top of page
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
for Sovereign Body Members
-
Do I need to be a dancer or have previous dance experience?Nope! You do not need to "be a dancer" or have any previous dance training. This weekend immersion is for everyone. As one of my teachers liked to say: "if you can breathe, you can dance." Our approach to dance/movement is less about how it looks or learning any particular style or getting it "right" and more about connecting to our selves, to each other and to the present moment. Come as you are.
-
Where do the replays live?On our Google Drive.
-
What platforms are we using?Zoom, Telegram & Google. Our live meetings will take place on Zoom. There will be opportunities for further community connection via a group on the Telegram App. If you don't have Telegram, don't worry! It's easy to download and get set up. Recordings will be uploaded to a Google Drive folder and you will receive a Google Calendar Event invite for the immersion. You will receive an email with all of this information upon registering!
-
What if I can't make any of the calls or have to miss a live session?You are encouraged to attend all sessions, but if you can’t make any of the live calls due to time zone differences or scheduling conflicts, all sessions will be immediately uploaded to our Google Drive and you will have access to watch the replays within one hour of the live class.
-
Is this for women only?Yes, the Juicy Fruit immersive online retreat is for women only.
-
What is the total time commitment?This reset retreat is an intensive with 9 hours of live class time. This retreat is experiential learning with a focus on dance/movement/embodiment, ritual & reflection, and opportunities to connect with others through breakout group sessions & group sharing.
-
What exactly are we going to do?Your guide Aliza is a Board Certified Dance/Movement Therapist and also an ordained priestess with extensive experience curating meaningful spaces for embodied exploration. In our immersive weekend together, Aliza will guide you through a range of dance/movement practices, somatic meditations and reflective journaling exercises to help you connect more deeply to yourself, to others in the group and to the present moment.
-
How long will I have access to this content?Forever. You can revisit the replays anytime.
-
WHEN do we meet?Here is the schedule in Full: Friday, August 9: Session #1 from 6-9pm ET Saturday, August 10: Session #2 from 11am-2pm ET Sunday, August 11: Session #3 from 11am-2pm ET
-
WHERE do we meet?On Zoom. Once you register, you will receive a welcome email with all information about our weekend retreat. You will also receive an invite to a Google Calendar event to help you mark your calendar.
-
If I can't make the LIVE classes, can I watch them later?Absolutely! All LIVE classes are recorded & uploaded to the portal within 48 hours.
-
How do I access the links for Mariposa Monday?Mariposa Monday is open to the public, so the link is different each week. Once you become a Sanctuary Member, the link for each Mariposa Monday class will be emailed to you on Sunday evening.
-
I am in a time zone that makes this challenging. Will I get the same out of this?Everything will be recorded for you to access at your own time in case you can't make a live call. There is nothing lost in the transmission through joining the replay. Aliza creates the sessions so that it is just as beneficial to watch later as it is in real time.
-
I don't consider myself a dancer. Is this still for me?YES. This membership is for anyone who desires to experience a fuller range of embodied expression, a greater sense of empowerment and deeper fulfillment in life. Dance is just the vehicle through which we get to explore & expand our consciousness, together! Aliza's guidance and the practices offered will support you in transforming your fears, doubts, and limiting beliefs into self-acceptance, empowered ease, grace, freedom, authentic expression, playfulness & embodied confidence.
-
Where can I find the music/playlist from each class?The music/playlist from each class will be linked to the corresponding video in the on-demand video library! Aliza will also post each playlist in the Telegram chat, and a member has graciously created a Google doc with all of Aliza's playlists as well!
-
What kinds of classes are in the on-demand video library?In the Sanctuary video library you will have access to: -all of Aliza's guided Zoom dance journeys from the last two years -all of our LIVE classes recorded & uploaded within 48 hours -special themed journeys recorded by Aliza for Sanctuary members only (example: dancing with grief or rage, dancing to soothe anxiety, dancing to get inspired, etc.) -shorter 15min movement "minis" to reset your mind & body between meetings & more!
-
How do I access the links for our other LIVE classes with Aliza?The links for our other live classes (Wednesday & Friday) will be posted to the portal. Since these classes are for members only, the links will remain the same each week!
-
How many LIVE classes are included in the Membership? When are these additional classes?The Sanctuary membership includes 3 LIVE classes with Aliza each week: Mondays @ 12pm ET (50min) - opening circle + 40min dance Wednesdays @ 8pm ET (45min) - 30min dance, 15min yoga nidra Fridays @ 9am ET (30min) - just straight up 30min of dance!
-
What can I expect from each class? What is the class format?Mariposa Monday (60min) @ 12pm ET is the one membership class open to the public. In this drop-in class (60min) you can expect a brief "arrival dance" warm up followed by a grounding meditation. Then, a brief opening circle with transmission from Aliza & community guidelines, followed by a 40min guided dance wave & closing circle. The Wednesday Wind Down (45min) @ 8pm ET is a "get right to it" 30 minute dance journey for followed by 15 minutes of savasana (rest) and yoga nidra (guided relaxation meditation) to clear your mind & your energy field mid-week. For members only. The Friday Finale (30min) @ 9am ET is a "no fuss" dance journey to release your week & enter your weekend with a lighter heart, mind & body. Just 30 minutes of dance, straight up, then go on with the rest of your day! For members only. *Aliza guides primarily free-form, improvisational/intuitive movement but at times offers structured movement warm ups and sequences.
-
How do I connect with other members?Our Community Connection thread is on WhatsApp! When you join the membership, you'll create a Wix Member Account. From there, you can login to the portal, where you'll find all links & resources, including a link to our Telegram group. This is where Aliza will share live updates & reminders, music inspiration & more. This is also where members can post questions, share wins/celebrations & ask for support from Aliza.
-
What will I find in the Community Portal?In the Community Portal, you'll find all links & resources, plus a growing on-demand video library of dances with Aliza.
-
For the monthly plan, on what day will I be billed each month?Your billing date is the date on which you register. So if you register on August 11, for example, you will be billed again monthly on the 11th of each month.
-
What kinds of discounts are available to me for other Mariposa Movement offerings & retreats?As a Sovereign Body Member, you will receive 10% off all virtual programs with Aliza. For retreats & trainings, Aliza will offer Sanctuary members the best discount she can on a case by case basis.
-
What is your cancelation policy?You can cancel your membership anytime. Just send a message to Aliza.
-
How do I gift this membership to someone?Gifting the Membership is easy! Follow these steps: Purchase the membership of choice yourself, using your own email Email aliza@mariposamovement.com your receipt and the name & email you want to gift it to. The membership profile will then be updated to their name and email, and the welcome emails will be sent to them Your card on file will continue to be charged unless the membership is canceled
-
How do I join our Community Connection Thread? (Telegram)Once you join the membership, Aliza will send you a Google Doc with all these details.
-
When are the additional LIVE classes with Aliza?Wednesday @ 8pm Fridays @ 11am
-
What will I find in the Community Portal?In the Community Portal, you'll find all links & resources, plus a growing on-demand video library of dances with Aliza. Each month on the New Moon, Aliza will upload an embodied teaching/transmission for our community. You'll find these videos in the portal as well!
-
How do I connect with other SB members?Our Community Connection thread is on WhatsApp! When you join Sovereign Body, you'll create a Wix Member Account. From there, you can login to the portal, where you'll find all links & resources, including a link to our WhatsApp group. As Sovereign Body evolves, we may shift over to something like Mighty Networks. For now, WhatsApp will be our hub & home for community connection. This is where Aliza will share live updates & reminders, music inspiration & more. This is also where members can post questions, share wins/celebrations & ask for support from Aliza.
-
How do I add the Sovereign Body Google Calendar to my personal Google Calendar?When you join the Sovereign Body Membership, Aliza will invite you to the Google Calendar. You will have the option to join that calendar & add it to your personal Google Cal to stay in the loop on all classes & events!
-
How do I navigate to the Community Portal?When you become a Sovereign Body member, you will create a login for the Mariposa Movement website. That's the login you'll use to access our Community Portal, where you'll find all links & resources, plus a growing on-demand video library of dances with Aliza. The link to our Community Portal is: https://www.mariposamovement.com/sovereign-body-portal
-
Can I extend my stay 1-2 nights before/after the retreat? If so, where can I stay?Absolutely! If you'd like to arrive a day before the retreat starts or extend your stay after the retreat, we recommend the below options. On our start day (Sunday, February 16) check-in time is 3:00pm. On our last day (Sunday, February 23) check-out is 11:00am. We will have our closing circle the night before for those who need to depart early to catch a flight. Though Metamorfinca (our retreat location) is booked before our retreat (and possibly after as well), there are plenty of other places to stay in the area. Depending on when your flight arrives/departs, you may choose to stay in San José near the airport. Near SJO airport we recommend hotels such as Hotel Mango (most affordable), Hampton Inn, or Courtyard Marriott. If your travel schedule allows, you may choose to stay near the retreat center in Ojochal or Uvita to enjoy the beautiful nature. For those looking to stay near the retreat in Dominical/Uvita, we recommend: (1) Danyasa Eco-Retreat in Dominical: https://www.danyasa.com/ (2) Tribe Boutique Hotel in Dominical (https://www.tribeboutiquehotel.com/) (3) Yuli Hotel in Uvita (https://hotelyuli.com/) (4) Vista Celestial in Uvita: https://www.vistacelestial.com/ If none of those options resonate, reach out to Aliza or take a look at this list from TripAdvisor for more selections.
-
What airport do I fly into?The closest international airport to our retreat center is the Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José (SJO), Costa Rica. Please make sure that you book your flight to San José, Costa Rica and not San José, California. Additionally, in order to enter Costa Rica, you will need to show proof of your return ticket home. If you want to keep your trip open-ended, you can purchase a flight just before you leave home and cancel within 24 hours after you go through customs. We recommend arriving at the airport a few hours before your retreat start time to allow for any delays or unexpected travel issues. From the airport, we can arrange for transportation to the retreat center for an additional fee.
-
How do I get to & from the airport? Is my shuttle included?No, travel to and from the airport is not included in the retreat package. We recommend the following options for traveling from SJO airport to the retreat center in Ojochal: (1) Domestic Flight *Recommended: The third option (recommended) is to take a 20min domestic flight to Quepos airport (XQP) via Sansa or Green Airways (cost: $90-120). From Quepos airport to the retreat center, it's a 60min taxi ride (cost: $60-100). (2) Private taxi/shuttle: The first option is to book a private taxi or shuttle ($200-250). It's a 3.5-4 hour drive from SJO airport to the retreat center. (3) Group taxi/shuttle: As the retreat approaches & we have everyone's flight info, we can also coordinate group shuttles to lower costs per person. Please let us know your flight details at least two weeks before the retreat date. Alternatively, you can arrange your own transportation to the retreat location.
-
What is your cancelation policy?Terms & Conditions Please note the following terms and conditions for all payments towards your retreat experience: 1. If you cancel for any personal reason up to 60 days prior to the date of the retreat (December 18, 2024) you will forfeit a deposit amount of 33% of your booking, the rest of which will be transferred to a future retreat within 1 year of the scheduled retreat start date. 2. If you cancel for any personal reason within 45 days from the start date of the retreat (January 2, 2025) you will forfeit a deposit amount of 50% of your booking, the rest of which will be transferred to a future retreat within 1 year of the scheduled retreat start date. 3. . There are no refunds under any circumstances for any cancellations made within thirty (30) days from the start of the Retreat (January 17, 2025), unless we are able to fill your spot within that time frame. There is no refund for arriving late or leaving the retreat early. 4. If you cancel due to COVID restrictions (meaning that your country’s borders are legally closed and you can not travel to Costa Rica for the retreat), your full payment will be transferred to a future retreat within 1 year of the scheduled retreat start date. 5. If the retreat is canceled by Aliza Rivka due to COVID or for any other reason your full payment amount will be transferred to a future retreat within 1 year of the scheduled retreat start date. 6. If you test positive for COVID prior to your arrival and have to cancel due to this matter, you will forfeit a deposit amount of 50% of your booking, the rest of which will be transferred to a future retreat within 1 year of the scheduled retreat start date. 6. All payments are final and all payment plans are a legal commitment to pay in full.
-
What should I bring?See packing list here!
-
Do I need travel insurance?It is not required to purchase traveler's insurance in order to enter Costa Rica at this time. However, we strongly recommend purchasing a travel medical insurance policy so that you have guaranteed coverage in the case of illness or any other emergency. Additional nights beyond the retreat dates are not covered. You can find travel/medical health insurance through companies like IM Global & Sagicor. The coverage is great and will give you peace of mind for all potential eventualities. The plan includes details like additional hotel stays and any emergency medical costs.
-
When should I arrive/depart to SJO Airport, and to the retreat?We highly recommend arriving at least one day earlier on Saturday, February 15 to allow yourself a day of transition, arriving & rest before the retreat begins. If possible, arriving on Friday or earlier is even better to give yourself ample time to adjust and arrive. If you must arrive to Costa Rica on our retreat start date (Sunday, February 16) please secure a flight that arrives to SJO Airport NO LATER THAN 10:00am to ensure you have enough time to arrive to the retreat center by 2:00pm, settle in and participate in the opening circle. If you are unable to arrive by this time, please let us know as soon as possible so we can make arrangements for your late arrival.
-
What is Costa Rica's currency? Can I use dollars?The Costa Rican currency is the colón (colónes in plural. It’s generally about 600 colones to 1 US Dollar. You can spend American Dollars in Costa Rica. No need to change dollars into Colones. Bring as much cash as you feel comfortable carrying on you. The tax fees on credit card transactions are high in Costa Rica (13%). ATM fees are often high, too. Taxis DO NOT take credit card, so do have enough cash (US Dollars is fine) for your taxi ride from the airport. It’s also a good idea to let your bank know that you will be traveling internationally to save yourself any potential hassle.
-
What is the weather like?February is peak season in Costa Rica, which means very little rain and consistently clear, sunny days. While it's a beautiful time to visit, the sun can be very strong (so can the heat) so be sure to bring the sun protection items you need (hat, sunscreen, cover ups for the beach, etc.). Water comes from a fresh spring at the retreat center, and cups are provided, but you may want to bring a water bottle for our excursions + adventures.
-
Do I need to speak Spanish?For better or for worse, almost all of the locals speak English in Costa Rica. You do not need to speak Spanish to function here, but it’s respectful to speak in the local language if you know some!
-
Traditional Greetings & Helpful PhrasesThe mantra Costa Rica is “Pura Vida” - which means Pure Life in Spanish. This is the most common response to the question: “how are you? / como estas?” Pura vida really sums up the spirit of this place. I recommend practicing a little Spanish before you come, just for fun! And to connect with the locals :) In Costa Rica, instead of saying "de nada" (it's nothing / you're welcome) it's common to say "mucho gusto" or "con mucho gusto" (with great pleasure).
-
WiFi + International Phone UsageYou may want to contact your provider to set your phone service to the best settings for this trip. There is WiFi at the retreat center and in most places in town.
bottom of page