Diving Deep, Flying High
A week-long retreat for Solo Dance, Contact Improvisation, and Somatic Research
September 20-26
Ponderosa (Germany)
This retreat is dedicated to the study of dancing—alone and with others.
While there are many reasons to dance, we will focus on the intrinsic joy of movement that emerges when dancing is approached as an infinite game. With the somatic emphasis on listening to the signals of your body and the aim of becoming adaptive movers, this approach is not concerned with how the dance looks from the outside. A certain aesthetic may arise as a consequence of the principles we embody—but this remains a side effect. We will not chase it by trying to look a certain way. Instead, we will carefully study the mechanics of the body and the use of attention, with the aim of moving better and learning to savor the experience of dancing more fully.
The retreat is grounded in the premise that solo dance and Contact Improvisation can mutually enhance and enrich one another.
You can expect six hours each day exploring the following topics:
❋ Somatic Research
By refining our capacity to listen to and interact with our sensations, we develop a heightened sensitivity to the needs and abilities of our bodies in the moment.
This attunement becomes the foundation for navigating challenging, dynamic movement scenarios skillfully and safely. It is also essential for our emotional intelligence and self-reflective capacity.
❋ Dancing Inside Out & Upside Down
Rather than focusing on performing for an audience, we will approach dancing as an embodied examination and celebration of our anatomy and the physics of motion.
Through floorwork, rhythmic phrases in standing, and soft acrobatics, we will study fundamental principles of movement that can greatly enhance movement quality, not just in dancing but also in other contexts.
❋ Contact Improvisation
Dancing with others brings in relationship, negotiation, and shared exploration—along with a healthy dose of chaos. This is good news, as learning to engage skillfully with chaos is one of the most enjoyable aspects of movement practice.
We will explore key principles and techniques of contact improvisation, alongside different ways of relating to our experience and to the unfolding of the dance.
Each day will also include some time for free jamming.
Moving together in these ways has the potential to deepen our sense of empathy, care, and connection, while pointing us toward the joy of shared adventure.
Who is it for?
This retreat is open to anyone with a regular dance practice and at least basic knowledge of both solo dancing and Contact Improvisation. You do not need to be a professional dancer, but if you are a complete beginner, this is not a good entry point. In any case, we will be a group with varying experience levels. I will offer several variations to each exercise in order to meet everybody where they are.
About Šuka
Šuka Horn was born and raised in Germany, where he began his early training in martial arts and music. His passions found a meeting point when he discovered breakdancing at the age of 12. This love for dance eventually led him to earn a degree in Dance from Codarts University in Rotterdam. After performing in projects across Thailand, Spain, and the Netherlands, Šuka relocated to Athens in 2020 to join Dimitris Papaioannou’s production, Transverse Orientation. This collaboration led to another creation: INK, a duet performed with Papaioannou himself.
During this time, Šuka also developed a deeper interest in meditation, which led him to begin an ongoing mentoring process as a private student of Mushtaq Ali al Ansari, supporting his journey toward awake living. He also deepened his studies of the human body and movement training with Frey Faust. After touring the world for five years with Papaioannou’s productions and conducting his own workshops, Šuka decided to move to Leipzig to focus solely on developing his research and teaching. His workshops and retreats have been held in universities, dance companies, festivals, and studios in more than 20 countries.
About the Location
"Orsolina28 Art Foundation ETS was born to promote dance as a movement discipline, an art form and an instrument for wellbeing, in a multidisciplinary approach. Its vision is to create a unique and special place that fosters encounters and exchanges between different cultures and disciplines, where people can rediscover the importance and beauty of reconnecting with the surrounding nature and landscape while deeply respecting them."
Meal and Food Options
Breakfast is included for all participants on all days. Dinner on the arrival day is also provided.
There is the option to book full catering for the entire week at an additional cost of 300€. Vegetarian and vegan options are available for those who prefer.
If you prefer to cook for yourself, you're welcome to use the communal kitchen. It has four independent units, each with two burners, an oven, a sink, a dishwasher, and an extractor hood. You'll find all necessary kitchenware, tableware, fridges, a pantry, and a filtered water dispenser.
Accomodation
You will stay in shared bedrooms at Le Magnolie, a peaceful house located within walking distance of the studio.
Bed linens and towels are provided.
The ground floor includes shared kitchens, laundry facilities, and a spacious common area with tables, a lounge, and a projector. The house opens onto a garden that can be used for relaxing, socializing, or enjoying some quiet time outdoors.
Click here to learn more about the accomodation: https://www.bio28.it/le-magnolie
Pricing & Registrations
The retreat is offered on a sliding scale to make participation accessible for people with limited financial resources. This is based on the idea that those in a stronger financial position may choose to contribute more than the minimum.
You can freely choose any amount within the given range:
Early Bird: 550–700 € (until June 15)
Medium Bird: 600–750 € (until July 15)
Late Bird: 650–800 € (after July 15)
These basic prices include the teaching and accommodation in the dorm . They also includes dinner on the arrival day.
If you would like full catering for the entire week, there will be an additional cost of 300€ on top of the basic fee. Vegan and Vegetarian options are available if needed, and you can indicate your preference in the registration form below.
For more privacy you can also book single or double rooms for sleeping at an additional cost of ??? for the whole week.
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel your registration before June 15, 2026, you will receive a refund minus a 50€ cancellation fee. After this date, cancellations are non-refundable except in cases of genuine emergencies. However, you are welcome to transfer your spot to someone else at any time.
