Events
BECOME A WELLNESS INSIDER
Community, events, and the latest from Wellness Connects members. Make sure you never miss an update and subscribe now!
Breath Centered Viniyoga: Weekly Class
Yoga Nidra, a Guided Meditation
What to bring: Please dress comfortably and bring a pillow for your head while lying in Savasana.
Constant mind chatter keeping you awake is no match for the healing experience of Yoga Nidra. An ancient practice, Yoga Nidra, is a guided meditative inquiry into the states of being, and what is beyond these states.
In an hour and a half group session, nothing is expected of you, no need to be a meditator, bendy, or even fit. You’ll be guided into a resting position while suggestions and prompts guide your mind into relaxation.
This program is on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/2582752711741897
Restorative Rolling with MELT
With Susan Creighton of Subundance Wellness at Cedar Sanctuary
Thursday, August 1 at 10-11:15am
Investment $25. Reserve your spot online here or contact Susan to pay by check/cash at class: WellnessConnects@outlook.com
Move and feel better. Improve your body’s stability, mobility, balance, and fun-factor with restorative foam rolling. Using a specialized soft foam roller and small balls for feet and hands, these easy self-care techniques release tension, stuck-stress, aches, and pain, decompress the joints, and help us move with greater ease from head to toe. Sound awesome? You bet!
Whether you’re an athlete or someone simply looking to move with greater ease, restorative rolling using a soft MELT roller is complimentary to any wellness program, and a proactive approach to maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. We will review an upper body release sequence, including neck, shoulder, arm, and upper back areas. Aaaah…
Bonus: Appropriate for all levels, no pain, and MELT feels great.
Equipment: Provided for class use, and available for optional purchase by cash or check.
Wear: Comfy exercise wear such as layered tops, yoga pants or sweats, wearing socks or barefoot.
Meditation Series
4 Saturdays, Sept 7-28, 11am-12:30pm at Cedar Sanctuary
Sonia Weirich of One to One Yoga
Investment $100 for Series (limited to 12 participants)
Save-your-spot here or email Sonia at onetooneyoga@gmail.com
Whether you are looking to find more peace in your life or are ready to transcend the self altogether, this series will introduce you to the art of meditation as well as practices that will meet your intention. Over the course of four weeks, various types of meditation will be explored as will the stages of meditation. Physical movement, mindfulness and breath awareness, will be explored as preparation for meditation.
Each week you will go home with a practice to engage, and in the end you will have the tools to establish your own meditation practice. Meditation cushions and chairs will be provided.
Questions? Email Sonia at onetooneyoga@gmail.com
Happy Guts Workshop – Back by popular request!
With Kathleen Yow-Wells of Eastside Wellness Center
Saturday, Oct 5, 9am-1:30pm at Cedar Sanctuary (Sammamish, WA)
Investment $148 (limited to 12 participants and pre-registraiton required).
The Happy Guts class is based on the practice of Chi Nei Tsang developed by Taoist monks in ancient China. Modern Chi Nei Tsang is abdominal organ massage meant to aid elimination & detoxification while building gut health and vitality, stabilize our emotions, and has a grounding effect on our well-being.
We live in a fast-paced stressful world. Fast food, prolonged sitting, and forever ‘to do’ lists, undigested ‘emotions’, and chemicals everywhere play havoc with our nervous and digestive systems. Overtime, our overall gut functioning, health and vitality are greatly affected. Gut function directly affects our basic levels of health, and we must become aware of ways we can maintain it ourselves.
During our time together, you will learn a deeper understanding of how the digestive system works, what can go wrong, and how to support your own digestive health through manual self-care techniques of belly work. We will learn and experience the power of breath, gut awareness, and purposeful abdominal self-touch to reduce tension, pain, and discomfort. You will learn a ‘your hands on your gut’ self-care routine for daily use. This can be wonderful for family members, young and elderly alike. Learning resources will be provided.
This self-care class by a licensed massage therapist is not meant as medical advice or as a substitute for medical care. please consult your health provider for advice on specific conditions. if you want to learn life-long tools to take care of and love your guts and diminish symptoms such as bloating or belly discomfort this class is for you.
Kathleen Yow-Wells, LMT has been practicing therapeutic bodywork since 1982. She brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, passion, and humor to her teachings. Kathleen loves to teach self-care techniques to help people build their own little black bags of healing techniques. info@eastsidewellnesscenter.com / www.eastsidewellnesscenter.com
Ayurvedic Lifestyle Retreat (3 days)
Friday, October 11: 7-9pm
Saturday, October 12: 8:45am-5pm
Sunday, October 13: 9am-3:30pm
Location: Cedar Sanctuary
Tammy Steele of Fully Present Living
Investment: Special early bird pricing before Sept 10th is $345, and $395 afterwards
Reserve your spot at http://www.fullypresentliving.com/events/details/eventId/27
Based on the bestselling book “Perfect Health,” by Dr. Deepak Chopra, this retreat is led by Chopra Center Certified Instructor Tammy Steele who studied Ayurvedic practices at the Chopra Center for Wellbeing. Tammy is also Reiki Master and a professional certified holistic work/life flow Coach.
- Got stress?
- Are you experiencing sleepless nights?
- Do you have digestion or weight problems?
- Are you experiencing emotional turbulence?
- Do you have physical aches & pains?
These are all imbalances and stressors in life. You may be inundated with 100’s of quick fix solutions and are probably overwhelmed with it all! You know if you don’t figure it out, you may end up with a serious health problem, but how can you figure out what will work for you? This 5-lesson course: The Chopra Center’s Perfect Health Program is a path to finding the answers.
- Course workbook and handouts
- Sun Salutation Yoga training
- Meditation and breathing instruction
- Chopra Center gift
- Private Webpage for course handouts and materials
- Plus more – see course schedule info for details
(We hosted this program at Cedar Sanctuary in March 2019, and it was a fabulous and enriching experience! Inquire at WellnessConnects@outlook.com about cost for optional pampering stations before/after event, including Infrared Sauna, Biomat, Essential Oil Foot Baths, Massage Chair, Private Bodywork Session, Private Yoga Healing Session, or Private MELT Method Session.)
RSVP/Share on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/704787896622469
SoulDance
Move Your Body. Dance Your Dance.
3rd Thursdays, 6:30-8pm at Cedar Sanctuary
(Program on-hold for summer and will resume 10/17.)
Investment: $20 (limited to 10 participants and pre-registration required)
Contact Brenda Loukes to save-your-spot: bloukesb@gmail.com or 425.435.9498
We were born to move, and SoulDance is a safe and creative space to dance your dance ‘like nobody’s watching”. Dancing with no judgment of ‘right’ ways to move, this is a place for you to be you. To dance your soul with a freestyle movement experience that will light up your body, your smile, and your life. Come as you are.
“In a society that worships love, freedom, and beauty, dance is sacred. It is a prayer for the future, a remembrance of the past and a joyful exclamation of thanks for the present.”
-Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
(Co-ed. No fitness or dance experience is necessary. Dance barefoot or wearing socks.)
Brenda Loukes-Johnson creates a juicy free-flowing journey for each SoulDance session using voice and soul-stirring music, while drawing on her experiences as a dance instructor, Kahuna transformational bodyworker, and holding space for creative Soulpainting programs.
Seed of Potential Talisman Workshop
Titina van Hoorn of Soul Piece Jewelry
Investment: $195 if registered by July 31, $225 thereafter (includes silver precious metal clay, chain and findings, plus craft supplies for the creative exploration process)
No previous jewelry making experience necessary!
Save-your-spot now (Titina will be traveling from Idaho for this program, which we expect to fill quickly/)
Sage Woman Retreat
Empowering the Peri Menopause and Menopausal Years
2 Days: Saturday & Sunday, November 2-3, 9am-5pm at Cedar Sanctuary
With Suzanne Silvermoon & Asmita Runge of Om & Ojas
Om & Ojas
Investment: $309 for early registration by 10/12 using code “Sage.” ($362 after 10/12)
Save-your-spot here
As women prepare to navigate their 40’s, 50’s and beyond, they begin to recognize a time of huge transitions. Changes present themselves physically, emotionally and/or spiritually. Shifting hormones create physical changes, while shifting roles (empty nest, care of elderly parents) create mental, emotional and spiritual changes. For many, we experience a time of re-evaluation of life’s priorities such as jobs, relationships, living with purpose, being more creative or becoming more spiritual. While it is a challenging transitional time, when embraced, can become a very liberating and empowering stage of life: A time of awakening to our sacred authentic self.
We at Om & Ojas have created Sage Woman, a wellness program for women in their peri-menopausal and menopausal years. The teachings are rooted in ancient healing practices of Yoga and Ayurveda and supported by modern scientific research. The communities of women brought together through our program cultivate a life path of health, happiness and wholeness.
During our weekend immersion, we share:
-
Practical and creative ways to create balance in women’s personal and professional lives
-
Modern medical information about hormonal changes and effects of stress
-
Ancient Ayurvedic perspectives on the menopausal transition in life
-
Sage Woman Power Tools whereby they can then take an active role in their health and wellbeing
-
Yoga asana and pranayama practices for meeting the challenges of menopausal symptoms
-
Meditation practices for envisioning self as a Sage Woman.
-
Practices to navigate the rite of passage from the Motherhood to the Master (Sage Woman) stage of life
-
A deep sense of mutual connection and support to foster a sense of sacred sangha that the cohort of women in the program can draw from
-
Ayurvedic inspired lunch each day
Register here for this fabulous deep inhale Sage Woman Retreat.
REMEMBERING ME: An Introduction to Expressing Life’s Magic Through Story
Stay0tuned for a repeat of this fabulous program!
Barbara Krauss of The Centre for Organic Yesipes
Everyone has a story… what is yours?
• When was the last time you stopped to take stock of your awesomeness? To pause and celebrate yourself and your journey?
• How often do you acknowledge yourself and the gifts that you have shared with others in the milestones of your life: the highs, the lows, and all points in between?
Imagine what it would feel like to grant yourself permission to rest, reflect and express yourself creatively. REMEMBERING ME is a three-hour experiential workshop when you get to dedicate an afternoon to remembering how remarkable you really are.
During our time together, you’ll have an opportunity to:
• Connect with a community of like-minded women, listening and deeply sharing from the heart.
• Experience meaningful insight through guided meditation, journaling, and potent conversations.
• Easily create a piece of art to express your story – no previous art experience needed.
• Express yourself in writing with effortlessness, ease, and joy…whether you’re a seasoned writer, or this is your first time writing a story about your life.
Create this time for yourself. Give yourself the gift of exploring the stories of your life and connecting the dots in your experiences and gifts!
Barbara Krauss is a STORYOGRAPHER. Her work is an organic blend of creating and writing stories, gathering stories of others, and giving them a voice. Combining her expertise in coaching/mentoring, inspirational teaching, motivational speaking and facilitating workshops, she powerfully holds space where creative engagement thrives. She is most alive when enraptured by the organic flow and freedom of immersion in creative expression, and invites others to join her in this realm.
More info: www.barbarakrauss.weebly.com / barbara@barbarakrauss.com
Relax & Renew Mini-Retreat
A mixed-modalities afternoon of necessary indulgences and modalities. Our most recent program included Aromatherapy, MELT Method, Gyrotonic, and a Gong Sound Bath. Heavenly! Schedule your own Relax & Renew Mini-Retreat.
⇒ Join our mailing list for updates or contact Susan Creighton to schedule your own event.
COMMUNITY MATTERS: Kindness Rocks
February 2018: Do you believe that kindness rocks? This Community Matters program was a crafternoon of community connecting through art.
Kindness Rocks is a fun project that’s spreading all over the country. Here’s the idea: you paint rocks with positive and encouraging images or messages; then inspire others by dropping the rocks in random places for them to find them and play it forward.
We connected as a group, included a meditation to inspire creativity and inspiration, created uplifting treasures to share in our neighborhoods, and had a great time together!
This program was sponsored by Wellness Connects Providers Susie Hindle Kher, Susan Creighton, and the Redmond Library to support community connections, wellness, and a sense of belonging for everyone.
⇒ Join our mailing list for program updates or contact Susan Creighton to schedule your own event.
COMMUNITY MATTERS
What We Have In Common: 3 Faith Traditions
November 2017: This Community Matters panel discussion was sponsored by Wellness Connects Providers Debbie Lacy and Susan Creighton, Eastside Refugee and Immigrant Coalition, and the Redmond Library to support community wellness by building connections and bridges, and creating a sense of belonging for everyone.
Interfaith Leaders:
Aneelah Afzali, Interfaith Leader, Director at Muslim Association of Puget Sound (MAPS)
Rev. Ellie VerGowe, Pastor at First Covenant Church
Rabbi Ruth A. Zlotnick, Senior Rabbi at Temple Beth Am
A supportive community is vital to a healthy society. Community Matters gatherings are opportunities for people of all cultures, races, faiths, and gender identities to connect and converse about wellness and everything that entails; personal wellness, family wellness, and wellness in the world.
COMMUNITY MATTERS: You Belong
The Redmond Library hosted this free program in Sept, 2017.
You belong. Whether you’ve lived somewhere your whole life or just recently arrived in your new home, a sense of belonging can be hard to come by. This sense of belonging isn’t just good for personal health and happiness; it’s critical for community health as well. How can we create a stronger sense of belonging for ourselves and others?
During this evening of conversation we explored how to overcome challenges that can keep us isolated and even divided from one another, and:
· Brought people together who may not normally get a chance to know each other
· Engaged in meaningful conversation that honors our diverse perspectives
· Inspired small, but powerful actions that strengthen our sense of belonging and the health of our community
Event sponsored by the Eastside Refugee and Immigrant Coalition (ERIC), Wellness Connects providers Debbie Lacy and Susan Creighton, and the Redmond Library as part of Welcoming Week, a national celebration that brings together U.S. born residents, established immigrants, and newcomers to increase awareness and to build stronger unity across differences.
SoulCollage for Community Wellness
SoulCollage is an opportunity to foster community wellness with a creative, fun and meaningful art activity. Meet new people and learn an art form you’ll be able to easily do on your own whenever you feel the urge to create.
We’ll gather together to identify internal resources to build the kind of community we want to live in. You’ll then leave with a visual representation and reminder of your gifts – gifts you can consciously draw upon to strengthen community and your connections with others.
Making SoulCollage® cards is a creative and intuitive practice. Using found images from magazines and an easy cut and paste process, you’ll create a unique collage card that supports your goals and desires. No prior experience necessary. (Note: We won’t be teaching the pure SoulCollage method originally created by Seena B. Frost, but we’ll use SoulCollage techniques.To learn more about Seena’s method and to view a sampling of SoulCollage images, visit www.soulcollage.com)
Facilitators:
Debbie Lacy is a certified life coach, community facilitator, and Director of the Eastside Refugee and Immigrant Coalition. Debbie learned about SoulCollage from Noelle Remington, a certified SoulCollage facilitator, and has been incorporating SoulCollage techniques in her workshops for 15 years.
Susan Creighton is the Chief Inspiration Officer for our event sponsor, Wellness Connects. WC practitioners provides a network of support services from a wide range of wellness modalities. Members focus on creating, restoring and maintaining wellness through professional service and tools, cross-referrals to complementary practitioners, and public programs for education, outreach, and community connection.