Teachers

Joanna Spence

Joanna is a Mitra training for ordination, Natural Voice singing leader, voice teacher and musician, and brings her love for ritual and mantra to the retreat. Based in Sheffield, she’s been with Buddhafield since 2017 and coordinates the Dharma Parlour at Buddhafield Festival. Joanna is fascinated by sound and silence, and the magic that can happen if we can listen with our whole bodies.

Events with Joanna Spence

Waves of Stillness 2026 – Online Retreat
November 6 - 8, 2026

Led by: Dayajoti, Kamalanandi, Jayasuri, Muditajina and Joanna Location: Online Experience level: Everyone Age group: Adults. Total suggested cost: Ticket options for this event are £35 (supported), £65 (standard) and £100 (donation tier – supporting others to participate). The Theme: Waves of Stillness As we move out of the autumn and into the hibernation time of the year, how can we find deep stillness with us? What can we achieve if a peaceful centre supports our actions? “Peace isn’t an experience free of challenges, free of rough and smooth, it’s an experience that’s expansive enough to include all that arises without feeling threatened.” — Pema Chödrön Join us for a weekend to mark the transition through to the deep winter. We will meditate together, reflect on teachings, and share the experience of ritual while setting intentions to incorporate waves of stillness into our busy lives. The Programme Friday 7:00 pm – 8.00 pm: Opening Ritual and introduction to the theme Saturday 8:00 am – 9:00 am: Led morning meditation 11:00 am – 1:00 pm: ‘Waves of Stillness’ session with meditation and reflection 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Kula Groups 7:00 pm – 8.00pm: Evening ritual Sunday 8:00 am – 9:00…

Songs from Silence 2027
August 18 - 22, 2027

Led by: Jo Spence, Joe Hill, Dayajoti, Alokasara and Amalasiddhi (yoga) Location: Frogmill, Dartmoor, Devon Deposit amount: £60 Experience level: All levels Age group: Adults Total suggested cost (excluding deposit): standard: £200, supported:£120, donation tier (helping others to come on retreat):£360 Vehicle Pass: Car: £15, Live-in- 6m and under: £30, Live-in- over 6m: £30 See our FAQ for an explanation of the deposit/dana/donation tier system. Please read this if you think you will not be able to afford the retreat, or if you are not sure about the deposit/dana/donation tier system in any way. We have suggested donation amounts to guide; they are structured to reflect what it costs us to run a retreat. However, you are free to give as little or as much as befits your circumstances. *** “We must bear silence before we can feel in our bodies the deep joy of what the world is always already singing to us.” This retreat will explore working and playing with sound, vibration and the voice as Buddhist practice. Singing can ground and soothe the body and mind, helping to create a sense of safety, openness and trust – within ourselves and with each other. It is one of…