Trance & Transformation: A 5Rhythms® & Mindfulness Immersion

Photos: Carl Kerridge Photography

“Move until you are moved.”
— Gabrielle Roth

Come Back to the Body

The body is a gateway—a powerful vessel through which we can move, listen, feel, and be moved.

Trance can emerge when we get out of the way enough for embodied presence to take over. When we step out of the thinking mind and return to the body, we create space for something deeper to unfold: awareness, healing, connection, and transformation.

The practice of 5Rhythms® offers tools for cultivating this relationship with ourselves—not only on the dance floor, but in our everyday lives. When we have the courage to move the body, the heart and mind are often invited to follow.

The Dance Between Movement & Stillness

Throughout this workshop, we will explore two complementary pathways of awareness: the stillness of Buddhist mindfulness meditation and the moving meditation of 5Rhythms®.

The Buddha encouraged us to bring wise attention to every aspect of our lives. In 5Rhythms, we practice that attention while the body is in motion—listening, following, expressing, and allowing movement to become meditation.

In sitting practice, we turn toward the quieter landscape of the mind and body through silence and introspection.

Together, these two practices mirror the natural rhythm of life: movement and stillness, expression and listening, doing and being.

By moving between these polarities, we open the possibility of greater presence, balance, well-being, and peace.

What to Expect

The majority of our time together will be spent dancing and exploring the 5Rhythms practice.

The workshop will also include:

• 5Rhythms® movement and dance
• Teachings on 5Rhythms philosophy and secular mindfulness
• Short meditation practices of approximately 5–20 minutes each day
• Group sharing and reflection
• Time for questions and conversation

No previous experience with 5Rhythms, dance, or meditation is required. Come exactly as you are, with a willingness to listen to your body and follow where it leads.

All workshop hours contribute toward 5Rhythms® Teacher Training prerequisites.

Participants should bring to the workshop:

• Comfortable, breathable clothing that you don’t mind getting good and sweaty in + Layers.
•  We will dance barefoot or in soft soled dance shoes. No street/outside shoes.
•  Journal + Pen
•  A Zafu/Meditation Cushion for our seated meditations.
•  Shawl or Blanket for wrapping up/laying down & (optional eye pillow)
•  A Yoga Mat and Blanket if you want some cushion laying down on the floor (Saturday only)
•  Refillable water bottle.
•  Snacks/Lunch to refuel (if they are not having lunch with the group at the restaurant)

Stay at the Farm

Make the workshop a true retreat by staying with us at The Horse Shoe Farm.

Set among the mountains of Western North Carolina, the farm offers space to linger in the experience—to wake with the land, rest between sessions, wander the property, and allow the movement of the workshop to continue settling into the body.

Rather than moving immediately from practice back into the pace of everyday life, staying onsite offers another rhythm: practice, nourishment, nature, rest, and connection.

Guests are invited to explore accommodations at The Horse Shoe Farm and make a home here for the duration of the retreat.

Guest Facilitator

We are blessed to be joined this weekend by Leah Song of Rising Appalachia. She will weave song in and throughout our weekend, seeding harmony and co-regulation throughout. On Sunday Leah will lead a special session with us as we together create unity through song.

She called this work:

Song, Movement and Folk Choir

Leah Song’s vocal workshops explore sound vibration and body movement as tools for self-awareness and sound.  The space is created to help each participant to embody the physical art of making sound from all the many resonators in the body. This workshop session utilizes the expressions through movement and music, using a variety of techniques including vocal contact improv, creative sound improvisations, singing techniques and movement (drawing upon yoga, contact improv, martial arts, and modern dance), and expressive group song. Join our growing Folk Choir and learn to create your own sound palate.