Resonance

Resonance is an intimate Winter Solstice rite of passage – a chance to step out of the noise of daily life and into a carefully held space where breath, sound, movement, dance and voice become your guides.

As the light turns inward at Solstice, you’ll be gently invited to do the same: to enter your inner cave, meet the depths of your own wisdom, and listen for the insights this turning point in the year has to reveal.

From the moment you arrive and lay down your mat, you’ll be welcomed into a warm, grounded circle held by four experienced facilitators – Holly Brocklebank and Zoe Konovalov from the Canberra Ecstatic Dance Collective, breathwork therapist Ruby Bell Chambers (Inner Motus Therapy), and sound weaver and movement facilitator Cher Albrecht (Aerial Sports).

Together, they will create a safe, trauma-aware container where you can soften your guard, feel deeply supported, and surrender into the journey.

What you can expect:

You’ll begin in shared circle, arriving in your body, meeting the group, and setting your Solstice intention – what has called you here, and what you are ready to meet, release, or invite in. Ruby will prepare & guide you into Conscious Connected Breathwork: a continuous, circular breathing rhythm that opens a doorway into the unconscious.

About conscious connected breathwork:

Through this breath, you are invited to travel inward into your own inner landscape – the cave of self – where emotions, memories, and long-held patterns can surface to be seen, felt, and integrated.

Breathwork can be profoundly transformational: it supports the nervous system to regulate, helps release stored tension and old stories from the body, and reconnects you with your innate clarity, intuition and inner guidance. You are encouraged to go at your own pace; you are always in choice, with experienced space-holders close by and attentive to your needs.

As the breath deepens, your journey will be carried by a powerfully curated musical arc. At a certain point, you’ll be invited to let your body respond: staying lying, sitting, or allowing movement and dance to emerge organically.

About the movement and dance:

Holly from the Canberra Ecstatic Dance collective will guide the sonic landscape into a rich, dynamic soundscape that gradually builds from grounded presence into waves of expression—think tribal rhythms, earthy downtempo, ethno-electronica, organic textures, deep bass, and then softer, spacious chill beats.

The playlist is crafted to mirror the inner journey: supporting you as you move and flow out of the breathe into further softening and release, arriving in a meditative, spacious state of integration where your system can settle and absorb what has unfolded.

You can move as you feel, actively or stay lying or sitting down- guided by your body and what calls you.

From there, you’ll be invited to lie down and completely surrender into a restorative sound healing journey.

About the sound healing:

Cher will share a Crystal singing bowl experience complemented by Holly on hand-pan and additional live healing instruments to bathe the room in vibration, helping to soothe your nervous system, harmonise your energy, and gently weave your experience back together. The resonance of sound works deeply and subtly, inviting the body to relax, the mind to quieten, and awareness to rest in stillness.

To gather the threads of the day and call the group back into a shared field, you’ll then move into a guided Kirtan guided by Holly, Zoe, Cher and friends.

About the Kirtan:

Traditional Indian kirtan is a devotional practice of call-and-response singing, where a leader offers a chant – often simple phrases or mantras – and the group responds, gradually building energy, connection, and heart-opening through repetition.

Accompanied by guitar, harmonium, and percussion, you’ll be invited to lend your voice (or simply listen) as we move through a blend of traditional chants and a couple of modern “medicine songs” – lyrical prayers for the soul that celebrate connection, healing, and remembrance.

We’ll complete the journey by gently closing the space and inviting grounded integration. You’ll be welcomed to share in small groups or simply sit quietly, journal, or rest as you wish.

To anchor you back into your body and the warmth of community, we’ll close with nourishing tea, soup, and treats – a simple, heartful way to land together after a powerful inner journey, and to step back into the winter night feeling resourced, connected, and accompanied by the wisdom Solstice has revealed.

About your hosts:

Holly Brocklebank

Holly is co-founder of the Ecstatic Dance Collective & 5 Element Acupuncturist, a budding ecstatic dance Deejay, dance facilitator & loves exploring & weaving seasonal themes into her dance journeys.

Holly will be shaping immersive soundscapes to support the breath work journey, to guide and expand into embodied movement, integration process.

Holly has been singing with Mandala Kirtan for over a year-bringing heartfelt mantra and devotional presence & enjoys playing hand-pan in collaboration with crystal bowl and sound healers in Canberra. Holly also collaborates with Angie Lui to co-create seasonal Sacred Rhythms Women's Retreats to share Chinese Medicine wisdom, Ecstatic dance and sound healing.

Ruby Bellchambers:

Ruby Bellchambers is the founder of Inner Motus Therapy and a trauma-informed counsellor and breathwork practitioner based in Canberra. She brings over 14 years of therapeutic experience, supporting people to move through stuck patterns with compassion, presence, and practical embodied tools.

Her work integrates counselling, somatic practices, Internal Family Systems, attachment and nervous system education, and Conscious Connected Breathwork.

For Resonance, Ruby will hold the breathwork and counselling aspect of the journey with warmth, depth, and care, supporting participants as they move through winter solstice breathwork & embodied dance process of the journey. Her presence invites both emotional release and inner reflection, making space for transformation in a shared ceremonial setting.

Zoe Kanovolov:

Zoe is a yogi, mother, acrobat, and tea devotee who has spent her life exploring diverse paths to the Divine is passionate about helping people reconnect with the joy and peace within and looks forward to sharing kirtan with the group at the event.

Zoe has a firm foundation in yoga, has since taught and studied around the world-including as a resident teacher at Hariharalaya Yoga and Meditation Centre in Cambodia, and leading workshops in India, Thailand and Taiwan.

Zoe has a strong foundation in breath and alignment, expands into intuitive, embodied flow, is an Acro Yoga teacher, a member of the Canberra Ecstatic Dance Collective, sings with Mandala Kirtan, and has trained in traditional Thai massage, Ayurveda, qi gong, and Tea ceremony.

Cher Albrecht

Cher is a Los Angeles, USA born aerialist, performer, and energetic healer based in Canberra. She’s the founder of Aerial Sports—a studio that blends aerial acrobatics with holistic wellness. She looks forward to sharing a crystal bowl healing journey and Kirtan with the group.

Combining her background in stunt work, aerials, yoga, professional singing & dancing, and energy healing, Cher has a playful spirit & offers unique experiences through movement, sound baths, chakra alignments, cacao ceremonies & sacred circles, supporting both physical and spiritual well-being.

This dance is an alcohol-free event / LGBTQI friendly / 18+ event
Once the journey has begun, we encourage you to keep talking to a minimum so that everyone can stay attuned to their individual journeys.

Breathwork Health Considerations:

Breathwork that alters your natural breathing pattern may not be suitable for everyone, particularly those with certain medical or psychological conditions. Your safety and wellbeing are our priority, and this practice can be powerful, so we ask that you take care and seek appropriate guidance.

Please consult your healthcare provider before participating if you have, or have a history of:

• Cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or stroke

• Epilepsy or seizure disorders

• Glaucoma, retinal detachment, or other serious eye conditions

• Severe respiratory illness (e.g. COPD, severe asthma, cystic fibrosis)

• Recent surgery, significant injury, or physical conditions that may be aggravated by intense breathing

• Pregnancy (any trimester)

• Bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, psychosis, or severe / complex PTSD

• Any condition where increased physical or emotional activation may be contraindicated

If you’re unsure whether this practice is appropriate for you, please contact us before booking to discuss your situation and possible options for support, modification, or alternative ways to participate.

This dance is an alcohol-free event / LGBTQI friendly / 18+ event
Once the music has begun, we encourage you to keep talking to a minimum so that everyone can enjoy the embodiment!

**Please note, although we are using a church hall, this is a non-religious, non-denominational event.

ABOUT CEDC:
The Canberra Ecstatic Dance Collective has been offering monthly dances for 9 years in Canberra. They hold a safe and supportive space to express, release, and experience joy through movement.

MORE ABOUT THE DANCE:
These dances are lovingly curated to take you on a journey which rises to a peak through to a gentle return and integration.

Whatever is intrinsically and authentically emerging from within is what we are opening up to and creating space for. Uninhibited movement is encouraged, whilst being respectful of others in the space.

Sound Healing Disclaimer

This event includes a live sound healing component using instruments such as crystal singing bowls, hand-pan and other acoustic instruments. Sound healing is a complementary wellness practice and is not a substitute for medical, psychological, or physiotherapeutic treatment.

Please consult your healthcare provider before attending if you:

• Have epilepsy or a history of seizures

• Have a serious hearing condition, tinnitus, or sound sensitivity (e.g. hyperacusis, misophonia)

• Have a pacemaker or other implanted electronic device

• Are in late-stage pregnancy

• Are currently experiencing acute mental health distress

During sound healing, some people may experience emotional release, changes in body sensations, or altered states of awareness. You are always welcome to adjust your position, sit up, leave the room briefly, or let a facilitator know if you need support at any time.

By attending, you acknowledge that you are responsible for your own wellbeing and agree to participate within your own limits. If you are unsure whether sound healing is appropriate for you, please contact the facilitator prior to the event.