FACILITATION TEAM
Wren LaFeet
Cocréa Founder and Retreat Co-Lead Facilitator
Wren is an embodiment guide intent on living in right-relationship as a 21st century human. Wren shares body-based practices synthesized from social partner dance, mindfulness, Taoism, the Gene Keys, watersheds, neuroscience and psychology that support interpersonal connection and positive change. In 2013, Wren co-founded Cocréa with Antje Schäfer as a vehicle for exploring mindful, consent based relational practice through movement and dance.
Drawing from 2 decades in the theater driven by the exploration and understanding of human conflict, Wren creates brave spaces for humans struggling with disconnection and longing for a deeper sense of belonging to come home to themselves through the body. Wren’s own many years of seeking led him through theater and filmmaking, circus, nomadism, psychedelic-informed music culture, yoga, consent culture, decolonization work, permaculture, addiction recovery counseling and breathwork practice. Along his path, nature, community, relationship, humor, movement and a sense of belonging to something far larger and more unknowable than this seemingly separate self are the consistent threads with which Wren braids meaning and purpose into life.
He is a TEDx speaker, featured author in “ReInhabiting the Village”, certified Attunement Therapy practitioner and HeartMath certified trauma sensitive educator. Wren currently abides on the traditional unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations (Vancouver, BC).
He has been dancing since 1998 and began performing on stage when he was 6 years old. He recently completed working with Embodied Recovery as a substance use disorder counselor in Los Gatos, CA.
Odessa Avianna Perez
Retreat Co-Lead Facilitator and Trauma-Informed Somatic Educator
Odessa Avianna Perez, MA, LMFT, is a trauma-informed somatic psychotherapist, embodiment and social justice educator who helps individuals and groups heal from fragmentation and remember agency, magic, and belonging. She holds a masters in Somatic Psychology from California Institute of Integral Studies and triple bachelor degrees in Dance, Theater Arts, and Sociology from Rutgers University.
Odessa has been guiding movement-based groups into deeper self-knowing and embodiment for over 20 years, starting first as a choreographer and director of an interdisciplinary dance company dedicated to emergent, improvisational, and self-revelatory performance. Coming from a dance performance background, Odessa’s interest started to shift towards mindful, authentic and explorative movement methodology when she stumbled into her first Contact Improv dance at a jam in New York City. She has been practicing and teaching Contact Improvisation as a form of self inquiry and relationship alchemy since 2010.
Odessa is deeply curious about the intersection of personal and collective trauma, collective nervous system states and expression, and how we can use somatics and dance to integrate our trauma for better relationship, community and planet. She has facilitated workshops at dozens of retreats and festivals throughout California and internationally, using somatics, movement, and contact improvisation as the platform through which to explore safety, relationship, building capacity for discomfort, interdependence and inclusion.
In her psychotherapeutic private practice, she weaves somatics, movement, interpersonal neurobiology, polyvagal theory, attachment work, and social and racial justice frameworks into her work with individuals and couples. She is the Inclusion and Belonging lead for SoulPlay festivals and currently resides in Tongva/Kizh territory – aka Los Angeles, CA.
Natasha Richards
Yoga Teacher
An artist, alchemist and passionate yogi, Natasha has dedicated the last 12 years to exploring various forms of yoga, movement and other self development modalities. A creatrix by nature, Natasha is always working on or learning some new form of creative expression. Each adding a unique ingredient to her understanding of the intricate tapestry of human existence. Beginning as a way to navigate her challenges and facilitate her spiritual growth, the joy and freedom she finds continues to inspire her to lean in, learn more and peel back more layers. Natasha’s grounded approach to life, combined with her love for music and intuitive, embodied movement, create an atmosphere of safety, playfulness, exploration, and permission in the various spaces and roles she steps into.
Natasha is a cis-gender, able bodied, biracial female residing on Anishinaabe lands of the Chippewas of Georgina Island (Ontario, Canada). As a certified Yin and Goddess FlowTM student and guide with foundations in Hatha and Vinyasa modalities, Natasha thrives on supporting others as they navigate their own multifaceted selves, embracing their strengths and confronting their struggles. She fearlessly dives into the depths of challenging and unspoken emotions, gently guiding her students to explore these aspects with curiosity and compassion. Her supporting role within Cocrea and SoulPlay Festival continues to teach her how to best show up and hold this space by helping her find new ways to be in integrity, care and right relationship.
Natasha’s commitment to growth and expansion continues to extend beyond yoga and movement. In 2020, Her path led to Costa Rica, where the transformative power of Kambo found her. Inspired by profound experiences, she became a Certified Kambo Practitioner through the Rainforest Healing Center in Peru in 2022. These days she’s begun to delve into the realms of Human Design, Authentic Relating and Thai Massage. Wherever she goes, her mission is to foster a vibrant community and remind individuals of their inherent strength and wisdom.
Malina Dawn
Guest Yoga Teacher & Breathwork Facilitator
Malina is a queer métis and nehiyaw iskwew (Cree Métis woman) who’s family is from the Red River Cree area in so called Canada. Raised on the prairies and well-travelled through her young adult years, she found her own healing path through Yoga and the Red Road. Through reclaiming her culture and applying the principals taught in traditional ceremony and the science of yoga, she has experienced great healing and personal transformation. Through these indigenous world views and ways of life she weaves her cultural wisdom with yogic knowledge.
She is a Yoga teacher, breath work therapist, dancer, writer, drum carrier and song catcher and loves to share ceremony through indigenous traditional and futurism teachings. She is a strong voice for decolonizing wellness by teaching how to use indigenous ways of life appropriately and as medicine for healing physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
Today she creates healing spaces for in person and online yoga classes, retreats, ceremonies, workshops and trainings all over turtle island. She has spent the last 15+ years working with indigenous, non indigenous and LGBTQ2S+ youth. She continues to work with people of all ages and walks of life to guide them to the reclamation of their own culture, identity, body and healing through a strength based trauma informed lens. She is passionate about sharing her culture, building bridges in community, emotional intelligence and honouring the interconnectedness in all of Creation.
She is currently living, learning, unlearning and loving life on the traditional unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. (Vancouver, BC)
GOT CURIOSITY?
We’d be happy to chat with you to see if Dance Your Medicine is right for you!
Schedule a free call with us to see if it’s a fit.
Odessa Avianna Perez
Lead Facilitator
Wren LaFeet
Lead Facilitator
Accommodations are within 3 Cabinas.
1 Bungalow available for a small group.
Each cabin has a shared bathroom among 6 people.
All tickets include 3 delicious meals per day.
Shared Room
Twin Bed
Shared Bath
Dorm
Twin Bed
Shared Bath
Private Room
Balcony looking into Jungle
Queen Bed
Perfect for Couples
Bungalow
Three Twin Beds or
One Queen and One Twin
Shared Bath
THE MUSIC
This year, music will be provided by your four facilitators, Wren, Odessa, Natasha and Malina.
We’ve taken these last few years to hone our DJ and musical container crafting skills, and we feel excited to bring you the precise vibes to take you where you need to go.
Take a listen to some of the past music journeys featured at Cocréa events and otherwise.
Wren’s DJ Sets
Odessa’s Sets and Playlists
Malina’s Session Playlists
Natasha’s Session Playlists
Enhance Your Retreat Experience
Book a 1-on-1 Session
Our retreat facilitators are available for limited private sessions for you to get personalized support and more focused inquiry.
Wren, Malina and Natasha are available for sessions during the retreat.
Odessa is available for post retreat integration sessions.
INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE
SOCIAL JUSTICE AND RESPONSIBILITY
DETAILS
We have the capacity this year to create space for 1 Non-Costa Rican BIPOC scholarship participant.
Our BIPOC Scholarship is intended to support access for this event in the context of historical and present day systemic inequities that disadvantage people of Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian and mixed-race heritage.
BIPOC SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
COVID POLICY
See Our Refund Policy Here:
FAQ
- Is there transportation to and from the venue?
- In order to make your journey to Posada Natura as smooth as possible we will be organizing private and/or group shuttles from SJO airport to Posada on Friday, March 24th, 2023. Depending on arrival dates, we can organize shuttles earlier if necessary. We will also organize shuttles for departing Posada to head back to SJO on March 31st. Note: there is an extra cost for the shuttle, prices vary depending on the number of people on board. Shuttle is from SJO to Posada and vice versa, no extra stops in between besides a quick bathroom stop. Drivers accept cash in colones. If you are coming or going from somewhere else, please get in touch with us to help you arrange your transportation separately.
- What airport is the best to fly into?
- SJO, Juan Santamaría International Airport
- Will I be able to go to the beach?
- The retreat center is on a beautiful river and the nearest beach town is about 30 minutes away. We suggest you book additional time before or after the retreat to enjoy the ocean.
- What’s the nearest town?
- Londres is the nearest town and the closest ATM. You will need to find a ride there if you need to use the ATM and we suggest you get money at the airport when you arrive.
- What would I need money for during the retreat?
- If you would like to purchase local cacao grown on the land we’ll be staying on, that will be available for 8000 colones (approximately $16). There is also a small shop with clothing and jewelry if you’d like to shop a little.
- Is there lodging near SJO if I am arriving early or staying after?
- Yes, Villas Norma is a great place to stay and is 15 minutes from SJO. Find more info here: Villas Norma
- Yes, Villas Norma is a great place to stay and is 15 minutes from SJO. Find more info here: Villas Norma
- Can I still book 1-on-1 sessions with the facilitators?
- Yes, the facilitators will be available for a limited amount of sessions that will be available to purchase as add-ons. During the retreat Natasha and Wren will be having sessions and after the retreat Odessa has a number of sessions available in March with exact dates TBD.
- You can purchase these through our ticketing link here: Purchase 1-On-1 Add-On Session