Workshops

Workshop Descriptions 

Weekly supportive live online video group meetings
One of the many benefits of our monthly packages is that you get to engage in a weekly support group. Gather with a group of like minded individuals pursuing similar interests and hobbies as you, and discuss your week and get to know each other on a deeper, more intimate level. Build meaningful connections and feel supported by each other as we grow together and learn to navigate this crazy world and all its amazing challenges. These meeting (usually over video) will include icebreaker activities as well as group share-outs where we discuss highlights and challenges from your week; you might even get some new ideas or resources. Our goal with this group is to foster relationships between one another and build a community where everyone feels welcome and fully engaged as well as have fun of course! When we’re challenged with difficulties, the experts’ advice has always been to surround yourself with a solid support network. You might learn new things by meeting people outside your usual circles, and finding people to rely on is a worthwhile activity no matter the reason; it’s simply a healthy habit! Support groups can provide a way for us to stay connected, especially during the transition from the pandemic’s social isolation precautions, and online or outside activities may be just what you need right now.

Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the usage of therapeutic-grade essential oil compounds which are extracted from plants. They can have a powerful effect on the body, mind and spirit, serving as tools for self-care when used responsibly. (Read More)  Essential oils can be used topically, by inhalation, or diffused, and are often used in personal care products. For example, a massage therapist may use a few drops of wintergreen oil to a carrier oil during bodywork, or a vitamin manufacturer might add citrus to their fish oil products, or lavender can be used in body care products or by healthcare professionals to encourage relaxation in their patients. Essential oils are produced by steaming or pressing different parts of plants to extract the aromatic chemicals. One bottle of essential oil can sometimes require several pounds of plant material. People have used aromatherapy for centuries: these essential oils are convenient to have in a home remedy kit for various self-resolving ailments: in our workshops we share some of these commonly used applications and how you can use essential oils to improve your well-being and quality of life. 

Astrology (Western)
Western astrology is a method of evaluating or interpreting someone’s life by using their horoscope, based on the time of that person’s birth. It is primarily a product of Greco-Roman culture, with other influences from Babylonia and Sumeria. Western astrology uses the Equatorial zodiac and is based on the movement and approximate locations of celestial bodies like the Sun, Moon, and planets, and how these theoretically have influences on our lives here on the earth. Astrology includes twelve zodiac signs, points, houses, and “house positions of the birth chart.” Horoscopic astrology makes up the majority of western astrology, and is based on a horoscope for a precise moment (such a person’s birth) when celestial bodies are said to have an impact. In western pop culture, astrology is often limited to a person’s “sun sign”. If you’re curious about exploring this philosophy of how the sun, moon, plants and stars might have an effect on your life, join us for a workshop where we take a deep dive. 

Astrology (Vedic)
The earliest use of Eastern astrology is the Vedic-astrology chart. It holds that the sky-observing Rishis in ancient India had an understanding about the sun, moon, planets, and stars at least 5,000 years ago. These early astronomers created a thorough classification system for the celestial bodies and visible fixed stars and used them in their observations, research and analyses of a person’s inner qualities, seen and unseen. The ancient Indian idea that “the whole is more than the sum of its parts” gave rise to an incredibly thorough study of the psychology of the individual through Vedic Astrology interpretation. The astrology chart consists of a graphical representation of the stars and planets at the exact moment, day, and location of a person’s birth. The purpose is to help someone become familiar with their astrological framework and provide remedies to empower them to rise above it. Even if you don’t believe in astrology, learning the science behind these Vedic analyses (and the suggestions provided to help counter any negative influences) can be a fascinating experience, and a cultural education. Be your own judge; if you’re interested in a different perspective when gaining insight into your life, Vedic astrology might be an option for you. 

Beach Mandalas
A mandala is a drawing, painting or pattern made of geometric shapes. The act of making a mandala is often meditative, involving philosophical meaning and significance. This is because mandalas have phases of both creation and destruction, representing impermanence; they are a reminder that nothing lasts forever, and everything is in constant change. Mandalas can be free-flowing, organic, and asymmetrical, or they can be exact, meticulously measured, geometric, and precise. They are often made in circular patterns. Spiritual practitioners sometimes decipher many layers of significance in such artwork, but in its most basic form, it speaks to us about the fleeting nature of life, the fragility of existence, and the importance of doing, living, and experiencing life. To believe that we can hold onto or maintain anything is a futile endeavor that will ultimately result in sorrow. Making mandalas helps to relieve stress, anxiety, worry, overwhelm, fear, and depression while calming the body and mind and cultivating feelings of happiness, inner peace, and general well-being. We occasionally work on these mandala patterns in the sand at a nearby San Diego beach, aware that our efforts are fleeting and that the waves will eventually wash them away.  

Breathwork
Breathwork is a mind-body exercise that helps make us more aware of our breath and provides a grounding effect, helping to release tension and stress. It also promotes clarity, emotional regulation, and restores equilibrium to the body, supporting recovery from physical and mental stressors. People have used breathwork to improve their immune system, analyze their thoughts and emotions, heal emotional trauma, and gain new perspectives and life skills. Some types of breathwork are: Shamanic, vivation, transformative, and holotropic. Breathwork is often found to encourage profound relaxation or to leave one feeling rejuvenated. Although breathwork therapy has numerous advantages, it does affect the physiology, so before starting any breathwork practice, check with your physician, especially if you are pregnant or nursing, have any medical condition, or if you take medication that might be impacted by the technique. Then keep track of how you respond to any breathwork techniques, and stop using them if you notice any negative effects. There are various breathwork techniques: you might want to experiment with a few different approaches to decide which method speaks to you and brings a positive outcome. 

Board Games, Bunco, Charades…
This is where it gets all fun and games…we invite you to loosen up and enjoy a game night together! Bunco is a simple dice game that usually includes food and lively conversations. We hope you’ll suggest or bring a favorite board games from home; something that is fun and easy to learn. We might switch it up and try charades or something new; the main thing is to have fun and add cheer to our day, connecting with old and new friends. It’s a great opportunity to just have a good time. Who’s in?

Compassionate Communication
Conflict can be minimized and relationships can be strengthened through compassionate communication. Find out more about these guiding principles and how they can help you recognize and take action on the things that can make life more peaceful and enjoyable for you and the people you relate to. Compassionate communication aims to build relationships and connections where individuals support one another out of real care and concern. You can find beauty and humanity in other people at any time (regardless of what they may be saying or doing) when you learn how to communicate compassionately in your relationships, not just the ones that are most important to you. When was the last time you really focused on someone, or paid attention to the nuances of how you’re feeling when in conversation with someone else? Sometimes all you really need is someone to listen to you without passing judgement or giving you advice: that’s an important goal of compassionate communication. Our Compassionate Communication sessions draw on the principles of Non-Violent Communication, a method that fosters interpersonal harmony and empathy in relationships, making it simpler to talk about solutions that meet the needs of all parties. Created by clinical psychologist Marshall Rosenberg, the objectives of NVC are to communicate feelings and wants, create empathic requests, and gather information for future collaboration. 

Full Body Detox
At these classes, we offer advice from medical experts to help you begin a “detox” program. This isn’t the type of program used in hospitals and treatment centers for drug addiction: it’s simply removing impurities from our bodies. People around the world use different methods to achieve this. Ancient societies in Europe and Asia regularly engaged in purifying practices to enhance the harmony between mind and body. According to claims, removing toxins can enhance health and even assist in weight loss. General principles apply here such as maintaining hydration, engaging in regular exercise, and eating a diet high in fiber and anti-oxidants; you might even want to add a meditation practice. These activities help your body’s natural detoxification processes so you look and feel your best; but if you are interested in the idea of detoxification to compensate for unhealthy lifestyle choices, pollution, and processed foods….come learn about natural ways to detoxify.

Drum Circle
A Drum Circle is a group of people playing hand drums together. Rather than being a performance, drum circles serve as their own end, promoting creative expression, building community, and supporting physical, mental, and spiritual health. For thousands of years, people have used drumming to reduce stress, support the healing process, and build stronger bonds within a community. Drumming doesn’t require expert skills, so it’s a simple and enjoyable group activity that’s available and accessible to anyone. This practice has only recently attracted the attention of science and medicine, which has begun to study its therapeutic effects in both clinical and social contexts. What could be more uplifting than a gathering of people singing, dancing, or having fun while making music? All ancient native, traditional people have their own way of making music together; we come together in this ancient practice, experiencing the benefits by bringing it into our modern world.

Emotional Freedom Technique
Healthcare professionals use EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), often referred to as “tapping,” to help patients who are experiencing pain or mental discomfort. As a type of self-care and regulation, it consists of simple actions that can be taught and applied. The idea behind EFT is that by concentrating tapping on certain acupuncture meridian points, imbalanced energy channels can be corrected. EFT is a cutting-edge therapeutic approach to therapy that provides relief from pain on an emotional and physical level. This type of acupuncture stimulates energy centers of the body by using the fingertips rather than needles. This technique, created by Gary Craig, is simple to learn and usable almost everywhere. The theory behind this procedure is that “a disruption in the body’s energy system is the root of all unpleasant emotions.” EFT tapping is an alternative acupressure therapy procedure designed to reduce unpleasant feelings and bring disordered energy back into balance. It has shown some promise as a treatment for anxiety, sadness, physical pain, and sleeplessness, and has been approved as a treatment for PTSD. Come learn how to use this technique and experience the benefits in your own life.

Fitness & Weight Training
Yes, we’ve heard it many times…exercise is good for you! It helps strengthen and tone your muscles, improve your cardiovascular system, address age-related muscle loss, and improves your overall health and appearance. In our fitness classes we may do aerobics (cardiovascular exercise) or use weights as resistance (weight training using dumbbells, resistance bands or your own body weight) to help you gain strength. Lean muscle mass naturally declines with age (it peaks in our 20’s!) so our teachers guide us to take action, whether to build, or replenish our lost muscle. With consistency, you’ll be able to lift weights more effortlessly and for longer periods of time, benefitting your life in many ways. This also helps preserve your bone mass, enhance weight management, and raise your metabolic rate. Well, what are we waiting for? If you’re at a point where you want to include more fitness and strength training in your life, join one of these workshops and let’s get moving!

Flower Essences
Flower essences are liquid plant preparations prepared from a plant’s fresh flower blossoms that leave an energy impression on the water. This vibrational process targets the emotional and behavioral influences that may be causing challenges to a person’s general well-being. Given that they are based on the energy or vibration of a flower, flower essences are regarded as “energetic” modalities. The only ingredients are water, the flower “essence” and alcohol as a preservative. They function by using the water that has been infused with the plant’s energetic imprints: each flower has a different quality or characteristic, intended to have an influence on those who use the flower essence. These extracts have entirely different qualities from medications that influence mood, and are believed to correct imbalances through a different mechanism. Energy medicine has been practiced for thousands of years and is believed to affect the mind and body at a spiritual or “energetic” level. We may be familiar with some of these principles from other modalities such as Acupuncture, T’ai Chi, or Reiki. Flower essences can be found in health food stores and integrative or holistic pharmacies. You might have heard of “Bach Flowers” or “Rescue Remedy”; there are several hundred other flower essences from many different countries (and flowers) from around the world: we’ll take a look at some of these and explore their use in our workshops. 

HeartMath
Bring your body, mind, and emotions into harmony, and you’ll find that your awareness and sensitivity to your heart’s intuitive guidance will increase. You experience a significant internal transformation when you tune into your heart’s wisdom; it enables you to approach situations with more emotional equilibrium, compassion, clarity, and self-assurance. It can also enhance optimism, increase concentration and energy, support quality sleep, and reduce stress. Heart-centered breathing practices help the body and mind work together to boost positive feelings. HeartMath meditation is based on scientific principles and is practiced all over the world. It alters your response to stress from a fight or flight response to one that promotes improved feelings of well-being. Come learn about this technique, get back in touch with your heart’s wisdom, and respond to life from this heart-centered place.

Henna Art
Henna is made from a plant called Lawsonia Inermis, found in hot climates. The plant’s twigs, petals, and leaves are crushed into a fine powder that contains tannin, then hot water is added to create a thick paste. The reddish brown paste is frequently used to decorate the hands and feet, and can also be used to dye fabric, clothes, and hair. This practice of body adornment often aims to honor life’s experiences and transitions, as well as to inspire and empower during difficult times. Patterns range depending on their place of origin, and represent different things to different cultures: health, fertility, knowledge, protection, and spiritual enlightenment are among some of their purposes. Men might implement the practices for symbolic reasons as well as women, depending on the culture. Designs may contain abstract symbols, geometrical shapes, or graceful floral or vine motifs. Our henna workshops are generally supportive and empowering in nature; teachers might choose a particular “theme” based on the purpose of the class.

Health care can be approached holistically with the use of homoeopathic remedies, which have been used for over two hundred years for therapeutic purposes. The goal of homeopathy is to address an underlying cause and heal “from the inside out”. Homeopathy is based on the rule of similarities, which claims that “like cures like,” meaning that when administered in diluted proportions, the same thing that causes sickness in a person can also cure them of it. When used properly, homoeopathy can have astonishing healing results by aiding the body’s natural healing process. Hompeopathy uses active compounds derived from thousands of items in nature such as flowers (arnica), minerals (calcium, potassium, etc.), onion, and witch hazel. These are diluted and transformed into pills, ointments, gels, and drops. Homeopathy uses an alternative diagnostic method called “repertorizing” which takes physical, mental and emotional symptoms into account before a remedy is decided. Our courses are taught by certified homeopaths, or licensed medical professionals who have been trained in this system of medicine.

“Ikigai” (Life Purpose) Exploration
Ikigai is a Japanese word that means “reason for existing,” with “ki” standing for “life” and “gai” for “value” or “worth.” Thus, your Ikigai is essential your life purpose. Ikigai consists of four elements: what you enjoy doing, what you’re skilled at, what you could  be compensated for, and what the world needs. Many Japanese people think ikigai plays a significant part in their lifespan and quality of life. It’s understandable why western culture has developed an interest into this concept as a means of finding a fulfilling profession. Finding your greatest passion is one of the first steps in discovering your Ikigai; you then discover the means by which you can put your passion into action. Ikigai is about discovering happiness, contentment, and balance in the mundane, daily grind of life. Ikigai’s basic tenet is that nothing is compartmentalized; the world (and also our lives) are interconnected. We explore all these ideas in this special workshop, guiding you in an evaluation of yourself and the world around you. You might find that your life becomes more rewarding just because you participated in these activities. 

Journaling
Journaling is the art of writing down your thoughts, feelings, experiences, and insights. It can be typed or hand-written, and even illustrated. It’s an easy, inexpensive, and healthy way to express yourself, and the practice can help you cope with challenging situations or overwhelming emotions. It can also create more awareness about your deepest feelings and desires, helping you to figure out what’s triggering your reactions to life events. Keeping a journal can be helpful for those who experience stress or anxiety, or used as a way to keep track of progress in any area of life. While starting a journal might be challenging and a consistent practice can seem like a lot of work, don’t let that stop you! Even if you don’t journal every day, you can still benefit from this activity. Each one of our journaling workshops (which might be combined with Vision Boards) will have a different topic for discussion and a writing prompt will be offered to encourage you reflect and turn inwards, finding insights and solutions from within yourself. What often results is you get more clarity and determination, developing a strategy to address the issues you’re dealing with.

Labyrinth walk
A labyrinth walk is a practice used by a variety of different cultures to ground yourself and experience spiritual centering. It is a form of ancient prayer and consists of walking quietly through the path of a labyrinth and quieting your mind and grounding yourself to the earth (it is not a maze; there is a clear path for you to follow). Labyrinth walks can have different purposes: to move through grief or loss, contemplate a life transition, set goals, focus on gratitude, or simply to help induce peace within the mind, body, and soul.

Meditation
Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present. It consists of grounding yourself fully into the here and now. Mindfulness is often found through the practice of meditation. Meditation is all about training your awareness to settle on a new healthy perspective, which is achieved through learning how to observe your thoughts and feelings rather than strongly identifying/clinging to them.

Mindfulness
Being fully “present” is the discipline of mindfulness. This is achieved by allowing yourself to let go of all outside distractions or thoughts, and immersing yourself completely in the present moment; focusing on what is happening right here, right now. Meditation is often a tool to help people achieve a state of mindfulness, or active awareness. Being mindful improves performance, lowers stress, allows us to observe our thoughts which increases awareness and insight, and helps us pay more attention to the well-being of ourselves and others. As we view our experiences through this lens of compassion, we unleash our innate curiosity; a goal is to focus on the present moment with intention and accepting it without passing judgment. Mindfulness is currently being scientifically studied as a crucial component of stress relief and general well-being. Attending a class or listening to a guided meditation might be a great place to start if you’d like to add this practice to your life; even 20 minutes might be enough time for your “monkey mind” to calm down. The more often you do this, the greater impact it has. Join us to learn more about seeing the benefits of mindfulness in your daily life.

Mini-retreat 
Take a break from your regular routine and give yourself the gift of self-care…join us for a mini-retreat! You can step back from life’s complexities and listen to your body, heart and soul. Sometimes all you need when life is whirling around you or challenges come, is to just take a break and regain perspective. We’ll have different self-care stations such as chair massage, far-infrared sauna, aromatherapy ‘make and take’, P-EMF, rejuvenating facials, or foot soaks. Come get a mental boost, rest to regain energy, let go of negative frustrations, and relax into an experience just for you. This time doesn’t require a lot of preparation or time; even an hour or two can do you good! It can help you clear your mind and give you the support you need to keep going. Take a break with us! Enjoy these mini getaways; you’ll meet people and make friends, and some of you might join us on our longer retreats (weekend or week-long); see you there!

Neuro-Linguistic Programming
Did you know your thought and behavior patterns can be altered using a set of techniques called Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)? NLP proponents assert that using their techniques can improve personal development, address mental and emotional challenges, and increase professional success; our workshop can introduce you to some of the practices used in NLP, and you can see for yourself. NLP teaches you how to reframe your present beliefs; it can help you drastically alter how you perceive the world and approach challenges in life. NLP also teaches how to connect with challenging people and persuade them to cooperate with you, using techniques such as mirroring and matching to create rapport. NLP is learned by doing, and it is more effective when you have a diverse group of people studying alongside you. NLP practitioners believe that mental and physical health challenges can be addressed through an NLP approach. 

Nutrition
Your diet has a significant impact on your health. Consuming a diet of highly processed foods ups your chances of developing chronic illness and leaves you feeling trained and not properly fueled. By taking a nutrition class you can learn about all the best ways to care for and fuel your body with the proper nutrients it deserves. We have several workshop topics planned, many led by licensed healthcare professionals to discuss “nutraceutical” options for specific health conditions.

Nutraceuticals
Are you or a loved one on medications for a health condition and you always wondered what a qualified holistic doctor would recommend instead? We discuss holistic approaches, new research, and treatment options with primary care doctors who share information and provide Q/A time on several topics such as stress/anxiety, depression, digestive disorders, heart health, etc.

Pottery-making, Ceramic Painting, Soap-making or Painting, Wine & Cheese
Join us for a creative and social evening of crafts and refreshments!  

QiGong
Qigong, pronounced “chi gong,” was developed in China thousands of years ago as part of traditional Chinese medicine (T’ai Chi is often considered a form of qigong). It involves using exercises to optimize energy within the body, mind, and spirit, with the goal of improving and maintaining health and well-being. Qigong involves the regulation of the mind, breath, and body’s movement and posture.

Reiki
Reiki is an ancient Japanese healing art which uses energy to heal and balance the body, promoting relaxation and reducing stress. A Reiki practitioner uses gentle touch to deliver energy into their client’s body through the palms of their hands, inducing a relaxed and meditative state. From time to time we may have what is known has a “Reiki Share” (or Reiki Exchange, Circle) and Reiki Level I, II and III trainings.

Shadow Work (Tarot, Crystals, etc.)
Shadow doesn’t imply anything “dark”, wrong or nefarious: it is referring to what is “hidden” in the shadows of our conscious awareness.  For example, we might not realize we self-sabotage when we act a particular way in certain circumstances, or if a relationship feels “off” but we can’t explain what it is. Shadow work allows us to explore possibilities, deeper meanings, and often helps bring peace when evaluating a situation using the “bigger picture” or approaching it from a spiritual or emotionally evolutionary perspective. It is intended to tap into your intuition and inner guidance; it can also be used as a “divination” tool, providing wisdom from the ages, or messages of encouragement based on your current circumstances. 

Singing Bowl Meditation
Join us to sit back and relax to the healing frequencies of our singing bowl meditations. Our trained practitioner will serenade you with this form of sound therapy helping to induce relaxation and a deep meditative state. Experience the many benefits of this ancient Buddhist healing practice, including reducing stress, reducing physical pain, improving mental and emotional clarity, even improving sleeping patterns.

Vision boards
Vision boards are created to inspire and remind you why you do the work that you do. They are used to combat procrastination and cultivate motivation. To create a vision board you must find words/ images that create a sense of joy or inspiration for you. You then take these images and create a college of them on a poster board. You can hang this poster board anywhere around your home to remind yourself of the positive things you enjoy doing, and inspire yourself to stay motivated.

Yoga

Ashtanga Yoga
In the West, Ashtanga has long been regarded as a favorite style of yoga. Ashtanga focuses on a challenging physical routine that consists of a series of poses connected by the breath into a continuous sequence. Because of the high physical strength, flexibility, and endurance required for the practice, many people view it as a demanding and difficult workout. Including an Ashtanga yoga class in your daily exercise routine is a good way to maintain your mind and body’s health and strength, regardless of whether you’re familiar with yoga or searching for something new as your fitness goals change. There are several advantages to Ashtanga yoga: it’s good for athletes and people who want to physically challenge themselves because it’s considered to be demanding. Similar to other hatha yoga styles, Ashtanga yoga focuses on breath, poses, and meditation so your breathing, balance, and flexibility can all be enhanced by a regular yoga practice. It can help you become more resilient, build stronger bones and muscles, regulate your weight, lower your blood pressure, and reduce stress. Ashtanga provides people with a very structured method of asana practice: you’ll always be able to tell when you’re making progress and can adjust your workout as necessary. With frequent practice, it can help you become more flexible, strong, and mentally focused.

Hatha Yoga is the primary type of yoga we practice, although we’ll often include some Ashtanga, Yin, and Vinyasa. Hatha is a form of ‘gentle yoga’ for beginner and intermediate level students. It combines postures (asanas) with conscious breathing (Pranayama) while developing flexibility, balance, endurance, strength and mental clarity.

Laughter Yoga:  Gentle stretching and breathing exercises followed by playful activities that encourage us to laugh, and a quiet meditation at the end. Laughter Yoga was started in India by a medical doctor who researched the health benefits of laughter and wanted to encourage it in people’s daily lives. Laughter Yoga teaches us to be more flexible in our daily lives, responding to situations with an easy-going mindset, and learning to laugh through challenges.

Restorative Yoga

Vinyasa Yoga

Yin Yoga
Yin yoga focuses on the deep connective tissues such as ligaments and joints. Each pose is held longer, giving you more time to focus inward and become aware of your thoughts and your body’s physical sensations. Yin yoga helps you stretch and lengthen infrequently utilized areas because you hold poses for longer than you would in other traditional forms of yoga. It also teaches you how to breathe through discomfort be present with any thoughts that come up. The Taoist and ancient Chinese philosophical foundations of yin yoga hold that our bodies include routes for the flow of Qi (energy). In doing yin yoga, we remove obstructions and allow this energy to flow freely. Research shows that yin yoga significantly lowers stress levels; your body becomes more relaxed, and your heart rate slows down. Yin yoga is different from more active forms of yoga such as Vinyasa, but it doesn’t make it any less of a workout; give it a try the next time you’re stuck in a fitness rut, and discover for yourself the benefits to your physical and mental health.

Yoga Nidra: Yoga nidra is a form of meditation done while lying down. The teacher guides the class through certain stages, leading to a delta brainwave state of “conscious awareness” sleep. The goals are to calm the sympathetic nervous system (the fight-or-flight response) and achieve a deep state of relaxation.

Got an idea for a class or workshop? Let us know!
If you’re a teacher and want to offer your own workshop, also, please reach out to us