Breitenbush - a vibrant retreat or intensive of a different kind?

You would not believe how amazing Breitenbush is?  The website gives a bit of a glimpse - http://www.breitenbush.com/ - but the weekend that Paulette puts together adds a whole extra layer.

"Be vibrant" was the theme and the weekend schedule opened with the quote "Are you ready to dance? Sweat? Invent? Write? Laugh?  Here we go…"
I should have known it would not be about lazing around in hot tubs and relaxing!

Friday started slowly with checkin to our cozy warm cabins and filling our bellies with yummy Breitenbush food.  Then we started building our chocolate temple and introduced ourselves around.  Then the dancing began with what i can only describe as drills across the floor.

I was so pleased to wake a little early and have time to take in the beautiful surrounds and a quiet soak.

 Everyone seemed quiet on Saturday morning and drifted silently like ghosts towards breakfast.

Then a lovely half hour of yoga with Lynea to get our bodies ready for a big day of dancing.  Paulette then set us up with the tools to get started with journalling and capturing our creative talents.  Dulcinea then introduced us to modern dance style through the Gemini project.  Then Paulette and Carol put us through our paces with advanced combos.

After lunch, a spot of shopping for those dancers who just had to have another choli.  Then Carol warmed us up with some intermediate moves and Dulcinea got us journalling with our bodies, creating new moves.  She also brought a whole new meaning to squat muscles with descending and ascending for counts of 32!  Just in case we had any stamina left, Lynea picked up the pace with African moves.

A break for dinner to refuel with the fabulous Breitenbush vego food.  Then onto the salon where there was so much talent and so little time.  We had everything from dancing to writing, poem, singing, solos and troupe presentations.  Heres a few of my favourites included below.

 African tribal with Lynea and Kim        Singing    
                          

Writing                                                  Gypsy heart

Tribal mums                                   and who could forget the laughter yoga

Sunday was very special day bringing together everything we had experienced over the weekend and taking it into our daily lives, as much as possible.  And finding time to soak my weary muscles.

The dancing closed with soul train, then hugs all round to set us on our way back home.

pictured: Sun, Hillary, Lisa