Schedule:

Friday, April 4, 2025

6:00pm - 7:30pm: Awaken - Festival Opening/DANCEmandala

On Day One, we gently open the door to a weekend of energetic connection

We begin with an invitation to connection, a cultivation of Human Kindness, followed by a movement meditation practice led by Festival founder, Rebecca Sturgeon. Stay afterward for tea and conversation.

Saturday, April 5, 2025

10:30am - 11:30am: Rise - Tai Chi

Day Two offers an energetic exploration of movement and creativity

Tai Chi is often called a moving meditation – we move our bodies gently, with purpose and focus to create stillness within. Among the numerous benefits that Tai Chi offers is improving balance. Numerous research studies have shown the positive effects Tai Chi practice has on improving balance while sitting, standing and walking.

In this session we will learn and practice Tai Chi principles and movements that we can incorporate into our daily lives to improve our body alignment, stability and balance. We can all improve our balance, so join us! Offered by Arlene Faulk.

11:45am -12:45am : AstroYogaGroove

Lunch on your own. You may want to check out Zentli, right across the street from the Festival venue

2:00pm - 3:30pm: Process Painting

Tap into your creativity and explore the flow of your own energy in this unique embodiment practice. You'll be guided to let go of expectations and allow your intuition to lead the way, using color, texture, form and movement to express yourself freely. This session invites you to connect with your inner rhythm, embracing the process of creation rather than the outcome. Through this practice, you'll reconnect to your innate creativity and discover the joy of following your own natural flow and expression without judgment. Offered by Stacia DeSalvo

7:00pm - 8:30pm: 5 Rhythms

We are humbled and excited to announce that this year’s Festival includes the practice that grew so many other dance meditation practices — 5Rhythms.

The 5 RHYTHMS is a dance/movement/meditation practice created by Gabrielle Roth. In her book, Sweat Your Prayers, Gabrielle Roth wrote: “Energy moves in waves. Waves move in patterns. Patterns move in rhythms. A human being is just that, energy, waves, patterns, rhythms. Nothing more. Nothing less. A dance.”

In 5Rhythms, you will explore your own energy, patterns, and waves. Through the rhythms of Flowing, Staccato, Chaos, Lyrical, and Stillness you can discover your unique dance.

This class is open to all levels and no prior experience is necessary. Come as you are. You cannot do it wrong. Offered by Clay Henley.

Sunday, April 6, 2025

Shine

The Final Day brings it all together with contemplative rest and a lively discussion of the real benefits of conscious movement.

8:00am - 9:30am: Labyrinth Walk

A gentle start to the day at one of the area’s hidden gems. Join us for a walk at this outdoor labyrinth.

There will be a brief introduction, then we invite you to experience the labyrinth at your own pace.

Location: Benedictine Sisters’ Labyrinth, 7430 N. Ridge, Chicago, IL

10:00am - 11:30am: Embodied in Community

In this workshop, participants will explore what connects them with a sense of joy, playfulness and support in the present moment.   We will notice how being with other humans expands and contracts our sense of presence and support, and we will practice listening clearly to what we need in order to stay expansive and true to ourselves while in connection with others.

We will use a variety of awareness tools including imagery, drawing/journaling, practice in pairs, and movement exploration of varying intensity (from stillness all the way to vigorous movement).  Come and be welcomed exactly as you are. Offered by Shira Vardi.

12:00pm - 1:00pm: Panel Discussion: Conscious Practices to Create Wellness

Panelists Arlene Faulk, Stacia DeSalvo, Shira Vardi, and Harry Pickens will discuss their lived experience of using conscious movement practices to facilitate physical and emotional healing.

1:15pm - 2:15pm: iRest Yoga Nidra

2:15pm - 3:00pm: Festival Closing Ceremony

Date: April 4, 2025 - April 6, 2025

Location: Various Venue in Evanston, IL

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