Welcome to my
CALENDAR OF SPECIAL EVENTS
Retreat Days
Workshops
Seasonal Events
Come and reconnect and recharge
What is Ecstatic Dance?
Ecstatic Dance is a free-form movement journey and moving meditation that’s sweeping the world !! Guided by a live DJ, we flow through an epic soundscape of all genres: fast and slow, classical to psytrance, drum and bass to dub - no style is off-limits! The music moves in waves; starting gently, building to vibrant peaks, and ending in stillness.
There are no steps, no judgment, no need to perform - just pure, free expression. We generally dance barefoot, without talking, in a sober, mindful space where respect and presence create a safe container. Ecstatic Dance is transformative, playful, and deeply liberating. It releases stress, boosts endorphins, and connects us to community, ourselves, and even a higher source. It can truly be one of the most magical experiences life has to offer!
Cacao
To open the space we will spend time sitting with and receiving the delicious warming nourishment and medicine of Cacao, helping us to connect to the earth of our bodies and the presence of our hearts. This wonderful plant has been working with humans to inspire harmony, encourage connection, illuminate wisdom and uplift spirits for thousands of years. Working with her intentionally and respectfully, cacao becomes the perfect ally to bring into our dance. This sacred plant will bring you energy to move with and work on the subtle layers of energy within you to bring healing love and kindness to whatever is moving in your life right now.
We will be drinking fairtrade, organic, ceremonial grade Cacao from Asháninka family farms in the Central Highlands of Perú made with water and a bit of coconut sugar.
There are some contraindications to drinking Cacao - if you are currently taking anti-depressants or experiencing low blood pressure, please get in touch to discuss a dose that will best support you.
Your Facilitators
Dr Sally Eccleston
Somatic therapist, registered and qualified psychologist and movement facilitator. Sally brings grounding, nervous system expertise, and a skill for guiding embodied practice with clarity and care.
Reya is the founder of Let’s Dance Sheffield and Ecstatic Dance Peak District, and co-founder of Ecstatic Dance Sheffield. An experienced facilitator and DJ, as well as massage therapist and yoga teacher, she brings a love of movement, music and community to every gathering. Her work is inspired by nature, embodied practices and her studies with the Mayan Yokotan Cacao traditions in Mexico.
Her dances are free-moving, non-judgemental spaces for you to fully express yourself in the present moment. There is no expectation, no end goal. She is passionate about creating a space where everyone can feel at ease dancing mindfully and messily!
What to Expect…
Schedule:
6pm - Arrival
6.15pm - Doors close / gather in for Opening Circle
6.15-6.45pm - Guided Warm-up with Sally
6.45pm-7.15pm - Cacao circle with Reya (cacao included in your entry ticket)
7.15pm-8.45pm - Ecstatic Dance Journey with Reya
8.45pm-9pm - Closing Circle
The Details
Date: Saturday 28th February
Time: 6:00-9:00pm
Location: Spring Bank Arts Centre in New Mills
Investment: £33 inclusive of a cup of cacao, or two tickets for £50
Fridays 13th February, 6th March
Chinley Community Centre, 7.30-8.30pm
Shake the Dust
“Don’t get stuck where it feels good”
What is Shake the Dust?
Shake the Dust is more than just a workout- it’s a transformative, embodied practice of the body, heart, and mind, and a form of activism through movement.
Each session invites you to shake off what no longer serves, personally and collectively, and to reclaim your body as a powerful tool for change.
Guided by a poetic theme and an epic playlist, we move together through waves of shaking, jumping, resting, dancing, intuitive flow, plus elements of yoga, Pilates, somatics, and bodyweight strength work.
This is a space where movement becomes a statement, where you can sweat, release, and build a resilient body while also grounding into the values and vision for a better world. This is a practice for ALL.
Whether you’re a yogi, a seeker, or simply ready to move with purpose, Shake the Dust is your invitation to take up space, break patterns, and come alive.
Spring Immersion Yoga and Somatic Movement Morning
Saturday 14th March 9.30am-12.30pm
Riverside Wellbeing, Whaley Bridge
Get grounded and connected with the wisdom of healing that somatic and embodied practices can offer, such as intuitive āsana, Shake the Dust, Embodied Yin and more.
Greeting this seasonal juncture with mantra, meditation, community, journaling, sharing and more!
Inclusive of ceremonial cacao to return to our hearts, carefully curated embodiment practices, guided meditations to support our theme, authentic movement, deeply restful practices and supported relaxation, time to share & connect with others, journaling practices and a light lunch.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine the wood element in Spring reminds us about new beginnings. At this time of the year, we really witness how nature starts to wake up. Planted seeds that have been waiting below the surface emerge as shoots with new life, buds appear on the trees, and there is a sense of force of movement in the air from Water to Wood and winter to spring.
A healthy tree flourishes, has strength and flexibility and is well rooted. When a tree stops flourishing, has weak roots, or is withering, it isn’t receiving the nourishment it needs from the earth, rain or sun. We too can similarly be affected by an imbalance in our Wood element in terms of the impact on our movement and flexibility, our posture (trunk), and feeling unrooted in our bodies.
This season is all about living in harmony, and also about re-awakening your inspiration. We often associate new year with intentions and resolutions, but the juncture of Spring Equinox is a super powerful time to start focusing on what you want to grow from the fertile soil of your life.
Come and BE and also practice some much needed tools to thrive. This day will offer a space to practice, connect, rest in nature, and share with others so that you can re-connect, restore and reflect on purposefulness, felt sense and your own unique being.
Come and get curious about what new patterns you are laying down in your life and what is changing within you and around you.
Not only improve and dedicate time to your mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing but also meet likeminded people to connect and inspire.
What are others saying?
“I was fortunate to secure a place on Sally’s Spring Equinox Day Retreat in March 2024, and the experience was truly sublime. I’ve done a couple of other retreat events with Sally but you never know what she has in store for you! From the moment of arriving, I instantly felt at peace; the pretty location and light airy space, with gorgeous scents and music filling the room, accompanied by sounds of the river flowing by outside; every detail created a perfect idyll of relaxation and comfort. The day was arranged to include variety, a lot of warmth and joy, at times challenging in an enriching way, like a personal journey of self-rediscovery and release from unwanted strains and negativity. Our break for a delicious wholesome lunch added to the nourishing benefits of the day. The experience is wholly rejuvenating and beautiful in so many ways, a treat for the soul and senses, Sally’s retreat events are by far one of my most favourite days of the year. Thank you so much Sally for making this possible, you are a treasure I am so privileged to know!”
“I really enjoyed Sallys spring reset retreat, the setting ( wellness centre in Whaley Bridge) is perfect, the river runs alongside & the room is bright & warm. Sallys approach to yoga is really refreshing & professional, the day was very well planned & the music was in keeping with the atmosphere. The food was delicious & fresh. The day flew by, I think all of us went alone, such a lovely group of people of different ages & abilities, everyone was catered for and given alternatives. I left the day feeling calm, controlled and very relaxed. Thank you Sally , hopefully see you soon.”
“I’ve never attended a wellness retreat before and Sally made me and everyone else feel really, really at ease the whole day. There was so much variety in the activities throughout the day making it exciting. Leading up to the day I had been feeling really tense physically and mentally, as well as a bit bored with things in everyday life. By the end I felt powerful, calm and ready for the next big changes in my life, with a much less busy mind. Plus the social aspect of meeting other lovely women was really nourishing after all the disconnection during the lockdowns. If you’re interested in any aspect of a retreat with Sally just go along and enjoy it- she makes it so easy!”
““Spending a day with Sally and meeting brilliant new women on the new moon retreat was everything I needed to help banish the stresses of the last year. It was in the most incredible setting and I came away feeling refreshed and renewed and floated in to my week. The day just flew by and had so many treats in store - aside from the delicious food - that made it great value for money””
“I went to this last Sunday and it was amazing. The session was invigorating and relaxing for both body and mind and Sally is just lovely. It really set me up for the week ahead.
I know that it might seem expensive vs a gym class or membership but they’re not comparable. I absolutely can’t wait for the next one.”
“There are so many wonderful things I would love to say about the retreats I have been on with Sally but as this is a review and not a book, I will keep it short!
I have been on 2 retreats now, an all-day one and a 4-hour afternoon one. Going in I felt a little tired and disconnected with myself, the way the retreats are structured ensures you float out feeling completely the opposite, I felt invigorated, sure of myself and knew what I needed to do to regain some of that connection .
I loved the cocoa ceremony at the beginning, and this is something I have brought into my day-to-day life, I loved shake the dust yoga and found allowing myself to move in whatever way I wanted entirely profound! I now have mat sessions in which I just move, however I like, I feel free and at ease with the world again!
The food on both of the retreats was excellent, everything was plant based, I was inspired to bring a little more plant based into my life! The truffles! Oh my gosh the truffles!
The goody bags were an amazing touch, a nice little addition to my home practice, allowing me to bring a little relaxation home with me!
All in all I loved every minute of these retreats, they were what I never knew I needed in my life! Oh and of course there is Sally! A wonderful, serene, judgement free, joyous woman!”
