A Soul Motion: Next Steps Adventure into a mindfulness somatic dancing practice

I am excited to lead a contemplative dance retreat at Monte Velho, one of the most renowned retreat centers worldwide, in one the most beautiful parts of Southern Europe.

I have read about and agree with the statement that everyone is a dancer, yet the one who dances as an expression of fully embodied intelligence is a rarity.*
Dancers don't make movements, they participate fully in a dynamic moving environment.*   Andrea Olsen, "The Place of Dance" 

Here is what we will do:  
We will cultivate mindfulness practices that use breath, imagination, concentration, and a relaxed ground to gain access to this intrinsic intelligence. 
We will practice techniques that enliven us to the roots of yoga and learn to control the roaming tendencies of the mind/body dancer.
We will dance in ways that honor both the inside volume of a body and the outside dynamics of a room, including its sounds, spaces, forms, and elements.

Here is what you will learn:
Methods to lose your thinking minds, so as to discover your cellular intelligence. We will drop all seriousness of forms and pick up on the playful joyful dancing person.
Views about the anatomical body moving in space maps of a dance room. 
Improvisational dancing techniques to widen your dancing vocabulary and learn again the value of deep listening in creating with others. 
It is a fine blend of personal agency and reflective connections with others.

Here is what you will go home with:
Practices to enable your continuing education of mind and body partnering to enhance your well being.
A wider view of what constitutes states of embodiment (a visible form of an idea), somatic experiences (of, affecting, or having to do with the body), and mindfulness (a mental state where one concentrates on the present moment calmly, without interfering.  
A renewed optimism about the ways you move and change and have your being totally present in the everyday dances that await.
Ways to reduce mental stressors and physical strains that often accompany you throughout the day.

I am charged and delighted to introduce Saskia Schreiber, a Soul Motion teacher, to those who are not familiar. She will be highlighting 3 of our class meeting times and bringing her teaching grace, intelligence, and creativity to our time together.  You can learn more about Saskia here.

If this speaks to you, join us in Portugal for a unique and memorable experience. No prior experience is necessary.

When: October 2-8, 2022
Where: Monte Velho, Portugal

RETREAT COSTS (IN EUROS)
Early Bird: Register before August 31st, 2022: 725,00 EUR (€) (Roughly $800 USD)
Regular Tuition: Register after August 31st, 2022: 815,00 EUR (€) (Roughly $900 USD)

ACCOMMODATIONS & MEALS:

Choices for Rooms:
1) Double occupancy with private bathroom, including meals = 627 EURO
2) Single occupancy with private bathroom, including meals = 837 EURO

*Price includes:
6 nights, 5 days full board
1 dinner on arrival day
1 breakfast on departure day

REGISTRATION STEPS:

1) Email Saskia directly for the Registration form: administration@saskiaschreiber.com
2) Every participant has to sign the form by hand and send it back to Saskia to ensure you have agreed to the terms & conditions.
3) Make a payment either by PayPal to info@saskiaschreiber.com or via money transfer, to be paid & accepted in EURO (€) only. Email Saskia for bank account information.
4) Payment for accommodation & meals is paid IN CASH IN EURO on day of arrival.

SCHEDULE
Retreat: Sunday, October 2nd - Saturday, October 8th, 2022

General meal times: Breakfast 8:30h, lunch 13:00h, dinner 19:00h

Sunday: arrival, check in as off 16h, optional: a welcome circle after dinner depending on arrival time of participants 
Monday: 10:00h Morning session / 16:00h Afternoon session / Dinner 18:30 / 20:00h Evening Session
Tuesday: 7:30h early morning session (Saskia) / 9:00h Breakfast / 10:00h Morning session / 16:00h Afternoon session
Wednesday: 10:00h Morning session/ 16:00h Afternoon session / Dinner 18:30 / 20:00h Evening Session ( Saskia + possible event)
Thursday: 7:30h early morning session / 9:00h Breakfast / 10:00h Morning session (Saskia) / free afternoon & evening (no dinner at Center)
Friday: 10:00h Morning session / 16:00h Afternoon session / Dinner 18:30 / 20:00h Evening Session
Saturday:  optional 7:30h early morning session / checkout after brunch by 12:00h

IMPORTANT INFO about TRAVEL
The retreat center is between Faro and Lagos, on the height of Albufeira. If you are flying to Portugal, you will probably have to fly via Lisboa (from North America), then take either a car from there and drive down south (approximately 2.5 hours - beautiful ride!) , or take the train, or to take another plane towards Faro.
We have a travel agent happy to support you in booking flights and organizing car rentals. I have spoken to the travel agent in my region. She is happy to support us with booking flights and organizing car rentals. Here is her contact info: Ute Schaaf, ute.schaaf@takeoff-reisen.de, Mobile: +49 (0) 173 1423566

*Rental car is also recommended for visiting Faro, Sarges, nearby beaches, shopping, and other activities.
Questions? Email caitlin@soulmotion.com.

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