Grief Circle

Community Gathering Mini Retreat

How can we lean into community in times of grief?

How can we hold compassionate space for ourselves and each other when heavy emotions arise?

What if there's nothing to do, nothing to resolve? But only space to allow grief to be seen and heard?

How does "pakikipagkapwa" look like when holding grief?

We invite you to join an intentional, sacred gathering facilitated by three filipinas/fil-ams who each have been touched and journeyed through grief and now come together to hold space for those who want to find safe space to let their grief be seen, felt and held.

Grief is a journey, but you're not meant to go through it alone. This circle represents our community coming together just like Indigenous Tribes to grieve, cry and hold each other in a circle so no one feels alone going through the toughest times in one's journey.

In Filipino culture, we have a social dynamic called "pakikipagkapwa" which is the principle of a shared identity and a consciousness of the other. Through kapwa, we let go of the ego and allow the interweaving of the collective ultimately to come into oneness.

Applying these concepts of collective support, upliftment and shared identity, we are honored to create a safe space for one to express, be seen, felt, heard or to simply just be in a community.

1PM Opening Circle with Introductions & Prayer

1:30PM Somatic Meditation & Movement

2PM Vocal Activation

2:30PM Tea & Snack Break - Dalam-HOT TEA (Dalamhati = Tagalog for Grief)

3PM Transmutation Activity - Planting Seeds

3:30PM Yin Yoga

4PM Care Practice

4:15PM Soundbath

4:30PM Closing Ceremony

10% of proceeds will go directly to a family in need in Palestine.

Ana Victoria Andres is a Filipina experimental movement artist, yoga, somatic and embodiment practitioner and community gathering fairy exploring embodied identities and philosophies through ritual and performance-making.

Her essence gives permission for tenderness and softness.

Coming from a surf town in the Philippines, she has found grace in living in community. Especially in her personal times of grief--from shedding layers of old skin to witnessing genocide and suffering.

Chona Bernardo is a Filipina American born and raised in Long Beach, CA. She is a yoga teacher, Reiki Practitioner and artist. She's been working through her grief losing her dog of 16 years and her beloved aunt who was like a mother to her. Chona enjoys being in community especially when her gentle sass can come out and play.

Adele Choh Zin is a mixed Filipina American living in Los Angeles. She dove deeper into her healing journey while processing deep grief following the death of her estranged father and his battle with cancer and lifelong mental illness. She found inner understanding and compassion from connecting with NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness)and eventually certified in mental health first aid, reiki and sound therapy. Adele loves feeling sand under her feet, wind and sunshine on her face and jamming with friends.

Host or Publisher Seeding Circle