2010 California Retreat is cancelled...

HOWEVER...

Colleena will be holding 2 very special Odissi Mini Intensive Workshops:

Oakland, CA: June 14 -18
Santa Barbara, CA: August 9 - 13

Visit NEWS and EVENTS section for more details on Registration!


Previous Retreat info:
                
JULY 23 -26, 2009

3 Day Intensive Odissi Dance Retreat

Indian Classical Dance: Theory and Practical, Indian Folk Dance and Indian Dance / Yoga Philosophy
...

For those who cannot make the journey to India to study classical dance, this is an opportunity to learn Odissi classical Indian dance in an intensive format, within a relaxing natural setting.

General Information
  • 3 full days of instruction (17 hours)
  • Includes healthy vegetarian meals and accommodation
  • Open to ALL levels (No previous experience needed)
  • Early registration is required to reserve space and recieve discount
Arrival:
Thursday, 7 pm (Orientation dinner)

Classes:
Friday - Sunday: 3 full days! see schedule

Departure: 
Sunday after dinner

Odissi: (14 hours)
One of the 7 classical dance styles of India, Odissi has been practiced for over 2,000 years as a form of prayer within temple ritual by women called Devadasi.  Devadasi’s danced to please and entertain their Lord; offering an ecstatic spiritual experience for themselves as well as the devotees who witnessed their dance.  Odissi is widely praised for its feminine curves, complex footwork and it’s wide range of storytelling through use of facial expression and mudra (hand positions). 

The 3 sections of Odissi training are:
  1. Stepping Class:  We begin with traditional strengthening exercises for classical dancers.  After the warm up basic postures and techniques of Odissi dance are broken down.
  2. Item Class:  Students will learn a section of a traditional dance ‘item’ (choreography) which will include both pure dance (nritta) and storytelling dance (abinaya).
  3. Theory Class:  History, Hindu concepts, classical Indian music theory, mudra’s and other helpful tools for dancers will be discussed.
Additional Classes  (3 hours)
Rajasthani Dance: 
This class will be a fun and invigorating introduction to various Rajasthani folk dances from Northern India.


Location
Just a few hours from the SF Bay Area (approx. 45 minutes from Sacramento), tucked in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, “The Yoga Place” is a serene forest retreat center ideal for total immersion in sacred dance.  Gorgeous hiking trails, lakes and swimming are all nearby.  Massage is available by appointment.  Very comfortable ‘dorm style’ accommodation is offered in yurt or barn house.  Three vegetarian meals a day!

For more info on the retreat center please visit: www.yogaonthedivide.com/retreats.htm


Colleena
Colleena has devoted her life completely to dance since she moved to India in 2001 to train under her Odissi dance master: Guru Padma Cheran Dehury.  In 2004 she opened Shakti School of Dance in Pushkar, Rajasthan (India), which offers monthly intensive courses in Odissi dance and Rajasthani folk dance.  Colleena approaches Odissi dance with deep reverence of its significance as a spiritual practice and medium of prayer, as well as reinforcing the importance of classical discipline to achieve purity in dance.
   
Registration
  • Early Registration deadline by JUNE 23 (to recieve discount!)
  • Email to check availability
  • Register online using Paypal: colleenashakti@yahoo.com
FAQ:
  • I have never tried Odissi before, can I still come? 
    YES!  No prior experience is needed, you just need to be ready to work hard and enjoy trying new things.
  • Can I come for just 1 of the 3 days?
    No.  The intensive training period is designed to integrate students, mind, body and soul… so that the experience is complete.
Cost

EARLY REGISTRATION: (Register BEFORE June 23)
  $550 for dorm (Yurt) accommodation   /   $500 for camping   /   $600 for private room

LATE REGISTRATION: (After June 23)
   $625 for dorm (Yurt) accomodation   /   $575 for camping   /   $675 for Private room

Fee includes accommodation with bedding (except for campers), delicious food (3 gourmet meals per day), more than 17 hours of instruction.  Does not include travel expenses.

Student Remarks   

“Colleena’s Odissi Dance Retreat was an intensive, comprehensive experience of the classical forms of Indian dance, well organized, challenging and deeply moving.  The synergy between dance, yoga, historical and cultural nuances, other dances from India (Rajasthan), were all presented clearly with a deep passion for creating an experience of how this art form is also a sacred endeavor.  I feel very blessed to experience this art form from such a teacher who provided a bridge to her lineage.  I learned, sweated, prayed, did ritual, ate great meals, enjoyed the company.  Colleena makes herself available to her students, asks provoking questions about our dance practice.  In short: Inspirational. Fun. Beautiful” – Student of 2008 August Retreat

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“Colleena brought the feeling of the overwhelming permeating spirituality of Indian dance to the little studio in the woods.  The schedule was planned very well, beginning with meditation and yoga, then following with the more difficult stepping, meals, and into the evening with theory and folk dance, ending the night by watching dance movies.  What an amazing way to be immersed in dance.  Colleena is the first dance teacher that I can relate to so easily.  She is truly giving with all of her knowledge and energy!” – Student of August 2008 Retreat

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“I came to this workshop with no previous experience and no idea who I would meet and if I would be capable of an intensive on this mysterious dance.  It turned out I was not the only one.  No matter the experience level, the women who shared this retreat with me all came up for very similar reasons and with the same deep respect for this as a sacred dance.

As opposed to just learning steps and choreography, Colleena came in and offered us knowledge and access to the spiritual devotion and integrity behind Odissi.  I can easily say that after this crash course in temple dance, I can’t imagine doing it without recognizing its every movement as sacred and prayerful.

To be given even a taste of such a way to pray and show devotion and love to the beloved, it is such an incredible blessing.  Colleena is such a gentle teacher, yet always articulating where the true movements lie in the dance in order to express the actual intention and message.  I found myself given room and time to find my own mistakes without having an aggressive teacher.

This workshop has been a gift and most certainly changed my life.  For a western woman to be taught such an intricate, sacred ritual, I feel blessed.  Although I intend on going to practice in India, I’m grateful she could come to us!  Thank you Colleena! Come back! You are such a gift!!”  - Student of August 2008 Retreat
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“I’ve never felt more welcome than I have here.  The yoga place is a wonderful place to have this workshop.  I feel inspired, rejuvenated, loved and happy.  The accommodations exceeded my expectations at every level.  Colleena is an amazing teacher who always seemed to know just what we needed to keep going:  explanation, encouragement, laughter, rest and time for thought.” – Student of August 2008 Retreat