Dance of Connection

Dance of Connection is a five-night ecstatic dance retreat at Hollyhock on Cortes Island, British Columbia, led by Bettina Rothe. Built around the movement practice 5Rhythms®, it brings together dance, heart-centred communication, embodied leadership and time on the land. It suits people who are curious about their bodies and want to meet themselves, and others, more honestly through movement.

The retreat begins on a Friday evening and ends on the following Wednesday afternoon.

What to Expect

Rhythm is the common language here, and the group dances every day. The dancing is used as a way into presence, connection, creativity and belonging. Along the way, participants have chances to notice old patterns of relating, try out new ones, and pay attention to how body, heart and mind work together.

The retreat is immersive and participatory. It asks you to show up, move, feel, listen and connect. There is spaciousness and nourishment, and there are also invitations to go deeper. The 5Rhythms® practice is woven with conversations on heart-centred communication, embodied leadership, land-based rituals and unhurried time in nature. Sessions take place both indoors and outdoors, so the land at Hollyhock is part of the practice.

Themes the days return to include:

- Becoming more present to yourself and in relationship with others
- Movement as a pathway to awareness and change
- Widening your ways to connect, communicate and relate
- Listening to the wisdom of body, heart and mind
- Belonging through movement, community and connection with the land
- Joy, creativity and aliveness, or, as the organizer puts it, dancing your heart open

A detailed daily schedule is sent to participants about 30 days before the program begins.

Past participants describe a space that feels safe and expansive, with care, play, ritual, music and food all thoughtfully held. One calls Bettina an incredibly skilled facilitator, and another says they felt welcomed as they were and encouraged to show up as themselves.

About Bettina Rothe

Bettina Rothe is an embodied leadership coach, 5Rhythms® movement facilitator and trained psychologist with more than 25 years of experience in movement, embodiment and conscious awareness. She is known for spaces that are warm, playful and deeply grounded, where people can explore authentic expression and human connection. Her own path is rooted in medicine and healing, including shamanic practice and work with plant medicines, which she brings into select retreats and private practice. She offers weekly classes, individual sessions, workshops and retreats across North America, Central America and Europe, and lives and dances in Vancouver, BC.

The Setting

Hollyhock is on Cortes Island, and the retreat makes full use of its grounds, with dance and ritual held outdoors as well as in. Accommodation and meals are offered through Hollyhock as an all-inclusive package.

Before You Go

You do not need to be a dancer. You do need to be curious about your body, willing to take part in a group and open to making connections. Some previous experience with conscious movement, embodiment or other somatic practice is recommended. The retreat is offered in English.

Come as you are, with whatever is alive in you, and let the practice meet you where you are.