Rhythm & Movement for Evolution - Melbourne TaKeTiNa Retreat

Rhythm & Movement for Evolution
Melbourne TaKeTiNa Retreat with Michael Kokinos & Ria Soemardjo
Melbourne May 17 – 19, 2019

TaKeTiNa is a transformational group process, working with the powerful tools of poly-rhythm, voice, movement, and somatic awareness. Sometimes referred to as the Yoga of Rhythm, TaKeTiNa invites participants into a state of profound stillness, awareness, joy, and connection.

We are excited to offer this full weekend retreat (non-residential) at one of Melbourne’s most peaceful and beautiful venues, The Michael Centre in Warranwood. An opportunity to immerse yourself in an enlivening group process, we will work with the theme of finding balance, flow and integration even when navigating significant chaos, whether internal or external. At this time in history we are facing unprecedented chaos and over-stimulation in the world around us and in our busy lives. When left unchecked, this can easily lead to states of overwhelm, anxiety, disconnection, and low vitality. The retreat will be a space for deep rest, healing and revitalization as we drop into a profound experience of primordial rhythm.

No musical experience is necessary and participants are invited to journey at their own pace within this safely held and dynamic group process. Participation in TaKeTiNa leads to a perceptive state which can be described as ‘simultaneous awareness’. Poly-rhythm has been used for millennia among all cultures as a tool for healing, celebrating, and evolving our true nature. TaKeTiNa is used today in diverse fields as music education, therapy, meditation, peak performance, and personal growth.

About TaKeTiNa Rhythm Process:

For a brief video intro to TaKeTiNa watch: https://youtu.be/Inr0coWTYlA

In your daily life, TaKeTiNa can help you to:

- experience a profound state of peace, relaxation and inner silence

- connect with your innate vitality

- increase your physical, emotional, and mental resilience

- manage chaotic or challenging life situations with creativity, humour and effectiveness

- decrease your anxiety about making mistakes and always getting things right

For more information about TaKeTiNa, visit www.taketina.com

When: 17 – 19 May 2019

Friday evening intro 7 – 9PM
Saturday 10AM – 5PM
Sunday 10AM – 5PM

Venue: The Michael Centre, 37a Wellington Park Drive, Warranwood, Vic 3134

Tickets:

Full Weekend: $285 / $255 Concession

Early Bird: $245 / $225 Concession

Friday night only: $25

Facilitated by: Michael Kokinos with Ria Soemardjo

Organiser: Andy Harrison, 0417 561 473, hello@melbournepiano.com.au

Transport & Parking

Parking is available on-site.

Rideshare Board: https://bit.ly/2rwWJ2r

If you are able to offer a ride or need a ride, please enter your details on this private rideshare board. Feel free to also post directly on the Facebook event page.

Note: The venue is tucked away and can be easy to miss. The entrance is located in a residential neighbourhood at 37a Wellington Park Drive, Warranwood.

FREE PICK-UP from RINGWOOD Station – If you are travelling by Public Transit we are happy to offer free pick-up from Ringwood station on Saturday and Sunday at 9:40AM. This must be booked at least one day in advance via SMS with the organiser, Andy Harrison. 0417 561 473. We will also ensure that you have a ride back to Ringwood station with someone from the workshop.

Lunch

We encourage you to stay on site and (optionally) bring a plate of food to share for lunch on Saturday and Sunday. Alternatively, the nearest cafes are about a 5 minute drive from the venue. Lunch break is an extended period, usually about 1.5 hours to allow for integration of the work.

What to Bring

Please bring a bottle of water to stay hydrated, and a blanket, shawl, or mat to lie on during the rest periods. You may also wish to bring a notebook and pen for writing / drawing during the integration periods.

About the Facilitators:

Michael is passionate about music and healing. He combines experience as a studio musician with deep knowledge of the role of rhythmic intelligence in somatic health.

His background as a physiotherapist includes over 20 years developing methods for awareness, perception and movement of the body : The TaKeTiNa process is unique as an opportunity for deep embodiment and a space to explore the connection between consciousness and soma.

Michael also has a strong connection to Arnhem Land people with 12 years working with NT Indigenous community organisations. He works closely with Steiner schools specialising in rhythm and movement for education and wellbeing. He is the founder of NT clinic Blue Sky Therapies, holds a masters degree in health management and works all over Australia and internationally. www.blueskytherapies.com.au

Ria Soemardjo is a Melbourne based musician with a passion for collaborating with artists across diverse range of genres and artforms. Her distinct, haunting vocal style reflects her Australian/Indonesian cultural heritage and she draws on her love for Balinese and Javanese musical traditions in her song writing and collaborative projects.

A fascination for exploring voice and movement lead her to train as an Alexander Technique teacher, and she taught at the School for FM Alexander Studies for several years, with a focus on the practical application of this approach for voice and performance. In 2018, she will complete her training in a cutting edge approach to rhythm/voice training - Taketina Rhythm Process, and share this work through group workshops.

Ria's most recent performance 'The Echoes Project' in Chinatown for 2017 Mapping Melbourne festival, reflects her ongoing interest in developing contemporary performance/rituals, in response to urban sites. Ria has received Green Room nominations for her compositions and live music performance for dance works– including Enfold (2016) and Opal Vapour (2013) – and an award with Helen Mountfort for ‘Tower Suites’(2012), with dancer Ros Warby. She has recorded with many ensembles including original compositions with her contemporary world music trio 'Fine Blue Thread' which melds tabla, cello, viola and voice and continues to learn and perform different styles of gamelan and percussion from Indonesia. www.riavoice.com

About the Organiser:

Andy Harrison has been involved in TaKeTiNa Rhythm Process since 1999 and is passionate to share this unique work with community in Melbourne. He is Director of Melbourne Piano School.

www.melbournepiano.com.au

About the Venue:

Situated in a tranquil bush setting in Warranwood, the Michael Centre was designed by renowned Australian architect, Greg Burgess. Our workshop takes place in the beautiful pentagonal Movement Room. The venue provides the perfect setting for TaKeTiNa journeys and is a comfortable heated space. A kitchen is available for use during lunch.

"Rhythm is one of the most ancient and efficient ways to influence and develop human consciousness. In our globally-networked and technologically-focussed world, human beings often lose touch with their own internal rhythms, making them feel displaced and de-synchronized. TaKeTiNa allows them to reconnect with the healing powers of rhythm and primordial motion. Social, mental, creative, spiritual and of course musical faculties are reawakened and developed with the practice of TaKeTiNa."

- Reinhard Flatischler (Founder of the TaKeTiNa Process)