Poplar Cabin @ Alders Beach Resort
Spruce Cabin @ Alders Beach Resort
Pine Cabin @ Alders Beach Resort
Somatic Solutions for Asymmetrical Bodies
with Laura M Gates
OHM Centre, Vancouver ISLAND, BC
March 24-27, 2023
This workshop will be held at Open Heart Mind (OHM) Centre in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, BC. MAP
ABOUT THE RETREAT
This is a learning laboratory workshop designed for people with scoliosis and uneven posture. It is also for Clinical Somatic movement teachers interested in learning more about the subject for their students and clients.
Our 4-day/3-night retreat will begin with an introductory lecture on the roots, theory and history of Somatic education and how it can help to improve uneven bodies, including scoliosis and fusion. During the gentle morning and afternoon movement sessions, students will be guided to explore specific safe and effective strategies to help with symptoms that are common to uneven bodies.
During a teachers’ only training session, Laura will facilitate the sharing of experiences, knowledge, and questions to expand everyone’s understanding of working with their own asymmetrical and scoliotic clients. Tentative retreat schedule below.
ABOUT THE DESTINATION
Vancouver Island is renowned for wild, untamed beaches that are an idyllic summer sanctuary, and a hub for storm-watching, surfing, and skiing in the winter. In addition to its endless list of hiking, camping, whale-watching, and paddling adventures, there is also old growth forests, endless beach combing and golfing. The Comox Valley is acclaimed for its incredible array of products harvested and created from its wild oceans and fertile soils, including organic vegetables, wild fish, free range meats, and local chocolates, baked goods and wines. This workshop will be held at the wonderful new Open Heart Mind (OHM) Centre located in Merville in the Comox Valley. It’s a quick plane trip from Vancouver, or you can arrive via a stunning ferry ride.
ABOUT LAURA M GATES
Laura M Gates, CHSE, CCSE, is a certified (Hanna) clinical somatic educator ('07), a practitioner of hands-on work, and a member of the training team at Essential Somatics LLC, USA. Somatics in the tradition of the late neuromuscular pioneer, Thomas Hanna Ph.D., is her passion. She has developed strategies particularly helpful for scoliosis, fusion, and other postural issues including movement patterns and rich imagery. She brings her years as a former professional dancer, dance educator, and visual artist to her teaching.
PRE-REQUISITES FOR ATTENDING STUDENTS
1. Students must already know Somatics Basics through past classes with a qualified teacher.
To take some online classes in Somatics Basics, contact us for a selection of options with Laura or Martha or other teachers at admin@twistedoutreachproject.com
2. This workshop is best suited for students who can get on and off the floor, or another firm padded surface, like a massage table (would need to bring your own). If this is not possible, 1-on-1 sessions either in-person or online will better address your needs.
FULL RETREAT PACKAGE INCLUDES:
All classes
3 nights accommodation in beachside cabins
Single and double occupancy rooms available
Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Tea bar + all-day snacks.
Transportation to/from the airport, ferry, or bus station in the Comox Valley as needed
Local transport for meals/activities during the retreat
Access to class recordings for download following the retreat
Handouts with ideas, exercises, drawings, and descriptions to help you create and continue your own practice
Optional group discussion, activities, outings
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
In-person with some online sessions available.
For those who want to join ONLINE ONLY, please email us. For online students, there will be no corrections during the movement class, but a 20-minute post class question/answer period will be provided.All registrants can access and download class recordings following the retreat.
PRIVATE CONSULTATIONS
ALL SESSIONS ARE CURRENTLY BOOKED
Optional 90-minute private sessions with Laura will be available before and after the workshop. Sessions must be booked in advance. Limited spaces are available.
1-on-1 sessions include the hands-on techniques of Clinical Somatics and address your specific issues. Laura's touch feedback will help your brain to sense, focus, and change the state of the muscles, and accelerate your process.
Sessions are $160 CAD + tax. This is a reduced rate from Laura’s usual rate of $215 CAD + tax. A great perk to joining this retreat!
Should you wish to pay to stay an additional night post-retreat (Monday night) in order to participate in a private session with Laura on Tuesday, March 28, please contact us about accommodations.
MEALS
Lunch and dinner will be customized for the retreat by a caterer using local ingredients from the lush Comox Valley. Breakfast will be self-serve style in each cabin where the fridge will be stocked with all the necessities.
COST
Full Retreat Package - ranges from $1,200 - $1,425 CAD +tax dependent on your cabin room selection (first come, first serve). NOTE: Discount on Full package if you register before our Registration Deadline - details below under Payment Policy!
Limited private bedrooms available.
See room options and register for full retreat package below.Commuter Package with Lunch (includes everything except accommodations, breakfast and dinner) - $595 CAD +tax.
Sliding scale is available based on financial need.
USA PARTICIPANTS: CHECK CAD TO USD $ EXCHANGE RATE HERE.
PAYMENT POLICY
Registration & Deposit Deadline - 2 Months Prior to Retreat.
As a non-profit, we need to know we have enough registrations required to fulfill our financial obligations to pay studios, accommodations, teachers, caterers, etc, by their deposit deadlines. Save $50 on our Full Retreat Package when you register by our Registration Deadline of January 24, 2023 - use coupon code GATES2023 during registration.
30% deposit due at registration; balance due 2 weeks prior to Retreat.
NOTE: Prior to completing your registration, you will see an orange button option to ‘Pay Now’ (this will be the full amount) OR to ‘Pay CA $XXX Deposit Now’ (the 30% deposit amount).
ACCOMMODATIONS
Just down the road from the OHM Centre, participants will stay in charming, rustic beachside cabins at The Alders Beach Resort. The two and three bedroom cottages offer both shared and en-suite bathrooms plus shared kitchen and living area.
Limited private bedrooms available.
NOTE: All cabin and room bookings are first come, first serve.
POPLAR CABIN:
3 bedrooms with 2 bathrooms (1 shared full bathroom with in-tub shower and 1 ensuite: 3 piece with shower).
Room 1: Private - Queen bed with ensuite bathroom
Room 2: Private - Queen bed with shared bathroom
Room 3: Shared - 2 bunk beds with shared bathroom (max 2 people)
SPRUCE CABIN:
3 bedrooms with 2 bathrooms (1 shared full bathroom with in-tub shower and 1 ensuite: 3 piece with shower).
Room 1: Private - Queen bed with ensuite bathroom
Room 2: Shared - 2 single beds with shared bathroom
Room 3: Shared - 2 single beds with shared bathroom
PINE CABIN
3 bedrooms with 1 bathroom (1 shared full bathroom with in-tub shower).
Room 1: Shared - 2 single beds
Room 2: Private - Queen bed
Room 3: Shared - 2 bunk beds (max 2 people)
RETREAT SCHEDULE
(Subject to Change)
Friday
Arrivals
6:00-7:30pm - Dinner
7:30-8:30pm - Introductory session (Lecture with some movement breaks)
Saturday
7:30-9:00am - Self serve breakfast in the cabins
9:30am-12:00pm - Movement Session 1 (including Q&A)
12:00-1:30pm - Lunch
1:30-4:00pm - Break
2:00-3:30m - Optional Assessment Exploration
4:00-5:30pm - Movement Session 2
6:00-7:30pm - Dinner
Post dinner: optional group activity
Sunday
7:30-9:00am - Self serve breakfast in the cabins
9:30-12:00pm - Movement Session 3 (including Q&A)
12:00-1:30pm - Lunch
1:30-4:00pm - Break
4:00-5:30pm - For teachers: Teacher Training Mini-Workshop. For students: Movement Session 4: Self-guided Movement in Nature
6:00-7:30pm - Dinner
Post dinner: optional group activity
Monday
7:30-9:00am - Self serve breakfast in the cabins
9:30-11:30am - Movement Session 5
11:30-12:30pm - Final Wrap-up / Discussion
12:30-1:30pm - Lunch and Departures
TRANSPORTATION
Participants are responsible for arranging transportation to the Comox area. Merville is 10 minutes from Courtenay/Comox which has two airports: regular and sea plane. Access is also possible by car or bus via the ferry from Vancouver. TOPS will arrange for your airport or bus terminal pickup and transportation to the retreat centre. Contact us for more details.
QUESTIONS? Email us!
Interested in a longer trip to BC?
Extend your time, either before or after the workshop! Consider a visit to Victoria (the capital of BC, at the southern tip of Vancouver Island), enjoy exploring the old growth forests on Vancouver island, book a whale watching tour, visit Tofino (a small ‘gem’ of a town on the far west side of Vancouver island). Or consider travelling through Seattle for a couple of days (only a 2.5 hr drive to/from Vancouver!). Let us know if we can answer any questions or help with ideas.
Cancellation Policy: $30 processing fee for cancellations up to four weeks prior to retreat start date; 30% non-refundable within four weeks of retreat start date; 100% non-refundable within two weeks of retreat start date.
Note: in the event that borders are shut / travel is banned by Government or public health mandate due to Covid-19, all registrants will receive a full refund, less $30 processing fee.
ADDITIONALLY, IN CASE YOU’RE INTERESTED…
**Check out the other retreat offerings at Open Heart Mind (OHM) Centre!
A synergistic and inspirational mix of Gentle Yoga, Somatics, Yamuna Body Rolling, and Intuitive Art. Designed for all levels and all bodies.