**This is the 1 day Post-Festival intensive after the Salt Spring Contact Improvisation Festival**
EARLY BIRD PRICING UNTIL June 4th, 2026!
Load, Spend, Catch & Return: Creating and Recycling Kinetic Forces
An Axis Syllabus Workshop with Kathleen Rhea
A one-day dive into the fundamental movement principles of Axis Syllabus—focusing on how the body organizes through spirals, elasticity, and responsive support.
Expect a blend of anatomical insight that leads to movement explorations in a curiosity-driven environment.
All levels. Please where comfortable cloths. Bring a journal if you want to make notes.
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WHAT IS THE AXIS SYLLABUS?
The Axis Syllabus is a compendium of information relevant to the training, preparation, and performance of the moving human body. The Axis Syllabus refers to physics, anatomy, and relevant scientific data on flexibility, strength, alignment, and injuries. Teachers of the Axis Syllabus use these information-references to inform their own movement choices and practices and to explore the what, where, and, how of efficiency and safe risk-taking. Common-sense applications can be explored that apply information from the Axis Syllabus to all of life's activities as well as specific practices such as climbing, horseback riding, construction work, sports, dance, running, etc. Those who want to be involved in the Axis Syllabus form an international community through the ASRM (The Axis Syllabus Research Meshwork) a dynamic and interactive forum of teachers, researchers, and students.
Kathleen Rhea (Toronto, Can)
Has danced with Canada’s Ballet Jorgen, National Ballet of Canada & Tiroler Landestheater (Austria). She fell in love with contact improvisation 22 years ago & has been involved in the community ever since.
She has choreographed over 40 dance works and has been nominated for 5 DORA awards. Kathleen has a learning disability which means writing takes 6 times longer than average. It is one of life’s mysteries that despite this struggle she loves writing and is a published author (The Healing Dance).
She has autism & works to educate the world about neurodiversity.
She has a Master’s in Expressive Arts with a minor in Psychology. She is a certified teacher of the Axis Syllabus and Buteyko Breathing.
She is the director of REAson d’etre dance, a Toronto not-for-profit dance company that is contact improvisation based and produces a weekly jam, a Film Festival, and dance theatre productions.
Kathleen Rea's Demo Reel
DATES
August, 4th 2026 (10am to 6pm)
Arrival Day: August 3rd (set up camp) after 4pm (NO DINNER SERVED) or you may arrive on site the morning of August 4th.
Departure: by 8pm on August 4th.
if you need to stay overnight for ferry travel, camping is possible for an additional $10/night.
SCHEDULE (Subject to some fine tuning)
8:30-9:30AM BREAKFAST
8:00-9:00AM CDP WITH SELENA
10:00AM-1:00PM MORNING CLASS WITH KATHLEEN
1:00- 4:00PM LUNCH/REST & DIGEST
4:30-6:30PM AFTERNOON CLASS WITH KATHLEEN
7:30-10:00PM SUNSET NIGHT JAM
TRAVEL TO SALT SPRING ISLAND
Travel by air to Vancouver International Airport YVR or Victoria YYJ Airport.
Salt Spring Island is a popular tourist destination. Travel during the summer months can be BUSY! Best to reserve your route as early as possible (reserve your flight or ferry travel).
We will organize a rideshare for those interested. Its also a great way to meet your fellow attendees before the gathering.
If you are coming by foot (i.e. no car) we can organize a pick up for you at the Harbour Air or Ferry terminals if you let us know in advance.
TRAVEL BY AIR from Vancouver YVR Airport (select Richmond YVR Airport) on Harbour Air into Ganges Harbour on Salt SpringIsland. The travel is 35 mins. This can be helpful if traveling to YVR airport already from elsewhere. You will need to transfer to the South Terminal via airport shuttle (free) or taxi (paid) (may take between 15 and 30 mins depending on traffic).
TRAVEL BY SEA on BC Ferries. There are 2 main options:
Travel direct from Tsawwassen ferry terminal to Long Harbour, Salt Spring Island (1 or 2 options daily). The crossing is 40 mins. See schedule here
Travel via Swartz Bay (Victoria)
Tsawwassen ferry terminal to Swartz Bay Terminal (Victoria) This option is available every hour daily. he crossing is 25 mins. See schedule here
THEN TRANSFER
Swartz Bay to Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring Island). This option available every approximately every 2 hrs daily. See schedule here
Travel questions? Please ask! info@rhizomesprings.com
TRAVEL TO RHIZOME SPRINGS ON SALT SPRING ISLAND
We are located in the south end of Salt Spring Island. The road is not paved, but maintained and graded semi frequently. Although it can be rough, most vehicles can drive it without issue. The key is to DRIVE SLOWLY. We will send complete directions upon registration. Questions? info@rhizomesprings.com
Location Details
Salt Spring Island is a small town community (pop ~10,000). The closest store is 20 min drive (Fulford Harbour). The main town, Ganges, is 35 min drive away with a grocery store, ATM, cafes, pharmacy, small hospital and some general supply stores. There are no big box stores and limited amenities on island. The famous Salt Spring Island Saturday Farmers Market has fresh local produce and lots of famous artisanal food and crafts. There are lots of local farm stands selling home made/grown produce, baking, kombucha, soaps, teas, etc.
Tent/Car camping included. Please bring your own gear (tent, sleeping mat/bag). We have some tents/gear for rent (please inquire prior to coming if interested).
Potable water on site. Bring your own water bottle and mug for coffee/tea.
Bring clothes to dress in layers, as the weather is unpredictable. Sometimes cooler nights/mornings and very hot afternoons/eves.
We have showers. Only biodegradable soaps/shampoos please.
The ocean or lake are within a 10 min drive. Sensitive eco systems - no oils/soaps etc.
The land is a sensitive ecosystem and we count on you to respect and honour this by cleaning up after yourself, preserving water, being fauna and flora aware and embodying the animal this land asks for.
Stinging nettle is on the property. Brushing with this is NOT as severe like poison oak. Symptoms are a tingly-burny sensation (like having rubbed against sandpaper) that may last for a few minutes to few hours (depending on your sensitivity).
Bring: headlamp, footwear to meet a rugged landscape, sun hats, sunscreen, layered clothing, water bottle, mug for coffee/tea, journal, pen, tent, sleeping mat, bag, pillow, towel, toiletries.
Food
For this 1 day event, we offer a meal plan for an additional cost if desired. This includes lunch and dinner for $30.
Lunch and dinner lovingly prepared by our dancing resident chefs!
Always available: tea/coffee
If you like to snack during the day, best to bring your own.
We source from local and organic foods as much as possible.
We try our best to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, so please complete the registration to let us know of any dietary needs you have. If your needs are too great we may not be able to accommodate you.
COST
Cost of this 1 day workshop includes classes only.
We offer a sliding scale to help make the cost of entry affordable to a variety of financial capacities. Please consider honestly what you can afford, as this will translate to offer our teachers, facilitators and cooks a reasonable compensation for their years of training and practice. You can pay anywhere along the scale suggested.
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: (until June 15th) CAD$100 - $125
REGULAR PRICE (June 16th onward) CAD $125 - $155
*Meal plan: if you would like lunch and dinner the additional costs is $30.
PAYMENT
To complete registration please send full payment to:
Canadians pay via e-transfer to: info@rhizomesprings.com
Password: RHIZOME
Non-Canadians pay via WISE.com
partial wORK tRADE
We have a limited number of partial work trade spots available. Please inquire to info@rhizomesprings.com
REFUNDS
*50% refund can be made until July 4th
** no refunds after July 4th
***In case of cancellation of the event all receipts will be refunded less $50 admin fee.
the Studio
Classes will take place in the 50-foot diameter dome, with walls open to fresh air and incredible views from Phoenix Domes