Aquatica
September 18 - 22
The Inner Sanctum in Woodside, California
Aquatica is a 5-day long community living gathering that is born from the dream of bringing merfolk together to investigate, skill share, and play. Its first edition happens at the Inner Sanctum, a water temple nested in the mountains south of San Francisco, California, unceded territory of the Ohlone, Ramaytush, and Muwekma first nations.
We will live communally: every participant will take turns in meal-prepping and space clean-up teams, and can sign up to lead skill-sharing sessions or labs. Curated by Kellyfish & João, Aquatica is a not-for-profit enterprise. We have low price ticket options on a sliding scale, which go toward covering facility and food costs. We run our finances transparently and openly: all our projections can be seen here.
What's Included
- Camping at the Inner Sanctum in the hills of Woodside
- Living in community in a quiet forested 85 acres
- Vegetarian brunch & dinner and snacks
- Access to our salt-water, spring-fed pool kept at womb temperature
- 24 hour access to the main house with sauna, sanctuary room, and cozy living room with puzzle floor for dance/movement
Who is this gathering for:
Please join us if these apply to you:
- Passionate about water as medicine
- Experienced aquatic bodyworker
- Experienced aquatic dancer
- Passionate about somatic movement
- Easeful with community building/living
- Actively facilitating aquatic/somatic practices or therapies or have done so in the past
If you don't match all the criteria above and believe you are a strong candidate to join, please write to us describing your experience and why you believe you should join.
If you resonate with this proposal and this experience excites you, apply below.
Structure of Aquatica
Participants who want to come the night before, can arrive the evening of September 17 after 8pm.
September 18
Opening circle at 10:00
September 19
Group organized labs and meals
September 20
Group organized labs and meals
September 21
Group organized open to the public event
September 22
Integration, group organized labs, and closing jam (We have the option to put on a second open to the public event if necessary to raise revenue.)
The event closes at 8pm.
Accomodations and Pricing
Sept. 18-22: Aquatica (5 days)
September 18-20th:
$300 - $700 Sliding Scale
Price includes camping or dorm room, vegetarian/ vegan meals, access to the main house sanctuary room and sauna, pool and support from our team. Participants will sign up for shifts in clean up and meal prep and have the opportunity to lead aquatic or land investigations in this aquatic community experiment.
Our Team
Kelly McRee aka Kellyfish
Aguahara Professional & Healing Waters Creatrix
Water has always been a consistent safe haven and place of reverence and healing, a source of freedom and joy for her. Having learned to swim before she could walk, moving in water is a natural experience that she loves to share with others through group aquatic explorations, aguahara sessions, sailing, and swimming confidence lessons. She brings a powerful mothering, healing presence to all of her work through experiences as a mother, teacher, and trauma navigator.
João Paulo Pereira
BASA Yoga Founder & Aguahara Professional
João's relationship with aquatic therapies and dance begun in 2018 on their first Aguahara training, adding to the life-long study of somatic and spiritual practices that they started in their teenage years in Brazil. They have been on a 20+ year mission facilitating movement, breathwork, meditation, and healing. They are excited and humbled to be in service of the deep whisper of the water medicine in other's hearts: softness, presence, freedom, and play.
John Delaplaine
Inner Sanctum Founder & Coordinator, Aguahara Professional
John has dedicated much of the last 20+ years to exploring intimate human connection & expanded states of human awareness & consciousness. Through those pursuits he has become very passionate about creating sacred spaces, containers, & experiences based on various energetic, shamanic, & somatic practices that make it possible for you to have deep, meaningful, & often life-changing connections with self, Source, & other. Over the years, water has become a primary container for much of his work.
About The Inner Sanctum
A Spiritual Temple, Warm Water Sanctuary and Community Gathering Space devoted to embodied awakening and deepening connection with self, other and spirit through love, touch, music, dance, and human connection.
Located about 1 hour from Oakland, San Francisco, and Santa Cruz and nested deep in the healing embrace of nature in Woodside, Ca.
** The Inner Sanctum is a California registered Church with a mission of cultivating human connection.
Policies & Agreements:
Inclusivity: We welcome people of all races, genders, body types, physicality, age (18 and over), sexual identity and orientation, etc.
Consent and Boundaries: We empower all participants to state their own boundaries and require that you respect each others' as well.
Nudity: You may choose to be topless/nude on the front patio or in the sauna (Please sit on a towel). We ask that participants wear swimsuits for all class sessions and dance jams.
Sensual Expression: As the nature of investigation in water can be sensual, expression of this experience is often present. This is a touch-positive, consent-oriented, intimate space where people may hold each other close, snuggle, and heal though conscious touch.
Sexual activity: To keep our container comfortable for everyone & focused on our aquatic investigations and healing, we ask that sexual activity be contained to your tent/car/RV.
Drugs & Alcohol: No drugs or alcohol, please. Cannabis friendly, fire conscious (Please only smoke in our smoking area.)
Pets: We ask that you not bring your pets. There are two older dogs living at the Inner Sanctum.
Children: This retreat is an 18 and over event.
Deal Breaker: It is critical that we all do our part in creating a safe container for all participants’ healing journeys. If any action taken by a participant conflicts with Healing Waters/ Inner Sanctum's Policies, choosing to do so may result in removal from the retreat without refund.
Refund policy
50% of total cost refundable before September 15th
Non-refundable, after September 15th (With exceptions for illness, serious injuries or emergencies. A ticket could also be sold/transferred to another person.)
Event cancellation policy:
If we have to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances, you will be offered a place at a future event or a refund.
COVID-19 Precautions and Policies:
We will be gathering largely in outdoor spaces. The nature of this event is for human interaction and most classes will have close contact, so please do not come if you are sick. Refunds will be given for cancellations due to transmittable illness or COVID-related symptoms. We may ask for a doctor’s note. Thank you for your integrity. We ask for your assistance in maintaining the sanitation and cleanliness of the communal spaces.
Let us know!
We are ready to answer any questions you may have about Healing Waters Retreat 2024.
Questions?
How to Pay
You can also pay via Zelle by searching "Kelly McRee"