The SomAcrobatic Retreat
Overview
The SomAcrobatic Retreat is one week of full time training with Coach Sol, Caitlin of Duo Die, and Julian Wong. Throughout the week you will learn how to make impressive partner acrobatic skills feel fun and easy through the use of core somatic principles. The main curriculum is supplemented by private lessons and guided open training.
We also live, train, eat, chat and play as a community. You will be supported by both your coaches and each other to feel welcome, safe, warm and happy as we create this experience together.
Why Somatics?
Somatics is the practice of developing your own awareness of your body and movement. Integrating somatic principles allows us to develop easy, effective and beautiful acrobatic technique.
Let's look at an example. Have you ever struggled with the cue 'use your legs'? Usually, after hearing this cue an acrobat will simply try to activate their leg muscles even harder, to middling results. Somatic practice helps reveal that the issue is rarely raw strength, but instead things like timing, direction of force, or connectedness. Somatic practice also provides the physical awareness needed to solve those issues, and suddenly you can generate much more power than you ever could have managed by just turning on your muscles really hard.
This is just one example of so very many, where somatic practice can solve common acrobatic pitfalls, or even improve already functional technique. This retreat will explore these principles, and connect them to your acrobatic practice, improving your technique and setting you up for future success.
Your Coaches
Coach Sol, Catlin Cook of Duo Die, and Julian Wong are your coaching dream team, eager to offer their passion and expertise. Coach Sol is known for the clear systems he develops for acrobatic practice and tuition which provides easy pathways for students to hit their goals. Caitlin is an internationally acclaimed acrobatic coach with over a decade of experience training, teaching, and developing progressive acrobatic programs with Duo Die. Julian rounds out the team as a Feldenkrais practitioner and dancer, with a particular skill for kindly leading people towards a better understanding of their own body.
Important Details
Dates
November Saturday the 14th to Saturday the 21st
Prerequisites
The content will be scalable, covering a range of levels. However, to attend you must be comfortable doing a two high and low foot to hand.
Accommodation
Choice of shared rooms or camping.
Shared rooms are a range of existing beds and improvised sleeping situations. They are first come, first serve. Please bring warm bedding, including mattresses. If you have questions, please reach out.
Weather
Most of the training is indoors, however outside training is possible but weather dependent. Please bring clothes appropriate for any weather changes.
Location
559 Ashbourne road, Woodend, Victoria
Partners
Please book with an acrobatic partner or group. If you do not have one, please reach out and we will try to find you a partner.
Food
You may use the kitchen on site to prepare your own food. Groceries can be bought in town, 10 minutes drive away.
Hours
The main training hours are 9-5. This is full time training, which can be a lot if new to you. We will support you to rest and take care of yourself throughout.
Schedule
The full schedule is still being finalised and will be released soon. In the meantime, here is some key information:
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Each training day will include somatic and acroabtic tuition and open training.
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You will have 1-3 private lessons during the week, depending on final numbers and scheduling.
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Acrobatic content will include many popular skills including cut ups, pitching and courbettes among others.
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Arrival and welcome chat will be on the Friday 13/11, the night before we start.
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The main training days are Saturday - Thursday, and run 9am - 5pm.
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Friday 2oth will be focused on games, open training and community.
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Departures are Friday night / Saturday morning.
Tickets
Standard Ticket: $900
Minimum Price: $600
We are offering a sliding scale ticket price for this event. It is important to us to keep this event accessible amidst the rising cost of living. This means that you can set the price of your own ticket to an amount that works for you. However, there is a minimum price of $600, to keep the event viable. Payment plan options are also possible by agreement.
We value this event at $900. If you are able and want to help cover the cost of other attendees' tickets, choosing a higher amount is greatly appreciated.
Tickets are inclusive of 6 days of full time coaching, private lessons, and accommodation.
Book here
