THE
AWAKENED
DANCE
5Rhythms & Plant Medicine Retreats
in Alentejo, Portugal
Enter a space of transformation, dance and consciousness
Unlock the power of embodied healing
Two 5Rhythms & Plant Medicine Retreats at Adamae Retreat Center, Alentejo (Portugal) – safely held, mindful, transformative.
May 17–24, 2026
Sept 27–Oct 4, 2026
Booking via Eventbrite or directly via email. No medical claims. Ethics & consent first.
Inside you, something may be stirring.Quiet at first - a somatic whisper, a knowing in the bones.
A calling to return home: back to your inherent nature that carries profound belonging.To turn toward the universal and yet deeply personal longing for truly connected relationships - with yourself, with others, with the whole of life.Our carefully curated and tenderly held space of safety, comfort and inspiration acts like a midwife for beingness - gradually loosening ambition, roles and performance.With the help of vast landscapes, Atlantic air and light, we will be moved internally and externally as we bring together the wisdom and power of plant medicine with our intentional 5Rhythms dance, along with stillness and silence.
Liberate your emotional landscape
Unwind deeply held patterns and discover the raw power of authentic movement.
Let your soul take you
by the hand
Let your body lead the way into deeper layers of understanding as you surrender to be guided by its natural wisdom.
Allow for sustained personal transformation
Discover sustainable tools for emotional resilience and growth beyond the retreat experience.
What to expect
An experienced team, a living nature sanctuary, a unique journey - with careful preparation & integration.
Facilitators with passion
and experience for their craft
An experienced team with comprehensive backgrounds to safely shepherd the retreat with grounding in caring presence and expertise.
Two master plants · 20-hour arc
Unique outside South America: two master plants within a carefully held 20-hour arc. Preparation & integration are embedded to go deep safely.
Intentional 5Rhythms®
5Rhythms® dance meets plant medicine - Careful gudiance into authentic Movement and dance complements, supports and helps integrate the Plant Medicine experience.
Unifying with the Healing of Nature
The strongly felt presence of the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding elements are intentionally woven into the retreat experience.
Meet Your Facilitators
Rooted in caring hearts, Shantam & Oliver have been trained in solid contemporary lineages and traditional ritual roots.
Ceremonies maintain a 1:4 support ratio (5/20); 1:1 check-ins are available anytime.
Shantam
Co-Lead & Lead of Plant-Medicine Ceremonies
For 15 years, Shantam has been creating spaces for transformation, awareness and a joyful sense of being. His work weaves plant-medicine practice with Eastern wisdom traditions and Western therapy/coaching into a contemporary, reliable synthesis. It’s grounded in his own long-term practice (including Vipassana in the Theravada tradition) and solid trainings - held with presence, dignity, consent and a clear sense of safety. At the heart of his work is supporting people to reconnect with their inner wisdom, draw from it and align with their unique path.
Training & Lineage (selection)
Yoga Teacher Training in the Krishnamacharya Tradition
Plant-Medicine Trainings with direct students of Stanislav Grof and Ralph Metzner
Tantra Teacher (traditional-integral lineage) with Silvio Wirth & Mara Fricke-Wirth
Long-term Vipassana practice (Theravada)
Oliver
Co-Lead & Lead of 5Rhythms® Sessions
Since 2014, Oliver has been creating 5Rhythms spaces ss a certified 5Rhythms® teacher. Spaces where movement alchemizes itself into insight, celebration and profound healing. Initiated by New York City’s intense and legendary “High Vibration” sessions in the late 2000s with the late Gabrielle Roth and her son, he shapes music-driven dramaturgy with subtle, skillful transitions into powerful 5Rhythms journeys and guides them into integrated states of being. Oliver’s offerings are rooted in years of immersive, in-person study and practice guided by master teachers in meditation, yoga and psycho spiritual work.
Certifications
Certified 5Rhythms® Teacher
Certified Yoga Teacher (by Richard Freeman)
Lineage/influences: Gabrielle Roth, Richard Freeman, G.I. Gurdjieff Foundation, Jennifer Welwood, late Jan Lloyd, late Jon Rothenberg
Testimonials
“I had the most powerful conscious dance experience to date with you at the July 1 event (and I've practised a lot of conscious dance). Your work is so, so wonderful, and you teach with such pure authenticity. I hope at some point you might consider hosting more regular events in Berlin, even if they have to be a bit shorter.”
“I wanted to write in and say thanks again for allowing me to attend the event. I didn't mention this then, but I had been dealing with chronic (likely psychosomatic) neck and shoulder pain for nearly 3 years. It disappeared that evening and hasn't returned since, even when I recently shifted countries under very stressful conditions”
Retreat Program
The retreat is embedded in pristine wilderness.
Daily 5Rhythms Dances, deep healing practices, profound connection to self, community and nature.
Week at a glance
Sunday · Arrival & settling (check-in from 15:00) · Welcome Dance 5Rhythms®
Monday · Landing – Intro & orientation, 5Rhythms®, nature ritual, community
Tuesday · Preparing – safety (somatic/emotional/practical), intention, nature, opening creativity, 5Rhythms®
Wednesday (day) · Entering – 5Rhythms®, stillness, Setting intention, establish setting, rest
Wednesday (night) → Ceremony 1 (20:30–05:30 incl. opening/closing; gentle 5Rhythms phases)
Thusday (day) → Ceremony 2 (05:30–22:00 incl. opening/closing; gentle 5Rhythms phases)
Friday · Integration – rest, sharing, mandala, integrative 5Rhythms, live music/chanting
Saturday · Integration & Anchoring (somatic/emotional/practical) - nature time, celebratory 5Rhythms®
Sunday · Closing – morning practice, breakfast, closing & departure
Location & Stay
Adamae Retreat Centre – in Alentejo, Portugal.The ground that holds us.
Where everything begins: the land itself.
A place that steadies body and softens breath.
The Place
views of the Atlantic ocean and open skies
stary nights without light pollution
gentle ocean breezes
wide open terrain
Food
Vegan / vegetarian / Ayurvedic
Mostly local / regional fruits and vegetables
Fresh and nourishing ingredients
Accommodation (options)
Single – 1-person glamping tent
Twin glamping tent – shared
Triple glamping tent – shared
Bathrooms: Shared
Getting there
Airports: Lisbon (LIS), Faro (FAO).
Transfer: Retreat Shuttle available
Safety · Ethics · Support
Caring, trauma-aware, value based. Connected. Structured with clear and intelligent boundaries.
Consent • Trauma-aware • 1:4 Support • 1:1 available
Our principles
Consent & autonomy – free choice at all times (participation, intensity, breaks)
Trauma awareness – nervous-system regulation, dosing and pacing matter
Confidentiality – what’s shared stays in the group
Clarity & boundaries – accountability withh transparent roles, processes and safeguards
What we provide
Support ratio: During ceremonies 1:4 (5 staff for 20 participants)
One-to-one check-ins: upon request - Available throughout the retre
Preparation: Free 15-min consult + 2 prep calls (intention, framework, Q&A)
Integration: Structured aftercare (sharing, movement, writing) + take-home tools
Spaces: Quiet zones, water & tea, nature access, clear options to step out
What we ask from you
Honest communication – tell us how you’re doing and what you need (breaks are welcome)
Contraindications handled individually – not listed publicly; discussed confidentially in the call/intake
Self-responsibility – we support the process; we do not replace medical/psychotherapeutic care.
If you have medical/mental-health concerns please book a one on one conversation with Shantam.
Pricing & Booking
Transparency.
Limited group size - secure your spot!
Price per person
Super Early Bird · €2,550 · until Oct 15, 2025
Early Bird · €2,750 · until Dec 31, 2025
Regular · €2,950 · from Dec 31, 2025
DISCOUNT:
Couples -10% throughout the entire booking period!
Book both retreats: –15% off total fee!
Please contact us if you require other financial arrangements
Included
2 online preparation group calls (before retreat)
2 online integration group calls (after retreat)
Glamping accommodation (shared; limited single tent accommodation)
Access to spacious grounds
Vegan/vegetarian/Ayurvedic meals (intolerances accommodated)
2 Plant Medicine ceremonies (held by the team)
5-person team support (1:4 during ceremonies)
1:1 support during the retreat if required
5Rhythms® sessions, yoga, chanting & more
Not included
"Travel to/from the venue
1:1 integration sessions after retreat (if needed)
Optional treatments (e.g., massage/TCM; bookable on site)"
Cancellation
Participant cancellations: currently not provided
If retreat is cancelled: full refund
We recommend a travel / workshop cancellation insurance
Our offerings are committed to
and guided by safety and care
Safety is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to providing a warm, supportive, and nurturing environment where profound healing can unfold naturally. Ayahuasca and San Pedro are sacred and powerful plant medicines, capable of guiding individuals through emotional, mental, and spiritual challenges. In our team we have decades of combined experience. We have developed thoughtful safety protocols to ensure your journey is both transformative and safe.
Experienced Leaders You Can TrustOur team of highly experienced healers and facilitators are leaders in the field of plant medicine and guidance through altered states of consciousness with a combined experience of +30 years. Countless people from diverse backgrounds have entrusted us with their healing journey and have experienced life-changing, positive results. The wisdom, care, and expertise of our team ensure that you are guided through your experience with confidence and trust.Prior to the experience, at your your arrival, throughout the experience and following the retreat our team is here to support you every step of the way so you can focus on what truly matters—your healing, transformation and growth:
PREPARATION
Thorough screening for mental and physical health conditions
Participants with chronic conditions such as epilepsy, diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure must consult with our team before booking. Eligibility to participate will be determined based on individual circumstances, risk factors and consultation of experts
Dietary Recommendations
Avoid alcohol, caffeine, red meat, and recreational drugs for at least three weeks before the retreat.
Cannabis to be avoided for at least 4 weeks prior.
Assessing participant’s motivation, expectations, and potential risks
Ddetailed information about the process, effects, and safety measures through onboarding video calls
Establishing a rapport and basis of trust between facilitators and participants
DURING THE EXPERIENCE
Team maintains continuous presence and compassionate, non-intrusive support
Continously monitors physical and emotional states carefully
Suppports surrender and acceptance of the experience
Provides grounding techniques (e.g., breathing exercises, meditation, somatic experiencing, touch- subject to consent, verbal guidance)
Refrains from analyzing or interpreting the experience.
Contingency Crisis Management
Monitoring for early signs of distress or panic
Application of de-escalation techniques and grounding strategies
Availability of Medical support at all times
POST RETREAT INTEGRATION
Facilitation of metabolizing of retreat experience including exploring its meaning
Support for processing of experience. Insights, emotions, challenges...
Follow-up sessions for integration into daily life
ETHICAL AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
Maintaining clear boundaries and informed consent at all times
Insuring confidentiality and participant autonomy
Adhering to ethical guidelines and best practices for psychedelic facilitation
General Terms and Conditions (GTC)
The Awakened Dance (as of November 2025)
General Terms and Conditions Contractual terms and conditions within the framework of purchase contracts concluded via the platform: (https://the-awakened-dance.com).Scope
These General Terms and Conditions (GTC) apply to the organization of retreats and other events (hereinafter referred to as “retreat”) by the organizer “The Awakened Dance” (hereinafter referred to as “organizer”) regardless of the location of the booked retreat. The following conditions govern the booking of the retreat. The organizer is solely responsible for the organization and implementation of the retreat and is not a tour operator or travel agent.Contractual partner
The Awakened Dance, represented by Mr. Peter Hammer, Flemingstrasse 5, 22299 Hamburg, GermanyOffer, acceptance, conclusion of contract
The description of the retreats on the website (https://the-awakened-dance.com) constitutes a legally binding offer. The participant's written or verbal registration constitutes acceptance of the offer and thus the conclusion of the purchase contract. After acceptance of the organizer's offer by the participant's registration, the participant will receive a confirmation of registration by email. This email will contain details of the order and payment, and the invoice will also be included in this email (order confirmation).Storage of the contract text
The participant can view the organizer's terms and conditions on the website https://the-awakened-dance.com under “Terms and Conditions.” The document can be printed out and viewed. The contract text is stored by the organizer. This contract text is available to the participant upon request.Payment of the course fee
The participant books the retreat with the organizer in writing or verbally. The purchase price is due immediately upon booking. The prices stated on the website are final prices and include the currently applicable sales tax. The invoice can be paid by bank transfer or PayPal.Rights and obligations of the participant
The participant is obliged to provide truthful and complete personal data. The participant undertakes to notify the organizer of any changes to their data in a timely manner. The participant is responsible for meeting the necessary requirements for participation in the retreat at their own expense. This applies in particular to the booking of transportation. Participation in the retreat is only possible with simultaneous accommodation in the specified retreat center, unless otherwise stated in the offer. Participation in the retreat requires normal mental and physical resilience. If the participant is undergoing medical or psychotherapeutic treatment, they are required to discuss their participation with their doctor or therapist. The participant is required to inform the organizer of any physical or mental limitations or complaints before the start of the retreat. The participant has no right to demand that the retreat be conducted by specific individuals. In the event of the unforeseeable cancellation of the announced leadership at short notice, for example due to illness or other impediment, the organizer may provide a replacement for the booked retreat. The replacement of the leadership does not entitle the participant to withdraw from or terminate the contract.
Night Depth & Day Presence
A Rare Sequence in Europe
A Conversation of Two Traditions
From the living cultures of South America come two complementary paths – one moving in the depth of night, one unfolding in the clarity of day. Each carries its own rhythm of song, prayer, silence and nature.Night Depth & Day Presence
The night path invites you inward – into feeling, meaning and image.
The day path opens outward – into presence, space and landscape.
Together (sequenced, not simultaneous) they offer two lenses on the same truth: depth and width, inside and outside, each strengthening the other.Rooted, Rare, Carefully Held
These ways are rooted in long-standing lineages and have travelled far to be held with integrity here. In Europe it is uncommon to meet both in one coherent process. Our team offers a clearly structured frame, gentle guidance and solid integration, so what you touch can stay real in your life.
The 5Rhythms®
A Dance of Transformation
The 5Rhythms® is more than movement - it is a map of transformation, a living wave that reveals the intelligence of the body and the mystery of the spirit.
Each rhythm opens a distinct doorway into the landscape of being:In Flowing, we root into the earth, awakening fluidity, receptivity, and trust in our own embodied knowing.
In Staccato, we discover fire, direction, and the heartbeat of expression.
In Chaos, we surrender the mind, release control, and let energy move through us until freedom finds form.
In Lyrical, movement becomes effortless, playful, and light — the joy of renewal and connection.
And in Stillness, motion turns to meditation; breath, presence, and grace become one.Together these five rhythms form a full cycle — grounding, expression, release, expansion, and integration — inviting a depth that transcends simple dance.
They touch not only the body but the psyche, the emotions, and the soul itself.
Here, movement becomes medicine, rhythm becomes teacher, and the dancer awakens to their own aliveness — embodied, liberated, and whole.
FAQ
What is this retreat about?
It’s a week dedicated to inner work through movement, nature, silence and two complementary South American traditions held in a safe, well-structured process.
Who is this retreat for?
For people who feel called to explore themselves more deeply, who value embodied practice, honest presence and a carefully held process. A basic level of emotional stability is required.
Is this safe?
1:4 SupportSafety is central. We work in small groups, with an experienced team, a clear structure, grounded preparation and thorough integration. We keep group sizes intentional to ensure individual support. (1:4 support during ceremonies)
Do I need previous experience?
No. Some people come with prior experience, others are new to this kind of work. What matters is a sincere intention, openness and honesty during the application process.
What is included in the retreat price?
Accommodation, meals, 2 preparation group calls, the full guided ceremony program, 1:1 support during the retreat, movement sessions and 2 integration group calls.
How do I prepare?
After your confirmation, you’ll join a detailed preparation group call covering physical, mental and emotional preparation, as well as lifestyle suggestions to help you arrive open and grounded.
How does integration work?
Integration includes movement, breath, reflection, nature time and guided conversations. You’ll also receive post-retreat resources to support what you’ve touched as well as 2 integration group calls.
What is the group size?
We keep the group intentionally small to ensure quality, presence and individual support.
Can I attend if I’m on medication / have specific conditions?
Some conditions require a conversation beforehand. We’ll clarify this individually during the intake call or via your booking request.
What should I bring?
A packing list will be sent after your confirmation. Usually: comfortable clothing, warm layers, journal, bottle, essentials for rest and movement.