Rhythm & Resilience Retreat
Imagine what it might feel like to set down a story you inherited and never chose. Join us January 15-17, 2027, for the Rhythm & Resilience Retreat, a weekend of healing and liberation led by Angelique L. Burke, a licensed psychotherapist, and Nurjahan Boulden, bellydance instructor.
Healing that ripples outward
Every dollar of proceeds from the Rhythm & Resilience Retreat supports The Phoenix Rising Network Incorporated, a 501c3 nonprofit expanding equitable access to transformative, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and integrative mental health care for historically marginalized and under-served individuals and communities. The care you receive this weekend becomes care for others as well. Our equity-scale pricing and multi-marginalized discount reflect the same commitment: when some of us give a little more, more of us get to participate.
Learn more about The Phoenix Rising Network →
Resilience isn't something we prove; it's something we practice, together, over time
Together we'll explore intergenerational family dynamics, our relationships with money and prosperity, and the freedom of embodied movement, held within a container of mutual courageous practice.
What you may take with you
A Calm Mind
with space to see old family and narratives with fresh eyes
An Open Heart
witnessed with care in a community that practices courage together
Your Body
A body that feels more like your own, through movement, play, and celebration
Ongoing Community
Practices you can return to long after the weekend ends, and people to carry them forward with
This retreat isn't about performing or pushing through
It's about arriving as you are and noticing what softens, opens, and comes alive when you're given room to do so. No dance experience is needed, only your willingness to show up.
Dance as story, culture as connection
Our dance sessions with Nurjahan Boulden will weave in the traditions of her mother’s homeland of Tanzania, East Africa. Her family’s practice, kucheza kiuno (Swahili for “waist dance”), has been passed down through generations. She’ll share the movements and the stories that have been passed down through her family, offered with care and context so you can understand where they come from and what they mean. This is an invitation to learn with curiosity and respect, not to perform or imitate.
Learning about and celebrating a culture, whether it’s our own or someone else’s, can open a door to our own stories. When we move to rhythms that carry generations of joy, resilience, and belonging, we’re often reminded of the lineages we come from, and of what we’ve inherited, honored, or are ready to set down. In a container of mutual courageous practice, that connection becomes part of the healing: a way of feeling more at home in our bodies, our histories, and each other.
What should I bring with me? What do I wear?
We recommend comfortable clothing, any dance or yoga supports you know you need, a refillable water bottle and an open mind.
A lot of people imagine that you have to have your stomach showing, and that you have to wear something fancy in order to belly dance and that couldn’t be further from the truth. In our practice, we usually just dance in whatever we're wearing at the time! Traditional dresses are Nurjahan’s personal favorite. We encourage participants to wear whatever feels comfortable on your body. Clothing does change the aesthetic of the dance: Looser clothing allows for more bounce when shimmying or popping. Many dancers love using a hip scarf (or kanga) to help highlight the isolations. You can use a scarf if you want, or you can forget the scarf and just show up in whatever you love to wear!
You're welcome to shop Nurjahan’s closet on Depop at depop.com/nurjahanboulden or shop "similar styles" to find the kind of dresses she grew up wearing. You'll want to bring something you feel beautiful and can dance in for our Celebration Saturday night. We can't wait to see the diversity of clothing that brings everyone joy!
Do I need prior dance experience? Is this suitable for beginners?
No dance experience is needed, only your willingness to show up. Our sessions are designed for all levels, from complete beginners to experienced dancers. Our guides will gently support you throughout.
What if I have no rhythm?
Then you're in the perfect place! Our goal is to help you discover and enhance your natural rhythm. The more music you listen to and the more you dance, the more comfortable you'll be with finding the rhythm to different kinds of music. You'll also have access to the retreat playlists, so you can listen to them whenever you want and get familiar with all the different beats.
What if I have an injury/disability/chronic pain?
Belly dance can be a great way to rehabilitate your body and meet yourself where you are. All movement taught during this retreat is adaptable to suit your abilities. All shared spaces will be ADA accessible throughout the weekend. You are invited and welcome to participate and rest as your body needs.
*Important Note: Please make sure to consult a specialist before you join if you have concerns beyond minor aches and pains.
Is this retreat for women only?
The organizers of this retreat work and teach within a DEIB framework including dismantling restrictive gender norms. This event is intended to celebrate uniqueness and facilitate liberation from harmful messages from culture, this includes gender. We do want to caution that this space will not be welcoming to anyone who holds rigidly to cis-heteronormative gender norms.
Are there any age restrictions?
We will be catering to an adult audience, so there may be some dialogue around bodies and sexuality that are directed toward people 18+. We've had people up to age 92 in the past—there's really no age limit on moving joyfully in your body!
Are meals included during the retreat?
Nourishing snacks will be provided at our welcoming meet & greet on Friday and our closing sessions on Sunday, a box lunch will be included during our sessions on Saturday. Other meals together at nearby restaurants or on your own are not included in the retreat cost.
Do I have to stay in the host Hotel?
You do not have to stay in the hotel associated with this retreat; however, we highly encourage you to consider remaining close by throughout the weekend to support the immersion and community experience.
I can't afford this, do you have any discounts or free resources?
Nurjahan has many free online resources, including a free online class that you can access at nurjahanboulden.com/freeclass, as well as YouTube tutorials. We don't have any in-person events that are completely free. Please be sure to make use of every resource including the community-supported tier and multi-marginalized discount (as it applies to you). If you still face barriers to financial investment, reach out to us as we have select spots available for volunteers who desire to trade labor.
How can I share my abundance in order to assist another community with their access?
We have chosen to use an Equity Pricing model so that those who have abundance and want to support community members may easily do so. When you register, please select the Pay-It-Forward tier. If you would like to donate to further the mission of this retreat event and support The Phoenix Rising Network Incorporated, please use the associated link on the registration page.
arrive as you are
Over three days, you’ll be invited into a rhythm of movement, reflection, rest, and connection that honors your whole self.
Angelique
A Psychotherapist with specialization with therapeutic movement
Nurjahan
A bellydance instructor who teaches from her family and cultural heritage
Investing in this experience is an investment in how you relate to your family, your finances, your body, and yourself.
Rhythm &
Resilience
Retreat
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