Embodied Harmonies
A workshop with Veronica Wunderlich and Sophie Grimmer
Embodied Harmonies
The combination of somatic practice with Veronica and voicework with Sophie promises to offer a unique and playful platform for deep explorations of embodiment. Out of the somatic practice, aimed at exploring the vibrational capacities and ever expanding internal spaces in our bodies, we will continue the subtle internal investigations towards greater wholeness through singing. You will be taught, by ear, beautiful simple ensemble pieces from across the world that encourage a profound sense of connection and collaboration through harmony. There is something inexplicably powerful, exciting and restorative about singing alongside others in embodied harmonies!
Both Sophie and Veronica are committed to encouraging a profoundly compassionate approach to breath-work; investigating different ways of relating to airflow in order to support a more embodied relationship to singing. The aim of working in this way, bringing a friendly and playful curiosity to internal mechanisms, is to help open up new ways of connecting to the voice, liberating individual expression.
The more we become attuned to the joyful, even ecstatic sensations of singing, letting go of any preconceived ideas of our own ‘ability’, the more we enable the release of unhelpful ‘holdings’. We discover, from the inside, what kinds of ‘doings’ might help the all-important ‘undoings’. Such internal investigations can be challenging, as we come up against our own vulnerabilities, discovering unnecessary tensions that might restrict us. But the rewards are precious. By revealing more of our own truth to ourselves through singing alongside others in harmony, we can be more authentic in our communications and, in turn, feel more empowered to unite and be moved in community.
Meet your workshop leaders
Veronica has been a passionate freelance body therapist and yoga teacher for 25 years. She found her most influential yoga teachers in the Scaravelli inspired approach, which led her further to explore different somatic practices. These days, she sees herself as a movement and consciousness researcher/ explorer. Her rich background as a bodyworker in the field of Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy, Nuad, Deep Tissue and Meridian Work also blends into her teaching.
More information about Veronica is available at www.breathingbones.at
Sophie has been working with the singing voice for 35 years as performer, teacher, voice pedagogy research and mentor. Stemming from an early career as international operatic soloist (ENO, BBC, Banff) and singing actor (Complicite/Simon McBurney), Sophie is dedicated to helping people discover the truth of their own creative expression through singing. Drawing on a rich background of training in various somatic practices, including Scaravelli yoga, Biodynamic Craniosacral therapy and trauma-sensitive meditation, Sophie brings the experience of an embodied fluid breath to the forefront of her work, enabling real joy to infuse the healing process of singing.
She is a vocal professor at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance; guest director of devised voice-work for productions at RADA; artistic director of creative outreach projects across Europe; and has published on pedagogies of advanced vocal performance across cultures.
- Accommodation for 7 days (6 nights)
- 3 vegetarian meals daily
- 9 body/voice sesssions with Veronica & Sophie (~ 180 minutes mornings / ~ 150 minutes afternoons); bodywork blending into singing practice
- Talks with the teachers
- Access to pool and all other amenities of Tenuta di Poggiolame
- Shuttle to and from train station Fabro-Ficulle
Total costs for 7 days (6 nights) per person: from € 1,190 to € 1,880 (single or double room, private or shared bathroom).
Upon receipt of a deposit of 400 euro, the retreat is bindingly reserved. Please take note of our cancellation policy.
Number of participants: max. 16
our rooms
Scaleni
28m² fits 2 people
Scaleni is part of the historic building and sits on the upper floor facing north and east. It features an open fire place and an open beam ceiling. Two beds (a single bed and a 140cm futon bed) furnish the room. Scaleni is directly connected to Axis, of which the guests will have to pass through Scaleni to get to the shared bathroom.
our rooms
Axis
18m² fits 2 people
Axis is a cute little double room (two single beds) facing east on the upper floor. It features open beams with terracotta tiles. It is connected to the front room (Scaleni), through which one will walk through to get to the hallway and to the bathroom, which is shared with Scaleni.
our rooms
Mana double
16m² fits 2 people
Mana double room looks out towards the pool. It is part of the Mana apartment which is a bit away from the other rooms. It shares a bathroom with Mana single.
our rooms
Alba
18m² fits 2 people
Alba is a double room on the upper floor of the original building with open beam ceilings and faces east and south. Its doublebed (160 cm wide) features a canopy. It shares a bathroom with Psoas and Vitus
our rooms
Psoas
16m² fits 2 people
The Psoas is a double room located on the upper floor of the original building with a historic open beamed ceiling. The windows face south and west. Psoas has a double bed (160 cm) and shares a bathroom with Alba and Vitus
our rooms
Gracilis
18m² fits 2 people
Gracilis is a double room and looks out the west side towards Montegabbione. It contains a double bed (160 cm wide). It shares a wheelchair accessible bathroom with Soleus, with whom it makes up an apartment
our rooms
Amiata
30m² fits 2 people
Amiata is a double room apartment with a gallery. Upstairs: double-bed (160 cm) & bathroom. Downstairs there are two single beds and a kitchenette. Private west terrace with a lovely view of our olive orchards and Monte Amiata.
our rooms
Iris
30m² fits 2 people
Iris is a double room apartment with a gallery. Upstairs: double-bed (160 cm) & bathroom. Downstairs there is a single bed and a kitchenette. Private west terrace with a lovely view of our olive orchards and Montegabbione
our rooms
Atlas
35m² fits 2 people
Atlas is a double room and located on the upper floor of the main building with windows and balcony doors facing north and south. It has a private terrace of 30 m2 with a view from Monte Peglia to Monte Cetona. It also has a huge double bed (180x200) made of solid cherry wood.
our rooms
Mana single
14m² fits one person
Mana single is a single room looking towards the pool. It features its own terrace looking directly onto an olive grove and is part of the Mana apartment which is a bit away from the other rooms. It shares a bathroom with Mana double.
our rooms
Vitus
15m² fits one person
Vitus is a single, east-facing room on the upper floor of the historic building featuring original beams. The bed is 140 cm wide. Vitus has its own terrace and entrance (outdoor staircase). It shares a bathroom with Psoas and Alba.
our rooms
Alba (as single room)
18m² fits one person
Alba is a double room on the upper floor of the original building with open beam ceilings and faces east and south. Its doublebed (160 cm wide) features a canopy. It shares a bathroom with Psoas and Vitus.
our rooms
Psoas (as single room)
16m² fits one person
The Psoas is a double room located on the upper floor of the original building with a historic open beamed ceiling. The windows face south and west. Psoas has a double bed (160 cm) and shares a bathroom with Alba and Vitus.
our rooms
Gracilis (as single room)
18m² fits one person
Gracilis is a double room and looks out the west side towards Montegabbione. It contains a double bed (160 cm wide). It shares a wheelchair accessible bathroom with Soleus, with whom it makes up an apartment.
our rooms
Soleus
22m² fits one person
Soleus is a single room and sits at the south west corner of the terrace, with its own furniture on the main terrace. It contains a medium size bed (140 cm wide) and a kitchenette. It shares a bathroom with Gracilis, with whom it makes up an apartment.
our rooms
Piriformis
12m² fits one person
Piriformis is a single room with its own bathroom. Piriformis has a north-facing private terrace, which is pleasantly cool in summer. Piriformis is close to the kitchen and is therefore best suited to guests who like to get up early or who don't mind kitchen noise.
our rooms
Iris (as single room)
30m² fits one person
Iris is a double room apartment with a gallery. Upstairs: double-bed (160 cm) & bathroom. Downstairs there is a single bed and a kitchenette. Private west terrace with a lovely view of our olive orchards and Montegabbione.
