The Initiation: A 7-Day Somatic Dance Retreat

The Initiation is a seven-day somatic dance retreat, a form of ecstatic dance, led by Sah D'Simone and Nathan Hirschaut at Blue Spirit Costa Rica in Nosara, Guanacaste. It is for people who are capable and well-functioning, yet feel their life has gone safe and flat, and who want to work through the body rather than analyze their story. No dance experience is needed.

What to Expect

The week follows one arc: landing, fire, threshold, rebirth. Dance is the central practice, joined by movement, breath and rhythm, with scheduled teachings and workshops alongside it.

Days one and two, landing. Arrival and settling in. The dance draws attention out of the head and into the body. A typical day includes morning yoga or qigong, breakfast, a morning workshop, lunch, an afternoon workshop and dinner, with an evening program on select nights.

Days three and four, the fire. Whatever participants bring with them is moved through in dance rather than analyzed. The more demanding material is concentrated here, and the organizers say plainly that these days are not comfortable.

Day five, the threshold. Dance opens into trance, with no clock and no fixed exit. Expectations and excuses brought from home are allowed to fall away.

Days six and seven, the rebirth. Movement, breath and rhythm give shape to what has emerged, and insights are refined until they are specific enough to carry back into daily life. Departure is on Saturday.

About Sah D'Simone

Sah D'Simone is a spiritual teacher, humanitarian and bestselling author, and the creator of the Somatic Activated Healing (SAH) Method. The method is a trauma-informed, body-based practice combining somatic body keys, trance dance, breathwork, dynamic meditation and positive affirmations, drawing on Buddhist contemplative tradition. His background includes over 300 days of silent meditation retreat across the past decade, retreat experience in India and Nepal, training in contemplative psychotherapy, and clinical spiritual care training at Cedars-Sinai Hospital, where he has served as a chaplain intern. He has danced into trance states since 2015 and founded the Somatic Dance Institute.

About Nathan Hirschaut

Nathan Hirschaut has danced since he was seven years old. He grew up in the competitive dance world, trained at The Juilliard School, performed professionally, choreographed, and eventually built his own dance company.

The Setting

Blue Spirit sits on the Nicoya Peninsula, recognized as one of the world's longevity Blue Zones. It fronts Playa Guiones, a three-mile sandy beach protected as a turtle nesting refuge, reached by the property's private beach access. Grounds include an infinity pool, meditation spaces, yoga halls and walking trails, with Wi-Fi in most areas.

Accommodation ranges from Eco Cottages and Platform Tents without air conditioning to air-conditioned rooms in the main building with ocean or mountain views. Single and double occupancy are offered.

Meals are three buffet-style vegetarian meals a day. Eggs are available at breakfast, fish is served three evenings a week, and vegan and gluten-free options are always available.

Before You Go

You do not need to be flexible, spiritual or good at movement. You do need to be willing to be seen and held by the group and the facilitators, and to be uncomfortable for a few days.

Included are seven nights from Saturday arrival to Saturday departure, the full program, and the meals described above. Not included are massage and bodywork, Nosara Longevity Center treatments, the optional 7-Day Detox Cleanse, airport transfers from Liberia International Airport, purchases from the Blue Spirit Café and Store, and lunch on the days of arrival and departure.