Cocréa is dedicated to providing a safer space for learning and experiencing while also creating a “brave space” designed to explore edges, stretch into discomfort and grow. We desire a potent and enjoyable experience for everyone, therefore all attendees, instructors, DJs, staff, and volunteers at Cocréa hosted and sponsored events are required to act with the following community guidelines in their awareness. Organizers will offer reminders of these guidelines throughout event in various ways. It has been our experience that the only way to create the kind of safer, transformational space we envision is through cooperation and embodiment of shared values by everyone IN the space. This is how we create a human family in harmony and coherence.
The Quick Version
Cocréa is dedicated to providing a safe event experience for everyone, regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, ability, physical appearance, body size, race, or religion (or lack thereof). We do not tolerate harassment of event participants in any form. Event participants violating these guidelines may be sanctioned or expelled from the event without a refund at the discretion of the event organizers and asked not to return. Basically, live your highest standards and treat others as you wish to be treated.
*That being said, we encourage you to still read to the end of this page. 😉
The Less Quick Version
Personal Responsibility:
Come prepared to take responsibility for 100% of your own experience and for your impact on the land, space and others present. Live to your highest standards.
Become Active in Your Care:
If you see someone who’s having a difficult time, looks vulnerable, or witness an interaction that seems ‘off’, check in! We’re dance family; let’s look out for one another.
Inclusion:
Seek out community members on the sidelines and make an effort to include them, challenge yourself to make eye contact with everyone at the event (especially those whom you might be tempted to avoid), and engage those around you in conversation, song, prayer, laughter or dance.
Consent:
Consent is about co-creating right relationship. Embodied consent is embedded within the larger Cocréa syllubus, and therefore by participating, you agree to practice listening impeccably to your body, attune to others, and endeavor to give and receive an authentic Yes at every opportunity. Touch can be an edge for some people, don’t assume everyone wants the same level of touch or connection that you do.
Communication:
Check in before engaging others, courageously and actively exploring the kinds of interactions that are mutually desired and agreeable. Consent is a continually negotiated process, so communicate at every step of the way!
Work to Understand Your Privilege:
Both within the microcosm of the retreat and the broader context of our world. Explore these topics with curiosity and compassion.
Accept and Expect Non-Closure:
Much can and will arise in situations where we are interacting with aspects involving touch, physical closeness, energy exchange and other manner of interpersonal transaction. “Stuff” may get brought to the surface. We will do our best to support and address stuff as it arises and acknowledge that not everything will find closure or completion. This is one part of an ongoing journey. Stay curious. Stay open.
Invite – Allow – Acclimate – Relax (Pause / Presence):
Taking pauses before initiating change can make all the difference in the way an interaction unfolds. As an intentional practice of creating safe space, we will do our utmost to pause, breathe and feel into what’s true for us before moving forward.
Intoxication:
No intoxicants that impact your ability to be present, attune, and therefore give and receive consent are invited to be consumed within the containers we collaborate on creating. If our organizers witness you being intoxicated beyond what we deem permissible, we reserve the right to ask you leave without providing a refund.
On occasion, organizers will provide cacao to participants to partake of. Cocréa and our agents and associates agree to disclose when cacao is at a high enough dosage (ceremonial) to be worthy of mentioning. In that circumstance, it will be presented in a ceremonial fashion so we can monitor space the with greater awareness.
*IF YOU TAKE SSRI PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, PLEASE, be very mindful to only consume small amounts of cacao. They can interact with cacao in a negative way if too much is consumed. Thank you for taking personal responsibility.
Harassment:
Harassment includes offensive verbal comments related to gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of workshops or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention.
*If you are BEING harassed, NOTICE that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a member of event staff immediately. Event staff will instruct participants where they can be found at start of event and agree to always have someone available to connect with at all times.
Event staff will be happy to help participants contact venue staff, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the event. We value your attendance and your safety.
Assume Good Will:
We are all doing our best at every moment. Let’s try to hold each other in our best light even when it feels hard.
Tend to Your Learning Style:
Everyone learns differently. If you have a need within class around more visual, auditory or somatic/experiential expressions of a concept, feel free to raise your hand and ask for it.
Confidentiality:
Share YOUR experience. Ask consent of others before sharing their experience, and ask permission to revisit any process that may have occurred during classes or dances once we are out of the container. This allows us all to feel safer to express more fully in the space without concern of wider social impact.
*This being said, still be mindful of your impact in the space. 😉
Curiosity and Compassion:
Let’s do our best to approach others with differing viewpoints from a place of compassion, kindness and curiosity, rather than judgment, black and white thinking, patronizing or pathologizing the other.