
Galaxies & Axolotls – The connective power of generation, transgeneration and regeneration
October 4 - October 6

with Asaf Ben-Shahar & Kristin Verellen
No, this is not an invitation to Disney world or to the next Space shuttle;-) It is a serious invitation for playfully uncovering our deeper reality and belonging; so that we, as human beings, can continue to wonder and live up to our true nature amidst the other living beings and creatures around us.
Axolotls are not the fruit of an over-ecstatic imagination. They are unique creatures – from the amphibian family – capable of regenerating organs: limbs, eyes, even parts of their brains.
These three days would be an adventure of looking into the power of generations outside and inside us, old and new, and the relationship between them. We will explore generations as an organism, in relationship with others, and our capacity for reinventing and transcending ourselves from within and far beyond. Fuelled by the Axolotl’s regenerative power, we will surprise ourselves with how much potential is waiting in us for creating something genuinely new and life-boosting. This will be an experiential highly personal journey, as well as communal, and, even, universal. Deepening our connection and access to the infinite creative potential flowing in and amongst us is also for the world a blessing.
Program
The masterclass Galaxies & Axolotls – The connective power of generation, transgeneration and regeneration is for those who yearn for inner liberation in service of a more human world, and even more for those who yearn for and fear it at the same time. It will be a time for freely exploring altered states of consciousness inspired by embodied energy & soul work imbued by shamanism, kabbalah and systemic wisdom. We will engage in moving our centre of identity beyond separation towards a more soul-centred and universe-centred way of being. Using our mind, heart, body and soul to reconnect to the flow of life, reinjecting meaning and joy throughout our existence.
- Day One: past and preset – our lineage and legacy
During the first day we will examine the field of generations that we are a part of: family (biological, newly composed and chosen), one or more communities, professions and soul connections (ancestors, deceased friends, archetypes, animals, deities). All together we could say they form our tribe. We will look at the ways they have shaped us, and in return – the way we shape them. Curious to uncover how they are in line with our personal call, and how it resonates with the collective call. - Day Two: present – the lineage that lives inside us
The second day we will expand surrendering to the generations which are alive inside of us, the old and the new, the wise and the adventurous. We will be curious about how to find in the complexity of generations flowing through us an appropriate balance between polarities, such as loyalty, freedom and responsibility. We will particularly pay attention to the dance between external and internal forces, and the way they are all alive in us as we form our present. - Day Three: re-generation – creating novelty and newness from the old
On the last day we will discover how to regenerate – the necessary elements for creating something genuinely new from old structures in and outside ourselves. We will let ourselves be energised by old wisdom allowing ourselves to shift into new ways of being, doing and relating in harmony with the beauty of our universal being. . Which place we feel called to take amidst this moving field of generations?
Approach
Bringing together shamanism, Kabbala, systemic constellation, relational body psychotherapy and dance in creative ways, we will practice for transforming ourselves and others in relationships. Within a theoretical framework we will explore, share and learn in practical exercises and body-mind-soul experiences. A variation of interactive learning forms in groups, pairs, solo and demonstration. Music and movement whenever we relax and integrate. A spirit of serious play all through.
For whom
For all people working with people, as a coach, group facilitator, leader, manager, teacher, therapist, social worker, body worker, healer, artist…who want to strengthen their presence and service in the world by unfolding and expressing the forces in themselves.
We warmly welcome diversity in our group. So whatever background, gender, age you are, if this message appeals to you, feel free to join.
Trainer
Asaf Rolef Ben Shahar is an explorer of relationships, bodies and states of consciousness. He has integrated and taught embodied and relational psychotherapy and shamanic practices worldwide for over 25 years, and has written five books and numerous papers on this subject. For three years, Asaf has completely dedicated himself to writing a series of fantasy fiction for young and old, with the aim of reaching a wider group of change-makers for a better world. The only workshops for healing change Asaf still offers are the ones hosted by Kristin Verellen in Belgium. Since 2 years he contributes also as special guest in the How do we human Circles by We have the choice, deepening the ritual power of the circle with experiential meditations. Asaf is vegan and a nature lover. He is a father to two teenage daughters, married to Maya and lives and works in the northern town of Tivon in Israel. Fascinated by neuro-divergence he discovered his own autistic nature. He is gifted in finding magic everywhere.
Host and co-facilitator
Kristin Verellen – initiator of Peel The Onion and of the We have the choice circles – is a facilitator of connection and transformation for individuals, teams, organizations and stakeholder fields. She has initiated the first relational field workshop by Asaf Ben-Shahar in Belgium in 2011. Because of the immediate success of this groundbreaking workshop, she has turned it into a ritual to gather each year with Asaf groups of open-minded people for a transforming relational encounter. Upgrading group encounters into precious safe spaces of deep learning, heart connection, co-creation and transformation is one of her passions. She is a passionate and experienced psychotherapist, systemic constellator, organizational coach, spiritual entrepreneur and poet. In her last book Meer dan ik, she opens up the world of her poetry with her ink paintings and verses of the ancient Upanishads. Exploring the interconnection of all. The voluntary movement Circles- We have the choice she initiated makes this experience of interconnection beyond fear and polarization accessible where and when it is mostly needed.
Practical
- When:The masterclass Galaxies & Axolotls takes place on 4 – 5 – 6 October 2025(from Saturday till Monday) in De Heerlijckyt van Elsmeren.There we have a large and comfortable seminar space in a castle, surrounded by 30 ha of peaceful nature – www.heerlijckyt.org
- Timing : 1rd day: arrival at 9.00, start 9.30 – 18.00. 2nd and 3rd day: 9.00 – 17.30
- Spoken language: during the training is English. We will translate when needed.
The workshop fee
The workshop fee for a 3 days masterclass is 960 € excl. vat (incl. 1.162 € incl. vat). This price includes organisation, creation, facilitation, workshop room at the Heerlijckyt and costs.
You find all info about how to subscribe on the following page. Principle is: first in first served,
The fee for the accommodation (room & meals)
The accommodation fee at the Heerlijckyt of Elsmeren you can choose when you register with them. Count on a package cost (vat included) of 340 € for 2 nights in a shared 3 to 4 persons room, delicious breakfasts, lunches, vegetarian dinner with dessert and drinks (if needed you can pay 8 € extra for meat). The package cost for a shared 2 persons room (for 2 participants), is 382 €, for a 1 person room 410 €. When you sleep home or in a tent the price is 280 €. Those who want, could also sleep home. The rooms are distributed based on availability, so do it right after your subscription.
Subscription and payment
To subscribe and secure your participation in the masterclass ‘Galaxies & Axolotls’:
- mail to kristin@peeltheonion.com the subscription form with your name and address for the invoice.
- You receive the invoice soon after your subscription on the calendar year 2025: 50% of the amount to be paid within 14 calendar days and the remaining 50% 4 months before the masterclass. Registration is official at the reception of the first amount. If it is more convenient to pay in one go, you can.
- Unforeseen circumstances which could make it impossible to come, sometimes can’t be completely prevented. It would be easy not to think about it, but we prefer to talk about it in the same spirit of openness, respect, trust, solidarity as in the masterclass. In case you have to cancel:
- When you find a new participant who replaces you: no worry at all, you get a refund less 150 € for costs.
- When you don’t find a new participant who replaces you:
- Cancellation before 03/06/25: refund less 250 € costs
- Cancellation as from 03/06/25 and before 03/08/25: refund less 400 € costs
- Cancellation as from 04/08/25: no refund
- The cancellation costs you pay will be well used to spice the ‘Donations from the heart‘ fund. This fund to which everybody can contribute enables us to cover unforeseen costs and to offer occasionally a social price for aspirants who can’t afford. So if the only obstacle for coming is money, please talk to us.
Asaf and I have the firm commitment for the masterclass to take place:
We invest in a flight ticket which guarantees to fly in the actual war context. In the unlikely case of complete flight stop, we are ready to offer a hybrid version of the 3 days masterclass: we gather at the Heerlijckyt and Asaf will join us online for the complete masterclass. Kristin will take care of hosting an open space on location in a participative manner to which every participant can contribute. We did it before, it was a great experience, a chance to show up and step in our leadership within a very supportive community. Also, you will get a refund for the flight costs we recuperate and you will get priority for the subscription in a masterclass of the following year.
If you really long to come, but can’t afford it, talk to Kristin. Depending on the number of participants and on the money we have saved together in the fund ‘Donations from the heart’, we may be able to offer a social price. This will be clear in the last month before the masterclass.
To secure your accommodation (room & meals), for the masterclass of 4 – 6 October 2025, you book and pay directly at the Heerlijckyt on the following link:
Secure your stay
Please do this right after your subscription to the masterclass, as the rooms are assigned based on availability . You will only have to pay at reception of the invoice 4 months before the masterclass. Cancellation without cost is possible till 11 working days before the masterclass. Afterwards you could avoid costs by sending someone else in your place. More info in the link above.