Memories of my Breitenbush Retreats

It’s still dark as I dig out my silver french press from the back of the cupboard. I had forgotten about it, being hidden from view. But a glimpse yesterday had me bringing it forth, with some delicious memories. I heated water, thinking of those early mornings at Breitenbush Hot Springs, in Oregon, where I taught every year for 24 years, leading women’s retreats full of dance, laughter, tears, journaling, yoga, sweat, soaking in glorious hot tubs under the stars, delicious veggie meals cooked lovingly for us 3 times a day, and more dance! Co-created originally with mythical goddess Patrice (RIP), I carried on this tradition, desiring to bring women a respite from daily life, a place to relax, adventure, classes to guide them into moving their bodies with sensuous and strong bellydance, to join in a magical circle of other women, yearning for change of something, allowing themselves time to dig in, question, expand, and refresh!

This coffee pot came with me every year, as coffee was the one thing they did not serve! I wanted my early morning fix, but it became a sweet ritual with one of my co-teachers, Lynea Gillen, a healer, yogini, and African dancer. I had several co-teachers over the years, sharing this weekend with them for the good of the women, always exploring something new, different, or even familiar. Elena Lipson, Carol Vance, Cammi Vance, Shay Moore, Jennifer Strait, and others over the years, but Lynea was with me for at least 15 of them.