CONJURING THE MYTHIC
18 - 20 MARCH 2022
TOFTE MANOR, BEDFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND
Come and explore together ways to open the body, connect with the land, spirits and Gods, step into the interstices between realms and feel the embodied flow of creative inspiration. We’ll be working with movement and bodywork meditations in and with the extraordinary and magical lands at Tofte Manor, including earth based ritual, storytelling, art, music, inspiring poetry - and all fed with fine food and gorgeous company.
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This is a fully catered two-night residential workshop retreat for artists, writers, performers, and also anyone who wants to feel more sensually aware in their bodies, connected with nature and more deeply aligned with who they truly are.
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Hosted by artist, bodyworker and somatic movement practitioner Red K Elders, with guest teachers:
The renowned storyteller Hugh Lupton sharing his extraordinary mastery.
The highly respected founder of London Contact Improvisation Robert Anderson, will also be leading a whole afternoon class in increasing body sensitivity and awareness.
Step away from ordinary life and into a deeply nurturing and magical weekend retreat in the luxurious surroundings of Tofte Manor; a glorious heart-full 17th century manor house, set in fifty acres of carefully tended and much loved lands.
Sleep deeply in sumptuous beds, soak in big baths, read in the private library and relax by the fire in the beautiful sitting room. Wander the landscaped gardens, dip in the pool, and enjoy peaceful private woodlands.
The Tofte Manor labyrinth is a serene, intimate place perfect for peaceful reflection and quiet time.
This retreat is for anyone yearning for an indulgent weekend to relax, deepen into and expand their creative flow whilst enjoying the tranquillity and beauty of much loved and honoured lands and home.
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who you'll be working with:
RED K ELDERS
EVENT HOST
Red is an artist who creates graphite drawings of Old Gods and Mythic Beings. Her drawing process calls forth deep devotional practise, ritual and movement bodywork, facilitating the ability to move seamlessly between realms.
She also works with individuals and groups practising massage, deep bodywork and movement therapies.
Red has many years of experience in creating beautifully held ritually guided movement spaces for creative exploration, healing and play. Safe places to feel into our deepest nature, aligning with the subtle liquid geometry
of the universe to bring the fullness of gifts into being.
Click here for information on Red's previous workshops.
HUGH LUPTON
STORYTELLING
ROBERT ANDERSON
SOMATICS & IMPROVISATION
Hugh Lupton is an award-winning storyteller, performer and author. He is also a poet and lyricist. His work spans over 35 years, working on both solo projects and in partnership with other artists, writers, musicians, illustrators and performers.
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He has toured both nationally and internationally and has performed at the RSC, the National Theatre and the Barbican, as well as at schools, community venues and arts centres the length and breadth of Britain. His repertoire ranges from Greek epic to Grimms Fairy Tales, from Norse and Celtic myth to East Anglian folk-tales, from the Great War to John Clare. Thematically his work often explores our place in the landscape and the deep cultural memories we carry.
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More about Hugh Lupton:
http://hughlupton.co.uk
Robert Anderson is an independent dancer based in London. He teaches contact improvisation at Trinity Laban, Rose Bruford College and in a variety of settings in the UK and abroad. He's a company member of Touchdown Dance. Robert has studied and practised dance improvisation since 1996. Influential teachers have included Kirstie Simson, Nancy Stark Smith, Angus Balbernie, Ray Chung, Julyen Hamilton, and Steve Batts.
Robert was a co-founder of London Contact Improvisation in 2001. In teaching dance improvisation Robert seeks to find connections through the senses, inviting play and poetry in our dancing.
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More about Robert Anderson:
http://robertandersondances.blogspot.com
TOFTE MANOR
The first mention of Tofte Manor lies in the Doomsday book in 1086. The land was originally gifted by the Crown to Sir William Tofte, a Knights Templar, in the 12th Century. The current owner has cared for the land in great depth over the past 25 years, keeping it chemical free and working sympathetically with the energetic forces there.
The labyrinth copies the design of the ancient pattern of the labyrinth in Chartres Cathedral in France, but also incorporates all the elements in its design: earth, air, fire and water. Spring water arising there runs underground channelled by copper pipes in the shape of the labyrinth, and is freely available at the entrance and exit for drinking.
The huge stone fire-pit is built in the shape of ouroboros, the snake eating its own tail, representing death and re-birth. The entire grounds are held by a vast crystal grid with points dedicated to the sacred unions of pairs of Egyptian Gods and Goddesses.
With magnificent ancient trees and wild places as well as exquisite formal gardens, gorgeous luxury rooms and outdoor swimming pool, it truly is special place to Be.
ACCOMMODATION
The manor has beautifully decorated grand bedrooms with their own fireplaces and sumptuous beds. The manor bedrooms share beautiful bathrooms with both big baths and showers between 2 or 3 bedrooms.
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There's a large and comfortable drawing room and a welcoming study with huge sofas, as well as a cozy library offering quiet reading spots for the use of all guests.
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The stable yard has four tastefully renovated cottages set around a courtyard leading to a secret landscaped garden. Most of these rooms
are ensuite. All of the rooms at Tofte are of a very high standard.
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FOOD
You will be served three nutritious meals a day, cooked with love and care by our retreat chef. The food will be delicious, healthy and vegetarian with gluten-free and dairy-free options.
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Whilst you're here too, enjoy the incredible benefit of Tofte Manor's own water that runs the entire route of the labyrinth pathway and is bottled at the spring source. It really is such delicious, pure and vital, energised potent water.
OPTIONS AND PRICES
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS:
£465 - Stable Yard twin/double shared bath - sharing
£565 - Stable Yard private room shared bath - single
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£495 - Manor House twin/double shared bath - sharing
£595 - Manor House private room shared bath - single
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£525 - Stable Yard twin/double ensuite - sharing
£625 - Stable Yard private room ensuite - single
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Rooms without ensuite share bathrooms with 1 or 2 other rooms
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£325 - Camping
A limited number of camping spaces are available.
Campers will have shared access to a shower and toilet out in the grounds.
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All prices are per person.
Due to the current covid situation only book a sharing space if you are coming with a friend or partner. We do have rooms that can accommodate 3 if you are coming as a group so please enquire.
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INCLUDED IN THE COST:
2 nights accommodation
All meals from Friday dinner until Sunday lunch
Selection of teas & proper coffee throughout
Full program of workshops from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon​
FURTHER INFO AND HOW TO BOOK
Arrive from 3pm Friday 18th March
- to settle in, explore and eat together before our first evening workshop
Retreat ends at 4pm Sunday 20th March
and transfer payment directly to:
Red K Elders
The Co-Operative Bank
Account : 03018866
Sort code : 08 91 04
IBAN : GB52 CPBK 0891 0403 0188 66
BIC : CPBK GB 22
Please make sure you cover any charges for international payments yourself. Thanks!
Any questions at all about the retreat, please CLICK HERE TO EMAIL RED
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Further information about the venue is on the Tofte Manor website
