workshops & retreats
Watch for updates and new offerings.
Inquire about waitlists.
revised* shadow work: foundations
We’re living at a time of great planetary upheaval with life as we have known it, forever changing. To navigate this time of tumult with less fear and more agency, a new way forward is required because how we show up now will either liberate us or keep us tethered to a paradigm that is collapsing. At the heart of this, is shadow work. Befriending shadow invites the opportunity to heal and integrate the self by bringing into the light of awareness, the fullness of who we are, and our interconnectedness with all of life.
The overview
The purpose of this course is to introduce participants to the concept of shadow and the practice and experience of working with this denied and repressed part of the self. Conceptualized by Carl Jung, shadow is both a personal and collective phenomenon that informs our beliefs, our attitudes, and our patterns of behaviour. It’s woven through our psyches, often revealing itself through our projections onto others. This is an ancient “knowing” that our ancestors captured in their myths and fairytales.
Time & place
NEW* This program features EIGHT weekly self-study modules and one 75-90 minute experiential, virtual gathering. An optional IN-PERSON Cannabis-Assisted Meditation circle will complete the series. NOTE: This offering has been rescheduled to begin in early 2025. Watch for updates.
For details see “Learn More”.
REGISTRATION opens December 2024.
new* healing the sister wound
For centuries, our ancient ancestors lived in harmony with the land they occupied. They held an intimate understanding of the cyclical, generative, creative, and mysterious nature of life. Much of this intuitive and deeply embodied wisdom was kept by the wise women of the time. With the advent of the system known as the “patriarchy”, life changed, and with it, our deep connection with, and reverence for, the world we live in. This system of oppression has worked to systematically minimize, devalue, and disempower many on the planet including the feminine – her body, her ways of knowing, and her intimate relationship with Earth Mother.
The overview
This offering has been created to address the deep wounding that this severance has caused. Working together, in small groups of women and with the assistance of breath and sacred plant medicine, we’ll begin to: 1) understand the insidious nature of patriarchal conditioning and its impact on women 2) heal the resultant sister / feminine wound and 3) reclaim our birthright as women – our bodies, our ways of knowing, and the feminine principle that defines it all.
Time & place
This series will take place four times annually on, or around, the time of the Autumn Equinox, the Winter Solstice, the Spring Equinox, and the Summer Solstice. Attending the entire series as an interconnected process is recommended. If this is not available to you, other options will be provided.
The Autumn Equinox 2024 gathering is now full.
For details and updates on future Solstice and Equinox gatherings, see the “Learn More” tab.
Interested? Have questions? Contact Denise
Registration: Updates pending. Watch for updates.
new* Cannabis-Assisted meditation
This powerful offering employs a low or psycholytic dose of a cannabis edible in combination with a guided meditation practice, and an integration activity. The “soul loosening” quality of a psycholytic dose helps clients to access repressed material from their personal unconscious (primarily), and to integrate insights as a simultaneous process. This feature is a potent hallmark of this experience. Sessions are conducted in small groups. Participants will be required to bring their own medicine to the experience. Details will be provided at the time of registration. Contact Denise with any questions.
Time & place
VIRTUAL: October 17 from 6-9 pm.
IN-PERSON: November 7, 2024 from 6-9 pm.
In-person location: Spear Wellness Centre, Kingston, ON,
Fee: $75 CAD
Minimum 4. Maximum 8 participants.
new* breathwork
Circular breathing practice done with awareness and intent, creates a state of charged equilibrium in the nervous system. Awareness becomes altered, and we gain access to a transpersonal or higher state of consciousness where insights and new perspectives become available to us.
This breathwork offering is modelled on the Cannabis-Assisted Breathwork (CABW) practice created by the Center for Medicinal Mindfulness. Sessions are conducted in small groups, in-person. Virtual offerings may be offered in future.
Time & place
IN-PERSON: September 26, 2024 from 6:30-9:00 pm
IN-PERSON: October 24, 2024 from 6:30-9:00 pm
Location: Spear Wellness Centre, Kingston, ON
Fee: $65 CAD
Minimum 4. Maximum 8 participants.
free* Awakening, healing, and spiritual evolution
The earth has entered a new epoch – one defined by significant shifts in our consciousness. Massive changes are underway, and they’re unrelenting. They must be. Life as we have known it is not sustainable. The idea is this…These monthly calls will explore what’s being asked of us as we navigate this evolutionary threshold. Like the partnership paradigm of ancient ways, something more harmonizing is gestating…something that gives voice to the disempowered, that reveals the truth of our collective wounds and the healing potential of community, and that fosters a shift into a higher state of consciousness where sustainable, loving, and respectful ways of living are possible. Will you join me?
Format
Each monthly call will focus on a topic related to this theme. We’ll begin by reflecting on a journal prompt that moves us into a discussion.
Calls will take place the first Wednesday of each month from 7:00-8:15 pm ET beginning March 6, 2024.
A link will be provided with registration.
Vipassana Out Loud Workshop
This offering will provide participants with the opportunity to learn a powerful partner practice that helps to build awareness and capacity for staying with what’s difficult. When we can notice and stay with “what’s there” we begin to access a kind of spaciousness that makes new insights and understandings available to us. Vipassana Out Loud arises from the Mindfulness Meditation tradition as a technique that helps to deepen meditation skills. This in-person workshop will include instruction, demos, and opportunities to practice this technique with a partner.
Time & place
Watch for updates on Fall 2024 offerings.
Fee: $65 CAD
To register for this event, click on “Register” to be redirected to the booking page, “classes”.
the 9 gates project:
opening to the gifts & challenges of this sacred life
We’re living in unprecedented times. Significant shifts are taking place on the planet – shifts in consciousness, in healing, and in understanding our interconnectedness with each other, the natural world, and the cosmos. This is a time of incredible transformation for humanity. Can you feel it?
The overview
Originally conceptualized as a process of exploring the second half of life, The 9 Gates Project has been reconfigured to explore the gifts, challenges & tasks of being alive at this extraordinary time in human evolution. This series – inspired by the work of Angeles Arrien – explores eight foundational metaphorical gates of wisdom which serve as thresholds of transformation. An optional sacred plant medicine ceremony comprises the 9th gate in this series.
The format
Self-study modules are augmented by small group gatherings scheduled every three weeks. To assist with integration, two 1:1 Transformational Coaching sessions are included. The optional Plant Medicine Ceremony (noted above) provides participants with an opportunity to integrate at a deeper level, shifts and insights cultivated over the course of this series. NOTE: there is an additional cost for this final gate.
Dates
2025 details are pending. Watch for updates via the “Learn More” tab.
Interested? Contact Denise to join the waitlist!
Coming soon* vision fast for women, 2025
This offering is currently on hold.
Watch for updates.
completed* Sacred Renewal: A Women's Retreat for healing, reclaiming & celebrating the divine feminine
Welcome to this retreat space for women…a sacred container for celebrating the divine feminine through our connection with the wilds of nature, the holy temple of our body, our spirit, and a community of divine sisters. This experience is about soul work. It will be rich in symbolism, creativity, ritual, and self-reclamation. It’s meant to awaken and restore the feminine principle…to heal and reclaim our deep connection with the divine goddess within ourselves, with other women, and with the Earth Mother, as a fundamental energy on the planet at this time. It’s time to rise together!
What’s waiting for you
Each day will begin in noble silence as we attune mindfully and sensually to our bodies and ourselves, through meditation and mindful movement. Spacious and nutritious mealtimes, as well as time in nature, and integration opportunities are part of this experience.
Time & place
This weekend experience runs from April 19-21, 2024 at a lovely estate situated on a picturesque point overlooking Dog Lake…just a short drive from Kingston, ON. Privacy is a paramount consideration as we move into the heart of this retreat. Accommodation details will be forwarded upon acceptance to this event.
Details & registration
For retreat details and to register, click the “learn more” tab.
Information Sessions are now complete. A video recording is pending.
An education session will be provided to confirmed participants on April 5, 2024.
Early bird deadline is March 15, 2024. Space is limited and filling up quickly.
completed* enhancing self-compassion, resilience and equanimity in the face of challenge: A one day retreat
This one-day event provides participants with an opportunity to slow down, move inward, and cultivate resources and techniques for managing challenge and cultivating a peaceful heart.
Overview
Self-compassion is the entry point for this practice as we explore resilience and equanimity as qualities essential for peace and well-being. Talks and meditation practices will be featured along with ample opportunities for Q&A, integration and breaks between sessions. Time in a natural setting will help to make this a truly healing and restorative experience. While some basic meditation experience is helpful, it will not be required to attend this retreat.
Time & place
Saturday, June 1, 2024 from 9:30 am – 4:30 pm ET
Location is The Forest House at beautiful Wintergreen Studios, 50 minutes north of Kingston, ON
Fee
Fee includes facilitation and space rental, as well as a variety of herbal tea options. Does NOT include meals. Participants are asked to bring lunch, snacks and any other drinks they prefer. Small kitchenette on site. Please note the following price adjustments:
- Earlybird rate: $80 CAD if payable by May 4, 2024.
- Regular rate: $99 CAD if paid after May 4, 2024.
To register for this event, click on “Register” to be redirected to the booking page, “classes”.
on hold* "mindwell" monday sangha
This offering in Mindfulness Meditation is open to all levels of experience, but is geared towards those who are newer to meditation. It will also be ideal for those wanting to develop greater mindfulness skills as a foundational practice for psychedelic experiences.
Time & place
This group meets on Monday evenings from 7-8 pm ET at 85 Carleton St., Kingston. During warmer months, offerings will be held outside. Details provided with registration. MAXIMUM: 10 participants
Fee: $11
Questions? Contact Denise to inquire.
on hold* introDUCTION TO compassionate living
The purpose of this workshop is to introduce participants to the concept and practice of compassionate living. All session times are Eastern Time Zone, Canada. Please check the time converter for the start time in your location.
- Session 1: Introduction & Mindfulness Time: 6:30-9:00 PM
- Session 2: Compassion & Empathy Time: 6:30-8:30 PM
- Session 3: Barrier, Benefits & Strategies Time: 6:30-8:30 PM
- Session 4: Self-compassion Time: 6:30-9:00 PM
- Session 4: Wrap-up Time: 6:30-8:30 PM
location
Online sessions via ZOOM
In-person events available for those local to the Kingston area.
appointments
Would you like to make an appointment? Click here to book now.
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