Next Forestdance Gathering:
•August 13-17, 2025 at Camp Timber Trails, MA
Stay tuned for details!
Our facilitators, teachers, and everyone present guide our journey, where we reignite our inspiration, access and reclaim our own core, connect to nature, and expand our heart awareness.
This beautiful gathering has shaped community. It has reignited passions for so many talented people, reclaiming inspiration, and has shown an alternative way to co-exist. Thank you for showing up and bringing your magic & medicine.
Our facilitators, teachers, and everyone present guide our journey, where we reignite our inspiration, access and reclaim our own core, connect to nature, and expand our heart awareness.
This beautiful gathering has shaped community. It has reignited passions for so many talented people, reclaiming inspiration, and has shown an alternative way to co-exist. Thank you for showing up and bringing your magic & medicine.
Registration is not currently open.
Many of us have been moved by music, art and dance. Something happens when we “lose” ourselves for a while on the dance floor. Bliss, ecstasy, frustrations come and move, and sometimes we break through something. We break through the voices we carry that sometimes say: we are tired, we are not beautiful, we are not whole.
This model is designed to cultivate our energy together. It is designed to be in service together and to create an atmosphere for deep listening, where the musicians, which can include all of us, are swept up together in the energy that moves through the circle. Through the timeless action of circling the fire, and connecting in various creative ways, in part from the pulsing of moving closer to music and away, and closer and away, there is a breaking away of the armor. The pieces we who were born sensitive people need to cope day to day, come down and we begin to expand and open.
In this expanded place of service, we remember how much more capable we are. We call ourselves back to a presence we did not even realize we were missing. Our connections to our hearts come back to us. Our acceptance of our bodies comes back to us. Gratitude for our minds comes back to us. A genuine caring for others comes back to us. A connection to the other living creatures around us is remembered.
I can share stories of singing together, of brewing teas on the root fire, of dancing through sweat, of tears, laughter, truths being spoken, and of people sharing wisdom, of rattling for one another in the space, and of spontaneous words to new chants moving the group. I can write about epic dawns of deep peace, with renewed faith in humanity, and in ourselves. But even then, there are the pieces left untold in relation to the Unseen beliefs of what is happening. What I can say is that we look to make something Whole from something Broken. We honor our Ancestors. And we aim to embody in service, to be animated as divine beings between Sky and Earth. For this small amount of time together, we agree to take risks to explore all that we may be capable of. Our dance is a healing ceremony, a rite of passage, and an honoring of all that we are.
– Jason Cohen –
Through insights gained at Forestdance, some have found the confidence to find a new path for their creative expression; some have entered into new leadership roles in their community, and some have been able to let go of traumatic experiences that had limited their lives.
I join others at the perimeter around the sacred circle in silence, the unlit fire at the center giving a focus for our attention. I practice reverence. The opening ceremony begins. Some words happen, some sounds, some movement, and now I am walking around the new flames, hearing the voices around me chant a sweet melody.
Drums, dancing, celebration. It comes in waves, the energy reaching an ecstatic peak then gently receding, making way for another beautiful song. Sometimes it meets me where I am, and I revel in it. Sometimes I’m not feeling it and I shake a rattle to support the others. I listen to the stories people share in the quiet moments. Vignettes really, or even just a single phrase. Some are difficult to receive; the words are raw. My heart goes out to those brave enough to share. I notice how gently they are supported in the circle, and I wonder if I am that brave.
At some point I notice the graying of the Eastern sky. The circle has thinned. I get it; there were some times I was close to calling it a night, when I didn’t feel connected to the circle, or when I just felt tired. This hint of dawn gives me fresh resolve to hang on until we close.
In the growing light I take a fresh look at the faces of the people around me. Some have shared sweet songs, some difficult memories, some anger, some gratitude. Some people I have come to know by the unique energy of their movement, some by a thoughtful expression touched by firelight. To all of them my heart opens. In a few short hours they have become my family. I love them for their humanity, for their vulnerability, for their beautiful imperfections.
After we close, I make my way back to my sleeping bag, heart wide open, filled with gratitude.
Frequently Asked Questions
Camp Timber Trails
The opening Orientation is very important to set the parameters for the container and to bring the group into alignment. Attending Wednesday’s Orientation is required. If you have attended Forestdance before, attending Orientation is still very helpful to the group. If you are unable to arrive during Registration time, and you have attended Forestdance before, please contact register@heartbeatcollective.org to arrange your late arrival time.
- preparing the fire circle each night
- refilling tiki torches
- refilling the water/dish stations
- fire tending
- families and allies (everyone who brings children serves on this service team)
There are many reasons for this. We will be engaging in the process of fine-tuning ourselves, rather than doing anything that will remove us from one another or tune us out from our own greatest subtleties. In our experience, we have everything we need to attain incredible heightened states of consciousness without the aid of any altering substances.
Furthermore, the ability to retain the experience and integrate it into our daily lives is far more sustainable without altering ourselves. Our sacred circle model offers an opportunity to step into an environment that truly holds us in the highest vision of ourselves. For us the vision holds a space in which we are authentic about addiction in relation to habitual mind-altering substances. Also, others that walk with addiction or engage in habitual drug use are far more likely to partake if folks around them are offering or are carrying a vibration in which they are partying.
During the all-night Fire Circle process it is often difficult to achieve a place of true openness. The sense of a barrier or a wall is a common result. However, with continued participation and service within the circle, breaking through to a place of empowered embodiment will happen. Thank you for respecting these boundaries.
If you are not staying in a cabin, you will need to bring your own tent.
Some years we open up cabins for all attendees. Stay tuned, the ticket page will clearly denote our cabin/bed policy.
Bring a towel. Bring poems and any musical instrument and a song or three for the Bardic Circle. Consider contributing anything you would like to offer to the community or lending anything to an altar, such as sage, candles, something to burn sage in, seashells, feathers, crystals, etc. Something that represents your ancestors like a photo or one of their belongings.
If possible, please bring food and snacks for the food/community altar. These we are offering to each other as sustenance for the all-night circles. Aim for healthy and nourishing items, though chocolate-covered espresso beans do tend to disappear quickly. Please bring eco-friendly toiletries and your own towel. Sometimes there will be a Gifting Circle at the end of the gathering so please bring something to give away to the community if you feel so called. This can be as simple as a shell or a story. The Gifting Circle can be quite an amazing experience.
For inside the Fire Circle: Drums, rattles (so important), and other percussion such as cowbells. Instruments other than drums and percussion are welcome in the sacred circle, but their use must be discussed beforehand with a facilitator after Forestdance Orientation. Chants, songs, masks, costumes and elaborate clothing are welcome, as are body and face paint and your intentions. (What would you choose to manifest in your life and for your life?)
Here is a checklist: Costuming, masks, towel, Walking shoes, Tent, sleeping bag, bedding, Battery-operated alarm clock, Flashlight, Earplugs, Natural bug repellent, Sunscreen, Rain cover, Bathing suit, Towel, Eco-conscious toiletries, your medications if you need any, Water bottle, Your own cups and bowls labeled with your name, utensils, Nesting blanket/Ground cover to sit on, Snacks for the food altar, Ziplock bags, Instruments, Drums, Shakers, rattles, extra ones too for the percussion altar, Decorations for the altars, Massage oils and tables, Clear intentions for shaping our reality, something that represents your ancestors
Bring a Bicycle and a good Headlamp; it’s a large site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Verdenergia, Costa Rica
The opening Orientation is very important to set the parameters for the container and to bring the group into alignment. Attending Wednesday’s Orientation is required. If you have attended Forestdance before, attending Orientation is still very helpful to the group. If you are unable to arrive during Registration time, and you have attended Forestdance before, please contact register@heartbeatcollective.org to arrange your late arrival time.
- preparing the fire circle each night
- refilling tiki torches
- refilling the water/dish stations
- fire tending
- families and allies (everyone who brings children serves on this service team)
There are many reasons for this. We will be engaging in the process of fine-tuning ourselves, rather than doing anything that will remove us from one another or tune us out from our own greatest subtleties. In our experience, we have everything we need to attain incredible heightened states of consciousness without the aid of any altering substances.
Furthermore, the ability to retain the experience and integrate it into our daily lives is far more sustainable without altering ourselves. Our sacred circle model offers an opportunity to step into an environment that truly holds us in the highest vision of ourselves. For us the vision holds a space in which we are authentic about addiction in relation to habitual mind-altering substances. Also, others that walk with addiction or engage in habitual drug use are far more likely to partake if folks around them are offering or are carrying a vibration in which they are partying.
During the all-night Fire Circle process it is often difficult to achieve a place of true openness. The sense of a barrier or a wall is a common result. However, with continued participation and service within the circle, breaking through to a place of empowered embodiment will happen. Thank you for respecting these boundaries.
If you are not staying in a cabin, you will need to bring your own tent.
Some years we open up cabins for all attendees. Stay tuned, the ticket page will clearly denote our cabin/bed policy.
Bring a towel. Bring poems and any musical instrument and a song or three for the Bardic Circle. Consider contributing anything you would like to offer to the community or lending anything to an altar, such as sage, candles, something to burn sage in, seashells, feathers, crystals, etc. Something that represents your ancestors like a photo or one of their belongings.
If possible, please bring food and snacks for the food/community altar. These we are offering to each other as sustenance for the all-night circles. Aim for healthy and nourishing items, though chocolate-covered espresso beans do tend to disappear quickly. Please bring eco-friendly toiletries and your own towel. Sometimes there will be a Gifting Circle at the end of the gathering so please bring something to give away to the community if you feel so called. This can be as simple as a shell or a story. The Gifting Circle can be quite an amazing experience.
For inside the Fire Circle: Drums, rattles (so important), and other percussion such as cowbells. Instruments other than drums and percussion are welcome in the sacred circle, but their use must be discussed beforehand with a facilitator after Forestdance Orientation. Chants, songs, masks, costumes and elaborate clothing are welcome, as are body and face paint and your intentions. (What would you choose to manifest in your life and for your life?)
Here is a checklist: Costuming, masks, towel, Walking shoes, Tent, sleeping bag, bedding, Battery-operated alarm clock, Flashlight, Earplugs, Natural bug repellent, Sunscreen, Rain cover, Bathing suit, Towel, Eco-conscious toiletries, your medications if you need any, Water bottle, Your own cups and bowls labeled with your name, utensils, Nesting blanket/Ground cover to sit on, Snacks for the food altar, Ziplock bags, Instruments, Drums, Shakers, rattles, extra ones too for the percussion altar, Decorations for the altars, Massage oils and tables, Clear intentions for shaping our reality, something that represents your ancestors
Bring a Bicycle and a good Headlamp; it’s a large site.
- Hostel in the Forest, Brunswick, Georgia. Nov 2003 (Harmonic Concordance)
- Hostel in the Forest, Brunswick, Georgia Nov 2004
- Our Haven, French Lick, Indiana summer 2005
- Earthlands, Petersham, MA summer 2005
- Deerfields, NC summer 2006
- Our Haven, French Lick, Indiana summer 2006
- Circle Sanctuary, Barnevald, Wisconsin summer 2006
- Earthlands, Petersham MA summer 2006
- Earthlands, Petersham, MA summer 2007
- Home Farm, San Salvador, Costa Rica Feb 2008
- Earthlands, Petersham MA summer 2008
- Home Farm, San Salvador, Costa Rica Feb 2009
- Earthlands, Petersham MA summer 2009
- Home Farm, San Salvador, Costa Rica Feb 2010
- Earthlands, Petersham, MA Summer 2010
- Finca Amrta, Pedrogosita, Costa Rica February 2011
- Earthlands, Petersham, MA Summer 2011
- Finca Amrta, Pedrogosita, Costa Rica February 2012
- Earthlands, Petersham, MA Summer 2012
- Selva Armonia, Uvita, Costa Rica February 2013
- Mathis Branch Rd. Cosby, TN June 2013
- Camp L New England, Lebanon CT Summer 2013
- Costa Rica Selva Armonia’ Winter 2014
- Camp Yankee Trails Tolland, CT Summer 2014
- Verdenergia, Lanas de Puriscal, Costa Rica 2015
- Camp Yankee Trails, Tolland, CT 2015 Micah is born
- Verdenergia, Lanas de Puriscal, Costa Rica 2016
- Camp Yankee Trails, Tolland, CT 2016
- Verdenergia, Lanas de Puriscal, Costa Rica 2017
- Camp Timber Trails, Tolland, MA end of summer, 2017
- The Garden Retreat, Green Mountain, NC Indigenous People’s Day 2017
- Verdenergia, Lanas de Puriscal, February, Costa Rica 2018
- Camp Timber Trails, Tolland, MA 2018
- Verdenergia, Lanas de Puriscal, Costa Rica February, 2019
- Camp Timber Trails, Tolland, MA end of Summer 2019
- Vida by Selina, Puntarenas, Costa Rica March, 2020
- MA Camp Timber Trails, Tolland, MA Aug. 2021
- Camp Timber Trails, Tolland, MA Labor Day Weekend, 2022
- Camp Timber Trails, Tolland, MA June 14th-18th, 2023
- Verdenergia, Lanas de Puriscal, Costa Rica January, 2023
Forestdance is brought to you by the HeARTbeat Collective, Inc. 501(c)(3) organization.
The HeARTbeat Collective Mission: We are united by the common cause of creating and supporting diverse and inclusive gatherings, workshops, and events that inspire and educate people through the healing and expressive arts, with a focus on healthy and sustainable relations to the earth and one another.
Registration is not currently open.
The HeARTbeat Collective thanks the Mass Cultural Council for their generous support and funding.