Summer VesselIntensive
Four days of dance, partnering, improvisation, skills and creativity.
In the middle of untouched nature — tucked between the Spreewald and the Lausitz lake region, in a quiet rural retreat surrounded by fields, forests, and wide open sky— you find place and time to dig into your own individual interest and explore what it means to transform through a collective experience.
When
July 30 — August 2nd, 2026
Start — Thursday, 4:00PM
End — Sunday, 3:00PM
Price
Costs for Sessions
Sliding Scale 250-450€ (Regular and fair price 350€)
Choose your payment according to your financial stability, housing situation etc.
Additional Costs for Accomodation and Meals p.P.
Choose your Option (incl. 3 nights, full board)
400€ Communal Sleeping Room + Full board
450€ Double Room + Full board
520€ Private Room + Full board
Where
Kunstmühle Veckenstedt
Strasse der Technik 6
38871 Veckenstedt, Germany
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.
Accommodation and full-board included (for each meal there will be 2-3 participants helping with preparations, cutting, cleaning).
Only 15 spots available.
About the Vessel
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.
The Vessel provides you with practical information, creative tools and exercises to navigate your personal path.
We will work with the technical — physical/emotional — creative. 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 physical/emotional blocks bring us back to our source, the present moment. This is a site-specific exploration where movement is shaped by the spaces we inhabit — every room, every surface, every shift in the environment becomes part of the work.
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.
Some of the sessions are planned for outside (depending on the weather).
What to expect:
- Different Rooms — Different Moves: Adapt and respond to the unique qualities of each space.
- Outdoor Partnering/Contact Training: Explore physical connection and trust in nature’s unpredictable terrain.
- Improvisation Techniques: Develop spontaneity, break habits, and discover new movement pathways.
- Group Journeys: Experience the power of collective movement and shared momentum.
- Sound, Voice & Physical Theatre: Integrate voice and sound into your physical expression.
- Altered States of Consciousness: Use music and movement to access deeper layers of awareness and creativity.
Personalized Practice:
This retreat goes beyond structured sessions. I’ll be there throughout — offering one-on-one feedback, tailored exercises, and practical tips during open practice times to help you refine your skills and push your boundaries.
Collaborative Creation:
We conclude with Working Groups — small teams developing original movement pieces, combining personal expression with group dynamics.
This retreat is for movers ready to engage fully — physically, creatively, and collaboratively.
SCHEDULE
Thursday
4:00 PM: Arrival
6:00 — 7:30 PM: Dinner
8:00 — 9:00 PM: Block I: Introduction to moving in spaces
Friday
8:00 — 9:00 AM: Breakfast
9:30 — 1:00 PM: Block II: Partnering + Improvisation Techniques to Interact
1:00 — 2:30 PM: Lunch
2:30 — 5:30 PM: Block III: Free-Time, Lake, Deep Listening of Surrounding
5:30 — 7:30 PM: Block IV: Collective Improvisation with Focus on Space Presence/Absence
7:30 — 9:00 PM: Dinner
9:00 — Open End: Fire Place, Talks, Free-Time
Saturday
8:00 — 9:00 AM: Breakfast
9:30 — 1:00 PM: Block V: Partnering Trios/Quartetts + Composition Tools
1:00 — 2:30 PM: Lunch
2:30 — 5:30 PM: Block VI: Space for Individual Requests & Creative Working Groups
5:30 — 7:30 PM: Block VII: Kitchen Movement Session - How to integrate performance while completing other tasks
7:30 — 9:00 PM: Dinner
9:00 — Open End PM: Experimental Jam in the House
Sunday
9:00 — 10:30 AM: Breakfast
10:30 — 12:00 AM: Block VIII: Final Movement Session + Sharing Creations of Groups
12:30 — 1:30 PM: Lunch
1:30 — 2:00 PM: Departure & Goodbyes
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.
To have time in one place. To be taken care of and being able to fully soak in your bodies perceptions and feelings is a gift.
Surrounded by nature at the Edge of the Harz
In the small village of Veckenstedt, near the Harz Mountains, the retreat takes place in a quiet, rural setting which is surrounded by fields, forest edges, and open land. There is space here. Fewer distractions. A different pace.
We work inside the Kunstmühle Veckenstedt, a former mill from 1884. The building is old, textured, and carries its history. It hasn’t been polished away. It holds weight, roughness, and character.
Getting There
By Car : 2.4h from Berlin
By Train : 3h from Berlin Hbf to Ilsenburg Bahnhof
Accommodation & Movement Space
This space is designed for deep physical exploration and creative flow. The studio is grounded. Wooden dance floor. Dim, contained. A space that invites focus. The interiors are shaped by artistic use, objects, traces, materials. It's perfect for creating structure and play.
Your instuctor
Elke Kalupar
Maana Sasaki
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I choose who to share accomodation with?
Yes! If you’d like to share with a specific person or have any preferences—like sharing with a particular gender or anything else—just let us know in advance, and we’ll do our best to accommodate your wishes.
I have an allergy/food intolerance, can the food be adapted?
Absolutely! Just let us know in advance about any allergies or intolerances, and we’ll make sure to take them into account when planning the meals. We’ll all take turns helping with food prep and clean-up. All meals are vegetarian, with vegan options always available. If you need gluten-free dishes or have other specific dietary needs, we’re happy to adjust.
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
How can I get to the retreat venue?
A few weeks before the retreat, we’ll connect all participants so you can coordinate travel together if you'd like. You’ll be able to see who has space in their car or who prefers taking the train. For those arriving by train, we can organize a pickup from Ilsenburg station to bring you to the venue.
Choose Your Experience
Join this transformative 4-day Intensive dedicated to movement, introspection and creativity. Unlocking your authentic body and self, surrounded by untouched nature.
Limited spots available. (7 spots left at the moment)
This is what you get:
- 4 Days of Dance, Movement Tools, Partnering, Improvisation and Site Specific Movement Exploration
- Free time to relax and reflect
- 3 Nights Accommodation and 200sqm Movement Space
- Full-Board (incl. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Coffee/Tea/Water)
- High quality natural food
- vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free options
- Unforgettable Moments of Human Experience
Pricing
Sliding Scale for Sessions: 250€ - 450€, Regular Price: 350€ per Person
Package Options:
Package 1: 350€ Sessions + 400€ Communal Sleeping Room + Full board
Package 2: 350€ Sessions + 450€ Double Room + Full board
Package 3: 350€ Sessions + 520€ Private Room + Full board
Reach out to us, if you are able or not able to pay a different price for the sliding scale.
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.