Dance Retreats
Expanding Movement & Mind: A Three-Part Laban Inspired Journey
The first retreat will take place on May 30, 31, and June 1. Click below on the ‘More Details & Registration‘ button.
I’m excited to share my knowledge of Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) and its integration into dance. My journey with LMA began in 2010, leading to full certification (CMA) in 2015 through the New York Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies. Since then, I’ve applied this work across dance, physical theatre, and body psychotherapy, discovering its transformative power in each field. Laban’s approach offers a profound way to explore movement, and I can’t wait to guiding you through it.
In addition to this intensive exploration, I will incorporate my expertise in Somatic Practices, as I am also a body-oriented therapist. For me, movement and somatic awareness are inseparable; one informs and enriches the other. This approach will not only enhance your dancing but also positively influence your daily life, mental well-being, and may even offer therapeutic insights.
Discover how you move and how you can expand your movement vocabulary and creativity, refine your expressivity, and deepen your connection to your body, your use of space, dynamics and intention. These retreats invite fusion belly dancers to explore the transformative potential of Laban Movement Analysis and Somatic Practices in a structured yet adaptable way, leaving you with practical tools to enrich your dance.
All retreats will take place at Rancho PeleLuz, our co-living space nestled in the beautiful mountains of Xixona (Spain). To ensure personal attention and in-depth guidance, each retreat is limited to only 6 dancers. This small group setting allows for tailored feedback and a supportive, intimate learning environment.
The program unfolds in three phases, each building on the previous one for a deeper exploration of movement. You can choose whether to continue after Phase I or II, depending on your goals and time. Every phase offers a unique opportunity for growth, artistic expansion, and personal transformation—the journey is yours to shape.
The Three Phases:
Exploring the Essentials
Movement begins with awareness. In this foundational phase, The Moving Canvas, we explore the core principles of Laban Movement Analysis: Body, Effort, Shape, and Space. Just like a painter needs a diverse palette, a dancer thrives on a rich vocabulary of movement. Through guided explorations, improvisation, and structured exercises, you will deepen your understanding of how your body moves, how energy is expressed, how shapes transform in space, and how movement choices shape artistic expression.
This phase is about building a strong, versatile foundation—expanding your movement possibilities, refining spatial awareness, and unlocking new ways of expression. Whether you’re new to Laban’s work or seeking to refine your artistry, this phase will provide the tools to move with more clarity, intention, and creativity.
Redefining Movement Habits
Once we understand movement, we can begin to transform it. In Breaking Patterns, we dive deeper into the relationships between effort, space, shape, and body, exploring movement dualities and the contrasts that bring depth and nuance to dance.
This phase is about breaking free from habitual movement patterns and discovering new ways of embodying movement with greater awareness and expression. Through somatic and improvisational practices, we will unravel unconscious habits, introduce new movement possibilities, and explore the potential of movement as a transformative and even therapeutic experience. By embracing contrast—fluidity vs. strength, control vs. surrender, expansion vs. contraction—you will uncover new layers of movement intelligence that enhance both your artistry and personal growth.
From Analysis to Artistry
Movement analysis becomes artistry in this final phase. Embodied Expression is where we apply everything we’ve explored in a performance-intensive setting. We analyze movement tendencies, refine choreographic choices, and integrate new movement habits to craft expressive, intentional performances.
This phase is about movement as communication—how do we shape movement into something meaningful? How can we make conscious movement choices that enhance storytelling, presence, and authenticity? Through structured improvisation, feedback sessions, and performance coaching, you will hone your movement identity, refine your expressivity, and push the boundaries of your artistic voice.
The journey concludes with an opportunity to share and reflect, celebrating the expanded movement range, deeper embodiment, and newfound confidence you have cultivated throughout the retreat.