Workshops are one of the places where Intention really gets to show off its heart and showcase our community's gifts!
A big part of the culture of Intention is creating a safe place where people can explore their self-expression. Get vulnerable or silly or do something new and exciting, digest it all over meals with new friends, then shake it out and integrate it on the dance floor!!
full event schedule is here https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HBb59VTGJgP9Lv8VImnu3iq_luTjTNqI-fQWuFifVq4/edit#gid=0 (table format)
and here https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BGdoJF5WWQXRRSru8VDHQmejDcsikJltxux49fyPxxc/edit (more detail, listed day by day).
Note: these are our confirmed workshops as of Dec 26, still subject to revisions.
in no particular order:
Collage Art & Vision Boarding - Kate Ferguson
"So popular that people started asking me again if I will host it since August this year. Flip through a collection of Vintage Vice and other magazines as well as bits and bobs I’ve collected throughout the year. Either pick out images and text you find fun and inspiring, after collating we can make sense of what it all means- what you might be looking for in the new year for the new you. Or, choose a background and make collage art! The weirder the better, imho. This is an extremely loose crafting event with a bit of pseudo-therapy on the side. Not really appropriate for kids, due to the nature of the material. "
facilitator bio: K8 is a multimedia and textile artist living in Vancouver. Kate fills her time by creating wearable art and jewellery, babysitting, and teaching sewing lessons in her home. Kate’s background is in film, Tv and theatre encompassing set decoration and costume design and making.
Partner stretching - Adi
Using a partner body weigh to help us stretch in deeper level so that we can dance all night! Bring a friend or your partner!
facilitator bio: Adi is a yoga teacher certified from karma teacher college. She loves to move her body in many ways and knows that a flexible body is a strong body. Now a gym rat, she makes sure to stretch her muscles everyday so she can lift heavier weight.
Urban Food Security! Taking Control of our Food. - Kai Bouris
We’re all feeling the impact of rapidly rising costs and decreasing nutritional value of urban food. On a global level, the “hidden” costs of the global agribusiness can be summed up as - colonialism at its worst. Slave labour, loss of soil, biodiversity and habitat, and polluting of our bodies and the Earth with toxic chemicals are the foundations of the global food industry. It’s only going to get worse. The solution. Working as a community to take back control of all aspects of our food. That includes building soil, practicing intensive urban gardening with the land that we have right now, re-learning the food preservation techniques of our ancestors, buying collectively from ethical sources, and most importantly cooking and sharing food in community. In this workshop, Kai will share some of his successes and failures in creating an urban farm. We’ll also brainstorm doable action steps and start making an urban food security plan that will support us right now with the resources we have at hand.
facilitator bio: Kai Bouris comes from farming roots on both sides of his family. He's been running an urban farm and food security collective home in North Vancouver for 4 years.
Meditative musical sound journey - andrew kim
Andrew will lead participants on a meditative musical sound journey using his unique magical invented instruments. Having studied classical sitar in India, Andrew draws his influences from the sacred music of India, Africa, and the middle east, infusing them with lush modern sonic ambience
facilitator bio: Andrew (formerly of Delhi2Dublin) has studied and performed music in India, Bhutan, and around the world. After touring global festivals he felt called to focus his energies on meditative music, creating his own incredibly unique instrument inventions. Wielding these magical tools, he guides listeners on other-dimensional musical meditative sound journeys!
Dance your Intentions, Express your heArt & Unleash your Authentic Expression: An Expressive Arts Journey - Johanne Ascoli
A journey to attune to your Soul’s wisdom, unleash your authentic expression, find clarity of vision and tap into the energy to embody it. Weaving expressive arts and an ecstatic dance wave, this playshop will have you sweat your tears, dance your Soul and express your heArt for a deeper connection to Self, others, and LIFE.
facilitator bio: Expressive arts therapist, yoga instructor, transformational facilitator, and trauma-informed practitioner, Johanne offers soul-infused expressive arts playshops for groups, and 1:1 sessions. Her offerings are deeply experiential, combining ritual, psychology, spirituality and expressive arts (visual arts, movement, writing, etc) with various other modalities to facilitate embodied learning, spontaneous expressiveness, expanded awareness, creativity and deep healing.
Ancestral connection: Discussion and Experiential Meditation - Lena Rebecca Richardson
In this workshop, we will discuss an approach to understanding some of the impacts/gifts of ancestral memory and connection with ancestors in our lineages. We will then do a guided meditation to explore connecting and welcoming a relationship with ancestors who can support us.
facilitator bio: Lena just finished an autobiographical PhD focused on motherlines (female lineages) and embodied connection. She has a long-held interest in learning about ancestral connection and finding pathways of healthy reconnection with ancestors. She has studied with a variety of teachers on this topic including Shirley Turcotte, Apela Colorado, and Daniel Foor.
Ecstatic Sound Healing Journey - Candice Kaia Rayne Creelman
Come join Reiki Master, Candice Kaia Rayne on a sacred journey of sound, drum and voice. Candice will guide you through a healing experience with Tibetan singing bowls, drum, and voice. Allow yourself to be immersed in a transformational journey that will leave you refreshed, energized and connected. Please bring a water bottle to stay hydrated, and a yoga mat / blanket or something soft to lay down on and a pillow. Whatever you need to be comfortable laying down.
facilitator bio: Candice has been on her own healing and spiritual journey for well over 30 years, with 26 of them as a Reiki Master. She has facilitated many classes, workshops and sacred journeys in that time. She is also an Intuitive advisor where she uses various tools (oracle cards, energy and channeling) to share guidance with those seek it. She has been doing intuitive work (readings) since 2007 and also teaches others how to tap in and use and develop their own intuitive gifts. Candice is also an artist, filmmaker and musician who channels the energies of the universe through her art. Her own healing journey has included Reiki, shamanic healing, crystals, Tantra, sound, Ortho Bionomy, just to name a few. It brings Candice great joy to assist others in their own healing and transformation through her varied and unique abilities. For more information, please visit thunderbirdsky.com
(Mycological) Examination of Ancient Tales - Kate Ferguson
"We all know the story of Rumpelstiltskin, but if you’ve read it recently as an adult you might find yourself asking “what in the f@*k was that about?” Analysis suggests these ancient tales repeated in cultures all around the world, some as old as 4000 years have some primal meaning for humanity. When we untether from the restraints of the physical human experience we can gain insight, connecting with knowledge not usually available to the everyday mind-body format. Participants come “having had” -lounge on the carpet or roam quietly around the room while being read ancient fairy tales, followed by a short theosophical and sociological conversation after each one. Trip-sitters and children are welcome, though parents should be prepared for some potentially odd behaviour. Facilitator will be “sober” but will be focused on storytelling, not individual facilitation of the experience. Participation in conversation is not required, just enjoy being read to if you like. "
facilitator bio: Kate is a 40 year old disaster artist currently navigating the most difficult time of her already difficult life, where every single step of this hero’s journey seems fraught with the risk of total annihilation. Watch this space for future bodhisattva vibes.
Narratives of Abundance - Tracey Friesen & Amir Niroumand
We could all benefit from leaning into a positive narrative about community experiments that are pioneering new ways to reimagine a better future, living in harmony with the land and each other. Together we will explore models of collectives and interdependence - inspiring stories and related art that can motivate people toward action for social change.
facilitator bio: Tracey Friesen has over 30 years’ experience in Canada’s cultural sector. Before joining the Canadian Media Producers Association, she worked at the David Suzuki Foundation and the National Film Board, plus authored ‘Story Money Impact: Funding Media for Social Change’, which led to the founding of a charitable organization.
facilitator bio: Dr. Amir Niroumand is a social entrepreneur with a primary interest in utilizing food as a tool for change. In 2016, he founded Abundance Community Farm as a social experiment in creating community that thrives in harmony with nature. Amir is also a fuel cell scientist, leading cutting edge R&D between industry and academia.
In Waves…Grief Moves: A Somatic Movement Workshop for Grief - Nicole Heidbreder
This inclusive workshop welcomes all who have experienced grief and loss in their life. Climate grief, death of a loved one, divorce, miscarriage…its all welcome. Understanding that grief comes in waves, and we must learn to ride them, this workshop engages movement as a meditation, as a mode of transformation, and a creative force for healing.
facilitator bio: Grief Movement Guide, hospice nurse and End of Life Doula Trainer for INELDA Nicole Heidbreder, MA, BSN, RN brings years of experience sitting with the dying and their loved ones to this offering. This workshop is fused with qi gong, journaling, breath, movement, and deep compassion.
Stretch with me - Adi
Let's take some time to nurture our bodies and send love to our muscles. No experience needed. Gentle movements to bring flexibility in our limbs.
facilitator bio: Adi is a yoga teacher certified from karma teacher college. She loves to move her body in many ways and knows that a flexible body is a strong body. Now a gym rat, she makes sure to stretch her muscles everyday so she can lift heavier weight.
Belonging - Robyn McLean and Trevor Warren
The belonging workshop invites us to deepen our sense of being held by community and foster skills for building village. We will aim to experience vulnerability and closeness during the workshop and also explore how to bring belonging into other relationships and communities in our lives.
facilitator bio: Robyn is actively living the question of how we can live and work in ways that feel more connected, joyful, compassionate, meaningful and sacred. She works with communities to implement tangible solutions to the most pressing issues of our times, working to heal systems of food, environment, housing, economics and relationships (www.weavingthefuture.net).
facilitator bio: Trevor's current mission is to co-create a more loving, conscious and sexually integrated planet. He has been a therapist for the last 30 years specializing in relationships and sexual intimacy. As a father, musician, devoted partner, traveller, shaman-in-training, workshop facilitator, love/sex-activist and part Coyote, Trevor is a very passionate man who loves to celebrate life."
Self-Love - Dustin Quasar
The most important relationship you will ever have, is the relationship with yourself. Self-love is the key to a great life! Come learn simple yet powerful self-love practices to uplift yourself. You'll be able to use them anytime you need, during Intention and the rest of your life <3
facilitator bio: Dustin Quasar is a creative communication coach, father, and all-around fun guy. He's on a mission to create and spread positive vibrations in the world.
Empathic Listening and the Body (Embodied NVC) - Lena Rebecca Richardson
We will use simple embodied awareness meditations and partner exercises to explore of the principles of empathic listening with a somatic perspective. We will explore how attention to body sensations and movements can provide insight about our own and others' feelings and needs.
facilitator bio: Lena has studied NVC and somatic psychology for many years, including certification programs in Relational Somatic Therapy as well as the KILN NVC program. She was part of a team of volunteer facilitators who led free NVC practice groups for years in East Van. She loves to nurture spaces of individual and community listening.
Writing & Movement Workshop – Unleash your Creativity - Ximali Kadeena-Guscoth
"What to bring: Pen, paper, comfortable clothing Unleash your creativity is task and group sharing based workshop. Posing questions to help you explore your individual creativity and understand the beauty and creativity by sharingg within the group. We ask ourselves how we see the world, in the words and the movements we use to describe feelings, sensations, environments or people."
facilitator bio: Ximali Kadeena-Guscoth is a workshop facilitator and performer from London, UK. His background is across theatre, music, dance and carnival. From dancing and running around The Barbican Theatre to, drumming and dancing at Notting Hill Carnival to workshop facilitation across London and, supporting writing workshops with The Royal Court Theatre. He is very exciting see the individual passion and creativity of people and is looking forward to sharing some of this with you.
Beginner-friendly partner acrobatics - Graham Hooton
Starting with the fundamentals, participants will learn to base and fly some foundational poses in a safe, friendly, and exciting sequence. Come alone or bring a friend. Wear clothes you are comfortable moving in.
facilitator bio: Graham is an acrobat and a teacher, but not usually at the same time. Nevertheless, he has led many a beginner through these sequences and loves seeing people achieving something they never believed was possible.
Yoga to recharge with - Lindsay Flynn
We will spend the first 45 minutes moving through some vigorous asanas to get our heart rates up, build fire and strength, and have some fun! We'll move onto some more meditative, longer holds. We'll finish off with a sweet savasana.
facilitator bio: Lindsay is a 500-hour registered yoga teacher who has been teaching in the Vancouver area for a decade and practicing yoga for over 20 years. She views contemporary yoga practice as facilitated moving meditation.
Lit XMAS Cards - gaelle berton
use paper circuits and crafts to design LED lit cards (pop ups drawings... ) refer here: https://www.facebook.com/leclubelectro
facilitator bio: A creative technologist with an Art background, & programming skills ranging across web 3D engines and shaders, over 10 years experience (UK, JP, FR, Canada) building & developing bespoke experiences.. Ultimately giving back to the community sharing her skills & inspiration for creative thinking & technology, teaching coding and STEAM to kids
Yin yoga and massage - Shaina O'Neill
Come and nourish your body with slow stretching and nurturing touch. Bring a friend or partner and a yoga mat or blanket, or come alone if you prefer to stretch without giving/receiving massage. Shaina will guide us through a gentle and loving practice to calm your nervous system and care for your bodymind.
facilitator bio: Shaina has been part of the intention community for about 14 years now and loves to share her passions: healing arts and embodiment practices. Shaina is a Yoga teacher, Lover of dancing in the forest, Registered Massage Therapist, Mom of a toddler, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, and Women's circle facilitator.
Tarot Reading - Kate Ferguson
I would like to offer Tarot readings one morning of Intention. Each reading takes approximately 20 minutes, using a simple 3 card spread asking one question. This is not really a workshop but an offer of a gift for up to 6 people. It would be helpful if it could go in the workshop guide both for booking a space and letting people know that it’s available.
facilitator bio: Kate is not a professional tarot reader and still learning the cards, but in many years of practicing and reading for others there have been only 3 instances where readings have not come out as expected. In the first, it quickly became apparent that the recipient actually had been thinking of a different question than the one spoken aloud. Once that was revealed by the cards the story being woven was suddenly absolutely clear. In the other two instances the recipient was not able or willing to participate in the kind of intimacy required to turn out a reading. Come ready to bare a part of your soul to the process, and together we open in receptivity to the messages being given.
Belonging To Our Longing - Jen Metta Smith
Why don't we ask for what we want, and what do we do instead? How can we better notice, trust, value and express our authentic desires - and support those we're with in doing the same? Inspired by the Wheel of Consent, this workshop will offer a blend of theory, self-reflection, and experiential exercises.
facilitator bio: Jen is a facilitator in training for the Wheel of Consent, and loves weaving together offerings that support creativity, consent and community.
Women's circle - reparenting our inner children - Shaina O'Neill
Please come and gather in a safe space to connect with other women and support each other in nurturing our inner children. Shaina will lead the circle through movement, embodiment exercise, deep listening to each other, visualizations, and touch to facilitate connection with your heart, body, mind, and spirit. Femme leaning non-binary folks who are called to be in a women centering space are welcome.
facilitator bio: Shaina has been part of the intention community for about 14 years now and loves to share her passions: healing arts and embodiment practices. Shaina is a Yoga teacher, Lover of dancing in the forest, Registered Massage Therapist, Mom of a toddler, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, and Women's circle facilitator.
Frizzing with the Frisbee - Matt Stewart
When a ball dreams, it dreams it’s a frisbee! Come learn sexy new throws and catches. Or simple throws and catches. Or elaborate flubs and drops. :)
facilitator bio: I love frisbeeing and I’d like you to love it too. I’m a nice person.
Let’s Get Consensual: An Intro to the the Wheel of Consent
What is it like to receive an experience that’s purely for you, or to give something that’s purely for the other? Participants will have an opportunity to practice creating clear agreements and engaging in a dyad exercise that includes an option for touch. This is a workshop on noticing and expressing what you want to receive, and what you are able to give with a full heart - and empowering those you engage with to do the same.
facilitator bio: Jen Metta Smith is deeply curious about creative and consensual expression, empowered embodiment and authentic connection - and loves to offer workshops exploring these qualities as she continues to cultivate them in her own life. She is a facilitator-in-training for the Wheel of Consent, a marvelous mandala painter, and parody song writer. www.jenmettasmith.ca
and... possibly still more to come!