Broughton Sanctuary, Yorkshire, UK

The Zen Samurai Retreat

Ancient Japanese teachings for a focused life
28 May - 1 June, 2025
BOOK NOW
Broughton Sanctuary, Yorkshire, UK

The Zen Samurai Retreat

Ancient Japanese teachings for a focused life
28 May - 1 June, 2025
BOOK NOW
The Zen Samurai Retreat - Purpose Makes Correct Balance, Broughton Sanctuary, Yorkshire, Skipton, UK, 2025
The Zen Samurai Retreat - Purpose Makes Correct Balance, Broughton Sanctuary, Yorkshire, Skipton, UK, 2025
The Zen Samurai Retreat - Purpose Makes Correct Balance, Broughton Sanctuary, Yorkshire, Skipton, UK, 2025
The Zen Samurai Retreat - Purpose Makes Correct Balance, Broughton Sanctuary, Yorkshire, Skipton, UK, 2025

Step into a sacred lineage. For the first time, the ancient wisdom of 16 generations of Samurai arrives at Broughton Sanctuary, inviting you to discover your own warrior spirit in a place where East and West breathe converge.

"a training that teaches you not to win, but to find your own balance and potential”

@thezensamurai

Navigate life with purpose, balance, and resilience

In a world where true connection and focus are gradually fading due to the overwhelming amount of information we absorb, the Samurai principles offer a timeless guide to not only mastering martial skills but also fostering unity, empathy, and harmonious coexistence. Meditation helps you to develop your intuition and to learn who you are. Samurai and Ninja techniques help you to connect with the elements and move forward. The Zen Samurai method helps you to integrate it into your daily life.

Samurai and Ninja training instills timeless values that enhance self-discipline, emotional strength, and harmonious relationships. These principles empower individuals and families to navigate life with purpose, balance, and resilience, creating a positive impact on both personal and collective wellbeing.

The Zen Samurai Retreat - Purpose Makes Correct Balance, Broughton Sanctuary, Yorkshire, Skipton, UK, 2025

Who is Zen Samurai?

Sensei Zen Takai grew up surrounded by swords. Born in Fukuoka, Japan into a family comprising 16 generations of Samurais and Ninjas, selected from a special team created by Hattori Hanzo. Learning deep self studies and exploration from his father, he mastered 18 arts to become a Sensei.

Influenced by the Zen meditation, Bushido and Shinto tradition, Sensei developed his method of mindfulness, “The Zen Samurai Way”, a moving meditation for life leadership that started in the Samurai Ninja dojo in Tokyo. He is the last of the Zen Samurai lineage. He has no children, therefore his father asked him to travel across the sea, to share this method all over the world, so that it would become his life mission.

The Zen Samurai Retreat - Purpose Makes Correct Balance, Broughton Sanctuary, Yorkshire, Skipton, UK, 2025

Who is Zen Samurai?

Sensei Zen Takai grew up surrounded by swords. Born in Fukuoka, Japan into a family comprising 16 generations of Samurais and Ninjas, selected from a special team created by Hattori Hanzo. Learning deep self studies and exploration from his father, he mastered 18 arts to become a Sensei.

Influenced by the Zen meditation, Bushido and Shinto tradition, Sensei developed his method of mindfulness, “The Zen Samurai Way”, a moving meditation for life leadership that started in the Samurai Ninja dojo in Tokyo. He is the last of the Zen Samurai lineage. He has no children, therefore his father asked him to travel across the sea, to share this method all over the world, so that it would become his life mission.

Retreat highlights
Samurai philosophy & mindfulness
Discover the principles of Bushido (the way of the warrior), including discipline, integrity, and mental resilience.
Martial Arts & Movement
Engage in gentle yet powerful physical practices inspired by Samurai and Ninja training, enhancing focus, balance, and coordination.
Nature Immersion & Meditation
Reconnect with nature through guided forest walks, breathwork, and silent meditation, fostering inner stillness and clarity.
Practical Wisdom for Modern Life
Apply Samurai teachings to daily challenges, 
cultivating a more intentional, purposeful, and resilient mindset.
The Zen Samurai Retreat - Purpose Makes Correct Balance, Broughton Sanctuary, Yorkshire, Skipton, UK, 2025

Ninja Hand Sign

"Meditation for the organs"
The Zen Samurai Retreat - Purpose Makes Correct Balance, Broughton Sanctuary, Yorkshire, Skipton, UK, 2025

Samurai Calligraphy

"Express your energy in paper"
The Zen Samurai Retreat - Purpose Makes Correct Balance, Broughton Sanctuary, Yorkshire, Skipton, UK, 2025

Sword Training

"Moving meditation"
The Zen Samurai Retreat - Purpose Makes Correct Balance, Broughton Sanctuary, Yorkshire, Skipton, UK, 2025

Samurai Philosophy

"Participation Key Note"

During the retreat you will experience...
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Avalon Pool Suite
  • Swim in a 20m clear swimming pool looking out onto the adjacent woodland.
  • Nourish and relax the body in a Hydro-Massage Pool.
  • Cleanse the body in an Organic Shaped Sauna and Steam Room.
  • Allow our Floatation Tank to infuse your being with tranquillity and peace.
Image
Woodland Sauna, Ice Bathing and Wild Swimming Experience
  • Enjoy a rejuvenating experience in the wood fired sauna, set amongst the trees in a magical woodland.
  • The heat will slow your mind, gently washing away stress and toxins.
  • Combined with ice bathing in converted barrels and wild swimming, this is a most invigorating experience. to soothe mind, body and soul.
  • Connect with nature, nourish creativity, and have some great fun!
Image
Fire Temple Celebration
  • Set within a picturesque woodland, this sheltered wooden structure is perfect for an evening of drumming and entertainment.
  • Gather round the fire with your fellow retreat guests, and soak in the joy of togetherness beneath the evening sky.
Retreat highlights
Samurai philosophy & mindfulness
Discover the principles of Bushido (the way of the warrior), including discipline, integrity, and mental resilience.
Martial Arts & Movement
Engage in gentle yet powerful physical practices inspired by Samurai and Ninja training, enhancing focus, balance, and coordination.
Nature Immersion & Meditation
Reconnect with nature through guided forest walks, breathwork, and silent meditation, fostering inner stillness and clarity.
Practical Wisdom for Modern Life
Apply Samurai teachings to daily challenges, cultivating a more intentional, purposeful, and resilient mindset.
The Zen Samurai Retreat - Purpose Makes Correct Balance, Broughton Sanctuary, Yorkshire, Skipton, UK, 2025

Ninja Hand
Sign

"Meditation for the organs"
The Zen Samurai Retreat - Purpose Makes Correct Balance, Broughton Sanctuary, Yorkshire, Skipton, UK, 2025

Samurai
Calligraphy

"Express your energy in paper"
The Zen Samurai Retreat - Purpose Makes Correct Balance, Broughton Sanctuary, Yorkshire, Skipton, UK, 2025

Sword
Training

"Moving meditation"
The Zen Samurai Retreat - Purpose Makes Correct Balance, Broughton Sanctuary, Yorkshire, Skipton, UK, 2025

Samurai
Philosophy

"Participation Key Note"

During the retreat
you will experience...
Image
Avalon Pool Suite
  • Swim in a 20m clear swimming pool looking out onto the adjacent woodland.
  • Nourish and relax the body in a Hydro-Massage Pool.
  • Cleanse the body in an Organic Shaped Sauna and Steam Room.
  • Allow our Floatation Tank to infuse your being with tranquillity and peace.
Image
Woodland Sauna, Ice Bathing and Wild Swimming Experience
  • Enjoy a rejuvenating experience in the wood fired sauna, set amongst the trees in a magical woodland.
  • The heat will slow your mind, gently washing away stress and toxins.
  • Combined with ice bathing in converted barrels and wild swimming, this is a most invigorating experience. to soothe mind, body and soul.
  • Connect with nature, nourish creativity, and have some great fun!
Image
Fire Temple Celebration
  • Set within a picturesque woodland, this sheltered wooden structure is perfect for an evening of drumming and entertainment.
  • Gather round the fire with your fellow retreat guests, and soak in the joy of togetherness beneath the evening sky.
Image
Image
Image
Image

About Broughton Sanctuary

The retreat will be held here at the 3000-acre Broughton Sanctuary, just outside Skipton, at the foothills of The Yorkshire Dales, one of the most picturesque parts of the country. Established in 1097, Broughton Hall is a house of transformation, home to the Tempest family for over 900 years, and enjoys a rich history stretching back over the millennium.

The Sanctuary is also home to one of Britain’s most exciting nature recovery projects, a heartfelt commitment to address one of our deepest contemporary crises, based upon an extensive tree-planting and rewilding programme. This year in 2025, we welcome beavers to the Sanctuary alongside our native cattle and Iron Age pigs. Subscribe to our Rewilding Broughton Youtube channel to learn more.

Avalon, our state-of-the-art wellbeing retreat centre is the beating heart of the Sanctuary. With extensive indoor and outdoor resources the building exists to serve the inner voyage of mind, body, spirit. During your stay you may unwind in the state-of-the-art biophilic designed Pool Suite; including a clear 20-metre pool, steam room and sauna, plus hydromassage pool. Beyond the building itself, the Sanctuary grounds offer a chance to return to source, from meditation labyrinths, wild swimming reservoirs, a cosmic garden and much more.

We have a large variety of rooms available, whether in Broughton Hall itself, or throughout our eclectic collection of 20 stunning Retreat Houses, including converted barns, former coachhouses and gatehouses.

Broughton Sanctuary is easily accessible by plane, car and public transport. View location.

  • 3 miles from Skipton Railway Station
  • 24 miles from Leeds Bradford Airport
  • 55 miles from Manchester Airport
Rooming

Tickets range from £1000 in a Retreat House, to £3300 in our historic home, Broughton Hall.

Please note: the images below are examples of the type of room you will be booking, all rooms are subject to availability.

Rooms in Broughton Hall

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Broughton Hall, our Historic Home.

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Broughton Hall Deluxe, Ensuite. Super King Bed.

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Broughton Hall Deluxe, Ensuite. Super King Bed.

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Broughton Hall Deluxe, Ensuite. Super King Bed.

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Broughton Hall Superior, Ensuite. Super King Bed.

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Broughton Hall Superior, Ensuite.

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Broughton Hall Standard, Shared Bathroom.

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Broughton Hall Deluxe, Ensuite.

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Broughton Hall Deluxe, Ensuite.

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Broughton Hall Deluxe, Ensuite.

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Broughton Hall Superior, Ensuite.

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Broughton Hall Superior, Ensuite.

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Broughton Hall Premium, Shared Bathroom.

Rooms in Retreat Houses
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The Manse, Retreat House Deluxe.

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The Manse, Retreat House Deluxe.

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Top Lodge, Retreat House Superior.

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Redberry, Retreat House Superior.

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Poverty Hill, Retreat House Superior.

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The Farm House, Retreat House Superior.

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Stable Cottage, Retreat House Standard.

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The Manse, Retreat House Deluxe, Ensuite.

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The Manse, Retreat House Deluxe, Ensuite.

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The Manse, Retreat House Deluxe, Ensuite.

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Top Lodge, Retreat House Superior, Private Bathroom.

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Redberry, Retreat House Superior, Ensuite with Private Shower/Bathroom.

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Redberry, Retreat House Superior, Shared Bathroom.

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Redberry, Retreat House Deluxe, Shared Bathroom.

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Poverty Hill, Retreat House Superior, Ensuite with Private Shower/Bathroom.

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Stable Cottage, Retreat House Standard, Ensuite.

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Stable Cottage, Retreat House Standard, Shared Bathroom.

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Eden, Retreat House Superior, Single Bedroom.

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Eden, Retreat House Superior, Shared Bathroom.

Book Your Place

For information regarding daily activities, rooming and pricing, and any other questions you may have, please email our team or call us on +44(0)1756 799608

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