Thank you to everyone who attended our virtual symposium.
Let's meet in September in person! (hopefully)
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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 and 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.
There is strength in a river that is flowing
We always have our plant allies around us, supporting us and delighting us. Right now, in this moment, our wise old Aunt Elder is calling to us and reminding us of her gifts.
Elderblossoms are opening their sweet panicles all along the roadways and forest edges. In this class we will learn how to identify Elder/Sambucus and become aware of her sweet gentle help with viral issues.
We will make elderblossom tea and share our love and knowledge of this important food and medicine.
Our gatherings with women change us and change the world as well. We can create a circle of Women around us wherever we are and no matter what is going on in the world around us. Utilizing Jean Shinoda Bolen's book "The Millionth Circle" we will explore how to form and maintain our own healing gatherings to grow the Mother Wisdom that we all need.
Poke Root, Ink Berry, Cancer Root, Poke Sallet - Phytolacca americana is a big, bold plant and particularly good for breast health. A powerful plant that needs to be approached and used carefully. Join Bibiana as she shares what she’s learned in three years of working with this plant. We will talk about all things poke: the leaves, the berries, the roots and how to enjoy them safely.
This class is a 60 minute dynamic blend of Primal movements, Vinyasa flow yoga, Tribal dance, and meditation set to the rhythm of a variety of musical genres. It is a total body practice designed to expand flexibility, build strength, increase endurance with a focus on core engagement, hip rotations, and sacral chakra connection, opening the channel of our abundant creativity, sexual energy and power.
Equipment necessary: yoga mat, water
In this class, we will focus in on inhabiting our larger energetic structure- our "Sacred Anatomy.” As we deepen our presence through the understanding of our energy structure, we will expand our capacity to sense the energies of plants. Communication with plants will happen through a process of self inquiry that will then extend to the plant/person relationship. We will sense plants individually, then as a group, sharing our discoveries. This approach involves keeping a sense of humor and curiosity. It supports the wholeness of the human meeting the wholeness of the plant. Bring your curiosity and come ready to dive deep! This class joins an ongoing weekly class.
In this class, we will learn about broom making by watching how to make one with minimal tools. We'll learn a bit of broomcorn botany, broom lore, and discuss resources for making one in the future.
More than just lining cavities and dispelling sneezes, our mucus membranes are an active component of immunity and serve as an indispensable interface between our body and the microbiome that inhabits us. These precious protectors are facing more challenges due to rapid environmental changes and COVID19. This class will focus on how we can best support their efforts with herbs and daily healing habits. Herbal protocol for dealing with respiratory infection and lymphatic congestion in the lungs will be covered.
Taught at intermediate level but all are welcome.
Exploration of herbal treatment for COVID19-type fever states and blood conditions. We are all learning as we go and some of what has been helpful ‘in the field’ will be presented using case studies. Participants will be encouraged to share what they have experienced for fever, heart, kidney and blood vessel protection.
Join your sisters and dive deep into the unique and precious gifts you bring to the world. You are more, you do more, you give more than your conscious mind knows and acknowledges. When you connect consciously and intentionally with your unique gifts, your power to be a positive force in the world becomes unleashed and unstoppable. The world needs you. You need you. Class will be 90 minutes and involve small group and larger group discussions and explorations.
If you're not making your own ferments and reaping the immune boosting benefits they offer, your time is now!
Ferments are a delicious addition to your repertoire, and as we come into the harvest months, fermenting your fruits and veggies will be a skill that will serve you for a lifetime. The ferments that have come out of Mary Sheila’s kitchen have been a game changer for her health, and they can be for you too! Mary Sheila has been fermenting for over 15 years and teaching people how to for over 10.
We will cover the health benefits of ferments, how to use them medicinally, choosing the best ferment for you & your constitution & health condition, choosing probiotic supplements & how they differ, and much more.
In part 1 we will make a few delicious ferments. In part 2 we will have a microbial lecture and ferment Q & A.
In part 2 we will have a microbial lecture and ferment Q & A. See part 1 , Saturday 10:30-12:00 for a full description.
Balancing blood sugar is a delicate hormonal dance.
The hormonal system is your own personal team of first responders, responding to all the elements that make up life, allowing you to stay in balance.
Your blood nourishes every cell, feeds the brain, and has to respond to everything we eat. It’s influenced by and responds to all of our stressors, as well as the quality and quantity of our dietary intake.
Blood sugar balance, insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, and diabetes is also a health epidemic. According to a report released in July 2017, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) “More than 100 million U.S. adults are now living with diabetes or pre-diabetes.
In this class, we will break down blood sugar balance using the principles and perspective of:
- Whole food nutrition
- Ayurveda
- Herbal allies
- Self care
- Lifestyle habits
Understanding the holistic, whole body perspective is key to finding balance, which leads to balancing hormones, cultivating right-size body weight, improving cognitive function, preventing cancer, increased energy, and better sleep, to name a few. What you eat, your portion size, and the timing of your meals, all play into the intricate dance of hormonal balance and how all the hormones play into supporting the whole system to regulate blood sugar.
Eating for hormonal balance is a different approach that gets better results. It’s not about counting calories, it’s about honoring your metabolic hormones on a daily basis to allow your body to find it’s natural rhythm.
We will continue. See part 1, Monday 9-10:30 a.m., for full description.
Come to sprout class to learn about how to grow food in the form of sprouts and baby greens! It is easy and fun, and it is not all about alfalfa sprouts.
Sprouts are super nutritious, and probably the easiest gardening ever. Growing a sprout garden takes very little space and very little time. After you buy the basic supplies, the cost is minimal.
This is as local and as fresh as food gets!
The class includes:
- Growing sprouts, both with and without soil.
- How to sprout small seeds and large seeds
- How to set up an on-going sprout garden at your home
- Live zoom tour of a sprout gardening setup
Dance movements and styles deriving from African cultures and/or ethnically descended groups in the Caribbean, The Mediterranean, The Americas, The Indian Ocean, and the Pacific Rim. Bring a towel and bottled water and supportive foot wear. Wrap skirts (lappa or pare`u) are optional.
In this class we will explore and learn basic steps (wawae) that is foundation in all hula lineages:
- Kaholo
- Ka'o
- 'Uwehe
- ‘Ami
- Hela
Before Western contact, hula was danced for social enjoyment but its chants also preserved epic tales, myths, history and philosophy. Multiple tales describe the mythic beginnings of hula but the most-often heard is probably that of Pele and her sister Hi`iaka. Laka, the spiritual patron of hula, is more prominently associated with hula and was symbolized in the halau (hula school). A dancer's rigorous training and performance were taken seriously with dancers paid and materially supported by the ruling ali`i.
There are many other basic steps, but we will explore these ones and understand body mechanics, rhythm, and timing to execute them well. This class (papa hula) will be accompanied by using a traditional double headed gourd implement (ipu heke). Please come dressed in comfortable work out clothes. Mahalo!
We will explore how to make an effective herbal formula. We will talk about how to choose herbs to support and aid each other for the most effective outcome.
Join brujas Maria and Xochi for a fun class about the rising reclamation of Latinx Witchcraft. They will discuss the use of herbs, candles, honoring the elements, and so much more in the traditions of Latinx witchcraft. As well they will share their own stories, experiences and teachings from their grandmothers. There will be much laughter, gossip, play, and Spanglish between these two sisters, so don't miss out!
Join Xochi: teacher, artist, spiritual guide and healer on a class about the ancient healing traditions of the South. She will share about the healing practice of limpias and ceremony in the teachings of Curanderismo. Everyone who joins the class is encouraged to bring a branch of fresh herbs from their garden to learn about limpias. Together Xochi will guide all participants in learning how to do self sweepings; known as barridas.
Mid Kids
This 60 Minutes Yoga Class will be based off the book, "Wilma Unlimited - How Wilma Rudolph Became the World's Fastest Woman" The Students Will
- Have this amazing book read to them after doing a check-in about a challenge they overcame and how.
- Learn the name of simple yoga poses and practice the yoga poses
- Practice a silent meditation
- Learn the power of affirmations and how to overcome challenges and adversity through yoga, breath and movement
- Have a peaceful and calm Shavasana
Early Morning Classes