Week of November 21-26, 2010

5Rhythms® Ecstatic Dance Celebration: Gratitude, Grace and Thanksgiving

Join Ellen and Lucia for this special time of year in the American calendar. It is a time to pause and give thanks for our abundance, appreciate the founding of this country, thank the Native Americans for sharing their bounty with our forefathers, and celebrate in the 5Rhythms ecstatic dance practice.

The leaders have lived a combined total of more than fifty years at Esalen and in Big Sur. They write: "The baths of Esalen are our Mother Temple, and Huxley the room where we were birthed into the Dance. This week we'll combine our passions through teaching the 5Rhythms Dance practice, touch, ritual, and ceremony to honor the opening of the holiday season, of Advent, of Solstice, and of one year's end and the beginning of another.

"We will dance ourselves from fullness to emptiness and return again and again. We will gather plants, herbs, flowers, and roots for brewing an herbal bath. Weather permitting, we'll prepare for a Native American sweat lodge on Thursday morning. After the sweat lodge, we'll have a sea salt scrub and herbal bath while we give thanks for all that has meaning in our lives. We dedicate this retreat to embodying gratitude and grace, and giving thanks to our creator for the blessings in our lives." This workshop is open to everyone. Please bring a journal and your favorite pen. Jazz shoes are useful.

Please note: There will be a celebratory Thanksgiving dinner in the Esalen Lodge.

Recommended reading: Roth, Sweat Your Prayers; Steindl-Rast, Gratefulness, The Heart of Prayer. Recommended viewing (DVD): Watson, SpiritDance.

CEUs available for bodyworkers.

Reservations Information (Accommodations & Pricing)