The REAL reasons why I retreat

I won't assume to know your reasons, so I'll tell you mine.

I like to break my year into chunks; it helps me re-energise.

Between those chunks, I want to retreat out-of-the-city.

Leaving my phone behind, dropping into real presence with likeminded people.

I love to move, sweat, play and connect with anyone who values fun learning!

Those reflective conversations after the playful game. Or creative experiences.

Those moments! Moments of flow and connection where you "click" with someone in the game.

Lastly, as a facilitator of such retreats, I really really love to facilitate movement. I smile and glow from inside to out when I see people struggle, learn, laugh and show me the awe-inspiring creativity that we are capable of.

If only I had more time.

If only I could retreat more often.

Retreats are like utopia to me. I show up, work and be vulnerable. I let it transform me.

When I get back home, I try and bring something back into life, work, relationships.

Could be a story. A new practice. A cherished memory.

That's the hard part, and its not included in the ticket price :-)

The logical reasons why I retreat

What is uniquely possible, right here, right now, in this place, with these people doing these things?

This is my definition of creativity.

This retreat will explore this question of creativity through the lens of movement, connection and problem solving.

Without a retreat, it can be hard to connect this logical question to reality.

That's because we are so familiar (and stuck!) in our habits, homes, workspaces, families and friends.

We need a sanctuary.

A fresh space to see unique possibilities in that-space, that-now, those-people, these-things.

To have those a-hah moments.

We will explore practical tasks that develop awareness (Move), presence (Connect) and aliveness (Puzzle).

Through engaging practice of self, partnering, and group work we will cultivate curiosity to explore, courage to try and creativity in change.

Who is running this?

Dean Philp is a play provocateur and the founder of Moving Puzzles. Having played sports for nearly 40 years, he spent the last 10+ years coaching teams. Dean has learned that talent, longevity and health are driven not by skill alone, but by communication, collaboration and movement. In recent years he became a Fighting Monkey Instructor. FM is based on multi-discipline cross-motion analysis, as well as creative thinking and rehabilitation. Dean uses FM to share principles from his passions in dance, martial arts, Parkour, functional training, animal movement, tree climbing, floorwork and soft acrobatics and even circus arts. Using his concept of Moving Puzzles, Dean is inspired by playful and fun practices that are sorely missing in modern exercise institutions and competitive sports. Dean is a Parkour instructor, qualified elite sports coach, Lego Serious Play facilitator and even a published artificial intelligence researcher. He lives in Semaphore SA with his Partner Emily.

Website || Moving Puzzles on Instagram || Dean Philp Movement on Instagram

About Fighting Monkey: FM practice is developed by founders Jozef Frucek and Linda Kapetanea through a deep study of cross motion analysis, and with the aim of understanding principles of human movement, communication and the ageing process.

Practices we will explore

Concepts we will work with include, but are not limited to

Joints Articulation - controlled study and sensitivity of our body states. Practical tools to reset your nervous system every day, anywhere, anytime.
Coordination - 4D body puzzles of learning and memory. Deeper vocabulary of movement qualities for performance and health.
Improvisation - techniques of self-surprise and spontaneity. Dancing tasks for rehabilitation and self-expression.
Open Games - playful constraints that develop our strategic variability. Creative options for relating to people in different situations.
Object Interaction - creative play with tools and materials. Childlike curiosity that sees novelty and difference in everything, meanwhile you become more adaptive.
FlowWeaves - principles of Flow State, applied to urban and natural movement. Learn to recycle energy whilst passing over obstacles with ease. Move like a human animal.
Adaptive Competitions - competing in a non zero-sum way that is adaptive regardless of partner capabilities. Asymmetric competition - different goals, power and constraints for different agents inside conflicting and uncertain situations.
Collective Presencing - beginning with stillness, we move to partner behavioural co-regulation and flexibility, then explore group movement dynamics to build connection required to puzzle together.
Creative Evolution - exploring constraints, repetition and variation inside movement situations that reveal hidden creativity. Shining light on group dynamics and norms, learning and cross-cultural evolution.
Embodied Voice - practical vocal tools to sound as you, inspired by your surroundings, social context and internal body states.
....And more!

Who is invited?

Moving Puzzles is suitable for all levels of experience and ability. People who resonate with me are often leaders, teachers, facilitators but also artists and athletes! I coach from you're at. ANY-BODY is welcome. I enjoy working with people from 8 months to 80 years! The main thing is that you have a mindset of exploration and curiosity!

Schedule

We will adapt the schedule and content to the unique set of participants who will come along. However this gives you an idea of the overall rhythm. Note the long break in the afternoon. Time practicing. Community time in the evening. Excursion day on Saturday.

The space

Moving Puzzles is all about creativity-inspiring spaces! Dean spent his youth on the Yorke Peninsula. Expect so much love and care to this aspect. We will practice EVERYWHERE. Backyard, front yard, trees, rocks, sand, waters-edge, ocean and whatever else inspires us!

The house sleeps 10 people across 5 large bedrooms + camping space around the property. Of course there is also floor space for those of us who like ground-support (like me and Emily!).

Important to note

Includes

3 full days + evenings of physical and creative practices
Opening and closing ceremony
7 hours practice/day + recovery, relaxation and free time
4 nights accommodation Oct 23, 24, 25, 26
Check-in Thursday afternoon 3-5pm 23rd Oct
Check-out Monday morning, 27th Oct
3 home-cooked meals + snacks each day (veg/vegan/etc).
Ocean views, whistling wind, chirping birds, jetty freediving
Fun, challenge, laughter, relaxation and deep transformative practice

Camping

Yes there is plenty of space; remember to leave no trace!

Travel

Carpooling encouraged; 2hrs driving from Adelaide
If travelling from interstate, we are happy pickup/drop from airport, as well as host at our house either side of the retreat if needed
We will start a WhatsApp chat in the lead-up

Refund Policy

Less than 4 weeks (30 days) prior to the event, we give no refunds for any reason of cancellation.
More than 4 weeks (30 days) prior, we can give you a full refund only if you find someone to replace you in the event.