
Next Course
April 19th - 25th - 2018
May 20th-26th
June 24th-30th
July 22nd-28th
Overview and Aim of Course
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Spend 6 days in beautiful surroundings, immersed in dance and movement. Develop strength, peace and a deep love for your body and it's movement expression and potential. We aim to have an amazing week with you and a huge, positive impact on the quality of your life and dancing after your retreat.
​​What's Included
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6 days full board accommodation .
3 meals a day plus snacks and drinks
25 hours movement sessions
1 hour personal massage treatment
Dedicated, qualified and experienced staff.
River view and swimming
Nature walks
Meditation
Local Village Cafes
Dance Movie evenings
Jamming and singing round the fire
Tour and Activity advice
Local shuttle service
Abundant hot baths
WiFi
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Price €549
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Depending on the dates of course: Local Live Music, Local Artisan Market
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Typical daily schedule
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07:00-09:00 Preparing for the day e.g. Breakfast, cleanse, river, walk, read,meditate etc.(or just coffee and silence!)
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09:00-10:30 Strengthen, lengthen and alignment sessions (using Tai Chi, Yoga, Dance and Pilates)
10:30-11:15 Juice/tea break
11:15-12:45 Dance Style development . e.g. West African, Salsa, Contemporary Dance and Fusions.
12:45-15:15 Lunch, and free time for siestas, river dips, hot herbal baths, chatting, reading, massage,reflection, notes etc.
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15:15-17:00 Warm up and Improvisation/Movement in Nature/Dance Hacks..etc.. movement expression development, wide and varied.
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17:00-20:00 Evening meal, bathing, massage, movies,etc.
20:00-21:00 Strength and Flex session or/& Relaxation through Movement session
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These times are a flexible guideline. We will be a small group and can find a natural rhythm.
Optional Extras
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Pick up from Coimbra Train Station
Healing sessions: We have a selection of professional local practitioners in different areas of healing such as herbalist, cranial sacral therapist, acupuncturist... If you'd like to have a session with them we would be happy to arrange it for you.
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony.
Teachers
Gaynor Stanley
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Gaynor graduated at London Studio Centre in Ballet and Contemporary Dance Performance in 1990. She then went on to train with members of Les Ballets Africaines, which led to 15 years as a performer and workshop leader with West African dance troupes Kakande, Abeng and Wukulu.
Gaynor has also trained in Creative Movement with Brighton's 'Carousel' and The Sherbourne Foundation which led to many years experience leading movement classes for children and teenagers with moderate to severe learning difficulties.
She is an R.S.A. qualified fitness instructor, a keen Salsa dancer and also trains in Tai Chi and Chi Gong.
Since moving to Portugal 10 years ago, Gaynor has continued to teach regular Dance classes to children and adults.
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"I possess a commitment and dedication to dance and movement and the universal exhilaration and liberation that it brings to human kind. My life’s passion is dance and the transformation that rhythm and movement can bring to each one of us. 'The Bela's De Alva Dance and Movement Retreat' is founded on 30 years of experience of diverse dance cultures, rhythms and learning styles. Just as importantly though, it is also founded on the past 10 years, challenged with keeping in shape mentally and physically, whilst bringing up my 3 beautiful daughters, building our own home and developing our Quinta in Portugal. I have discovered a myriad of diverse ways in which to incorporate dance and conscious movement into my everyday life, no matter what I am feeling or doing. I am so excited to be able to spend 5 days immersed in sharing these experiences which so enrich my life. I am also extremely blessed with the team of people who are supporting me in this project and making it possible. Love."
Tamzin Hale Hurley
Tamzin trained in Contemporary Dance at Chichester University and London Contemporary Dance School with teachers such as Kerry Nicholls and resident Richard Alston. Her dance training was complemented by training and working as a Fitness instructor, practicing Yoga and enjoying the jive social dance scene. She developed a specific interest and passion for Improvisation and Contact Improv and sought out workshops and residencies with teachers such as Rick Nodine, Charlie Morrisey, KJ Holmes and Katie Duck. Tamzin has taught for over 20 years in various environments, schools, youth centres, fitness centres, festivals and taught on courses at Sussex Downs College, Brighton University and Chichester University. In 2015 Tamzin became a certified Yoga teacher after completing a YTT with YHM in Scaravelli inspired yoga and went on to teach yoga movement, meditation and breathing practice in Brighton. Last year she moved to Portugal with her family and is currently establishing a quinta with her family, home educating her 3 children, teaching dance for children and yoga and dance on retreats and workshops
Getting There
A flight to Oporto (closest) or Lisbon airport, followed by a bus journey with Rede National de Expressos, via Coimbra, to Vendas de Galizes, where we’ll collect you from, is the recommended way to travel. However, if bus times aren’t compatible with the flight, it’s also possible to get a train from either airport to Coimbra, which would have to then be followed by a 50 minute car ride. It’s also possible to rent a car from the airport, if you’re more comfortable with independent travel, just ask for directions.
If you have any queries about getting to the retreat, don’t hesitate to ask anytime.
Contact
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Please contact us by email if you have any queries about how to pay. The ready options we have are by bank transfer, using NIB if you are in Portugal, or BIC and IBAN codes if outside Portugal - or by PayPal. If these are not easy for you, please ask about other arrangements - we will find a way to make this work!
Our address for Pay Pal is poppy_ley2@yahoo.com Please, when paying by Pay Pal, make sure you pay their commission (about 3.5%) yourselves, thank you.
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Also please pay the deposit of 50% only in advance, not the full amount.
Our Bank is Credito Agricola In name of Gaynor Mary Stanley
Our Bank NIB which is for use in Portugal is 0045 3451 40293377740 30
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If you are outside of Portugal you need the international codes which are
IBAN: PT50 0045 3451 4029 3377 7403 0
BIC/SWIFT: CCCMPTPL
Cancellation Policy
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A reservation requires a deposit of 50% of the total price.
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The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
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The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.