Spirit Moves LLC
Tatianah Thunberg, LMSW
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“I want to sing like the birds sing, not worrying about who hears or what they think.” ~ Rumi
Here is your invitation to the third annual spring retreat: Calling all voices and all bodies who long to sing. Let’s circle up again.
Let’s sing like the birds, unafraid.
Move. Be still.
Be washed in harmony.
Let’s even - let new songs fall from the sky, like jewels into our mouths and bodies.
Now more than ever we need to play / pray / create - together.
Let’s take a chance and gather, shall we? Let’s see what lessons are here for us, after a long winter’s nap. What sap and seed can we grow and alight?
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We look forward to retreating with you - again or for the first time - : to slow down, quiet the mind, build community, know harmony, creativity & be moved by the power of our voices, singing loud and clear. Let’s resource ourselves for these times.
Sign up soon because space is limited!
LOGISTICS
WHO: You + 27 singers + the 2025 Lush Up team: Tatianah Thunberg, Kath Weider, Beth Patterson, Julie Kouyate, Matú Étienne Kurzawa!
WHAT: Community Singing, Vocal Improv, Contemplative Movement, Song Ceremony, Jamming & Community Weaving to Welcome in Spring!
WHERE: Michigan Friends Center at 1125 Long Lake Road, Chelsea, MI 48118
WHEN: April 4-6, 2025
Friday Circle: 6-9:30
Saturday Circle: 9:30-5:30
Saturday Jam: 7-9:30 (optional)
Sunday Circle: 10- 4
All levels welcome!
No prior singing experience required!
+Advanced tickets are required
+Registration is open to 27 singers
+Sliding Scale: $325-$475
+4 Work Trade Scholarships Available
There are ample breaks for meals, strolls, socializing with new/old friends - OR! - just quiet time. This is a “choose your own adventure” retreat. There is a dedicated space for meditation and creating art for anyone who needs to step away from the circle for a quiet moment. Venturing outdoors to sit by Friend’s Lake or take a walk in the woods is also encouraged.
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“Hold fast
to everything in you
that sings in the storm.”
~ Chris Heeter
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We’re gathering this time in the cozy and gorgeous tree-house that is the Michigan Friend’s Center in Chelsea, MI. There’s a piano. And walking trails and a beautiful lake nearby.
Friday night we begin weaving our circle, creating a mandala together while we resonate with our voices, our presence and sound itself. Slow down. And savor.
Then on Saturday, our team of gifted facilitators, song leaders and musicians will guide us in sacred song & community singing, punctuated by contemplative movement, play, inquiry and interpersonal weaving.
Saturday evening is our unwind - with freestyle ecstatic dance, and open jam time. If you have a song to share, this is your time.
On Sunday, we venture into free play with the voice - using the voice/body as an instrument, to create rhythm, harmony and spontaneous song.
Sacred play. We get out of the way and see what moves through us and between us.
We’ll be exploring the magic of circle singing and vocal improvisation. This is an introduction to the foundations of the practice - and if this is new to you, don’t worry- no experience necessary, all voices welcome. ...Especially yours!
WHAT TO EXPECT
YOUR HOSTS
Tatianah
Thunberg
TatiAnah Thunberg (she/her) is the founder of Spirit Moves LLC in Ann Arbor, where she blends contemporary somatic therapies and ancient wisdom traditions to anchor home in spacious present moment awareness where thriving resides. Master facilitator and community organizer, she has been leading experiential classes, groups, workshops and retreats since the 1990's. Community singer, dancer, improvisational artist, yogini, ceremonialist, psychotherapist, foodie, forest and plant lover, she is devoted to gathering in sacred circles to remember we belong to ourselves, each other, this planet and Source.
www.SpiritMoves.Us
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Kath
Weider
Kath Weider (she/her) is an Ann Arbor based singer, vocal coach, writer, filmmaker and devotee of the art of improvisation. A long-time meditator and inquiry student of the Diamond Approach Mystery School, she is most delighted in the shared threads between music, movement, improvisation and spiritual practice - to pray through singing, to deepen one’s attention to the inner body through sound, to feel alive through the joy of spontaneous music making. Kath trained in conservatory-style vocal technique, before branching off to study experimental music and improvisation with David Darling, Warren Senders, Rhiannon, Barry Green and Meredith Monk. She is a certified facilitator in the Music for People approach to improvisation and co-hosts a monthly MFP workshop and an annual retreat. Kath is the lead singer for the Spirit Singing Band, and facilitates song circles, song ceremonies, vocal coaching, workshops and retreats. Enjoy some of Kath's Chants & Song Prayers. For updates on her latest offerings, visit:
www.kathweider.com
Beth
Patterson
Beth Patterson (she/her/they) is a mystic singer songwriter, improvisational vocalist, and clinical social worker in Kalamazoo. She has practiced improvisational circle singing in community since 2006 as a founding member of the Trybal Revival circle singing community in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Beth recently released her second album “Love Says” and has initiated production on a third album of community singing songs born out of improvs that focus on spiritual activism, connection and healing.
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“Improvisational circle singing has been a foundational spiritual and community healing practice for me. I love connecting with people and helping them experience the joy of creation in the moment. It's magic.” She says: “I want to use this magic to help us to start imagining & creating change.”
Julie
Kouyate
Julie Kouyate (she/her) is the founder of Kouyate Healing Arts in Ann Arbor, where she weaves touch, sound, drumming, breath, dance and song into her healing sessions, ceremonies, classes and retreats. Devoted teacher, facilitator, singer, song catcher, intuitive bodyworker, somatic experiencing practitioner, Bodymind and Sacred Living coach and dance teacher, she welcomes you to join us in exploring the power of the voice.
Matú
Étienne Kurzawa
Matú Étienne Kurzawa (he/him) is a community song leader, Kirtan artist, bodyworker, and certified
Tai Chi and QiGong instructor in Kalamazoo. He has been a student of the martial and meditative arts for over two decades. Kirtan is a Bhakti yoga tradition and has been a direct path for Matú to what is present and alive in our hearts, a path to freeing up our authentic voice within us, and to remembering our true nature. Joy. He loves chanting songs of praise to the Divine and is looking forward to offering a devotional community singing practice at Lush Up. He is currently enjoying deepening his devotional vocal arts practice at the Vitalist Institute of Psychospiritual Transformation in Grand Rapids.
What a joyful and embodied experience in song! I was able to be in a supportive, loving, allowing circle with others and share my voice through song. To experience this in such a nurturing and playful circle allowed me to tap into those quiet, shy, uncertain parts of me. There was very little room for the inner critic. What a relief! M.S.
What a remarkable experience of feeling, community, harmony, fun, ease, adventure, friendship, unity and possibility! Thank you for your generous, caring, capable and affirming guidance. Looking forward to diving in again... - Jeremy F.
These singers and facilitators have created a dynamic, nurturing space to move your voice with others. Every aspect of the retreat was planned with love and emotional well-being in mind. From the nourishing vegan meals to the variety of singing experiences, I recommend this group to anyone looking to refill their cup.
This community has made such a difference in my life. Through song, sharing, and love I have healed in so many ways over the years. The acceptance and love in safe space provides a personal growth opportunity that is not just me - but WE. Jennifer L.
​​All Levels Welcome: No prior singing experience required.
Adults: Adults of all ages, genders, ethnic, cultural, racial, faith & sexual identities are welcome. We do not have childcare available on site.
Your Commitment: we will all take a sacred pause from our full lives to co-create an immersive community practice that will deepen throughout the weekend. Unlike a festival where folks pop in and out, if you are registering, please know that our expectation is that you are coming to co-create with us for the full weekend.
Location: At Michigan Friends Center, we will be gathering in what feels like a large spacious tree house, bathed in diffused light, forest lovingly gazing in through gorgeous windows, birdsong accentuating our singing. Situated on acres of land in Chelsea, and nestled by Friends Lake, we will be held by the emerging leafing trees of spring. Directions
Meals: The following vegetarian meals will be catered by our talented Bhakti brother, Ekanti Govinda Dasa, and are included in your registration fee: Saturday lunch & dinner and Sunday lunch. Meals will be gluten, dairy, soy, garlic and onion free. Please bring your own breakfast, snacks and beverages. Tea and coffee will be provided. Learn more about Sage Roots LLC here.
Lodging: Affordable lodging is available a few miles away at Triple Crane Retreat Center. Camping at Michigan Friends Center, or your choice of local hotels, Airbnb or VRBO are also options. If you live nearby, you can commute from home.Community Health: This event is indoors. Come healthy. You are welcome to mask and distance to your own comfort level. Directly after the retreat, if we are made aware that someone tests positive for covid, and that there may have been a covid exposure at the retreat, we will inform all attendees by email.
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Cost: Green bottle sliding scale - $325 to $475 (includes catered meals). Four work trade partial scholarship positions available. Enrollment is open to 28 singers.
Cancellation Refunds: This is a small retreat with a precise budget, therefore once you purchase a ticket, to cover all of our costs, we are not offering refunds. However, if you can't make it, you can sell or gift your ticket to someone who would like to join us. We keep a waitlist once it's sold out to match folks who want to attend with folks who have a ticket and are unexpectedly unable to attend. However we cannot guarantee a match.
Scholarships: Four partial scholarship work exchange positions are available. Complete the registration form and Tatianah will contact you about the responsibilities involved. ​
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Questions: Contact Tatianah@SpiritMoves.us
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