Fundamentals of Embodied Facilitation
Ripening the Fruit, Sharpening the Blade
Bodhi Khaya, South Africa
23 - 30 April 2025
Cultivate the art of true Embodied Facilitation
Join us in the powerful earthy elegance of Southern Africa to deepen in your practice of true Embodied Facilitation!
Our approach to facilitation is different because it is alive, fluid, responsive, grounded and authentic, much like the environment we will be in. Our aim is to courageously embrace that we know nothing – even as teachers and facilitators. We will role model how to source from the present moment, even as we are prepared and seasoned with our content.
There is something more potent that comes through for facilitators when the focus is on holistic attunement instead of intellectual knowing.
Wherever you are on your journey with Shakti Shiva Academy – whether or not you’ve done courses with us in the past, or are simply interested in somatic-based facilitation as a personal interest – this invitation is for you.
Facilitation is different from teaching or coaching. Fundamentally, it is about developing the capacity to be in the flow of what is happening in the room and learning how to both steer and guide people through an experience, while also giving them a lot of space to have their own unique experience…
About our Retreat
Our aim is to create a structure that supports your evolution as an individual, allowing the falling away of what is not you, to reveal more and more of your essential and embodied self as a Facilitator.
“Embodied facilitation” can be defined as a facilitation approach that integrates the mind and body, using physical + sensate awareness and movement to enhance learning, self-awareness, and communication. It fosters deeper emotional intelligence and holistic engagement in group dynamics and personal growth.
During this retreat we will focus on the principles and practices of embodied facilitation.
During the retreat we will emphasize how to work with individuals and groups to support them – in totality – to bring their true, authentic and most essential selves to the events and experiences we are facilitating. We will put into practice the theory and principles of embodied facilitation to anchor an understanding for ourselves of whole body listening, conscious communication, energetic hygiene, emotional self management, proper preparation, container setting and more.
You will learn and practice how to:
➺ listen deeply and continuously from your body (sensation & intuition), heart (feeling) and mind (consciousness)…
➺ sense and meet the field as well as the other/group from this listening place…
➺ drop any mind stories or agenda, handing the guidance over to the wisdom inside your body-being…
➺ cultivate your capacity to meet everything that arises with full body presence and openness…
➺ love, feel and stay fully connected to yourself, while holding space for others…
The naked truth of our human experience, felt inside the body, heart and mind in each moment, is what our work is based on. Your embodied experience of the now is what becomes your ground and guide as a facilitator – through storms, choppy water and difficult terrain as well as rainbows, clear skies and calm waters.
Who Is This Retreat For?
This Fundamentals of Embodied Facilitation Retreat is designed for open-hearted-and-minded, curious lovers of truth, and lovers of love. It provides an opportunity to deep dive into what it is to be a fully-realised, multi-dimensional, consciously embodied human being, in intimate, authentic relationship with Self, others and the planet.
This retreat is designed especially for facilitators, educators, practitioners, bodyworkers, therapists, and individuals seeking a profound exploration of facilitation combined with personal growth. Our retreat is also ideal for: Individuals on a Personal Growth Journey, Entrepreneurs & Business Leaders, Individuals Open to Innovative New Perspectives and Individuals Committed to Healthy Group Dynamics.
This retreat will be a good fit for you if:
➺ You are committed to your own personal evolution and are ready to engage deeply in a process of self mastery within group awareness.
➺ You have a genuine desire to serve others and contribute positively to their growth.
➺ You are open to exploring the depths of facilitation, including the personal, the interpersonal, as well as aspects of Advaita/Totality Tantra.
➺ You resonate with the idea of embodied facilitation and understand the profound impact on a group of being a “hollow flute” for transmission and inspiration to move through.
➺ You are drawn to a holistic approach that integrates physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of facilitation.
➺ You approach learning with curiosity and an open mind, embracing diverse perspectives and techniques.
➺ You’re an entrepreneurial spirit, seeking to infuse soul-inspired facilitation into your business and/or leadership style.
"Facilitation is the art of supporting your students in accessing their own experience. It's about clearing a path for your participants to notice what is happening, the meanings and feelings they attach to it, and to discover for themselves how they want to integrate those experiences into their lives. As a facilitator, the techniques and information you know matter less than your ability to clear space for your students' to experience the work for themselves."
- Marcia Baczynski
Our Beautiful Venue
At the foot of the Witkrans Mountain in the Overberg region, on the Southern tip of Africa, Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat is in one of the most diverse biospheres in the world – one of only seven floral kingdoms on the planet. Surrounded by indigenous Fynbos and ancient Milkwood forests it is a special place to reconnect to the ancient wisdom and healing power of nature.
Bodhi Khaya provides a safe and nourishing environment for personal transformation. You’re invited to explore the library, indulge in a massage, take a forest walk, enjoy the sauna and take a refreshing dip in the spring-fed lily ponds…
Catering
Bodhi Khaya’s kitchen has a reputation for delicious, nurturing & nourishing country food using organic, seasonal produce fresh from the garden and other locally sourced fresh ingredients, combined with the cook’s spontaneous creativity!
*Please note: Your booking fee includes 3 vegetarian meals per day. There is an option to add one meat meal per day at an additional surcharge. See the details in the Application Form.
“What really qualifies us to work with others is not the certificates on our walls but the wisdom and maturity that we develop through immersing ourselves in life’s rich experience with clarity, awareness and an ever-expanding heart…”
- Shakti Malan
Facilitation Team
Marcia Baczynski
LEAD FACILITATOR
Marcia Baczynski is a skilled facilitator, educator and coach with over 20 years of experience leading groups through transformative experiences. Her primary mission is to help adults who want more connection and intimacy to overcome shame and get in touch with what they truly want – romantically, sexually and relationally – even if it’s off the beaten path. Bringing wisdom, humor, and creativity to all aspects of her work, and a fresh perspective on love, sex and relationships, Marcia shares her expertise in boundaries, communication, consent, open relationships, LGBTQ+ experiences and sex positivity.
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In 2004, Marcia co-created Cuddle Party, a non-sexual workshop and social event centered around boundaries, communication and touch, and in 2006 created its facilitator training program, which now has over 200 facilitators around the world. She is faculty at the School of Consent, teaching both Wheel of Consent workshops and the Like a Pro training for practitioners. Marcia is the co-author of Creating Consent Culture: A Handbook for Educators, which guides teachers and community builders on how to facilitate consent-based interactions in their classrooms and communities.
Over the course of her career, Marcia has facilitated and taught over 1000 in-person events and online experiences, and worked with tens of thousands of clients and students.
Learn more about Marcia at www.askingforwhatyouwant.com
Claire Rumore
SUPPORT FACILITATOR
Claire role models ❤️HEART❤️and 🌈PLAY🌈 in her facilitation style and brings a wealth of experience, resources, and insight.
She has been involved in facilitation work in large and small ways, ranging from groups, conferences, workshops, extended courses and online classes to couples work, private gatherings and 1:1 sessions. She is able to mentor students in any of these frameworks.
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Additionally, Claire is a certified Erotic Blueprint™ coach, an Urban Tantra™ trained sex educator, and a skilled coach, counselor and mentor in the realms of sexuality and spirituality. She’ll be bringing her 20 years of experience in these realms to her teaching at the retreat.
Claire has also worked in tech & innovation consulting since 2014 where she learned, amongst other things, how to facilitate ethnographic research and innovation design sprints at large companies globally. She worked for an organisational development firm in San Francisco, Ca that specialised in facilitated participatory group work. She helped revise their ground-breaking book “Facilitator’s Guide to Participatory Decision Making.” She also trained as a graphic facilitator in 2015.
Learn more about Claire at www.ClaireRumore.com
Rhianne van der Linde
BREATHWORK FACILITATOR & ORGANISER
Rhianne is principal and senior faculty at Shakti Shiva Academy and her greatest delight is in supporting you to explore the breath as a thread connecting you directly to source, as a tool for embodiment and as a force for waking up!
In the conscious connected breathwork sessions we’ll experience on retreat, you’ll discover the power of the breath and how to work with it very simply – as a conscious tool for healing and growth, personal awakening and transformation in body, mind and spirit – enabling you to flow effortlessly and easily with all of life’s movements…
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Breathing is something that we are doing constantly and (mostly) unconsciously. The breath is life – it is our very connection to life itself. Awareness, Relaxation, Breathing – when these three elements are blended harmoniously together, then we arrive at a proper rest into the ground of being – and from this place we can live in a state of perpetual trust. From this place, our awakened facilitation can express its uniqueness…
Your beautiful breathing body is a gateway to the Bliss that is your Birthright. And the breath is the key!
Truth as emptiness and Truth as embodiment – as consciousness expressing in form, in beautiful breathing bodies of love – it is this language of the heart, this feminine language of embodiment & feeling that Rhianne is most interested in learning and sharing together with you.
Specialities: Breathwork, Dreamwork, Shadow Exploration & Integration, Sexual Awakening for Women, Embodiment and Somatic practices, Body De-armouring.
Learn more about Rhianne here
Rayven Spirit
BLISSDANCE FACILITATOR
Rayven is a seasoned facilitator, known for his calm, grounded presence. With over 30 years of experience across corporate consulting, entrepreneurship, counseling, public speaking, and personal growth, his facilitation opens spaces for authentic self-expression, deep connection, and purpose.
At this retreat, Rayven will guide you through BlissDance practices, bringing facilitation principles into an embodied, somatic exploration. By transforming mental concepts into felt experiences, BlissDance offers a powerful way to deepen your facilitation skills.
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Drawing from his own journey, Rayven encourages participants to slow down, be present, and move with inspiration and creativity—dancing with life’s possibilities, grounded in self-compassion, humility, and awe.
The presence, trust, and surrender required for effective facilitation will be explored through dance, finding a balance between guidance and freedom, structure and flow. Touching into key aspects of facilitation, such as responsibility, deep listening, and holding space, BlissDance will support you as a facilitator in authentic leadership, to release control, and to cultivate the wisdom to hold a powerful space with mastery.
Read more about Rayven here
What students are saying...
about Marcia, Claire, Rhianne and Rayven:
Investment
Prices include all accommodation, vegetarian meals & facilitation.
Prices are per person (sharing or single).
1. Complete the Application Form:
2. Choose your Accommodation & Payment Plan method:
- Accommodation (Cloister, Courtyard Shared, Courtyard Single, Garden Room Shared, Garden Room Single or Camping BYO Tent & Bedding)
- Payment Plan (Single Payment, 2 Monthly Payments or 3 Monthly Payments)
- EFT Option – available for South Africans – please email info@shaktishiva.academy for banking details
3. Optional Catering - Add in ONE Meat Meal p/day
- One Chicken or Fish meal per day – see the details in the Application form above
“A way to think of facilitation is as a type of dance, and the group as the dance floor. When I dance, how I feel on the dance floor is a reflection of how I’m feeling about myself and about life. If I’m feeling insecure, it will be apparent. If I’m feeling confident and excited, the results will show. The dance floor, or the group, are the mirror, and from the mirror, I learn not only how to show up in general but how I’m showing up in the unfolding."
- Claire Rumore
F.A.Q
Who is this retreat for?
This retreat is particularly valuable to practitioners of somatic modalities such as conscious dance, yoga, body work, family constellations, sexual awakening for men and women, midwifery, breath work, and so on. It provides a rich array of embodied practices, tools and exercises to support clients to harness their erotic consciousness to heal, grow, transform and expand.
This retreat is designed as a solo experience alongside and together with others. You will have the opportunity to deepen in intimacy with yourself and with others.
Regardless of gender identification, sexual orientation or relationship status, you are welcome. All of you is welcome.
Is this Retreat only for students enrolled in Fundamentals of Embodied Facilitation 1-year course?
- No, the retreat is open to all persons interested in deepening their facilitation skills
- This retreat is a requirement for all students who wish to become a certified Shiva Academy facilitator in any one of our three learning paths: Sexual Shadow Work Certified Facilitator, Sexual Awakening for Women Certified Facilitator and BlissDance Certified Facilitator
Is it compulsory to complete the participant application & consent form?
Yes, please take your time to complete the participant application & consent form as it is of great support in enabling us to co-create a powerful and rich experience for all of us. We hugely appreciate your care & consideration with this.
Complete the Application form HERE
What’s not included in my retreat fees?
- Travel from home country to South Africa
- Gratuities
- Gifts, curio’s & personal items
- Travel to and from Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat
- There is an option to add one meat meal per day at an additional surcharge. See the details in the Application Form.
What's included in my retreat fees?
- Fully facilitated Fundamentals of Embodied Facilitation Retreat programme with Marcia, Claire, Rhianne and Steph; including guided and spontaneous movement meditations and practices, BlissDance, conscious connected breathwork and ceremony
- Accommodation of your choice
- Three vegetarian meals per day. There is an option to add one meat meal per day at an additional surcharge. See the details in the Application Form.
Travelling to Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat, South Africa
- The closest airport to fly into is Cape Town International.
- We advise arriving a minimum of 1 day early and overnighting in Cape Town, fresh and ready for transfer to Bodhi Khaya on Wednesday 23 April.
- Cape Town is a modern, cosmopolitan city surrounded by nature. Lying between Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean, it is one of the most sought-after holiday destinations around the globe.
- Cape Town is a wonderful city to spend at the very least a few days in as a tourist. Please connect with Rhianne should you require any assistance with planning your itinerary.
- Bodhi Khaya is approximately 150 mins by car from Cape Town. We will connect participants together for lift sharing purposes. We encourage our locally based participants to offer a ride to our international participants & travelers.
- Shakti Shiva Academy can arrange transport (if required) with a shuttle bus from Cape Town to Bodhi Khaya (23 April) as well as from Bodhi Khaya back to Cape Town (30 April). Please note this cost will be additional to the retreat cost and is entirely dependent on how many participants require this service.
What is your cancellation policy?
A non-refundable deposit of $300 / €300 / R5000 is required to reserve your place.
Whether you choose to register with a onetime payment, 2 monthly payments or 3 monthly payment plan, $300 / €300 / R5000 will be treated as a non-refundable deposit.
- * Cancellation up to and inc. 31 January 2025: All payments (less your non-refundable deposit) will be refunded to you
- * Cancellation up to and inc. 28 February 2025: 75% of your payments (less your non-refundable deposit) will be refunded to you
- * Cancellation up to and inc. 31 March 2025: 50% of your payments (less your non-refundable deposit) will be refunded to you
- * Should you cancel after 31 March 2025: no refund will be due to you and you will forfeit any and all payments made