Lean_in Residency
🌱 Foundation Residency
Somatics • Floorwork • Contact Improvisation
Heart Flow Shala • Arambol • Goa
A progressive three-module journey through Somatics, Floorwork and Contact Improvisation, through immersive learning and community living.
What is the Foundation Residency?
The Foundation Residency is designed for dancers, movers and embodied practitioners who want to build strong, sustainable foundations for contemporary movement and contact improvisation. Across three interconnected modules, participants gradually develop awareness, technical understanding and confidence through progressive embodied learning.
The Three Modules
Three modules. One embodied journey.
Each module can be joined independently, or experienced as part of the complete Foundation Residency. Together, they offer a progressive pathway through somatic awareness, floorwork and contact improvisation, allowing your practice to develop with depth, confidence and clarity.
Somatic Awareness & Body Principles
The journey begins by slowing down. Through somatic practice, release-based principles and body organisation, you’ll develop greater awareness, efficiency and ease in the way you move.
Rather than focusing on complex movement, this module lays the foundations for sustainable practice—cultivating sensitivity, coordination and a deeper relationship with your body.
You’ll explore
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Somatic awareness & embodied listening
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Countertechnique principles
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Release-based movement
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Body organisation & alignment
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Falling, rising & efficient movement
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Consent, communication & culture of care
MODULE 1
Floorwork & Release
Building on the foundations of the first module, we begin to explore a more dynamic relationship with the floor. Using release-based principles, we’ll investigate momentum, spirals, rolling pathways and efficient transitions.
The focus is not on forcing movement, but on discovering how gravity, direction and organisation can create greater freedom and fluidity.
You’ll explore
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Rolling & spiralling pathways
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Momentum & rebound
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Efficient transitions
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Release-based floorwork
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Direction & flow
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Sequencing movement
MODULE 2
Contact Improvisation & Jam Integration
The final module brings everything together through shared movement. Applying the principles developed throughout the residency, we’ll explore partnering, listening, weight-sharing and improvisation within both structured practice and open jam environments.
The emphasis is on responsiveness, trust and meaningful connection rather than performance or tricks.
You’ll explore
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Shared weight & partnering
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Listening through touch
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Contact Improvisation principles
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Jam awareness & integration
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Floorwork within duet practice
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Sustainable collaboration
MODULE 3
Our Home in Arambol
Heart Flow Shala, Pernem rd.
The Foundation Residency is based in the vibrant coastal village of Arambol in North Goa, a place that has become home to an international community of dancers, movement practitioners and embodied artists from around the world.
Our studio, Heart Flow Shala, provides a spacious and supportive environment for deep practice, offering a beautiful wooden dance floor and an atmosphere that encourages curiosity, exploration and connection.
Beyond the studio, Arambol becomes an extension of the residency itself. Quiet beaches, jungle paths, cafés, live music and a thriving movement community create countless opportunities for inspiration, reflection and continued learning throughout your stay.
Training here isn’t only about the hours spent in the studio—it’s about immersing yourself in a place where movement, creativity and community are woven into everyday life.
Arambol Community - An international network of dancers, musicians, artists and practitioners.
Heart Flow Shala - A spacious studio designed for movement, exploration and embodied learning.
The Arabian Sea - A place to rest, reflect and integrate between days of practice.
The Daily Rhythm
Each day at the Foundation Residency balances technical training, embodied exploration and time for integration. Our rhythm is designed to support deep learning without overwhelm, creating space for both focused practice and meaningful reflection.
Morning
We begin each day at 9:45am, arriving into the body through attunement, somatic practice and contemporary movement training. Technical classes focus on developing awareness, organisation and efficient movement before gradually introducing new principles and material.
Afternoon
After a shared lunch, we continue with movement laboratories, creative exploration and guided research. This is where new ideas are explored more deeply through improvisation, experimentation and collaborative learning.
Integration
The final part of the day is dedicated to integration, body maintenance and reflection. Whether through gentle movement, discussion or personal practice, this time allows the day’s learning to settle before returning to the wider rhythm of life in Arambol.
Beyond the Studio
Each module includes two pre-paid community jams, offering an opportunity to experience Arambol’s vibrant international movement community beyond the structured classes. These optional evening gatherings provide a welcoming space to integrate the day’s learning, connect with local practitioners and discover how contact improvisation lives beyond the studio environment.
The Spaces Between
Some of the most valuable learning happens outside the formal sessions—sharing a cup of chai, watching the sunset, wandering through Arambol or continuing conversations over a shared meal. We believe these moments between the sessions are just as important as those within them, allowing new ideas, friendships and movement practices to develop naturally.
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09:45 Arrival & Attunement
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Morning Class
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Chai Break
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Movement Lab
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Lunch
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Afternoon Integration
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16:15 Finish
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Commuinity Time
Voices from the Gathering
Words from Neil
"Hi, I'm Neil. I've been here at Lean Into Nature in this beautiful site just outside Glastonbury. Fantastic walks, gorgeous food, and incredible dancing. Such wonderful people, such great community and I've absolutely loved it. 100 percent recommend it."
Lean_in Nature 2025
Meet the Faculty
The Foundation Residency is guided by an experienced team of movement practitioners, each bringing their own unique background while sharing a common commitment to embodied learning, curiosity and care.
Together, we create a supportive environment where technical development, creative exploration and meaningful human connection are held with equal importance. Every facilitator contributes their own perspective, inviting participants to discover movement through a rich and collaborative learning experience.
Everything You Need to Know
Whether you’re joining us for the first time or returning to the residecy, here are some of the most common questions to help you prepare. If there’s anything else you’d like to know, we’d love to hear from you.
Is the Foundation Residency for You?
Whether you’re a contemporary dancer, contact improviser, yoga practitioner or simply curious about embodied movement, the Foundation Residency welcomes movers who are ready to deepen their practice.
No advanced experience is required—only a willingness to learn, explore and engage with movement through curiosity, care and consistency.
Once you’ve decided to join us, here are the practical details to help you prepare. From accommodation and meals to what to bring and how the residency is held, everything you need to arrive feeling ready can be found below.
Preparing for the Residency
What to Bring
Accomadtion
Daily Schedule
Booking & Payment
Questions?
We can help arrange comfortable accommodation in Arambol, with a range of one and two-bedroom apartments offering shared kitchens and living spaces. Whether you’re joining the gathering or planning to stay in Goa for a month or more, we’re happy to connect you with trusted local landlords and help you find the right place.
Training takes place from 9:45am to 4:15pm, creating a balanced rhythm of technical classes, movement laboratories, integration and shared breaks throughout the day.
Evenings and weekends remain free to rest, explore Arambol or continue learning through the wider movement community.
Pack for movement, learning and life in Goa.
We recommend comfortable movement clothes, lightweight layers, long trousers, a water bottle, notebook or journal, sun protection and comfortable footwear. You’re also welcome to bring knee pads, swimwear or anything else that helps you feel comfortable, supported and ready to train.
Not sure if the Foundation Residency is the right place to begin? We’d be happy to help.
Whether you have questions about experience levels, accommodation, scholarships or choosing the right pathway, feel free to get in touch before booking.
A flexible pricing structure allows you to join a single module or complete the full residency pathway. Scholarships and supported places are available to help make the programme more accessible.
Visit the booking page for current prices and availability.
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Arriving
Our aim is for your Lean_in Nature experience to start long before you step onto the land.
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Once you’ve booked, you’ll receive a Welcome Pack with everything you need to prepare, helping you arrive feeling informed, connected and ready for the gathering.
Begin Your Journey
Whether you’re taking your first steps into contemporary movement or looking to build stronger foundations for an existing practice, the Foundation Residency offers a supportive environment to learn, explore and grow.
Across three progressive modules, you’ll develop greater body awareness, technical confidence and creative curiosity while becoming part of an international community of movers committed to embodied learning, collaboration and meaningful human connection.
We’d love to welcome you to Arambol and support the next stage of your movement journey.
Reserve your place online, or get in touch if you’d like to discuss the residency, accommodation or which module is right for you.
The journey begins by listening.