Lotus, by Caroline Harrison
A five week course for those interested in collective, body-based healing and transformation. No previous experience of meditation or somatics necessary.
What it’s about…
Somatic practices and approaches have grown in popularity over the last few years, yet are primarily offered through one-to-one, therapeutic models which can be costly and time-intensive.
This course provides a unique opportunity to learn somatic principles and practices alongside others, with an emphasis on the collective experience of trauma AND our capacity to heal from trauma. Together we’ll:
identify and develop the conditions that support a sense of safety, dignity and belonging within ourselves and alongside one another.
develop and commit to our individual and collective vision for healing and transformation, for ourselves, others and the world.
Broaden our resources when facing life’s inevitable challenges, helping to reduce overwhelm and deepening emotional resilience.
Notice the signs of overwhelm within ourselves and others and learn to self and co-regulate for optimal nervous system functioning.
engage with the healing and transformative qualities of presence with and availability to what we and others are experiencing moment by moment.
Build our collective resilience so that we are able to more fully engage with the challenges of our times.
set clear intentions for our somatic practice based on what is happening right now, in our own bodies, lives, relationships and the world.
The course will include teacher input, small and large group exercises, reflections and sharing, meditation, and mindful movement.
When it happens…and where
Five Thursdays from Oct 23rd to November 20th, 7-9pm GMT on Zoom. A Zoom link will be sent to you once you’ve registered and made payment.
Who we are
Singhashri Gazmuri
Singhashri (she/her or they/them) is a queer, Latinx-American-British Buddhist teacher and writer. They teach mindfulness and compassion as means to awakening to love, beauty and truth and have committed their life to supporting collective liberation for all and the joy and freedom found there.
Singhashri has a background in youth work, strategic planning, organisational change management, and diversity, equity and inclusion. They are also an accredited Breathworks Mindfulness teacher, trainer and supervisor and are currently training as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP). They work at the intersection of dharma, social justice and somatics, weaving these into their writing, teaching and one-to-one therapy.
They teach meditation at various retreat and urban centres across the UK, Europe and the USA, and support a number of projects aimed at creating greater diversity and inclusion within Buddhist sanghas and the secular mindfulness field. They currently live in London with their partner.
Russell Balajit Lewins
Russell (he/him) has been leading retreats and events across the UK for around 15 years. For several years he lived and worked at Vajraloka Retreat Centre in North Wales.
Currently based in Birmingham, he mixes Buddhist teaching responsibilities with work as a trauma therapist. He has studied the newly emerging psycho-biological approaches to trauma work and nervous system well being- and is qualified in Somatic Experiencing, NARM therapy and SHEN Therapy.
In the past few years, Balajit has been exploring correspondences between these emerging approaches and the canonical Dharma. In particular, how powerful transforming trauma can be in weakening the forces that cloud the heart-mind, allowing a deepening meditation of and dawning of embodied wisdom.
How to register
Spaces are limited to 12 participants to ensure we can build a strong sense of connection and safety as a group and meaningfully support each participant. Therefore, please consider whether this is the right time to commit to a course like this and ensure you can attend all sessions before registering.
If you have any questions about whether this is the right course for you or challenges with any of the dates, please do write to us and we can explore together.
Please register using the link below. Once you’ve registered we’ll send you bank details to make a 30% deposit to secure your place. We are happy to accept the remainder of your payment either in full prior to Oct 23rd or weekly prior to each session. The fee for the course is:
£250 waged (£50/week) with a £75 deposit
£150 concession (£30/week) with a £45 deposit