WE ARE
Robbin van der Crussen and Torunn Avelsgaard Lien
WE OFFER
the tools, skills and inspiration you need to build a resilient nervous system
WE HOLD
a safe space for you to explore at your own pace
WE CREATE
retreats and online courses designed to make you autonomous in the practices
WE LONG FOR
a world where people are empowered to live from their hearts
“Very powerful and easy to learn methods for learning to understand your nervous system.”
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— Kristian Haaland
IT & Event Manager
UPCOMING EVENTS 2024
"I joined Robbin and Torunn on the '23 April retreat and it was a beautiful experience. I'd do it again without a second of hesitation!
Their approach is SOLID, and at the same time fluid & exploratory allowing space for everyone to find their rhythm - helped us all dive deeper. Maybe even more important - They are such sweet, fun, playful human beings - reminds me of the quote "Angels can fly because they can take themselves lightly"Having done 4 or 5 other breathwork retreats in the past year, I HIGHLY recommend theirs"
- Brad
OUR ONLINE COURSE IS HAPPENING MAY 10-12!
To make our content available also to the people who are not able to join our retreats, we are now offering this special 3-day online course.
FIND THE PROGRAM THAT'S RIGHT FOR YOU
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1
IMMERSIVE RETREATS
Dive deep into the practices in our immersive retreats
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2
ONLINE COURSES
Enjoy our sessions from the comfort of your own home
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3
ONE-ON-ONE COACHING
Take your breathwork practice to a new level with individualized coaching
Our modalities
BREATHWORK
At OYNS we teach and practice Vivation Breathwork, a traumasensitive, embodied approach to breathwork, where the aim is to use the breath to explore the present moment as it appears at a felt level in your body. This increases your interception and allows for a safe, and subtle exploration of material that until now has been buried in your unconscious. It allows for inclusion of more of who you are, emotional freedom, and physical and mental healing at the root level.
MOVEMENT
Moving your body in new ways increases neuroplasticity, that is making your brain more mouldable, like the brain of a child. In the neuroplastic state, you are better able to learn, establish new habits, outgrow old, limiting patterns, and actively create the life you want to live. Short bursts of intense movement also activate your sympathetic nervous system transiently, which facilitates deeper relaxation in the hours following.
RELAXATION
Deep relaxation is very rare and very potent. Using our knowledge about how the nervous system works, we actively take you into deep states of relaxation. This puts your whole body into healing and regeneration mode and alters your brainwaves so that you can reprogram core beliefs you have about yourself, that are not serving you at this time.
PENDULATION
Pendulating between high intensity and deep relaxation, allows you to explore and befriend the whole spectrum of activation in your autonomic nervous system, a key skill on your path to optimized health and well-being
COLD EXPOSURE
Staying calm in a stressful situation is a powerful skill. Practicing calming the nervous system in the presence of extreme cold is a very good preparation for calming the nervous system in ANY life situation. Meeting stress with peace can become integrated as your way of being in life.
MEDITATION
At OYNS we practice a type of concentration meditation, that helps us stay focused for extended periods of time. Moving the attention from here to there is one of the things that stresses the nervous system the most, so learning the skill of focusing, is an essential life skill in today's society, where attention span is rapidly decreasing in the population.
SOUND
We use healing sounds and music to support the overall atmosphere at the retreats. Sounds also influence the nervous system directly through the vibrational effect is has un us physiologically.
RELATING
Our core wounds form in relationship and heal in relationship. The process of befriending and optimizing your nervous system would not be complete without bringing it into a carefully held and structured meeting with another person or a group of people. Relating consciously reveals both our suboptimal behavioural patterns and limiting beliefs while also revealing the infinite beauty of a human being and all the ways in which we are connected. By feeling seen and heard at new and often unknown depths (even to ourselves), our nervous system learns safety in the most potent of situations; in relationship. Furthermore, relating exercises prepare us for a smoother integration into daily life after the retreat.
Ina Flugsrud Gustavsson
(Facial Reflexologist, Doula)
“The days at OYNS have enriched my life on so many levels. The space of loving presence, beautiful music and stillness allowed me to explore, activate and relax with breathing and movement.
I have treaded new paths, with bare feet and an open heart, listened and let go. I have also let myself be touched, in heightened perceptive encounters, with nature, with others, and with myself.
A thousand thanks for the journey Robbin and Torunn.”
Kristin Troli
(Medical Nurse)
“I can warmly recommend The OYNS retreat. It was very special to be a part of it for me. Exceeded my expectation.
Torunn and Robbin were great host of the event. They were so grounded, warm hearted and eager to share knowledge on how the nervous system functions, how it is influenced by us and our surroundings.
We learned different tools to optimize our nervous system with breathwork, ice bathing, yoga, meditation, dancing, nature, rest ++.
The food was great and the surroundings in the middle of the forest was just perfect.
I wanted to learn to handle stress better and to dig deeper within myself.
Now I have new tools to work on that.”
Jan Emir Gouissem-Hansen
(Preschool Teacher)
“I am so grateful to partake in OYNS. I've learned so much about the breath, nervous system, holding space, letting go and about slowing down.
Torunn and Robbin is an ultimate combo when facilitating these practices. They see that you are well taken care of, and they gently hold space for you to do your work.
The schedule and the exercises are all well thought out. The food is AMAZING!
Thank you so much for this beautiful and challenging experience!”
Sara Borg Thorisdottir
(Ski Instructor)
“Meditation, Breathwork, Yoga and movement. Walking barefoot i nature. Throwing heavy stones and screaming all the way from your root chakra.
Ice bathing and hot sauna. Deep relaxation. Ecstatic dance. Singing. Deep soul connection. Hugs. Deep self connection. Sharing. Respecting each other. Respecting yourself and nature.
Working together. Pushing your boundaries. Encouraging each other. Exploring your senses. Connecting. Connecting with your self and others. Eating good and nourishing food.
Laughing. Crying. Learning. So much learning. Love. So much love. Wow!
What a magical step forward this weekend was for me. I've gained so much mental and physical benefits from this retreat, slash a spiritual bootcamp.
I feel truly blessed. And optimised. And, without a doubt, a better version of my self.
Torunn and Robbin, thank you for being so real, so pure, so loving and so goofy. The wholehearted work you put in this weekend really shined though. I really appreciate both of you”
Kristian Haaland
(IT & Event Manager)
“Very powerful and easy to learn methods for learning to understand your nervous system.”
Haakon Bjørn Due
(Psychology Student)
Martine Setsaas
(Student)
“If you are seeking happiness, love and safety, but can’t quite get to it, then OYNS can probably help you on the way.
If you are in need of something mindblowing and transformational to create the shift.”
Laila Pellennec
(Master Student in Indigenous Studies)
“I had an amazing experience into myself, guided by very knowledgeable and gentle Robbin and Torunn.
I can only recommend, if you need love, peace, transformation, or important knowledge on how to take care of yourself..”
Andrea Castillo Herrera
(Architect, Yoga Instructor)
“I’m amazed by the power we all have inside us, and our breath, to heal and to bring us back any time we need it!
I believe everybody need in their life to be part of this retreat.”
Kristine Endsjø
(PhD Student in Psychology)
“I’m so happy I decided to go on this retreat, it is definitely one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself.
I really enjoyed learning different kinds of practices to balance the nervous system, and the authentic, open-minded and warm environment in the group.
The program was clearly designed with a lot of thought and care, and Torunn and Robbin were incredibly knowledgeable and great spaceholders for deep, challenging and enriching individual processes.
It was a truly transformative experience and I will definitely continue with many of these practices.
Thank you!”
Auguste Miller
(Strategy Consultant / Venture Capitalist)
"A true breath of fresh air!
A great opportunity to slow down, look inward while combining with relationship building exercises. Stunning scenery and nature as well as live music all add to an unforgettable experience.
Highly recommended. Even the ice bath!"
Falk Kjellid
(Art Student)
“From my heart: thank you so much Torunn and Robbin.
I was lost in anxiety ,and depression. OYNS was such a safe place to dive within myself. To figure things out. Beautifully orchestrated to let you feel what you need to feel. With loving people that accept you for all that you are, supporting you. A perfect balance of silence and noise.
The work you do yourself, but Robbin and Torunn will hold your hands with their hearts. And guide you towards the true self.
You will learn how to control your emotions, how to handle the stress with science and love.
This is for everyone. I am forever thankful. Thank you beautiful souls, the other participants and Torunn and Robbin.
It really changed my life.”
Andrea Gamst
(Artistic Creator)
"I am so grateful to have been at OYNS with Robbin and Torunn. This was exactly what I needed in a stressful life to thoroughly plant my feet back into the earth.
The program is broad and highly educative, it activated many processes in me that I now reap the benefits from.
Breath, contemplation, play – all important pieces on my way forward.
I thank you again and strongly recommend this to each and everyone."
Alexander Lund
Kim Ekstø
(Bar & Event Manager)
“OYNS was a transforming and wonderful experience for me!
Everything I learned I've implemented in my everyday life and it has raised my quality of life by a mile!
Robbin and Torunn are great hosts and will take good care of you while you dive into a world of breathing, meditation, yoga, dancing and self exploring!"
I highly recommend everyone to do at least one OYNS in their life!”
MEET THE OYNS TEAM
Since we met four years ago we have shared a common fascination for self-explorative and self-transcending work, inspired by ancient traditions of healing and modern scientific methods for creating health and wellbeing.
Working closely together we mirror and support each other as we unravel ever deeper understandings of what a human life can be and how to make the most out of it. We have dedicated our lives to share our experiences and knowledge with others, with an intention of aiding the evolution of human consciousness.
More about us
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"I have attended many retreats but I have never experienced a retreat that is so supportive to my nervous system and overall well being.
The daily practice we shared under your guidance was so good for me. My body thanks the both of you and my fellow retreatants who I can sincerely and deeply call my friends who offered the safe and supportive space for each of us.
I left the retreat feeling connected (both to myself and to the world outside), centred, calm, rested, present, loved, at ease and most importantly safe.
Its now coming up to a month since the retreat and the positive effects are still with me…. For this I am eternally grateful for the amazing one week Easter Immersion."
- Patricia
“Its hard to put words to an experience like I had at OYNS. Torunn and Robbin do this retreat with such kindness, generosity, humbleness and love and their sincere urge to help people by sharing their knowledge shines through.
In addition they do it with structure and professionalism so you genuinely feel that you are taken by the hand and lead through a transformative process.
They create a safe space for you to be vulnerable and teach you tools to explore yourself and heal.
I can not recommend this experience enough. I truly belive that anyone will come out of there as a better person, more grounded and more in touch with yourself, your body and a better understanding of whatever issues you might be dealing with.
Thank you again Torunn and Robbin”
”
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— Sverrir Kristjánsson
Film Editor
