Gui Prada/teaching Brazilian Zouk & tantric practices + philosophy

Inspired by the movie "Shall We Dance?", Gui Prada started dancing in 2004. However, it was only in 2006 that he really began to dive deep into dance as a work-study trainee of the Jaime Aroxa Dance School in Rio de Janeiro, one of the most prestigious dance schools in Brazil, which trained some of the most renowned dancers in the country. During his 6 years as a member of the school's team, he learned all Brazilian partner dances (Forró, Samba de Gafieira, Soltinho, Bolero and Zouk) and Argentine Tango. As he matured more as a dancer, he found he preferred to focus less on the steps and more on turning partner dancing into a relaxing experience for the mind and body.

In 2009, on his first visit to Buenos Aires, Argentina, he was introduced to the authentic tango hug - the close embrace - and all of its complexity and power to create the ultimate feeling of “conforto, cuidado e entrega” - comfort, care and surrender. After that, he continued learning from other remarkable instructors in Brazil, including Fabiano Vivas, Kelly Reis, Érico Rodrigo, Guilherme Pimentel, Lídio Freitas and many others; and went on to research the close embrace and its application to all partner dances, with the purpose of conveying a sense of well-being and relaxation between dance partners.

His investigation of the close embrace continued over the years, and through many sources both inside and outside of the dance world. These studies guided him to form a multidisciplinary understanding of dancing and connecting in close embrace as a healing and therapeutic experience. Due to its versatility in movement, music, speed and approach, Brazilian Zouk became the perfect dance to apply this concept and explore the possibilities, which he has been doing since 2016, when he attended the first Zouk Retreat in Valencia, led by Xandy Liberato, Brenda Carvalho and Anderson Mendes. After that, his research on partner dancing took a new direction, as he continued working to seek for the application of the concepts explored at the retreat in different ways by using the references of the other Brazilian partner dances. 

Currently, he develops the idea of partner dancing as a true therapeutic experience, having dancing in close embrace and the basics as the focus point. Although Gui started his career not so long ago, he was able to develop and improve this concept through workshops called “The Universe Behind the Hug”, Parts I and II, Finding Zouk, Embrace Zouk Weekender and Embrace Zouk Online, which visited around 15 cities around the US. Gui is based in Washington DC, US, developing the local community with regular, weekly and progressive classes. He became a reference in the execution of clean, comfortable fundamentals and its understanding of close connection, both from a physical and mental perspectives. Gui is also one of the regular instructors of Alex de Carvalho’s MAC program, where he teaches new instructors how to learn, talk about and teach connection.

Lena Love/ Teaching Yoga & Meditation and co-facilitating dance

Lena has been partner dancing for a decade and dedicated to training and teaching zouk for half of that time. Lena has a background in other dance styles and gymnastics. She has trained in everything from bodywork, to reiki, to esoteric mystery schools where her focus has been working with energy for the purpose of personal, interpersonal and collective wellness. Lena is a PsyD candidate at Meridian University in Petaluma, CA with a concentration in Psychology and Yoga. She teaches zouk and yoga locally. She is the Founder of Sanctuary Retreats Hawaii which specializes in Women's Retreats and empowerment of the feminine dimension of being in all genders. Lena's mission is based in creating space to presence important topics in a field of awareness to serve systemic growth, expansion, inner evolution and awakening to bliss consciousness.

Lena received her 200 hr yoga teacher training certificate in India in 2020 to teach Tantra Kundalini Yoga. Lena has been practicing yoga as a dedicated yogi for 12 years. She was initiated into meditative techniques around the same time as a member of the Gurdjieff Foundation and has been a student of mysticism and the power of inner sensing ever since.

Halle Senger/Facilitating Authentic Relating Games

Halle Senger started her spiritual journey at the age of 11 when she realized that the fantasy books she loved had fundamental truths hidden in the stories. Halle started by meditating with trees, working with Earth’s loving healing energy, and intention magick. She later became a Reiki master, sound healer, and cacao ceremony leader, among other things. 

Wanting a more full understanding of the universe and our reality, Halle graduated college with a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering and became well versed in psychology. She currently teaches Authentic Relating and Nonviolent Communication principles in fun, easy to follow, game-style workshops. 

Even with 20 years of experience in the spiritual, physical and mental/emotional aspects of life, Halle is continually learning and doing her own inner work. After traveling many roads, she can show others the paths to be in alignment with themselves, the world around them, and the Divine. She believes that if we live in harmony with our passions, purpose, and each other, this life will be glorious indeed!