Kaynaktan Portugal Dance Retreat

October 4th-7th, 2024

Monte da Orada, Portugal

Join us in a journey of connecting with ancient movement in the Portuguese mountains

Date: October 4th-7th, 2024

Location: Monte da Orada Retreat Centre, PORTUGAL

Following our first gathering in Topanga CA, we are now carrying this movement through to the stunning landscape of the south of Portugal. We welcome participants of all levels of comfort with movement, into a collective exploration of three distinct cultural dances passed down through generations in different parts of the world. Together, we will observe how the meanings and stories behind these ancient movements can find space in our own bodies and guide us in our own personal and collective lives.

Offerings:

  • A time for deep self-inquiry and connection through the wisdom of age-old movement traditions with the guidance of master teachers;

    • West African movement workshop inspired by Angolan, Mandingue, and Congo styles, with Marisa Paulo

    • Indian dance workshop featuring Kalbeliya and Bhangra styles, with Kritika Thakur

    • Romani gypsy dances workshop, with Monica Roncon

  • 3 nights in a stunning retreat space in the magical landscape of Portugal; including beautiful accommodation, temple spaces to move in, massage and spa options, sauna and ice baths, outdoor bathtubs, bio pool and water canal;

  • Moving Meditation session offering therapeutic movement and somatic exploration sessions awakening presence within your sensing body;

  • “Embodied storytelling workshop” offering a space for connection with the stories we tell about ourselves and the world through somatic exploration;

  • Ancient Labyrinth ritual ceremony

  • The opportunity to reflect on all that has moved within you through watercolor integration, journaling sessions, and guided restorative sessions;

  • Nourishing your body with health-conscious, seasonal vegetarian meals

LEARN FROM WISDOM KEEPERS

  • Born in Luanda, Marisa Paulo sees herself as an artist and researcher of African dances and movements.

    In recent years she has focussed her research on the body of black women in the Diaspora. In 2021, she premiered her dance performance IN(visível), a first-person narrative about her concerns as an African woman who has become a person in the diaspora. In 2023, she premiered the performance RE-trato, a journey into the artist's emotional memories of her maternal grandmother. In 2024, she premiered the documentary performance FRAGMENTOS, which represents black women as producers of knowledge, knowledge about their own history.

    She has worked as a co-creator performer in the shows 3 Cores Negras (2023), by Iris de Brito; Rio de Muanes (2023), by Denise Zenicola; MASK (2022), by the Coletivo Muanes Dançateatro; and in shows by Alcateia Companhia Artística (2020-2019). He is also an active member of the União Negra das Artes, which aims to promote, elevate and strengthen black representation in the Portuguese artistic field, as well as recognising and valuing the intangible heritage of the black population in Portugal.


  • Kritika Thakur is an Indian dance teacher, choreographer and a performer with an experience of 12 years in various Indian and western dance styles including Bollywood, Indian Folk dances (Ghoomar, Kalbeliya, Garba, Dandiya, Bhangra, etc), semi classical Kathak and Bharatanatyam, Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary, latin, Hip Hop, Dancehall, High Heels etc. She has performed in more than 1000 live stage shows in India and in many other countries like Egypt, China, Russia, Dubai, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Andorra, and Sri Lanka. She has also worked in BOLLYWOOD industry in Mumbai, India as a performer and choreographer in various big productions like SIIMA and Vanitha Awards. She has been the lead Female artist in 3 Bollywood Musical productions based in India. Being a daughter of professional Yoga Teachers, she has practiced Yoga since her childhood and that helped in her dance training as well.

    She moved to Portugal in 2017 after getting married to a Portuguese musician and since then she has been spreading her art and culture all over Portugal and Europe. She has started her own dance company and academy ´´Zariya Indian Performing Arts ́ ́ based in Porto under her artistic direction and management. Zariya has participated in many cultural events and festivals in Portugal and Europe including events with the Embassy of India in Lisbon, Hindu Community Porto & Lisbon, festivals like Tradidanças, Rock in Rio (Portugal), Outono Quente, Momentus Lisbon, Fim de Semana Alternativo ( Ferreira do Alentejo), etc. Zariya has also been invited many times to national TV channels RTP1 and TVI ( Praça da Alegria, Temos Artista Especial Tradições, Cristina com Vida, Em Família), Got Talent 2024.

    Kritika has also judged in dance competitions All Dance Portugal, All Dance International and Portugal a Dançar. She has spreaded Indian dance culture through her dance classes and workshops to thousands of people all over Portugal and continues to spread her work through her versatile skills.

  • Mónica is a Portuguese-Spanish artist living in Cascais with a passion for the poetry of gesture.

    She began her artistic career in 1991 at the Célia Neves school in Lisbon, studying flamenco, regional Spanish dances and Escuela Bolera.

    Having further dedicated herself to the research of contemporary movement, martial arts, music and percussion, among other disciplines, for some years, it was to the study of European Romani dances and culture that she has been devoting most of her artistic career.

    With a degree in Modern Languages and Literatures and a parallel career as a translator and interpreter, she performed and taught all over Europe in the context of the Danza Duende International School, founded by Yumma Mudra, for nineteen years.

    Having recently returned to the study of flamenco from a renewed more mature perspective, Mónica feels that her artistic and vital quest are related to the cyclical search for the primordial motivation that precedes each word, each emotion, each thought and each gesture, the one that almost escapes us between each breath, and which can reveal the freshness, humour, joy and enthusiasm inherent to the discovery of a new step, a new impulse, a new self and a new day on this incredible journey that is life.

RETREAT IN THE MOUNTAINS

ACCOMODATION

Private Independent Suites

There are 6 private independent suites, all of them facing sunrise and the mandala gardens.They are very central, and have easy access to all areas, particularly the sauna and the biopool. Each suite has two single beds or a double bed and a private bathroom.

Main House Private Suites

The Main House is a rebuilt beautiful traditional Portuguese adobe house, facing the sacred fire and valley. It is very central and has easy access to all areas, particularly the meditation temple. The private suites have one double or two single beds with shared bathrooms.

Shared Bungalows

The Bungalows are charming shelters located in a more secluded area, with beautiful vistas to the Valley. There are two shared bungalows with 4 single beds. Each one of them has their own private bathroom and hot showers. There is also an outdoor bathtub with a breath-taking vista over the forest. They are ideal for the ones looking for a more secluded space, but are 100 meters away from from the centre.

Creek View Studio

This is an independent studio, rebuilt beautiful traditional Portuguese adobe house, with a privilege view of the creek and valley. There are two shared floors/rooms, each with 3 single beds and a bathroom and shower.

Main House Dorms

The Main House is a rebuilt beautiful traditional Portuguese adobe house, facing the sacred fire and valley. It is very central and has easy access to all areas, particularly the meditation temple. There are is a dorm room with 8 bunkbeds and a mezzanine with 5 futon beds. There are two shared bathrooms and easy access to the independent community showers, for men and women, so no one needs to wait.

Shared Glamping Tent (SOLD OUT)

The wilderness is beauty, sleeping in nature is adventurous and yet very comfortable, so we invite you to embrace this one of a kind experience. The tent has 3 single beds and easy access to hot shower and eco toilet.

TESTIMONIALS

Miriam Peretz (taught Whirling and Sacred Circle Dances at Kaynaktan Topanga Dance Workshop)

“I felt grateful to be able to share my offering with such a warm, loving, open and creative group. I am so happy to be included in this vision and really look forward to more!”

Hasti Voss (participated in Kaynaktan Topanga Dance Workshop)

“This workshop wasn’t just about moving our bodies, but learning about deep traditions of movement. It all somehow connected back to nature, to the source.”

Marie Towler (participated in Kaynaktan Topanga Dance Workshop)

“I cannot thank you enough for the love and care you shared throughout the workshop. The community you are creating is a beautiful blossom of Love, light, story, dance and movement. I am so grateful to have been a part of this inaugural workshop and appreciate your open hearts, wisdom, and vision for creating this space!”

PROGRAM

October 4th

3:00pm - Arrival

3:00pm - 5:30pm - Settling in & Wellness Break

5:30pm - 7:00pm - Opening Circle

7:00pm - 8:00pm - Dinner

8:00pm — Fire, jam session, etc.

October 5th

8:00 - 9:00am - Opening & Movement with Becky Hicks

9:00 - 10:00am - Breakfast

10:00am - 1:00pm - African movement with Marisa Paulo (with breaks)

1:00pm - 2:30pm - Lunch Break

2:30pm - 5:30pm - Indian dance with Kritika Kaur

5:30pm - 6:00pm - Break

6:00pm - 7:00pm - Sound Healing with Melody Sanderson

7:00pm - 8:00pm - Dinner

8:00pm - Sauna, hot tub etc.

October 6th

8:00 - 9:00am - Opening & Movement with Ruya Gunergin

9:00-10:00am - Breakfast

10:00am - 1:00pm - Romani Gypsy Dance with Monica Roncon

1:00pm - 2:30pm - Lunch Break

2:30pm - 4:00pm - Integration

4:00pm - 5:00pm - Wellness break

5:00pm - 7:00pm - Labyrinth with Laura Esculcas

7:00pm - 8:00pm - Dinner

8:00pm - Fire-side dancing

October 7th

8:00-9:00am - Opening & Movement

9:00-10:00 am - Breakfast

10:00-11:30am - Closing Circle

12:00pm - leaving

Pricing

All prices include retreat ticket, accommodation and all meals for the duration of the program.

If you would like to share a private suite with a friend or partner please reach out to us for reduced prices.

There is a space available for a photographer/videographer to attend free of cost. Please reach out to us if this is you.

If you require financial support to be able to attend, or wish to set up a payment plan, please email kaynaktandance@gmail.com.

Early bird pricing ends July 15th.

We look forward to welcoming you on our retreat.

€1500

Option to share with a friend/partner for reduced rates

(1 spot left)

Independent Private Suites

€1100

(SOLD OUT)

Main House Private Suites

€950

(2 spots left)

Shared Creek View Studio

Shared Bungalows

€950

(SOLD OUT)

Main House Dorms

€650

(4 spots left)

Shared Glamping Tent

€350

(SOLD OUT)