with Dawn Oakley-Smith and Dawn Morgan
Shapeshift 2020

Heartshore Stables Stroud, GL6 9BD
25th-27th September

We have been developing the Horse Dance as a ritual & oracle for 6 years. 

This weekend is an introduction and ongoing practice of Horse Dancing and all are welcome.

In the mirror of you what do I see?

Horses offer us a profound reflection that can touch us, inspire and reveal what may have felt lost and hidden. We invite you to come and experience a way of being where respect of and learning with nature, both inside us and around us is explored with lightness, humour and depth. This will be a memorable and nourishing weekend and you will leave with fresh understandings and perspectives as well as new reflections.

Please get in touch if you would like to know more.

 

Dawn Oakley-Smith

I have worked with horses for more than 40 years. My approach is to facilitate authentic relationship, with ourselves, horses & the planet; using Relational Horsemanship, shamanic practice & soul awareness.

Dawn Morgan

I am drawn by the majesty & sensitivity of horses. Their willing, wild curiosity is a gift to the heart. Background - facilitating movement & dance, trained in 5 Rhythms®, Somatics, Pre and Perinatal Psychology. I have been involved with horses since my teenage years, there have been gaps but I have always returned, I now have 2 beautiful horse being who I share my life with.

What happens during the retreat?

We meet the Heartshore Herd and make a connection with one of the horses. Usually the horses choose who it is they will work with. The horses background and story often resonates with the human they choose.

Sannaa with Typan

We dance inside and on the land, working with earth connection, body articulation, grounding and spontaneity. These are all essential and useful practices when working with horses. Horses are already grounded, earth connected and spontaneous... sometimes we have a bit of catching up to do! And it is really fun and enlivening to move outside on the land under the wide sky of Heartshore stables.

All levels of movement experience and abilities are welcome, you do not need experience of horses or movement to benefit hugely from this retreat. And if you are experienced we warmly welcome you.

We dance inside and on the land, working with earth connection, body articulation, grounding and spontaneity. These are all essential and useful practices when working with horses. Horses are already grounded, earth connected and spontaneous... sometimes we have a bit of catching up to do! And it is really fun and enlivening to move outside on the land under the wide sky of Heartshore stables.

All levels of movement experience and abilities are welcome, you do not need experience of horses or movement to benefit hugely from this retreat. And if you are experienced we warmly welcome you. (Jo with crutches dancing with Sana).

 

We learn Relational Horsemanship skills. All levels of experience are welcome.
We learn Relational Horsemanship skills.
All levels of experience are welcome.

We take time to prepare the horses for the Horse Dance Ceremony, sometimes we paint them, weaving flowers into their main and tail, sometimes we use body paints on ourselves and we help each other get ready, this is a very nourishing activity and can have an ancient, tribal and timeless quality.

It is rare that we ride the horses as part of the ritual, but sometimes it feels right.
It is rare that we ride the horses as part of the ritual, but sometimes it feels right.
We endeavour to bring mindfulness, presence and respect to all our interactions with the horses.
We endeavour to bring mindfulness, presence and respect to all our interactions with the horses.
Some of our work can take us into deep relaxation and dreaming with the horses.
Some of our work can take us into deep relaxation and dreaming with the horses.
We share an evening around the fire, drumming, singing, laughing, quiet time and prayers.
We share an evening around the fire, drumming, singing, laughing, quiet time and prayers.
Free Camping
Camping Available

We endeavour to invite the sacred in as part of our day to day presence on the land, with the horses, with ourselves and each other as well as in the ceremony itself.

Our work with the sacred is all inclusive and is spiritual rather than religious.
Our work with the sacred is all inclusive and is spiritual rather than religious.

Please get in touch if you have any questions, or need more information:
Dawn Morgan: dawn@shapeshift.co.uk / 07894 711520,
Dawn Oakley-Smith: dawnoakleysmith@gmail.com / 07918 687031