Why are we doing this?

90 per cent of our communication is nonverbal, thanks to all the little signals we send through our mimic, body posture, and adjustment of orientation and distance.

When there is silence, all our senses wake up to feed and support us. The nervous systems have it easier to talk to each other to create safety and connection. Usually, we don’t notice it. Within the silence, we might sense more of this profound human intelligence.

People who attend a silent CI retreat often appreciate the sense of clarity. We can hear our impulses connected to our needs more quickly and directly. Some encounters feel surprisingly like a talking dialogue, and later, it is hard to believe that no words were needed.

There is a sense of being present and alive on a journey while feeling held by and embedded in a group.

It is a setting where we build up resilience to move through uncomfortable situations, grow trust in our capacity for inner processes, and be more fully human.

When

Sunday 6 April 2025, 4pm (arrival from 1pm) to
Saturday 12 April around midday

Where

On a 140 acre property with multiple options for camping, a small dam, connection to the Conondale National Park. It is a school camp with basic facilities and lots of nature. We will dance on Aikido mats in a tent hall, which is rain-proof and has only some walls, so we’ll stay connected with nature while dancing.

243 Booloumba Creek Road, Cambroon QLD 4552

What

On the day of arrival and the first day we’ll slowly sink into silence. There will be opportunity to speak and familiarise with what to expect. In the coming days, we will be in silence without words and we can all really be with our inner world, connect deeply to what is going on inside. Is that comfortable and relaxing? Or is it a challenge and discipline?

There will be some scores and facilitated sessions to dance and a lot of free jamming. In the breaks, we can meditate and delve more deeply into our own world, or non-verbally connect with others. Nature is always available.

On the second last day, words are invited back, so we can harvest the insights and benefit from hearing each others journeys.

The inspiration for coming together like that was seeded last year in Norway. Alessandro Rivellino, Ann Kristin Holten, Auri Ladeira and Mario Blanco created a beautiful space to meet and dance in silence. We will use different ways of coming together, diving into the silence and coming out of it, but I want to share my deep gratitude for the work they have been and are putting into their silent contact retreats. Their next one is happening in Oslo in July 2025.

Who

This retreat is for contact improvisation dancers with enough experience to find their own way in jams. Some experience around silence or meditation is useful, but not essential.

Joerg Hassman & Alexander Kohl (Alec) will facilitate and hold space for this retreat. Most of you will know us, as we would have invited you. If someone else has invited you, please ask them about us. For Joerg, you can also check his website.

How much

$950 fully catered, inlcuding a bed in a tent dome dorm or camping with your own tent (there are also some limited double and single rooms available).

Registration

https://passionate.com.au/silent-contact-retreat/