ANCESTRAL MOVEMENT RETREAT
APRIL 2027
Autumn retreats are happening again on the Deua River, Merricumbene, NSW. Two back-to-back camps: Week one April 10-16, Week two April 19-25.
Camping and training in the casuarina forest by the Deua river and national park in southern NSW, with the local goannas, birds to wake us up in the mornings, eels in the river, and an awesome bunch of humans.
Journeying deep into the body with evolutionary movement practice, internal yogic practices for progressively opening up the sensation and movements throughout the deepest parts of the body, every part of the spine abdomen and ribcage, spinal breathing, whole-body breathing, pranayama and qigong.
Practice in the forest, in the sand, on the rocks, and in the river.
Movement games for developing all forms of physical intelligence. Balance, climbing and natural parkour on the bush jungle gym.
Wrestling and Brazilian jujitsu, capoeira, eskrima, martial arts of all sorts, contact improvisation, rope flow, stick, mace and club training, juggling and acrobatics, strength mobility and agility work, injury-proofing and rehabilitation, massage, meditation and deep relaxation, exercises for the senses, and the imagination.
Discussions of ecology and evolutionary biology, comparative anatomy and physiology, the science of pain, injury and rehabilitation, the practical neuroscience of meditation, memory, emotion, nonverbal communication and embodiment.
Bushcraft, wilderness skills and nature-art workshops every afternoon, ongoing once people start their projects. These sessions could include fire-by-friction, basketry, wood carving, ceramics, learning edible and medicinal plants, tracking, stalking, archery or spear-throwing, hide tanning or leather working, nature awareness skills, making paints, eco-printing, all depending on the weather, what resources are available in the landscape, and people’s inclinations at the time.
Beautiful bush to explore, hammocks, hot fire baths, a clear river to swim in, and plenty of time to achieve genuine rest if that’s what you need. We have no clocks and no phone reception on retreat (there’s phone reception up the hill).
We will be organising another visit with Patricia Ellis, Yuin elder from Moruya, sharing knowledge and culture of the Yuin people who have lived on and maintained this country for countless thousands of years. Other guest teachers still to be confirmed.
WEEK TWO IS NOW FOR RETURNEES ONLY. Since Janet and I now have two little kids and most of the core crew also have babies, so we have decided to make the second week for returnees only so that it will be a bit smoother and easier for us and also a chance for everyone to go deeper into the practices with less need for introductory explanations.
The numbers for each camp will be strictly capped again at 35 adults (including the core crew) and a handful of kiddos.
Prices (including catered dinners):
$1800 full price
$1600 for returnees coming back for the 2nd time,
$1400 for the 3rd time
$1200 for regulars who have come to 3 or more camps before
We will have a very few half-price ($900) spaces available on each camp for volunteers who have come on at least one retreat before.
50% deposit required to reserve a spot, remainder to be paid ONE MONTH before the event.
Alternate payment plans and discounted places for those with special circumstances are available upon request.
CANCELLATIONS: We do not give refunds for retreats and workshops. In case of cancellations up to one month before the event, we will hold payment as credit towards any future events with us for up to 12 months, minus the deposit as an administration fee. For cancellations between one month and two weeks before the event, we will hold payment as credit minus the 50% deposit. Cancellations less than two weeks before the event will receive no credit, but the ticket can be transferred to another person if you can find someone to take the spot.
For more information or to enquire about a volunteer spot, please email me at simon.thakur@gmail.com
1ST-TIMERS PLEASE NOTE: This is a fairly minimal camping event in the Aussie bush. We are not “hard core” by any means, but participants need to be fairly comfortable camping in a swag or tent, provide their own gear, and be happy with camp cooking, bathing in a beautiful cold river, and basically just being in the bush for a week. Dinners are catered, participants must bring food for breakfasts, lunches, snacks etc but will have full use of the communal camp kitchen.
The camp is in regional NSW, about 3.5 hrs from Sydney, 2 hrs from Canberra. We will make a carpooling thread to help people find rides, but it is the participants’ responsibility to organise their own transport to the retreat.
If you have any doubts, please get in touch first at simon.thakur@gmail.com
50% deposit to secure your spot, remainder to be paid one month before the event.
PRICES:
$1800 for first timers, $200 off for each subsequent camp
$1600 for 2nd time returnees
$1400 for the 3rd time
$1200 for regulars