Become a TEPP Facilitator
To come home to the self, to come home to the reality of the life of this planet, to come home to the reality of the wholeness that sustains our every breath, we need first to come home to the body.
The 2024/2025 Training is underway. Please check back in a few months for details of a 2025/2026 training.
True change requires a paradigm shift
Our culture teaches us to live in our heads – but in doing so it creates a profound disconnect that affects everything we do. Living in the head makes us feel separate from the natural world; it makes the body feel mechanical; it keeps us from truly coming to rest; and it separates us from our deeper purpose, both as individuals and in society at large – and when your life is not illuminated by purpose, it will become fragmented by distractions. The big problem is that our culture makes all of this feel normal and inevitable, even as it feels wrong.
The TEPP Facilitators Training program is designed to address this problem by helping individuals reclaim the deeper wisdom of their bodies, and empowering them to help others do the same. In this year-long program we train together for three five-day retreats, and gather once a week to practice on Zoom. The training we do recognizes that your own body is your greatest teacher – but that our culture has conditioned its neurology in a way that confines and dampens its intelligence, desensitizing us to our sustaining relationships. Without exposing and gaining choice over that conditioning, our ability to experience our lives in a way that is fully embodied, and therefore fully in the present, is severely undermined.
Philip Shepherd has developed a range of diverse, unique practices – well over 200 of them – that directly address the cultural patterning that dulls us not just to the world, but also to our own profound resources. Over our years together these practices make possible a new way of being: one that provides you with choice, and enables you to experience how it feels to live at rest in the body, on the earth, in the present.
In the words of some of our grads...
"The opportunity to work and play with vital and curious partners is precious. And of course Philip’s low key yet sensitive and thoughtful approach creates precisely the container for this adventure in wholeness."
— Rebecca Stauffer, TEPP graduate
A Note from Philip
One of my deepest convictions is that the work I do, if it were offered more widely, could enrich the lives of millions. And I don’t just mean in a ‘feel good’ way (although I have nothing against feeling good). I mean in a paradigm-shifting, liberating, life-altering, change-the-world way. The essence of my work centers on a resource that lies deep within us, and which our entire culture directs us away from: the deep, subtle, connected and grounded intelligence of the pelvic bowl. It is so systematically neglected that most people aren’t aware of its existence, and have limited access to it. But it is part of the body’s original blueprint and, like a neglected room, merely waits to be rediscovered.
What our year together will look like
Our year together will be shaped around three retreats where we come together to practice and question and explore for five days.
Session One
In this session Philip takes participants through a week of practices that underpin the weekend workshop, and helped him develop it. Each practice is designed to help people encounter a cultural blindspot that diminishes their ability to feel the self in the world, and to assist them in softening beyond that to stand in the clarity of their being.
Session Two
This session addresses the curriculum of the weekend workshop, and helps participants to understand each step along its journey, and to begin to achieve some mastery of its practices.
Session Three
Session three is the culmination of our year together, and always has a bittersweet quality to it. In our last five days together we introduce some variations on practices we’ve addressed over that time, and work through the curriculum of the weekend workshop with an invitation to everyone to select one of its practices to teach the group. There is a sense over this week of bringing the work home, bit by bit.
** To take part in the Facilitator Training you must take a Radical Wholeness 2 day workshop. This can be done prior to the first session or anytime before the start of the second session.
Between the retreats the work is supported by
- A live hour-long call each week, which includes a new practice as well as an informal Q&A. Calls are recorded so you can access them at any time – and your access will continue when the training ends.
- Midpoint check-in call with Philip or Allyson
- "Buddy" calls between sessions 2 and 3, which offer opportunities to share practices with other facilitators
- Online resources to support you in sharing the work with others
- "Trauma-informed Care for TEPP Facilitators", an optional, virtual course led by TEPP graduate and Eco-therapist Kimberly Rose
There are three main reasons that people join the TEPP adventure, and we support them all:
• Some participants will be primarily interested in becoming facilitators of the weekend workshop
• Some will already have practices as facilitators, coaches, therapists or bodyworkers, and will be looking to enhance what they are doing by integrating practices from TEPP.
• Some will be there for the challenges and rewards of the personal growth it will support.
And many participants will be there for all three reasons.
Our facilitators say it best
Cathy
Janine
Questions you might have
Are there any prerequisites?
The only pre-requisite for the Facilitator Training is to have taken a Radical Wholeness 2 day workshop prior to the second session of the training. We encourage you to take one before the first session if you can.
What are the required readings?
Before Session 1
Original Wisdom: Stories of an Ancient Way of Knowing by Robert Wolff
Wolff takes us with him as he discovers the Sng’oi, an aboriginal culture in Malaysia – and as he discovers them, we discover ourselves, and see what we have lost, and what I strive in my work to regain. A beautiful, moving, illuminating little book.
Before Session 2
TEPP Facilitator's Manual - which you'll receive at the conclusion of the first session
Before Session 3
Radical Wholeness
What do I need to prepare?
As in the Radical Wholeness workshop, some of the exercises require that you know a short text by heart. Rest assured, this is not something you will ever be asked to perform – it’s just needed for some of the exercises. You can use one you are familiar with, or find a new one. It can be anything at all – a nursery rhyme, a song lyric, a Shakespearean monologue, the national anthem, a poem, anything. It really doesn’t matter, although it does help if it’s something you enjoy. It can get pretty tedious saying, “Row, row, row your boat” over and over. Just saying…
Whatever you choose to memorize, it should be at least 45 seconds long, though any length in excess of that is fine. If English isn’t your first language, feel free to bring something in your mother tongue. Having it WELL memorized is important.
Can I join the TEPP Facilitator Training without taking a workshop first?
Ideally all participants will have experienced the weekend workshop prior to the first session. However there have been individuals keen to take the training who haven't had an opportunity to experience the workshop. In that case, we ask for a commitment to take a workshop prior to the start of the second session.
Those who have signed up for the training can sign up for any workshop at 50% off the regular rate. They also get a 50% discount on any workshop during the training year.
If I'm able to participate in the first training session but am unable to do the second, would I have an opportunity to complete the final two training sessions another year?
Switching between training sessions is tricky. The number of participants is limited, so unless someone dropped out, there might not be a spot. That having been said, it’s something we have done, and would be willing consider doing again if all the circumstances were right.
I live near the retreat center. Can I just commute?
Unfortunately no. There are several key reasons for this. Staying together, sharing meals and enjoying the spontaneous conversations that occur throughout the mornings and evenings really helps the group bond and the work deepen. The retreat setting itself also plays a role in fostering the connection that then carries us between sessions. We are held by the space and supported by the gorgeous food prepared for us – far from the habitual snags of our home life.
Will I be able to lead the Radical Wholeness workshop at the end of the training?
At the end of the training, graduates who want to go ahead and run Radical Wholeness workshops usually begin with two- or three-hour events, sharing the curriculum in bite-sized chunks as they become increasingly familiar with it. When a graduate feels ready to facilitate the full weekend workshop and Philip agrees, we will include their name on our website as a certified facilitator.
If I don't plan to teach the workshop, can I still take the training?
Absolutely. Many people have taken the training as a way of supporting their own personal goals.
What are the payment options?
We offer different payment options - usually 1, 3, or 6 monthly payments. The training needs to be paid in full prior to the start of the second session.
What is the refund or cancellation policy?
It is understood that by signing up for the training you are making a commitment to complete the full year. Similarly we make commitments to the venue and other participants that leave us unable to offer a refund if you leave the training before it is complete.
Furthermore:
- If we cancel a facilitator training session for any reason, fees for that session will be fully refunded.
- If a registrant withdraws from a facilitator training more than 4 weeks before the first session has begun, a full refund will be issued minus $250 (which can be applied as a credit towards any future facilitator training within the next 2 years.)
- If a registrant withdraws with less than 4 weeks' notice prior to the commencement of the first session of the training, no refund will be issued, unless the spot can be filled from a waiting list, in which case a full refund will be issued minus $250 (which can be applied as a credit towards any future facilitator training within the next 2 years).
I still have questions.
Fill out the contact form and send us your questions! If we can't answer them by email we'll suggest meeting for a short phone or Zoom call.
About Sanctuary Retreat Centre
How do I get to the Sanctuary Retreat Center?
From the Sanctuary website:
Sanctuary does not offer airport shuttles. For a list of transfer services, click here: Traveling to the Sanctuary.
Airports
The closest airport is Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport (CHO) (50 minutes by car); other possibilities include:
-Lynchburg Regional Airport (LYH) – 50 minutes by car
-Richmond International Airport (RIC) – 1 hour and 45 minutes by car
-Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) – 2.5 hours by car
Because of our rural location, we recommend using your own or a rental car. If you need a ride from Charlottesville airport, train or bus station, there are several services available to choose from. We suggest you pre-book your ride, as the Sanctuary Retreat Center does not offer shuttle service.
Transportation to and from Charlottesville, VA
Local
https://www.nelsoncounty-va.gov/business-directory/business_category/limousine-and-taxi-service/
-Afton Coach LLC, Norman Daniel (434) 263-7155 or (434) 760-7115 (cell); aftoncoach@gmail.com; www.aftoncoach.com
-All N 1 Transportation LLC, Shawanda Crawford (434) 270-5790; alln1trans@gmail.com
-Corporate Car Service of Virginia, Afton, VA, Dennis Garrison (434) 825-8199; ccsv.cville@gmail.com
-Tammy Morris (gamgamtam@gmail.com) (434) 277-8125
Charlottesville
-Aberdare Transit Inc. (24-hour service) (434) 227-9933
-Yellow Cab of Charlottesville (434) 295-4131
-Charlottesville Transportation & Taxi (434) 466-8465
-McCoy’s Taxi Service (434) 295-7433
What are the food and accommodations like?
Meals are healthy, mostly vegetarian, Mediterranean style cuisine with fresh ingredients. There is a meat or dairy option at most meals. Dietary restrictions can be communicated to the retreat center when you book your accommodation.
The center offers different accommodation styles, from cozy modular cabin rooms to comfortable Lodge rooms. Single accommodation is available for anyone who wishes.
Accommodation must booked and paid for directly with the retreat centre at least 30 days before each session.
What should I bring?
You might wish to bring a reusable water bottle and/or travel coffee mug. Please bring clothes that are comfortable to move in. You might also wish to bring a notebook.
Sanctuary Retreat Center provides sheets, towels and soap. You may also wish to bring:
- slippers or heavy socks as they ask that shoes be removed at the door
- comfortable shoes and clothing suitable for walks
- personal toiletries (toothpaste, shampoo etc)
- your personal medications
What do our days look like?
Sunday
Check-in after 4pm, Dinner 6pm, Training: 7:30 – 9 pm
Monday - Thursday
Training: 10 am – 6:00 pm
Friday
Training 9:30 am – 12:30, Lunch, Check-out after lunch
Meals: There will be morning and afternoon coffee/tea breaks, and a 90 min lunch break.
We'll have some optional evening activities, such as a movie night and a Deep Fitness introduction!
Meet the TEPP Co-Directors
Philip Shepherd
Author, Actor & Embodiment Facilitator
Philip Shepherd is recognized as a leader in the global embodiment movement. He is the founder and co-director of The Embodied Present Process™. Philip's unique techniques have been developed to transform our disconnected experience of self and world, and are based on the vision articulated in his celebrated books, New Self, New World (2010) and Radical Wholeness (2017). His new book, Deep Fitness, was co-authored with Andrei Yakovenko. He leads workshops around the world, creating a network of people bringing TEPP to their lives.
Allyson Woodrooffe
Certified Coach & Embodiment Facilitator
Allyson Woodrooffe is the co-director of The Embodied Present Process™, and is also certified as a Co-Active Professional Coach. She brings the strengths of both modalities and her natural compassion and embodied intuition to the work she does, which is dedicated to helping women move into an embodied clarity in which anxiety is eased and a grounded resilience discovered.
The 2024/2025 Training is underway. Please check back in a few months for details of a 2025/2026 training.
Join the Virginia cohort!
Sanctuary Retreat Center
