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RESTIVAL 2023 – Yoga, Meditation, Nature-Sauna, Rest & Reset Retreat!
October 25, 2023 @ 4:00 pm - October 29, 2023 @ 4:00 pm BST
RESTIVAL® 2023 – the Rest and Reset retreat
- ~ WHEN? Wed 25 Oct – Sun 29 Oct 2023 (or join us for the *weekend only Fri 27 Oct- Sun 29 Oct, *weekend tickets on sale from 11 October to prioritise whole retreat bookings due to limited accommodation)
- ~ WHERE? Gillingham, North Dorset (5 min drive from the train station)
ACCOMMODATION & CAMPERVANS ARE EXTRA: *PLEASE BOOK HERE (LIMITED AVAILABILITY, YOU CAN ALSO FIND A LOCAL AIRBNB)
>>>Any questions, please email Diana: youareyoubeyou@gmail.com
We are super excited to announce RESTIVAL® this October! It is a retreat devoted to Rest, Relaxation, Nervous System Reset, Sound Journeys, Yoga, and Radiant Wellbeing!
A busy summer has flown by and you long to relax, rest and rejuvenate? Are you feeling tired, stressed and sluggish? Is your immune system struggling? Is your mind, body and soul hankering for a reset? If the answer is ‘YES’, then Restival® – is for you! Join us on this beautifully created retreat!
💙Restival® is an invitation to rejuvenate your entire body and awaken your life-force energy! Restore creative, mental, physical, social, emotional, sensory and spiritual balance.
In this 2 or 4 day retreat be nourished, re-centre, calm & ground whilst becoming more motivated, inspired, and empowered. Enjoy and breathe in the fresh countryside air, rest, meditate, ground, move, feel more centered, calm, strong and radiantly healthy from the inside out as you feel stresses and strains melt away. The aim of the Restival® is to de-stress, create space for self-care, self-love and learn practices to tackle exhaustion & burn-out.
Make the most of the beautiful Autumn time and enjoy all that comes with it—the crisp air, falling leaves, misty mornings, cozy atmosphere, saunas, campfires and lot more we’ve included in this transformation retreat!
“Steam rising underneath a canopy of whispering, changing aspens; starlight in the clear, dark night, and wondrous beauty in every direction. If only all could feel this way, to be so captured and enthralled with autumn.” -Donna Lynn Hope
💛WHAT TO EXPECT?
- An array of mind-body modalities: variety of yoga, movement, meditation, relaxation workshops in beautiful indoor spaces, weather permitting we will run workshops outdoors, surrounded by nature, ancient oak trees and crisp Autumn air!
- Next level, unique sound journey/ gong bath and yoga nidra guided meditation sessions in our Aerial Relaxation Pods – hammocks!
- Saunas, cold showers, venik sessions, body scrubs
- Heart-warming Chai! Made from fresh spices, vegan, caffeine/sugar/ gluten free
- Campfires, Live music performances and singing
- Revitalising Nature walks in Dorset countryside
- Alcohol and drug-free environment
- Delicious vegetarian/ vegan meals – breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Immune boosting juice and healthy snack cafe (additional cost)
- An assortment of bodywork/massage professionals for 1:1 sessions (additional cost)
- Coaching guides for 1:1 sessions (additional cost)
💛WHAT IS RESTIVAL® ALL ABOUT & WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN:
Whether you are looking for a way to better deal with the everyday stresses of life, get away from the City life and connect to Nature or whether you just simply want to try new body-mind and relaxation practices, move & rest, meet and connect with new people, relax in the sauna, treat yourself to a massage, at Restival® we invite you to explore Rest & Reset tools & practices during this deep dive of 2 or 4 days and discover the positive benefits for yourself!
- Learn transformational exercises for grounding, releasing fear/stress/ tension/ trauma from the body, and developing deeper presence and body awareness
- Connect with your body and mind through a cross-section of approaches
- Experience powerful Somatic Psychology & Humanistic Embodiment Practices
- Find your creativity, free your body and mind through yoga and relaxation
- Attune to Nature, the living environment and come home to your Ecstatic-Self
- Explore a wide variety of Yoga and Meditation processes
- Unleash vitality and activate your subtle body systems to heal
- Discover how to use the power of energy to harness your own biology for healing
- Practise techniques to increase your vitality
- An opportunity for a a Digital Detox!
- Experiential, immersive and not-to-be-missed retreat! Rest, Relax & Rejuvenate
All welcome! RSVP and invite your friends on Facebook!
💛RESTIVAL® RETREAT TEAM
- Seth Newman – Retreat Host, Guided Creativity and Yoga Nidra Mediations, Bioenergetics & Qigong, Shaking Medicine, Dance of Awareness, Ecstatic Dance, Sound Journeys, 1:1 Coaching
- Diana River – Retreat Co-Host, Organizer, Sound Journeys, Sauna Venik Rituals & Body Scrubs, Singing, Chai
- Emilia & Pamela – Yoga (Yin & Vinyasa)
- Yvonne – Acupuncture/ Fire cupping
- Monika – Deep Tissue Massage
- Luciana – Lomi Lomi Massage
- Emilia – Thai Massage
- Rachael – Foot Massage/ Reflexology
- Ramana – Chair Massage
- TBC – Other Facilitators/ Musicians
💛 EXAMPLE DAILY SCHEDULE
8:00AM – 9:00 AM Morning Yoga / Qigong
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Yummy Breakfast
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Guided Meditation
11:00AM – 1:00 PM Free Time/ Massages/ Nature Walk / Outdoor Ecstatic Dance
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Magnificent Lunch
2:00PM – 3:00 PM Guided Yoga Nidra / Sound Journey in Hammocks
3:00 PM – 6:30 PM Free Time/ Sauna/ Massages / Coaching / Nature Walk
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM Delicious Dinner
8:00 PM – 9:00 PM Guided Yoga Nidra / Sound Journey in Hammocks/Partner Thai Massage or Partner Yoga/ Ecstatic Dance
9:00 PM – 11:00 PM Sauna/ *Campfire, Caffeine free Chai & Storytelling/ Music (*Campfire weather depending)
PLEASE NOTE: this is just an example schedule, all workshops and timings might change slightly as we want to offer some flexibility with the schedule during the retreat. Full itinerary to be published closer to the time.
<<<<<*~ PRACTICAL INFORMATION ~*>>>>>
♥ PRICES
PRICES: Included in the retreat ticket price: All workshops, 3 x vegetarian meals per day (12 meals in total), teas/coffees, daily afternoon sauna sessions. Please note camping is included in the ticket price, but indoor accommodation/campervan space is an additional cost, see more info below.
-*WEEKEND TICKETS (*on sale from 11 October to prioritise whole retreat bookings due to limited accommodation): £220 (Food, Workshops + Saunas) DEPOSIT £100 + Eventbrite Fee (balance of £120 due by 27 October, details in order confirmation email) Accommodation is Extra!
-FIRST RELEASE (limited spaces): £400 (Food, Workshops + Saunas) DEPOSIT £100 + Eventbrite Fee (balance of £300 due by 11 October, details in order confirmation email) Accommodation is Extra!
-SECOND RELEASE: £450 (Food, Workshops + Saunas) DEPOSIT £100 + Eventbrite Fee (balance of £350 due by 15 October, details in order confirmation email) Accommodation is Extra!
-FINAL RELEASE: £500 (Food, Workshops + Saunas) DEPOSIT £100 + Eventbrite Fee (balance of £400 due by 25 October, details in order confirmation email) Accommodation is Extra!
EVENTBRITE ORDER CONFIRMATION: Email might be in the spam folder. Please check. Do not print any paper tickets, we will check you in by your name.
– Unfortunately no dogs/ other pets are permitted on site.
– Children/kids: Unfortunately this year’s retreat will not be suitable for under 16’s.
♥ ACCOMMODATION
ACCOMMODATION & CAMPERVANS ARE EXTRA: *PLEASE BOOK HERE
*Weekend only booking – please see availability on the booking link and PHONE DIRECTLY Osho Leela Bookings office on 01747821221 and pay over the phone for the 2 nights.
CAMPING: Camping is included in the ticket price however it’s not advisable to camp at this time of the year.
SHARED GLAMPING: £60 for 4 nights Female or Male glamping tents. Please don’t book this if you snore.
SHARED DORMS: £40 for 4 nights Female or Male dorms. Please don’t book this if you snore.
SHARED DELUXE DORMS: £80 for 4 nights Female dorms (with double beds & privacy curtains). Please don’t book this if you snore.
PRIVATE ROOMS: £100-£200 for 4 nights (private rooms in house, mobile homes, caravans, single/ double pod, pine lodge)
CAMPERVAN SPACE: £40 for 4 nights (stay in your own live-in vehicle, hook up available for extra £12)
NEARBY ACCOMMODATION: Please check local Airbnb options in Gillingham if you prefer.
♥ VENUE, ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE TIMES
RESTIVAL® site is located 10 minute drive by car from Gillingham train station in North Dorset
ADDRESS: Osho Leela Personal Development Centre, Thorngrove House, Common Mead Ln, Gillingham SP8 4RE
GOOGLE MAPS: https://goo.gl/maps/4h35B1mBQSjACieZ6 (same road turn as the Thorngrove Garden Centre so look out for signs)
ARRIVAL: Please aim to arrive between 4pm-6.30pm on the first day to allow time to check-in, explore the grounds and settle in. There will be a welcome grounding yoga sessions from 5.30pm followed by dinner at 6:30pm. (Weekend arrivals: please also aim to arrive between 4pm-6.30pm)
DEPARTURE: The retreat will end with a sauna & guided meditation after lunch on the last day and there will be plenty of time to pack up and depart. Aim to depart between 4pm-6pm to give yourself enough time. Please do not leave before the end of the retreat.
EXTRA NIGHT’S STAY: Option to stay on site until Monday 30 Oct, 11am for a reduced rate of £22 including dinner & breakfast. If you’re staying in any accommodation, there will be a charge for extra night accordingly. Sign ups and payments – please go to the Osho Leela office directly on Sunday, 29 Oct after lunch.
FACILITIES: 2 indoor workshop spaces, indoor & outdoor dining areas, tea/coffee available at any time, juices/coffee & snacks available to purchase in the cafe, plenty of outdoor spaces/beautiful nature for walks, sauna in the afternoons, showers/toilets in the main house and also in the purpose build shower/toilet block, power sockets available in all accommodation, hang out areas & sofas in the main house.
♥ MASSAGES
Available for additional cost, card payments will be accepted. Sign ups and more details will be provided closer to the retreat time.
♥ TRAVEL/ CARS/ TRAINS/TAXI
TRAINS: Nearest train station Gillingham, Dorset (not Kent!!!) Please check https://www.thetrainline.com for train tickets and train schedules. There are local taxi services and we will send a list closer to the retreat time with contact details to all participants. One way journey from station to venue will cost under £10. We do encourage car & taxi sharing if possible as it’s more eco friendly.
CAR PARK ON SITE FREE OF CHARGE: there is a car park available on site free of charge to all retreat attendees. As much as possible, please arrange car shares to limit the carbon footprint and reduce the amount of cars on site.
LIFT SHARES: Attendees will receive a link to a WhatsApp group & a spreadsheet to arrange lift shares and train journeys. Link will be sent closer to the retreat time.
TAXI: There are local taxi services and we recommend booking taxi in advance. One way journey from station to venue will cost under £10. We do encourage car & taxi sharing if possible as it’s more eco friendly. Some taxi numbers:
♥ FOOD/ DISHES HELP
MEALS: All meals are included (3 meals per day, total 12 meals) or if coming for weekend only it’s 6 meals in total. Venue runs a vegetarian/vegan kitchen and does its best to meet the most common food requirements for guests such as gluten free/ lactose free/ vegan and all dishes will be clearly labelled. Venue might not be able to cater for other special diets. Please complete dietary requirement section in the Eventbrite booking form. Teas/coffees available at anytime with a selection of alternative milks. Filtered drinking water also available to refill your water bottles. There is also a coffee/ shop which is run by Osho Leela community and will be open at certain times during the day.
DISHES HELP: Retreat takes place at Osho Leela and there is a community of people who already live there or have joined one of their live-in programmes. To support the community and help with the practicalities, retreat participants will be required to help once during the retreat with the dishes- either one day after lunch or dinner. Many thanks in advance for your support with this.
♥ WHAT TO BRING
We encourage all participants to have a Digital Detox during the retreat and to switch off phones. Maybe bring a simple alarm clock so you can wake up for morning yoga.
- If you have booked accommodation, please note that all bedding is provided, however please do bring your own towel.
- Camping gear for those who choose to camp (tent, pegs, mattress, insulating mat, sleeping bag or duvet, pillow, extra blanket, hot water bottle, camping light etc)
- Reusable water bottle
- Yoga Mat & blanket (we will also provide these as well as cushions and blindfolds)
- Ground coffee & cafetiere for coffee lovers (venue provides instant coffee and has limited cafetiere’s so please bring your own if you have one). Cafe will be open at certain times so you will be able to buy a proper coffee/lattes etc if you wish to.
- Torch (head torches are really useful)
- Clothing in layers suitable for movement/ dancing
- Clothing & boots/shoes suitable for hiking/ outdoors
- Waterproofs or umbrella in case of rain
- Warm jacket or jumper for evenings as temperature will drop during the night
- Swimsuit/ swim shorts for sauna
- Towel
- Ear-plugs (if you’re a light sleeper)
- Toiletries: (natural & biodegradable products if possible please)
- Acoustic music instruments if you wish to such as guitar or ukulele
- Snacks such as nuts/ dried fruit/ flapjacks/ avocados etc for when you get peckish or if you want extra yummy things (there is a cafe on site)
- Personal items such as phone/ charger/ card/ keys etc.
- Anything else you think will make the retreat more comfortable for you!
♥ CANCELLATION POLICY
We offer this retreat in order to support the growth of physical and mental wellness of attendees and it requires many hours of organisation and planning. We ensure we have sufficient funds to do this with the following policy:
– Participants join the retreat at their own risk. Urubu School of Transformational Arts accepts no responsibility for spontaneous joy, open-heartedness, calm & rest.
CANCELLATION BY ATTENDEES:
-All retreat tickets are non-refundable and deposit of £100 is non refundable. If you cannot attend the retreat due to any reason or personal matter including covid, we will not be able to issue a retreat ticket refund, sorry.
-Accommodation bookings are refundable if minimum of 30 days notice is provided (through external provider)
-You are welcome to pass on your retreat ticket to a friend, colleague or family member, resell your ticket or consider gifting your place to someone, there are many people in our network who do not have the funds to attend such a retreat. Please let us know name and email address of the person attending in your place by sending us an email with replacement person’s details to: youareyoubeyou@gmail.com
CANCELLATION BY THE ORGANIZER/VENUE:
Due to situations beyond our control, Ecstatic Dance London reserves the right to change booking or cancel the retreat and shall inform the customer as soon as possible. You may transfer your full payment to another retreat or you may request a refund of your payment to us, constituting a full settlement. Alternative arrangements will be offered but we do not accept responsibility for any costs incurred, including travel. Ecstatic Dance London is not responsible for your expenses incurred in preparation for any cancelled retreat such as travel costs, loss of work, and/or other costs associated with preparing for your trip. As organizers of this retreat, we do not take any responsibility for any matters beyond our control or for any covid related matters that occur during the retreat.
RETREAT ORGANISERS & HOSTS:
♥ Seth Newman: As the founder of the URUBU School of Transformational Arts, he integrates the roots of Humanistic therapies, Bioenergetics & Body Psychotherapy, Transpersonal Psychology and Tantra in creative and life-transforming workshops, retreats, festivals and trainings. As a coach, Seth is dedicated to helping people calm, empower and rejuvenate their busy minds and bodies to achieve the best versions of themselves. Seth brings a wealth of experience holding heart-centered spaces. His in-depth studies, trainings and personal experiences of many therapeutic modalities infuse his approach to living a creative, holistic & embodied life and sharing his unique offerings with others. Seth has been facilitating regular workshops for many years.
As a musician, Seth is deeply passionate about rhythm & drumming, has an MA in Community Music from Goldsmith College, worked as a world music percussion teacher in East London schools for almost 20 years and started URUBU collective back in 2009 as a Live Music Ecstatic Dance experience with Afro-Brazilian drummers & musicians, started his journey as an avid DJ with a love for Afro-Beat, Cuban and Brazilian music and created an Ecstatic Dance scene in London and the UK. Seth has a life-long passion for 5 Rhythms and other movement and Ecstatic Dance practices.
URUBU has since evolved into a School of Transformational Arts – offering a variety of powerful holistic body-mind tools and practices.
♥ Diana River: Trained in classical music from a young age, and later in contemporary music, Diana carries a life-long passion for singing, improvising and re-imagining traditional Celtic and folk songs with her own melodic vision. A singer at heart, she connects deeply with the melodies and harmonies of ancient Europe and beyond. She is passionate about bringing practices of rest and embodiment to others and has a keen interest in wellbeing and body therapy. Through her singing and Sound Journeys, her intention is to guide you on a journey of reconnection and self-discovery, reuniting you with the source of who you are.
She will be offering short Sauna Venik treatments (during sauna sessions). Drawn on the elements of wood, fire and water, the venik is the instrument that brings all three together in the ritual of the venik massage. The venik is a bundle of small leafy branches harvested during the summer when the trees/ plants are in flower and tied together to form something resembling a crude broom (veniks are usually made from birch, oak or eucalyptus leaves) and soaked until supple and used in the sauna to massage the body and to direct the steam from the stove, capture and move the steam and to massage the body in the right way. A Beautiful, sacred ritual in which the venik is used to invoke the gods of wood, fire and water. Essential oils will also be used in the venik sessions for deeper experience.
Diana is a co-creator and co-facilitator of many Ecstatic Dance London wellbeing classes, workshops, retreats, festivals. She will also be offering complimentary Chai! Heart-warming home made from fresh spices, vegan, caffeine/sugar/ gluten free. Super yummy!
♥ MORE INFO ABOUT OUR WORKSHOPS:
AERIAL RELAXATION PODS – Breathwork, Meditations, Yoga Nidra, and Sound Journeys in our beautiful Hammocks.
BIOENERGETIC ALCHEMY® – We work with our bodies to transform and to heal. A unique movement experience, where we begin to soften the muscular tension and chronic holding in our bodies through a series of gentle stretches, grounding and self-expression exercises.
SOUND JOURNEYS – Multi-sensory sound journey experience with live ambient music, and aromatherapy to soothe your stresses away and lift your spirit! An immersive restorative experience inviting your body and nervous system into a deeply relaxed state. An opportunity to relax and reconnect with yourself through deep relaxation and guided meditation while basking in Cosmic, Ethereal Vocals and Electronic Soundscapes, Textures, Crystal Singing Bowls, Gongs and much much more.
HAMMOCKS – We all instinctively know about the power of a soothing, repetitive rocking motion and this in combination with live ambient soundscapes and aromatherapy is a potent synthesis for deep relaxation. The gentle rocking of a hammock will boost brain wave oscillations associated with better sleep and has been shown to provide a fertile ground for deep relaxation. More specifically, the rocking fortifies the brain waves that are naturally present during sleep which help maintain deep relaxation.
YOGA NIDRA – Conscious Sleep Guided Meditation for Deep Body Relaxation and Mind Alertness. Yoga Nidra is an ancient form of guided meditative practice that focuses on breathing techniques, body sensing, emotional relaxation, and guided consciousness meditation. We often combine Yoga Nidra with Live Music Sound Journey. A very unique experience!
MEDITATIONS / YOGA – Get present with a selection of powerful meditation practices, wake up your body and ease your way into the day. More info will be added about different types of Yoga.
SINGING – As everything is vibrating so are we. There can be no sound without a vibration. Explore and let your voice be heard in a safe environment. Discover the joy of singing, the non-judgmental aspect of singing, the communal part of it, the part where differences are reconciled and we’re all just in it together, that’s the truly uplifting power of singing. The history of music and singing has always been communal. Meditate, sing or listen. Yes, even just listening can activate some of the oxytocin release, that social bonding hormone. A beautiful and powerful way to start/end our day together at the retreat.
SAUNA VENIK SESSIONS – Drawn on the elements of wood, fire and water, the venik is the instrument that brings all three together in the ritual of the venik massage. The venik is a bundle of small leafy branches harvested during the summer when the trees/ plants are in flower and tied together to form something resembling a crude broom (veniks are usually made from birch, oak or eucalyptus leaves) and soaked until supple and used in the sauna to massage the body and to direct the steam from the stove, capture and move the steam and to massage the body in the right way. A Beautiful, sacred ritual in which the venik is used to invoke the gods of wood, fire and water. Essential oils will also be used in the venik sessions for deeper experience.
… and much, much more with amazing people who look to Rest & Reset their bodies & minds!
♥ FEEDBACK FROM PREVIOUS RETREATS/FESTIVALS:
“That was a very beautiful experience. An amazing journey inward & out. To express in a free space filled with joyful vibes & gorgeous smiling faces. In sound, in rhythm, in motion, in colour, in sweat, the Dance, the Soul.” Cath
“The smiles, the kind eyes, the bits when I lost myself in the music, the joy of the moments when it felt as if the whole room was jumping in unison.” Salvo
“ What a profound experience! The music was so beautiful … it carried me effortlessly inward facilitating a deep connection to Spirit, moving my body in a way that I felt I had little control over. It was magical! Thank you ” Ashley
“Thank you guys. This was an exceptional experience of deep healing, awakening, and opening. I feel so light, peaceful, and full of Love. Through the workshops we took, I touched some of my wounds, gently but deeply releasing and healing what was ready to be alchemised. Thank you to all the other lovely participants. Please organise the next one soon! ” Tanja
“ The workshop gave me the opportunity to go deeper into my body and discover new experiences which I hadn’t been able to tap into before. It was a good mix of different exercises, and I had a really blissful experience with the breathwork.” Vijay
” I feel so grateful I had the opportunity to attend this workshop. I felt that Seth, through his presence, allowing, way of being, created a very unique, safe space in which I could release, discover, explore and meet different aspects of myself. I was amazed how during the two days I was – often unexpectedly and gently – led to bring forth and embrace a child, an ancient woman, an animal, a spoiled brat, a mother, a lover, a goddess… Also through Seth’s guidance and suggestions I felt within very short spaces of time both my immense sorrow/yearning/pain and my immense joy/gratitude, realising how close to each other these seemingly opposites are. Today I feel a more solid belonging in the world, and a heightened awareness of the soles of my feet on the floor, like the earth, was more magnetic!” Maria
INSTAGRAM: @urubu_school_of_transformation, @ecstaticdance_london, @aerialrelaxationpods FACEBOOK: Ecstatic Dance London, URUBU, Ecstatic Dance Temple, Ecstatic Dance Festivals FACEBOOK GROUPS: URUBU - Ecstatic Dance London, Ecstatic Dance London MEETUP: Urubu's Ecstatic Dance & Moving Meditation Community, Ecstatic Dance Temple YOUTUBE: URUBU School of Transformational Arts WEBSITE: ecstaticdancelondon.com EMAIL: youareyoubeyou@gmail.com URUBU - YOU ARE YOU, BE YOU!