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DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20260402T170000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20260406T130000
DTSTAMP:20260619T120656
CREATED:20251103T102255Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260321T122048Z
UID:4470-1775149200-1775480400@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:Family Easter Camp 2026
DESCRIPTION:A family-friendly retreat in nature \nEaster Camp at Tara Rokpa Centre is traditionally a family affair — and a true “come as you are” gathering. We embrace the idea of family in its broadest and warmest sense: not only parents and children\, but also friends\, solo visitors\, community members\, urban tribes\, and anyone wishing to connect with the joyful\, inclusive spirit of Easter Camp. \nThis year\, our weekend will be gently held within the Tibetan understanding of the Five Elements — earth\, water\, fire\, air and space. \nThe five elements offer a dynamic way of understanding life. All living beings are composed of these elements — only their proportions differ. When the elements are in balance\, there is harmony and well-being. When they fall out of balance\, disharmony can arise. This balance is never fixed; it is constantly shifting within us and around us. \nOver the weekend\, we will explore the Tibetan schema of the five elements in practice and in experience. We will become familiar with their qualities and characteristics\, observe how they interact\, and begin to notice our own mind–body states in relation to them. In doing so\, we cultivate greater awareness\, balance and understanding — in ourselves\, in our relationships\, and in the natural world. \nA Relaxed and Nourishing Weekend\nThis will be a relaxed\, heartwarming time in the wide-open bushveld — a chance to rest\, reconnect\, and simply be. \nActivities will include reflections\, visualisations\, playful exploration with art materials and natural objects\, and guided relaxations from the Tara Rokpa Therapy toolbox. There will also be gentle\, mindful movement to bring caring attention to the body. \nChildren are warmly welcomed! If there are sufficient numbers\, there will be a morning programme designed especially for them\, including creative activities and\, of course\, the much-loved Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday. Babies and toddlers will need to be cared for by their parents or caregivers. Please ask us about discounted rates for caregivers who do not take part in the facilitated activities. \nOther optional activities include meditation\, walks in the beautiful Tara Rokpa Centre surroundings\, swimming\, mountain biking\, birding\, star-gazing\, singing around the campfire\, or simply sleeping — especially for those arriving from over-busy\, stressful lives. \nPractical Details\nThe retreat begins with supper on Thursday. Guests are also welcome to arrive for lunch on Friday. We conclude with lunch on Easter Monday — a long weekend of simplicity\, connection and joy in the beautiful Tara Rokpa Centre. \nCome and join us for a nourishing\, family-friendly Easter in nature — where everyone is welcome\, and nothing is required but your presence. \n  \nTake time to breathe.\nTo play.\nTo rest.\nTo reconnect with what truly matters. \n  \n  \nFacilitators:\n\nPippa Cope offers mindful movement\, including somatics and Donna Farhi-inspired yoga. She has been involved with the Tara Rokpa Therapy process for 20 years as a senior helper in South Africa and Zimbabwe and has offered workshops in Canada. Pippa has been resident at TRC for over 20 years as jack of all trades. She previously spent her professional life working as an Occupational Therapist\, Social Worker and Community Development manager. \n\nSharon Benatar is a Clinical Psychologist in private practice. She has facilitated life skills training and personal development through workshops and individual therapy for over 25 years. Sharon is a senior helper /certified facilitator of “Learning to Relax”\, and “The 5 Elements” courses (Tara Rokpa Therapy/ Back to Beginnings\, a therapeutic approach developed by Ven. Akong Rinpoche). She has run residential workshops at Emoyeni retreat Centre (Magaliesburg) for over 20 years. She facilitated the first UJ Honours Art Therapy studio work in 2020. She has facilitated mentor workshops in The More To Life programme. Sharon draws inspiration from Eastern/Western approaches to healing\, personal growth\, and finding inner and outer balance. This is supported by the creative arts (art materials\, image/symbol and poetry)\, deep relaxation and mindfulness/meditation. \nCost\nWe try to keep the costs as low as possible to allow families as well as individuals to attend. Accommodation is allocated according to confirmed bookings and preference.\nThe costs include all meals from supper on Thursday (4-night stay) or lunch on Friday (3-night stay) to lunch on Monday. The fees include a contribution to the facilitators and an optional R60 environmental fee for adults but exclude staff tips. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n  4 Nights\n  3 Nights\n\n\n   Adult\n  R2 700\n  R2 200\n\n\n   Teen 1\n  R2 000\n  R1 600\n\n\n   Teen 2\, 3…\n  R1 300\n  R1\,100\n\n\n   Age 3 – 12\n  R  800\n  R 700\n\n\n   Under 3s\n  R0\n  R0\n\n\n\nTo Book:\nPlease click here to fill in our online booking form for each adult attending. Let us also know the names and ages of any children attending. \nA 50% deposit will confirm your booking.
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/family-easter-camp-2026/
LOCATION:Tara Rokpa Centre\, Tara Rokpa Centre\, Groot Marico District\, North West Province\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:Fun,Inquiry,Mindful Movement,Mindfulness,Music and Rythm,Outdoor,Play,Relaxing,Tara Rokpa Therapy,Walking,Yoga
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/The-Best-Cosmos-Cultivars-FB.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20251223T180000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20260102T130000
DTSTAMP:20260619T120656
CREATED:20251011T142359Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251026T153019Z
UID:4430-1766512800-1767358800@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:Christmas & New Year 10-Day Mindfulness and Relaxation Retreat(ish)
DESCRIPTION:Facilitated by Anton Krueger \nIn this holiday retreat\, we’ll explore exercises from the Mindfulness-Based Living Course designed by Rob Nairn and Mindfulness UK\, which will provide a foundation for our daily practice. Beyond this\, we’ll decide together about making space for other practices such as Green Tara and Chenrezig\, guided relaxation with Pippa\, gentle walks\, enquiry sessions\, journaling\, painting\, and even a 5 Rhythms movement experience. There might also be swimming and singing around a campfire. If you have something you’d like to offer – yoga\, Tai Chi\, contact improv – there’d also be space for you to share your practice with the rest of us. We’ll see what unfolds. \nFor myself\, I’ll be setting aside 2-3 hours each day for writing\, so there will also be time for rest\, quiet and solo practice. Come for the whole ten days\, or simply drop in – all welcome. \nAbout Anton Krueger\nAnton helps to run a Kagyu Buddhist centre in Makhanda (previously Grahamstown). His passion is facilitating creativity\, improvisation and mindfulness workshops. He’s a member of Mindfulness Africa and has presented papers on Mindfulness and Creativity in China\, the USA\, India\, Sweden\, Scotland and Italy. He’s also a creative writer and Head of the Department of Literary Studies in English at Rhodes University. \n  \nCost\nYou are welcome to attend the entire retreat or any part of it. The cost per person includes accommodation of your choice and wholesome meals\, from supper on the day of arrival to lunch on the day of departure. A  facilitation fee is included\, while staff gratuities and dana are optional extras. There is a 5% discount for staying 5 days\, and a 10 % discount for staying 10 days\, which is already included in these costs: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n  Accommodation Type:\n  2 Nights\n  5 Nights\n  10 Nights\n\n\n  Camping (own tent)\n  R1\,400\n  R2\,600\n  R4\,500\n\n\n  Dormitory\n  R1\,600\n  R3\,100\n  R5\,400\n\n\n  Twin/double room with shared bathroom (sharing\, per person)\n  R1\,800\n  R3\,600\n  R6\,300\n\n\n  Twin/double room with en suite bathroom (sharing\, per person)\n  R2\,000\n  R4\,000\n  R7\,200\n\n\n  Single room with shared bathroom\n  R2\,200\n  R4\,500\n  R8\,100\n\n\n  Single ensuite room\n  R2\,400\n  R5\,000\n  R9\,000\n\n\n\n  \nIf you’d like to stay for a shorter or longer time\, please feel free to contact us at retreat@tararokpacentre.co.za for the cost\n— we’ll be happy to help you find the option that suits you best. \n  \nTo Book:\nPlease book by clicking on this online booking form – please indicate your preferred arrival and departure dates under “Other Info”. \nA 50% deposit will confirm your booking – here are the payment details. \n 
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/christmas-new-year-10-day-mindfulness-and-relaxation-retreatish/
LOCATION:Tara Rokpa Centre\, Tara Rokpa Centre\, Groot Marico District\, North West Province\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:Fun,Inquiry,Meditation,Mindful Movement,Mindfulness,Play,Relaxing
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/P1190979.jpeg
ORGANIZER;CN="Anton Krueger":MAILTO:mnrkrueger@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20231215T180000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20231217T180000
DTSTAMP:20260619T120656
CREATED:20231211T175630Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231211T180359Z
UID:3841-1702663200-1702836000@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:Waters of Renewal
DESCRIPTION:Join us for calm moments of flow\, reflection\, and renewal as 2023 comes to a close. Absorb the beauty of Tara Rokpa Retreat Centre (TRC)\, swim in “The Eye” (the deepest freshwater spring on the continent)\, walk mindfully\, and sit under the waterfalls. Let go and Refresh. \nTogether we will practice Zen in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh\, facilitated by Dharma Teacher\, Dr. Ava Avalos & OI Aspirant & Psychologist\, Ms. Betsho Mokgatlhe – Practice\, Open\, Relax\, Swim\, Chant\, Dance\, and Sing! \n  \nAlways Beginning – Always Anew \n  \nAva is an ordained Dharma Teacher in the Tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh.  She facilitates Tshedisa Sangha in Botswana – the first African Zen Sangha on the continent.  She is a dancer\, yogini\, HIV/TB specialist physician\, and AIDS activist. She currently leads the Botswana National Advanced HIV Care Initiative\, is a Research Associate of the Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute and the Botswana-Baylor Children’s Centre for Clinical Excellence. Apart from medicine\, yoga\, and dance\, she does her best to keep up with her two high-spirited pups Rico & Raina \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \nCosts:\nThe costs include all meals\, and accommodation from Friday supper to lunch on Monday. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n 2 Nights\n\n\n Dormitory\n R1\,100.00\n\n\n Twin/double room with shared bathroom (sharing\, per person):\n R1\,300.00\n\n\n Twin/double room with en suite bathroom (sharing\, per person):\n R1\,500.00\n\n\n Single room with shared bathroom (only 3 available):\n R1\,700.00\n\n\n Single ensuite room\n R1\,900.00\n\n\n\n  \nTo Book:\nPlease fill in our online booking form to reserve your spot.
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/waters-of-renewal/
LOCATION:North West Province
CATEGORIES:compassion,Fun,Meditation,Mindful Movement,Mindfulness,Relaxing,Spirituality,Walking,Yoga
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/The-Great-Zambezi-1-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20230217T180000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20230219T140000
DTSTAMP:20260619T120656
CREATED:20221110T180206Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221110T181640Z
UID:3296-1676656800-1676815200@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:Vajrayana Practice Weekend
DESCRIPTION:with Alan Muller \nPlease join us this Lunar New Year weekend to reconnect with practice\, lineage\, and old and new Dharma friends. The benefits and merits of practicing together with fellow travelers on the path are immeasurable. Alan will tell us stories\, give us practical advice\, and guided meditations. There will be time for walks\, chats\, and your own practice. \n“When you run after your thoughts\, you are like a dog chasing a stick: every time a stick is thrown\, you run after it. Instead\, be like a lion who\, rather than chasing after the stick\, turns to face the thrower. One only throws a stick at a lion once.” – Yogi Milarepa \n\n\n\n\nLama Yeshe Rinpoche has advised us to practice the first two special foundational practices of Refuge and Bodhicitta\, and Dorje Sempa.\n\n“If your mind is engaging either in the mantra or visualization then you will have the fruition. It’s not about numbers\, it’s about how you involve body\, speech and mind.”\nLama Yeshe Rinpoche.\n\n\n\n\n\nYour Facilitator\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe retreat will be led by Alan Muller who took refuge in 1997 with Akong Rinpoche. In 2003\, he completed a one-year closed retreat under the guidance of Lama Yeshe Rinpoche at Samye Ling Monastery in Scotland. During this period\, he took novice monk’s vows. Alan remained a novice monk for six years and now presents courses and retreats as a layperson. He has formed Ngondro groups since 2004 around Southern Africa. \n\n\n\n\n  \n\nCosts\nThe cost includes meals and accommodation but excludes dana and staff tips. Please don’t let a lack of finances prevent you from coming – email us at retreat@tararokpacentre.co.za for options. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n  Camping (own tent)\n  R800\n\n\n  Dormitory\n  R1000\n\n\n  Twin/double room with shared bathroom (per   person):\n  R1300\n\n\n   Twin/double room with en suite bathroom (per   person):\n  R1500\n\n\n  Single room with shared bathroom (only 3   available):\n  R1700\n\n\n  Single-use of ensuite room (if space available):\n  R1900\n\n\n\n  \n\nBookings\nTo book\, click on this user-friendly link. \nA 50% deposit will secure your choice of accommodation. \n\nTestimonial\n\n\n\n“I have to report on the most awesome dharma talk I attended today. Alan talked on How to practise meditation more effectively. I have always known he is\, probably our foremost South African Bodhisattva and have noticed how the advice he gives is increasingly deeply wise and compassionate.\n\nHis talk blew me away! I was totally transfixed the entire talk.. He covered pivotal advice of great masters and then drew it all together showing how it all applied in our daily lives. The talk was easy to follow and also very dense. It could have served as the outline for a longer retreat. The content was superb and the structure of the talk equally superb and aimed to get us to really understand what he was teaching us.\n\nI think he is a teacher who can guide us magnificently. We lament that we don’t have teachers. But we have Alan\, right here. He is gentle and humorous in his presentation and does not go for big drama. I appreciate this and I’m sure other people will do so.\n\nI am so so excited and serious. I believe Alan is the teacher (or one of them) that we are looking for.\n\nMaxine Fine
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/vajrayana-practice-weekend/
LOCATION:Tara Rokpa Centre\, Tara Rokpa Centre\, Groot Marico District\, North West Province\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:Buddhism,compassion,Dharma,Fun,Insight,Meditation,Mindfulness,Tibetan Buddhism
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/un205-896x580-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20220923T180000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20220925T140000
DTSTAMP:20260619T120656
CREATED:20200128T182213Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220527T143015Z
UID:2297-1663956000-1664114400@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:The Melody of Movement\, the Movement of Melody
DESCRIPTION:Come sing and dance in the beautiful space of TRC as part of a weekend retreat called THE MELODY OF MOVEMENT\, THE MOVEMENT OF MELODY. The retreat will incorporate singing\, basic movement\, some exercises in rhythm\, and body percussion – all made very simple and accessible. The retreat is for all ages and we invite children and adults to join in this fun experience altogether. \nTogether we will explore the principles of improvisation\, play\, and easy singing on this retreat. All of this will be conducted in a very playful and exploratory group space. We will be singing around the fire at night and participants are invited to bring their own instruments to the retreat. \nTo book:\nClick on this link for the booking form. A 50% deposit will secure your spot. \nCosts:\nThe cost includes all meals from Friday evening to Sunday lunchtime. It also includes a facilitator fee and a voluntary R60 environment levy. \n\n\n\n\n\n\nTwin/double room with en suite bathroom (per person):\n  R2\,100\n\n\nTwin/double room with shared bathroom (per person):\n  R1\,900\n\n\nSingle room with shared bathroom (only 3 available):\n  R2\,300\n\n\nSingle-use of twin/double room (if space available)\, shared bathroom:\n  R2\,400\n\n\nSingle-use of ensuite room (if space available):\n  R2\,500\n\n\nSingle en suite room (if available)\n  R2\,400\n\n\nDormitory\n  R1\,600\n\n\nCamping (own tent)\n  R1\,400\n\n\n\nYour facilitator:\nWendy Newstadt is presently choir teacher at Parkview Senior and has taught music and dance here and in New York. She is also a performing musician who plays regularly mostly in and around Joburg. She is Orff Music certified.
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/the-melody-of-movement-the-movement-of-melody/
LOCATION:Tara Rokpa Centre\, Tara Rokpa Centre\, Groot Marico District\, North West Province\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:Fun,Music and Rythm,Play
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Wendy-New-guitar-skyline.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20220819T180000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20220824T130000
DTSTAMP:20260619T120656
CREATED:20191119T211059Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220212T112334Z
UID:2061-1660932000-1661346000@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:Fearless Flow: Do Nothing…just Play!
DESCRIPTION:Creative Play Retreat with Anton and the HA!Man\nRetreat Overview\n“We only play when we’re in the\nfullest sense of the word human beings\,\nand we’re only fully human when we play.”\n– Fred Schiller \nDrawing on their extensive experience\, Anton and the HA!Man will explore awareness and spontaneity as ways of being present\, playing with creatively expressing oneself meaningfully in the moment.\nAnton will present workshops on mindfulness as creative practice\, while the HA!Man will use sensitive musical accompaniments to facilitate a raw and natural flow of expression. Anton’s focus will be on the word – writing and performing; – writing and performing; while HA!Man will explore sound\, music\, movement and visual expression. The emphasis is not on technical skill\, but on appreciating and enjoying our creative selves\, the playfulness we’ve been born with\, and the surprising fullness that lurks in the freedom to do nothing at all… \nAs part of the retreat\, HA!Man and Anton will also perform their duoprov show. They recently performed Fearless Flow on the Main Program of the National Arts Festival. According to Mia Arderne: \n“The honesty of improv\, can be balm for a worn soul…The cello is haunting and soothing. Your eyelids close like you’re going home… The languid sweeping tones are a big presence…. \nThis show will teach you something powerful…[it was] the closest I’ve come to real pause in a long while… HA!Man and Anton know their way in and around a moment\, a sound. To move\, they explain\, we need a point of stillness to move from… \n…There’s an honesty about the duo’s exchanges. These are two men who are very okay with being uncomfortable…Limber and nimble\, HA!Man dances… Make a little space. It’s ok to feel sadness\, fear\, confusion\, rage\, defeat\, whatever we feel\, while we hope for peace to come again…” \nRead the full review by Mia Arderne at The Critter: http://thecritter.co.za/?p=4499 \nFeedback from past workshop participants\nWORKSHOPS BY ANTON KRUEGER\n“Anton was completely involved and prepared\, good-humored and relevant”.\n“Everything worked out beautifully\, TRC is amazing!”\n“One brilliant experience\, Amazing people. Staff are the embodiment of friendly compassion\, Thank you\, guys!”\n“Loved all of it! Wish I could stay longer.”\n“The retreat was exactly what I wanted and more! I learnt so much.”\n“Thanks so much\, Anton – I’m inspired and energized.”\n“Left me feeling\, like: ‘Awesome\, I forgot I can do that!’” \nWORKSHOPS BY HA!MAN\n“The HA!Man provides a unique experience which should not be missed by anyone from 10-100!”\n“I thought it was absolutely amazing. I had no clue music could have such an effect on me.”\n“I enjoyed it completely. I totally scared myself and will be spending the next 17 years trying to analyze what I have become.”\n“It had a profound impact on me. His points made me ponder over what shape I want my life to take.”\n“I am a photographer who has recently lost my inspiration and this workshop has really helped to get it back. I have so many ideas and I’ve thought out of the box.”\n“Loved it! There is a need for plenty\, plenty more of these.” \nRetreat Options\nThe retreat takes place over five nights\, with a shorter weekend option of only 2 nights.\nWe start on Friday\, 19 Aug at 18:00. The retreat ends on Sunday 21 August\, after lunch\, (at 13:00) for the shorter option\, and Wednesday 24 August\, after lunch\, (at 13:00)\, for the full retreat. \nRetreat Facilitators\nAnton Krueger is an acclaimed writer who has won numerous awards for his plays\, poems and critical writing. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Drama\, Rhodes University\, and also helps to run a Samye Kagyu Buddhist centre in Grahamstown. Besides teaching Creative Writing at undergrad and postgraduate level\, he’s also taught children at home schools and at the Michael Mount Waldorf School.\nAnton is a member of Mindfulness Africa and has presented papers on Mindfulness and Creativity in Shanghai\, Chicago\, India\, Sweden and Scotland. He’s also attended the Mind and Life Summer Research Institute in New York as well as Naropa’s Summer Writing Program at the Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics. \n  \nThe HA!Man (Francois le Roux) is an independent performer\, workshop facilitator and music creator that has built an extensive network of support across four continents over the last two decades. With a classical background in music\, he made spontaneous expression his mainstay since the early 1990’s and is regarded as one of the world’s foremost cello and piano improvisers.\nAlong with his wife\, Belgian actress and multi-artist Joke Debaere\, they prefer to build relationships with local communities\, focusing their work on smaller groups and settings. The HA!Man has presented workshops at numerous schools\, home school groupings\, colleges and universities across the world. Francois and Joke is based in Stutterheim\, Eastern Cape\, with their 3-year old daughter\, Mira. Visit www.hamanworld.com for more. \nRetreat Costs\nThere is the option to join either for two nights or five nights. \nThese rates include all meals\, refreshments\, and facilitator fees. Non-participating partners who wish to accompany participants are also welcome at reduced rates. If you would like to come but can’t afford it\, there is the opportunity to do a work exchange. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRoom Type\nWEEKEND/2 Nights\nFULL – 5 NIGHTS\n\n\n Single use of ensuite room (2 available):\nR3 600\nR9 000\n\n\n Single-use of twin/double room\, shared  bathroom.\nR3 200\nR8 000\n\n\n Single en suite room\, per person sharing\nR3 400\nR8 500\n\n\n Single room with shared bathroom (3 available):\nR3 000\nR7 500\n\n\n Twin/double room with shared bathroom (per person\, sharing)\nR2 400\nR6 000\n\n\n Dormitory\nR1 880\nR4 700\n\n\n Camping (own tent)\nR1 680\nR4 200\n\n\n\n\nTo Book\nTo book\, please use our online Booking Form. A 50% deposit will secure your choice of accommodation. This is not refundable but is transferable to another TRC retreat within a year. \nFor more general information about our retreats\, please click on this link. \n  \nCatch yourself thinking…\nAllen Ginsberg
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/play-retreat-anton/
LOCATION:Tara Rokpa Centre\, Tara Rokpa Centre\, Groot Marico District\, North West Province\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:Fun,Mindfulness,Music and Rythm,Play,Relaxing,Writing
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/HAMan-and-Anton-bw1-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20220415T130000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20220418T140000
DTSTAMP:20260619T120656
CREATED:20210124T192100Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220212T104229Z
UID:2813-1650027600-1650290400@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:Family Easter Camp 2022
DESCRIPTION:Easter Camp at Tara Rokpa Centre is traditionally is a family affair and a “come as you are” party. We define family in the broader sense\, including the traditional nuclear and extended families\, but also extending to friends\, individuals\, urban tribe members\, community members\, TRC visitors\, and anyone wanting to connect with the spirit of the Easter Camp. Children are welcome and there will be a morning programme for them\, including the traditional Easter Egg hunt on Easter Sunday. \n“To me a family is whoever I can depend upon for support\, to laugh with\, to play with\, and to share the challenges and rewards of life with.” Beth Lake \nThis will be a relaxed weekend in the beautiful\, healthy\, wide-open spaces of the bushveld with optional fun activities guided by a team of facilitators. The retreat starts with lunch on Good Friday and ends with lunch on Easter Monday. Activities include: \n\nPlaying with Art Materials\nGuided Relaxation exercises\nSinging and Body Percussion\nDancing\nMindful Movement Qigong\nRestorative Yoga\nMindfulness\nWalks\nSwimming at the Waterfall\, the Eye\, or the farm-style pool\nRoasting marshmallows around the campfire\nSleeping\nEaster Egg Hunt\n\nCost\nWe aim to keep the costs as low as possible to allow nuclear families to attend. The rooms are allocated according to confirmed bookings. \nThe costs include all meals from lunch on Friday to lunch on Monday but excludes staff tips. The fees include a contribution to the facilitator’s expenses and an optional R60 environmental fee for adults. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n Adults\n  R2500\n\n\n  Teen 1\n  R1700\n\n\n  Teen 2+\n  R1200\n\n\n  Age 3 – 12\n  R700\n\n\n  Under 3s\n  Free\n\n\n\nYou are welcome to stay from Thursday 14 April – additional accommodation fees will apply. \nPlease don’t let a lack of finance prevent you from attending – please contact us for more options. \nBookings\nClick here to book. Please fill in a booking form for each adult and child attending. This is to enable us to allocate suitable accommodation. \nA non-refundable but transferrable deposit of 50% to secure the accommodation of your choice. \nFacilitators\nPippa Cope was involved in caring professions during her formal working years\, and since retirement has been the manager of Tara Rokpa Centre\, until her second recent retirement. She now devotes herself to environmental and community work in the area. She is authorized to facilitate aspects of the Tara Rokpa process and is a trained Donna Farhi Yoga facilitator with a growing interest in the benefits of Somatic Movement. \n  \nWendy Newstadt is presently choir teacher at Parkview Senior and has taught music and dance here and in New York. She is also a performing musician who plays regularly mostly in and around Joburg. She is Orff Music certified. \n  \n  \nVera Hey is a mindfulness practitioner and an experienced mindfulness facilitator. She uses the insight and awareness gained from her mindfulness practice in her personal life and in her career as a psychological counselor. She is a student of Rob Nairn\, international Mindfulness and Meditation teacher\, and has completed his facilitator training course. \n  \n 
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/family-easter-camp-2021/
LOCATION:Tara Rokpa Centre\, Tara Rokpa Centre\, Groot Marico District\, North West Province\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:Biking,Chi Kung/Tai Chi,Embodied meditation,Food,Fun,Mindful Movement,Mindfulness,Music and Rythm,Outdoor,Play,Relaxing,Tara Rokpa Therapy,Walking,Yoga
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/The-Best-Cosmos-Cultivars-FB.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20220318T180000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20220321T140000
DTSTAMP:20260619T120656
CREATED:20220111T160004Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220116T170941Z
UID:3128-1647626400-1647871200@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:Loving Awareness
DESCRIPTION:with Lucy Draper-Clarke \nAs you step into this new year\, what needs your loving awareness? A relationship\, a project\,\nyour work\, home\, or family? You may be holding sorrow for the past or anxiety about the\nfuture. The best place to start is bringing caring attention to your own body\, heart\, and mind.\nTime away\, and time in\, can return you to the ease and joy of the present moment. \nThis 3-night retreat is an invitation to reflect and refocus\, as we reimagine a world that is\nbuilt on an ethic of care. Lucy will guide you through embodied awareness practices\, including yoga\, qi gong\, and expressive movement\, to prepare the heart-mind for meditation. \n  \n\n  \nThen we’ll sit together and cultivate the innate qualities of being human – love\, compassion\, joy\, and equanimity. Finally\, you can explore how to integrate these experiences into daily life. \nPrevious retreat participants had this to say about Lucy: \n“Lucy brings to mindful movement her special warmth and generosity\, together with the\nqualities of a very skilled teacher. She creates an environment of complete kindness and\ngentleness which in turn enables both the beginner and the more experienced to feel trulywelcome.” Carolyn Pollack \n“Lucy is a warm\, wise\, and wonderful teacher\, embodying fully the heart-mind connections she gently encourages in others. What she offers comes directly from her heart\, enabling her to provide exactly what is needed spontaneously in the moment.” Joanna Monaghan \nCost\nThe costs include the facilitation fee\, accommodation\, a voluntary R60 environmental levy\, and all meals and tea break snacks from supper on the day of your arrival\, until lunch on the day of departure. It excludes staff tips. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n   3 Nights\n   2 Nights\n\n\n  Single-use of ensuite room (if space available):\n    R4\,000\n    R3\,100\n\n\n  Single-use of twin/double room\, shared   bathroom:\n    R3\,800\n    R3\,000\n\n\n  Single room with shared bathroom (only 3 available):\n    R3\,700\n    R2\,900\n\n\n  Shared Twin/double room with en suite bathroom (per person):\n    R3\,400\n    R2\,700\n\n\n  Shared Twin/double room with shared bathroom (per person):\n    R3\,000\n    R2\,400\n\n\n  Dormitory\n    R2\,700\n    R2\,200\n\n\n  Camping (own tent)\n    R2\,400\n    R2\,000\n\n\n\nPlease do not let tight finances prevent you from coming – email us at tararokpacentre@gmail.com. \nBookings\nPlease click here to fill in the user-friendly online booking form. \nA nonrefundable\, but transferrable deposit of 50% is required to confirm your space. \nYour facilitator\nLucy Draper-Clarke has a doctorate in mindfulness and teacher education and loves to run retreats as well as support yoga teacher training schools. She has practised yoga for 20 years and taught yoga and mindfulness in Southern Africa since 2006\, while also offering embodied practices at Wits. While doing so\, she has been lucky enough to study with inspiring Buddhist mindfulness\, Vinyasa yoga teachers\, and Expressive Movement dance therapists. Her light-hearted and compassionate approach to teaching allows participants to explore their inner worlds through a joyful\, yet transformative practice. \n  \n 
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/loving-awareness/
LOCATION:Tara Rokpa Centre\, Tara Rokpa Centre\, Groot Marico District\, North West Province\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:compassion,Embodied meditation,Food,Fun,Inquiry,Insight,Mindfulness,Music and Rythm,Relaxing,Yoga
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/greg-rakozy-oMpAz-DN-9I-unsplash.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Heart-Mind":MAILTO:lucyheartmind@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20211215T180000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20211219T180000
DTSTAMP:20260619T120656
CREATED:20211003T152027Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211003T152524Z
UID:3039-1639591200-1639936800@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:Living Compassionately in Challenging Times
DESCRIPTION:If we wish to find lasting happiness\, we need to look at how to tame the mind and uncover our compassionate nature. We are so lucky to still be able to access the wisdom of ancient Tibetan masters\, whose advice is very relevant in today’s degenerate times. The text The Eight verses for Training the Mind by Langri Tangpa points to how to tame our minds and work compassionately with others. \n“Some people recite the Eight Verses only as a prayer or aspiration\, but that was not Geshe Langri Thangpa’s intention. He envisioned the text being used as a handbook for the practice of mind training. In these verses\, he tells us precisely what we have to do.” Quote from HH 17th Karmapa. \nAlan will guide us through this text\, and we will look at various commentaries and do guided meditations associated with the text. \nDuring this compassion-based retreat\, Pippa will offer daily sessions of voluntary attendance of: \n\nExercises based on compassion\, taken from the Tara Rokpa Therapy Process. This is a healing process steered by the late Akong Rinpoche and a team of western doctors and therapists which amalgamates the ancient wisdom of Tibetan Healing with Western Therapies.\nGentle Movement based on restorative yoga\, and gentle somatics. These exercises can be done by anyone\, and are adaptable to anyone interested in exploring the inward body/mind connections.\n\nThere will also be time to do your own thing\, take walks\, star-gaze around the campfire\, swim\, and relax. \nFacilitators:\nAlan Muller who took refuge in 1997 with Akong Rinpoche. In 2003\, he completed a one-year closed retreat under the guidance of Lama Yeshe Rinpoche at Samye Ling Monastery in Scotland. During this period\, he took novice monk’s vows. Alan remained a novice monk for six years and now presents courses and retreats as a layperson. He has formed Ngondro groups since 2004 around Southern Africa. \n  \nPippa Cope has been involved with the Tara Rokpa Therapy process for over 20 years and has offered courses both in SA \, Zimbabwe and Canada. She has also been involved with yoga for over 20 years. Pippa is certified by an\ninternationally acclaimed Yoga teacher -Donna Fahri \, and has followed Somatic movement since being introduced to it over 4 years ago. \n  \nCosts:\nThis is a dana-based retreat\, and the costs include meals\, teas\, and accommodation. It excludes a monetary offering for the facilitators and staff tips. Please contact us if you have financial constraints\, but would like to attend. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n Twin/double room with en suite bathroom (per person):\n R2900\n\n\n Twin/double room with shared bathroom (per person):\n R2500\n\n\n Single room with shared bathroom (only 3 available):\n R3300\n\n\n Single use of twin/double room (if space available)\, shared  bathroom:\n R3500\n\n\n Single use of ensuite room (if space available):\n R3700\n\n\n Single en suite room\n R3500\n\n\n Dormitory\n R2000\n\n\n Camping (own tent)\n R1600\n\n\n\n  \nTo Book:\nPlease fill in the online booking form here. \nA 50 % deposit\, non-refundable\, but transferrable\, will secure the accommodation of your choice.
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/living-compassionately-in-challenging-times/
LOCATION:Tara Rokpa Centre\, Tara Rokpa Centre\, Groot Marico District\, North West Province\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:Buddhism,compassion,Dharma,Fun,Inquiry,Meditation,Mindfulness,Relaxing,Tara Rokpa Therapy,Walking
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/heart-700141_1280-1024x683-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20201224T180000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20210103T140000
DTSTAMP:20260619T120656
CREATED:20201020T185128Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20201020T185128Z
UID:2694-1608832800-1609682400@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:Seeking Happiness with Alan Muller and Pippa Cope
DESCRIPTION:A TRC Xmas/ New Year Retreat \n“Every man wants to be happy\, but in order to be so he needs first to understand what happiness is.” Jean-Jacques Rousseau. \n“If happiness is indeed a way of being\, a state of consciousness and inner freedom\, there is essentially nothing to prevent us from achieving it.” Matthieu Ricard. \nWe will look at what happiness is and how to foster it. \nProgramme:\nTalks\, guided meditations\, painting mani mantras. \nNurture with Nature: Exploring the Five Tibetan Elements. \nMindful Movement based on restorative yoga and somatics. \nOther activities: \nWalks\, swimming\, star gazing\, reading\, birding\, doing nothing.\nVarious activities in the surrounding area – please consult info@marico.co.za \nCost:\nR5000 for 10 nights\, including all meals\, for a twin room with a shared bathroom. There are a limited number of single rooms\, and rooms with en suite bathroom – a supplement will apply for these rooms. \nPlus dana for Alan and Pippa. \nBookings:\nPlease click here to go to our online booking form. \nA 50% deposit will secure your booking. \nFacilitators:\nAlan Muller took refuge in 1997 with Akong Rinpoche. In 2003\, he completed a one-year closed retreat under the guidance of Lama Yeshe Rinpoche at Samye Ling Monastery in Scotland. During this period\, he took novice monks vows. Alan remained a novice monk for six years and now presents courses and retreats as a layperson. \n  \nPippa Cope offers mindful movement\, including somatics and Donna Farhi-inspired yoga. She has been involved with the Tara Rokpa Therapy process for 20 years as a senior helper in South Africa and Zimbabwe and has offered workshops in Canada. Pippa has been resident at TRC for over 15 years as jack of all trades. She previously spent her professional life working as an Occupational Therapist\, Social Worker and Community Development manager. \n 
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/seeking-happiness-with-alan-muller-and-pippa-cope/
LOCATION:Tara Rokpa Centre\, Tara Rokpa Centre\, Groot Marico District\, North West Province\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:Buddhism,Dharma,Fun,Meditation,Mindfulness,Outdoor,Play,Relaxing,Walking,Yoga
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/PHOTO-2020-05-24-21-27-26.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20201216T180000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20201220T180000
DTSTAMP:20260619T120656
CREATED:20201020T182852Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20201020T183239Z
UID:2685-1608141600-1608487200@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:The Four Immeasurables with Alan Muller and Pippa Cope
DESCRIPTION:A Self-Compassion Retreat\n“If we learn ways to practice love\, compassion\, joy\, and equanimity\, we will know how to heal the illnesses of anger\, sorrow\, insecurity\, sadness and loneliness”\nThich Nhat Hanh \nWe will look at how we can develop the four immeasurables in daily life and through meditation. \nThere will be guided Healing Relaxation sessions and gentle mindful movement. \nThe programme will be gentle and will allow for space to do your own thing. \nYou can extend your retreat to the Xmas Retreat. \nCost:\nR2400 for 4 nights\, including all meals\, for a twin room with shared bathroom. There are a limited number of single rooms\, and rooms with en suite bathroom – a supplement will apply for these rooms. \nPlus dana for Alan and Pippa. \n  \nBookings:\nPlease click here to go to our online booking form. \nA 50% deposit will secure your booking. \nFacilitators:\nAlan Muller took refuge in 1997 with Akong Rinpoche. In 2003\, he completed a one-year closed retreat under the guidance of Lama Yeshe Rinpoche at Samye Ling Monastery in Scotland. During this period\, he took novice monks vows. Alan remained a novice monk for six years and now presents courses and retreats as a layperson. \n  \nPippa Cope offers mindful movement\, including somatics and Donna Farhi-inspired yoga. She has been involved with the Tara Rokpa Therapy process for 20 years as a senior helper in South Africa and Zimbabwe and has offered workshops in Canada. Pippa has been resident at TRC for over 15 years as jack of all trades. She previously spent her professional life working as an Occupational Therapist\, Social Worker and Community Development manager. \n 
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/the-four-immeasurables-with-alan-muller-and-pippa-cope/
LOCATION:Tara Rokpa Centre\, Tara Rokpa Centre\, Groot Marico District\, North West Province\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:Buddhism,Dharma,Fun,Meditation,Mindfulness,Relaxing,Walking,Yoga
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/2020-09-24_27-Tara-Rokpa-7859.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Helsinki:20200313T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Helsinki:20200315T140000
DTSTAMP:20260619T120656
CREATED:20190208T202241Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200110T000722Z
UID:1534-1584122400-1584280800@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:TRC Experience Weekend
DESCRIPTION:Have you ever wondered what happens at a retreat centre? \nThis is your chance to find out! We are offering an introductory weekend for those who would like to experience the range of activities that take place at Tara Rokpa Centre (TRC). \nTRC is a welcoming\, down to earth centre within a UNESCO biosphere reserve where you can connect with yourself\, your community and the earth. It is in a hidden valley\, free from the disturbance of the digital world: such a rare treat in modern life where we are constantly on call. \nDuring this weekend\, you can reconnect with what it means to be human; relaxed\, at ease and in touch with the world around you. Bring your family and take part in the experiences on offer. Alternatively\, you are welcome to hike\, swim\, swing in a hammock or read a book. \nThe resident community at TRC each have their own skills and interests. They are very willing to share these with visitors. After supper on the first evening\, Pippa Cope will guide you through a Healing Relaxation practice. This is a chance to slow down and feel grounded once again. She will then lead movement sessions before breakfast\, so that guests can bring balance to body and mind. From Saturday morning\, the programme is structured so that you can attend all the sessions for a full experience\, or take time off to relax and replenish. \nThe permaculture stewards will give visitors an introduction to Permaculture tour on Saturday\, and then a short workshop on Sunday. Brenda Shelley will offer the Poetry of Photography\, during walks in the bushveld. She will assist participants to balance both the creative and the technical aspects of photography; linking the heart and the mind. Alan will give guests an introduction to meditation techniques\, which can help to train the mind in becoming more aware and at ease. \nPippa offers mindful movement\, including somatics and Donna Farhi-inspired yoga. She has been involved with the Tara Rokpa Therapy process for 20 years as a senior helper in South Africa and Zimbabwe and has offered workshops in Canada. Pippa has been resident at TRC for over 15 years as jack of all trades. She previously spent her professional life working as an Occupational Therapist\, Social Worker and Community Development manager. \n  \nAlan completed a one-year closed retreat at Samye Ling Monastery in Scotland. He was a monk for six years and now presents courses and retreats as a layperson. He supports long-term (6 month retreats) in Tara’s Valley Retreat House\, and is also very keen to support beginners with a meditation practice. \n  \n  \n \nBrenda would like to share her love for photography so that visitors can touch into the spirit of place. She was a professional photographer and worked as a freelance visual artist in the USA and Cape Town\, specialising in travel\, fine art and fashion photography. \n\n  \nCome and try a weekend of reconnecting with the people and the environment around you\, as well as learning new skills and practices to take care of yourself. This is your chance to remember how it feels to be free from the digital world\, and let your mind quieten down to the pace of nature. \nThe Programme: \nFriday \n4 – 6 pm: Arrival and settling in \n6:00 pm: Supper \n7:30 pm: Guided Meditation/Relaxation \nSaturday \n7 – 8 am: Yoga \n8 –  9 am: Breakfast \n9:30 – 10:30 am: Intro to Meditation \n11 am – 12:30 pm: Tour of the Permaculture site \n1 – 2 pm: Lunch \n2 – 4 pm: Free Time \n4 – 5:30 pm: Guided Walk \n6 – 7 pm: Supper \n7 – 8 pm: Meditation/Relaxation/Drumming around the Campfire \nSunday \n7 – 8 am: Yoga \n8 – 9 am: Breakfast \n10 am – 12 pm: Permaculture/Healing Relaxation/Meditation Activity \n12:30 – 1:30 pm: Lunch \n1:30 pm: Departure \n  \nCosts:\nThe costs include full board from supper on Friday to Lunch on Sunday\, as well as an optional environmental levy of R60. Dana will be appreciated by the facilitators. \n\n\n\n\n\n\nTwin/double room with en suite bathroom (per person):\n R1500\n\n\nTwin/double room with shared bathroom (per  Rperson):\n R1300\n\n\nSingle room with shared bathroom (only 3 available):\n R1700\n\n\nSingle use of twin/double room (if space available)\, shared bathroom:\n R1800\n\n\nSingle use of ensuite room (if space available):\n R1900\n\n\nSingle en suite room (if available)\n R1800\n\n\nDormitory\n R1000\n\n\nCamping (own tent)\n R800\n\n\n\nBookings:\nPlease book here. A 50% deposit will confirm your place. \n\n  \n 
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/trc-experience-weekend/
LOCATION:Tara Rokpa Centre\, Tara Rokpa Centre\, Groot Marico District\, North West Province\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:Food,Fun,Gardening,Meditation,Mindfulness,Outdoor,Permaculture,Photography,Spirituality,Yoga
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/49435181_1807931256001652_2544158134444752896_n.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20191122T180000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20191124T130000
DTSTAMP:20260619T120656
CREATED:20190807T103922Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190807T110734Z
UID:1829-1574445600-1574600400@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:Nudging the Player: A Very Serious Play Retreat with Anthea Moys and Roberto Pombo
DESCRIPTION:The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct. \n– Carl Jung \nAfter a 2-year hiatus\, facilitators Roberto and Anthea have become even MORE serious about play than they were originally and they would love to share some of these learnings with you. Come dive in with us and treat yourself to a glorious weekend retreat dedicated to the art of PLAY! \nPlay is often considered a ‘waste of time’\, a frivolous\, useless activity reserved only for children. We are told to ‘Grow up! Get a job! And get serious about life.’ Increasingly\, however\, play is seen to be crucial\, not just for children but for adults too – with special benefits for all parts of one’s life. You cannot force anyone to play. Most of us have forgotten what our relationship to play is. Evolutionary science shows that play is part of our DNA. It is how we learn and how we communicate with one another. It prepares us for the world ahead. \nSo\, it is just about remembering; nudging the player that is dormant inside all of us. In this retreat we invite you to ‘exercise the play muscle’ inside you. Playing is about engaging ambiguous\, uncertain and sometimes scary spaces or experiences with a sense of joy\, curiosity\, experimentation and ‘what if?’ as opposed to a ‘winning mentality’. By creating conditions for multiple options to emerge\, not just right or wrong answer\, win or lose\, we take the expert out of the room\, and invite in the fool. In this way we create safe spaces for creativity to flow. \nIn our experience\, this approach is the most conducive\, inspiring\, life-affirming\, character enhancing and FUN way to do things. We learn and connect more when we are having fun… ! This retreat aims to create a safe space for us to play where we can be a bit silly\, find our playful self and learn how to incorporate play into our daily lives more readily. \n“I can’t recommend this retreat enough. I arrived home full of hilarious stories and with a spring in my step. You will belly laugh\, dance around\, explore something new and fool around with art supplies. You won’t be bored for a second\, but you will also have time to chill in a hammock and stare at the clouds.” – Mehita Iqani (Play Retreat 2017). \nWHAT TO EXPECT: \n\nWhat is play for you? The weekend will be packed with a variety of activities exploring different types of PLAY. We have some ‘nudges’ that may involve make believe and pretend play\, daydreaming\, risky play\, ritualIsed play\, musical play\, (non)competitive game-play plus a little bit of play theory.\nHave you forgotten how to play? The activities will be focused on non-competitive games that are designed to challenge you to think less\, laugh\, learn and play more\, and in so doing\, allow you to rediscover and connect to your playful spirit (wherever it may be hiding). We will explore games that: engage you in developing your quick responsive skills; stimulate joyful stupidity; promote child-like curiosity; require strict in-the-now awareness; and encourage you to purely laugh and have fun.\nProcess-driven (not goal oriented) play: an invitation OR permission to… surrender! The focus here will be on quantity and not quality. Leave the ego and the judge at the door. Activities that will assist this process will include: playing with chance and the sub/unconscious\, automatic drawing and writing and improvised theatrical play.\nEmbodied and mindful practice: adventuring and wandering into the wilderness of the Groot Marico as an explorer\, investigator\, quiet and gentle observer and responding creatively and curiously to what is there.\nDressing up\, hide and go seek\, treasure hunts\, zombie games\, ghost stories\, musical chairs\, broken telephone\, squash sardines\, cat ‘n mouse\, singing games and a silent disco…\n\nYOU WILL LEAVE WITH MAD SKILLS IN HOW TO USE PLAY TO: \n\nFacilitate the learning process: Playing is about trying different things out and seeing what happens. In this way we learn more because we adopt an open and positive perspective. We are not stuck on just ‘trying to find the right answer’.\nAssist with interpersonal relationships\, communication and collaboration: Play assists with active listening and exchange – a lot of play is about saying yes. Improvisational play is about being generous and open to what the other person has to offer – and working with what is. Not what it should or could be\, but what is.\n“You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.” Plato.\nAssist with ‘sitting with ambiguity’: Often – we don’t know what the outcome will be\, what the future holds. This makes us nervous\, uncomfortable and sometimes it even paralyses us. Because play is about trusting the process\, we learn to work with this feeling of ambiguity\, uncertainty and unknowingness. No condition is permanent.\nRelieve stress and anxiety and be more productive: play boosts our energy\, is full of surprises and gets you moving!\nAdopt divergent ways of thinking\, as opposed to convergent ways of thinking: divergent thinking is an exploratory thinking process where many ideas are possible. Convergent thinking is about trying to get one right idea. This is how most of us were taught in school – that there is only a right and a wrong way to do things! Play inspires divergent thinking and minimises the fear of ‘getting it wrong’\, so we are inspired to take more risks. In this way the creative process is much more organic\, generative… and FUN!\nAccess your inner child (#hippiealert we know we know) and never be bored again: For most of us our experience of the world is largely visual. Through our phones and computers\, our lives are saturated with thousands of images every day. We are forgetting how to make our own images! When we play\, we jump-start our imagination\, wonder and curiosity at the world. Make-believe\, pretend and daydreaming can all assist with this process.\nLive a happier life: Play makes you happy. Be it though dancing\, singing\, drawing or just daydreaming.\n\nPricing: Weekend accommodation and all (INCREDIBLY DELICIOUS) vegetarian meals included. \n\n\n\n\n\n\nTwin/double room with en suite bathroom (per person):\n R2 880\n\n\nTwin/double room with shared bathroom (per person):\n R2 660\n\n\nSingle room with shared bathroom (only 3 available):\n R3 060\n\n\nSingle use of twin/double room (if space available)\, shared bathroom:\n R3 160\n\n\nSingle use of ensuite room (if space available):\n R3 360\n\n\nDormitory\n R2 440\n\n\nCamping (own tent)\n R2 240\n\n\n\n  \nTRC is committed to being accessible to all\, so please enquire after bursary places\, if you do not feel you can afford the full retreat cost. You can offer your skills and work in lieu of full payment. \nA voluntary environmental levy of R60 is included in the price. \nTo Book: \nPlease fill in the online booking form for each person wanting to attend. \nA 50% deposit (non-refundable\, but transferable to another TRC retreat) will secure your place. \nYour facilitators: \nRoberto Pombo \nRoberto Pombo is a very\, very serious theatre-maker\, educator and performer. He graduated with an Honours degree in Dramatic Arts from WITS University in 2008 and went on to complete a three year intensive training at the acclaimed Helikos International School of Theatre Creation. Some of his performance credits include Robin Orlin’s Dressed to Kill\, Kill to Dress; Jerome Bel’s Shirtology; The History Boys directed Alan Swerdlow; Jemma Kahn’s We Didn’t Come To Hell For The Croissants; and The Play That Goes Wrong\, directed by Alan Committie. He was most recently seen in the multi-award winning clown show Babbelagtig\, directed by Jenine Collocott; and Sam Shepard’s Curse of the Starving Class\, directed by Sylvaine Strike. Roberto’s passion for theatre is strongly rooted in the world of the clown and the bouffon. He recently completed his Masters dissertation in theatre through Wits University and went on to attend a three month  pedagogic training at Helikos under the direction of world-renowned theatre master\, Giovanni Fusetti. He currently teaches clown\, improvisation and devised theatre work in Johannesburg. \nAnthea Moys \nAnthea is a very\, very serious artist\, teacher\, play facilitator\, lifelong learner and runner. She is interested in play\, performance\, trusting the process and seeing what happens. In 2008 she completed her Masters at Wits with a focus on play and performance in public space. In 2013 she won the Standard Bank Young Artist Award for performance art (inaugural) where she created her “Vs” series which embraced failure and reimagined winning as the act of learning itself. She has travelled widely as an artist and play facilitator. In April 2017 Anthea was the keynote speaker for CounterPlay festival in Denmark\, as well as for the Playful Arts festival in Eindhoven in 2018 in the Netherlands. More recently she was a resident artist\, researcher and play facilitator at The Capital of Children as part of the LEGO Foundation in Denmark. Most recently Anthea has won a studentship at Northumbria University in Newcastle to complete a 3-year practice-led PhD with a specific focus on sport\, play and contemporary performance. Anthea currently lives\, learns\, works and plays Newcastle\, U.K. www.antheamoys.com \nResponses from players at the last Play Retreat in 2017: \n“The Play retreat with Anthea and Roberto was a huge amount of fun. They have created a brilliant programme full of interactive games and experiences which\, as well as making sure that participants get silly\, giggle and are encouraged to express themselves\, also cleverly teaches about the role of improvisation\, experimentation and joyfulness in a full and happy life…. Go play! You’ll remember parts of yourself that the responsible adult in charge of you might have neglected.” \nMehita \n“It was so refreshing to be in a beautiful space\, to meet new people and play. At first very hard to let go but then with the non judgmental support of your new friends you slowly start to open up and enjoy playing. Thoroughly enjoyed the experience and I am so glad I did it. I did for myself and I’ll be back. Thank you.” \nBronwyn \n“The best thing since sliced bread.” \nJasmina (she doesn’t eat bread and was on a juice diet during the retreat). \n 
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/play-retreat-19/
LOCATION:Tara Rokpa Centre\, Tara Rokpa Centre\, Groot Marico District\, North West Province\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:Drama,Fun,Play
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/VerySeriousPlayRetreat.jpg
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