II Silent Contact Retreat

Welcome to our Facebook event page. We want to start by expressing our gratitude for your interest in this project. We hope you will continue to be interested after you read the OVERVIEW and you understand what you are being invited to. Sasha, Nirvan, Mario & Auri. SILENT CONTACT RETREAT 1-7 July 2019 Quinta da Enxara - Portugal INDEX 1. OVERVIEW 2. WHY THIS RETREAT? 3. CONCEPT A. SILENCE B. PRACTICES C. PARTICIPANTS 4. VENUE 5. FOOD 6. TEAM 7. PRICES 8. REGISTRATION 9. SILENCE AND AUTHENTIC MOVEMENT 1. OVERVIEW The 2nd Silent Contact Retreat is a gathering for experienced CI practitioners who wish to spend a week moving and living in silent awareness. It's a Contact Improvisation event that is not structured around classes or workshops. Instead, it's a container, carefully designed for deepening the CI practice and journeying into self-knowledge. The main structure of the gathering orbits around three fundamental pillars: Verbal Silence, Contact Improvisation and Authentic Movement, plus a strong invitation and support for meditation and a Deeper Silence. An environment to be silent and fully immerse in the CI practice, whether you choose to move or to be still. A format that questions and reveals the meaning of movement, expression, and dance. 2. WHY JOINING THIS RETREAT? Here are some of the reasons you might resonate with: You feel like most CI events don't gather all the necessary conditions to support a full immersion into the practice. It does happen at times, but not as often and intense, as you would like it to be. You feel that being busy with classes and following the proposals of teachers, takes you away from your own rhythms, solutions and from situations of uncertainty, that can be full of creativity and self-knowledge potential. You are motivated by questions like: What is true for me now? What do I want now? What happens if I don’t choose what I want? What happens If I choose not to choose? In what way can I join others, so it will nourish my needs and feed my interest? In what way can I join others, so it will nourish their needs and feed their interests? Can I be moved, without my own guidance? you feel like most CI events don’t give space to explore these questions, because of a strong expectation to follow the proposed activities, and you find little space to bring alternative proposals, which may be felt as not supportive of the organization script. You are not so interested in classes, but rather in the jamming and labbing experience. Looking for a place to learn from yourself and from your peers, instead of learning from the teacher's voice. And you might feel that the jams take just a small part of the day, and the classes are the main focus. You don't find space for meditation and silence and you feel that chatting fills most of the free time. Finally, you perceive a tendency to lose awareness of the body sensations, for example when the meal times are mixed with socializing time, which leads us to emotional eating or eating in an inattentive way. Frequently end up overeating, which does not support the dance. In summary, you are noticing the magic happening in those few moments when people stay focused, and not when they are told what to do. And then a common flow is created out of true listening, as the expression of a common field. If you resonate with these motives, let us introduce you the Silent Contact Retreat. 3. CONCEPT A 7-day gathering for deep immersion. In these days, we consciously and deliberately remove any distractions which may interfere with the attention, focus, and genuine deep connection. The structure that is offered provides the conditions to keep oneself comfortable, focused and naturally Integrated with the flow. For this purpose, the conditions are set on various levels… 3.A. Silence A lot of time and energy in most CI events is directed to verbal communication and socialization. We invite you to take that energy into your movement research, your meditation, and self-contemplation. This is truly an exceptional opportunity to leave aside all the social noise and daily life tasks knowing that you are not expected to behave according to the habitual social conventions. The deeper presence and subtler focus become more evident as the verbal communication is removed… In this retreat, we empower the recognition of our own self, from there awareness becomes tangible and manifests through our dance. To get there, Verbal Silence is essential. Silence, however, is not to be taken simply as the absence of verbal communication. That is a start, but let's go further. We encourage you to go deeper and drop other default habits and conventions related to social acceptance or politeness, like nodding the head or smiling when we meet someone in the way. To ensure the above stated we all agree to the following SILENCE COMMITMENT: We commit to: - Avoid Verbal communication and be aware of the boundaries and choices of others. - Avoid the use of communication devices. (if you find it convenient you can leave yours under the care of the organization for the duration of the Retreat). There is no supervision or judgment over personal actions and choices, but breaking these basic commitments can compromise the overall experience of the group. Who goes into this kind of behavior, may be requested to leave the retreat. We also commit to doing our best in: Understanding, that each one follows her/his own process. Respecting and supporting those who go deeper into silence or meditation Not judging those who stay only within the frame of the Verbal Silence. Being mindful in every interaction. Exceptions to the SILENCE COMMITMENT: Need for emotional support. Team members are available to listen and give emotional support to participants if needed. Practical needs will be addressed in a simple non-verbal way. Everyday In the frame of the Morning Silent Listening structure there will be a 15-minute space with the possibility of unilateral verbal expression to take place (meaning it excludes dialogues, commentaries or advice) The team follows the same commitment as the participants, and will only meet with the purpose of managing the practical needs of the retreat. The organization has a phone number and an email address available that participants can share with any close person, relative, friend, partner or whom they want. Both are being checked during the day, and participants will be notified immediately if someone requests so. This is, however, a resource to be used in cases of emergency, therefore we request discretion. Delicate situations, in which the participant needs to communicate with the outside (for example, a seriously ill relative, or a child in the care of another person), have to be communicated in advance to the organization. In such cases, an exception could be made, as long as it doesn't compromise the process. 3.B. Practices Contact Improvisation, Authentic Movement structures, Meditation, Artistic Expression and Connection/Exploration of the surrounding nature. Those are the core activities. The basic daily structure gives space to a personal morning practice, Group Contemplations, an Open Jam (unstructured), an Authentic Movement structure, and an Evening Score. Besides that, there are additional studios available for proposing parallel activities, as well as two other spaces dedicated to quiet meditation and artistic expression. (See next Topic 4. VENUE) The Evening Scores and the Scores inspired in the Authentic Movement (AM) Discipline are proposed by individuals and selected by the group. This happens using a simple process that proved to work very efficiently during the first edition of the Retreat. 3.C. Participants Because of the nature of the retreat, a request of experience is needed. Without that requirement, it wouldn't even be responsible to make an invitation like this. To apply we request the following experience: Regarding Contact Improvisation and the Scores inspired in the AM discipline, we request a certain concrete experience, in order to ensure a common ground of understanding. Because of the Silent nature of the retreat, there won't be explanations, neither lessons, therefore the principles that inform these practices must be known and familiar for all. It's worth saying that it is not required dancing acrobatic skills, technique, or any degree of virtuosity. This event is also an invitation to explore and pursue conscious awareness of oneself and the environment, as well as to inquire about the patterns that distract us from that. And even though this is an invitation and not a condition, we expect your willingness to explore and support these with the quality of your presence. In order to register for the Silent Contact Retreat, participants have to fill a Form. The answers will be read carefully, and if it is clear that both applicant and retreat fit each other then we’ll confirm the invitation to join. If there is a need for further clarifications, one of the organizers will ask to have a “Skype” meeting, in order to discuss and reach more clarity. This is done in the sincere spirit of taking care of the persons and the retreat, for the benefit of all the group. Ultimately, if a person's attendance is considered inconvenient, they will be informed, as well as the reasons for such consideration. We ask for the understanding that such a decision is not personal, and not comfortable to make. 4. VENUE The retreat takes place in Portugal, at Quinta da Enxara Retreat Center. Quinta da Enxara is located in the natural surroundings of Enxara do Bispo, Mafra County, just 30 minutes away from Lisbon, either by car or by bus. Quinta da Enxara has accommodation capacity for more than 50 people, in double, triple, quadruple rooms and six-bed dormitories, distributed by the main Woodhouse and yurts located on the outside space. The large and comfortable main Woodhouse (900m2), also composed by one cozy dining hall, in between the kitchen and the beautiful common chill out areas, is completed by the greenhouse - equipped with facilities that allow you to inhabit it with creativity, from meals to chill out, or some art tapestry, and a lovely balcony. The accommodation of participants is completed by yurts located on the nature outside space. The yurts are sacredly built and very cozy distributed in double and quadruple accommodation. The spaces for the activities: Main dance floor: At the highest point of the Retreat Center we have a dome with 120 m2 wooden floor, with a view to the surrounding nature through translucent panels. The dome is thermic protected and acclimatized, surrounded by a large deck to the nature views of the valley and the mountain – Serra do Socorro. Studio: The main Woodhouse as a rectangular dance floor with 110 m2 wooden floor, acclimatized, meditation chairs, yoga mats, cushions, and blankets, to host parallel proposals, just beside a nice grass area that leads you to the lake/natural pool. Meditation room: A smaller Dome permanently available. And we are studying another possibility in a wooden smaller space in the top views of the property. Artistic expression space: a permanently available space with different tools, paints, body paints, clay, and materials for the flow of your expressiveness. ​Lake / natural pool: a place to refresh ourselves during the hot times of the day. Wooden Steam Sauna: we can use it to relax our muscles and joints. Massage/Therapies room: Adjacent to the main dancefloor, to keep the dance space focused in the movement. While you walk through the natural paths of the property you will find arborist constructions, a labyrinth, a swing, a fire shelter where usually is performed tea ceremonies, a sacred fire protected from the wind, and artist points and structures of interest. Walks through the property can be extending to the outside nature surroundings that allow you to make great walks in the area. 5. FOOD We have 3 meals per day. The food is prepared with local and season products from a local cooperative located on the agricultural surrounded area. And as much as possible, the fresh products from the vegetable garden are used. Herbal tea and fruits will be available throughout the day. Food is vegetarian, with vegan food available. Any special request/health condition will be acknowledged as best as possible if communicated in advance. You are invited to bring with you any treat or delicacy of your choice. No alcoholic drinks, meat or fish are allowed. 6. TEAM Mario Blanco (Spain-Argentina) Contact Improvisation dancer, facilitator, and organizer. Organizer of the Water & Land Contact Festival in Thailand (ci-thai.com). Life Coach. Body Worker (Zen Shiatsu). Freediving instructor. Creator and facilitator of OceanDance (Oceandance.net) Sasha Bezrodnova (Russia) Contact Improvisation dancer, teacher of body awareness and CI. Organizer of the Water & Land Contact Festival in Thailand (ci-thai.com), Ladoga Dance Village Festival in Russia (ladoga-dance.ru). Social Psychologist, Embodiment facilitator, Bodymind Gestalt therapist. Creator and facilitator of OceanDance (Oceandance.net) Auri Ladeira.(Angola-Portugal) Contact Improvisation dancer, facilitator and organizer of CI Workshops, CI Intensive Classes and events in Portugal and Spain. Creator and facilitator of Ponto Contact and Lisbon Friday Jam. Creator and facilitator at Sincronia Contact and AlmaZen9 (Madrid). Trees healer and whisperer, Ancient Tantra Kriya Yoga Instructor and Bodyworker. Nirvan (Portugal) Spiritual apprentice, researcher explorer. CI and Chi Kung practitioner. Facilitator and organizer of CI and Movement Awareness events... in land and water. Aquatic Bodyworker, Therapist & Artist. 7. PRICES The base costs we have to pay (accommodation, food, materials) are € 250 per person. Retreat Price: Until May 31 Early Bird Organization Fee € 110 + base costs € 250 Total € 360 ---------------------------Supportive price € 340---------------------------- Supportive price: Understanding that not everyone is in conditions of paying the € 360, which we found to be the adequate for this event, we propose an alternative for whoever is willing to participate but cannot afford to pay the entire price. After May 31 Full Organization Fee € 150 + base costs € 250 Total € 400 8. REGISTRATION In order to Register we request that you follow the following link, and answer the form: https://goo.gl/forms/oUvH1lP6cxs7hkt22 Following registration, we will contact you to confirm that your request is accepted and we will ask you to confirm by paying a deposit of € 125. If you have other questions that are not addressed here, please write us to: [email protected] 9. SILENCE AND AUTHENTIC MOVEMENT AUTHENTIC MOVEMENT is a movement practice pioneered by Mary Starks Whitehouse in the '50s that evolved through different perspectives with the subsequent offerings of different teachers (most notably Janet Adler, who coined the term Authentic Movement). The practice typically involves verbal sharing. Since we are in a context of silence, other structures will be proposed and sharings will happen through silent means.