Current Workshops
Space is limited; please pre-register early.
Light and Shadow ~ June 13-14, 2026
A 5Rhythms® Waves Workshop with Julie Plotkin
As we approach the energy of the Summer Solstice, in combination with the New Moon energy, this potent time is perfect for exploring the theme of Light and Shadow. In this 5Rhythms® workshop, we’ll gather in a safe and sacred container to dance in the energy of the collective field, and explore the dance between what is being illuminated and what is unseen, within us. On Saturday evening, we will move beneath the open sky with silent disco headphones, letting the elements of nature hold us in an outdoor dance, with a ceremonial beginning and a ritual fire ending, then journey inward through a rich, embodied exploration indoors on Sunday. This is an invitation to embrace the potential of a deeply transformative experience—one that honours the polarities of your light and your shadow, and the powerful energy that emerges when they are welcomed together.
Date/Time: Saturday, June 13th: 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Sunday, June 14th: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Location: Saturday evening: Mission Point, Davis Bay (outdoors)*
Sunday: Granthams Hall, Gibsons (indoors)
Investment: $175 – $195 sliding scale, payable via e-transfer: plotkin.julie@gmail.com
*In the event of rain on June 13th, the evening session will take place in Grantham’s Hall, Gibsons.
Light and Shadow on Texada Island ~ June 27th, 2026
A 5Rhythms® Waves Workshop with Julie Plotkin
With the energy of the Summer Solstice at our backs, combined with the Full Moon energy, this potent time is perfect for exploring the theme of Light and Shadow. In this workshop, we’ll gather in a safe and sacred container to explore the Shadow map of the 5Rhythms® – the dance between what is illuminated and what remains unseen, within each of us and within the collective field. The day will be a deep journey through a rich, embodied exploration of the polarities we hold within our bodies, hearts, minds, and spirits. This is an invitation to embrace the potential of a deeply transformative experience—one that honours the powerful energy that emerges when both our light and our shadow are welcomed.
Registration will include an outdoor sunset session on Friday, June 26th, weather permitting. The evening session can also be attended as a single drop-in class for $20.
No prior experience needed. Come with curiosity, openness, and a desrie to express yourself through authentic movement.
Date: Saturday, June 27th,
Time: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: Texada Community Hall
Investment: $75 – $125 e-transfer to: plotkin.julie@gmail.com
A workshop is an invitation to deepen your practice.
Workshops are rich, inspiring, often transformative experiences. They provide an opportunity to experience the 5Rhythms® in a more in-depth way, using a variety of tools. A workshop creates a safe container for participants to become intimate and vulnerable with each other, which lays the groundwork for rich, meaningful experiences. Workshops are not for the faint of heart – they are designed for those who have a willingness to peel back layers of themselves, and explore authentic movement in a committed way; to show up exactly how they are and be honest with themselves and the group.
The length and type of workshop has endless possibilities. Workshops can be 5 days or even longer; they can be residential retreats, or not. Workshops can also be done on-line, via Zoom. Workshops can be a 5 or 6-week series (in person or on-line). Let’s get creative together, and plan a workshop in your community!
A workshop is an invitation to deepen your practice.
Workshops are rich, inspiring, often transformative experiences. They provide an opportunity to experience the 5Rhythms® in a more in-depth way, using a variety of tools. A workshop creates a safe container for participants to become intimate and vulnerable with each other, which lays the groundwork for rich, meaningful experiences. Workshops are not for the faint of heart – they are designed for those who have a willingness to peel back layers of themselves, and explore authentic movement in a committed way; to show up exactly how they are and be honest with themselves and the group.
The length and type of workshop has endless possibilities. Workshops can be 5 days or even longer; they can be residential retreats, or not. Workshops can also be done on-line, via Zoom. Workshops can be a 5 or 6-week series (in person or on-line). Let’s get creative together, and plan a workshop in your community!
If you are interested in hosting a workshop in your area, please get in touch! I love travelling, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sample Workshops
Half-Day ~ Typically runs around 3-4 hours, a half-day workshop offers an opportunity to go deeper into your dance then a typical class. The afternoon may be focused around a theme, and will involve a lot of embodiment (dancing). In addition to dancing one or two full Waves, some time will likely be spent in partnership and small group exercises.
Full Day ~ Typically runs for 7 hours, a full day workshop is a deep dive into the 5Rhythms® practice. In addition to embodiment of the rhythms, a full day workshop will involve some other modalities such as meditation, art, journaling, witnessing circles, and sharing circles, to name a few. A substantial break will be given for nourishment.
Full Weekend ~ Typically runs Friday evening, full days Saturday and Sunday. The longer the workshop time, the deeper the experience. A weekend workshop explores a theme using a variety of tools and techniques, which may include meditation, journaling, witnessing circles and unique experiences such as ‘ritual theatre’, silent meditations, and time outdoors in nature.
Past Workshops & Retreats
Belonging – Heartbeat Workshop – Gibsons, BC, May 2023
Tending the Heart – Heartbeat Workshop – Gibsons, BC, October 2023
Dancing with the Elements – via Zoom, 2021
Dancing with the Shadows – via Zoom, 2021
Roberts Creek Elementary School (Staff) – Wellness Committee, 2021
Unfurl – Silent Disco workshop, Sechelt, BC + Cortes Island, BC, 2021
Moving with Change – Silent Disco workshop, Comox Valley, BC, 2021
Connections – Comox Valley, BC, 2019
Enough – Sunshine Coast, BC, 2019
Empower + Resource – Kelowna + Powell River, BC, 2018
Rites of Spring (with Bettina Rothe) – Sunshine Coast, BC, 2018
Yoga By the Sea – Teacher Training Program, Sunshine Coast, BC, 2018; 2017
Fire Within – Sunshine Coast + Squamish, BC, 2017
Sunshine Coast Yoga Festival – Porpoise Bay Provincial Park, BC, 2017
Connections – Kelowna, BC, 2016
everyWoman Retreat – Whistler, BC, 2015
This was my first weekend workshop of 5Rhythms®. I found Julie’s guidance very clear and grounded. Her love for this work and long experience with it was very inspiring, and was tangibly transmitted throughout the weekend. Her calm presence and ability to hold the space created a safe container to push my comfort zones, let go, drop out of my head, and explore the inner and outer connections through 5Rhythms®. Thank You! ~ Ronela
Just want to say a heartfelt thank you for the gift you facilitated this weekend. It was powerful and a much-needed step in my journey. Years of therapy could not access the depth of a broken aspect of myself, which the dance did. And then, the dance gave me a way to begin healing the brokenness. There is a joy waiting in the wings to take its place. May you be blessed as you continue your good work. ~ Lisa