The Vessel
Intensive

Past Event

Upcoming

Sep 11, 2025

Sep 2025

Three days of dance, partnering, improvisation, skills and creativity.

In the middle of untouched nature — sleeping in high quality tipis and yurts — you find place and time to dig into your own individual interest and explore what it means to transform through a collective experience.

When

September 11-15, 2025

Start — Thursday, 3:00PM
End — Sunday, 5:00PM

Price

Pre-Sale for 2025 is on - Reserve your spot for next year with a deposit of 200€

‍

Where

Vissum 14
39619 Arendsee (Altmark)
Germany

2h from Berlin Hbf by Train
2.5h from Berlin Mitte by Car

Info

You should feel comfortable with moving and improvising with others. The experience is designed to be relevant to different levels of movement. No complete beginner.
Accomodation and full-board included.

Only 12 spots available.

About the class

TOOLS TO ACHIEVE YOUR MOVEMENT DREAMS

The Vessel Intensive is a unique opportunity for those seeking a profound, in-depth learning experience. The intensive gives time to transfer your movement into different realms, providing a journey unlike any other.
We will dive into concepts that transcend different practices such as dance, partnering, improvisation, somatics and creative tools. By exploring the technical aspects alongside the emotional layer of movement we create an unique opportunity to uncover many hidden aspects of yourself.

The Vessel provides you with practical information, creative tools and exercises to navigate your personal path.

We will work with the technical — introspective — expression. Each aspect flowing into each other.
‍
In the technical blocks we will work on techniques and knowledge on how to relate through movement and refine our skills in partnering and contact - finding softness and flow in the body. Gain understanding of how to let levitation happen rather than forcing it.

The introspective blocks bring us back to our source, the present moment. Working somatically with natural materials such as stone and clay allows us to deeply listen and regain a sensitive, calm and present body. In that state nature offers us new inspiration for movement qualities, coming from within. How stable is my body? What did my physical body experience so far? Exploring the resistance and malleable qualities of stone and clay.

Lastly the in the expression blocks playing with collective improvisation we transcend the physicality of our bodies. The judgement of the ego can drop to encounter a place that holds all of lifes experience - the weird, the ugly, the beautiful wildness. We will stay in a constant process of self-questioning about how our bodies communicate. The free explorations will connect the dots and allow yourself to encounter full self-expression. Be ready to surprise yourself. Let go of any limitations and create something beyond yourself.

SCHEDULE

Friday

3.00 — 3.30 PM: Arrivals
4.00 — 6.30 PM: Block I Expression — Landscape of the Body + Collective Improvisation
6.30 — 7.30 PM: Dinner
8.00 — 9.00 PM: Block II Introspection — Converting into Stone // Natural Materials as a Movement Resource
9.00 — Open End: Reflection and Intention Setting around the fireplace

‍

Saturday

8.00 — 9.00 AM: Breakfast
9.00 — 12.45 PM: Block III Technique — Guidance, Manipulation, Integrity of the Body // Partnering, Contact
12.45 — 1.45 PM: Lunch
1.45 — 4.00 PM: Free-time to explore Nature
4.00 — 6.30 PM: Block IV Technique — Shared Weight into Organic Lifts // Partnering, Contact
6.30 — 7.30 PM: Dinner

From here open program:
8.00 — 9.00 PM: Relaxation at Sauna
9.00 PM — Open End: Life as Performance / Experimental Jam

‍

Sunday

8.30 — 9.30 AM: Breakfast
9.30 — 12.30 PM: Block V Technique — Invitations, Hooks, Knots // Partnering, Contact
12.30 — 1.30 PM: Lunch
1.30 — 2.30 PM: Block VI Introspection — The Clay Body // Natural Materials as a Movement Resource
2.30 — 4.00 PM: Block VII Expression — Collective Improvisation, Final Group Journey
4.00 — 5.00 PM: Goodbyes & Departure

“

I found myself discovering a new way of communicating and expressing, namely with my body, followed by words only after the body had spoken. Instead of the usual thought process, I learned to explore expression physically and realised that the body offers a way to negotiate emotions and relationships of itself and the surroundings. The experience was then distilled and shared in written form, tying ideas and the group together.

I was very surprised to notice how feelings were created purely through the physical and how, in response, those feelings could be explored and answered to also with the physical. It was the first time that I got to know a group of people intimately without speech (except about the movement) and I felt this was a valuable lesson, because it demanded less ego and more vulnerability from everyone involved.

I can recommend this workshop to anyone interested in their emotional landscape and in how emotions are dependent on and shared between people (and animals). Also, to anyone really interested in feeling their body. I have a new appreciation for my physical manifestation after this weekend.

Yolandé

“

I didn't expect it to have such an impact on me at so many levels and to come back to Berlin so much grown inside.

A big surprise for me was the group dynamics outside the classes. It was really nice to spend time with the participants and get to know them better. The retreat showed me again how diverse and interesting people can be. Here, I was reminded of your words, Elke, that one shouldn't just focus on oneself, but also on the group and group dynamics.

I found the combination of writing and movement really great because it allowed me to better understand what had just happened. You could observe and describe it for a moment longer than in dance where it disappears quickly. You could not only be present in the moment of realization but also perceive it, stay in the moment, hold onto it, reflect on it. I really liked that we were supposed to read our own texts. It was initially challenging because I had never read my own texts before, but I really enjoyed it. The reading - spotlight effect - had a really strong therapeutic effect. The fact that everyone had to do it was crucial. Otherwise, I would have had the feeling that we had to compete for who gets to read their text, i.e. who is more extroverted. I had another moment of this kind at the end of the retreat when we shared our experiences - I am very grateful for these solo spotlight moments.

‍

Aizhan S.

Your Experience

Here’s what you will experience

OWN YOUR CREATIVE POWER

Draw inspiration from new experiences and free your imagination. Trust the process and let go of the “result”.

‍

SENSITIVE AND ADAPTABLE BODY

Understand your own patterns and tendencies, break them, discover and reveal new aspects of yourself.

‍

CONFIDENCE IN YOUR BODY AND SELF

By linking technique, introspection and creativity in movement and your thoughts you find an authentic expression in your body.

‍

LIFE RESET

Use the change of environment and pace to become more attuned to your own needs and desires. Let dreams turn into reality.

‍

The body is a vessel for creation, a tool to get to know yourself, a tool to reinvent who you are. The body is the only matter you own.

Location

Surrounded by nature in the Astraea Ecological Retreat

On the 4 hectare area you will find beautiful corners to linger and relax. Nature lovers and aesthetes will get their money's worth in the idyllic wild herb garden, on the farm or in the raised beds next to our greenhouse. During a walk on the nearby nature trail at the end of the village, you can let yourself drift and, with a bit of luck, spot one or two wild animals.

It is easier to live and learn in this environment.

‍

Getting There

By Car : 2.5h from Berlin Mitte
By Train : 2h from Berlin Hbf

‍

Accommodation Options: Tipi or Yurt

While the yurts gather around the central fireplace in an area surrounded by old trees, the teepees are lined up on the outer meadow at the edge of our forest with a view to the horizon.

The yurts are equipped with an en suite bathroom and an additional fireplace. In a converted shipping container, on the edge of the tipi meadow, there are high-quality bathrooms that belong to the tipis.

Yurt Option

28 sqm
Natural latex mattress
Fireplace
Private bathroom
2 single beds or one double

All to yourself: €880
Share with someone: €640

Tipi Option

22 sqm
Natural latex mattresses
2 single beds or one double

All to yourself: €680
Share with someone: €520

Caption

Caption

No items found.

Your Instructor

Elke Kalupar

I have found the most transformative experiences in group settings as they allow me to discover different parts of myself through interactions with others.

Frequently Asked QUestions

(open all)

(close all)

How can I get to the retreat venue?

←

There will be a pick-up option to get you from your house together with other participants directly to the venue.

Otherwise you can take a train to Wittenberge and get picked up from there or drive by car yourself.

Can I choose who to share an accomodation with?

←

If you decide to book a shared Yurt or Tipi you can let me know if you want to stay with a specific person or have requirements that are important to you.

I booked the retreat, but can't make it anymore

←

If your plans changed after booking you have the following options

Cancellation Policy:

Until 30 days in advance: 30% of the price incur
Until 14 days before: 50% of the price incur
7 days or less before: no refund

You can always transfer your booking to another person

‍

I have an allergy/food intolerance, can the food be adapted?

←

Yes, you can let us know any requirements you need for food during the retreat after booking. If desired, we offer individual arrangements and cuisine, which are as seasonal, regional and organic as possible. The culinary focus is on vegetarian whole foods, but vegan, aryuvedic and raw food cuisine can also be offered to a very high standard.

I have no experience in movement, can I participate?

←

The retreat is not based on a technical approach, but oriented towards the creative process. You should be open to move a lot, as we have multiple days for exploration.

Feel free to reach out and we can discuss for your specific situation.

Book Now

Choose Your Experience

Join this transformative 3-day Intensive dedicated to movement, introspection and creativity. Unlocking your authentic body and self, surrounded by untouched nature.

Limited spots available.

This is what you get:

3 Days of Dance, Movement Tools, Partnering, Improvisation and Somatic Introspection
Free time to relax and reflect
2 Nights Accommodation in a high-quality tipi or yurt.
Full-Board (incl. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Coffee/Tea/Water)
- High quality natural food
- vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free options
Saturday night sauna session
Unforgettable Moments of Human Experience

*2024 SOLD OUT

Pricing

PRESALE for 2025 is on. Reserve your spot to help me plan the next experience.

Deposit 200€ per Person.

Do you have questions about our retreat?

Send us a message. We're here to provide you with more information and help you feel comfortable taking this journey with us.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

The VesselIntensive