International Bodynamic Festival
June 25-29, 2025 – Bodrum Karakaya Retreat
A Perfect Blend of Vacation and Self-Discovery in Bodrum!
The International Bodynamic Festival awaits you in the unique atmosphere of Bodrum from June 25 to 29, 2025!
This festival is not just an event; it offers a unique learning experience filled with workshops focusing on the balance of body, mind, and spirit, as well as a marvelous vacation experience.
With the participation of world-renowned speakers, our festival will open new horizons in the fields of somatic psychology, body therapy, and personal development. These distinguished experts will share their knowledge and experiences with you.
Register now to secure your spot for this unique festival!
- Inspiring Talks: Engage in deep knowledge exchange with leading experts.
- Workshops: Experience-based and practical sessions to enhance bodily awareness.
- Learning in Vacation Mode: Renew and grow amidst Bodrum’s natural beauty.
- Fun Side Events: Enjoy dynamic and entertaining activities while building social connections.
- Panel Discussions: Enlightening conversations on fostering human connection and preserving human dignity.
- The event will be conducted in English, with simultaneous Turkish translation available.
- Your ticket includes a carefully prepared lunch and refreshing coffee breaks.
Bodrum is not only a renowned tourist destination but also a source of inspiration with its unique history and natural beauty. The calming blue waters of the Aegean Sea and the distinctive energy of the region create the perfect setting for both mental and physical transformation.
This festival is not only about sharing knowledge but also about strengthening human connections, nurturing the soul, and creating unforgettable memories. Don’t miss this opportunity to forge new friendships, deepen existing relationships, and reconnect with yourself.
Let’s meet in Bodrum and rediscover both our personal journeys and our bonds with the world. The International Bodynamic Festival 2025 promises to be an unforgettable experience.
🎉 Festival Programı | Festival Schedule

15:30 – 18:30 | Ditte Marcher
Güvensiz Koşullarda Nasıl Güvende Kalınır
How to Stay Safe in Unsafe Conditions
19:00 – 21:00 | Akşam Yemeği
Dinner
21:00 – 23:00 | Music: Tuncay Korkmaz
⸻
08:00 – 09:00 | Thai Chi: Elias Kokkos
Sekiz Hazine: Sağlık İçin Basit ve Derin Egzersizler
Eight Treasures: Simple and Profound Exercises for Health
09:00 – 11:00 | Kahvaltı
Breakfast
11:00 – 14:00
Salon / Hall 1 – Michael Rupp
Bedenlenmiş Kalbin Gücü: Bodynamic ve Doğu Bilgeliğinin Buluşması
The Power of the Embodied Heart: A Meeting of Bodynamic and Eastern Wisdom
Salon / Hall 2 – Ziya Ünlütürk
İçimizdeki Öteki: Hortkuluk
The Other Within: The Horcrux
14:00 – 16:00 | Öğle Yemeği
Lunch
16:00 – 19:00
Salon / Hall 1 – Henrik Heilmann
Otonomi Yapısıyla Neşeyi ve Gücü Geri Kazanmak
Reclaiming Joy and Power through the Autonomy Structure
Salon / Hall 2 – Sarah Cornish
Bodynamic perspektifinden Konumlanma ve Enerji Yönetimi aracılığıyla kendini savunmayı öğrenmek.
Standing up for yourself through the bodynamic lens of Positioning and Energy Management
19:00 – 21:00 | Akşam Yemeği
Dinner
21:00 – 23:00 | Music: Özgür Baba & Gökçe Es
⸻
08:00 – 09:00
Salon / Hall 1 – Thai Chi: Elias Kokkos
Salon / Hall 2 – Yoga: Çelen Arıman
09:00 – 11:00 | Kahvaltı
Breakfast
11:00 – 14:00
Salon / Hall 1 – Kalliopi Zorzou
Bedenimizdeki İç Çocukla Buluşmak
Meeting the Inner Child Within Our Body
Salon / Hall 2 – Berivan Aslan Sungur
Anatomi – Kas, İskelet Sistemi ve Fasyayı Tanımak
Anatomy – Recognizing Muscle, Skeletal System and Fascia
14:00 – 16:00 | Öğle Yemeği
Lunch
16:00 – 19:00
Salon / Hall 1 – Inna Gavriluk
Merkezinde Kalmak: Bedende Merkezlenme Sanatı
Being at Your Center: The Art of Centering in the Body
Salon / Hall 2 – Gülben Ersöz (16:00 – 17:20)
Sınırlar: Sınırlarımızla güvende ve bağlantıda kalmak
Boundaries: Creating safety and connection through boundaries.
Salon / Hall 2 – Fatma Tosuntaş (17:40 – 19:00)
Desteği Bedenselleştirmek
Embodying Support
19:00 – 21:00 | Akşam Yemeği
Dinner
21:00 – 23:00 | Music: Mason Töryen
⸻
⸻
08:00 – 09:00
Salon / Hall 1 – Thai Chi: Elias Kokkos
Salon / Hall 2 – Yoga: Ceyda Fatma Saltadal
09:00 – 11:00 | Kahvaltı
Breakfast
11:00 – 14:00 | Lisbeth Marcher
Beden ve Spiritüel Alan: Terapistlerin Her İkisini de Anlaması Neden Gereklidir?
The Body and the Spiritual Field: Why Is It Essential for Therapists to Understand Both?
14:00 – 16:00 | Öğle Yemeği
Lunch
16:00 – 19:00
Salon / Hall 1 – Mar Barroso
Suçluluğun Kilidini Açmak
Unlocking the Guilt: How the Body Helps Us Release What the Mind Can’t
Salon / Hall 2 – Zeynep Sevil Güven
19:00 – 21:00 | Akşam Yemeği
Dinner
21:00 – 23:00 | Lisbeth’in Doğum Günü
Lisbeth’s Birthday
Music: Ecstatic Dance – Mason Töryen
⸻
08:00 – 09:00 | Ceyda Fatma Saltadal
Bodynamic Temelli Partner Yoga
Partner Yoga with Fundamental Principles of Bodynamic
09:00 – 11:00 | Kahvaltı
Breakfast
11:00 – 14:00
Salon / Hall 1 – Kalliopi Zorzou & Nanaya Liv Steno
Duyuların Bedenlenmesi: Bedenin Bilgeliğine Yolculuk
Embodying the Senses: A Journey into the Wisdom of the Body
Salon / Hall 2 – Feride Gürsoy
14:00 – 16:00 | Öğle Yemeği
Lunch
16:00 – 18:30 | Soru-Cevap: Lisbeth Marcher & Ditte Marcher
Q&A: Lisbeth Marcher & Ditte Marcher
18:30 – 19:00 | Kapanış
Closing
Ditte Marcher
Michael Rupp
Henrik Heilmann
Inna Gavriluk
Kalliopi Zorzou
Nanaya Liv Steno
Elias Kokkos
Devani Dilek
Feride Gürsoy
Zeynep Sevil Güven
Berivan Aslan Sungur
Ziya Ünlütürk
Sarah Cornish
Gülben Ersöz
Fatma Tosuntaş
Yeşim Işıklar
Çelen Arıman
Serap Gülşen
Ceyda Fatma Saltadal
In this special lecture, Lisbeth Marcher—founder of the Bodynamic system—will guide us through a profound exploration of the spiritual aspects of human experience, and why they are essential for every therapist to understand. You will be introduced to the different fields within us—emotional, psychological, physical… and spiritual. Some fields may seem more obviously spiritual, others less so—but each one holds a spiritual component. Through this lecture, you will: * Discover how true spiritual development is only possible when you are fully present in your physical body. * Be introduced to a clear model that explains the different levels of energy and awareness within us. * Learn why embodiment is essential—and why bypassing or skipping steps through substances or techniques is not a sustainable path to spiritual growth. * Gain a deeper understanding of how this model can support your own personal development and your work with clients. This is an invitation to rethink what it means to be “spiritual”—not as something outside or above, but as something deeply rooted within the body. Open to all therapists, coaches, and seekers who want to expand their understanding of body-based spirituality.
Introductory workshop to learn the fundamental tools for addressing coding, developmental trauma, shock, PTSD, and complex PTSD. We will explore the distinctions between these conditions within the human system, highlighting the importance of accurate assessment for effective intervention. Over these four days, you will gain a deeper understanding of these concepts and develop essential skills for creating effective interventions for individuals affected by coding, developmental trauma, PTSD, complex PTSD, or those in a state of shock. The workshop will incorporate lectures, demonstrations, and practical exercises to facilitate comprehensive learning.
The Power of the Embodied Heart, A synthesis of the Bodynamic method and insights from Eastern Wisdom Traditions In many ways, living our full human potential means living a life from the heart. A powerful heart gives us the courage and strength to act decisively. Being heartful is about expressing our affection and love openly without fearing how others might react. Accordingly, our heart presence will determine our ability to relate to others in a deep and meaningful way. If our “heart is not in it,” then something or someone doesn’t truly touch us. This also means that when we close and protect our hearts too much, we cannot fully come into contact. We cannot really trust. Relationships will remain superficial and will not satisfy us in any true, emotional, or lasting way. But what makes a heart strong? And how can we truly meet others from our hearts? We are often afraid of our own emotions and heart feelings. Our heart presence and emotional capacity depend greatly on our physical heart space, meaning the chest, the muscles around the chest, and our back. Also, the way we breathe, especially with our diaphragm. A tense, rigid, and contracted heart space will restrict our breathing and prevent a natural flow of emotions. In the extreme, this can become like armor, hard and impenetrable, completely locking our heart in. In this state, the world becomes a colder place, and people are seen more as objects than felt as humans. On the other extreme, if our heart or heart space is too open, we become too vulnerable. In this version, the heart lacks physical containment and backup (the container muscles around our heart space are too slack). When we start loving somebody, it feels like losing our heart to them. This is further aggravated by typically pulling the pelvis back and thus disconnecting from our belly center, which helps us stay rooted in ourselves. Instead of giving FROM our heart, we end up weakened, dependent, and feeling deprived. In this workshop, we will work on empowering our heart by learning to manage our emotions (accept, contain, and express appropriately) in contact with other people in the group. Furthermore, we will develop more awareness around opening or closing our heart in specific relations and situations. To this end, we will use specific techniques and exercises from Bodynamic and Sufism to work on our heart space and breathing, as well as strengthening the connection between our heart and pelvis. An embodied heart has the transformative force we need to live a fuller, truly spiritual life. Learn to trust the power of your embodied heart and follow its wisdom! “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” —Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince
Be at the center of yourself. The ego function of Centering is one of the four basic ego functions in Bodynamics. Centering is talked about in all spiritual practices, martial arts, and healing practices without exception. The concept of Centering is extraordinarily deep and comprehensive. Everything in the world – from a molecule and a cell to galaxies – has a center. Man is no exception. Although… no, man is an exception, because unlike molecules, cells and galaxies, man can “lose his center (or himself)”, “become “empty” or move his center outside his body. How do you stay connected to yourself when life or relationship pulls you off balance? In this experiential workshop, we’ll explore Сentering as a core function of the human ego — not just a mental state, but a felt physical presence in the body. We’ll look at how centering relates to Grounding (connection to the earth, the present, and your body) and Boundaries (your capacity to say yes or no, to make contact without losing yourself). Through body-based exercises, guided movement, and partner work, you’ll develop tools to: – Recognize your physical center and return to it under pressure – Feel and express clear, embodied boundaries – Ground yourself in moments of overwhelm or disconnection – Navigate contact with others while staying anchored in yourself The workshop includes a short theory lecture, practical exercises, and a live demo. Whether you’re a therapist, somatic practitioner, or curious about embodiment, this workshop offers skills you can use in both your personal and professional life. **No prior experience with bodywork is needed. Come as you are — comfortable clothing recommended. *
The Inner Child in the Body Inside each of us lives a part that remembers what it was like to be a child—times of play, wonder, confusion, pain, and vulnerability. These memories aren’t just in our minds, in our memory—they live in our bodies. We also carry a joyful, curious, playful inner child. This part of us feels alive when we experience fun, freedom, curiosity, connection, dignity, confidence, and hope. It’s the part that helped us survive, despite any difficulties or traumas, the part that kept us going. As one of the core archetypes, the child archetype is the symbol of hope and transformation. In this 3-hour workshop, we’ll use Bodynamic tools to gently invite this child to come forward. We won't try to analyze or fix anything. Instead, we’ll meet this part of ourselves with kindness, curiosity, and care. Through movement and creative exercises, we’ll explore the parts of our body that might hold this inner child—especially the parts that have been forgotten, hidden, or silenced. We’ll give them space to be seen, felt, and expressed. Together, we will play, move, and reconnect with the full, vibrant child that still lives within us. Facilitator: Kalliopi Zorzou, is a Bodynamic International teacher…..
Embodying the Senses: A journey into the Wisdom of Your Body. An experiential introduction to Bodynamic. Facilitators: Kalliopi Zorzou & Nanaya Liv Steno Welcome to a workshop where curiosity leads and your senses get to take center stage. In this 3-hour session, you will be invited to slow down and tune in. Through simple, grounded exercises and mindful attention, we’ll explore the five senses – sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell – in ways that help you reconnect with your body and the world around you. Using Bodynamic approach, we will look at how the body carries our experiences and shape how we relate to ourselves and others. The exercises are designed with care, offering space to explore each sense on its own, and also how they work together – influencing your emotions, creativity, and relationships. Our senses are how we meet the world, but we often move too fast to really notice them. Here, you will have the time to listen fully, see with more clarity, taste with presence, and feel in your body in new and meaningful ways. Whether you are looking for personal growth, a deeper sense of embodiment, implement in your work as therapists, or simply having a fresh inner experience, this workshop offers a safe and welcoming space to explore. Come as you are – open, curious, and ready to let your senses guide you home. About facilitators: Nanaya is from Denmark and Kalliopi from Greece. They are both Bodynamic educational therapists, International teachers, Educational supervisors, trained in dealing with PTSD, Re-Orientation of birth, and have been in the Bodynamic system for many years, keep on being fascinated by it, and they continue on deepening into it, coming up with ideas implementing them in their work.
EIGHT SIMPLE EXERCISES FOR HEALTH It’s a set of eight simple exercises, very popular in China, that promotes mainly health, but it has also complementary effects regarding the spirituality, body centering, rooting/grounding etc. Though that the exercises are very simple and easy to learn, the theory behind it is very profound and belongs to the great Chinese tradition of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with acupuncture, Qi Gong exercises etc. That’ s why these exercises are known under the name of Eight Treasures. The eight exercises set goes back to the dynasty of Song in China (960-1279). Every movement was created by imitating the natural instinctive reactions and movements that people make when they feel discomfort or pain. This set is called also Eight Pieces of Brocade and since its creation countless Qi Gong healing exercises were developed following the basic exercises of the original set. It is called brocade because brocade is a shining and beautiful cloth. When you practice these exercises regularly and correctly, it is just like you have added a shining and beautiful life force to your body. About Elias Kokkos Has been practicing Law for more than 40 years, is a Tai-Chi teacher/Practitioner, Wing-Chung Practitioner, has participated in Wind-Surfing races in Greece and has been practicing Kitesurf.
Have you ever noticed yourself swinging between over-compliance and stubborn resistance in daily life or relationships? Do you find it hard to say “yes” from the heart—or to say “no” without guilt? These are often signs of unresolved themes in the Autonomy Character Structure, a crucial developmental stage shaped between 8 months and 2½ years of age.
In this experiential workshop, senior Bodynamic trainer Henrik Heilmann invites you into a deep exploration of the Autonomy Structure—how it lives in your body today, how it may be subtly shaping your adult behavior, and how to work with it to reclaim both joy and authentic personal power.
Through a combination of theory, embodied exercises, and guided self-reflection, you will:
Understand the developmental roots of autonomy, and how unresolved dynamics can show up in everyday adult life—personally and professionally.
Discover specific muscles and movement patterns tied to autonomy in the Bodynamic system and learn how to activate or regulate them to restore balance.
Experience body-based tools to set energetic and physical boundaries, express your authentic impulses, and connect with others without losing yourself.
Gain practical exercises and tools you can use immediately in your personal life and therapeutic or coaching practice.
Whether you are a therapist, caregiver, coach, or simply on a journey of personal development, this workshop offers an opportunity to embody a more playful, empowered, and self-connected version of yourself—one that can move more freely between “yes” and “no,” and find real joy in everyday autonomy.
Come ready to move, reflect, and reconnect with your inner spark.