Spending a week at Return to the Source was life changing. I have experienced movement and training in my life, almost exclusively through the lens of team sports, track and sports performance. Learning from Rafe and the EMP staff in a variety of nature games, rough-housing, parkour and “King of the Course”, left me with a completely new lens on how to approach movement and physical training in both the athletes I work with, and in my own individual practice. More importantly, I’ve learned how to apply these practices with a sense of community that I was able to engage with first-hand, where the goal went well beyond scoring more points, lifting the maximal amount of weight, or jumping as high or as far as possible. I would absolutely recommend this retreat to any sport or strength coach, as well as anyone who wants to connect with movement, nature, and life itself, on a deeper and more meaningful level. Less

I just got back from the EMP Autumn Retreat and felt compelled to share a few words on my experience. It’s hard to explain just how positively impactful this has been for me already. I came into the retreat with a healthy dose of skepticism, but an open mind. I didn’t really know what I was getting by myself into but came away with much more than I bargained for. EMP Founder Rafe Kelley and his cadre of world class facilitators - Aaron Cantor, Kyle Koch, Ben Medder, Chaz (Mowgli), and Miranda Capelle have created a deeply meaningful and transformative modern day crucible. For me, I didn’t just come away a better/more natural mover, step foot in some cool places, and meet fascinating people. What I really got was the ability to see the world again like I did before decades of fear, anxiety, and disconnection drove me inside myself. It’s like reseting that game of Tetris that’d been stacking too high, too heavy, and for too long. I regained a kind of mature innocence. The simple intangibles like talking to people close enough to have a hand on their shoulder instead of maintaining a “safe distance”, and feeling sillier, more present, and more authentic. If you think this might be a novelty, fad, or new age fairy dust, you have no idea. Rafe would be too humble to say this himself, but he is without question a generational thinker and leader. My sincerest thanks and gratitude to everyone at EMP! “And one remembers how fascinating the most ordinary everyday things are to a child, because they see them all as marvellous — because they see them all in a way that is not related to survival and profit. When we get to thinking of everything in terms of survival and profit value, as we do, then the shapes of scratches on the floor cease to have magic. And most things, in fact, cease to have magic.” Alan Watts Less

Rafe is a pioneer in the movement community. These podcasts offer great interviews with some of the top players and creators in the movement field. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Less

When I first participated in one of Rafe's workshops, I thought I would come see what I could learn and apply to my own life and work. I didn't think I would participate in more than one. What I discovered was that along with the tangible skills and awesome experiences Rafe offered, he was also inviting each of us into a community. I've been to many trainings that I have learned a lot from and have been fun, but once they were over the only connection I felt that remained was my email address for their marketing emails. Participating in EMP workshops left me feeling personally connected to something bigger that myself, and going back each year feels more like coming home than going to a retreat. Less

They make sure that you celebrate what it means to able to move whether professionally or just for simple enjoyment. They also show value in building genuine community. Less