ted Retreats

17–19 April 2025
Słopsk near Warsaw, Poland

It’s been many years that both of us have been crafting retreats, yet until now we had never imagined creating one together. Coming together for this retreat fills us with deep joy and excitement, because we truly believe we are offering something unique — an experience that nourishes body, mind, and soul.

This retreat weaves together yoga, dance, and self-defence workshops, all held in nature and complemented by beautiful spiritual practices. It is an invitation to reconnect with yourself, your body, and your inner strength in a supportive and joyful space.

Why should you join us?

Join us if you long to reconnect with your body, move with freedom, and feel empowered from the inside out. This retreat is a space for women to rest, explore, and grow—held with care, intention, and joy. Whether you are seeking healing, inspiration, strength, or simply time for yourself in nature, this experience offers a unique blend of movement, presence, and empowerment that you can carry with you long after the retreat ends.

Why Dance?

Dance is a celebration of life and freedom. It allows us to move beyond words, release stored emotions, and reconnect with the natural wisdom of the body. Through dance, we cultivate joy, creativity, and self-expression, while grounding ourselves in the present moment.

At our retreat for women, we invite you to explore the transformative power of movement through Brazilian Zouk solo and Contemporary dance.

Brazilian Zouk solo is a journey into femininity and sensuality, allowing you to connect deeply with your body and express your natural grace. Dancing on your own frees you to explore fluidity, confidence, and presence, helping you embrace your feminine energy and celebrate your sensual self in a safe, empowering space.

Contemporary dance complements this by opening the door to self-expression, creativity, and emotional release. Through Contemporary, you can explore your own movement language, release tension, and cultivate inner strength, mindfulness, and joy.

Together, these practices offer a unique opportunity to nourish your body, awaken your emotions, and strengthen your connection with yourself and other women. This retreat isn’t just dance—it’s a celebration of empowerment, self-discovery, and the beauty of moving freely.

Why Yoga?

Yoga is a practice of balance—between strength and softness, effort and surrender. Through mindful movement, breath, and stillness, yoga helps us reconnect with our inner calm, build physical resilience, and create space in both body and mind. It supports us in listening inward, honoring our needs, and cultivating a sense of wholeness and presence.

Why Self-Defence?

Self-defence is not only about learning physical techniques—it is about reclaiming confidence, boundaries, and trust in ourselves. These practices empower us to feel safer, stronger, and more grounded in our bodies. By learning self-defence in a supportive and conscious environment, we cultivate awareness, courage, and a deeper sense of personal power.

The self-defence sessions will give you the essential tools you need to stay safe — with techniques based on real scenarios, not theory. Joanna will guide you through environmental awareness, boundary-setting, escape strategies, and simple breakaway movements designed for all fitness levels. You’ll learn how to recognise risk, react under pressure, and create the time and space you need to get away safely. Expect an engaging, confidence-building session that leaves you feeling more prepared, more aware, and fully empowered.

What We Will Explore

🌿 Grounding: Cultivating inner strength, safety, and comfort in our bodies
🌿 Setting Boundaries: Practicing communication through movement and intention
🌿 Strength & Sensitivity: Finding balance in dance and life
🌿 Trust & Freedom: Letting go of control and embracing flow
🌿 Breath & Movement: Harnessing the power of breath in dance and daily life
🌿 Meditation & Intention: Aligning the mind, body, and spirit
🌿 Recovery & Rejuvenation: Restoring your body with mindful practices

Does this speak to you? Spots are limited to 30 participants, so if you’re ready for this unique experience—secure your spot now.

What’s Included

🌿 10 hours of workshops
🌿 Full accommodation
🌿 3 delicious homemade meals per day
🌿 2 magical evenings
🌿 Guided meditations & breathwork sessions
🌿 Opening & Closing Ceremonies
🌿 Singing Circle
🌿 Bonfire under the stars
🌿 A stunning venue surrounded by nature

Schedule & Logistics

Arrival: Friday, 17 April, check in from 3 PM (pickup available from central Warsaw)
Departure: Sunday evening, 19 April (transport back to Warsaw provided)

Optional:

🌿 Arrive early on Thursday, 16 April for an extra night of relaxation
🌿 Stay an additional night on Sunday, 19 April for more rest and connection

This is the time of the event when you can fully relax in nature, spend extra time with other students and our teachers, take private classes, book massages, and simply be. More details will be sent once you register.

Investment

🌿 Early Bird (first 5 spots): €370
🌿 Regular: €416
🌿 Last spots: €463

Transport from Warsaw city center – €20 one way
TED Members receive a 10% discount
Full refund in case of event cancellation

Register here:
https://forms.gle/qEg9Ubay8RnrEVi58

Questions? Contact us at: info@theempowereddancers.com or joanna@womenselfdefense.co.uk

Meet Your Hosts & Teachers

About Joanna Ziobronowicz

Joanna is a sports professional and martial artist with 25 years of experience in combat sports and self-defence. She is the founder of Women’s Self-Defence UK, an organisation dedicated to delivering safety training for women and communities. A second-degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Roger Gracie, she is also a World and European Champion.

A graduate of University College London (UCL) from the Department of Linguistics and Psychology, Joanna brings an evidence-based understanding of language, behaviour, and human performance to her work. She is also the author of She Fights Back, an empowering guide to women’s safety currently being translated into multiple languages.

She has travelled internationally to deliver seminars, empowering diverse communities through her teaching. She has trained celebrity figures for film, preparing them physically and mentally for demanding roles. She’s also a qualified Level 3 Personal Trainer and an experienced Teacher Trainer for Fitness Instructors and Personal Trainers worldwide, mentoring and assessing coaches through internationally recognised education programmes.

Joanna is also a certified yoga instructor, blending the strength of combat sports with the fluidity of Vinyasa to create balanced, empowering practices.

IG handle: joanna_jiujitsu
Website: www.womenselfdefence.uk

About Joanna Zwierzyńska

Joanna Zwierzyńska is a professional dancer, internationally qualified dance coach, judge, choreographer, actress and yoga teacher. She is the founder of The Empowered Dancers Platform and facilitator of the TED Retreats and TED Courses for Follows, which have been running successfully for the last four years.

She was a finalist on the Polish So You Think You Can Dance (2012) and has a strong background in contemporary and jazz. With a deep understanding of human motor skills, she continually expands her knowledge of movement techniques.

Joanna has taught in over 30 countries and has been dancing, teaching, and performing at international Zouk festivals for 13+ years. She pioneered Zouk in Poland in 2011, co-founded the Warsaw Zouk scene, and is a qualified judge for the Brazilian Zouk Dance Council.

She has taught Zouk alongside many wonderful artists, but in recent years, she has gained recognition for her solo follower classes at international festivals. Her students love her unique, expressive style, which blends high-level technique with playfulness and self-expression.

For the past few years, she has been exploring the world of spirituality and is a certified yoga teacher. She is fascinated by yoga philosophy, breath work, practice, and lifestyle. She deeply believes that this knowledge can help many people live a happier life.

Follow Joanna: @joanna_zwierzynska

More about Joanna: The Empowered Dancers: https://theempowereddancers.com/

Watch Joanna dance: Instagram Reel: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CTxlUhrFu0b/