About the Immersion
Come retreat with us. We call it an Immersion because that is exactly what you’ll do: allow the outside world to fall away and become fully immersed in dance, community, and a unique group-field experience facilitated in the way only the DTM Team can.
The idea is simple. We come together with the intention to dance, focused on a theme, trusting that each of us will find what we are meant to. We bring our own medicine — our circumstances, desires, struggles, hopes, and curiosity — and dance with it all. We dive deep into the group field created by this unique constellation of humans and trust the insights, commitments, and willingness born from the experience to dance forward into our lives. Each DTM Immersion connects to the one before and the ones that will come after, weaving an ongoing practice as a community committed to dance as a practice — to dancing the medicine.
Each Immersion is facilitated by Bernice alongside other members of the DTM Team. We will dance at least twice each day, with music DJed live and impeccably curated. We will also engage in other non-dance practices and processes, each shaped by the specific team, location, and theme. While the Immersion format and method remain consistent, the combination of theme, place, and practices shifts — making this a living practice dancers can return to again and again to reconnect to themselves, their dancing family, and whatever infinite source they credit with their existence.
This is a conscious free-form dance practice (often called Ecstatic Dance). There is no choreography or steps to learn. You do not need to identify as a dancer to join us. Each DTM Immersion follows a similar rhythm and includes a theme that shapes the experience; however, it is the group field — the shared creation of those who show up — that ultimately generates the transformative power of each Immersion. It will not be the same without you.
This retreat will be capped at 40 participants to keep it well contained and intimate.
This Immersion's Unique Theme
Lineage.
We will gather in the mountains of central Portugal at a potent time — a moment that marks the final harvest celebration and the midpoint of autumn, just six short weeks before the darkest night of the year.
Across cultures, this season is one of honouring ancestors. It is said to be a liminal time when the veils are thin, when contact with those who have passed and those yet to join us is most active. We will work with the themes of honouring those who have gone before us and calling in those we wish to walk alongside into the future.
This immersion is for everyone, as we are all part of the great lineage of the human race. Let us come together and dance with intentionality — saying goodbye to the past and hello to the best future we can conjure.
For this retreat, we ask you to bring two talismans: one representing your past lineage, and another symbolising your hopes for the lineage of us all moving forward.
We will dance both indoors and outdoors, in the daytime and into the evening, as humans have done for millennia.
What's Included
5 Days of Dance & Live DJed Music
We begin each day with dance, a practice we call Morning Movement, and return to dance again throughout the day at different times and in different spaces — indoors and outdoors — guided by the rhythm of the retreat. All dances are accompanied by impeccably curated live DJ sets.
Professional Facilitation
We will offer both dance-based and non-dance-based sessions, each relating to the theme and the evolving arc of the immersion. Non-dance-based sessions may include meditation, group process work, nature immersion, creative processes, and more. Every session is held by experienced facilitators, creating a thoughtful and supportive environment where you can meet your edges, awaken your creativity, and discover new parts of yourself.
4 Nights Accommodation & Healthy, Nutritious Meals
The cost of the retreat includes accommodation and 12 shared meals. We choose venues that value whole, nourishing food, using local and organic ingredients whenever possible. Meals will be vegetarian, with vegan options available, as well as accommodations for special dietary requirements. Upgrades for double and private accommodation will be available for those who prefer them.
Community Living
We offer this immersion as an opportunity to dance with the broader conscious dance community. While our organization focuses on conscious dance education, we recognize that some of you are seeking a chance to dance together and experience the depth, care, and connection that defines our work. This immersion offers that space. We will move, live, and journey together in a well-held and intentional container. Whether you have trained with us before, are considering it in the future, or are just discovering Dance The Medicine, you are welcome.
Immersion Pricing
The Immersion all inclusive price: €895
A €300 deposit is required to book, and we offer flexible payment plans.
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This price includes dorm or camping accommodation, food, access to all amenities.
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Upgrades to a double/private room available for an additional cost (see below).
Early registration: €795
(Available until 31st August 2026 — 60 days before start date).
Portuguese nationals rate: €542 (desconto de 30%)
A Dance the Medicine reconhece os desafios financeiros enfrentados por muitos portugueses devido ao aumento do custo de vida e à gentrificação. Em resposta, estamos a oferecer um desconto de 30% neste retiro, realizado na vossa própria terra, como forma de reconhecimento e agradecimento. Esta oferta é exclusiva para cidadãos nacionais portugueses.
We also offer work trade opportunities for alumni. For more information, click here.
The Location
Quinta São José dos Montes is a retreat centre in central Portugal, surrounded by mountains and just a short walk from Castelo do Bode Lake. The venue offers fresh, locally sourced vegetarian meals and a range of accommodation options, from cosy rooms in the main building to nature-immersed domes, yurts and camping on the land. Whatever your preferred accommodation, the centre provides an inspiring setting for rest, learning, and renewal.
The price of the immersion includes 12 meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and dorm or camping accommodation.
Accommodation upgrades are as follows:
ON THE LAND • Yurt • Shared Double • €175
A single bed in a yurt shared with 1 other. Wood burner heat. Nearby dry toilets, outdoor sinks, and hot showers. Access to a shared kitchen. Bedding & towel provided.
IN MAIN BUILDING • Room • Shared Double • €225
A single bed in a room shared with 1 other. The room has an en-suite bathroom. Access to a shared kitchen. Bedding & towel provided.
ON THE LAND • Yurt • Private • €375
Your own private yurt. Wood burner heat. Nearby dry toilets, outdoor sinks, and hot showers. Access to a shared kitchen. Bedding & towel provided.
IN MAIN BUILDING • Room • Private €475
Your own well appointed private room with a double bed, a private en-suite bathroom and seating area w/access to a shared kitchen. Bedding & towel provided.
ON THE LAND • Deluxe Dome • Private €475
A double bed in a deluxe dome with an ensuite bathroom and in-room bathtub. Access to a shared kitchen. Bedding & towel provided. Wood burner heat.
IN MAIN BUILDING • Apartment • Private €525
Your own studio apartment with a double bed. Full private bathroom (with bathtub) and kitchen. Bedding & towel provided.
After booking and paying your deposit our student liaison will assist you in selecting accommodation. For any questions prior to booking, please email info@dancethemedicine.com or see the FAQs below for details on what to bring.
Your Facilitators
BERNICE RAABIS • Founder of Dance The Medicine
Bernice is on a mission to spread conscious dance communities across the globe. In 2011, she founded Dance Church, a long-running and wildly successful conscious dance in the vibrant mountain town of Nelson, BC, Canada. There, she DJed and facilitated weekly, weaving epic soundscapes into transformative dance experiences that support freedom through connection to self, community, and humanity. In 2019, she set out to gather an epic team of conscious dance professionals, and the Dance The Medicine Team was born, dedicated to providing embodied conscious dance education.
Bernice is a certified Soul Motion facilitator, a student of the Tamalpa Institute, and a relational somatic therapist. Her work is deeply grounded in embodiment, community building, and supporting her students to deliver the specific type of dance medicine they feel called to bring into the world.
To read more about Bernice click here.
ALEX SEVILLA • ED Madrid & Co Teacher at DTM DJ School
After more than two decades behind the decks as a club DJ, Alex stumbled upon conscious dance—and everything changed. The encounter transformed both his personal life and professional path. He soon left his career as a computer engineer to become a conscious dance entrepreneur, whose full time work is in facilitating, Djing and organizing conscious dance for DTM, Ecstatic Dance and the 5Rhythms. He is dedicated to sharing his love for dance, music, and embodied awareness with the world.
Click here for a complete list of our team.
WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY
Roni, Ireland
Loved this retreat and was so inspired by how Bernice and her amazing team work together. I appreciated the care and professionalism, the flexibility, the honesty, the creativity, the magic, the music, the dance…
Gigi, Italy
This retreat facilitated by Dance The Medicine was a holistic experience where body, spirit and mind were all nourished. The calibre and care of the facilitators offered a safe space to voyage into music. The art and emotionally focused experiences were presented with full consciousness and respect for both the individual, and the collective process that was developing throughout the days…I have no hesitation in recommending this Immense, with gratitude for the enriching experience!
Ašhen, Serbia
Endless flower meadows, peace, fantastic accommodation, wonderful food, many insights... knowledge about yourself and others...Thank you!
More Info
How to get to Quinta São José dos Montes
ADDRESS
Quinta São José dos Montes
Estrada Municipal
530-1 nº 134, 2300-087
Tomar
CONTACT
(+351) 917 935 392
CLOSEST AIRPORTS
Lisbon Airport: The nearest airport, offering both domestic and international flights. It is approximately 140 km (88 miles) from the retreat center, or about a 1.5-hour drive.
ARRANGED TRANSPORT
We will arrange a round-trip minibus service departing from Lisbon and returning after the event. If you plan to use this service, we recommend booking flights that land before 13:00 and depart after 20:00. The cost for this transport is €75. You can add this to your booking during checkout closer to the training date. For any questions or additional information, please contact info@dancethemedicine.com.
SELF-TRANSPORT
Quinta São José dos Montes is located 150 km north of Lisbon (roughly a 1.5-hour drive). Alternatively, you can reach the retreat center by a combination of train and taxi. The cost is approximately €40 each way (€10 for the train from Lisbon to Tomar and €30 for a taxi). When you register, you’ll be added to a WhatsApp group where you can arrange ride shares or coordinate with others for shared taxis from the train station.
WHAT TO BRING
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Headlamp or head torch to walk around at night
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Clothing suitable for dancing (we’ll dance numerous times a day, both inside and outside)
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Other clothing, including layers as it can get cold at night! (Especially for those in ON THE LAND accommodation)
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Shoes suitable for walking on natural ground in a rural setting
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Swimsuit and towel for the pool and the lake
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Comfortable and appropriate outdoor shoes to walk/dance outside (lots of nature to explore)
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Dress up for a fun night; not fancy, just fun. Bring something if you enjoy dressing up
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Toiletries (only natural, biodegradable products please)
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Ear plugs (if sharing accommodation)
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Two talismans: one representing your past lineage, and another symbolising your hopes for the lineage of us all moving forward.
FAQ
→ I'm coming from abroad. Do we need a visa to enter Portugal?
Mostly likely you will not. But be sure to check with your own government and your own specific requirements.
→ Can I come on my own?
Absolutely! Most of our participants actually come on their own and many do not know anyone else who is coming. This immersion is inclusive, and we strive to create a culture of belonging through group exercises and daily sharing circles.
→ Is this a festival?
No. Festivals are typically larger, with multiple programs and flexible attendance; meals are usually not communal. Our retreat is a closed container—we begin and end together. Participation is limited to foster a more intimate experience. There is one shared program, and all activities, including meals, are communal. This retreat is an invitation to dive deeper into your practice and disconnect from the outside world.
→ What's your cancellation & refund policy?
In case of cancellation from your side, we don't offer any refunds, regardless of the reason. We require a minimum of 15 sign-ups to go ahead with in-person events. We will issue you a full refund if we do not hit this number. Please make sure to insure any travel ticket as DTM can not be responsible for cancellation fees on travel.
→ If I can no longer make it, can I transfer my booking to someone?
If you transfer your booking to someone else, there's a €100 admin fee. If the event is full, and you want us to sell your spot, we'll keep your deposit and refund the balance only if we find a full-paying replacement. Booking transfers and posts on our social media are allowed only when the immersion is fully booked.
→ What are the payment requirements and do you have payment plans?
A non-refundable deposit is required to book and secure your place. Balance due 15 days before the event starts. Please carefully read our Event Terms & Conditions as by booking on our event, you become legally bound by these terms. We offer flexible payments plans, please inquire with info@dancethemedicine.com.
Immersion Overview
Please note this is only shown as an example. Timings and content will vary slightly.
Day 1 • WELCOME
Make your way to Quinta São José dos Montes, our stunning retreat centre.
15:00–17:00 Upon arrival, check in with our team, settle into your accommodation explore the grounds.
17:30–19:30 Gather to meet the team, your fellow retreatants, and share our first full dance.
20:00–21:00 Gather in the dining tent for our first meal together.
21:30–22:30 We’ll share practical points and introduce you to your small group.
Day 2 • INWARD
9:00–10:00 Morning Movement. We always start our day with dance.
10:15–10:45 Fuel your body with a hearty breakfast.
11:30–13:30 Our second full dance session. We end the session by meeting in small groups.
14:00–14:30 Enjoy a filling and delicious midday meal.
14:30–16:00 Free time. Wander to the lake, sit by the pool, write in your journal, reflect, meditate, and integrate the morning session.
16:30–18:30 Non-dance-based session involving art or nature, or a somatic session.
19:00–20:00 Back at the dining tent for a wholesome dinner.
21:00–21:30 A group check-in before bed.
Day 3 • OUTWARD
9:00–10:00 Morning Movement.
10:15–10:45 Fuel your body with a hearty breakfast.
11:30–13:30 A nature-based session.
14:00–14:30 Enjoy a filling and delicious midday meal.
14:30–18:30 Begin with small groups and end with an afternoon off to enjoy the lake, retreat grounds, or simply relax.
19:00–20:00 Back at the dining tent for a wholesome dinner.
21:00–22:30 Our third full dance session at the heart of the immersion.
Day 4 • ONWARD
9:00–10:00 Morning Movement.
10:15–10:45 Enjoy a hearty breakfast.
11:30–13:30 Our fourth full dance session, a social activation. We end the session by meeting in small groups.
14:00–14:30 Enjoy a filling and delicious midday meal.
14:30–16:00 Free time. Use this time to enjoy the lake, journal, meditate, or simply relax.
16:30–18:30 Take part in a non-dance-based session building on the theme to begin the process of group integration.
19:00–20:00 Back at the dining tent for a wholesome dinner.
21:00–21:30 A visualization session to ready you for the dream state.
Day 5 • INTEGRATION
9:00–10:00 Packing time.
10:15–10:45 Fuel your body with a hearty breakfast.
11:00–13:00 Dance your heart out in our final full dance session and closing ritual.
13:30–14:30 Enjoy your last meal at Quinta and exchange numbers with your new family
14:30–15:00 Pack your bags and take in the majestic view before saying goodbye.