WINTER WELLSPRING
Returning Home
We remember. Before masks. Before gathering spaces were closed down. Before screens and zoom rooms.
We remember that once, we gathered at wells where nourishment and connectivity flowed along with the stream of water. When our ancestors were connected to the old ways. When our skin fit true and that was enough for belonging.
In these times of heightened disconnection, mystery, and grief, we show up together in the heart of winter to shed the restrictive stories keeping us out of alignment. We return home to our true skin—celebrating our naked selves as an essential thread in the tapestry of life.
Join us for a 4-day Open Floor workshop of movement, art, ritual, song, and story. On the magical grounds of Aldermarsh, we’ll lean in, resource and receive the nourishment times of darkness can bring.
Guided by Kelsey Maloney and Monika Denise.
photos by Taber Darland and Summer Starr
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN THE 2025 WINTER WELLSPRING WORKSHOP.
Please read all of the following information before registering.
LOCATION & ACCOMMODATION DETAILS:
ALDERMARSH is “a human-created space integrated within its natural setting where community, collaboration and sustainability thrive.” It is located on the south end of Whidbey Island at 6436 Maxwelton Road, Clinton, WA 98236. Most of the lodging is in shared spaces which you can explore here. In addition to dancing together, we will be sharing meals and other communal spaces. Group size is limited.
ABOUT OPEN FLOOR INTERNATIONAL:
Open Floor is a moving meditation practice and creative dance inquiry. In this workshop, we will lean into dance and other forms of movement as well as art, song, story, ritual, and nature connection.
DATES & APPROXIMATE SCHEDULE:
January 23—26, 2025
Thursday January 23:
2—4:30pm: Personal time— Arrive, rest, explore the land, soak in the tub (clothing optional)
5—6pm: Optional group dinner
6:30—9pm: Opening movement session
Friday January 24:
7—7:45am: Optional morning song practice
8—9am: Breakfast
9:30am—12pm: Movement and art session
12:30—1:30pm: Lunch
1:30—3: Personal Time
3—5:30pm: Movement and art session
6—7pm: Dinner
7:30pm: Embodied Grief Ritual
Saturday January 25:
7—7:45am: Optional morning song practice
8—9am: Breakfast
9:30am—12pm: Movement and art session
12:30—1:30pm: Lunch
1:30—3: Personal Time
3—5:30pm: Fireplace Session (song, story, and connection)
6—7pm: Dinner
8pm: Optional sauna or art exploration in the Marsh House
Sunday January 26:
7—7:45am: Optional morning song practice
8—9am: Breakfast
10am—12:30pm: Movement session
12:30—1:30pm: Lunch
2—3:30pm: Closing session
All participants depart Aldermarsh by 4:30pm.
MEALS & KITCHEN HELP:
Thursday dinner, Friday and Saturday breakfast, lunch, and dinner & Sunday breakfast and lunch are included. There will be light snacks and tea available throughout the weekend. All meals are vegetarian, though some meals may include a chicken option. We will do our best, but cannot guarantee we will be able to accommodate all dietary needs.
We ask each participant to sign up for two working meditation shifts. This will help with the flow and balance of our time together as well as support our kitchen crew. You can expect to help for 20-25 minutes and tasks may involve prepping food, washing dishes, or cleaning the kitchen.
PAYMENT DETAILS:
$925. Early bird registration deadline is December 10, 2024.
Housing and meals included. If you do not need housing for the weekend, there is a $150 discount.
A $425 non-refundable deposit is required at the time of registration to hold your your spot. You will receive an invoice for your deposit and for your remaining balance after registering.
You can pay by check, WECU transfer, or credit card. If paying by credit card, please note there is an additional service fee added to your total.Final payments required by January 9, 2025.
For those in a position of financial privilege, it is possible to donate additional funds to support those in need of a partial scholarship. If you are interested in attending, but cannot afford the full fee, please reach out to us. There may be a limited number of partial scholarships or work trade options available.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
Up until December 10, 2024, if you need to cancel you will receive a refund minus the $425 non-refundable deposit. After Dec. 10, there are no refunds unless we are able to fill your spot. If your spot is not filled, your investment will not be refunded. You may also choose to sell or gift your ticket to someone else in the case you are not able to attend at the last minute. You must notify us in advance of this change along with who will be attending in your place.
SOUND AWARENESS
Please be aware that parts of this exploration of embodied movement, grief, and emotion may involve sounds such as wailing and screaming. Please bring ear plugs if you are sensitive to loud noises or reach out to Kelsey if you would like more information.
HEALTH INFORMATION & RISK MANAGEMENT:
This workshop is open to all individuals. Together we can do our best to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, flu, and other illnesses by each of us tending to our overall well-being and the health of our immune systems.
Masks are optional both on the dance floor and in communal spaces.
Most of the lodging options include shared rooms. Private rooms are not available for every participant. We encourage you to communicate openly with your lodging mates to determine any needs you may have. If you would like to lodge with people you know, we will do our absolute best to accommodate you.
Prior to the start of the gathering, please notify Kelsey and Monika if you or any members of your household are experiencing COVID-19, flu, or cold symptoms. By attending WINTER WELLSPRING, you are attesting:
The participant(s) are symptom-free, including symptoms attributed to COVID-19, and the participant(s) have not been in close contact with anyone with confirmed COVID-19.
We are not able to offer refunds after Dec. 10 for any reasons, including illness.
REFLECTIONS FROM PARTICIPANTS AT WINTER WELLSPRING 2024
“A space to rest, connect, remember something slower and wiser. The wellspring has a surprising amount of good humor and laughter! I wouldn’t want to go a year without it!”
“Aldermarsh magic—the land held our connection and brought us as a group to a deep place. Cozy conversations by the fire. Singing in the sauna and vibrant dancing in the marsh house.”
“Come for connection with others. Come for food. Come to reset and tune into the patterns of our lives. Come to sing. Come to dance.”
“Deep rooted connection. Being tended to and tending to others. Renewal.”
”If you are thinking of coming to Aldermarsh, you have the opportunity for deep, timeless nourishment on beautiful, well-tended land. Open-hearted, funny, tender, kind facilitators will help you move anything you need to in your body, soul, and heart through art, writing, dance and grief ritual. Are you ready to step more fully into your humanity? Into the web of relations holding all of us? Come to winter wellspring to be in the sacred flow of love, in community.”
“Nourishment for the soul through community, dance, nature, joy and food. Come with your internal compost and let’s feed the winter garden.”
“A weekend of deepening connection with self and others. Nourishment through movement, good food, community and beautiful, peaceful, magical surroundings”
“A lush time to be in a body in a place that welcomes, and wants(?) your body. Phenomenal space to reach towards and within while held in your tender truth.”
“If you aren’t sure about coming because the idea of 3.5 days of dance is intimidating, know that there is a balance of dance, art, song, food, alone time, and community.”
“Accepting and supportive community practice to deepen further into your fullest expression of self. A safe place to explore your edges!”