Product Description

Contact Improvisation: An Intimacy with Nature
Trusting Spontaneity | Building Bonds of Affection | Realising Human Potential

5 Night Easter Residential
Led by Richard Parker and Lucy Thomas

About the Workshop
During the renewal of spring, immerse yourself in a unique Contact Improvisation residential retreat that blends studio practice with the breathtaking beauty of Findhorn’s expansive beaches, whispering woodlands, and rolling sand dunes. Connect deeply with yourself, others and the Earth as the rhythms of nature inspire us in our movement journey.

This retreat invites you to explore intimacy—with yourself, with others, and with the natural landscape around us. Through Contact Improvisation, we’ll delve into the creative flow of life, trusting the wisdom of our bodies and the intelligence of spontaneity. Together, we’ll build bonds of affection that deepen our connection to human potential and to the more hidden, profound truth of our intimacy with Life itself.

Findhorn Ecovillage, with its rich natural environment and new emerging community initiatives, inspires the heart of this retreat.  It provides the perfect backdrop for a Contact Improvisation retreat, with its beautiful landscapes inspiring grounding and presence and its community culture of warmth and togetherness.

Its landscape offers endless possibilities for embodied exploration, while its warm community energy nurtures a sense of belonging. In addition to movement in beautiful studios, you’ll have the chance to relax in the sauna, hot tub, or simply immerse yourself in the healing presence of nature. This is an opportunity to dance into wholeness, integrating connection and exploring a positive future we can embody together.

About the Facilitators
Join Richard Parker, the founder of Emerging Hearts Contact Improvisation Dance Camp, and Lucy Thomas, the creator of Being Whole, for this immersive and collaborative residential that explores the practice of Contact improvisation as an inspiration for a life fully lived; aligned, creative and spontaneous.

Richard Parker the founder of Emerging Hearts Contact Improvisation Camp, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the realm of Contact Improvisation, ensuring a dynamic and enriching experience for all participants, known for his focus on community and transformative dance experiences.

Lucy Thomas is a skilled facilitator of transformational spaces which encourage embodiment, spontaneity, joy, relaxation and intimacy with Nature. She is committed to serving the people and land of Findhorn Bay and weaves nature’s principles into the many local movement-based events that she organises on both land and water.

This retreat offers an opportunity to experience the unique blend of Richard and Lucy’s expertise within the holding of this natural landscape. Prepare to be immersed in the elements, unplug, have your cobwebs blown sideways, and feel the earth beneath your feet; reconnecting you with your sense of natural wholeness.

About the Venue
Nestled along Scotland’s stunning Moray coastline, Findhorn Ecovillage an internationally recognised long-standing intentional community, strives to be a model of low-impact, connected living. Now beginning an exciting new chapter of its life where independent community initiatives are at the forefront. There is huge excitement in welcoming visitors who will enjoy and add to the creative, emergent dynamic.

Whether in the studio or moving under the open sky, Findhorn offers a space to deepen your practice and nourish your connection to the earth and one another.

The Universal Hall, our studio for the retreat, was built by literally thousands of people over ten years and at its heart, is an auditorium that is great for dance. Close to the studio is a circular dancing green, a hot tub, sauna with a view, Findhorn Bay, the beach, and dunes.  We will also be using the Sunshine Room, a cosy and bright venue with direct access to being outside.

There is the Phoenix shop and cafe on site and a 15-minute walk into the historic Findhorn Village gives you two more cafes and two pubs. A short car ride away is the extraordinarily beautiful riparian woodland along the River Findhorn. Many of these features will play a part in the retreat.

Accommodation
At Findhorn Ecovillage, your retreat experience is complemented by warm and inviting accommodations in the Guest Lodge and Bunkhouse. Situated in the centre of the eco-village, these spaces offer comfort and simplicity, creating an ideal home base for our retreat; a sanctuary to rest and reflect and also a place to foster a sense of camaraderie and connection.

Food
The residential is fully catered with vegetarian / vegan breakfast, lunch and dinner. We’ll be cooked for by Karen Grant, a community member and experienced retreat chef.

Outline of the Schedule
The sessions will be held in a mix of venues including the dance studio, dancing green, woodland, beach, dunes and river.

• In-depth Contact Improvisation Classes & Jams
• Authentic Movement
• Magical River Exploration
• Bless Dance (a weekly community happening by Findhorn Bay)
• Sauna to Sea Dip
• Tour of the Site
• Heartfelt Community Experience
• Fire Side Social
• Meeting the Locals
• Delicious Food
• Optional: Authentic Movement in Hydrotherapy Pool
• Optional: Daily Hot Tubs

Level
This retreat is not suitable for anyone completely new to Contact Improvisation, but it welcomes anyone who has begun to explore the practice, from those with some basic experience to well-seasoned practitioners.

Pricing
Full retreat residential options vary from £475 – £695

Full retreat non-residential option for £350

Arrange your accommodation either camping/campervan onsite (contact Findhorn Bay Holiday Park to arrange) or staying offsite. Please book with us before making arrangements.

At Emerging Hearts we hope to make our events as accessible as possible. We understand that while we try to price our events reasonably, support may still be needed.  If you need financial support, we offer the option of paying in instalments.
Special single-session tickets for local residents only. Contact Lucy for the ticket link.