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Emerging Hearts

Contact Improvisation Dance Camp UK

Where Community Matters as much as the Dance

26th June to 1st July 2024

Redwood Rare Breeds Farm, Wanstrow (near Frome), Somerset, UK

All tickets, volunteering and teaching applications are now available. If you’re not ready to buy a ticket you, can easily stay in touch and receive updates about the camp by joining our mailing list.

We are also selling CI specific kneepads that can be added to you booking for the camp.

At Emerging Hearts we hope to make our events as accessible as possible. We understand that while we try to price our events reasonably, support may still be needed. If you are on a lower income, we have plenty of volunteering options for reduced-price tickets. We also offer the option of paying in instalments, please fill out our inclusivity form if you need this extra support.

EMBODIMENT. CREATIVITY. COMMUNITY.

explore the somatic wonders of contact improvisation

loads of dance, creative, nature and sound-based experiences

within green fields, wild meadows, old woodlands​, lakes, amazing skylines and the rolling hills ​​of the countryside

includes wood fire sauna, bodywork space, live music, delicious food, co-creative community

The Essence of the Camp…

 
  • Contact Improvisation is a practice that brings wonder and endless possibilities to the world of movement and connection. Through the exploration of weight-sharing, responding to impulses, and surrendering to the present moment, participants embark on a captivating journey of discovery. It is a dance form that breaks down barriers and allows for genuine connections to be forged. The wonder of Contact Improvisation lies in its ability to take us beyond our preconceived notions of movement, inviting us to tap into our intuition and engage in a deep conversation with our bodies and the bodies of others.

    The benefits extend far beyond the dance floor. This practice offers a unique opportunity for personal growth and self-expression. Through the physicality of the form, dancers develop strength, flexibility, and body awareness. Furthermore, Contact Improvisation promotes a sense of trust, collaboration, and empathy. As we navigate the weight and movement of our partner, we learn to surrender control and embrace the unknown. This enhances our ability to communicate non-verbally, fostering a deeper understanding of ourselves and others. It is through this process that the transformative power of Contact Improvisation unfolds.

    Not only is Contact Improvisation a powerful tool for personal growth, but it also holds the power to create communities and foster a sense of belonging. As dancers come together in the spirit of exploration and shared experience, bonds are formed that transcend conventional boundaries. Contact Improvisation provides a space where diverse individuals can come together to engage in meaningful movement dialogues, breaking through societal norms and promoting inclusivity. It is within this collective exploration that the power of Contact Improvisation shines, reminding us of the inherent interconnectedness of all beings and the potential for transformation that lies within each of us.

  • At Emerging Hearts, we believe in the power of community and the value of every individual's contribution. Our Contact Improvisation camp is built on the principle of active involvement, where everyone has a role to play in creating an inclusive and vibrant experience.

    By offering reduced tickets to the majority of participants, we aim to make the camp accessible and affordable for as many people as possible. We recognise and appreciate the diverse talents and efforts of each person involved, whether it's building the camp, leading workshops, or lending a hand in the kitchen.

    Together, we shape the heart and soul of our camp, supporting the practice of Contact Improvisation and creating transformative experiences on and off the dance floor. Join us in co-creating an unforgettable journey where your unique contribution makes all the difference.

  • Our Camp is supported so wonderfully by the surrounding land that we dance upon. Rain or shine, the community can be found sprawling on the grass, walking in the woodland, or finding peace in the hammocks under a canopy of trees. The elements around us remind us of our connection with all living beings and our inherent desire to dance.

    The landscape offers a vast and diverse playground for movement exploration and Contact Improvisation, it’s varied terrain, textures, and grounding presence awaken our senses delightfully. Spending five days on the land offers us the chance us to immerse ourselves fully in the present, encouraging a stronger sense of community and a deeper bond with the dance.

 

 In Their Words…

The Experience…

  • Deeply Human Experience

    Inside us all there is an innate desire to be seen, to be felt, and to have our surging, somatic-emotional world met by another. When our experience actually feels held, contained, and allowed, we naturally come to a place of rest.

    Emerging Hearts offer you this place to fully be who you are, to feel a deeper sense of freedom, for your experience to be what it is and for you to bring the gift of your presence to see one another within these unique experiences. In essence when you feel this way then your heart can truly emerge.

  • Let’s Come Together

    Many of us are naturally drawn to dancing and being together. To sit around a warm fire under a starry sky. To be curious about a life that can be explored through our bodies and to enjoy the simple pleasures of eating, laughing, and playing together as friends.

    Let’s come together to dance once more. Where we can enjoy the wonders of these embodied experiences that bring closeness, intimacy, and connection on a deeper human level.

  • Our Emerging Community

    We are social creatures wired for connection and often feel most alive when we are both deeply rooted in ourselves and feeling held within community. We need community… when we feel connected and seen, loved and appreciated, involved and included, supported and nurtured, we experience a deeper connection to ourselves and a remembering of who we are.

    At the camp, the community experience is as important to us as the dance. We will eat together, gather around the fire together, look after the camp together, and of course dance together - living as a community, with space, holding and support.

  • A Safe Space to Explore

    We are here to practice a form of dance that in our eyes is incredibly enriching. It offers us the space to explore both our physicality and our humanity whilst deeply connecting to one another.

    We place great importance on creating a space that is safe, kind and respectful for all. So you can fully engage in the somatic wonders of this practice, in which your growth and development can easily occur. We do what we can to insure that everyone has the best experience possible, and in doing so we invite you to read through our Community Guidelines and Group Agreements to find out more about how you can also support this process.

  • Meeting Your Needs

    The camp is designed for you to create your own flow through the workshops & experiences, and we fully support you in following your own needs as this evolves throughout the camp. We are offering you an excellent range of experiences from intimate connections to spacious wanderings, where you can dance inside marquees, amongst the trees or even around the fire.

  • Curious, New & Seasoned Dancers

    Whether you’re curious and new to Contact Improvisation or a seasoned dancer, the structure of the workshops and programme will give you every opportunity to fully emerge yourself into a heartfelt 5 days of incredible dance.

    New dancers have no fear, we offer a super welcoming and supportive dancing environment made up of every level of dancer from complete beginners right through to teachers. We guarantee that you’ll find your feet and make lots of new friends in no time. You can always find out more about this practice on our Info for Beginners page.

What’s included in your ticket…

  • Loads of Contact Improvisation

    A full immersion into the somatic wonders of the embodied practice of Contact Improvisation with some of the UK’s best teachers. 35 Hours of Contact Improvisation sessions over 5 days.

  • Live Music

    Incredible live improvised music for our evening Contact Dance Jams.

  • Amazing Selection of Workshops

    Ecstatic Dance, Dance in Nature, Partner Dances, Authentic Movement, Embodied Sharing Space, Drawing through Movement, Singing Circle, Drumming, Yoga, Meditation, Gong Bath.

  • Bodywork Sharing Space

    Each evening, our geodome chill-out space transforms into a warm and inviting environment for participants to engage in the sacred act of bodywork. Our intention is to create a safe and supportive space where everyone feels comfortable to join, and where personal boundaries are respected and honoured. With a cosy fire and plenty of cushions, this space provides a nurturing atmosphere for deep relaxation, healing, and connection.

  • Wood Fire Sauna

    The perfect way to relax those tired muscles after a day of dancing and include in the cost of your ticket. (find out more)

  • All Meals

    Delicious vegan & veggie breakfast, lunches and dinners cooked with love by our experienced chefs and kitchen team. (find out more)

  • Great Spaces

    Great selection of spaces to dance, hang out and share as well as all the essential camping facilities to make your experience warm, dry, comfortable and easy. (find out more)

  • Co-creative Community

    At the camp, the community experience is as important to us as the dance. We will eat together, gather around the fire together, look after the camp together, and of course dance together - living as a community, with space, holding and support.

  • The Land

    The new site in the rolling Mendip hills of the Somerset countryside offers a lush flat green field nestled amidst breathtaking views and enchanting woodlands, providing ample space for you to immerse yourself in the natural landscape. (find out more)

  • Get Involved

    Be part of the working community with our volunteering options in exchange for cheaper tickets. This a great way to support both yourself and the camp. (find out more)