Experience the transformative power of movement, intuitive art and nature on a five-day retreat on Orcas Island, Washington.
As we inhabit our embodied aliveness, we deepen our connection to the land and elements. Journey into your inner wilderness, inspired by the beauty and sacredness of this island.
Expand your Dance Healing practice through hands-on modalities like conscious touch, nature immersion, live musical collaboration and more.
We honor the original stewards of this land, including the Coast Salish tribes—Lummi, Samish, Saanich, and Squamish—and its name, Sx’wálex. It is a privilege to dance here, and we move aim to move with gratitude and respect.
What You Receive:
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Daily Dance Healing journeys at a spacious studio with a view of the Salish Sea and access to a beach.
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Nature embodiment explorations at sacred sites such as Mountain Lake.
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Guided breathwork with live music and optional hands-on support.
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Opportunities to connect with participants at social gatherings including an opening and closing potluck + campfire.
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Spaciousness for rest, nature connection and integration.
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Art supplies.
Optional Add On’s:
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Decompress at Doe Bay Spa with us! Enjoy hot tubs, sauna and natural cold plunging with a stunning view and access to the beach ($15 extra).
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Hop into the colorful island community at our Dance Church on Sunday morning from 10am-Noon ($15-$25 sliding scale extra).
Why this retreat is unique from the online training:
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Immerse yourself in the shared energy of a compassionate, in-person community.
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Explore conscious touch as a gateway to authentic connection and healthy boundaries.
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Experience how nature becomes a profound and wondrous teacher in your practice.
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Savor informal moments of connection with fellow movers.
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Feel the magic and beauty of Orcas Island, a place of inspiration and healing.
RETREAT SCHEDULE (subject to change):
THURSDAY: Earth Element
5-8pm Welcome campfire + potluck at Ravensong Refuge
FRIDAY: Air Element
10am-12pm Dance Healing at Oddfellows Hall
12-2pm Lunch / relaxation
2-5pm Breathwork with live music at Oddfellows Hall
SATURDAY: Water Element
Nature embodiment day at Mountain Lake!
Optional evening at Doe Bay Spa ($15 extra)
SUNDAY: Ether Element
10-Noon Optional community Dance Church (ecstatic dance) at Orcas Center ($15-$25 extra)
12-2pm Lunch / relaxation
2-5pm Dance Healing at Oddfellows Hall
MONDAY: Metal Element
10am-12pm Dance Healing at Oddfellows Hall
12-2pm Lunch / relaxation
2-5pm Closing ritual at Oddfellows Hall
7-9pm Optional potluck + campfire at Ravensong Refuge
How to get to Coast Salish Land -
Orcas Island, WA
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Reserve your ferry boat at the Anacortes terminal here.
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Arrive to the Anacortes Ferry Terminal 1 hour before your sailing.
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Enjoy the boat ride through the San Juan Islands (~1 hour).
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Join us at Ravensong Refuge (~5 min from Orcas ferry terminal) at 5pm on Thursday for a potluck + campfire to kick things off.
If you are flying into SeaTac airport, you may drive or take a bus to the Anacortes ferry terminal. Once on the island, you will need a car to travel around. Please let us know if you need any assistance with planning your travel and stay.
Who is this for?
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Level 1 Foundations graduates only, unless given special permission by the facilitator.
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For the adventurous mover who is curious about expanding their dance practice into nature, ritual and the elements.
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The studio is ADA accessible. We may be taking a medium level 2-3 mile hike. Please let us know if you have any specific access needs.
Accomodation
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Orcas Island has plenty of options through Vrbo, Airbnb and some hotels. We recommend staying near town where the studio, grocery stores and most restaurants are located.
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Ravensong Refuge (where we are having potlucks and campfires) has beautiful camping for $25/night and a tiny home with six bunk beds (a single bed is $45/night). Includes access to communal outdoor kitchen and bathhouse with a composting toilet and shower.
What to bring
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A journal
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Good walking shoes
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Proper rain gear (it’s spring!)
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Headlamp
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Bathing suit + towel for the spa (or cold plunge in the lake!) if you choose to join
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A labeled dish to share at the opening potluck on Thursday
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Your own food for meals (some healthy snacks will be provided)
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A comfy seat for the studio such as a backjack or yoga cushion
About Your Guide
Hayley Shannon (she/her) is an embodiment devotee generating brave spaces for authentic aliveness and communal healing. She is originally from Michigan where dance and nature were her sanctuaries. After earning a B.A. in Communications and Dance with a focus in Psychology, she migrated to Seattle to experience a new way of life at age 21.
Her life transformed after studying dance/movement therapy and breathwork in Greece in 2016, inspiring her to create Dance Healing. She deepened her practice through Tamalpa Institute’s somatic expressive arts training (Level 1-3 + year-long apprenticeship with their master faculty), breathwork facilitator training with Tai Hubbert, and qigong facilitator training with Suzannah Stason.
Now based on Orcas Island in the Salish Sea, Hayley continues to offer transformational embodiment opportunities online and in person, blending qigong, movement and ritual healing arts.
Follow her: @embody_soul_llc / @hayley_embody_soul
"Nature offers us a mirror into our soul, and the healing presence of another kind soul is often the healing balm that we need to finally heal our wounds."
- Hayley Shannon
Your Investment
$750 Pay In Full
$600 Early Bird (save $150)
Ends 4.1.25
Payment plans are available.
Special Offers:
BUDDY: Join with a buddy and you each receive 10% off. Use the code BUDDY10 at checkout.
BIPOC: Black, Indigenous and People of Color are welcome to receive a 15% solidarity discount. Use the code SOLID15 at checkout.
LOCALS: San Juan Island locals receive 10% off. Use the code LOCAL10 at checkout.
“My experience with Hayley was deeply impactful. Since meeting with her, I have continued to utilize all of the resources that she taught me and have found this to be really helpful in my personal practice. I have noticed myself much more able to engage my body and be present with difficult emotions. I have also felt a bigger capacity to stay connected to my body and also to be more open to others seeing me. This was exactly what I was hoping for.”
Jaime Koweiski
Coaching client