Embracing shame and vulnerability
Reclaiming Power and Choice
with Liv Larsson
7.-12. October 2022, Slovenia
Kranjska Gora - Slovenia
up to 48 participants - 2 CNVC certified trainers
6-day residential training - full board
Knowing how to transform shame instead of avoiding it, will help you say yes to chances in life, as you no longer have to be perfect in order to do the things you dream of. Along with that yes, you will also be more able to say no to things that you do not want, as you can live with any traces of shame that gets triggered when you are not behaving in a way that others think you should.
This in-depth training will be about how to not let anger, shame, or guilt get in the way of connection, but instead use them as wake-up calls for needs you have not tended to. The training focuses on supporting you to connect with a sense of power and choice, without giving up on sensitivity and empathy. We will work with concrete examples of where shame and guilt affect your life in unwanted ways and how to find a way to communicate even when it is challenging to do so.
In this training we will have a chance to explore how shame influences and makes different parts of our lives more challenging. We will explore how shame influences areas like sex and intimacy, money and power, dependence, independence and interdependence.
– To use the Compass of Needs in order to understand when you are wasting energy in avoiding shame and how to instead connect to needs.
– Hands-on strategies on how you as an individual can transform shame, guilt, and anger into feelings that are more directly connected to life.
– Ways to connect with others when they are avoiding shame by attacking us, using self-blame, anger, withdrawing, or rebelling.
– How to hold shame as a signal for our humanity; for our needs for acceptance, dignity, and belonging (not as a signal that there is something wrong with us). Radical self-acceptance.
– Insights, methods, and tools for helping others to transform shame (as a coach, teacher, parent, friend, partner, etc.)
– This training is for everyone wanting to understand guilt and shame, yours and others, at a deeper level.
– Anyone who is tired of being ruled by guilt and shame.
– Anyone longing for a sense of power and choice in their life looking for a way to really live in empathy; from your heart and not from any method or tool.
– Anyone that is wanting to know how to connect with others being withdrawn or angry in a shame-attack.
– Coaches, trainers and others that want to support others to transform shame.
As the training is based on Nonviolent Communication (NVC) you need at least some basic understanding of the concepts of needs and of emphatic listening. As preparation for the training, we recommend you to read Liv’s book «Anger, Guilt, and Shame – Reclaiming Power and Choice». (English, Swedish, Turkish, German, Italian, Korean, Chinese, Polish.)
Liv speaks about the shame, guilt, vulnerability and nonviolent communication, topics we will explore at Embracing shame and vulnerability – reclaiming Power and Choice, a 6-day training in Slovenia NVC retreat in 2018.
What participants of our previous NVC events say about us.
Team of trainers and organizers

Liv Larsson, (Sweden) trainer, author, coach and mediator
Certified trainer with the Centre for Nonviolent Communication (CNVC) and author of 22 books
Liv Larsson is a certified Trainer for NVC with CNVC since 2002. She lives in the north of Sweden, leads training all over the world, and is the author of 22 books on communication both for adults and children. She also works as a mediator between the indigenous group of Sweden, the Sami, and the forest and mining companies. Liv loves cross-country-skiing, writing, and enjoying life, preferably in nature.
Shame has become one of the mysteries of inner human life that Liv appreciates studying and sharing her knowledge about. Embracing shame means opening up possibilities to learning about human interaction and showing how to find dignity, acceptance, and belonging.
You can her find her lecture on shame here: Liv Larsson “Shame – friend or foe?”
More about Liv: https://www.livlarsson.com/

dr. Dmitriy Kopina, Ph.D., (SLO), support trainer & organizer
Certified trainer with the Centre for Nonviolent Communication (CNVC)
Dmitriy was eager to grasp different knowledge and restless explorer his entire life. Working as leader and expert, reading full libraries of books and attending so many classes, trainings and workshops, he was a walking encyclopedia of various technical and formal knowledge. He was always keen on sharing his knowledge and fully dedicated to learn and share more, and more, and more. Until one day it was really too much and it all stopped, burned out, ending in hospital.
Several years later, after changing his life style up-side down, learning yoga, martial arts, connecting with nature and finding his meaning, he met two of his today’s “best friends”: NVC – Nonviolent Communication and CI – Contact Improvisation. They all met on a multi day retreat and it changed his life completely, beyond words to describe meeting Life on another level. After attending more than hundred days of training’s, facilitating/leading hundreds of his own workshops, individual coaching and therapy sessions, he supported changes and transitions in life of thousands of people. Until this day, this several days retreats are still his favorite events.
His life mission and purpose, working as trainer, expert, adviser, manager, father and a teacher involve activities that are supporting individuals finding their authenticity, fullness of life and awareness; connecting people together, building “power with” communities based on equality of all needs and using forms of communication and full embodiment to support connecting individuals and groups into their essence, consciousness and spirituality.

Tuition fee
Tuition fee covers costs of workshop materials, booklets, trainers travel and work costs
and covers at least four workshops or sessions offered by the trainers per day.
Contributor Rate
> 750 €
Standard Rate
590 €
Reduced Rate
350 € – 590 €
In case the STANDARD RATE is higher than what you can give, we welcome you to ask for the REDUCED RATE. A single rate might not match everyone’s financial means and hence lead some to exclude themselves by not daring to ask for a rate suiting their financial situation. We are deeply yearning to live in a world that fully values and includes difference and diversity. We do believe that everyone of us can contribute to making life meaningful and fulfilling. We are also convinced that being with people from different socioeconomic backgrounds in the same group contributes to the richness of our relational experience. That is why we are committed to making NVC accessible to anyone regardless of their financial resources by offering a reduced rate in a sliding scale. It is essential, however, that this rate is not seen as a convenient rate. Based on trust, it is meant to support those who would not be able to access the retreat otherwise.
Natural giving and gift economy
Each event requires a budget of several thousands o f euros (to honor the work of the facilitator(s), interpreter(s), organizer(s); to cover the costs of travel, accommodation and food for the team; to pay for the venue…). We do not (yet) know how to organize such events without using money. We hope that everyone will consciously and wholeheartedly get involved in this process of financial co-responsibility. Workshops exist for all of us and also offer gratitude to all of us.
Ah, money
When it comes to asking for money for this training we want you to pause and consider if you are affected by shame in some ways when you are looking at your economical situation. Maybe you would like to ask for paying less, because you are in a situation where that would be supportive for you but shame stops you? Maybe you don’t have the money and feel a lot shame imagining asking friends or relatives to support you? Or maybe reading the first questions, you realized that you wanted to ask to pay less, just because you want to make a “good deal” and now you understand that some people would not even come if they would get to have that scholarship you wanted to ask for, and you feel shame about this? Or maybe you have a lot of money and would like to pay more (and be supporting others to come) but feel ashamed over showing that you are affluence?
How we deal with money is so often influenced by shame that we want to invite you to ”start the training” in the very moment you pay your fee. We ask you to notice this as we also want to have a chance to explore money and shame in the training.
4* HOTEL BEST WESTERN KRANJSKA GORA
Accommodation
All rooms and furniture in 4* hotel are built with lot of care and special design to provide you best living experiences. We can also support people with special needs and disabilities.
places in single bedrooms
places in double bed bedrooms
people to commute daily

Single Bedroom
4 * hotel single use room
- Private Bathroom
- Comfortable french or king-size bed
- Full board & coffee brakes included
Price for 6-nights Full Board
571 €

Double Bed Bedroom
4 * hotel Comfort double bed bedroom
- Private Bathroom
- Comfortable joint or separated beds (on request)
- Full board & coffee brakes included
Price for 6-nights Full Board
455 €

Commute daily
This option does not include overnight accommodation
- Usage of seminar rooms and full workshops access
- Lunch, dinner & coffee brakes included
Price for 6-days,
325 €
Please keep in mind we have a limited numbers of places available, we can host up to 42 participants, so we encourage you to register as soon you are decided to join us, to ensure your place at this event. When all the places taken, we can enter you in the waiting list any you will be notified in case of cancellations.
The tourist tax is not included in the price. You will be invited to pay TT at the reception. The price for TT in 2022 is 2,00 EUR / person and may be subject to change.
Food & Drink
Full Board Meal Service
Daily Seasonal Meals
During the retreat you will be served three special designed vegan or vegetarian meals per day, made mainly from fresh seasonal local resources and provided by local producers. Food ingredients will be carefully chosen to further support the learning and transitioning process in 6-day common journey. Menus offer variety and are simply and wisely selected. We will provide tea, coffee and simple snacks during our breaks. If you have any special diet please let us know, we will do our best to fulfill your special food requirements.
Coffee, Tea, Water, & Snacks
will be available at self service coffee breaks twice a day.
Special Diet, Meat & Allergies
If you may have a special diet or an allergy please let us know in advance so we can check the ability to provide proper meals for you. Meat or any animal based products of any kind will not be served from our side, yet you can provide your self with it.
“NVC can be effectively applied at all levels of communication and in diverse situations: intimate relationships, families, schools, organizations and institutions, therapy and counseling, diplomatic and business negotiations, disputes and conflicts of any nature.”
INformation
Amenities
Free WiFi
Free Parking
Common space
Printer/Scanner
Walk in nature
Swimming & Sauna
Information
Registration
Registration and Reservation
Payments can be only made via bank transfer.
We have a limited number of places/beds available. You will be asked to make the deposit payment within 8 working days from your registration. If we do not receive your deposit payment, your place could be offered to another potential participant.
Please note that the deposit is nonrefundable. If you change your plans, and do not join the event, then this deposit will cover the costs of reservation and will not be returned to you. If you want more support and reassurance about cancellation options, we invite you to consider other strategies (travel or medical insurance, …). We will refund deposit in full in case event is canceled by organizer or by Covid situation.
Final payment
Cancellation Policy
- Until 31.7.2022 we will refund full payment less the deposit (the deposit of 150 EUR / per person will not be refunded)
- After 1.8.2022 no refunds are possible
- At any time you can offer your place to another participant to different person without any cost , but please let us know if you decide so.
- In case organizer will cancel the event by any reason you are entitled to a full refund.
- In case you cannot join the event due to law or the travel restrictions caused by epidemic situation, you are entitled to a full refund. (You can check the list of countries entitled to enter Slovenia without quarantine or restrictions here.
Covid 19 Policy
A short summary of our IIT Covid safety measures are:
Before arrival
Please check COVID-19 Measures and Recommendations from the Government of Slovenia for the terms under which you can enter the country. We invite you to take care of your health, using your daily practices and routine to keep your immune system in excellent condition. Please limit risky travel or socializing at least 10 days prior to the event. Please take into consideration your personal comfort level as you select accommodation between double (one roommate) and triple (you will share the room with two roommates).
If you cancel less than 14 days before arrival due to a positive Covid test, you have two options:
– Transfer 100% to a future REI events
– Receive 75% refund of tuition and accommodation.
On arrival
We will organize rapid SARS-CoV-2 testing for all participants on arrival, later testing may be optional. We strongly invite you to testing no matter of your previous vaccination statuses, previous testing, or getting over the infection before. The costs of testing are included in accommodation costs. There will be testing available on request as well, for the price.
During your stay
We will enable and do our best for you to be able to stay in as a closed participants group, minimizing the risk of infection. No refund is available after the event starts. However, if by any chance you show positive during your stay, you will be required to self-quarantine for minimum 7 days, or according to local regulations in Slovenia. In any case, we will do our best to support you.
Have a Question?
Get in touch with organizers
Information
Location, Logistics & Travel
Here you find information on location, adress, how to get there, start nad end of the event and daily schedule.
Location
Tis amazing event will be held in an alpine village of Kranjska Gora at an altitude of 810 metres. The village is a world-renowned ski resort and a very popular destination for active holiday-seekers during all seasons. With its stunning overviews of Slovenian Alps and in the green luxury of lakes, springs and streams it is a perfect place to centre your mind, spirit and practice of NVC. The hotel holds the name of this lovely village which offers all basic offers as for example grocery store, pharmacy, some restaurants and local stores. The hotel itself offers comfort rooms and three meals every day (vegetarian and vegan option). There is also a swimming pool, sauna and tennis court. However, we recommend that you spend any spare time in the amazing walks just around the corner of the hotel (we will provide specific recommendations on the spot). The temperature in alps valleys in April or May may vary from chill 5-10 °C to warm 18-20 °C (lower in the nights).
Newly renovated 4* hotel is located in the border of the village so you will be able to find your private spots in nature there when needed…
Draft daily schedule
8:45 – 9:30 Breakfast
10:00 – 13:00 Morning session 1. (will include an opening, exploration of concepts, practice in small groups or break out sessions, large group dialogue
13:00 -14:00 Lunch
14:00 – 14 :30 Free time
14:30 -16:30 Session 2.
15:30 – 16:15 Break
16:15 -18:15 Session 3. Home group dialogue
18:15 – 19:00 Community gathering/integration practice
19:00 – 20:00 Supper/Dinner
20:00 – 20:30 – Break / Free time
20:30 – 22:30 Evening session 4. & offerings
Please note that the daily schedule is subject to change.
Start and end of the event
Dinner will be served from 18:00 till 19:30
The opening circle will start at 20:00.
Departure: the retreat ends with lunch on last day. Lunch will be served from 13:00 till 14:00 o clock.
Getting there
Nearest Airports are Jože Pučnik Ljubljana or Klagenfurt Austria. Venice Marco Polo airport may also be an affordable option with a bit more land distance.
Use of train is available to Jesenice from several destination. You can then take a bus from Jesenice to the Kranjska Gora. You can also check shuttle services like GoOpti .
By Bus or shuttle service:
You can take a bus from Ljubljana to the Kranjska Gora. You can also check shuttle services like GoOpti .
By Car:
Use navigation system to the address provided below.
Address
Vršiška cesta 38,
SI – 4280 Kranjska Gora, Slovenia,
Slovenia – EU
Short trips or visits
reserve your place and register soon
Places are still available!
Registration is open.