The Somacrobatic Retreat
Overview
Last year's retreat proved that somatic practice is an amazing tool to develop excellent acrobatic technique. Now we are back to go even deeper, and to give you the somatic tools that will elevate your acrobatic practice.
Each day we will explore different key principles of body and movement, before applying them to our acrobatic techniques. You will learn awesome skills, essential physical principles and how they connect. Alongside the core classes, you will receive private lessons focused on your personal goals, and have access to open training.
Throughout the week, we will 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 and knowledge of your body and how it moves, to improve your physical capabilities. Understanding and applying 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 just turning on your muscles really hard could ever manage.
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 all sorts of somatic 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.
Tickets
Early Bird: $800 Until Sept 30th
Standard: $900
Tickets are inclusive of 6 days of full time coaching, private lessons, and accommodation.
Book here
Important Details
Dates
Novemeber 14 - 21
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
Outside training is 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 night before we start, 13/11.
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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.
Cancellation Policy
>1 months notice - full refund
<1 month's notice - 1/2 refund
<2 week's notice - no refund