Dance in Nature Retreat

How patterns of nature are being reflected in our moving?

How can we listen to nature in our bodies and our bodies in nature?

How can dance practice become a care practice for the self and the environment?

Στο διήμερο αυτό retreat θα εργαστούμε με τις αισθήσεις, την κίνηση, το άγγιγμα, την προσοχή γιά να  εξερευνήσουμε τους τρόπους με τους οποίους το εσωτερικό τοπίο και το τοπίο που μας περιβάλλει συναντιούνται, συνυπάρχουν και  συγχωνεύονται.

Observing patterns in nature we will try to cultivate the intelligence of the body and to experientially understand its anatomy, balance, imagination and functionality. In the same way we will try to absorb information about the body and dance through the soil, water, air, plants and animals.

The workshop MELT is an attempt for several different materials to meet and merge. The study of Permaculture, Skinner Releasing Technique of Joan Skinner, working physically in farming, ecosomatic practices, the relationship between dance and sound/rhythm are some elements brought together in this workshop along with an intention to play.

The purpose is to create together a context of experimenting through movement in search of kinaesthetic bliss. A context where dance emerges to connect ecology and physiology.

The two days MELT retreat invites you to dance sessions outdoors, on the deck under the pine trees of Skiaxtro eco farm, by the sea. We will also visit a river and dance    with plane trees, by the stream. The retreat also includes a live drumming dance session as well as time and space to discuss, reflect, roam, rest and enjoy nature and connection.

Accommodation is in luxurious, fully equipped Bell Tent type tents with a diameter of 5m, double or triple. It is also possible to stay in smaller tents (equipped with a mattress, sheets and electricity) for someone who wants to stay alone. Skiaxtro Eco Farm is located in Marathopoli, Messinia, 3 hours from Athens, and is a place of well-being, creativity and experiences made with a lot of love and passion so that visitors can relax and enjoy the tranquility of nature to the fullest.

Indicative program:

Παρασκευή 24/05/24 from 3pm

Arrival, settling in the tents, introduction circle, discussion, introduction to the workshops.

Σάββατο 25/05/24 : 

10:00-12:00 dance session Melt at Skiaxtro Eco Farm     

12:00 -13:30 lunch

13:30-18:00 excursion to the river and dance practice in nature

18:00    return to the farm

Κυριακή 26/05/24:

11:00-13:00 MELT dance session with live music (percussion) at Skiaxtro

13:00-14:00 lunch

14:00-15:00 processing, feedback, observation, discussion.

15:00 departure (possibility of additional stay at a preferential price upon consultation)

Cost 200 euro- Early bird price 180 euro until 10/04/2024

The price includes:

– A two-hour MELT dance session on the deck under the pines of Skiaxtro Eco Farm

– A dance session in nature

 A three-hour MELT dance session with live percussion by a group of experienced musicians (djembe, doun-doun)

–  Δύο διανυκτερεύσεις σε πολυτελείς σκηνές στο οικολογικό αγρόκτημα Σκιάχτρο

– Two meals with homemade, traditional, Mediterranean, vegetarian food from local and pure ingredients

To register, contact 6951820653 or 6937840077.

Βιογραφικό σημείωμα

Vasiliki Tsagkari has studied education at the University of Athens and dance at city of Bristol college in the UK. Then , from 2005 to 2010, she traveled in Europe and the U.S, attending classes and intensive workshops, designing and following her own nomadic dance study program.    She has trained in contemporary dance, and she has studied somatics, improvisation and instant composition with many different international teachers. Since 2004 she has been showing her personal work and collaborating with dancers, choreographers, musicians and visual artists, creating performances and performing in theatre, music and dance in Greece, England, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. She has taught release technique and improvisation to children and grown ups in Greece , Netherlands and U.K.    She is a certified Skinner Releasing teacher since 2016. She teaches contemporary dance, improvisation and Skinner Releasing to children and adults.

Recently she lives in Messinia, southwest Greece, where she takes care of an olive grove. Physical work close to the earth and the observation of natural elements throughout the cultivating process, have opened up a field of research that informs and influences a lot her approach to dance. Her main interests are sensitivity and sensuality in kin-aesthetics as well as the transformation of elements of everyday living into physical poetry. The experience of the body moving that asks to be shared, to be articulated as a public statement.