As Above, So Below
A Nature Retreat to Bridge Earth & Cosmos Through Embodied Alchemical Practice
July 10-14th, Valdez, NM
POSTPONED TO 2025, be in touch for details.
image: Hilma af Klint
We gather in an oasis held within the red Earth desert of New Mexico to build a bridge between Heaven and Earth, Within and Without.
Through our explorations, we nourish the physical lexicon for embodied animism to arrive and arise.
We receive the voices of the more than human world - the benevolent ancestors, Sky, Earth, Green Beings, Unseen, Wise Ones - allowing the body to speak as the nexus point of all in right relation. The expression of the chthonic rises and the ancestral skies move through the body mystical to evoke an elixir of internal, creative force where new mythologies for the animate world spring forth and find voice through humanity again.
During our time together, we’ll engage with the following:
Somatic-based Alchemical Practice
Tracking Omens and Nature Divination
The Luminous Dark as a Healing Force
Seership Practices through Trance States
Ritual Dream Work and Yoga Nidra
Qi Gong and Daoist Philosophy (with Jaye Marolla)
Star Gazing and Story Alchemy
Spirit Line meeting Flesh and Bone
Authentic Pan-Cultural Ritual Crafting for Modern Times
Integration Practices, Creating Context and World-making Discourse & Discussion
Who this work is for…
This work is for those who feel called to usher forth the voice of the Earth and the Stars through the knowing of their flesh, within the constellation of community. For those who wish to do their part in the revival of animistic worldview and integrated practice. For those who are seeking to partake in the calling forth of possibility and futures that honor the more than human world. For those who seek nourishment, connection, and a remembrance of deep belonging to the All that Is. For those who know what it is to live feet on the Earth, head in the Sky, Heart forward and wish to carve out spaces for this as a way of life. For those who seek sanctuary to build the courage to show up in helping to rewrite future histories. For those who believe in the body’s ability to draw forth the mystical and the holy. For those who wish to alchemize the gifts available to and through us when engaging with Liminal landscapes that birth new forms. For those of all genders and levels of experience who come with curiosity and a sense of adventure and devotion.
About Your Guides…
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Nico Wolf (Nicole Haciba Burke) is a healing practitioner, trans-disciplinary artist, writer, guide and facilitator of dreamwork, ceremony, embodiment practices, Earth wisdom ways and animistic-based healing work. Her work incites rebellion against the status quo and invites fellow humans toward endless curiosity, courageous authenticity, compassion, and connectivity.
For 10 years, Nico and her husband Ryan stewarded Golden Well Sanctuary - a retreat and regenerative farm in central Vermont devoted to re-potentiating our relationship with the living Earth through cultivating deeper and more meaningful connections between Nature, Spirit, Self and Community. After selling their farm in 2021, the couple moved to the wilds of Brooklyn, NY for a year where they transitioned their work to School of Liminal Arts - a platform to house not only their offerings, but to expand into more creative collaborations. They explored Europe for a year and have recently returned to New Mexico where they plan to settle for a while.
Born in Hong Kong to a Moroccan/Algerian mother and an Irish/Polish/American father, Nico’s work is influenced by a life of multiculturalism, travel, adventure and seeking new perspectives. In addition to nearly two decades in the healing arts, her experiences range from artist and fashion designer to beekeeper, organic farmer and ceremonialist. Nico has undertaken several formal apprenticeships in Japanese medicine and acupressure, Classical Shamanism, and Shamanic practice based on the wisdom of the serpent and the honeybee.
Nico’s diverse background and multi-faceted worldview has inspired her to create spaces that elicit a deep sense of anything-goes-ness, belonging and freedom where the full palate of human expression and creative impulse comes to the surface. Through her group and private sessions, she ushers participants towards the transformation that can occur when finding oneself in unexpected and non-dual realities.
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“Nico weaves the fabric of liminal realm with mastery. A powerful healer and enchantress, she carries connection between the many layers of life and mystery. As a mentor, she holds generous architecture around learning. Creates space for moving ceremony. A portal and a channel. Will carry you places and bring messages and medicine back. Dreamer and dream weaver. She watches over this world and midwifes it across change with entire devotion.” - Jaden, Student
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I am an educator, somatic practitioner and holistic bodyworker. I currently offer movement classes in Santa Fe and consult privately with groups, organizations and businesses offering somatic programs in person and online. My bodywork practice is here in Santa Fe, specializing in Thai Bodywork. My practices and outlook are deeply informed by living and traveling outside of the US. I spent significant years in Ghana, West Africa, China, Thailand, Central Asia, and England, studying and attuning to how other cultures express movement and approach their day to day lifestyle. In China and Thailand I began extensive study in healing and martial arts, and how the intertwining of the two branches originates from the same root. I became fascinated with lineage based practices and knowledge that travels tacitly through transmission and embodied nuance.
Growing up with two educators for parents I was tilted towards absorption and awe regarding many areas of life, my wheelhouse specifically, the magnificent complexity of the human body. As a collegiate athlete I spent hours alone in basketball gyms from the age of 12 onward, only in hindsight did I realize I was enveloped in a state of moving meditation. When I began to study Yoga, Martial Arts and Qigong I was enthralled with my first experiences of inner relationship to breath, body, and touch and the philosophical approaches that afford context to these pathways. Continued study in London working on a Masters in Complementary Medicine allowed me to formalize those dialogues.
My passion and excitement is in teaching, not a particular form or modality, not so much a way of doing, but a way of being. For that has been my life's journey and intimate field of discovery. I approach movement as embodied artistry, and we are all artists. The craft of understanding the connections between how we move and how movement informs consciousness is an endless canvas to play on. Vitality consistently rises, vitality looks for expression, exploration and engagement, we just have to open, allow and surrender to the truth and myriad shades of our nature.
In addition to engrossing myself (because that's kind've what I do) in the study of Jujutsu, Aikido, Iaido, Taiji, Qigong and Gongfu; Yoga and Contact Dance Improvisation rounded my movement pallet towards beautifully Somatic approaches. My bodywork study began in Thailand where I apprenticed with Pichest Boonthume, a master instructor of bodywork, humanness and Dharma. Learning an Eastern modality while immersed in the culture from which it originated allowed me to travel deeply into the cultural, medicinal, and historical roots of the practice.
Here in Santa Fe I studied intensively for four years within the Post-Daoist & Mythopoetic frame of the philosophical & somatic teachings of Zhenevere Sophia Dao, the development gained from these years along with the myriad of study prior formulates my current offerings and perspective. I have had the pleasure and honor to work with a long list of phenomenal teachers, guides, peers and friends who greatly inform how I hold space and the deep care I have for the process of learning, living and empowering others through radical self acceptance and connection to their own innate generative resources.
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“Jaye is an exceptional teacher. The learning process feels like a meditative experience in itself. Having come to class as a total newcomer and not really knowing what to expect, I’ve felt safe and held each entire class while being guided. Jaye's instructions and guidance are practical and useful, whilst also being imaginative and gentle in a way that dispels struggle and enables me to really connect with and within my body. I would readily recommend any movement-as-medicine course or class with Jaye.” - Shamira
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Daje Aloh is a writer, facilitator, and vision midwife / mentor for wild-hearted thresholdkeepers, seers, and creative entrepreneurs who are intent on shifting culture through their creations. Her offerings weave the wisdom of Earth and her cycles, the wisdom of the stars and their rhythms with the practical magic of narrative design for the sake of regenerating culture at the personal, virtual, and cultural levels.
Learn more at www.thestorydoula.co
Where We’ll Gather…
We’ll be spending our days in an exquisite oasis nestled in the wild and beautiful nature of the Valdez foothills. The adobe style home where we’ll be dreaming is spacious and light filled and the land we’ll be communing with is alive with birdsong, giant willow trees and a meandering river with a swim spot.
We’ll be 15-20 minutes from Taos Ski Valley, 20 minutes to the Taos Plaza and 8 minutes to the hidden eclectic town of Arroyo Seco where you’ll find a great coffee shop, natural grocery store, restaurants and artisan boutiques. Should you choose to explore the area after or before our course, nearby day trips include Ojo Caliente Spa and natural hot springs (1 hour 15 minutes), Big Arsenic Trail down a winding canyon (1 hour drive), and the state capital of Santa Fe (1 hour 45 minutes).
The closest airports are Santa Fe, Albuquerque and Denver, CO. It tends to be cheapest to fly into ABQ and Denver than to Santa Fe. Please reach out if you need help making travel arrangements.
Cost:
For 4 nights of accommodations, 5 days of instruction and ritual, and three chef-prepared meals per day, the cost of this retreat is priced in 3 Tiers as follows:
Tier One: Camping (bring your own gear): $1600 Total (payment plan: deposit plus 3 payments of $400)
Tier Two: Bed in a Shared Room: $2200 Total (payment plan: deposit plus 3 payments of $600)
Tier Three: Private Room: $2600 Total (payment plan: deposit plus 3 payments of $734)
You’ll be asked for a $400 non-refundable deposit upon acceptance of your application. Please inquire on your application if you’ll be needing a payment plan.
10% off Early Bird Discount when you apply by May 25th.
(enter EARLYBIRD24 at checkout)
We are offering 2 partial work trade scholarships; note your interest on your application to inquire.
If you’re feeling called to join, please fill the form via the linked button below:
Please note, applications will be considered on a first come, first serve basis. Retreat spaces are limited, so we encourage you to apply as soon as you feel the draw to join us!
FAQS
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The closest airport is in Santa Fe, NM which is about 1.5 hours away by car. Cheaper flights can be found into Albuquerque (2.5 hour drive) or Denver (4.5 hour drive). There are many campsites and hotsprings to visit along the way from each airport in case you’d like to make a stop. We are also happy to help you make travel plans including arranging carpools from airports. Just reach out.
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The weather in Valdez, NM typically ranges from 50-80 degrees in July. The sun is hot, but well nestled in a river valley with a swim spot and plenty of shade in the trees. Nights are also pleasantly cool.
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Besides putting lots of love, time and energy in organizing our retreats, we also have to make non-refundable deposits of our own in advance to make these events happen.
Please note that your deposit is non-refundable. The balance of your payment is due within 30 days of the retreat. If that is not paid on time, we reserve the right to open your spot up to another participant.
If you cancel up to 60 days prior to the retreat start, you will receive a full refund for anything paid beyond your deposit. If you cancel up to 31 days prior to the start of the retreat, you will not receive a refund but instead will receive full credit, towards any other program School of Liminal Arts is hosting in the same calendar year.
No refunds or credits will be given within 30 days of the retreat or if you do not show up for any reason or choose to leave early for any reason.
In the unlikely even that we cancel an event, you’ll be refunded in full. We are not responsible for travel costs.
We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance.
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• Warm and cool clothing options that are easy to move in
• Walking shoes and/or hiking shoes with good ankle support if you plan to hike
• Flashlight
• Toiletries
• Notebook and pen
• Insect repellent and sunscreen
• Bathing suit , river shoes and swimming towel if you wish to dip in the river
• Slippers or indoor shoes if you need them (no shoes are allowed in most meeting spaces)
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If you’re coming from lower altitude, expect a couple of days to adjust to being at high altitude - meaning you might be a bit tired when you first arrive. Valdez is at 7,400 feet above sea level. There are things you can do to prepare and help your body adjust including using chlorophyll extract. Check with a trusted naturopath for tips and dosage. Drinking plenty of water and being sure you have a good mineral balance is also helpful.
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We’ll have a blend of active participation, time to socialize and time to rest. We’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors as well. Our days will start at 9am and go as late as 9am with midday breaks to replenish.
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We’ve hired a local chef to prepare vegetarian food with options available for gluten and dairy intolerance. If you have special dietary needs beyond this, please reach out. You’re welcome to bring what you need to be nourished but we cannot accommodate all dietary restrictions.
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No problem, we got you and will meet you where you’re at.
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Nope. We’ll be entering into altered states through breath, movement, sound and liminal arts practices. We will reserve the right to ask you to leave should you breach this policy.
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We suggest you plan an extra day or two before or after the retreat to check out local hot springs. There are several natural ones close proximity to the retreat. We may even decide to go as a group one of the days we’ll be gathering. TBD.
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We have 2 partial, work trade scholarships available, first come first serve. Email Nico to ask.
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There are loads of airbnbs and hotels in the surrounding area. If you’d like to be connected with other attendees to play car shares and shared accommodations or side trips before or after the retreat, reach out, we’ll connect you.