CIRCLES
PILOT SEASON: FALL 2023 – CIRCLES FOR GRIEF
I am very excited to launch my first series of circles!
The modalities proposed, the in-person circles & the (virtual) Breathwork, have been instrumental in my life over the past decade.
As for grief, it sounds like it is on everyone’s mind, carried on so many exhausted shoulders, yet on so few lips.
In our modern societies, both at an individual & collective level, we often struggle to process grief.
Rituals and rites of passage are mostly absent.
Collective mournings, thresholds, dire emergencies & profound changes are rarely acknowledged & processed, celebrated, and grieved communally.
Instead, we are asked to carry on.
To move on.
To take one for the team.
This series of Circles is an invitation to grieve together the losses experienced during the pandemic, past & ongoing, to witness one another’s pain & express our own.
Through this collective embodied practice, we can strengthen our emotional capacity to withstand challenging times & weave back together our communities.
Because everyone has different ways of accessing their emotions, below you will find various options: in-person & remote, some including some talking, others not.
I hope you pick, choose & get curious and that together we reconnect with the ability to grieve together.
You don’t have to commit to all of the circles.
All details are below.
I hope to see you soon, in person or on Zoom!
In-Person Circles for Grief
Every 1st Tuesday of the month in the Fall
5pm to 7.30pm
(Tuesday Oct 3 – Nov 7 – Dec 5)
In-person at Maison May in NYC
Credit: Carmen by Graciela Iturbite
What will happen during the circles?
People will take turns to express what they wish to.
Others will listen.
The model for this circle is inspired by Joanna Macy’s Circle of Grief (also called Truth Mandala or Truth Circle).
The idea is to withstand the pain of others, increase our tolerance for collective losses & pain as well as our own, and integrate rather than discard or ignore.
Please note that we invite all to consider this as a BRAVE space.
The nature of this circle is deeply engaging& triggering. Each participant is called to stay in the presence of one another as much as possible.
Do I need to attend all 3 circles?
You can pick & choose how many weeks you attend.
Upon signing up, you will be given the option to select what you prefer.
The nature of that particular circle is such that you can drop in every time or just once & it will not alter the impact.
For those of you who want to excavate a lot, and peel layers, more than one might be necessary to build strength.
And no matter what, you can certainly sign up for one & see how it goes before signing up for more.
You also have Virtual Breathwork Circles this season: Can I mix and match?
Yes! Absolutely!
Again, what works best for you is ultimately what you need. Upon signing up, you can decide.
What do I need to bring or prepare for the in-person circle?
Come as you are!
There is no need to think about anything in advance.
We recommend you wear comfortable clothing & you may bring a water bottle.
LOGISTICS
In-person
12 persons maximum
Doors open at 4.45 pm – Circle starts at 5 pm- No Late Entry.
At Maison May
246 Dekalb Avenue in Brooklyn, NY.
The event will run for a minimum 2 hours maximum 3 hours
$25 per person – Special Pilot Rate! Next Season will have a different price structure-
(if you want to sign up for the 3 or more circles, email me & I will send you a 20% discount Code)
ACCESSIBILITY & COVID PROTOCOL
Because of on-going logistical constraints within the space, for this 1st series of in-person circles, the gatherings must happen on the 2nd floor.
Please note that there is a flight of stairs going up.
We are working to be able to host circles on the ground floor in 2024.
Please note that due to the ongoing COVID pandemic, we will require proof of vaccination; social distancing & masks are encouraged. We will provide Air purifiers, ventilation & ample space will be provided.
WARNING
I do need to state clearly that the content will be challenging.
My hope – and my personal experience – is that by withstanding being in the presence of one’s grief and those of others, we become braver, freer, and more connected to ourselves & others.
**WHAT THIS GROUP IS NOT**
This is not a coaching or interactive group. No advice will be offered.
I strongly encourage each participant to have additional support & guidance (therapist, spiritual advisor, mentor, elder). Those struggling with active or passive suicidal thoughts, gestures, or severe traumatic symptoms should not attend this circle.
(For a circle of grief with a group you assemble in your home or virtually, Email me directly)
Virtual BreathWorks For Grief
Every 3rd Thursday of the month in the Fall
7.30pm to 9pm EST
(Oct 19 – Nov 16 – Dec 21)
Virtual on Zoom
Grief Embodiment through Breath
Breathwork is, by its very nature, a natural way for every Body to express grief.
Some like to put words on it.
Others do not.
Some will draw, scream, or run.
Others will be unable to find obvious or what is considered direct access points by our modern culture: not everything has to be thought to be understood.
The Breath can help us find our way through.
Many of our emotions & deep grief are ineffable.
This virtual event is designed for those who want to access some of the immense grief collectively experienced in the past three years in a communal setting yet in the privacy of their homes.
We will hold a collective intention together while honoring what it might have meant at a very personal level.
The manifestations were/are legions.
Come as you are; your breath is enough. There is no verbal participation required.
What to expect?
We will come together as a circle & create a communal & personal intention or dedication. I will then demonstrate the breath & there will be at least a 45-minute chunk of active breathing.
We will reconvene after that to come together once more & close the circle.
I invite you to read more about Breathwork here.
Do I need to attend all 3 circles?
You can pick & choose how many weeks you attend. Upon signing up, you will be given the option to pick what you prefer.
There will be thread weaving the 3 circles together for those who decide to come each month.
Yet, that thread will allow for people to drop in any session and be absolutely fine.
And you can certainly sign up for one & see how it goes before signing up for more.
You also have In-person Circles this season. Can I mix and match?
Yes! Absolutely!
Again, what works best for you is ultimately what you need. Upon signing up, you can decide.
LOGISTICS
Virtual on Zoom
You are invited to wear comfortable clothing & to be, if possible, in a quiet space where you won’t be interrupted. I recommend doing this practice lying down, yet whatever will work for your body is the best option.
Water, blankets, eye pillows & anything that will bring warmth & comfort is welcome.
$25 per person per circle – Special Pilot Rate! Next Season will have a different price structure-
(if you want to sign up for the 3 or more circles, email me & I will send you a 20% discount Code)
The session will be recorded & sent to all who sign up.
(For a Breathwork Circle with a group you assemble in your home or virtually, Email me directly)