​Have you ever attended a conscious dance event and wondered how such a powerful and cohesive sense of community is created?

That deep group field doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of the steady presence and devoted work of an embodied facilitator—someone who blends practical skills with intuitive guidance to lead dancers into the journey, stay present throughout, and gently guide them back out again, grounded and integrated.

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In our vibrant learning community, you’ll learn proven somatic tools and embodiment techniques to integrate into your existing skill set—all within an atmosphere of fun, support, and collaboration. Our teaching team includes facilitators from diverse backgrounds and modalities.

Whether you're a dancer, event organizer, DJ, therapist, yoga teacher, breathwork facilitator, or other wellness professional, you’ll leave equipped to guide transformative dance experiences.

This training is ideal for...

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• Passionate dancers eager to deepen their involvement in Ecstatic Dance.

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• Conscious dance event organizers seeking to enhance participants' experiences.

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• Ecstatic DJs who want to facilitate their own DJ sets.

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• Therapists & psychologists looking to integrate movement-based practices with clients.

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• Leaders & professionals who want to confidently guide others through dance.

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• Wellness professionals looking to deepen their connection to embodiment & dance.

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• Experienced dance facilitators seeking to expand their skills & find fresh inspiration.

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This version of our facilitator training is taught in-person. If you would rather take the online training, click here.

A Professional Education
Delivered by a team of experienced conscious dance organizers, facilitators, and DJs.

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10 Comprehensive Modules

Our 10-module curriculum combines engaging Q&As, breakout groups, and uses dance as a tool to embody the material, translating years of experience into accessible & transformative learning.

Practical Assignments
To help you stay engaged and apply your knowledge so that your education can be applied in your life.

Ongoing Community Support
Stay connected with classmates, continue discussions, and share resources via community groups and free monthly calls.

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Digital Manual

A 200+ page Dance Facilitator Manual & Workbook in PDF format. This manual is a vital part of the learning made available for printing to be used throughout the training to capture ideas, inspiration, and key learnings.

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Level 01 Graduation Certificate
Recognizes your accomplishment and qualifies you to progress toward certification as a DTM Dance Facilitator and membership in an International Conscious Movement Teachers Association.

The full tuition price for this training is €1,895, with several opportunities for discounted registration:

Early Registration Tuition Fee – €1,695
(Available until 8th September 2026 - 60 days before start date). 

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Portuguese Nationals Rate – €948

(desconto de 50%)
A Dance the Medicine reconhece os desafios financeiros enfrentados por muitos portugueses devido ao aumento do custo de vida e, em resposta, oferece um desconto de 50% nos seus programas de ensino exclusivamente para nacionais portugueses.

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We also offer Work Trade and Scholarship opportunities for those seeking financial support or deeper involvement in the training.

Quinta São José dos Montes is a retreat centre in central Portugal, surrounded by mountains and just a short walk from Castelo do Bode Lake. The venue offers fresh, locally sourced vegetarian meals and a range of accommodation options, from cosy rooms in the main building to nature-immersed domes and camping on the farm. Whether you prefer comfort and convenience or a deeper connection with nature, the centre provides an inspiring setting for rest, learning, and renewal. Read more about the venue here. 

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Accommodation and meals are booked separately from tuition and come as a package that includes a full meal plan, access to on-site amenities and supply fees. Options start at €412.

Choose from the following:

• In your camper van or tent camping on the land

• In a yurt on the farm (private or shared double)

• In a deluxe dome on the farm

• In a dormitory in the main building 

• In a shared double room in the main building 

• In a private room in the main building 

• In a private apartment in the main building

BERNICE RAABIS • Founder of Dance The Medicine
On a mission to spread conscious dance communities across the globe, Bernice founded Dance Church in 2011, a long running and wildly successful conscious dance, where she fell in love with DJing. For more than 10 years she has been DJing weekly, weaving epic soundscapes into powerful somatic journeys. She is dedicated to creating transformative dance experiences that support freedom through connection to self, community, and humanity.

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ALEX SEVILLA • Ecstatic Dance Madrid & Co Teacher in the DTM DJ School  
After more than two decades behind the decks as a club DJ, Alex stumbled upon conscious dance—and everything changed. The encounter transformed both his personal life and professional path. He soon left his career as a computer engineer to become a conscious dance entrepreneur, now dedicated to sharing his love for dance, music, and embodied awareness with the world. 

Each time we welcome special guests from the DTM team, who have real-world experience and many years in the ecstatic dance scene, to share their unique approach and skills so you can learn directly from the best. Our DTM team includes: 

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ESTA POLYESTA • Global Ecstatic Dance DJ & Dance Facilitator & Resident DJ @ Ecstatic Dance Goa 

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FABIO FREDDI  • Founder of Ecstatic Dance Italy & Ecstatic Dance DJ & Facilitator

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SOPHIE AUBER • Ecstatic Dance Montpellier  & Ecstatic Dance Gathering France Founder 

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ÉADAOIN NÍ CHALLARÁIN • Open Floor Facilitator  and Co-founder of WILD

 "I found the Embodied Facilitator Training at the perfect time (or maybe it found me). I didn't really know what I was getting into but just trusted and followed the inner guidance and it was beyond what I could have imagined. I feel like this training has not only given me the tools I need, but something much deeper and indescribable - I feel like so much more is possible now. I am so grateful to Bernice, all the teachers and organisers, all the work and all the LOVE that was poured into this training. It will continue having a ripple effect in my life and in the world. Thank you!"

Sarah • UAE

"Throughout the week, I witnessed and felt transformation in everyone, participants and team alike. Just like every dance, the training itself became a big, beautiful hold, where each of us could shift, unfold, and remember who we are. I return home with a clearer vision, a fuller heart, and a deep sense of belonging. I feel truly part of a global community, and I’m committed to sharing what I’ve learned—with a humble and open heart. And yes, Dance is the Medicine".

Felippe • Italy

"I had a wonderful time. I felt held by the team, making it possible to express authentically and experiment without perfection. The team are extremely experienced and dedicated to their practice. It comes from the heart. I loved the content and the opportunity to embody that within the training. All in all, I had a wonderful heartfelt experience where I came away with a deep trust in myself to carry this work forward into the world. Thank you Dance the Medicine."

Mina • UK

PRE-RECORDED TRAINING MODULES (takes at your own pace)
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Module 01 • EMBODIMENT
→ Explore the science of dance/movement and its intersection with the body-mind connection 
→ Learn why dance and music are so effective at creating meaningful community experiences and how to harness this potential
→ Uncover your unique leadership skill-set and create a plan to incorporate somatic methods and embodiment techniques.

Module 02 • CONTAINMENT
→ Explore the role of facilitator; from the moment they walk into a venue until they walk back out again 
→ Move from the theoretical into the practical; discussing what is necessary to contain the spiritual, physical, emotional, and intellectual dance space in real, tangible ways
→ No-nonsense methods to deal with the everyday joys and struggles which are common in conscious dances (e.g. how to encourage people to remain non-verbal)

Module 03 • HOMEBASE 
→ Explore the foundational role of facilitation, which is to hold a reverent opening and closing, while steering the collective experience during the dance journey.
→ Tangible skills to stay grounded and present even when things don’t go as planned.
→ Practical ways to prepare your facilitation ideas and create timelines 

7-DAY IN-PERSON TRAINING (in Portugal, Nov 07-13) 

Module 04 • BODY EXPLORATION
→ Introduction to DTM's 5 Pathways
→ Diving into Body Exploration, the most straightforward of the pathways
→ Ways to explicitly draw attention to body parts, movements, sensations, and impulses. AKA "getting dancers into the body".

Module 05 • PSYCHO-SOMATIC EXPLORATION
→ Explore the second pathway, integrating body and mind by embodying emotions and key themes through dance.
→ Using shared human experiences to encourage connection, coherence, and community
→ Linking emotions to sensations, postures and movements—the foundation of embodiment

Module 06 • VISUALISATION
→ Tapping into the realm of imagination to move beyond time, space, and abilities 
→ Visualization techniques that encourage dancers to translate their visions into expressive physical movement 
→ Facilitation that ignites imagination, while leaving space for dancers to fill in the blanks 

Module 07 • SOCIAL ACTIVATION
→ Explore social activation, its vital role in collective action and the universal need for human connection
→ The comfortable and uncomfortable aspects of social activation, acknowledging the need for both in a healthy community.
→ Facilitators as community leaders to encourage non-political community action

Module 08 • RITUALISATION
→ Demystifying the base meaning of the word "ritual" and applying it to the act of facilitation 
→ Using gestures, words, actions, and/or objects within sequences to create meaningful experiences and connection between community members → Getting real, and learning to ritualize without religious, dogma or cultural appropriation

Module 09 • INTEGRATION 01 
→ Integrate learnings from the six days in Portugal 
→ Review in-person experience, extract foundational principles, and receive post-training assignment  
→ Graduation ceremony

POST-TRAINING SESSIONS (Online via Zoom)

Module 10 • INTEGRATION 02 • DATE TBC
→ A check in on how your integration process is going
→ Ask any follow-up questions since the end of your training
→ Get a clear overview of what Level 02 involves & decide if it's the next step for you

GETTING THERE

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ADDRESS

Quinta São José dos Montes

Estrada Municipal 

530-1 nº 134, 2300-087 

Tomar

Google Maps

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CONTACT

(+351) 917 935 392

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CLOSEST AIRPORTS                                                                                                                                 

Lisbon Airport: The nearest airport, offering both domestic and international flights. It is approximately 140 km (88 miles) from the retreat center, or about a 1.5-hour drive.

ARRANGED TRANSPORT                                                                                                                               

We will arrange a round-trip minibus departing from Lisbon and returning after the training. If you plan to use this service, we recommend booking flights that land before 13:00 and depart after 20:00. The cost for this transport is €75. You can add this to your booking during checkout closer to the training date. For any questions or additional information, please contact info@dancethemedicine.com.

SELF-TRANSPORT                                                                                                                                   

Quinta São José dos Montes is located 150 km north of Lisbon (roughly a 1.5-hour drive). Alternatively, you can reach the retreat center by a combination of train and taxi. The cost is approximately €40 each way (€10 for the train from Lisbon to Tomar and €30 for a taxi). When you register, you’ll be added to a WhatsApp group where you can arrange ride shares or coordinate with others for shared taxis from the train station.

What to bring 

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• Your manual! Plus the same pens and markers you used in the pre-modules

• Headlamp or head torch to walk around at night

• Clothing suitable for dancing (we’ll dance numerous times a day, both inside and outside)

• Other clothing, including layers as it can get cold at night! (Especially for those in ON THE LAND accommodation)

• Shoes suitable for walking on natural ground in a rural setting 

• Swimsuit and towel for the pool and the lake (although they are cold at this time of year!)

• Comfortable and appropriate outdoor shoes to walk/dance outside (lots of nature to explore)

• Dress up for a fun night; not fancy, just fun. Bring something if you enjoy dressing up

• Toiletries (only natural, biodegradable products please)

• Ear plugs (if sharing accommodation)

• Talisman (or sacred item) for the community altar​

→ I'm coming from abroad. Do I need a visa to enter Portugal?                                    

Mostly likely you will not.  But to be sure, check with your own government and check your specific requirements. 

→ Can I come on my own? 

Absolutely! Most of our participants actually come on their own, and many do not know anyone else who is coming. This training is inclusive, and we strive to create a culture of belonging through group exercises and daily sharing circles. 

→ Will I receive a certification? 

Yes! Participants who complete the training live, either in person or on Zoom, are awarded a Level 01 Completion Certificate. The self-paced version does not include certification, as we are unable to confirm completion of the coursework; please contact us if this presents a problem. Full certification as a DTM Conscious Dance Facilitator requires successful completion of Levels 02 and 03, though many graduates report that the Level 01 certificate is sufficient for obtaining insurance.

→ What's your cancellation & refund policy? 

In case of cancellation from your side, we don't offer any refunds, regardless of the reason. We require a minimum of 15 sign-ups to go ahead with in-person events. We will issue you a full refund if we do not hit this number. Please make sure to insure any travel ticket as DTM can not be responsible for cancellation fees on travel. 

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→ If I can no longer make it, can I transfer my payments to another event?                                          

If you can not make the training you have signed up for we are happy to transfer your payments to another event or keep it in trust until you are ready to take the training. We will honour this for up to a year. ​ If you want to transfer your booking to someone else, there's a €100 admin fee. If the event is full, and you want us to sell your spot, we'll keep your deposit and refund the balance only if we find a full-paying replacement. Booking transfers and posts on our social media are allowed only when the training is fully booked. 

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→ What are the payment requirements and do you have payment plans?

A non-refundable deposit is required to book and secure your place. Balance due 15 days before the event starts. Please carefully read our Event Terms & Conditions as by booking on our event, you become legally bound by these terms. We offer flexible payments plans, please inquire with info@dancethemedicine.com

→ I'm not sure which path is right for me. Can you please advise me? 

Absolutely! Simply send us an email at info@dancethemedicine.com or book a 30 minute consultation with Bernice.

We begin each day with a Morning Movement practice, using a blend of multi-genre and slower tracks to gently awaken the body. This practice is designed to teach embodiment techniques, and it forms an integral part of the curriculum. It's a time to embody the principles we aim to teach, allowing you to ground yourself in your body to prepare for the day of learning ahead.

You'll enjoy a hearty breakfast to replenish your energy and fuel you for the day ahead. All meals are freshly prepared with organic and locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. Breakfast will be shared with your small group, providing a chance to connect and start the day together.

A 3-hour session divided into three parts: a dance facilitated in the style of one of the 5 Pathways, followed by time for reflection and ending with a small group session to share insights and deepen understanding. 

We keep the midday meal light and healthy to maintain our energy levels (no food comas!) and ensure we're not too full, so we can stay focused and engaged for the rest of the day.

In this 2.5-hour session, we transition from being dance participants to stepping into the role of dance facilitators. We pull back the curtain on the earlier session, making explicit the "why" and "how" behind the practices and activities. You'll also have time to begin working on your module assignment, engaging in discussions with your cohorts and teachers to gain deeper insight and support.

We'll enjoy a robust, nourishing, and delicious dinner to refuel after a day full of learning, all while basking in each other's company and the shared sense of accomplishment as we move closer to our goal of becoming skilled dance facilitators.

Each evening, a different member of the DTM team will lead a facilitation and dance session. One of the key goals of this training is to expose you to a range of facilitators, each bringing their unique experience and approach from various modalities. We recognize that you're dancing a lot during the day, so these evening sessions are completely optional. If you choose to attend, you can participate in what we call the "tiny dance"—a way of being present in the space, observing, and contributing to the energy, while allowing your body to rest if needed.