Touching The Bones: Shamanism, Sound & Yoga Workshop

Join Joanna for an afternoon of Shamanism, Sound, Yoga and Creativity.
Beginning on the 4 May – the season of Beltane, the threshold of summer – we start our monthly journey into reclaiming our deepest selves.

• Connecting with our body and rebalancing through gentle yet powerful yoga, pranayama and mantra
• Clearing and harmonizing our energy field through the healing sounds of gong, Himalayan and crystal bowls, percussion and voice
• Deepening our connection with Spirit and Nature through traditional Shamanic practices, Celtic mythology, Goddesses and folklore
• Each month we will use creativity, journaling, journeying, art to invite those parts that we have silenced, or perhaps have never known, into the light.

This isn’t therapy but sacred play. Through this process and practices you will be guided to clarity and connection to your beauty and strength as well as exploring and releasing your fears and vulnerabilities.

With Beltane as the focus for this month, we stand in the doorway into the brightest part of the year. Let us fill up with light and fire and energy! Blessing our day with the first draw of spring water we will dream and sow seeds of possibilities for the year ahead. Welcoming warmth and hope from fertile and fiery Brigid, we acknowledge the messages of the wintery crone that is Cailleach saying goodbye for another year. You are welcome to bring offerings for the alter.

“The things that women reclaim are often their own voice, their own values, their imagination, their clairvoyance, their stories, their ancient memories. If we go for the deeper, and the darker, and the less known we will touch the bones.” – Clarissa Pinkola Estés, ‘Women who Run with the Wolves’

These healing sessions are not gender specific, but an opportunity for us all to lead from the feminine, with active support from the masculine. These terms are energy based not gender based. Bringing balance to these energies will support not only us but our families, neighbours and communities, and ultimately, Pacha Mamma, Mother Earth.

In the principle of Ayni – sacred reciprocity – we offer this healing with no expectation of return, giving thanks for all that we have received.
Each session can be experienced as a stand-alone experience, however each month, as we get to know each other, and you become familiar with the practices, you may find yourself going deeper into your healing process.

Please bring with you anything that you need to be comfortable – blanket, socks, water bottle etc

Future Dates: May 25th, June 22nd, July 20th, Break for the Summer, Sept 21, Oct 19, Nov 16, Dec 14

About Me
I have spent my life seeking God and balance within my physical, mental and emotional life. My journey has taken me to many places, both in my outer and interior world, through poor mental health, addiction and recovery, lived and family experience of neuro-diversity and healing family trauma. Along the way I have learnt a lot about myself and the tools I used to help me find this balance and healing. These include Therapeutic Sound (Sound Healing), Shamanic practices including Andean Energy Medicine, Celtic Shamanism and Native American Medicine, Hatha and Kundalini Yoga, breath work, dance, ritual and silence. These tools I am delighted to share with you, your families and our communities, for healing, spiritual expansion, and alignment to the peaceful presence within.
I am currently studying and living the traditions of the Q’ero Indian Medicine Wheel and the Munnay Ki rites with the intention of bringing the power of ceremony and ritual into our communities. I have trained with the College of Sound Healing, the British Academy of Sound Therapy, Don Conreaux, Carolyn Cowan, Ali Rabjohns, Sevanti of Unity Studios, and Deb Dana. I enjoy bringing together the esoteric with science and am passionate about the link between harmonious sound and the Poly Vagal Theory, which explores the interplay between trauma and stress within the body, with anxiety, addiction and lack of social engagement – I am currently researching a PhD on this topic. My TEDx talk on the link between vibrations, harmonious sound and serendipitous moments currently has over 1.9 million views
I live and work in Brighton and London.

About Shamanism
Every country in the world has its own version of Shamanism. Each tradition has its own methods and I am very grateful to have direct lineage training of the Q’ero Indian Shamanic practices, through Ali Rabjohns and Don Augustine in Peru, and Wallace Black Elk through Simon Heather. I have also been influenced by the teachings of Alberto Villoldo, and Caitlin and John Matthews, authorities on Celtic wisdom. I appreciate I am not of the Andean and Native American heritage, and I hope you accept my gratitude in the ability to work with them as I honour their different approaches. All is One x

Mother- Sister, Jaguar. Otorongo
You who help us to own our shadows so we may hold our light,
Help us to reveal our stories, our voice.
Through your strong, clear and clean medicine,
may we transform our suffering and fear into power and life!
Help us to cross the rainbow bridge.
We honour you! Be with us – Ho!