Shadow, Dark, and Light

We all contain aspects, expressions, and energies that shine bright: parts that are welcome and rewarded during daylight hours. And we all contain aspects, expressions, and energies that are deeper and more mysterious: parts which are equally intelligent, vibrant, and necessary to our wholeness. We also have aspects and behaviours that we disown. Places we don't like to go. Parts that we feel we can't afford to acknowledge, within ourselves or in the world around us. These, we push into the shadows. In this weekend workshop, we will follow the maps of the 5Rhythms to explore and embody all of these realms, walking well-lit trails, exploring deeper parts of the forest, breathing life into forgotten places, and braiding the threads that make us whole.

Joanne teaches 5Rhythms with a deep respect for the transformational nature of this practice, for the insight that this practice can bring to our daily lives, and for the unique discovery process of each participant. Her teaching is rooted in a lifelong engagement with her own study and personal work. Since 2001, she has held a steady space for the growth and evolution of a robust dance community in Victoria BC, and has shared her love of this practice with students across North America.

The Path of the Wounded Healer

 The healing path has a trajectory. Gabrielle Roth called this, The Path of The Wounded Healer. It is here that we look closely at our healing process. We mark both where we are and where we want to be. We dance through the five stages of healing in relationship to being the victim, the survivor, the healer, the transformer, and eventually the one who rests in compassionate service.

Our sacred task in life is to transform the most difficult things we have been through into our greatest strengths. These are the stories of our resiliency, vulnerability, and strength. It is here one may learn how to move with what is and transform it to what we want it to be.

In the Heartbeat Map, we investigate what is moving through the shores of the heart. Through understanding the relationship of the emotional polarities, we come to respect and appreciate what we have been through. Without fear, we do not experience courage. Without anger, we cannot experience forgiveness. Without love, we cannot experience grief. Without loss, we cannot experience or appreciate the full spectrum of joy. Without all of these qualities, we cannot know the true nature of compassion. 

You are invited to join this journey of movement and awareness, focused on how emotions transform the heart. This map is Gabrielle Roth’s living wisdom, available here as a gift to you, to be carried in your own bones and blood.

Each session will be primarily focused on the 5Rhythms® moving meditation (dance practice). We will integrate each movement session with a seated meditation practice, focused on one of the Buddhist Heart Practices (Brahma viharas) which are equanimity, loving-kindness, compassion, and joy. Included in the group will be optional sharing and a question and answer period.

Nov 10-12, 2023

Beach United Church

140 Wineva Ave, Toronto, Canada

Fri 1-7pm

Sat 11am-5pm

Sun 2-7pm

$325 Early bird by Oct 15

$355 Early bird with scholarship donation

$385 Regular after Oct 15

$415 Regular with scholarship donation