FAQs
Ecstatic Community Immersion
August 24–27, 2023
Is this some sort of sex or tantra retreat?
No! As a community we are sex positive and body positive—and many of the retreat sessions offer the possibility of touch, affection, or sensuality— but there will be no genital contact or sex play in any of the retreat sessions or public spaces—that type of activity is only welcome in the privacy of lodging spaces. Additionally, everyone must have their bottom well covered at all of the retreat sessions. (Tops are optional for all genders, except as required by Breitenbush in the dining hall.)
What happens if there's a covid surge or forest fires in the weeks before the retreat?
We are planning as if covid continues to be a manageable endemic and as if there won't be forest fires nearby. But anything is possible. Please know that Breitenbush is committed to the health of its patrons. We will be expected to follow whatever covid safety practices Breitenbush has in place. If there is a serious covid surge or if the AQI is bad from smoke, the retreat would either be cancelled or you would have some other options.
Can I come for part of the retreat at a discount? Is it okay if I arrive late to the retreat?
Retreat registration is all-or-none. There are no part-time options.
We strongly prefer everyone to arrive in time for the opening orientation (7:45pm on Friday), because that will be an important opportunity to take part in establishing the culture of the retreat.
What kind of music can I expect at the Ecstatic Dance sessions? Is it electronic?
In the most simple terms, there are two main subcultures of Ecstatic Dance. One subculture, represented in the lineage at ecstaticdance.org, is steeped in Global Bass Music (see below for more details), with DJs who mix tracks and make choices/adjustments on-the-fly. The other subculture (coming out of 5 Rhythms, Soul Motion, Body Choir, and so on) draws from all genres of music, and where the DJs/facilitators usually put together a fixed playlist so they may spend time on the dance floor throughout the journey.
What is Global Bass Music? There are dozens of genres and sub-genres coming out of the "Bass Music" scene. Bass Music is produced digitally, with distinctive rhythmic and sub-bass elements to be felt deeply in the body during dance. Some Bass Music has a definitively electronic feel (such as house, techno, trap, dubstep, or glitch hop), while other genres can feel a lot more like studio-recorded music with added digital production spice (such as tribal, electro-swing, future-cumbia, ghetto-funk, psybient, or future-soul). And Bass Music from any genre may often include recorded vocals or samples of live instruments. The advances in audio technology over the past decade have certainly blurred the lines in music production, to the point where the term "electronic" is not particularly useful for describing the way music sounds.
Why are the indoor dance sessions barefoot? What if I need to wear shoes?
Ecstatic Dance and Conact Improv are done barefoot because we love the feel of connecting to the earth with our feet directly on the wood floor. Street shoes are not permitted for reasons of safety (so bare feet don't get stepped on) and hygiene (we don't want to dance barefoot on whatever gets tracked in from the street). Some people need arch support, and are permitted to use special soft-soled dance shoes that are worn only indoors. Some folks like to wear dance paws (do a Google Search) or grippy socks.
Are children permitted to attend this retreat?
In general, we are huge supporters of family-togetherness, and you will find children of various ages on the dance floor at weekly ecstatic dances around Oregon. Since this retreat involves complex navigation of boundaries and public displays of sensuality, we have decided to make the minimum age 16 years old.
Is Ecstatic Dance religious or affiliated with a church?
Many people find Ecstatic Dance to be a deeply spiritual experience, but it is not in any way associated with a religion or church.
What if I want to cancel my registration?
No! As a community we are sex positive and body positive—and many of the retreat sessions offer the possibility of touch, affection, or sensuality— but there will be no genital contact or sex play in any of the retreat sessions or public spaces—that type of activity is only welcome in the privacy of lodging spaces. Additionally, everyone must have their bottom well covered at all of the retreat sessions. (Tops are optional for all genders, except as required by Breitenbush in the dining hall.)
What happens if there's a covid surge or forest fires in the weeks before the retreat?
We are planning as if covid continues to be a manageable endemic and as if there won't be forest fires nearby. But anything is possible. Please know that Breitenbush is committed to the health of its patrons. We will be expected to follow whatever covid safety practices Breitenbush has in place. If there is a serious covid surge or if the AQI is bad from smoke, the retreat would either be cancelled or you would have some other options.
Can I come for part of the retreat at a discount? Is it okay if I arrive late to the retreat?
Retreat registration is all-or-none. There are no part-time options.
We strongly prefer everyone to arrive in time for the opening orientation (7:45pm on Friday), because that will be an important opportunity to take part in establishing the culture of the retreat.
What kind of music can I expect at the Ecstatic Dance sessions? Is it electronic?
In the most simple terms, there are two main subcultures of Ecstatic Dance. One subculture, represented in the lineage at ecstaticdance.org, is steeped in Global Bass Music (see below for more details), with DJs who mix tracks and make choices/adjustments on-the-fly. The other subculture (coming out of 5 Rhythms, Soul Motion, Body Choir, and so on) draws from all genres of music, and where the DJs/facilitators usually put together a fixed playlist so they may spend time on the dance floor throughout the journey.
What is Global Bass Music? There are dozens of genres and sub-genres coming out of the "Bass Music" scene. Bass Music is produced digitally, with distinctive rhythmic and sub-bass elements to be felt deeply in the body during dance. Some Bass Music has a definitively electronic feel (such as house, techno, trap, dubstep, or glitch hop), while other genres can feel a lot more like studio-recorded music with added digital production spice (such as tribal, electro-swing, future-cumbia, ghetto-funk, psybient, or future-soul). And Bass Music from any genre may often include recorded vocals or samples of live instruments. The advances in audio technology over the past decade have certainly blurred the lines in music production, to the point where the term "electronic" is not particularly useful for describing the way music sounds.
Why are the indoor dance sessions barefoot? What if I need to wear shoes?
Ecstatic Dance and Conact Improv are done barefoot because we love the feel of connecting to the earth with our feet directly on the wood floor. Street shoes are not permitted for reasons of safety (so bare feet don't get stepped on) and hygiene (we don't want to dance barefoot on whatever gets tracked in from the street). Some people need arch support, and are permitted to use special soft-soled dance shoes that are worn only indoors. Some folks like to wear dance paws (do a Google Search) or grippy socks.
Are children permitted to attend this retreat?
In general, we are huge supporters of family-togetherness, and you will find children of various ages on the dance floor at weekly ecstatic dances around Oregon. Since this retreat involves complex navigation of boundaries and public displays of sensuality, we have decided to make the minimum age 16 years old.
Is Ecstatic Dance religious or affiliated with a church?
Many people find Ecstatic Dance to be a deeply spiritual experience, but it is not in any way associated with a religion or church.
What if I want to cancel my registration?
- You may cancel your Registration for a full refund of your Event and Lodging Fees, minus a service charge of $75 per person before July 15th or $125 per person from July 15th through August 9th. No cancellation refunds after August 9th. All cancellations must be requested and confirmed by email.
- After August 9th, your only option is to find a friend to transfer your exact registration spot. You must find and identify the person for the transfer--we do not have a waitlist for that. Transfers require a $125 service charge, must be requested by email, and must be processed by us. No transfers may be initiated within 48 hours of the start of the retreat. (Note: Transfers must go through the registration process and agree to all of the retreat policies.)
