THE HEART OF FREEDOM   21–27 September 2026 • Montenegro A freedomDANCE lab with Alex Svoboda   Contact Yana +381 65 606 3328   Join us on the beautiful Adriatic coast for a week exploring emotions, authenticity and connection through movement. For seven days, we’ll dance, reflect, rest, swim, laugh, learn and spend time together in one of the most beautiful seasons on the Montenegrin coast. Whether you’re returning to another freedomDANCE retreat or joining your first immersive programme with Alex, The Heart of Freedom offers a rare opportunity to slow down, reconnect with yourself and be part of a supportive community.   WHY COME?   People come to The Heart of Freedom for different reasons. Some come because they already know freedomDANCE and want to immerse themselves in a full week of practice with Alex. Some come because they’re curious about Here I Am, Alex’s signature process that many participants describe as one of the deepest and most transformative experiences in their freedomDANCE journey. Some come because they’re training to become teachers or facilitators and want to deepen their capacity for witnessing and compassionate presence. Others simply come because they long for a week of meaningful movement, beautiful surroundings and genuine human connection. Whatever brings you here, we hope you’ll leave with a more open heart, a deeper connection with yourself, and a greater capacity to be fully present with others.   WHAT MAKES THIS LAB UNIQUE?   At the heart of the week is Here I Am, Alex Svoboda’s signature process in which one person is supported by the witnessing of the group. It is a rare opportunity both to explore your own experience while being held by the focused, non-judgemental witnessing of others and to practise offering that same quality of presence to someone else. Many participants describe Here I Am as one of the deepest and most transformative experiences in their freedomDANCE journey. Alongside Here I Am, we’ll also explore Guest House and From Fear to Love—two complementary approaches to working with emotions through movement. Together, they help us develop the openness, trust and emotional awareness that allow Here I Am to unfold more deeply. Throughout the week, we cultivate one of the most valuable human capacities: the ability to be fully present with whatever another person is going through.   A PLACE TO PRACTISE – AND A PLACE TO REST   We’ll be staying at the Monte Casa SPA & Wellness, a comfortable four-star hotel just a couple of minutes’ walk from the beach in Petrovac. September is the perfect time to experience Montenegro. The summer heat has softened, the sea is still wonderfully warm, the beaches are quieter, and spectacular sunsets and walks through the pine-covered hills provide the perfect setting for rest and reflection. There will be time for deep work in our comfortable dance studio, and there will be time to swim, explore the coastal paths, enjoy the hotel’s wellness centre and simply slow down.   IS THIS LAB FOR YOU?   The Heart of Freedom is designed for people with previous freedomDANCE experience. This week is particularly valuable for aspiring freedomDANCE teachers as well as any coaches, therapists and facilitators who want to deepen their capacity for compassionate presence and witnessing. To join the lab, you’ll normally need at least 20 hours of freedomDANCE practice and previous experience of dancing with Alex. If you don’t yet meet these criteria, please don’t rule yourself out. Depending on your previous experience, it may still be possible to prepare in time for this lab. We’d love to hear from you.   INTERESTED? WANT TO KNOW MORE?   Whether you’re ready to join us or simply wondering whether this lab is right for you, we’d be delighted to hear from you. If you have any questions, or if you’re unsure whether you meet the prerequisites, please contact Yana. She’ll be happy to discuss the lab with you and help you explore the available options. If you’d like to find out more, you can also download the full information pack, which includes prices, travel information, the daily schedule and everything you need to plan your stay https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QrpTO7XageLP0eJiw86mc7duz4FV5gDf/view?usp=drive_link   Contact Yana +381 65 606 3328