Big Island Dance Camp 2008

This retreat offers a rare and special chance to deepen into the heart opening Dances of Universal Peace as a spiritual practice, within a setting of community sharing. This is a co-created event with different leaders offering dances.

Dances of Universal Peace are easily learned, with gentle movements that even "non-dancers" can greatly enjoy.  Singing sacred, ancient phrases creates a full body healing vibration, and when conscious movement is added, these become powerful spiritual practices.  Each dance will be fully taught, no experience is necessary.

There will be an afternoon session for Dance leader training purposes. Examples of efficient, attuned Dance leading (as well as other experiential practices such as the walking meditations) will be given and each enrolled Dance leader will have the opportunity to lead a simple, mantric Foundation Dance that they love for constructive feedback.  Dance musicians will have opportunities to play.

Amara Wahaba Karuna has been leading the Dances of Universal Peace since 1985 and is very involved in mentoring new Dance leaders. She has been on teaching staff for five Sufi Camps, has led many weekend retreats, zikrs and rituals which included the Dances.   She specializes in Dances from the Goddess and Earth traditions, and leads with lively humor and devotion.  She is a Sheikha in the SRI lineage of Sufism.

Facilities: We will be staying at La'akea Permaculture Community near Leilani, south of Pahoa on the Hilo side of the Big Island.  They have 25 acres of lush rainforest land, including a small crater, and are located close to hot steam vents, lava flow viewing, a lovely black sand beach, and the wonderful natural warm ponds.  They will be
providing wonderful organic meals and clean up.  They have a great indoor dance space, and also a large outdoor covered space.  It is a rustic site, and very lovely.

Bring: extra bedding, warm and cool clothes, rain gear, medicines, snacks, musical instruments, tape recorder, tapes, note taking materials.

Pre-registration helpful before April 1st
COST is $150 -$175  for the weekend: includes all great organic meals and dorm or camping space.

Bring your own tent and bedding.  You can rent bedding for an additional $5 per night.  Dorm sleeping is not sound protected, it is all on the upper floor of their big farmhouse. Also there are many coqui frogs that sing most of the night, so earplugs are good if you are sensitive.  They use composting toilets which are a little way from the house.  They will be feeding us partly from their organic gardens.

If you prefer to rent a space in a regular and more quiet house, there are nearby bed and breakfasts, or friend's houses. please contact Amara at 808-982-6755 as soon as possible to book a space.

PART TIME participation will be fine, just let us know, and the cost will be:
Friday or Saturday night only= $15
24 hours = $90
Saturday day and evening with no overnight =$75
Sunday only = $60 
All the above prices include meals

Please note if you need carpooling or can provide a ride

TO REGISTER: Send in a $75 deposit before April 1st for reduced rate of $150, after that cost is $175.
Deposit is refundable up to two days before the event, or in cases of sudden emergencies.

Make checks out to the director:
AMARA KARUNA

Send checks to:
PO Box 2243, Kealakekua, HI  96750
Phone: 808-328-9114
email: cheryl@forevervisions.com

SCHEDULE: Friday night dinner starts at 6 pm, program at 7:30-9:30
Saturday morning at 9:30 -5 pm, then evening program 7:30 -10 pm
Sunday schedule: 10 am -12:30, and 2 to 4 pm

For information about having your event at La'akea please visit our "Services & Businesses" page,
or email and put "Event Hosting" in your subject line.