2 years ago
Reach out and we'll respond right away with any additional questions you may have.