The Natural Connection Experience

Create, Grow, Explore with JAE!
A Holistic Retreat in el Rincón, Dominican Republic
April 11-16, 2023

Your retreat ticket directly supports JAE’s mission and free programming to support the liberating power of Haitian-folkloric dance to cultivate hope, healing, and justice. Retreat profits will go straight back to JAE programming.

Create New Connections, Grow Your Self-Awareness, and Explore the Nourishing Beauty of Nature through the Natural Connection Experience, a Holistic Retreat in El Rincón, DR.

Jean Appolon Expressions (JAE) has partnered with Aventura Rincon Ecolodge to host an inclusive and unique 5 night retreat experience dedicated to fostering holistic wellness and liberation through practices that are rooted in the traditions of Haitian Folkloric culture and dance.

JAE, a nonprofit contemporary dance company, has designed this retreat in service of its mission to cultivate hope and healing towards a more expressive and socially just world. If you are looking for a soul healing experience while gaining a deeper understanding of Haitian culture and dance, this retreat is for you.

🌴 Click here to listen to Jean Appolon, Nadia Milad Issa, Tammi Fedestin, Raphaëlle Francois, & Meg McGrath discuss some specific details about The Natural Connection Experience retreat, April 11-16, 2023.

Accommodations:
Adventure and simplicity in harmony with nature

Nestled in the coastal paradise of Rincon, Samana, Aventura Rincon Ecolodge, provides a safe haven for healing that is surrounded by peace and lush tropical gardens. Living accommodations will model the traditions of the Lakou system of communal family living – a practice that grew into a tool for preserving history, culture, and safeguarding against oppression after Haiti’s historic revolution.

The Ecolodge has 8 wooden communal-style cabins with twin and double beds, ensuite bathrooms, and rainwater showers. Installations include an entertainment lounge, communal bathrooms, outdoor pool, and a large kitchen. There is an organic vegetable and fruit garden as well as tranquil areas with hammocks and secluded spaces, that are quiet and safe so that guests can simply enjoy them to read, rest, meditate or go for a walk.

Regenerative living, certified in Sustainable Tourism & Biodiversity!

Program: 

JAE company dancers and educators have curated a special 5-night program for up to 40 guests. Daily activities are scheduled from 6am – 9pm that range from Haitian Folkloric and African Diasporic dance classes accompanied with live drumming and music, yoga, stretching, meditation, and several nature excursions. Meals and transportation to/from ecolodge are all covered by the program fee. This soul-nourishing week is designed for adults, but please contact us if you would like to chat about bringing your children.

Schedule:

*Schedule is subject to change

DAY 1:  Tuesday, April 11th

• 1:30 PM Bus depart Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ - Las Américas International Airport) to Aventura Rincón Ecolodge, Samaná.

• 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Arrival, check-in, refreshments, and tour.

• 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM Welcome circle with introductions.

• 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Dinner.

• 8:45 PM Spiritual drinks, other alcohol, and bonfire.

DAY 2:  Wednesday, April 12th

• 6:00 AM - 7:30 AM Coffee, tea, fruits. 

• 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM Full breakfast.

• 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Conuco Tour (walking grounds with Aventura staff member Noelia in Spanish with English translation).

• 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Afro-Cuban Folklore.

• 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM Water/Snack Break.

• 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Conditioning.

• 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Lunch.

• 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Beach.

• 5:00 PM - 5:30 PM Break.

• 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM Haitian Folkloric Dance with Drummers. 

• 6:30 PM - 7:00 PM Break.

• 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Dinner.

• 8:45 PM Spiritual drinks, other alcohol, and bonfire.

DAY 3:  Thursday, April 13th

• 6:00 AM - 7:30 AM Coffee, tea, fruits. 

• 7:00 AM Morning beach run or walk (optional).

• 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM Full breakfast.

• 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Cultivation & Planting with drummers playing Djouba.

• 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM Afro-Contemporary Dance with Drumming.

• 10:45 AM - 11:00 AM Break/Transition.

• 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM South African Traditional Dance with drummers.

• 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM Water/Snack Break.

• 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Veve Drawing with Drummers leading.

• 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Lunch.

• 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Beach.

• 5:00 PM - 5:30 PM Break.

• 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM Haitian Folkloric Dance with Drummers.

• 6:30 PM - 7:00 PM Break.

• 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Dinner.

• 8:45 PM Spiritual drinks, other alcohol, and bonfire.

DAY 4:  Friday, April 14th 

• 6:00 AM - 7:30 AM Coffee, tea, fruits. 

• 7:00 AM - 7:30 AM Yoga (Optional).

• 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM Full breakfast.

• 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Afro-Cuban Folklore.

• 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Water, Snack Break.

• 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM South African Traditional.

• 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Lunch.

• 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Beach.

• 5:00 PM - 5:30 PM Break.

• 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM Haitian Folkloric Dance with Drummers. 

• 6:30 PM - 7:00 PM Break.

• 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Dinner.

• 8:45 PM Spiritual drinks, other alcohol, and bonfire.
  
  

DAY 5:  Saturday, April 15th

• 6:00 AM - 7:30 AM Coffee, tea, fruits. 

• 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM Full breakfast.

• 9:00 AM - 10 AM Site-Specific Improvisation with Drummers.

• 10 AM - 11:00 AM South African Traditional with Drummers.

• 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Water/Snack Break.

• 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Open Rehearsal with JAE.

• 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Lunch.

• 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM Haitian Folkloric Dance with Drummers.

• 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM Break.

• 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Group Reflection Circle and Showing.

• 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Break

• 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Dinner

• 8:45 PM Spiritual drinks, other alcohol, and bonfire

DAY 6:  Sunday, April 16th

• 6:00 AM - 7:00 AM Coffee, tea, fruits. 

• 7:00 AM - 7:30 AM Yoga with Drummers.

• 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM Full breakfast.

• 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM Closing Group Circle.

• 9:30 AM Bus departure.

Select your stay
Adventure and simplicity in harmony with nature

Payment plans are available!

Important Details:

What airport should I fly into?

Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ), officially known as Las Américas International Airport.

What’s included in the price?

5 Nights/6 Days Accommodations at Aventura
All Meals
Transportation from Santo Domingo Airport to Aventura*
All Details within the Itinerary

*Busses will depart the Santo Domingo Airport and head to Aventura at 1pm on Tuesday, April 11. We encourage you to book a flight that arrives in the early morning hours to ensure you can take the 1pm bus. There will be two morning bus departure times from Aventura to the Santo Domingo Airport on Sunday, April 16. Times are TBD.

What’s not included in the price?

Airfare
Traveler’s Insurance
Alcoholic Beverages

Do I need Traveler’s Insurance?

We strongly recommend you get it! Travel Insurance will protect you from any unexpected situations that may arise, including travel delays, unexpected health experiences, and more. We suggest booking through a provider like World Nomads. 

What is the cancellation policy?

We can only accept cancellations up until March 11, 2023 (31 days in advance of check in). Reservations that are cancelled by March 11, 2023 will receive a 50% refund. There are no refunds for cancellations after March 12, 2023.

What about COVID-19?

Currently, the Dominican Republic does not require you to have a COVID-19 vaccine to enter the country. By participating in the retreat, you assume full responsibility for your health. In the event you select to be tested and your results are positive, you assume the responsibility to find secondary lodging at your own expense. This is why we require travel insurance. We will keep you up to date if the Dominican Republic changes it COVID-19 policy.

As of October 2022, you will have to complete a form on the Electronic Ticket portal for entering and leaving the Dominican Republic.

What if I don’t have dance experience?

Come one, come all! No prior dance experience is necessary, only the desire to move your body and gather in community!

Our spot in paradise!