Breathe True

Are you feeling stressed-out, overwhelmed and drained with what is happening in the world or maybe just a little (or a lot) bored with the same old routine of life? How about getting away from it all and getting a fresh start? Find some renewed energy, deeply connected to the calm inner oasis of your true self.

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Spend a weekend accessing inner happiness, serenity and peace. Practice the essential techniques of meditation distilled from ancient practices, placed in a western context without the dogma or jargon of religious belief.

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Experience physical relaxation, emotional calmness, mental alertness and clarity, enhanced concentration, inner wholeness, balanced energy, improved health and a sense of centred well-being.

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Special Features:

Comfortable lodging, scrumptious vegetarian buffets, meditation instruction, yoga practice, joyful movement, powerful sound therapy, optional intuitive soul readings, success manifestation exercises and a special Fire Ceremony to let go of the old year and welcome in the new.

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Date: January 8 (5pm) to January 10, 2021 (4pm)

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Location: The Ecology Retreat Centre in the beautiful Niagara Escarpment scenery of Hockley Valley, east of Orangeville, surrounded by over 200 hundreds acres of old forest. Just being on the property immersed in the energy of nature is wonderfully healing all by itself.

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Retreat Leaders:
Russell Scott and Eva Dametto

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NOTE: Due to concerns about Co-vid there is a limit of 15 people allowed in the retreat. Physical distancing will be maintained on-site. Enrol early to ensure a spot.

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There are different payment options available.

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For more information or to enrol visit: https://www.awakentheguruinyou.com/clear-mind-pure-heart...

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Sound yokes us to universal consciousness. It is powerfully linked to our well-being since its vibratory nature impacts our energetic and physical bodies. When sound is imbued with intention (such as love), it becomes sacred. In nada yoga (the yoga of sound), the ear is the gateway to the soul.

Sound is the emanation of any tone, frequency or vibration. Music is the organization of sound. The body itself is composed of vibration and sound (heartbeat, blood pulsing, eyes blinking etc.), so one could say that we are music made visible.

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Throughout this Part 2 weekend course, we will gather both in a studio setting and via Zoom to discuss and explore many different aspects of sound as a healing modality.

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The emphases of the course will be on vocalization, creating soundscapes, working with themes, expressing sound through words and visual art, sounding/vocal toning for the chakras and corresponding organs, mantra (sounding as meditative prayer), creating a structure for ritualized sound healing sessions, trance rhythms and dance to alter states of consciousness and shamanic sound journeying to connect with spirit guides.

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If you did not take Part 1 of this course in October, you can still take Part 2.

"Early Bird" cost is $150 before January 24th, 2021 (after this date the cost is $200)

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Sponsored by: Lila Yoga Wisdom School: http://lisacipparone.ca/sound-healing-level-2/

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To register, contact: breathetrue@gmail.com 

Spend 3 days in a beautiful, natural setting with incredible food, great teachers and like-minded co-participants. Discover the power of mediation, yoga and sacred sound as ways to calm your mind and emotions and body. Treat yourself to a special experience that you will never forget.

In this 2 1/2 day retreat (Oct. 30th- Nov. 1st, 2020), you will learn the basic essential techniques of meditation distilled from ancient practices and placed in a western context without the dogma or jargon of religious belief.

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You will understand the science of how stress manifests in your body and is a major contributor to most of our modern health problems. You will learn to access at will, the “relaxation response” like a “reset button” that re-establishes the equilibrium of physical relaxation, emotional calm, and mental alertness. You will experience how the “deep rest” that meditation gives is an antidote to the constant tension in your life.

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By the end of the retreat, you will have acquired a daily practice of meditation that when practised over time

can free you from the constant disabling chatter of the mind and help you access inner serenity, happiness and joy.

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This retreat is suitable for you if you: 

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• Would like to be in your life differently and want time to unwind, relax and experience a deeper serenity within.

• Are a beginning meditator or have done some meditation before and want to establish a daily practice to bring calmness and centredness into your daily life.

• Have an established meditation practice and are open to trying some different approaches to meditation and the unique form of paired self-inquiry taught on the retreat.

• Are looking to follow a non-dogmatic spiritual path without having to follow a guru.

• Yearn to let go of stress from the past and experience optimism and new possibility for the future.

• Feel an inner pull to connect more intimately with your true self.

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NOTE: The retreat will have an extended silent period and talking will be allowed at some meal and break times on Sunday. There will also be some communication during the paired self-inquiry exercises on Sunday.

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Features of the retreat:

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1.     Delicious buffet-style vegetarian meals

2.     Accommodation for 2 nights in a secluded rural retreat centre

3.     Guided meditations that you then do on your own

4.     Yoga and movement periods

5.     Sound therapy

6.     Silent sitting and walking periods

7.     Some paired self-inquiry and meditation training exercises

8.     Instruction on:

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• The scientific basis of meditation

• The basic techniques of meditation: and their most effective applications

• How to elicit the “relaxation response” at will

• Simple relaxing yoga and movement instruction.

• Crucial preparatory practice often missed in meditation instruction that quickly puts you in the “meditative zone”

• How to use breathing to deepen your serenity

• Sound "bathing" for healing with gongs, singing bowls, chimes and other instruments

• A special "Letting Go" ceremony to clear the stress of the past year and launch your new aspirations for the rest of 2020! 

• A Guided Meditation CD that you can use to reinforce your practice at home.

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Location: Ecology Retreat Centre- 308046 Hockley Rd, Mono, ON L9W 6N2

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(Upfront) Cost: $325 + HST for 6 meals and two night's shared lodging plus a ***Pay from the Heart*** donation. (Read details below) Single rooms are available for an additional $40.00 plus HST.

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***Pay from the Heart***

Russell is committed to making this retreat financially accessible to everyone. The upfront cost is the cost of your meals and accommodation. At the end of the retreat, you will be given the opportunity to make a contribution to my facilitation based on the perceived value of what the retreat was worth to you. This contribution can be a one-time donation or monthly deposits. I trust that you will get in touch with the long term benefit of the retreat to your life and make your decision honestly. Normally a retreat of this nature with meals, accommodation and facilitation costs included would be priced from $575 to $675

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For more information contact: (519)-829-4149 or e-mail: be@awakentheguruinyou.com

https://www.awakentheguruinyou.com/clear-mind-pure-heart.html

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Retreat Leaders:

Russell Scott is one of the new generations of "no dogma teachers" and the author of the acclaimed book: "Awakening the Guru in You". He has led over hundreds of retreats for the past 30 years. Previously as the owner of the Ecology Retreat Centre near Orangeville, he pioneered programs in green building, sustainable living and spiritual awakening. As an “Awakening guide,” he has helped 1000’s of people in his one-to-one and group programs breakthrough past limitations so that they can walk in the beauty, honesty and magnificence of who they really are. His greatest joy in life is watching people fall off their seats in fits of laughter when they realize their true nature.

Barbara Dametto is the founder and director of Breathe True located in Guelph, Ontario. She is a hatha yoga instructor, expressive arts practitioner, movement facilitator, sound healer and visual and performing artist. She received her chakra yoga 500-hour teacher training in Thailand at the Pyramid Yoga Center in 2016 and 2008. In addition, she has received extensive training in Sound Healing, Journey and Soul Motion Dance and Expressive Arts. Her creativity, love of learning and eclectic background all contribute to her unique approach to facilitating and self-expression.

Learn how sound can become the vehicle for healing your body, relaxing your mind and calming states of anxiety and depression. Develop the skills to incorporate musical instruments into your yoga practice. Deepen your ability to create calming and invigorating soundscapes that can be used anytime and anywhere. Strengthen your vocalizing and listening skills so that you can become a vehicle for your own (and other's) healing.

Sound yokes us to universal consciousness. It is powerfully linked to our well-being since its vibratory nature impacts our energetic and physical bodies. When sound is imbued with intention (such as love), it becomes sacred. In nada yoga (the yoga of sound), the ear is the gateway to the soul. Sound is the emanation of any tone, frequency or vibration. Music is the organization of sound. The body itself is composed of vibration and sound (heartbeat, blood pulsing, eyes blinking etc.), so one could say that we are music made visible.

Throughout this weekend course, participants will be introduced to the history of sound healing, sound as meditation, sound as prayer and sound as a healing modality. The course will be both informative (instructional) and practical (hands-on). We will gather in a studio environment where written hand-outs will be provided and discussed. We will explore different techniques to experience the nature of vibration and sound and its impact on the human body. We will have access to many beautiful musical instruments such as Paiste gongs, drums, rattles, tuning forks, chimes, shruti box, rainsticks, didgeridoo etc. in order to practice both giving and receiving sound healing sessions.

The weekend course will be offered in person at a studio in Guelph (TBA) where social distancing rules and masks will be applied. It will also be offered via Zoom Communications. 

This is an introductory course meant to give participants a “taste” of the incredible complexities and benefits of sacred sound and its relation to yoga and well being.

Some of the topics we will explore include:

~What is sound healing? How does it work?
~The history of sound as a healing modality
~Pythagorean tuning and solfeggio scale

~Cynmatics: the visible effects of sound and vibration on matter
~The effects of sound and vibration on the brain, nervous system and physical body
~The effects of sound and vibration on the energy body
~Toning: vowel sounds of the chakras and corresponding glands
~AUM meditation and mantra
~Receiving and giving sound healing sessions and the rituals and protocols involved
~Questions and Answers

Exchange is $150.00 before Oct 3 and $200 after.

Please contact Barbara directly with questions and registration at BreatheTrue@gmail.com

Details can be found at LilaYogaWisdomSchool.ca

Explore the 7 Chakras through different yogic techniques and practices.

Learn about the ancient Hindu philosophy of these energies as they interact with the universe as well as the body.

Understand the psychological and physiological characteristics of these centres and how they relate to our overall physical, mental and spiritual health.

Areas of study include breath work, yoga poses, vocal toning and silent meditation.

Best suited for people who are somewhat established in yoga practice.

Date: February 22nd, 2020, 1-4pm.

Cost: $65

Location: 11 Quebec St., Guelph, Ontario N1H 2T1

To register contact: Studio Shibui

(519) 265-8848
info@studioshibui.ca
http://studioshibui.ca/workshops/
 

This is an introductory workshop and the first in a series of mask making weekends based on archetypal characters.

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William Shakespeare said, "All the world's a stage and all the men and women merely players." Oscar Wilde has put his spin on this phrase, declaring that, “The world is a stage, and the play is badly cast.”

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Whatever the case, we are all players and have an entire cast of characters (personalities) that sometimes are referred to as "the self". Often we are hiding behind these rough, rowdy, dowdy, tragic, sexy, sad, wise, belligerent and holy guises never quite understanding and befriending them or recognizing which ones are running the show. One thing is for sure, and that is that more than often, these characters are unconscious.

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Let's gather with the intention of "showing up" to playfully diving deep into our personalities so that we can come to know ourselves more intelligently and compassionately. The key is to remain curious, accepting and intrigued about what masks get created and what part of yourself they represent. The mask will illuminate what lies beneath the surface and help us realize that we are complex personas born out of fortunate and unfortunate life circumstances. By bringing these disconnected aspects of self into the light and playfully animating them (acting them out), deep healing, understanding and self-acceptance can occur.

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What might you gain from taking this class?

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-a fun experience with other creative people
-a connection with parts of yourself that are unknown
-insight into your own psychology
-the ability to lighten up, laugh at yourself and love yourself
-a friendship with the parts of yourself that seem unlikable, unknowable and disowned
-freedom, confidence, improved self-image
-an understanding that the masks we wear are our allies: they can serve and benefit us rather than control us
-wisdom gained from your own inner teacher

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Who might be interested in taking this course?

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-curious people
-shy people wanting to be more extroverted
-actors looking for new material derived from themselves
-therapists looking for new approaches to helping clients
-people who want more control over their emotions
-people who want to overcome shame and trauma
-people who want to improve the quality of their lives

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Barbara Dametto (that's me- your facilitator) has studied and performed theatre, dance, clown through mask (baby clown), joey and auguste (victim and perpetrator clown), Buffon (the evil clown hee hee!), neutral mask, expressive arts, sound therapy and meditative self-inquiry for over 30 years!

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We will be gathering on Saturday, February 1st from 10 am to 4 pm to learn a simple process of making sturdy, papier-mache masks. I will supply all of the art materials.

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We will reconvene on Sunday, February 2nd from 10 am to 1 pm to explore the masks through inner journeying techniques and physical theatre. I will skillfully guide the group through different character-building activities such as movement, sounding, interacting with others and ultimately presenting our masks to the audience (in this case, other workshop participants).

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As time goes on and we return for more mask workshops, my plan is to hold an evening soiree and invite the public to meet our many brilliant characters. Stay tuned for this tantalizing, theatrical event. Guelph will never be the same...

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I am offering two types of payment methods for this course:

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I value the two-day workshop at $175 which includes all art materials. But if you prefer, you can pay me $50 upfront (my basic cost to run the course ie. space rental and art supplies) and then make a donation from your heart for my facilitation after the workshop (based on what the experience was worth to you). Your donation may be more than what I've requested or it may be less.

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I am offering a "Pay From The Heart" option because:

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-I don't want you to pay more than you can afford
-you don't know me and so paying full price seems risky
-you get to pay what YOU feel the value of the course is
- I want to make the course accessible to everyone
-whatever you pay is helping me in my life to help people like yourself- so I am grateful
-there is a negotiation process whereby my worth and value and your worth and value are recognized

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Please send your $175 full payment (or you $50 down payment) as a direct bank deposit/ e-transfer to breathetrue@gmail.com (no password required).

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Once I receive your funds, I will confirm your spot in the course. I will also reach out to you again closer to the workshop date (February 1st/2nd, 2020) to touch base. Please email me if you have any questions: breathetrue@gmail.com

Conscious dance is a form of free-style dance that encourages people to move and express themselves joyfully in a community of like-minded people. The intention is to enter into a sacred, safe space and dance to a playlist of carefully chosen music that follows an arc. This arc or progression can vary in style and length, but usually, there are 5 main sections that take dancers on a 1-2 hours long movement journey. The music starts slow and grows in intensity and pace into a crescendo of chaotic rhythms and then begins to wind down resolving and ending in quiet movement meditation.

This workshop is designed for individuals who wish to deepen their understanding of conscious dance and how it can be used as a form of self-expression, creativity and healing through authentic, spontaneous physical movement. It is most suitable for dance enthusiasts, therapists and teachers.

Together, we will learn about the origins of conscious dance and its role as both an ancient, traditional (and contemporary) sacred practice for healing as well a form of artistic and playful expression. Whatever the purpose, conscious dance is fun, invigorating, revealing and challenging. Sometimes referred to as "a practice", this form of dance expression can be likened to a metaphor for life as we ride the many waves of emotional intensity and human experiences. The more we practice developing consciousness and surrendering to the dance practice with abandonment and intelligence, the more aware and confident we become.

Participants will be given opportunities to dance (solo, in pairs and as a group) and to listen carefully to music that evokes and supports our emotional world and inspires us to dance in different ways. They will also learn what's involved in creating their own conscious dance events if that's what excites them.

Come well hydrated and dress comfortably. The dance studio is at the back of a delicious restaurant called, Grassroots and so you can come early for lunch or coffee or a kombucha!

Barbara Dametto, your facilitator for the afternoon, is a seasoned dancer and conscious dance facilitator. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Theatre, has worked as a professional dancer and choreographer in Hamilton, Toronto, Peterborough and Guelph, has attended numerous conscious dance courses in Canada and the U.S., is a guest DJ for the Guelph Groove (a monthly event held on the second Saturday of the month), and is the co-presenter/ DJ for Guelph Conscious Dance (a monthly event held on the fourth Friday of the month).

This workshop will be capped at 25 participants.

For more information and to register, contact Barbara Dametto at breathetrue@gmail.com
www.breathetrue.com

What: Conscious Dance Workshop

When: Saturday, November 16th, 1-4 pm

Where: Grassroots Market and Studio- 17 Gordon St, Guelph, ON.

Cost: $65 (e-transfer via TD Canada Trust direct deposit no password necessary).
Send funds to breathetrue@gmail.com and email me to confirm your spot.