Indian Fusion Choreography immersion
August 4 - 8, 2024
Move Like Water ...
Learn a beautiful choreography in Colleens’s Indian Fusion style incorporating moves and stylizations from Level 1 IFF
Curriculum
OUR CREATIVE FOCUS
Move like Water… Dive into the rich world of Indian aesthetics and beyond with Colleena’s unique fusion dance approach. Enjoy immersing in dance, art and yoga with like-minded artists in an inspiring natural landscape of the island of Crete!
This year we focus on creative choreography and finding our expressive range as we co-create choreography together using IFF (Indian Fusion Formation) L1 vocabulary as well as contemporary and poetic dance prompts, musicality and symbolic gesture.
LEVEL
At least a few years of bellydance and or Indian dance training will be helpful to pick up the choreography, however every day includes a technique class in the morning. Our focus will be on building a choreography and finding expression rather than a thorough break down of techniques.
VIDEO PROJECT
We will create a final performance film dancing in relationship to the epic natural landscapes of Crete. Some simple costuming will be required for this project and details will be emailed to participants 1 month before the program.
The Immersive Experience
Through daily yoga, relaxing time in nature, discussions in aesthetic theory and immersion in the creative vision, dancers will feel inspired and rejuvenated by the holistic curriculum and schedule.
Each day begins with Vinyasa Krama yoga – a graceful flowing breath-based practice, followed by morning studio dance sessions that cover dance conditioning, Bellydance, Indian Fusion, Rajasthani and North Indian dance techniques. Afternoon, evenings will alternate between studio sessions followed by theory class, and day trips to local epic beach locations.
The curriculum is aimed for students with at least 1-2 years of bellydance or Indian dance experience or who have studied previously with Colleena. Dancers with less experience studying with Colleena, we suggest preparing by studying online either with our online IFF programs or at Datura Online. Regardless of your dance background, if this approach of dance rooted in Indian and world dance techniques (and theory) interests you, you will leave with tools to empower your dance and expressive range. (This is not a certificate program.)
WHAT IS INDIAN FUSION?
Woven seamlessly together, Indian Fusion Dance is both Ancient & Modern – expressing timeless beauty & values
Rich in symbolism and detail, with deep meanings waiting to be unveiled… Indian Fusion Dance is a transnational fusion born out of Colleena Shakti’s decades of training in dances of India and beyond. It is a rich tapestry woven on her journeys around the world as a dancer and years of immersive study in India with her Gurus.
Stylistically speaking, Indian Fusion movement vocabulary is inspired by cultural dances of India and the Middle East (including its modern evolutions). This dance bridges modern and folkloric Belly Dance vocabulary with extensive postures and spins of North Indian Classical and folk dance, intricacies of eyes, hands and facial expression from Eastern Indian classical dance and draws in elements of Central Asian dance as well. Delicate details inspired by Indian temple sculptures and Mughal court dances, contrasted with earthy feminine movements of, Raqs Sharqi, Tribal Belly Dance and Rajasthani dance show contrasting facets of this re-imagined dance. Woven seamlessly together, Indian Fusion Dance is both Ancient & Modern – expressing timeless beauty and values. Learn more here
PRICING
Please refer to the Accommodation section below with drop-down menu to see pricing for Shakti Summer School. Accommodations are first come, first serve, so don’t wait to register!
PREPARING FOR THIS RETREAT
performance FILM project from 2022 retreat:
SHAKTI SUMMER SCHOOL TERMS & CONDITIONS:
Please read our updated Terms & Conditions Page before you apply, which includes: *School Cancellation Policy, *School & Villa Shakti Policies, *Health & Safety in Covid Times, and *Assumption of Risk.
AccommodationS & Prices
(2 per room, shared bathroom, includes meals and transport)
The rooms at Villa Shakti includes bath towel set, Greek beach towel, bedding and blankets, table fan, WIFI, access to apartment kitchen, spacious living room and dining area, cable TV. Places are limited. The house is strictly vegetarian.
Includes:
- 18 hours Training per week
- Double Share Room at Villa Shakti
- 10 Healthy Vegetarian meals per week (3 meals out which are not covered)
- Transportation (see transportation section for more details)
(up to 4 per room, shared bathroom, includes meals and transport)
These traditional restored apartments are a 10 minute walk from Villa Shakti on peaceful a country road. The apartments are in a rustic traditional village with a plentiful organic garden, traditional orthodox church, goats, a fresh spring fountain and many flowers!
Includes:
- 18 hours Training per week
- Dorm room at Village Apartments (10-15 minute walk from studio)
- 10 Healthy Vegetarian meals per week (3 dinners at local tavernas are not covered)
- Transportation (see transportation section for more details)
(Includes lunch only. Does not Include any transport.)
If you are looking for more privacy, you will find many other villas and rentals nearby our village of Aikirgiannis (Topolia). We suggest you have a look at Airbnb or booking.com. We recommend looking in the Topolia area and no farther than Kissamos so travel time to classes are not an issue. You can use the FB event page to post if you are looking for others to share a villa with you. You will need your own rental car for this option. Greece is a very popular summer destination so book soon!
Includes:
- 18 hours Training
- 5 Healthy Vegetarian meals per week
- Transportation *NOT INCLUDED* (please rent a car or taxi to join day trips)
Food
Our in-house catering team are mainly local Greek women (and a passionate Italian) who love cooking! We enjoy offering a healthy Vegetarian take on local Cretan recipes. Cretan and Greek cuisine is full of roasted vegetables, rices dishes, cucumber salads and of course, a decadent selection of homemade local cheeses! Occasionally we change up the menu by preparing mild Ayurvedic Indian food or Italian pasta, etc. All meals are served buffet style – all you can eat! Special dietary needs such as vegan, gluten free, and allergies can be catered to with prior notice.
*Our villa is strictly Vegetarian in celebration of life! Yet we can offer you local goat, sheep and cow cheese and a range of farm to table dairy products.
TYPICAL MENU:
Breakfast: Coffee/tea, fruit, toast and spreads, yogurt, granola, porridge, smoothie.
Lunch: Main dish, 2 salads, bakery breads, spreads, vegetable side dishes, local olive oil/olives, ice teas infusions.
Dinner: Main dish, salads, bakery breads, spreads, bean dish, vegetable side dishes, local olive oil / olives, and desert!
WEEKLY MEAL PLAN:
Sun Aug 4 (Check IN Day) – Welcome dinner on the veranda!
Mon/Tues – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner served on the veranda
Wed – Breakfast, & Lunch served on the veranda, dinner out
Thurs Aug 8 (Check OUT Day) – Farewell Breakfast
Transportation
Aug 4 is ARRIVAL DAY. Please check-in between the hours of 5 & 8 pm to Villa Shakti*
Guests will want to arrive to the closest airport: Chania (CHQ). Airport it is a 1 hour drive to the villa. Heraklion is 3-4 hours drive. Students are requested to arrive in time for welcome circle & orientation on Aug 4.
Most visitors on Crete rent a car to enjoy exploring the wild nature and beaches. This is what we always recommend to guests since there are many secret beaches and isolated trails to discover on the Western side of the island within an hours drive, however for our onsite guests transportation is provided.
*Late check-in is not allowed (after 8 pm). If you will be arriving beyond our check-in hours, we request that you book a hotel or airbnb in Chania or near our area and arrive by 8 am to Villa Shakti on Aug 4.
Guests will want to arrive to the closest airport: Chania (CHQ). Airport it is a 1 hour drive to the villa. Heraklion is 3-4 hours drive. Students are requested to arrive in time for orientation meeting.
Most visitors on Crete rent a car to enjoy exploring the wild nature and beaches. This is what we always recommend to guests since there are many secret beaches and isolated trails to discover on the Western side of the island within an hours drive.
Villa Shakti is in a rural location, so please be aware buses are not an option and taxis will need to be booked in advance.
Scheduled Shuttle Transportation Includes:
(Times are fixed, no exceptions.)
ARRIVAL DAY (AUG 4):
- Chania Airport or Port Pick Up: 5 pm
DEPARTURE DAY (AUG 8):
- Chania Airport or Port drop-off: 11 am
TRANSPORT DURING SUMMER SCHOOL:
- One Day Trip is included in this retreat. All on-site guests will be provided transportation to and from an epic beach on this day
Please meet our driver at the scheduled times, the driver can not wait for late passengers. If your flight arrives or departs at another time than the scheduled shuttle pick up/drop of times, you can easily get a local taxi to/from Airport to Chania Port to enjoy some time there and then meet at the scheduled time and location to catch your ride to Villa Shakti.
If you wish to have your own car, we recommend booking online. Prices are approximately €25-45 per day / per vehicle. Non EU licensed drivers will need and International Driving License to drive in Greece.
- Taxi booked directly from Airport to Villa Shakti: Approx. €100
- Local Taxis to Kissamos or Local beaches: Local rates apply. Please book directly.
Application Process
Program fills up on a fist come, first serve basis
Read and agree to our terms and conditions page before you fill out an application. You will digitally sign the waiver form on your application which indicates that you have read this page all the way through. READ HERE
~ Pack your bags for Greece!!!
Upon completion of your payment you are fully registered for Shakti Summer School at Villa Shakti Crete!!!! You will receive an informational email with a PDF about how to prepare for the program and for Shakti Summer School ~ Greece. Another email will be sent to participants before the program starts with more information about arrival and updates.
REGISTER NOW
REGISTRATION is OPEN
Official Cancelation Policy
The Shakti School of Dance /Shakti Summer School cancellation and refund policy is in place to guarantee the fair allocation of slots in the program to students who have been accepted and are ready to commit.
Your registration payment to SSD/SSS is not refundable, returnable or transferable to a future workshop or to another person. No exceptions. Even in the case of medical or family emergencies, etc. Because there is an application and selection process, students can not ‘sell their spot’ in the program to another person.
Please register with full awareness of the agreement you are entering into. Payment (via Paypal), as well as this ‘Mandatory Waiver Form’ must be completed upon acceptance in the given time period to guarantee enrollment in the Intensive sessions.
Health/Safety: Student agrees to inform SSD/SSS Administration of any health conditions or important medications they are taking. Student assumes full responsibility for her/his safety and all risks of participating in this training and while enrolled at SSD/SSS. We hold no responsibility for any such illness or injury that a student sustains while enrolled in the program.
Students who cancel will not be eligible for refunds as per our official cancellation policy. *By completing your payment, you have agreed to our refund terms and conditions already.
We look forward to welcoming you to Villa Shakti Crete!
For questions not already answered on this website, please contact us.
