FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Nope — it’s totally optional! You are not required to bring your DJ gear to the retreat. That said, you’re absolutely welcome to bring your setup if it feels supportive or exciting for you. Some students love having their personal gear with them to play and practice — but it’s by no means necessary. Because the New Earth DJ Immersion includes online learning modules before and after the retreat, you’ll have plenty of time to train on your own equipment from the comfort of home. 🌿 At the retreat, we’ve got you covered. We’ll have fully equipped practice stations set up throughout the week — with access during and between sessions — so you can dive into hands-on practice, experiment with your sound, and sharpen your skills alongside your sisters. If you’re unsure whether or not to bring gear, feel into what would feel most spacious, fun, and aligned for your journey.

Choosing your gear is a powerful part of claiming your voice as a DJ. This course supports two leading platforms: Traktor (Native Instruments) and Rekordbox (Pioneer) — two of the most widely respected and widely used DJ systems in the world. Traktor is a beloved favorite in the conscious dance community for its intuitive interface, creative flexibility, and accessibility — making it a powerful entry point for new and experienced DJs alike. Rekordbox/Pioneer, on the other hand, is a global industry standard — especially in clubs, festivals, and professional touring environments. This training includes video tutorials for both Traktor and Pioneer gear, so you’ll be fully supported no matter which platform you choose. All foundational skills, DJ theory, and energetic practices we teach are transferable between systems, and we’ll guide you in applying the principles to your unique setup. 🛠 Gear Recommendations Traktor (Native Instruments) Great for creative freedom and intuitive design. Traktor S2 – Compact, beginner-friendly Traktor S3 – Mid-range, versatile (✨ Aliza’s pick) Traktor S4 – Pro-level, 4 decks, more features Pioneer (Rekordbox) Ideal if you plan to play clubs, festivals, or pro gigs. DDJ-FLX4 – Newest beginner controller, very versatile DDJ-400 – Solid alternative with a classic layout XDJ-RX3 – Standalone, club-level gear, no laptop needed Reach out to support@mariposamovement with any additional questions. We are SO excited for you to dive into the realms of DJing!

For speakers, you can get away without these for a while, but they’re extremely useful to have for your practice sessions and recording. The highest quality you’ll need are the KRK Powered Studio Monitors. A less expensive option are Pioneer’s DM 40-Ds. There are also other affordable studio monitors available online—just be sure to get a pair (you’ll need two!). Lastly, if you don't already have a pair of headphones you like using, we recommend the Sennheiser’s HD 25 - a DJ industry favorite. Want something more versatile? These Bose Bluetooth headphones with built-in mic are a pricier option, but they're great for Zoom calls too, helping stretch your investment even further.

After warming up with DJ Essentials and diving into the foundations of DJ tech, we’ll gather in the lush jungles of Costa Rica for a 10-day immersive experience of hands-on learning, deep nature connection, embodied movement workshops, and transformational DJ training with Aliza and a crew of seasoned guest facilitators. June 19–29, 2025 | Selva Armonia 10 days of embodiment, practice, nature connection, ritual and remembrance. 🌴 Sample Retreat Flow: Days 1–2: Arrival & Grounding Opening Circle + Cacao Ceremony Somatic Grounding & Movement Rituals Offerings to the Land + Nature Connection DJ Gear Setup & Tech Station Orientation Days 3–5: DJ Skills Beatmatching, Transitions, EQ & FX Lab Mixing from the Body: Movement & Music Integration Observe Real Live DJs in Action: Learn Pro Tips + Tricks Live Looping Experience: Expand What's Possible CDJ Tutorial, Sound Systems 101 & Tech Deep Dive Days 6–7: Ceremonial Leadership Temazcal (Sweatlodge) Ceremony Set as Ceremony Workshop: Ritual Creation for DJs Nature Immersion: Ocean & Rainforest Excursion Days 8–9: Performance & Integration Student DJ Presentations + Feedback Circles Sound Alchemy: DJing for Healing & Embodiment Spaces Bonus Workshop: Music Production or Remixing (Guest Artist) Day 10: Closing & Embodiment Integration Dance & Movement Medicine Circle Graduation Ritual + Sacred DJ Name Activation & more to be revealed! ✨

DJ Essentials is where you build your technical foundation for becoming a New Earth DJ. You’ll walk away with practical skills, intuitive understanding, and the confidence to craft powerful, intentional sets that move people on every level. 🔥 The Roots & Origins of DJing A brief history of DJing — know your lineage + your role What most people think DJing is vs. what it actually is Gear guidance: choosing your sacred tools for dance as ceremony ⚙️ Setup & Signal Flow Cables, connections, and essential power setups Navigating settings + preferences for smooth play Anatomy of your controller: what actually matters 🎶 Music Management How and where to download music Organizing your library for intuitive set-building Pro tips + tricks for finding what you need on the fly 👐 Hands-On Practice: Let’s Play Loading tracks + playing your first song Using hot cues to add precision + energy Understanding the beat grid + fixing it when it’s off Manual beatmatching (we don’t rely on sync here!) 🎼 Next-Level Skills: Shape the Energy Intro to music theory for DJs: phrasing, structure + transitions Reading the room + mixing with impact EQ mastery: how to blend like butter Effects: what’s essential vs. what’s just shiny Looping as ritual: extend, tease, and build tension 🌀 Genre Flow + BPM Transitions How to shift between genres + tempos gracefully When beatmatching matters — and when it really doesn’t Tools for smooth transitions across soundscapes Creative freedom: go Dubstep → DnB → House → Afro → Hip Hop → Footwork → your flavor 🌕 Integration: The Set as Ceremony Crafting intentional, intelligent sets Building momentum, emotion, and transformation DJing as healing, as prayer, as invocation Mixing not just tracks — but energy, feeling, and purpose

Extending Your Stay Before or After the Retreat If you’d like to arrive early or extend your stay after the retreat, we’ve got you covered with some great recommendations to help you plan with ease! Retreat Timing: Check-in at Selva Armonia is at 3:00pm on Thursday, June 19. Check-out is at 11:00am on Sunday, June 29. Our Closing Circle will take place the evening before, so those with early flights on the 29th can still participate fully. Please note: Selva Armonia is not available for early check-ins, but there are many wonderful places to stay nearby. If you're arriving early or departing late, you have two main options: ✈️ Stay near the San José Airport (SJO): Ideal for travelers arriving late or departing early. Recommended hotels near SJO: Hotel Mango – Cute, simple, and just across the street from the airport. Great for a quick, no-fuss stay. Hampton Inn – Comfortable and reliable with a solid breakfast spread included. Courtyard Marriott – A bit more modern and spacious if you’re craving a little upgrade. Marriott Hacienda Belen – If you’re wanting to splurge and treat yourself, this is the nicest hotel near the airport. Gorgeous grounds, amazing food, and a super serene vibe. A little oasis before heading deeper into nature. A few extra tips: All of these spots offer airport shuttles, but I recommend confirming in advance (especially if you arrive late at night). Ubers are easy and safe in this area, and usually cheaper than taxis. But if you prefer, I can connect you with a local taxi driver I've used before. 🌴 Stay in Dominical or Uvita (near the retreat center): Perfect if you want to soak in the jungle, explore waterfalls, enjoy the beach, or relax into pura vida vibes. Recommended spots nearby: Danyasa Eco-Retreat – Dominical https://www.danyasa.com/ Tribe Boutique Hotel – Dominical https://www.tribeboutiquehotel.com/ Yuli Hotel – Uvita https://hotelyuli.com/ Vista Celestial – Uvita (luxury jungle experience) https://www.vistacelestial.com/ If none of these options resonate, feel free to reach out to Aliza for personal recommendations, or explore additional options on TripAdvisor. Let yourself land softly, stay a little longer and soak up the jungle magic.

The closest international airport to our retreat center is Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José, Costa Rica. 👉 Please double-check when booking — we’re headed to San José, Costa Rica (not California!). Yes, it’s happened before! 🛂 Entry Requirement Costa Rica requires all travelers to show proof of a return or onward ticket upon entry. If you’d like to keep your return open-ended, one option is to book a return flight before you leave and cancel it within the 24-hour grace period after clearing customs. 🗓 When Should I Arrive? We highly recommend arriving at least one day before the retreat begins — ideally on Wednesday, June 18 — to allow time for rest, integration, and a soft landing before we begin. See the next FAQ for local recommendations on where to stay near the airport. 🚌 If you're arriving on June 19, the shared group shuttle (covered in your tuition) will depart SJO at 10:00 AM local time. If you choose to arrive earlier to visit the beach or explore on your own, please note: you’ll be responsible for arranging and covering your own transportation to the retreat. 🚐 Travel Time to Selva Armonia Selva Armonia is nestled in the lush hills above Uvita, approximately 3.5 to 4 hours by car from San José International Airport (SJO) — depending on traffic, road conditions, and weather. ✈️ Prefer a quicker journey? There are also domestic flight options available. (Not covered in your tuition). Read the next section for details and recommendations.

If you choose to arrive outside of the designated arrival window for the included group shuttle, transportation to and from the retreat center will be your responsibility. That said — we’ve got you! We’ll do our best to support you in coordinating your journey with ease. Here are your best options for traveling from San José International Airport (SJO) to Selva Armonia or the nearby towns of Dominical or Uvita: ✈️ Option 1: Domestic Flight to Quepos (XQP) (Recommended for ease & speed) Take a 25-minute domestic flight from SJO to Quepos with either Sansa Airlines or Green Airways Flights typically range from $90–$120 USD Basic fare: ~30 lbs luggage allowance Full fare: ~40 lbs luggage allowance From Quepos, take a taxi (~1 hour) to Dominical or Uvita Taxi cost: $60–$100 USD 🚗 Option 2: Private Taxi or Shuttle Direct ride from SJO to Selva Armonia or your local hotel in Dominical/Uvita Duration: ~3.5–4 hours Cost: $200–$300 USD 🚐 Option 3: Group Taxi or Shared Shuttle As the retreat approaches, we’ll everyone’s flight details and help coordinate shared rides as needed for those arriving around similar times This can significantly reduce costs per person Note: We’ll send out a Flight Info Form two weeks before the retreat so we can help coordinate shared options where possible. Let us know if you'd like support booking a taxi or shuttle — we’re happy to assist in making your journey smooth and stress-free!

We understand that life happens — and we’re committed to being as clear and fair as possible with our cancellation terms. Please carefully review the following Terms & Conditions for your retreat experience: Virtual Training Calls All live sessions will be recorded. Refunds or credits are not provided for missed calls. Retreat Cancellation Policy If You Cancel: 60+ Days Before the Retreat (before April 20, 2025): 33% of your total payment is non-refundable. The remaining balance may be credited toward a future retreat within one (1) year. 45–59 Days Before the Retreat (April 21 – May 4, 2025): 50% of your total payment is non-refundable. The remaining balance may be credited toward a future retreat within one (1) year. Less Than 30 Days Before the Retreat (after May 20, 2025): No refunds or credits will be issued unless your spot is filled. If Global Events Affect Travel: In the case of border closures or government-imposed travel restrictions, your payment will be fully transferred to a future retreat within one (1) year. If We Cancel: In the unlikely event that we must cancel the retreat due to unforeseen circumstances, all payments will be credited toward a future retreat within one (1) year. Payment Terms All payments are final. If you’re on a payment plan, you are legally committing to pay the full retreat balance as agreed. Failure to complete payment does not release you from this financial obligation. Important Notes We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance that includes coverage for cancellations, medical emergencies, and unexpected travel interruptions. All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing to: aliza@mariposamovement.com If applicable, refunds will be processed within 30 business days of approval. By submitting payment, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to these terms and conditions.

👉 Click here to view the Packing List 👉 View the Pre-Flight Checklist

While travel insurance is not required to enter Costa Rica at this time, we highly recommend purchasing a travel medical insurance policy for your peace of mind. This ensures you’re covered in the event of illness, unexpected delays, or other emergencies. Please note that any accommodations or expenses outside of the official retreat dates are not included in your retreat package and would need to be covered by you or your insurance provider. We suggest looking into trusted providers such as IM Global or Sagicor for affordable and comprehensive coverage. Their plans typically include emergency medical care, additional hotel stays due to flight delays, and more — so you can travel with confidence and ease.

Arrival Recommendations To support a smooth, spacious, and grounded transition into our retreat, we highly recommend arriving in Costa Rica at least one day before the retreat begins — on Wednesday, June 18 — to give yourself time to land, rest, and gently settle into the magic. If your schedule allows, consider arriving even earlier to fully acclimate, explore the local area, and nourish yourself before we begin our journey together. If you must arrive on the official retreat start date, Thursday, June 19, please ensure your flight lands at SJO (San José, Costa Rica) no later than 10:00am local time to join the group shuttle and arrive in time for our Opening Circle at 4:00pm. This allows enough time for ground transport to the retreat center, where you’ll want to arrive by 2:00pm in order to check in, drop in, and be present for our Opening Circle. If for any reason you’re unable to arrive by this time, please notify us as soon as possible so we can help support your late arrival logistics.

🚐 Airport Transfers & Travel to Selva Armonia Your New Earth DJ Immersion tuition includes round-trip group shuttle service to and from San José International Airport (SJO) — available only within a specific date and time window. To use the included shuttle, your travel must align with the following schedule: Arrival Shuttle: 🗓 Thursday, June 19 — Departs SJO at 10:00 AM local time Departure Shuttle: 🗓 Sunday, June 29 — Departs Selva Armonia at 8:00 AM local time If your travel falls outside of these times, you’ll need to arrange and cover your own transportation to or from Selva Armonia. We can help connect you to reliable taxi drivers. 🛣️ Selva Armonia is located in the hills above Uvita, approximately 3.5 to 4 hours by car from SJO, depending on traffic and weather conditions. ✨ As the retreat approaches, Aliza will share a Flight Info Spreadsheet for you to input your travel details. From there, we’ll coordinate the group shuttles. Sample Arrival Flow 🛬 Fly into San José International Airport (SJO) 🚐 Join the group shuttle at 10:00 AM (if arriving within the window) 🧳 Arrive at Selva Armonia between 2:00–3:00 PM 🔥 Opening Circle begins at 4:00 PM on Thursday, June 19

The local currency is the Costa Rican colón (colones in plural). The exchange rate is roughly 600 colones = $1 USD. U.S. Dollars are widely accepted, so there's no need to exchange your money unless you want to. Cash is king — we recommend bringing as much as you feel comfortable carrying. Credit card purchases often come with a 13% tax fee. ATM fees can also be high, and some machines have low withdrawal limits. Taxis do not accept credit cards, so have cash on hand (USD is fine) for airport rides and local transport. Notify your bank before traveling internationally to avoid card blocks and consider raising your daily withdrawal limit in advance. 💡 We’ll have opportunities to stop at ATMs during day trips if needed.

Our retreat takes place at Selva Armonia, a stunning sanctuary tucked in the hills above Uvita on Costa Rica’s lush Pacific coast. While Uvita can get hot and humid during the midday hours, the elevated jungle setting of Selva offers cooler mornings and evenings with refreshing breezes — a welcome balance to the tropical heat. June is considered Costa Rica’s “light rainy season” — you can expect sunny, bright mornings, occasional afternoon showers, and (with a little luck) clear, starry skies at night. 🌞 Sun protection is essential: bring a hat, sunglasses, reef-safe sunscreen, and light cover-ups for beach days. 👚 Pack for variety: breathable fabrics and layers will keep you comfortable throughout the day. Think easy, airy clothing for warm afternoons, and cozy wraps or light sweaters for the cooler evenings. When we venture to the beach or waterfalls, temperatures will be hotter and more humid, so prepare accordingly — think swimsuits, sandals, and extra hydration essentials.

While most locals speak English, it’s always appreciated when visitors use a little Spanish! The national phrase of Costa Rica is “Pura Vida” – meaning “Pure Life.” It’s used in place of “hello,” “goodbye,” “how are you,” and “you’re welcome” – a true reflection of the Costa Rican spirit. Instead of “de nada” (you’re welcome), locals often say “con mucho gusto” – with great pleasure. 💡 Brushing up on a few Spanish basics is a fun way to connect with the culture and people.

Costa Rica water is clean, pure, and safe to drink! Cups are provided by our retreat center, but we suggest bringing your own refillable water bottle for excursions and adventures.

There is WiFi at the retreat center and in most places around town. We recommend checking with your mobile provider about international plans or travel settings before arrival to avoid unexpected charges.

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.

On our Google Drive.

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!

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.

Yes, the Juicy Fruit immersive online retreat is for women only.

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.

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.

Forever. You can revisit the replays anytime.

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

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.

Absolutely! All LIVE classes are recorded & uploaded to the portal within 48 hours.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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!

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!

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.

Our class recordings are housed in the video library on the Mariposa Movement website. There is a private page specifically for Sanctuary. When you join the Membership, you'll receive instructions on how to access our Community Portal via the website.

Our Community Connection thread is on Telegram. 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.

In the Community Portal, you'll find all links & resources, plus a growing on-demand video library of dances with Aliza.

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.

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.

You can cancel your membership anytime. Just send a message to Aliza.

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

Once you join the membership, Aliza will send you a Google Doc with all these details.

Wednesday @ 8pm Fridays @ 11am

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!

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.

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!

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