For many of us anger is frightening to experience and receive. For some it’s exhilarating and others barely feel it in a direct way. For most of us it’s a normal and inevitable part of life and sometimes necessary and appropriate. For example, when we witness someone being bullied, the energy of anger can give us the courage to intervene in service of safety, care and inclusion.

But without building our awareness and inner resources, anger can destroy relationships and be the source of tremendous hurt and harm, benefitting no one.

In this workshop we’ll see how to transform the energy of anger into powerful life-serving actions. Gandhi famously said of anger, “It fuels you to move forward and get to a better place. Without it, we would not be motivated to rise to a challenge.”

Our discoveries will unfold in a supportive compassionate community. The dance sessions are an integral part of deepening our embodiment of NVC.

“I left this retreat with a completely different perspective on my anger and other people’s anger as well. I understand how anger is a bell, alerting me to unmet needs, and I can honestly say that I now welcome not only my own anger but that of other people. I’m not afraid of it anymore. ”
— Stephanie, Cornwall

And more generally...

Are you new to NVC and curious to find out more? Or have you glimpsed the potential of NVC, but are forgetting or finding it hard to use in everyday life? Or have you been practising NVC for a while, but still wish you were more in your heart and less in your head? Are you daunted, trying to do things differently in a world that seems harsh and exhausting? Do you spend a lot of time online or alone, and are longing for community, whilst perhaps being a bit wary of it?

These 5 days offer a supportive space to learn and practise NVC, in an embodied way, in good company, whilst having fun, with time to relax and restore in nature.

It is an invitation to grow your confidence and competence in NVC and leave with greater capacity to meet whatever life throws at you with courage and love - including tough-love. You may end up more ok with yourself, more real, or readier to make changes at home or at work that feel aligned with who you are.

“Gained the tools and techniques to manage from being slightly irked right up the spectrum to ruddy furious! Honouring the feelings and then calling in the antidote through finding and meeting the needs that are not being met.”

Learning Outcomes

What to expect

A group of about 12 people spending the mornings practising NVC. We will work with reflective and communicative exercises and NVC kinaesthetic ‘dance floors’ (as developed by Gina Lawrie and Bridget Belgrave).

There’ll be a dance session each afternoon where you get to embody different aspects of NVC through movement. If you’ve never tried ‘conscious dance’ before you are especially welcome. No experience is necessary – you cannot do it wrong! And all ages, body shapes, abilities and fitness levels are welcome. 

You’ll have the option to meet daily in small groups for an empathy exchange (a chance to be heard without judgment for anything at all and to practise listening to others with empathy), dyad enquiry (exploring needs) or further practice of your choice. 

To keep costs down and NVC practice up, we’ll be cooking meals for ourselves :-) Menus and ingredients will be provided and you’ll be asked to cook a couple of simple vegetarian meals, alongside a couple of others, with the support and ‘supervision’ of an assistant.

There’ll be plenty of time between sessions when you’re not cooking to rest or walk in the beautiful surrounding countryside. We may have a short period of silence daily over breakfast to support self-connection.

There’s also the option of a sauna and outdoor fire.

You may need or want to stay in Totnes on your way to / from this event. Totnes is an interesting little town to explore and Blackpool Sands beach is 12 miles away, about 30 minute’s drive. Please arrange any visits to friends, the sea or the local area before or after, not during, the workshop, as it’s a full programme. Here’s a link to the Totnes Tourist Information Office to find out what you can do and see there and where to stay: https://visittotnes.co.uk/

Why include dance?

Who’s it for?

Some NVC Training is preferable but not essential. People come with a wide variety of experience and support each other. No ‘conscious dance’ experience necessary. Every body is warmly welcome. Whatever your age, body shape or fitness level. Whatever your ethnic or class identity. Whatever your first language or nationality. However you identify in terms of gender and sexuality. And if you are impacted by mental health, neurodivergence or disability I am committed to exploring together how this event can be accessible and welcoming to you.

Board & accommodation

All food & drinks are provided. Participants will prepare and cook meals (see ‘what to expect’ above) which will be simple, vegetarian and mainly organic. We can cater for special diets but PLEASE inform us of your needs IN ADVANCE.

You’ll be sharing a room with 1, 2 or 3 others, or have your own private space in a partitioned dorm. There are very few single rooms, allocated on the basis of need. You can also sleep in your own camper van or tent.

"This course has been beautifully crafted. It was intellectually stimulating, physical, and it touched my soul.”
— Dyane, Devon

Location & travel

Eden Rise Retreat Venue, Sandwell Barns, Harberton, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 7L J

Train to Totnes
Short taxi ride (about £10/10 minutes) to Eden Rise. If you drive there’s parking space,but limited, so lift-sharing is encouraged. A month before the start date you’ll receive an email with contact details of those offering a lift.

“I gained more grounding in myself, more spaciousness around anger and what its purpose is revealing for the other person ie: their needs - and - how I can resource myself in my response. I can now experience more choice, freedom and autonomy in my relationships. ”
— Avril, Gloucestershire

Cost

Payment for this event is in 2 parts:

a) Fixed cost: £430. Or EARLY BIRD RATE of £380 if paid 10 weeks in advance of the event start date. The fixed cost is paid in advance as confirmation of your booking. It covers the basic expenses of running the workshop including accommodation, food, drinks, printing, basic expenses for Cath & the meals assistant.
If it’s easier for you, please pay a £230 deposit to secure your place (including Early Bird place), and the remainder one month in advance of the start date.
If you sleep in your own camper van the fixed cost is £330 or EARLY BIRD RATE of £290. You can also camp ONLY between Oct and April (NOT May to Sept) for this price. Camper van and camping spaces are limited to 2.

b) Sliding scale contribution: £200 - £600 to be given at the end of the workshop. You choose within the sliding scale what you are willing and able to contribute to Cath for her facilitation and all the organisation that goes into putting on such an event.

About the sliding scale
I offer a sliding scale for what you give to me because I want to reduce the financial barriers to attending my events. I am also open to payment being made in instalments that work for you. The sliding scale also allows those who are financially abundant to contribute according to their means, thus supporting me to offer lower fees to others.

Partial Bursary
If any amount beyond the £430 fixed cost puts this event out of reach for you, please get in touch. I am willing to waive the sliding scale contribution to me completely for 1 person. I will use a lottery system if more than 1 person applies and make the offer 6 weeks before the start date. So the partial bursary cost is £430 in total.

Cath works closely with London Certified Trainers –  Ceri Buckmaster, Carolyn Davies,  Daren De Witt and Tracy Seed.  We are 'NVC Pathway Partners' a collaborative group of London-based CNVC Certified Trainers working together to offer you clear learning and progression options to suit you. We are committed to creating community and a supportive network for those learning, living and sharing NVC in London and online.   Follow this link to discover more