Ellen writes, “Fusion is ‘my middle name’. At this time in our evolutionary development, we are combining ancient wisdom with modern science in treating body, mind, spirit, heart, soul & psyche. The Vibrance Expressive Arts practice is designed to ignite breath & your Spirit, to power your heart beat, with music to pulsate and vibrate your muscles and bones, to get your feet grounded & connected to Mother Earth. Your body is a musical instrument. Vibrance is a tune up; it’s good medicine.
Catur says, “I was a street kid, making music with everyone in my village on Java. Music saved my life. I had rhythm in my soul, I had to make music; I saved money, traveled to Mali, pitched a tent on the floor of the Arts Center…I breathed west african rhythms day and night. I want to share these with you. I share them with my family; together we make music, we sing, we celebrate being alive. We want to share this with you”
What a time to be alive! To be awake, aware and to embody presence. To take this presence onto the dance floor, to your drum, to your sound & song, as a moving meditation practice.
Join me, Catur, Anna and Novie, in Bali, for 8 days to immerse yourself in the oldest spiritual practices on earth…Music, Dance, Sound & Song. To heal the past, shed old skins, empty baggage, to vibrate, resonate and celebrate being alive today.
As Michael Franti says, “It’s good to be alive today; Stay Human’
What’s Happening :
Our Retreat includes two daily Vibrance Classes:
A morning Wake Up & Roar, Vibrance Dance Class 7:30 - 9:30
Yummy Wellness Nutrition Break
Free time to enjoy swimming, spa-ing, r&r, kayaking
An afternoon Shake It Loose, Vibrance Dance Class 4:00 - 6:00
Dinner at Mimpi’s Sunset Restaurant followed by impromptu jams by the waterside, under the stars, beside the pool…
Want to learn how to facilitate & lead a Vibrance Class?
Join us for 2.5 hours, 6 days, for knowledge transfer..for drumming classes, for leadership skills, for learning structure for the 8 Chakra map of Vibrance, for merging chakras with elements, for toning your vagus nerve, for using sound and song for healing, for ritual and ceremony, for celebration, for becoming poetry in motion.
Catur and Anja will teach simple rhythms on the djembe and djun djun; we’ll add the frame drum for initiation. You’ll leave prepared to offer simple live percussion when you choose, supported by endless recorded music to craft your classes.
We’ll meet from 11-1:30 (March 15 - 18, 19 & 20)
Starting the 17th onward, you and your classmates will team teach the afternoon session.
What is this? This is Fusion!!
Ellen has studied, practiced, and led 1000’s of people both new to expressive arts and those already seasoned in various practices.
Ellen writes, “I had the good fortune to offer daily classes at Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA, during the 1980’s, 90’s, and onward into this century. 1000’s of 5Rhythms, Yoga and Qi Gung, Breathwork, Sound Meditation classes.
I now offer retreats and train instructors, facilitators and teachers in various mindful moving meditation practices, including the Vibrance Expressive Arts practice.
Join me for embodying the natural rhythms of Bali, for dancing to carefully selected recorded global fusion music.
To the live rhythms of Catur, Anja and Novie.
What is Dancing with Rumi?
It’s A Chakra Spinning, Sufi Dervish Dancing, Ecstatic Heart Opening, Rooted and Lifted Dance Practice .
Rumi became the first Whirling Dervish, in the 13th century. Hafiz lived 100 years after Rumi. They are the most well known of the Ecstatic Sufi Poets. They Danced and Spun as they spoke poetry while scribes wrote.
We will move through the 7 portals of Dancing with Rumi…moving through fear onward to joy…emptying and filling our 8 chakras.
Who spins? Sufis, Tibetan Monks, Grateful Deadheads, All children spin…going both ways until they balance their energy and fall down giggling.
Hafiz wrote: Every child has known God; not the God of right and wrong; nor the God of rules; not the God who uses too many words, and certainly not the God who does anything weird. But the God, who uses only 4 words, repeating, Come, Dance with Me. Come, Dance with Me.”
Come, Dance with me on my Jeweled Dance Floor.
IMPORTANT NOTE : In order to share spinning, you must first move through all portals and spin for 21 minutes.
Sample daily Schedule :
March 15
14:00 Arrive, check in, settle into your room at Mimpi
16:30 First Dance, Introductions and Orientation
18:30 Welcome Dinner
March 16 -18
7:30-9:30 Morning Vibrance
9:30 Delicious & Nutritious Brunch
11:30- 14:00 Knowledge Transfer for Instructors
16:00 - 18:00 Afternoon Vibrance
Sunset Dinner at Mimpi’s Resto
March 19
Want to go snorkeling or diving? Enjoy a hike or leisurely morning? Plan your afternoon class?
Spontaneous dancing and singing by YOU anytime during the day
18:00 Dinner out and about
March 20-21
7:30-9:30 Morning Vibrance
9:30 Delicious & Nutritious Brunch
11:30-2:00 Knowledge transfer
16:00 - 18:00 Afternoon Vibrance
Sunset Dinner at Mimpi’s Resto
March 22
7:30-9:30 Morning Vibrance
9:30 Delicious & Nutritious Brunch
16:00 - 18:00 Afternoon Vibrance
Sunset Dinner at Mimpi’s Resto
March 23
7:30 - 9:30 Vibrance Closing Dance and Farewell
9:30 Brunch
12:00 Check out and onward to the next dance.
Meet Your Faculty
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Ellen Watson
Celebrates her 35th year in the staff and faculty of the Esalen Institute, in Big Sur, California, where she studies, practices and teaches various ways of meditative practice, massage and movement.
Ellen is a teacher of Esalen® Massage & Bodywork, 5Rhythms by Gabrielle Roth, Holotropic Breathing, SpiritDanceSoulSong®, Vibrance®, Touching Essence ™, Wake Up & Roar. From 1984 to 2003, Ellen developed and administered the Movement Arts Program in Esalen.
In 1996 she founded MovingVentures (www.movingventures.org), which offers workshops, retreats and training courses in Esalen, Bali, China and other parts of the world.
Visit: www.TheVibranceCollective.com, to learn more about Vibrance.
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Catur H. Wijaya
A dynamic world musician from Indonesia, Catur has been expressing and sharing music with communities as far back as his memory goes, and masters more than twenty instruments such as drums, strings and flutes. Catur is aslo the founder and teacher of Ubud Drum, a drumming school in Bali.
During his life, Catur had the chance to study traditional music directly from great masters and in 2018, he visited Mali in West Africa, to deepen his musical knowledge and to experience the traditional context of drumming in the motherland of Djembe.
Catur is passionate about uniting traditional music styles, regularly composing and performing works that draw upon traditions from Indonesia, West and North Africa, India and beyond.
Based in Bali, Catur is a member of many musical projects, and he often performs at major festivals around the Indonesian archipelago. Recently, Catur has released his first solo album "Bali To Mali" available on all the music platforms.
Meet the Team
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Anna Wijaya
Anna Wijaya is a multifaceted artist coming from Poland and currently residing with her family in the vibrant jungle of Ubud, Bali. Her life is a harmonious blend of dance, music, family, and spiritual pursuits. She is not only a dedicated student but also a nurturing teacher of mantra meditation. Her journey in the world of sound is a testament to her unwavering commitment.
As an accomplished dancer, Anna's passion for performance is palpable. However, it was only when she met her husband, Catur, that she delved deeper into the world of music by learning the art of drumming. Anna is the proud founder and an integral member of Matangi, an all-female drumming and singing band. Their collective rhythm and voices resonate with empowerment and unity, creating an inspiring fusion of music and sisterhood.
In collaboration with her husband, Catur, Anna lends her vocals to his musical endeavors. Together, they have also seamlessly woven their shared love for music and the profound power of sound. This fusion has given birth to Yoga Sound Alchemy, a platform through which they offer classes, workshops, and transformative retreats.
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Novie Amalo
Born in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, on November 26th, 1982, Novie has had a deep connection with music since childhood. Influenced by her father, a former drummer who later pursued a career in civil service, and her grandmother, a talented Sasando musician and church choir leader, at a young age she was introduced to the world of music and dance.
Guided by her grandmother, Novie received initial lessons in Cha Cha and Waltz dance at the age of 8, instilling a profound appreciation for the art of movement and rhythm. Throughout her childhood, her musical exposure was primarily shaped by the melodies playing on the household tape player and the tunes gracing the airwaves. This formative period allowed her to recollect cherished memories vividly.
She firmly believes in the transformative power of music and dance, viewing them as versatile instruments capable of healing, fostering connections, and sharing emotions. With this conviction, Novie is dedicated to using the enchanting allure of music and dance to enrich and color the world.
Pricing & Payment
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Shared Patio
$ 2,350.00
Twin patio rooms are spacious and comfortable to stay with two people. We will aim to pair you with someone most compatible based on your registration form.
All rooming choice prices include, two great meals daily, all open classes, and full enjoyment of Mimpi’s aminities.
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Private Patio
$ 2,850.00
If you prefer a room to yourself and a large double bed this comes at a reasonable additional cost.
All rooming choice prices include, two great meals daily, all open classes, and full enjoyment of Mimpi’s aminities.
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Shared Courtyard Villa
$ 2,850.00
Shared Villas must be booked with 2 people together at the same time. A CY villa features twin/double bed with a mezzanine, private garden area and tub which may be filled with hot spring water.
All rooming choice prices include, two great meals daily, all open classes, and full enjoyment of Mimpi’s aminities.
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Private Courtyard Villa
$ 3,550.00
For a taste of luxury, enjoy a CY Villa to yourself for maximum comfort and privacy. Enjoy your own spacious area with garden and hot spring bath for total relaxation.
All rooming choice prices include, two great meals daily, all open classes, and full enjoyment of Mimpi’s aminities.
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Teacher Training Option
$ 500.00