Presenting Yoga Day Retreats: Music and movement workshops at Troldhaugen, Siljustøl & Lysøen

THE PROJECT

A collaboration of music,  yoga,  movement and Norwegian cultural history in three composers villas: Edvard Grieg, Harald Sæverud and Ole Bull. A unique and new experience of these national treasures, a meeting of music, movement and healthy food whilst getting a new perspective of these cultural landmarks in a never before experienced event.

THE INTENTION

To entwine themes of each of the composers with music and yoga in three retreat days. To celebrate these cultural gems and to use their inspiring history and environments in conjunction with yoga and movement practice and offer a unique and very special experience in an equally special environment.

THE SETTING

Troldhaugen, Sunday March 2

Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg’s house is situated in a stunning location at Hop in the Fana area outside Bergen. Newly renovated concert venue Troldsalen will be the location for our workshop with floor-to-ceiling windows behind the stage providing us with a lovely view of the composer’s hut and Lake Nordås. Maximum number of participants for this event will be 12.

Siljustøl, Sunday March 30

In Ytrebygda lies the former home of composer Harald Sæverud who lived and worked here with his wife Marie Hvoslef from 1939 till 1992.  Siljustøl is a villa encompassed by a massive park area. The workshop will take place in Sæverud’s upstairs music room. Maximum number of participants for this event will be 20.

Lysøen, Sunday May 4

Lysøen is an island in the municipality of Os, and also the site of villa Lysøen, the house of eccentric violin-virtuoso and composer Ole Bull. The unique building is inspired by numerous architectural styles, including  Swiss, Moorish and Russian. The workshop will take place in the music room, with a maximum of 20 participants.

THE YOGA & MUSIC

Dionne Elizabeth is a yoga teacher, writer and dj hosting regular classes, workshops and events in Norway and the UK . She has been working to combine yoga with unique cultural spaces including the oldest kindergarden in Norway and also with the art museums of Bergen (KODE) leading the Kunst + Yoga project since 2012 which aims to take yoga into unique spaces and encourages us to experience art, yoga and our environments with a new perspective. This combination of yoga with other creative mediums is central to her ethos.

Musician Ketil Kinden Endresen has been working professionally as a musician since 2007 running many workshops, sound installations as well as writing, producing and performing in the band, Casiokids, recording and traveling to clubs and festivals all over Europe, North America, Japan and Australia. He also collaborates and DJs with Dionne Elizabeth and they create and host the Yoga Disco and other yoga, movement and musical experiences.

Together they are interested in merging movement and music to create a complete holistic experience and unique environment for others to enjoy. For this series of events Ketil and Dionne will curate a special soundscape and sequence unique to each space. The music will be performed live by Ketil and constructed from elements of compositions and samples of recordings from each composer to create a fitting soundtrack to each environment. The themes of each session are as follows:

HARMONISE – coming back into balance
finding your feet in your yoga practice. we explore and tune in gentle progression to find our perfect melodic equilibrium. choosing the right notes and combinations for ourselves.

ORCHESTRATE – initiating power to begin
the study of ourselves and our arrangement separately and together. to appreciate everything being connected.

IMPROVISE – the art of play
“to make or create (something) by using whatever is available.”
a creative guided playful experimentation. opening, exploring, feeling respectfully acknowledging our limitations and limitless potential.

THE FOOD

We are pleased and proud to team up with Bastant, a healthy and nutritious local organisation who will be providing lunchtime nourishment in the form of hearty vegetarian soup and bread. Fruit, nuts, treats, tea and coffee are also available on the day.

DURATION AND TIME PLAN

THE DETAILS

Troldhaugen – map and transport
Sunday 2 March
Max 12 guests

Silustøl – map and transport
Sunday 30 March
Max 20 guests

Lysøen – map and transport
Sunday 4 May
Max 20 guests

INVESTMENT

3 x Yoga Day Retreats = 1900kr  (only 12 spots available)
2 x Yoga Day Retreats =1400kr
1 x Yoga Day Retreat = 750kr

Price is inclusive of all yoga classes and workshops, lunch, tea, coffee and drinks,  guided tour with representative from each venue and boat from the mainland to the island of Lysøen.

WHAT TO BRING

You are recommended to bring a yoga mat (but there are mats available to hire) blanket, appropriate clothing to enable you to move in your yoga practice plus layers for changeable weather for an outdoor walk (the grounds in each of the venues are wonderful for walking and you will have free time to explore as you like). Some people have mentioned about car-sharing from the city and this is recommended, you are welcome to post on this page or the facebook page to organise with others. If you want to take public transport, details for each venue are above under the “map and transport” links.

BOOKING

*Places are limited, and places are assigned on a first come, first served basis.
*To register and reserve your space, a 200kr non-refundable deposit is required.
*The remainder of the payment is due one week before the event.
*Pre-pay bank account: Dionne Elizabeth, 1203 91 73059 and please mark your payment with your name and the venue as a reference.
*Deposits and full repayments are non-refundable unless your space can be filled.

If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to email me directly: dionneyoga@gmail.com