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Songs for HealingSongs for Healing is a 1-day wellness retreat featuring wellness workshops, live music, vegetarian dinner & a sound-bath to end nestled in a stunning setting, a private venue in the Mary Lake subdivision in Whitehorse, Yukon Canada. This event will raise our voices, awareness and funds for the ongoing opioid crisis with proceeds going to Blood Ties Charity*. Thomas & Devaki, formerly of world beat band Samsara (Okanagan BC circa 1998-2012) are visiting from London UK with their new band Stunflower and will offer Ashtanga Yoga, Somatic Meditation and Kirtan Sound & Voice meditation as well as play a feature set of healing songs. Local to Whitehorse music legend, drummer extraordinaire, Lonnie Powell will guide participants through a sonic and rhythm exploration to tantalise the mind body & spirit. A beautiful vegetarian Indian dinner will be shared together in a communal setting. To end our day together another legendary local, Dave Haddock, will facilitate a soothing releasing Gong & Sound Bath.
Saturday 19 October:
2pm ~ Opening Ceremony
2.15-3 ~ Somatic Meditation/Movement w Devaki
3.15-4.15 ~ Intro to Ashtanga Yoga w Thomas
4.30-5.30 ~ Kirtan: Sound & Voice Meditation w Thomas & Devaki
5.45-7 ~ Rhythm & Soul Music w Lonnie Powell
7 -7.45 ~ Vegetarian Dinner
7.45-9.00pm ~ Healing Music w Stunflower
9.15-10.30pm ~ Soothing Sound Bath w Dave Haddock
The Workshops
Somatic Meditation/Movement ~ 2.15-3pm w Devaki
Using somatic awareness, gentle breathing and nourishing embodied movements participants will be guided into a deep state of release and letting go of tension. Encouraged to accept all that is with you, following your breath, your heart, your wisdom...you will be guided to a place of self compassion, awareness and trust. Using Kundalini Yoga practices combined with elements of movement therapy particpants will come out of their mind and into their bodies to bring them into an embodies state for the rest of the day together. Devaki is a multidisciplinary artist and movement psychotherapist, originally from BC Canada now living in London UK.
Intro to Ashtanga Yoga & Philosophy ~ 3.15-4.15 w Thomas
Ashtanga Yoga gives us a beautiful framework to understand and live our lives through, strengthening us by giving us guidance for our everyday existence, teaching us awareness of our breath and bodies to create clear minds and strong physiques. All essential for establishing self love and care. This workshop will explore what defines Ashtanga Yoga and will begin by focusing on the correct breathing techniques to enrich your practice. We will move into the Surya Namaskaram sequence followed by a selection of asanas from the Ashtanga sequence including forward bends, backward bends, twists, seated postures leading to meditative asanas and finally into Sivasana or rest. Thomas Idasseril Thomas practices and teaches Ashtanga Yoga in South East London and has been studying Vinyasa & Ashtanga Yoga for the last 15 years. He completed an intensive Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training Certification in Varkala, India at the Abhijna School of Yoga in 2015. He is certified to teach with Yoga Alliance UK. Thomas aims to deliver authentic instruction in the lineage of India's legendary Yoga masters. His teaching style has been hailed as gentle, enlightening, strengthening and supportive. Raised in Trinidad Tobago, Thomas emigrated to Western Canada and finally settled in the UK in 2005. A life-time musician and song-writer Thomas has an active career as a singer-songwriter-guitarist with his band Stunflower and produces/composes music across the UK. He is excited to share his passion and love for Yoga & philosophy.
Kirtan: Sound & Voice Meditation 4.30-5.30pm w Thomas & Devaki
The ancient practice of Kirtan originates from temples in India and helps participants connect to themselves through the medium of their voices. For this Kirtan practice there is no leader and no follower, we are one voice, one heart. Devaki will accompany the Mantras on the Harmonium and her life/music partner Thomas will accompany on guitar and drums. The couple shares Kirtan live across London and the UK at Yoga centres, festivals and retreats.
Therapeutic Mantras: Explore the therapeutic power of Sanskrit mantras, interspersed with some English lyrics, in a singular vocal expression that unites us all. Through breath-work, somatic meditation, and the resonance of these ancient chants, we connect with the sky and earth, grounding ourselves and releasing what no longer serves us.
Self-Discovery and Connection: This practice allows participants to delve deep within themselves, fostering a profound connection to both their inner selves and their fellow participants. It's a space to release, express, and manifest.
The Healing Power of Repetition: The repetitive chants serve as a therapeutic tool, soothing the mind and emotions. They help participants reconnect with their own voices and offer a profound sense of peace and emotional healing.
Rhythm & Soul Music ~ 5.45-7pm w Lonnie Powell
The joy of drumming has remained Powell’s fuel as a musician. It also marks the experience of watching him play. Powell is a much-requested drummer on the local scene in the Yukon. Watch Powell once and you’ll understand why he’s in demand. Perched at the back, seated behind his kit, Powell’s percussion both backs up the band with a steady hand and explodes into the forefront at all the right times.He’s the kind of musician who manages to sound simultaneously free and superbly technical.“Drumming is just like dancing with your hands,” he says. Focusing on feeling rhythm more than practicing technique, Powell likes to guide students of all ages to participate with the music. You can’t help but feel good when Powell plays. He has become that guy who looks so happy you want to do whatever he’s doing.
Healing Music w Stunflower ~ 7.45-9.00pm w Thomas & Devaki
Life/music partners of 37 years Thomas & Devaki make up the base of Stunflower with guesting musicians adding their grooves. Their music mashes up psychedelic folk reggae soca & mantra-rock. Based in London UK with roots in Trinidad, India and Canada they blend a cool collision of sound ... heartfelt, holistical, let-loose, transformational music... soothes your soul and moves your feet. T&D are founding members of Samsara, world beat rockers making waves across Western Canada from 1998 - 2012 and founding the Komasket Music Festival 2002-2011 in Vernon. Living for the past 16 years in London UK the couple returns to Canada with earned wisdom and a deep love and passion for the lands where they raised their 4 sons. Many friends and family have been affected by the opioid pandemic and so the couple are raising their voices and hearts with many local friends and family to co-create these healing events Somatic meditation, healing songs, soulful connection and guest musicians will accompany their set for Songs for Healing.
Sound Bath ~ 9.15 - 10.30pm w Dave Haddock
Using gongs, singing bowls and other instruments Dave will guide participants into a soothing releasing energizing sonic experience. He has been exploring the realm of spiritual and healing sound and offering those explorations to the community. The idea is to make oneself comfortable for deep relaxation, slip into feeling breath and body as an observer, and let the vibrations Dave creates enter skin, nerves, organs, and the space within — kind of a gentle “shiver me timbers”.
From actor to singer to songwriter to band leader to composer, arranger, producer, guitarist, bassist, and vocalist, Dave has made music his home. He is one of the most in demand players and collaborators in the community. He has two CDs of original songs released, 'Oil and Water' and 'keep it simple', with one more soon to be released entitled 'Talk to Me' More about this artist Dave Haddock
The Venue
A private residence space for the retreat, at beautiful Mary Lake subdivision 10 min drive from the centre of Whitehorse, Yukon.
The Food & Drinks
A beautiful flavour packed vegetarian dinner & Chai will be provided and shared together in a communal setting to encourage connection and interaction.
The Charity
Blood Ties mission is to eliminate barriers and create opportunities for people to have equal access to health & wellness and to live in our community with dignity. They serve all communities in Yukon.
The Tickets
Workshops ~ $60 each, includes all workshops, music, dinner and sound bath
Limited tickets....Online tickets available here on Eventbrite
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/songs-for-healing-1-day-wellness-retreat-in-whitehorse-yukon-tickets-1021197006737?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl
Proceeds will go directly to Blood Ties Charity.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
