What if one guided session could shift the way you move through the rest of your day?
That is the idea behind THIS.IS.EDEN, a breathwork experience that brings together guided breathing, movement and electronic music. Created by Amsterdam-based founder Kim de Vries, the experience offers a modern way to reset in the city and is now part of Avani Museum Quarter Amsterdam’s curated local experiences. Through collaborations like this, Avani connects guests with the people, practices and perspectives shaping Amsterdam today.
We spoke with Kim about the inspiration behind THIS.IS.EDEN, the role of music in her practice and why presence can be one of the most powerful takeaways from travel.
1. THIS.IS.EDEN blends breathwork, movement and electronic music into one guided experience. Where did that idea come from and what made you want to create it?
There's so much we can read or understand, but some things you just have to feel. I'm honestly obsessed with the power of experience!
I used to work as a trainer, standing in front of rooms with flipcharts, trying to inspire people to get more out of life. But it didn't feel like my way. People understood it, but they didn't feel it.
So I left my job and started travelling. It brought me to learning from traditional practitioners in Central America, to meditation in Asia, and the dance floors of Berlin. Those experiences connected me to myself in a way nothing else did!
I wanted to create an accessible experience where people can step out of their busy minds and really feel alive again.
To me, Eden is not a place. It's a state.
It's when you become so present, and you remember that life itself is actually pretty miraculous. Like, we live on a floating rock in space? (with giraffes, strawberries and waterfalls) And yet, in everyday life we forget. I believe the more people remember, the more beautiful our future will be.
2. A lot of wellness practices lean on ambient or acoustic sound. Why did you go with electronic music specifically?
First of all: I love innovating traditional ways that fit better with the modern world. I believe we can feel connected while living a busy city life. Most of us don't want to be a monk on top of a hill. I love using electronic music because it helps people drop out of their minds since it uses a repetitive rhythm. It really allows you to build the energy, creates collective synchronicity and supports a deeper sense of focus and presence.
3. The headset is quite central to what you do. How does receiving the guided audio directly through your own headphones change the experience compared to a traditional group setting?
The headphones help you turn inwards. It feels like having a private guide in your ears. It blends our voice and the music and cancels out noise from the outside. This really helps since we all have busy minds, are easily distracted, and very self-aware! It makes sure you are in a bubble where no one hears each other or is focused on one another.
4. Walk us through what someone can expect in their very first session and what usually surprises them most?
Expect lots of welcoming people, incredible music and a practice that slowly builds up and helps you let go. Each session has a theme which we dive deep into. You'll notice your thoughts become fewer and it gets easier to move. What surprises people the most is that after 60 minutes, you feel completely different. You feel open, light, free, connected with yourself, the group and the moment. Like you have been away for hours.
5. THIS.IS.EDEN has found its home in parks, rooftops and clubs across Amsterdam. What does it mean to be part of Avani Museum Quarter Amsterdam's curated local experiences, and what do you hope guests take away from it?
I feel deeply honoured to be part of Avani Museum Quarter Amsterdam's local experiences. I love what Avani stands for, the location and the people that work there. When you walk into the location, you will notice it feels like home. I feel proud to offer this practice so that Avani's guests can come back to themselves, even in a big city. And no matter the external circumstances, they can always come back to Eden.
Rapid-fire:
- Best time of day to reset?
Morning!!! I love the feeling of a brand new day, when it's still quiet, starting the day in the right mood. Therefore I love hosting my sessions in the morning.
- Favourite spot in Amsterdam for a session?
The park or a place where you can see sunrise
- One word to describe what THIS.IS.EDEN feels like?
Appreciation
- The song or artist that never leaves your playlist?
Nils Frahm
- The city that needs THIS.IS.EDEN the most?
There are too many to name!
