An unforgettable and life-altering week of zouk and extraordinary experiences. Dance with people from all over the world and feel the true power of human connection. This year we invoke energies of Greek Mythology with the theme „Forces of the Mystical“ inviting deeper ancient truths into the space.
VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfULSw_0YNY
Zoukenergy is a concept of retreat where dance meets human connection, and we celebrate the interactions this brings within and around us. There main topics of focus:
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Zouk Dancing
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Human Connection
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Adventure
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Fantasy
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Nature
Technical Dance Skills
The focus of the dance aspects is to improve our understanding and skills of Brazilian Zouk, and to learn and embody new tools and techniques that help us to experience more confidence, balance, freedom, creativity and connection on the dance floor and in partnership.
Connection & Communication Skills
Through various dance and authentic relating activities, we learn to observe the dialogue that occurs within our own mind and how to nurture a more compassionate and liberating space within us; and engaging in interpersonal communciation with an open heart.
Natural Human Experiences
The engagement with nature and natural experiences takes us back to our essence as a human being, without judgement, without ego and identity; simply doing the best we can to experience, love, life and celebration through dance, movement and human connection.
There are 3 Parts to the Zoukenergy Exeprience
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The main part is the ABONDANCE RETREAT |
this retreat is 8 days long and takes you on a journey from where you are now in love, life and dance to a higher place of freedom and abondance accross all areas. This is achieved through the combination of carefully designed experiences, tribe time and dance.
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The pre-retreat is a Zouk Intensive weekend |
with 12 hours of additional Zouk classes with two levels for beginner and intermediate dancers, so that if you wish to boost your Zouk skills before the retreat, this option is for you.
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The post-retreat is a Transformation Stage |
with practical workshops and media shooting to understand and articulate your unique gifts and contribution to the world, so that you can integrate this new version of yourself and return to the world with both clarity and confidence of your next steps.
Schedule Overview
Part 1: the Zouk Intensive, 12-13 July
Part 2: the Abondance Retreat, 14-22 July
Part 3: the Transformation Stage, 23-25 July
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What to expect from the main Abondance Retreat:
The Zoukenergy Abondance retreat is a place to discover more about yourself. Through ceremonmies, workshops and parties you will go on a wildly fun dance adventure, sprinkled with challenges and processes that support your wellbeing and personal growth. You can expect to learn Zouk techniques, deepen your sense of embodiment, and feel authentic connection through the loving presence of an open hearted community.
Everyday there will be a selection of activities available:
Brazilian Zouk (enjoy multiple levels of Zouk classes so that whatever level of dancer you are, there is something for you.)
Embodiment Dance (expereince solo, partner and group movement practices to expand your sense of freedom in the mind and body.)
Zouk Parties (social dance in a magical outdoor 200sq/m seminar tent with crazy atmospheric possibilities, live musicians and DJ’s.)
Ecstatic Dance (freestyle to the live band Umanaya, alongside other guest musicians and DJ sets.)
Rituals (surrender to extraordinary rituals and activities that build courage, compassion and awaken your sense of adventure.)
Meditation (learn different forms of meditation, using the mind, body and breath.)
Sensory Journeys (join our sensory journeys to unlock profound awareness and wisdom.)
Tribe Time (play authentic connection games that develop a sense of family, community and sacredness.)
Nature (dive into unpredictable natural experiences that enable you to see and feel the elements like never before.)
The Zoukenergy Abondance Retreat is an opportunity to experience life and dance like never before. You will be challenged, you will be inspired, and you will be cared for. Observe yourself grow into a higher possibility of confidence, freedom and expression.
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What to expect from the Zouk Intensive:
The Zouk Intensive pre-retreat is the ideal warm-up to the Zoukenergy Retreat.
Enjoy two full days of workshops with two levels of classes (beginner and intermediate) learing new tools and techniques so that you have fresh content to develop your own skills and capacities in Zouk. If you have never experienced Zouk before, this is the perfect place to be!
Zouk Intensive Schedule:
Saturday 12th July
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10am-12am (Zouk Workshops)
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12am-2pm (Lunch)
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2pm-5pm (Zouk Workshops)
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5pm-7pm (Dinner)
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7pm-9pm (Zouk Labs)
Sunday 13th July
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10am-12am (Zouk Workshops)
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12am-2pm (Lunch)
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2pm-5pm (Zouk Labs)
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5pm-7pm (Dinner)
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7pm-9pm (Zouk Party)
What to expect from the Transformation Stage:
After the Zoukenergy Retreat you will be buzzing with inspiration and experiencing yourself open-hearted and fulfilled. Having removed many layers of blockages and old stories throughout the main Abondance Retreat, this is the perfect moment to integrate what you love about this new version of yourself, and identify what you want to contribute to the world. At the Transformation Stage (post-retreat) you will shape and then launch, this new identity creating vibrations and ripples throughout your life.
I guarentee you that these will be three of the most fulfilling days of your 2025 year!
Transformation Stage Schedule:
Wednesday 23rd July
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9am-10am (Introduction)
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10am-12am (Group Mastermind)
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12am-2pm (Lunch)
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2pm-4pm (Mapping and Modeling)
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4pm-6pm (Project Time)
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6pm-8pm (Dinner)
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8pm-10pm (Practice Presentations)
Thursday 24th July
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10am-12am (Photoshoot)
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12am-2pm (Lunch)
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2pm-5pm (Project Time)
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5pm-7pm (Dinner)
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7pm-9pm (Recorded Presentations)
Friday 25th July
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9am-12am (Video Shooting)
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12am-2pm (Lunch)
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2pm-5pm (Reflections & Next Steps)
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5pm-7pm (Dinner)
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7pm-9pm (Closing Celebrations)
Why do the transformation stage?
As we navigate the journey of life we encounter various moments and degrees of connecting with ourselves and losing ourselves. In this moment, after the Zoukenergy Abondance Retreat, you will be more connected to yourself than ever before, you will dance different, think different, and your life-energiesd and presence will show this. Therefore, this is the perfect moment to integrate this new version of yourself. The Transformation Stage is a practical experience that will challenge you deeper than anything yet; and at the same time, it will generate a resonance within you and momentum around you that will stay in the following months and years of your life.
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Zoukenergy Experience Additional Information:
Guest Artists:
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DJ Kron (DJ, Czech Republic)
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DJ Aziz (DJ, France)
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Umanaya (Live Ecstatic Dance Band)
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Bojana & Lukáš (Teachers, Belgium)
Food:
Christina Klassen is an incredible human with an immense passion for the cullinary arts. She has a deep connection to nature, plants and the sustainability and wellbeing of all life. Christina will ensure that we are fully nourished with delicious food and that our meals are on time and of the highest quality in health and nutrition. She loves to prepare all types of cuisine, with freshly baked, organic and locally sourced ingredients (where possible). All food will be vegetarian and gluten free, with vegan options alongside every meal.
Community Guidelines:
Hollistic embodiment is the process of building a conscious and precise relationship between your mind and body. We practice this skill through movement, dance, play and authentic relating. This retreat is therefore an alcohol, caffeine and drug free space.
Pricing:
There are two payment options at the checkout: (1) Pay the full amount in one transaction; (2) Pay by monthly instalments (+CHF30 administration set-up fee). This allows you to gradually pay your ticket price over several months. If you are accepted as a volunteer, the discount (or refund) will be applied after the checkout.
The Zoukenergy retreat is priced very competitively compared with other events of this quality (8 days of life-changing workshops, experiences and nutrition). Our goal is to create an outstanding event with wildly unique and delux experiences. If you choose to become a volunteer, you will receive CHF300 back from your ticket price.
About the Venue:
The venue Le Moulin d’Abondance is a stunning 3.5 hectares of lush nature, and a community of creative and caring human beings who wish to provide an event space for conscious retreats, art and crafts. The team specialises in music, bodywork, nature and hospitality, they are here to make sure we have an amazing time! The land is home to a river, natural swimming pond, forest and several large open green spaces. There is an indoor 170 sq/m seminar room, privsate accomodation options and sauna, plus an outdoor stage for live music concerts. In 2025 we will also have a large outdoor 200 sq/m festival tent with wooden dance floor and atmospheric lighting. These two facilitation rooms will enable us to run parallel workshops and have more creative spaces for ceremonies.
About Jonny:
Jonny has been hosting events for 16 years, specialising in dance retreats within the last 6 years. He has a natural skill to bring large groups of people together in a safe and open-hearted community that invites authenticity, and therefore powerful interactions. Jonny has been teaching Brazilian Zouk for 12 years and more recently integrating various embodied arts, meditation and coaching.
The most unique aspect of Jonny’s leadership is the combination of depth and play. Expect to be challenged in a variety of ways and invited into this learning journey through community activities, fun, fantasy and freedom. Jonny remains calm and approachable throughout the Zoukenergy Retreat and is available to support individual needs should they arise.