Earth to Ether: a Path to Joy
Dance the elements. Feel the emotions. Return to joy.
A weekend of deeply immersive 5Rhythms® residential retreat held in the heart of Finnish nature, during the powerful threshold of the Autumn Equinox and New Moon
Finland September 19-21, 2025
Lapinjärvi, Finland
“Between the head and feet of any given person is a billion miles of unexplored wilderness.” — Gabrielle Roth
As the earth tilts toward the dark season and the northern forests begin their golden shedding, we invite you to gather for a weekend of deep movement, elemental ritual, and soulful renewal.
Earth to Ether: A Path to Joy is a 5Rhythms® workshop that traverses the landscapes of body, heart, and spirit—through the raw power of nature’s five elements and the depth of five core emotions. In this sacred turning of the season and under the mystery of the new moon, we dance not to perform—but to remember who we are.
Through the map of the 5Rhythms and the wisdom of the elements:
Earth | Flowing | Fear
We begin in grounding presence, feeling our feet on Finnish soil, connecting to the ancient strength of the Earth beneath us.
Fire | Staccato | Anger
We awaken the fire within—our courage, clarity, and passion—daring to express what lives in our hearts.
Water | Chaos | Sadness
We surrender to the tides of emotion, letting go into the wild currents of the body, releasing what no longer serves.
Air | Lyrical | Joy
We rise into breath and spaciousness, letting joy move us lightly and freely, dancing our aliveness and truth.
Ether | Stillness | Compassion
We dissolve into the unseen, into silence and unity, where the dance becomes prayer and presence. Here, we make space for what wants to be born.
Who is this for?
This retreat is for anyone ready to move, feel, and reconnect to their body’s wisdom.
You don’t need to be a dancer—you only need a body, a beating heart, and a willingness to be present.
This weekend is for you if:
You crave space to slow down, reflect, and reset
You long to reconnect with your joy, your body, and your truth
You’re navigating life changes, grief, or emotional intensity and want support through movement
You want to deepen your embodiment practice in a safe and sacred container
You feel called to nature, ritual, and seasonal rhythms
You’re curious about 5Rhythms® or already love the practice and want to go deeper
All levels of experience are welcome. Whether this is your first 5Rhythms workshop or you’re a longtime dancer, you’ll find yourself held, seen, and guided through a transformative weekend.
Who is this not for?
This retreat is a deep, embodied journey designed to support emotional exploration, personal growth, and soulful connection. While it is open to all levels of movement experience, it may not be the right fit if:
You’re seeking a purely physical or fitness-focused experience
You’re uncomfortable with emotional expression or inner reflection through movement
You require clinical mental health support that cannot be held in a group or movement-based setting
You are unwilling to respect the group container, confidentiality, and shared agreements
You are currently experiencing severe physical limitations that prevent you from safely participating in movement (please contact us if you’re unsure—we’re happy to discuss options)
We honor the courage it takes to show up fully. This space is designed to be welcoming, grounded, and transformational—but it is not a substitute for therapy or crisis care.
If you're unsure whether this retreat is right for you, feel free to reach out. We're happy to connect.
The Teachers
Vehllia Tranne & Alessandro Moruzzi are both Certified 5Rhythms® Teachers and the Founders of The City Waves 5Rhythms® San Francisco.
Workshop Details
This workshop counts as 6 Waves hours and 10 Heartbeat hours towards the 5Rhythms® Teacher Training path
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Spaces are limited to ensure an intimate and supportive retreat experience.
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"Between the head and feet of any given person is a billion miles of unexplored wilderness."
— Gabrielle RothAs the earth tilts toward the dark season and the northern forests begin their golden shedding, we invite you to gather for a weekend of deep movement, elemental ritual, and soulful renewal.
Earth to Ether: a Path to Joy is a 5Rhythms® workshop that traverses the landscapes of body, heart, and spirit—through the raw power of nature’s five elements and the depth of five core emotions. In this sacred turning of the season and under the mystery of the new moon, we dance not to perform—but to remember who we are.
Through the map of the 5Rhythms and the wisdom of the elements:
🌍 Earth | Flowing | Fear
We begin in grounding presence, feeling our feet on Finnish soil, connecting to the ancient strength of the Earth beneath us.🔥 Fire | Staccato | Anger
We awaken the fire within—our courage, clarity, and passion—daring to express what lives in our hearts.🌊 Water | Chaos | Sadness
We surrender to the tides of emotion, letting go into the wild currents of the body, releasing what no longer serves.🌬️ Air | Lyrical | Joy
We rise into breath and spaciousness, letting joy move us lightly and freely, dancing our aliveness and truth.✨ Ether | Stillness | Compassion
We dissolve into the unseen, into silence and unity, where the dance becomes prayer and presence. Here, we make space for what wants to be born.This weekend will be held in the quiet embrace of Finnish nature—a safe, nourishing, and transformational container for your dance, your breath, and your being.
Located in a traditional Finnish countryside village, the retreat center is nestled in the middle of open fields and forest edges, with a charming garden of apple trees, berry bushes, and buzzing beehives. It’s a place where nature speaks softly, and the land itself invites you to slow down and reconnect.
Between sessions, you can warm your body in the wood-heated sauna, gather by the outdoor fireplaces, or wander barefoot through the late-summer grass under wide northern skies. Every corner of this place is designed to hold you—gently, naturally, and wholly.
Together, we’ll move through the rhythms, the elements, and our emotional landscapes, in a circle of trust and transformation.
Whether you are new to 5Rhythms or have danced for years, this is a powerful opportunity to reset your compass, align with your inner rhythm, and prepare your heart for the darker season ahead—with clarity, lightness, and joy.
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Leppola Retreat Center
Baggkärrintie 73, Lapinjärvi, Finland -
The retreat center is a 1 hour drive by car from Helsinki airport.
Public transport: train from the airport to Helsinki and bus from Helsinki to Lapinjärvi or Loviisa is possible (we can pick you up from the bus stop).Book your plane ticket for Thursday to arrive on time by public transport.
Uber/Bolt from airport: availability and price varies (~ 100 EUR).
Car sharing from the airport may be possible to arrange - inquire in advance. -
18 September - Thursday only (18:00-20:00)
30 EUR Open dance class + evening soup
19-21 September - Friday-Sunday retreat
330 EUR EARLY BIRD - until 10 August.
380 EUR - from 11 August.
You can also arrive on Thursday and take part in the open dance class (18:00-20:00) at no extra cost.
We offer accommodation in shared rooms for 3-5 people per room. Bathrooms are shared.
A deposit of 150 EUR (non-refundable) is required to secure your spot, payable by bank transfer or PayPal. The balance can be paid on arrival. -
Please note, this is a general schedule and it is subject to change.
Day 0 [ 2 hrs ]
18:00 Open dance session
20:00 Evening soup
Day 1 [ 6.5 hrs ]
9:00 Breakfast
10:00 Morning session
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Free time
16:00 Afternoon session
18:00 Dinner
19:00 Evening session
20:30 Sauna - women
21:30 Sauna - men
Day 2 [ 6.5 hrs ]
9:00 Breakfast
10:00 Morning session
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Free time
16:00 Afternoon session
18:00 Dinner
19:00 Evening session
20:30 Sauna - men
21:30 Sauna - women
Day 3 [ 3 hrs ]
8:30 Breakfast
9:30 Morning session
12:30 Lunch
13:30 Closing circle -
Nourishment and Rest
✧ 3 days, 2 nights full board accommodation at Leppola Retreat Center (shared rooms for 3-5 people per room and shared bathroom)
✧ Lacto-vegetarian meals for the duration of the retreat (organic and/or locally sourced)
✧ Unlimited herbal teas and filtered water
Movement and Ritual
✧ 3 days of guided 5Rhythms® practice (Waves & Heartbeat maps) with experienced, certified teachers
✧ Opening and closing circles to support integration and connection
✧ New Moon ritual and seasonal Equinox ceremony
✧ A safe, sacred, and transformational group container
Nature and Well-being
✧ Use of onsite amenities including sauna, nature trails, and communal spaces. The wood fired sauna is heated every evening.
✧ Access to nature, stillness, and time for personal reflection. There are trails in the nearby forest where you can also pick mushrooms or berries. The garden has many nice spots for reflection.
✧ Close proximity to a river. If you are brave you can swim in the river (1 km walking distance).
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While most aspects of the retreat are covered, some personal expenses are not included:
✗ Transportation to and from the retreat center (directions and carpool options will be shared after registration)
✗ Travel insurance (recommended for your own peace of mind)
✗ Additional snacks or specialty drinks outside of meals
✗ Private 1:1 sessions with facilitators (if available, may be booked separately)
✗ Extra nights before or after the retreat (can sometimes be arranged directly with the venue)
✗ Warm clothes! The autumn season is starting, remember to dress warmly both for indoor and outdoor activities
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A deposit of 150 EUR (non-refundable) is required to secure your spot, payable by bank transfer or PayPal. The balance can be paid on arrival.
The City Waves reserves the right to cancel any retreat/workshop in the event of insufficient registration or other unforeseen circumstances, in which case, the full amount paid to register for a retreat/workshop will be refunded to the registrants. In the event of cancellation, an attempt will be made to notify registrants no later than 10 calendar days before the start of the retreat/workshop. All other expenses incurred including but not limited to flights and accommodation arranged for the purpose of attending a retreat/workshop will not be covered.
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