My journey into holistic health began as I trained as a naturopath and herbalist and later as a yoga teacher. In the last years since living on land on growing and foraging medicines I have focused on sharing workshops of herbal medicine through Herbal yoga, intuitive and sensory herbalism. I have shared at festivals in the UK and am part of holding retreats in the South of Spain. I also organise and facilitate women’s circles in central Portugal. My passion is to connect and empower the connection of others with the herbal world, with the humble and often forgotten herbs that are growing around us, that go unseen in their powers to heal us, often in such a subtle way of connecting us to deep aspects of ourselves. Inspiring deeper connections with the plants and ourselves, each connection with a plant is very individual process, that will be different for each person.
In terms of women’s circles, my passion is bringing these ancient practises of sitting as women in circle back to life, to honour our anchestors the ones who did and the ones who couldn’t. To provide a safe space for women to be heard and seen and witnessed in their authenticity and vulnerabilities. This is a beautiful thing to bring to a festival to encourage deep connection and safety in sisterhood.
Rita Vilhena is a choreographer, performer and dance researcher. She has been working and developing with Contact Improvisation since 2002. She created the platforms Baila Louca improvisation and performance (NL), Partícula Extravagante (PT), and the experimental stage Partícula no Açúcar (PT). She is a researcher in the Performance and Cognition Group -ICNOVA.
Exploring Movement through the Vagus Nerve
In this workshop, we will explore Contact Improvisation through the lens of the parasympathetic nervous system, with a special focus on the vagus nerve—a key player in our body’s ability to regulate relaxation, connection, and presence.
By tuning into the body’s capacity for deep listening, release, and co-regulation, we will engage with movement principles that emerge from a state of parasympathetic activation—dropping weight, yielding, spiraling, and responding fluidly rather than reacting habitually.
Through guided explorations, touch-based exercises, and improvisational scores, we will:
– Investigate how breath, physical alignment, and focus shape our capacity for movement and connection.
– Use somatic practices to access states of ease, resilience, and relational responsiveness.
– Explore how contact improvisation can be a tool for nervous system attunement, allowing for trust, adaptability, and creative flow in physical dialogue.
@pramod.miguel.bento@pramod.encontros.do.umbigo
Pramod Miguel Bento, author of Encontros do Umbigo.
A dancer, father, lover, partner and friend. Works as a bioenergetic body psychotherapist. Graduated in Bioenergetics at Centro Namastê in Porto Alegre, where he lived and worked. Also studied at the Humaniversity Therapeutic Center, in the Netherlands.
He draws inspiration from Osho and his own experience with ancestral tribes and practices. Teaches and learns Osho Dynamic Meditation, Martial Arts and Contact Improvisation since ever!
He led the foundation of several Dance-Theater-Performance schools, CEM, SOU and EVOE. Likewise, co-founded BIOTribe, a professional association and a center for Bioenergetic Therapy and International Meditation. Since 2000, he has focused on Encontros do Umbigo.
The Encontros do Umbigo | Bellybutton Encounters concept. What is it?
“An encounter exists when there is intention and at least two presences, it is impractical when two absences try to find something on the other side where nothing exists. In my work I see myself as an activator of doors that you can choose to open and look deeper within yourself with honesty. My purpose is to tell my personal story, to show you what I can do, inviting you to join me so we can walk part of the path together, growing with it. for you!” (Pramod Miguel Bento)
This concept results from Pramod’s personal experience and life, today the work that supports his intention focuses on the regular practice of individual Bioenergetics sessions, complemented by the Osho Active Meditation School , bioenergetics group work and Humaniversity’s social active meditation and finally the retreats 2 to 3 times a year gathering all the work in an intensive format and an intense dive into ourselves.
Martial Arts, dance improvisation and contact improvisation emerge as Pramod’s creative manifestation, still implemented in the practice of Easy Motion. Which will be your own creation? Come and discover, joining our journey of personal discovery for as long as you want!
More to be announced
