Ecstatic Dance Summer Retreat • 2-5 Aug 2024

Exeter, United Kingdom

EE
Ecstatic Experiences
  • Email address verified
66 reviews
Aug 2 - 5, 2024
Group size: 35 - 40
Ecstatic Dance Summer Retreat • 2-5 Aug 2024
Exeter, United Kingdom

Ecstatic Experiences
  • Email address verified
66 reviews

Aug 2 - 5, 2024
Group size: 35 - 40

About this trip

Join us for a transformational 4 days of community living on the enchanting lands of Embercombe, nestled in the heart of Devon. Expect epic Ecstatic Dance journeys, heart-opening workshops, delicious wholesome food, meaningful connections, tears, laughter and everything in between. Come as you are, all of you is welcome here

PROGRAM

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

TEAM

Renée Lacroix — Retreat leader, Ecstatic Dance DJ & facilitator

Pixi Pete — Ecstatic Dance DJ & facilitator

Elise Yuill Cohen — Yoga teach & kirtan leader

Charlie Bishop — Musician & sound healer

Iona McNeil — Authentic Relating & movement 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 5-6 pm on Friday 2 August 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 3 pm on Monday 5 August.

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 deposit 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! Most of our participants 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 gas heater or wood burner. 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.


-I'm unemployed/student/on a low income. Do you offer concessions? We have a Pay-it-forward sponsorship scheme where we match generous sponsors with those who aren't in a financial position to pay full price to attend our retreats. You can fill in the application form here. If you're in a position to pay more and you wish to sponsor someone, you can do so here.


-Do you have any volunteering opportunities? We don't, but if you're not in a position to pay full price, you can apply to our sponsorship scheme above.

 

-What is your cancellation policy? In the unlikely case that we have to cancel the retreat, a full refund will be offered. In case of cancellation from your side less than 60 days from retreat start date, no refunds or transfers will be offered. Click here to read our full Terms & Conditions.


-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.

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. 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
    Daily Ecstatic Dance, 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

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
  • Yoga mat
    Optional but handy

Available Packages

Camping & Vans

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

£495
Women's Shared Yurt

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

£525
Men's Shared Yurt

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

£525
Private Yurt

A single bed in a private yurt with wood burner or gas heater. Dry toilets and running water nearby. Bathroom facilities with hot showers available in the main building. Linen is provided. 

£725
Private Yurt for 2

Two single beds in a private yurt with wood burner or gas heater. Dry toilets and running water nearby. Bathroom facilities with hot showers available in the main building. Linen is provided. 

£575

Available options

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

Departure from Exeter station at 16:30 on Friday 2 Aug and drop-off by 16:00 on Monday 5 Aug.

Cacao 100g
£8
Deposit: £0
Cacao 500g
£33
Deposit: £0
Inner Compass cards
£35
Deposit: £0


Itinerary

Day 1
Landing

Make your way to Embercombe, our majestic retreat centre.


17:00-18:00 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.

Your Organizer


EE
Ecstatic Experiences
66 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

I didn't come on this retreat expecting a transformative experience but I received one! The facilitation was excellent; approachable, professional, encouraging, and friendly. I had never been on a retreat like this before OR done ecstatic dance before and I was welcomed with open arms! There is a lovely judgement-free atmosphere created by Renee and her team. I'd recommend this to anyone looking to connect with themselves, with others, or both. I stayed in a dome and loved it! The wood burning fire kept us warm, and taking a bath in the largest bathtub I've ever been in was very enjoyable. The setting is peaceful and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Try it out!
By Lindsay E for Women's Ecstatic Dance Retreat • 16-20 Oct 2024 on Oct 30, 2024
DL
This was my second time attending ED's retreat and the experience was incredible. The quality of the retreat is containing, professional and it allows lots of room for self connection and self discovery. I love that there is also opportunities for connecting with other like minded individuals. I have made some very deep connections that I value very much! I highly recommend the retreat and well done to Renee and the rest of the team. Keep going ! :)
By Denise L for Ecstatic Dance Summer Retreat • 2-5 Aug 2024 on Oct 10, 2024
Such a wonderful experience. I love Embercombe. Renee and her team designed a fantastic program and we all made very special connections. I will be back. Thank you x
By Joanne T for Ecstatic Dance Summer Retreat • 2-5 Aug 2024 on Aug 15, 2024
I loved and enjoyed every minute of the experience, wonderful facilitating, food, company and settings. This was my first ever retreat and it will not be my last. I was a little hesitant to share a sleeping yurt so I used my own tent, but actually I think I would have been fine to share a yurt, so next time to make the experience even easier I might try that. I’m not a vegan but there was so much delicious food I felt totally nourished all the time and was never hungry or felt lacking in anything, the Embercombe team did an incredible job. Thank you Renée and all the the team, looking forward to seeing and dancing with you again some point in the future. James xxx
By James D for Ecstatic Dance Summer Retreat • 2-5 Aug 2024 on Aug 15, 2024
My 4th Ecstatic Dance retreat at Embercombe and I hope to do more! Somehow Renée manages to put together experiences that are consistent in their quality, distinctive in their flavour and exceptionally inclusive across age, outlook and heritage. The magic starts almost immediately as unique individuals dance, mix and connect in the space that Renée, her co-facilitators and the amazing Embercombe team curate so beautifully. It’s hard to believe so much of value to such a diverse group of people can emerge so quickly. Many of the connections made by participants go on to be long term. The land and wildlife there also hold a very special kind of peace. I’ve never found anything quite like it anywhere else. Thank you.
By Phil T for Ecstatic Dance Summer Retreat • 2-5 Aug 2024 on Aug 08, 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