Ecstatic Dance Easter Retreat • 7-10 April 2023

Exeter, United Kingdom

EE
Ecstatic Experiences
  • Email address verified
59 reviews
Apr 7 - 10, 2023
Group size: 40 - 50
Ecstatic Dance Easter Retreat • 7-10 April 2023
Exeter, United Kingdom

Ecstatic Experiences
  • Email address verified
59 reviews

Apr 7 - 10, 2023
Group size: 40 - 50

About this trip

Come and spend your Easter weekend with us! A transformative 4 days of connection, movement, nature, wholesome food and magic in Devon's picturesque landscape.

PROGRAM

Click here to see full program description (subject to change).

TEAM

Renée Lacroix (Retreat leader, Ecstatic Dance facilitator & DJ)

Tallulah Rendall (Qi Gong teacher, musician & sound healer)

OSARA (Ecstatic Dance faciltiator & DJ)

Richard Batts (Ecstatic Dance facilitator & DJ)

Iona McNeil (Conscious Connection & Authentic Relating facilitator)

ABOUT EMBERCOMBE

Embercombe is an eco retreat centre overarching a beautiful and wilding 50 acre valley on the edge of Dartmoor National Park. 'It is place to find a deep connection with nature – wild nature around us and wild nature within us. It is a place to breathe, to reconsider, to regenerate and to relearn. It is a place to get clear on what it is you have to offer the world and become passionate about who you are and what you do.'

ACCOMMODATION: 3 NIGHTS

1. If you choose the accommodation option, you have the choice between a shared or private yurt with compost toilets and running water nearby. Full bathroom facilities with hot showers are available in the main building. Linen is provided.


2. If you choose the camping & van option, you need to bring your own tent/van and camping gear (ex. sleeping bag, mattress, pillow, blanket).

FOOD: 9 MEALS

All meals are included (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 3 dinners). Organic, vegan food is lovingly prepared on site using locally-sourced produce whenever possible. If you have any dietary restrictions or allergies, please let us know when booking.

ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE

We ask you to arrive between 4-6 pm on Friday 7 April to allow time to check-in, explore the grounds and settle in before we start. 


The retreat will start with dinner at 6:30 pm.  The retreat will end after lunch at 2 pm on Monday 10 April.

WHAT TO BRING

-Towel

-Torch (head torches are really useful)

-Clothing & boots suitable for the outdoors

-Rain jacket & wellies 

-Ear-plugs (if sharing a yurt)

-Hot water bottle

-Toiletries (natural & biodegradable products please)

PAYMENT

Non-refundable £100 deposit/person is required to book and secure your place. Balance due 30 days before retreat starts.


Please carefully read our Retreat T&Cs as by booking on our retreat, you become legally bound by these terms.

FAQ

-Can I come on my own? Absolutely! More than half of our participants actually come on their own, and many not knowing anyone else. Our retreats are highly inclusive and welcoming, and the program is designed to facilitate connections between one another with ice-breakers, group exercices and a daily sharing circle in small groups.


-I've never been on retreat or done an Ecstatic Dance before. Can I still join? Yes! While we would suggest that you try at least a conscious dance session (of any modality) to get a feel first, we always have a handful of participants who have never done Ecstatic Dance before coming on retreat. And for many of them it's also their first retreat.


-Is this a festival? No. Festivals are generally larger events with several programs/workshops to choose from and participants can arrive/leave as they wish, and meals are not communal. Our retreat is a closed container: we start and finish together. We are limiting the number of participants in order to create a more intimate gathering. There is one program and all the activities, including meals, are communal. We also ask participants to turn off their phones. Our retreat is an invitation to go deeper into your practice and let go of the outside world for the duration of a weekend.


-Are the accommodations heated? Yes, all accommodations are equipped with a wood burner to keep you warm at night. The main hall and other facilities are also heated.


-Can I come for only part of the retreat? No. Part of the reason our retreats are so powerful is due to the energy field we create together as a group. Having participants arrive later or leave early clashes with this group field. If you come on retreat with us, we ask that you commit to staying for the entire duration. 


-Are children welcome? Our retreats are not suitable for children. 


-Are dogs allowed? Unfortunately not.

 

-What is your cancellation policy? In the unlikely case that we have to cancel the retreat, a full refund will be offered. Deposits are non-refundable. In case of cancellation from your side less than 60 days from retreat start date, no refunds or transfers will be offered, without exception.


-If I can no longer make it, can I transfer my booking to someone? If you find someone to take your booking, there will be a £35 admin charge to transfer your booking to another person. If the retreat is fully booked and you want us sell your booking on your behalf, we will retain your deposit and refund you the balance only if we find a replacement and once they have paid in full. Please note we will only accept booking transfers and allow posts on our Facebook event/page if the retreat is fully booked.


-Any other questions? Send us an email and we'll aim to get back to you within 24 hours (48 hours during the weekend).

GETTING THERE

Embercombe, Higher Ashton, Exeter, EX6 7QQ

+44 (0) 1647 252983


By train

Exeter St David’s is the closest station which serves most of the UK. It’s approximately 7 miles from Embercombe. There is a taxi rank outside (one-way to Embercombe: £25) or you can walk to Exeter Central Bus Station which is approximately a 1.5 mile walk into town. We offer a return transfer to/from Exeter train station for £35 both ways (add-on when booking).


By bus

There is a 360 Dartline bus service from the Central Bus Station in  Exeter which stops 1.3 miles from Embercombe. Look for route name Exeter-Dunchideock-Bridford and get off the bus at the Belevedere Castle stop. On leaving the bus, continue along the top road. After 400 yards you’ll reach the Belvedere Castle entrance on your left. Opposite, there is a little road going down to the right, signposted Trusham and Ashton. Follow this road for approximately 20 minutes until you reach Embercombe’s main gate on the right.


By car 

-From the Southbound A38:

Follow the signs to Exeter Race Course. Climb the hill slowly and get  into the left hand lane, at the top of the hill (Haldon Hill) take the left exit marked Dunchideock and Exeter Race Course. Pay particular attention as you do not get much warning of the exit! Turn right at the roundabout at the end of the sliproad towards  Dunchideock and follow this road through Haldon Forest. After 1.7 miles, the road goes downhill into trees and just opposite is a forest car park area on your right. Take the sharp left turn signposted Trusham  & Ashton. Entrance to Embercombe is 1.2 miles down on the right.


-From the Northbound A38: At the top of Haldon Hill (A38) take the exit marked Dunchideock and  Exeter Race Course immediately after the petrol station. At the ‘T’  junction turn left and follow the road through Haldon Forest. After a 1.7miles, the road goes downhill into trees and just opposite a forest car park area on your right, take the sharp left turning signposted Trusham & Ashton. Entrance to Embercombe is 1.2 miles down on the  right.  


-Satellite navigation systems: We recommend that you don’t use your Sat Nav system to reach Embercombe. They’ve been found to be unreliable in the rural areas around Embercombe and visitors often arrive at the wrong address. Instead, simply put 'Embercombe' in Google Maps.

CONTACT US

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch via: Email | Facebook | Instagram 

We aim to reply to all messages within 24 hours (48 hours during weekends). 


We look forward to receiving from you! 


Renée & the team

What’s included

  • All activities
    All classes and workshops
  • Accommodation (3 nights)
    Your choice of accommodation (yurt/cabin or camping)
  • Food (9 meals)
    Three vegan meals daily made from organic produce from onsite garden whenever possible
  • Hot showers
    Available on site

What’s not included

  • Transport to the venue
    We offer transfers to/from Exeter St David's station (please purchase add-on when booking)
  • Tent & camping gear
    If camping
  • Towel
    Please bring your own

Available Packages

Camping & Vans

Bring your own tent/van & sleeping gear. Dry toilets and running water nearby. Bathroom facilities with hot showers available in the main building.

£415
Triple Yurt - Women

A single bed in a yurt (shared with 2 others) with woodburner. Dry toilets and running water nearby. Bathroom facilities with hot showers available in the main building. Linen is provided.

£450
Triple Yurt - Men

A single bed in a yurt (shared with 1 others) with woodburner. Dry toilets and running water nearby.  Bathroom facilities with hot showers available in the main building. Linen is provided.

£450
Private Yurt

A single bed in a yurt (linen provided) with woodburner. Dry toilets and running water nearby.  Bathroom facilities with hot showers available in the main building.

£600
Private Cabin

A double bed in a cabin room (linen provided) with woodburner. Located next to main building with bathroom facilities & hot showers.

£600

Available options

Return transfer from/to Exeter St-David
£35
Sold Out

Departure from Exeter station at 16:30 on Friday 7 April and drop-off by 15:15 on Monday 10 April.

Inner Compass Cards
£35
Deposit: £0
Cacao 100g
£8
Deposit: £0
Cacao 500g
£30
Deposit: £0


Itinerary

Day 1
Landing

Make your way to Embercombe, our majestic retreat centre.


16:00-18:00 Upon arrival, check-in with our team, who will greet you and guide you to your yurt or camping area. Settle in, explore the grounds and get acquainted with the facilities.


18:30-19:30 Gather in the dining yurt for our first meal together where you'll be able to connect with fellow retreatants.


20:00-22:30 Join us in the main hall for an Opening Circle where we'll introduce ourselves and share practical points. Our retreat leader Renée will guide you into a short warm-up before bringing on an Ecstatic Dance journey. We'll end the evening with a live sound healing with our musician Tallulah.

Your Organizer


EE
Ecstatic Experiences
59 reviews
Ecstatic Experiences is a transformational events company run by Ecstatic Dance organiser, facilitator and DJ Renée Lacroix. Our mission is to create safe and sacred spaces for people from all ages and backgrounds to come together to connect and work on themselves through movement classes, sharing circles, self-development workshops and freeform dance. Our retreats embrace inclusivity, freedom of expression, openness and positivity. Join us for a truly transformative experience!

Reviews

AD
A unique opportunity. A beautiful microcosm. Everyone on their own journey. Honestly, it's hard to describe. I felt free and safe to explore, challenge myself, allow insights, and also to simply enjoy. The farm, lake and hills were gorgeous. I arrived without having met any of the other participants. I was a little apprehensive about this as I'm an introvert, but it felt easy to connect with the lovely, open-hearted group that we made. I'm also quite sensitive, one of those types who will tear-up on a dime, and I felt so free and safe to let emotions occur without judgement. I'm feeling so grateful for the entire experience.
By Audrey D for Ecstatic Dance Spring Retreat • 1-5 May 2024 on May 17, 2024
MG
My first experience of ecstatic dance retreat is definitely not my last. The landscape was amazingly beautiful, our apartments were cozy, the nutritious meals were revealing and the activities, memorable. Organizers, staff and participants were appreciated by all for their particular talents.
By Michelle G for Ecstatic Dance Spring Retreat • 1-5 May 2024 on May 15, 2024
This was an amazing trip on every level, from the beautiful nature of the site to the content and facilitation and management of the retreat it was all so loving, holding and enjoyable. Bonus points for the food provided on the site which was abundant, fresh and delicious. It was an incredible experience
By Julie M for Ecstatic Dance Spring Retreat • 1-5 May 2024 on May 09, 2024
Another retreat from this group. So much love , lessons, community, nourishment, safety, inner work, amazing food and place, all you need to process whichever you need to process/heal/go through.
By Rodrigo M for Ecstatic Dance Spring Retreat • 1-5 May 2024 on May 08, 2024
AT
deep, beautiful retreat in Devon, curated with a lot of care, run with a lot of love - thank you! it was magical
By Anna T for Ecstatic Dance Easter Retreat • 29 March - 1 April 2024 on Apr 10, 2024
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References

Simply amazing! I really recommend this kind of experience to make ourselves happier. Thanks all team . Lots of love Jan🤍🌻🤍
By Jannina M on 10 Aug, 2021