Biodanza Summer Festival

Celebration - Life - Dance

5th - 9th August 2026
with Niraj and friends

Welcome to the 20th International Biodanza Festival: 2006 – 2026

Yes, it is 20 years since I first had the idea to run a multi-day event with different teachers here at Leela!

The first year 28 people came, followed by 60 then around a hundred, where it has more or less stayed ever since.

In that time many teachers from overseas and the UK have joined us to provide the content that you know and love…good quality vivencias in a spacious and fun programme that provides deep and lasting experiences on the dancefloor and a strong sense of community in the increasingly impressive grounds of The Leela Centre!

This year will be no exception. In fact, it will be exceptional!

We’ve added an extra day to mark the occasion (at a mere £30 more than last year!), there will be live music performances on two evenings of the festival and the teaching team is expanded to 6, including the outgoing President of the International governing body (IBFed) AdreinaAcri (Italy/Chile) and our wonderful old friend Nataraj (Spain) whom many of you will remember!

As always you will be superbly well fed and nourished by the Leela kitchen team with many home grown ingredients from the polytunnels onsite and the legendary Coffee Shop brownies in the breaks. We shall also continue the pre pandemic tradition of maintaining the event as a phone free space so we can all benefit from an environment dedicated to connection rather than distraction.

So do join us for this special celebration this summer to renew old friendships and begin new ones; to dance, dance and dance again; to enjoy the peace, tranquility and beauty of the Dorset countryside; to delight in the friendliest vibe going and to honour the longevity of Rolando Toro’s sublime creation (Biodanza) in the UK…and MUCH MORE!!

This year is obviously going to be popular so do get your bookings in early for the lowest possible price and the best selection of private accommodation as once this is gone, it’s gone!

Whether you are an experienced Biodanza dancer or completely new to Biodanza, you are warmly welcome to join this celebration of movement, music, connection and life.

Festival Summary

Begins on:
Wednesday August 5 at 16:00

Ends on:
Sunday August 9 at 14:00

Duration:
5 days / 4 nights

Hosted by:
Niraj

Book Now

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“I am majorly looking forward to putting this together and making the 20th anniversary a magnificently memorable occasion for all concerned! See you on the dancefloor!”

- Niraj

“I am majorly looking forward to putting this together and making the 20th anniversary a magnificently memorable occasion for all concerned! See you on the dancefloor!”

- Niraj

A woman with short dark hair and a black tank top appears to be praying or meditating with her eyes closed and hands over her chest in a crowded indoor setting.
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Young woman in white sports bra and pants dancing with others in a dance class or rehearsal studio.

Why Biodanza

You don’t need to be a dancer to enjoy Biodanza. You just need a willingness to move, feel, connect and let your body lead.

In a fast-paced world, it’s easy to feel disconnected from ourselves, from others and from the simple joy of being alive. Biodanza offers a gentle and uplifting way back into connection through movement, music and shared experience.

Each session is guided, welcoming and accessible. There are no steps to learn, no performance, and no need to “get it right.” You are invited to move in your own way, at your own pace, and discover the natural intelligence of your body.

Since 2006, this festival has been a joyful gathering place for people who love Biodanza — and for those discovering it for the first time. Held in the beautiful grounds of The Leela Centre, it offers a warm community atmosphere, nourishing food, spacious surroundings and plenty of opportunities to dance, rest, connect and celebrate life.

What you’ll experience …

Dance, dance, dance!
Move, feel, and express yourself freely
Experience love in action
Enter into deep intimacy with yourself, others, and existence
Have fun and let your spirit soar
Make lasting connections with a supportive community
Dress up for an unforgettable Dance Party!
Detox from technology and reconnect with the moment(yes, really—phones away!)

What this Festival offers…

The 20th Anniversary teaching team is once more spearheaded by the initiator of the International Biodanza Festival himself, Niraj, former resident at Leela (2005-2012) and Director of the Dorset School of Biodanza (2008-2019) and faithful bio-dancer since July 1997. Niraj will top and tail the event, leading the opening and closing vivencias for everyone in the Marquee and will be your host for the Morning Gatherings where we go through the daily programme.

Headline guest teacher this year is outgoing President of the International governing body (IBFed) of Biodanza Andreina Acri (Italy/Chile). We are wonderfully privileged to receive such a prestigious and experienced doyen of Biodanza for her first visit to the festival!

Returning after a long absence is dear and cherished friend Nataraj Garcia from Spain, who was an early supporter of the festival and a stalwart of the team that brought Biodanza: Rites of Spring to Leela back in the day and we are delighted to welcome him back!

Another new face is Laura Urrutia, also from Spain’s Basque Country, a recent graduate from the Vitoria School of Biodanza and partner of Nataraj.

Larger than life and all round lovable lad Milarepa will once again be adding his inimitable magic to the mix, both in terms of vivencias and Improv Comedy sessions that have become a feature of recent festivals.

Anna Sadler made her debut at last year’s festival, doing her final supervised class to complete her formal training and now joins us as a fully qualified teacher in her own right! A graduate from the most recent cycle of the Dorset School, Anna was born to do this work and it is an absolute pleasure and gift to have her on team this year. Anna is also Social Media manager for Niraj’s Biodanza work.

Who is this for …

  • This festival is for both experienced Biodanza dancers and complete newcomers.

    You are welcome if you:

    • Are curious about Biodanza and want a friendly place to begin

    • Love movement, music, connection and expression

    • Want to feel more alive, embodied and connected

    • Enjoy community, nature, celebration and shared experience

    • Are looking for a nourishing festival where you can dance, relax and be yourself

    No previous Biodanza experience is needed — just come as you are.

“That was a very beautiful experience. An amazing journey inward & out. To express in a free space filled with joyful vibes & gorgeous smiling faces. In sound, in rhythm, in motion, in colour, in sweat, the Dance, the Soul.”

- Cath

A woman with curly red hair is dancing with her arms raised in a gymnasium or dance studio, surrounded by other people also dancing or exercising.
A couple hugging tightly, with the woman wearing glasses and the man having his back to the camera, in a warm, intimate setting.
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Meet your Host

Niraj Skilbeck

Niraj leads the Dorset School of Biodanza and is skilled at opening people to many aspects of Tantra such as sensitivity, sensuality, touch, affection and transcendence. Using the medium of Biodanza, a series of dance, movements and exercises that create space for a deep experience within oneself and with others. Each workshop is led as a vivencia, a space in which words are dropped and the deep wisdom of the body is entered.

Niraj has been into Biodanza since 1997, leads the teacher training program, and is also trained in the Osho Humaniversity training. He also has specialisation certificates to teach Biodanza and the Four Elements, Biodanza in Nature, Biodanza and Shamanism, AquaBiodanza, Biodanza for Children, Biodanza and Massage, Contact Education, The Heart of Transformation, the Minotaur Project and the Argonaut Mission. He has been involved in teaching Biodanza in 20+ countries.

Guest Facilitators

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Nataraj

  • I am very excited to join this beautiful festival again. It’s been many years!!

    So amazing to meet you all again and also the new comers. The energy field that we co-create in this festival is unique and highly recommended for anyone wanting to vibrate high.

Portrait of a smiling woman with blonde hair and blue eyes.

Anna Sadler

  • I began my journey in Biodanza in 2017, training with Niraj at the Dorset School of Biodanza, where I fell in love with the practice & have been facilitating Biodanza ever since.

    Based in Cornwall, UK I offer a variety of sessions, including women's Biodanza, family Biodanza, and a monthly Biodanza group that warmly welcomes everyone.

    I am incredibly excited to be teaching at the 20th anniversary of the International Biodanza Festival.

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Andreina

  • I'll be happy to be with you at the next Biodanza festival with a vivencia. I'm proud to bring to the world the message of Rolando Toro, my teacher and director of the school he had in Chile, where I've lived half my life. I'm Italian but I've lived in South America for more than half my life. See you soon and get to know each other better.

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Paola

  • I’m truly honoured to be invited back to teach at this wonderful annual festival. Here, people arrive ready to move, to open, and to explore — and the energy of the group holds and amplifies that transformation. Being able to guide others while also sharing in the joy of the festival is an experience that never fails to lift my own spirit.

    I feel grateful for the trust, the beauty of the surroundings, and the warmth of the community. I’m looking forward to dancing together, witnessing growth, and celebrating the simple yet extraordinary power of human connection.

A woman taking a selfie outdoors near a tree with green leaves, smiling at the camera.

Laura

A man with curly hair, smiling, wearing a teal sweater in an indoor setting.

  • After a tumultuous first Biodanza experience on the dancefloor in Zorba, I went on to train in the first cycle of the Dorset School of Biodanza. Since then I have been running a Monday night Biodanza class in Hampshire/Dorset which is now in its 13th year. Alongside this, I've been bringing Biodanza to a growing number of care homes in the area, specialising in working with people living with dementia.

Milarepa

  • I am so happy to be attending this wonderful Festival this year, where we can dance, share, and celebrate LIFE. Thank you so much for the invitation to be part of this team of amazing and beloved facilitators. Looking forward to seeing you there.

Save the Date and Join Us!

Come celebrate life, love, and movement at the 17th International Biodanza Festival.

Let’s dance, connect, and create unforgettable memories together.

Spaces are limited, so book now and secure your spot at this one-of-a-kind event!

Practical Information

Arrival and departure times

  • Arrival Wednesday August 5h 2026 from 4 pm.

  • Ends Sunday June 9th 2026 @ 2 pm.

What’s included …

  • Full access to all workshops, music, and events

  • 5 days / 4 nights accommodation (or camping)

  • All meals and teas

  • Sauna access and festival facilities

Festival & Accommodation Costs

Early bird tickets till 15 July

£355 + accommodation*

Your ticket includes:

  • Full access to all workshops, music, and events

  • 5 days / 4 nights accommodation (or camping)

  • All meals and teas

  • Sauna access and festival facilities

Full price tickets

£385 + accommodation*

*Accommodation is not included in the price and can be selected separately during checkout via the booking link.

Book Now

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Payment Plan

We understand that everyone's financial situation is unique, so we've designed our payment plan with flexibility in mind.

Secure your place by spreading the total cost into manageable instalments. We offer the option to pay a deposit and spread the balance over the remaining months before the payment deadline which is a few weeks before the start of the event. There is a £5 charge for using this payment plan option, and payment dates will be clearly outlined when you book.

Cancellation & Refunds

Our Cancellation policy can be found here.

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A cozy bedroom with a window featuring light green curtains, a potted plant, a window radiator, a bed with floral bedding and red pillows, a small lamp on a bedside table, and a wooden bookshelf with books and decorative items.
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Food at Leela

All food is vegetarian, drawing inspiration from cuisines from around the world. Garden produce is used when available including green salads and culinary herbs.

There is a separate tea making area with a wide range of beverages which include herbal teas, coffee, decaf, green and black teas, hot chocolate, plus cow’s milk and alternative milks.

We cater for the following diets …

  • Dairy-free / Egg-free

  • Gluten Free

  • Sugar conscious

  • Vegan and vegetarian

Food is prepared in a shared kitchen where allergens are present. See our food information page for details.

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Want to Volunteer at this event?

Apply Here