Join Kim for an immersive retreat exploring embodied sovereignty through the study of Authentic Movement. Through daily practice and immersion in nature, nourish yourself in the serene beauty of Aldermarsh.

Moving with eyes closed in the presence of a non-judgmental witness, participants soften attention inward, allowing sensation, impulse, and inner knowing to guide movement. Spaciousness and silence support restoration, clarity, and the reclaiming of embodied authority—offering a nourishing return to self, work, and world.

This retreat is meant for clinicians, dancers and caregivers who are seeking to deepen their understanding of somatic processes in their bodies, facilitate nervous system regulation through intentional generous embodiment, and connect with authority that is grounded in the wisdom of the body.

Continuing education is available for counselors and therapists through the Embodied Education Institute of Chicago.

Authentic Movement is a contemplative practice in which one moves in the presence of a nonjudgmental witness. The mover allows sensation, impulse, emotion and image to guide movement, and the witness remains present, holding a respectful container for the unfolding process. The mover then gives shape and words to the movement through creative writing, art and sharing.

Within the practice of Authentic Movement, we listen inward, allowing meaning to arise through the body in moments of spacious quiet, openness, and curiosity. Because the body itself is a portal to knowing—through thought, felt sense, emotion, and movement—it carries information and distills wisdom that can guide perception, decision-making, ethics, and action.

Embodied epistemology means recognizing the situated nature of all knowing, acknowledging that knowledge is always shaped by a particular body, location, and moment in time. Each person is unique, and as time moves, every body—human and more-than-human—continually changes.

In a time when our nervous systems and hearts are overwhelmed, and many bodies have been, and continue to be harmed or marginalized, we intentionally turn toward practices that ground and nourish from the bottom up, cultivating values of pleasure, integrity and communal care.

This supports authority that arises not from dominance or decree, but rather from attunement, resonance, and presence. From this foundation, sovereignty is born, as each mover reconnects with the inner teacher and navigates their place in the world.

Authentic Movement is rooted in reciprocity rather than hierarchy with an emphasis on witnessing and embodied authority. Both mover and witness are affected by the encounter. The mover is not asked to perform, explain, or justify what arises. The witness is not a detached observer; they are asked to remain aware of their own sensations, judgments, emotions, projections, and responses while staying present to the mover. Belonging emerges not from fitting in or conforming, but from being allowed to exist freely in one’s embodied authority. Authentic Movement can deepen empathy because it invites people to encounter another person’s humanity without fixing, controlling, or interpreting prematurely.  

Presence Studio is dedicated to the practice of conscious embodiment and expression. Located in Bellingham, Washington, the studio was founded by Jenny Macke, opening its doors in 2008. Presence Studio is now run as a non-profit 501(c)(3) by volunteer stewards and a board of directors.
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Mission Statement: Presence Studio's mission is to nurture an interconnected community through dance and the movement arts – offering spaces and events that celebrate embodiment and connection. 
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Website: https://www.presence-studio.com/help-us

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bellinghampresence#

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/presencestudiobellingham/?hl=en

I want to first and foremost acknowledge my teacher, Zoe Avstreih, whose presence and wisdom has shaped my love of this practice, which began with a question: "What moves you?" I am grateful to be part of this living lineage.

In partnership with The Embodied Education Institute of Chicago, up to 20 continuing educaiton hours are provided for the sessions in the retreat.

Here is the link to purchase for counselors: https://embodiededucationinstituteofchicago.com/product/ces-for-kim-rothwell-retreat/

Embodied Education Institute of Chicago has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7458. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Embodied Education Institute of Chicago is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Overall Learning Objectives:

1. Deepen understanding of nonverbal and somatic processes to enhance clinical self-regulation, therapeutic presence and attunement in clinical practice. 

2. Access nervous system regulation and recuperation through conscious generous spacious embodiment practice and creative self expression, to manage vicarious trauma and mitigate burnout in professional practice.

3. Articulate how embodied authority, kinesthetic empathy and values grounded in the wisdom of the body, relate to embodied sovereignty and support equitable, sustainable culturally responsive care.

Through this retreat you will learn and practice the following:

• Describe embodied epistemology and embodied sovereignty and explain their relevance to therapeutic presence, client empowerment, and solidifying integrity, intention and values in clinical practice.

• Identify and track somatic cues as sources of information related to attunement, nervous system regulation, and somatic countertransference.

• Apply embodied practices to support nervous-system regulation to reduce the impact of vicarious trauma and mitigate professional burnout through practices of care, recuperation and spaciousness.

• Differentiate personal, relational, and systemic material arising in the therapist’s body to recognize somatic countertransference, to support ethical decision-making, culturally responsive care and clinical discernment.

• Examine the relationship between embodied sovereignty and social justice, naming how disembodiment, coercion, and externalized authority impact both clients and clinicians

• Examine how embodied sovereignty, kinesthetic empathy and relational attunement support equity-oriented, trauma-informed, and sustainable collective care.

• Recogize the value of embodied practices of recuperation, reflection and collective care that support resilience, sustainability and professional well-being.

In partnership with The Embodied Education Institute of Chicago, up to 20 continuing education hours are provided for the sessions in the retreat.

This program has been approved for 20 CEUs by the NASW Washington State Chapter." Licensed Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Mental Health Counselors are eligible. Provider number is #1975-536.

Here is the link to purchase continuing education for social workers through the Embodied Educatiton Institute of Chicago: https://embodiededucationinstituteofchicago.com/product/ces-for-kim-rothwell-retreat/

Overall Learning Objectives:

1. Deepen understanding of nonverbal and somatic processes to enhance clinical self-regulation, therapeutic presence and attunement in clinical practice. 

2. Access nervous system regulation and recuperation through conscious generous spacious embodiment practice and creative self expression, to manage vicarious trauma and mitigate burnout in professional practice.

3. Articulate how embodied authority, kinesthetic empathy and values grounded in the wisdom of the body, relate to embodied sovereignty and support equitable, sustainable culturally responsive care.

The document attached has information about the specific learning objectives for each section and the evaluation for the retreat.

I want to acknowledge that we will gather on the ancestral homelands, originally known as Tscha-kole-chy, of the Coastal Salish Peoples, on the lands of the lower Skagit, Tualip, Swinomish, Snohomish, Stillaguamish, and Squamish tribes who have lived in the Salish Sea basin since time immemorial and have hunted, fished, gathered, and taken care of these lands. We respect their sovereignty, their right to self-determination, and we honor their sacred spiritual connection with the land and water. 

An initial zoom consultation prior to the retreat, exploring your hopes for the retreat. This session allows you to identify places where you are curious and ask any questions about what to expect.

Arrive at Aldermarsh between 2:00-4:00 pm on Wednesday August 26, 2026 to settle in and connect to nature. We will gather for an Opening Circle at 5 pm, followed by dinner and rest.

Thursday is devoted to restoring contact with the body as a primary source of knowing.

7:30 am optional morning activity

8:00am self serve breakfast

9:00-12pm Authentic Movement 1: Soverignty Begins with Listening

12-2:30 Lunch & Siesta

2:30-5:00 Authentic Movement 2: Trusting the wisdom of the body

6pm Dinner & post dinner reflections

8pm Rest

Friday explores authority without domination—how grounded embodiment supports clarity, consent, and relational integrity.

7:30 am optional morning activity

8:00am self serve breakfast

9:00-12pm Authentic Movement 3: Nonverbal Communication: Movement, Sound and the Other

12-2:30 Lunch & Siesta with optional sauna

2:30-5:00 Authentic Movement 4: Interpersonal Neurobiology: Breath & Interbeing

6pm Dinner

7pm Questions and Reflections

9pm Rest

Saturday emphasizes integration—moving from inner knowing to ethical action in service of healing, dignity, and social wellbeing.

7:30 am optional morning

8:00am self serve breakfast

9:00-12pm Authentic Movement 5: Kinesthetic Empathy: Moving the paradox of polarities and difference

12-2:30 Lunch & Siesta

2:30-5:00 Authentic Movement 6: Upper Limits: Glimmers, gratitude and awe as practice

6pm Dinner

7pm Questions and Sharing

8:00am self serve breakfast

9:00-12pm Closing Circle

12-1:30 Lunch & Departure