Dancefulness Retreat (2025)

25/02/2022

In the past years we have been facing uncertainty and severe changes in our everyday lives. In the face of uncertainty it is extremely helpful to ground yourself, to stay with yourself, and find comfort, strength, and steadiness within yourself.
Easier said than done?
In our Dancefulness Retreat we will explore ways how dancing and mindful body work can help us with exactly that: coping with uncertainty in a dance and body-focused way and getting comfortable with yourself.

Do you feel the need to come back to yourself or to find something to hold on to internally?

Come join us in July!

Love,
Maxie & Adamo

16/02/2022

Dancefulness represents the event where I can put together two of the things that are most important to me, dancing and mindfulness. I have been practicing the two for several years now but I believe that magic can happen when experiences are shared with others.

I have great passion about organizing this event because I want to help the students to learn, to connect with their breath, to feel good, to live well in their bodies so they can live well in their lives. I want to be able to convey the incredible power of dancefulness to like minded people and most of all I want to be there for others and support, understand, guide.

We all know that mind and body are connected and for me the most fun tool to witness this deep relationship is dancing…with awareness.

Save your spot at dancefulnessretreat.com or click the link in bio to register.

Love, Adamo

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09/02/2022

At the heart of Dancefulness…is the knowledge that mind and body are one inseparable entity and that mindfulness is a whole-body-experience.

In our western lifestyle and especially during the last two years of the pandemic, many of us have numbed, experienced dullness, apathy, disconnection from the body, maybe anxiety, and striving for a moment in the future, when everything will change and turn around for the better. Sometimes it might even feel as if we have stopped living (at least in this current moment) and just drag along.

My intention for creating the Dancefulness Retreat is to offer a safe and inspiring space, where people can get back in touch with themselves. An experience, through which you get the chance to come back to and savor life fully. To feel, to breathe, to move right in this moment. To take the heaviness away. To dance your freakin’ heart out. To take it all in.
An experience that supports you in dealing with these uncertain times and follow whatever comes up non-judgementally, patiently, and supported.
It is about time we come back to life.

Save your spot at dancefulnessretreat.com or click the link in bio to register.

Love, Maxie

14/12/2021

Christmas is approaching and we are all getting busy buying presents for our families and friends. That is great, because we love our families and friends. But let's not forget about us. We are the most important thing that we have! Our body, our mind and our spirit are the tools we have to experience life.
So take a chance today to spend some time to nurture the love you have for yourself.
Close your eyes and meditate; or simply stand and caress your body the way you would caress your partner; or play some music and dance like nobody's watching; or perhaps you can look at yourself in front of a mirror and say "I love you!".

Say that again, I LOVE YOU! 😍

Love yourself and you'll be able to love others even more! 😘
Love yourself and the people around you will love you even more! 🥰
Love yourself and you'll have more strength to face adversity! 💪
Love yourself and .... ( feel free to finish the sentence)

In a nutshell, in our DANCEFULNESS RETREAT will work on taking care of ourselves, our body, our mind and our spirit. Dance will be a medium. Nature a guide. People around us our best friends for a week (and maybe forever). Your old You will meet your new You. They'll make peace and life will never be the same again. 🤩

Will you join us?
https://www.dancefulnessretreat.com/

Sending you lots of love!
Maxie & Adamo

08/11/2021

Let it go. Or, as a very famous British boyband in the 70s would sing, “Let it be”.

Letting go means loosening your grip, your desire to have things happen in a certain way, and befriending the idea of non-attachment. We can be attached to things in positive ways (really wanting something) or negative ways (feeling strong aversion towards things). Both of which means we are clinging to them.
When we let go, when we start to let things be, we also start to let ourselves be. In this, letting go can make you feel liberated.

We decided to share the attitudes that we (Adamo & Maxie) feel are the biggest challenge for us at this moment. For me, Adamo, this is Letting Go. Nowadays, when I realise I am clinging into something I use dance to work on it. Surprisingly, often the positive effect of it can be quite immediate and I soon feel lighter.

What is the attitude that you think you are struggling with the most? Let us know!

dancefulnessretreat.com

LOVE,
Maxie & Adamo

01/11/2021

Article 1 of the Cologne Constitution (“Kölsches Jrundjesetz”) reads: “Et es wie et es” - meaning “It is what it is”.
And this is really what Acceptance is all about.

Face up to the facts. It doesn’t mean you have to just helplessly endure - acceptance means that you realise what is going on and that you find a way to act appropriately because you have a clear understanding of how the situation really is. It frees you from clinging to thoughts and ideas of how things should be and enables you to hold space for everything that unfolds in front of us.

For some areas in life acceptance might feel a lot easier than with others. That is perfectly normal. As with all mindfulness attitudes, acceptance is cultivated step by step.

And what better way of taking some of those steps than with dance?
Take another step and join us in Italy in our Dancefulness Retreat.

All info @ dancefulnessretreat.com.

LOVE,
Maxie & Adamo

25/10/2021

You have probably heard the term “we are human doings rather than human beings” and it may have caused you to grin a bit.
Unfortunately, there is a lot of truth to it. Especially in the western world we are primed to set ourselves goals and then work really hard to achieve them. And before we even reach that goal, up comes another one that we are striving for.

So Non-striving - does that mean I should just sit around and do nothing? Nope. Non-striving is not about not having goals or not working and just hanging around. It is about inhabiting the present moment. When you eat, you eat. When you work, you work. When you dance, you dance. When you brush your teeth, you brush your teeth (without clearing the dishwasher or writing to-do lists meanwhile).

Because what it all comes down to is that your life is only this moment you’re in right now. Everything else is memory or an anticipation (both of which are also happening right now). Being present and honouring this moment is what non-striving is all about.

LOVE,
Maxie & Adamo

18/10/2021

Trust is an attitude that when pointed towards many times the first internal reaction is “yes, BUT” indicating that suspicion and mistrust are right there around the corner, looking to “protect” us.

Truly trusting can be difficult if we are not aware of what we can actually trust in. Its foundation is the trust we have towards our inner self. The starting point can be to acknowledge how our body is working for us every day - and how we rely on that.

As Jon Kabat-Zinn put it “there is a wisdom to the body that can remind us that we ourselves are trustworthy”.

The more we learn to trust ourselves, the more confidence we have in ourselves, also in difficult situations, and the more we are capable of bringing trust into relationships with others, and trust we can manage challenges that we are confronted with in life.

So today see if you can find something you can really trust. Like your breath going inwards and outwards. Like your heartbeat. Anything, no matter how small, that you feel you can really lean on.

If you would like to go deeper into the topic of body wisdom and trust, and do that in beautiful surroundings and a safe space, check out our wonderful retreat in July 2022 at dancefulnessretreat.com

LOVE,
Maxie & Adamo

11/10/2021

Beginner’s Mind is definitely one of our favourite attitudes because it is simply so much fun to explore the world with this frame of mind!

But what does it even mean to have a beginner’s mind? It means that you are meeting everything you encounter with a sense of wonder, like a child that explores a flower for the first time. It means that you are putting your judgements and knowledge about things aside and exploring as if you would be in this situation for the very first time in your life.

How about you try this today? Go for a little walk outside and choose an object (a tree, a car, a stone, whatever speaks to you) and then explore every single little part of it as if you were seeing it for the first time. Do you see something new in the old and familiar? Can you feel that little sense of wonder?

LOVE,
Maxie & Adamo

03/10/2021

When we thought about how the attitudes of mindfulness are present in our personal lives, we also reflected upon the attitudes that felt like the biggest challenge for us - because it is always a process. For me, Maxie, this would probably be Patience. Dancing taught me a lot about patience and how to wait with grace for things to unfold. For Adamo… well, stay posted for this ;-)

Cultivating patience, especially with ourselves, means that we are able to wait for things to happen without receiving instant gratification. Our brains are wired to look for instant gratification, which is why we oftentimes choose short-term gratification over long-term benefits. However, you don’t always get to choose or influence the course of life events.

Dancing beautifully teaches us that things will happen when they happen. You cannot force a great connection. You cannot command your body to find its own expression. You cannot make a song go by quicker. All you can do is be gentle with yourself and trust in the fact that it will come and unfold the way it is supposed to… at its own time and in its own shape.
Because not only do things in life unfold in their own time, they will also unfold in their own way - you know the saying “life is what happens while you are busy making other plans”.

So sit back, take a breath, unclench your jaw. Slow down for a moment, there is no rush.

LOVE,
Maxie & Adamo

24/09/2021

At the core of mindfulness is the experience of being aware without judging what is going on inside of you. The goal of Mindfulness is not to get rid of feelings or thoughts, but to be with them, to welcome them, each like a new guest to your house, and to let them come and go without responding under the influence of the internal critic. This attitude helps us to move past automated reactions and opinions we have about almost everything. Easier said than done?

In the Dancefulness Retreat we will explore the concept of non-judgement through movement and dance and how it can help you integrate this facet of mindfulness in your everyday life.

Are you curious? Register now and save your spot to explore Mindfulness through Dancing in our Dancefulness Retreat from 9th-15th July 2022 in Italy.

Love,
Maxie & Adamo

All info: dancefulnessretreat.com

13/09/2021

We could not be happier about the response we have been receiving regarding the Dancefulness Retreat and the registrations coming in! When you plan a new event there are always lots of doubts and insecurities, and you don’t know if people will back you up. That is why we feel it’s important to share with you our most immense gratitude. We feel appreciated, valued and most of all loved! We love you too and we can’t wait to meet you there!

As we said in a previous post, spots for the event are going to be very limited to a max of around 20 participants, to keep the atmosphere calm and personal.

We understand finances are not the same for everyone, that is why until October 15th you have the option to pay in instalments, should you want to.
So, when you register, you can choose between these two options:

1) One-time-payment: 897€ total, due right after registration

2) Pay in three instalments: 927€ total
- 309€ due by October 15th 2021
- 309€ due by January 1st 2022
- 309€ due by April 1st 2022

The prices above include:
- yummy breakfast, lunch and dinner with regional products during your stay
- accommodation with lots of space to unwind, relax and simply be
- free use of all amenities, including the SPA and the outdoor pool
- all Dancefulness sessions and workshops
- and much more :-)

We promise you it will be a week full of body-grounding, heart-filling, soul-lifting, and mind-freeing Dancefulness.

Read more about all the benefits in in our home page https://www.dancefulnessretreat.com/

Also, feel free to get in touch if you have any questions or simply want to say Hello!

LOVE
Maxie & Adamo

09/09/2021

THE 7 ATTITUDES OF MINDFULNESS

In this first edition of Dancefulness retreat we will focus on experiencing and cultivating the foundational attitudes of MINDFULNESS (non-judging, patience, beginner’s mind, trust, non-striving, acceptance, and letting go) through DANCING, and explore how we can use them to cope (or literally dance) with uncertainty.

Mindfulness is not about getting rid of any feelings or thoughts. It is about becoming aware of what is actually going on inside you and about letting the thoughts you’re having and the emotions and sensations you are experiencing in that particular moment be there, to let them flow through you without blocking or pushing them away, being with it in gentle curiosity towards yourself and your human experience.

While it may seem difficult not to judge, to accept, and to let go, we will use dance as an embodied tool to enhance self-awareness and to gain easier access to these attitudes.

We believe that everyone can dance and express themselves through dancing, no matter the background or previous experience with dance. Therefore, this retreat is open for everyone who feels curious about training their awareness, about reconnecting with themselves through dancing, and who may have struggled in the face of uncertainty.

Registrations are open and spots are very limited.
Find out more: https://www.dancefulnessretreat.com/

We are looking so much forward to this journey together with you.

LOVE
Maxie & Adamo

07/09/2021

Many of you have expressed interest in Dancefulness Retreat and we cannot be happier about it.

We totally understand that it is not easy to think of booking for an event that is so far away and still with so much uncertainty. However we invite you to read the FAQs on our website, especially the part related to COVID 19.

We are very optimistic that the situation in July 2022 will be controlled and that the event can take place. We will of course comply with all government regulations and we encourage everyone to act responsibly and take the necessary measures to protect yourself and others (including vaccinations, tests before arrival and general hygiene). As time goes on and we have a clearer understanding of the situation next year, we will keep you updated.

Please feel free to get in touch with us should you have any questions or doubts.

Love
Maxie & Adamo

01/09/2021

DANCEFULNESS - LOCATION

The first Dancefulness Retreat will be hosted in the stunning Valcocchiara Retreat, a country house that lies on the boundaries of the Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo Lazio e Molise, in Central Italy. It is a magical location plunged in an amazing natural landscape: thick woods, ideal mountain views and a forever-green valley.

During the retreat there will be plenty of free time for you to chill and simply do what you want. You could read a book in one of the hammocks with a majestic mountain view or perhaps you want to connect with your new friends while swimming in the outdoor pool. Or maybe you could go for walk to the village and eat a well deserved Italian ice cream!

Here are some ideas for you:
- Practice yoga in the studio or outside
- Get a tan by the pool while you read a book
- Have a spa experience (whirlpool bath, sauna, lounge)
- Go for a walk and take memorable photos
- Have a nap in the hammock
- Meditate
- Join the walks in the nature
- Simply be

We really hope you will join us from 9th to 15th July 2022. Spots are limited. Register now!

https://www.dancefulnessretreat.com/

“Dance is the hidden language of the soul.”
Martha Graham

LOVE
Maxie & Adamo

28/08/2021

We have a really special week planned for you and today we want to give you some more info on how it will look like.

Our retreat is designed to give you the opportunity to reconnect with yourself in a serene environment. This is why we will keep the number of participants low, with a maximum of around 20 participants, so that we have a calm and personal atmosphere, where everyone can just come as they are.

In this retreat we will use dance as a way of practicing mindfulness, which we like to call Dancefulness. We will explore the mind-body connection, how dance can help us get grounded and find strength within ourselves. We will further use dance as a natural and playful way to train mindfulness. We work on cultivating the seven attitudes of mindfulness, which are non-judgement, beginner’s mind, patience, trust, non-striving, acceptance, and letting go through dancing, and on how to stay mindful and authentic in interaction with others.

Since this last year and a half have brought a lot of uncertainty towards most of us, we decided to include a special topic: we will dive deeper into (quite literally) dancing with uncertainty and unpredictability and experience how mindfulness can help navigating through uncertain times.

You can find more information including an example of a day at the Dancefulness Retreat on our Experience page https://www.dancefulnessretreat.com/events/

Life is here to be lived. Fully, in the moment and joyfully.
Will you join us?

With love and sunshine
Maxie & Adamo

25/08/2021

Find out more about the creators of the first Dancefulness Retreat!

MAXIE
Hi guys, my name is Maxie, and I am absolutely thrilled for this special event to happen.
I am a Psychologist (PhD), a Coach, a Dancer and Dance Teacher and have been facilitating several Dancing Mindfulness Workshops. For a couple of years now I had the dream to create a Retreat where Mindfulness can be experienced through Dancing, in a place where everyone can feel free, supported, and safe. It is my true belief that Dancing can teach us a lot about Life and bring us back Home to ourselves. In the beginning of 2021 the vision started to take form and together with Adamo we created this Retreat for you in a very unique and peaceful place. I couldn’t be more happy about it and I can’t wait to meet you guys and share this experience with you.
Love, Maxie

ADAMO
Hello everyone, I am Adamo and you might know me from blues or swing dancing. I have been practicing meditation for several years and 2020 has been crucial for me to realize the importance of being in the moment to fully enjoy the experience of dancing AND LIVING. That is why on 1st January 2021 I started Dance With Me to practice mindfulness through dancing every morning with friends from all over the world. Then I found out about Maxie's experience, knowledge and dream and we joined forces and passions to create the first Dancefulness Retreat. I am absolutely thrilled about this and I hope you let us guide you through this transformative experience in a heavenly place.
Peace, Adamo

Dancefulness Retreat