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Classes & Teachers
The lymphatic system is called Rasa in Sanskrit, meaning the river of life. Keeping this river flowing allows our tissues to receive nourishment, which is the secret to being and looking healthy. Our lymph fluids allow hormones to get from one endocrine gland to another and play an important role in our reproductive health. The lymphatic system is also called the Immune system, which we all know is important for fighting foreign invaders and staying healthy. There will be demonstrations on how to map the lymphatic system in your body with an emphasis on breast health. There will be time for Q &A about our breasts and immunity, massage assessments for experiential learning & what tools can support change and prevent diseases. Students will leave having a clear understanding of the lymph system and how to keep it and their breasts healthy.
*Breast Checks will be continued throughout the entire weekend.
There is strength in a river that is flowing
Be empowered around communication, bacteria and deterioration.
all levels
Come take a shamanic journey to meet with your personal expression of goddess and plant spirits. Let the rhythm of the drum dissolve your mind and center you in spirit. Return from your journey and bring life to that goddess being or sacred plant ally thru needlefelting. We will be using a felting needle, wool, and natural objects we find at Black Oak Ranch to create a tapestry or mask to symbolize your journey and your own personal expression of your goddess or plant spirit ally. No previous needle felting experience is necessary. All materials will be provided, but bring any sacred natural objects you may want to include in your tapestry or mask. Class size limited to 15
all levels
What is a Charrette? What is a Forest Garden? What is Permaculture?
Permaculture ethics and principles are powerful guidelines applicable to any type of design work. A forest garden mimics the architecture, relationships and diversity of an established forest. A charrette supports a group in the co creation of a design. We will learn, laugh and create model designs for medicinal forest gardens.
all levels
Realize the potential of your herbal, or other business through a creative workshop that will address your vision and purpose. To help further your health consulting practice, herbal product business, or any business, we will come together to more clearly define your growth, target market, sales force and how to communicate your professional message to your community. Bring an open heart and mind while we utilize the power of the living mandala to visually record our plans. We will both share with and support our sisters in creating the vision of bounty and growth that will seed successful businesses. You must be able to visualize your garden while you plant your seeds.
all levels
For beginning business owners or business owners looking for new ideas, growth, and goal setting
Let's set the tone of the weekend with song! Come to the temple and sing and celebrate. Learn songs to sing all weekend long.
Feel your energy and vitality rise singing together with other women in a song circle. Need a song for that special moment? Lots of times when I am in circle and someone is speaking, a song runs through my mind that is totally related to the moment. In this workshop we will learn several songs to be used for all occasions.
Join Copperwoman in singing songs that nourish feelings of closeness and unity, and assist in raising vibration, creating a fertile ground for prayer and healing. Bask in the Divine Silence that fills the space between songs. Copperwoman "catches" songs that emerge out of the energy and common experiences of our growing beings. They inspire us with wisdom and insights and rise from a place of core connection. Songwords will be provided—the songs are easy to learn and nurture our feelings of being earth family. Music IS the Medicine!
all levels
all levels
Experience matchless fire starting and become a member of the Fire Devas. Join us if you would like to be a Sacred Fire Tender this session. Establish an intimate relationship with this powerful elemental. Holding the central fire is an act of service, a source of healing and a teacher of awareness.
When to plant and when to sow? The moon is our ruler of water, and the seasons. Come learn her influences on you and the planet. Apply her teachings to effectively run your herbal practice or life. Her sixteen phases help you understand yourself as a cycle, as circle as wemoon. This class respectfully begins on time.
In the manner of the grandmothers, we will make a medicine bowl using the coals of our sacred fire. This takes time so plan on attending all classes. We will provide 20 burls. To accommodate more women collect a burl now and bring to class. Best if it is dried. Only collect from dead trees, please. This class respectfully begins on time.
all levels
all levels
all levels
adults only
A tour of the Altars on the land with the use of sound, breathing techniques, medicinal tea, elixirs, gem stone therapy, yoga and a good sense of humor.
We will then build an altar on the land to show our gratitude and a place to give our offerings.
all levels
If you have self-chatter that holds you back…like I can’t play an instrument because I didn’t learn when I was young, or I can’t draw because my sister is an artist, or I can’t dance because I don’t dance correctly, then this class is for you. We will go through a series of exercises in theatre improvisation, singing, dancing, writing and drawing.
Upon request, this class builds upon part 1 Breaking Down Boundaries and continues to offer opportunities to give and receive support for reaching our most creative selves. We will play improve games that include singing and dancing together.
all levels
all levels
all levels
Essences are infused vibrational waters that can create subtle, but very distinct, shifts in consciousness, enabling us to meet the moment in new ways. Come learn some of the less-often-heard aspects of making essences~ of plants, trees, rocks, planets, journeys, and more! We'll also experience and explore the ways that taking essences can support our bodies and beings in adjusting to and engaging with the shifting energies of these times. Prepare to be dosed!
all levels
Demonstration of Sho ni shin: the Japanese form of acupuncture and acupressure in babies and children, massaging the meridians and using essential oils at the proper dilution for common imbalances.
Experience auricular acupuncture in a safe setting. NADA was originally developed as a 5 point needle protocol for aiding in extreme stress, trauma, PTSD, addiction, co-dependency, arrythmias (heart imbalance), and recovery. Each participant can receive needles and feel the effects directly. A nervine tea will also be provided and an explanation of the herbs discussed.
all levels
Bring your playful drumming spirit to this all level drum class. We will review basic drum tehnique and learn rhythms and songs from West Africa. Bring your hand or stick drums and percussion instruments such as shakers and bells. There will be a few extra drums to share. Let's drum up some magic.
Drum while you dance, dance while you drum. This class combines the beauty of West African dance with the exciting energy of stick drumming. We will learn Kuku a women's fishing dance from Guinea. Dundun drums will be provided.
Bells sound through any rhythm, keeping the time and instigating dance. Basic bell patterns will be taught as well as Kpatsa, a melodic Ghanaian bell piece. Bring your bells. There will be extras to share. Shekeres and drums also welcome
all levels
all levels
all levels
Get up close and personal with your green allies. Identify the local plants and learn how to use them for food and medicine.
It is always important to be prepared for circumstances that arise especially with children around. Having first aid supplies readily available helps with situations at home or traveling around the world. Michele will share her first aid kit that has traveled the world with her as well as stories in which she needed to use it. She will also guide you through putting together your own first aid kit.
Herbs are great to flavor foods but they also act as healing agents. So much of our medicine can be consumed in our food. Introducing herbs into your regular diet will nourish your body and strengthen your core. Experiment with a variety of recipes in this class.
all levels
beg/inter
all levels
Visiting the local plants in their chosen habitats & learn how they provide for the earth & us.
We'll look at our major endocrine organs & discuss ways they harmonize our bodies, noting some herbs, foods to enhance these processes.
We'll discuss the amazing herbs, foods and exercises that protect our eyes from the dis-eases of life, and focus on what we can do NOW to enhance our ability to see.
all levels
inter/advanced
all levels
The workshop examines many of the most common causes of fatigue, and how to differentiate them. A variety of herbal and nutritional support approaches to treatment, based upon the underlying causes, will be discussed.
This is an introduction to the topical and inhalation use of about twenty safe and common essential oils such as lavender, chamomile, and clary sage. The workshop will discuss some important key concepts of plant biochemistry, and will focus on the practical use of essential for mood support, respiratory tract, skin health, and neuromuscular support. Selected carrier oils will discussed as well. Oral use of essential oils will not be covered, as this is a more advanced topic.
beg/inter
Join Sonja for an upbeat bellydance class where we will shimmy and shake our butts.
Come prepared to dance and move. All levels welcome.
Come learn a sensual and simple Tribal Fusion choreography, something you can take home and
show your family and friends. Wear comfortable clothes you can move in.
all levels
all levels
Learn how to turn an idea into a short story. We will be drawing inspiration from ancient and traditional folktales, and writing our own "folktale fan fiction." You will walk away inspired and ready to write more! Bring your favorite notebook.
all levels
Learn more about this sister to your immune system and how it affects circulation, heart health, recovery and prevention of acute illness. We will explore how the lymph system works and how to care for it using specific herbs, foods, cleanses, hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, and other body treatments. We will also discuss emotional and energetic factors that influence the integrity of this very important system.
Explore the vast frontier of the digestive tract through deepened understanding of its amazing physiology and influence on immunity, circulation and brain health. This class will address the ways antibiotics affect our microbiome and how we can build and support our gut using foods, herbs and natural healing.
Respiratory system complaints have risen as global air quality has diminished. We will discuss healing tools and formulas for eliminating excess mucus and treating acute, unresolved sinus infections, colds, bronchitis and pneumonia. A holistic approach to dealing with respiratory recovery and care due to poor air quality, fungal exposure and asthma, with the aim of preventing chronic respiratory disease, will be emphasized.
Let us honor our moon time, when the veil between the worlds is lifted. Come and connect with the magical mysteries of our Moon cycle. Moon blood is our direct connection to the Divine Mother Earth and the Goddess. The Mysteries of our sacred blood is wisdom, intuition and wemoon power. Where are you in relation to your moon cycle? What goes on in your body, mind and spirit in the dance of hormones throughout your cycle? Awaken and harmonize to the connection of your body's natural rhythms. We will learn how to create sacred space, with the aide of our herbal allies, in which to open to the mysteries of our sacred selves in moon time.
Celebrate the sacredness of your bloods by making your own moon pad. Come and create your very own sacred receptacle for your blood and affirm your female power. For spiritual, political and environmental reasons let's do away with pre-packaged sanitary napkins. Let's reclaim this multi-billion dollar industry for women. Let's reclaim our power by making our own blood pads! In women's circle we shall weave our prayers and songs of power into a handmade wemoon pad. No prior sewing experience required.
Come explore the awesome mysteries of the infinite yoniverse. Wemoon magic, power and wisdom comes from our yonis, the gateway to the womb, a yoniverse of Life force energy. Our cycles are the creative principles of the universe. In the Eleusinian religious mysteries, the secret of immortality and enlightenment is expressed in the image of a woman giving birth to herself. Come join us in ritual as we call upon our herbal allies to midwife our rebirth and aid us in reclaiming our Divine feminine power. We will be making yoni prints, bring your own bowl.
Crones
Crones, come share lunch with other Wise Crones. We will discuss loving life after menopause, finding joy, appreciation, and health in our Crone years. We will also discuss our part in the Maiden’s Rites of Passage Ceremony and our own Crone’s Honoring Ritual.
This is time to reflect and share our experiences of Cronehood and our love for our Wise Crone ways and bodies. Past menopause and into memorypause, we will tell our stories. A time to make a ritual Crone Broom will follow.
Crones, come share another lunch with other Wise Crones. We will continue our plans for the Maiden’s Rites of Passage and our own Crone’s Honoring Ritual.
Join us for a quiet honoring of the loss of an unborn child through miscarriage or abortion.
Young Women
Welcome maidens, to the Circle of Women! Join us in celebrating the beauty and strength of this phase of your life, the time of your bloods. We will explore ideas and feelings, hear stories, make things to care for ourselves and prepare for the Maiden’s Rites of Passage Ceremony to be held Sunday evening at 6:30 p.m. Any young woman who would like to go through the Maiden Ceremony must attend this class.
A hands on class using specific essential oils on acupuncture points for supporting young women. We will talk about the brain chemistry of teens and what sets it apart from other life stages and how to support the nervous and immune system. In partners we will each give and receive an essential oil treatment and each participant will create and take home an essential oil blend for self care.
Using herbs and essential oils to make Salt Scrubs and Body Butter as well as incorporating some restorative yoga postures. Healthy snacks: making and eating bliss balls.
Mid Kids
Through the magic of fairies this class will have a focus on giving the children the rules and guidelines to care for themselves and others during the symposium. We will walk the perimeter of the gathering and introduce the children to the local dangers with guidelines (ie: poison oak!! let's steer clear...and to be at the river requires adult supervision!) We will be discovering and honoring some of the 13 alters placed about for the weekend. We will be collecting natural materials on our walk to make into Fairy Houses while we talk about what it means to be an ambassador of the land. Children under 7 must come with an adult. Adults welcome too!!! Please bring a basket or vessel to place natural materials in while we walk. At the end of the class, each of us will wear a special colored ribbon that signals to the other symposium sisters that you just may hold the answers she is looking for...like, where is the bathroom?
all levels
We will decorate a container and fill it with salts, oil, dried flowers and love. Class limited to 20 please
Cut, stuff, and sew a small herbal pillow. We will be using wool felt, raw wool and herbs for this class. Some sewing experience helpful. Moms/aunties welcome to stay and help the younger ones. Class limited to 20 please.
Come learn the basics of wet felting as we work the wool into beautiful creations.
Come make Prayer Flags with fabric, natural materials, beads and yarn! Learn how to turn reclaimed materials into something beautiful and meaningful.
some sewing experience helpful but not necessary
Learn to tell a story and get your wiggles out with some fun theater games! Bring a story or a poem to share with the group if you are so inspired to!
Early Morning Classes
Other Classes
Intensives
The lymphatic system is called Rasa in Sanskrit, meaning the river of life. Keeping this river flowing allows our tissues to receive nourishment, which is the secret to being and looking healthy. Our lymph fluids allow hormones to get from one endocrine gland to another and play an important role in our reproductive health. The lymphatic system is also called the Immune system, which we all know is important for fighting foreign invaders and staying healthy. There will be demonstrations on how to map the lymphatic system in your body with an emphasis on breast health. There will be time for Q &A about our breasts and immunity, massage assessments for experiential learning & what tools can support change and prevent diseases. Students will leave having a clear understanding of the lymph system and how to keep it and their breasts healthy.
*Breast Checks will be continued throughout the entire weekend.
There is strength in a river that is flowing