Human Forest - The Depths of the Forest. A Regenerative Touch Experience.

It’s time to plunge deeper into the Forest than we ever have before. Like sinking to the bed of the ocean, we walk towards the very centre of our experience of the Forest. With more rounds of the Forest and by letting them run longer than they have before, we’ll let its lessons sink deeper and deeper into our bodies and hearts.

This special Forest will feature a completely new facilitator dynamic with Patrick Blooming and Jehan Abeysekera. Patrick, one of the Co-Founders of the Human Forest Project, will be joined by its newest member of the Facilitator team, Jehan. While this will be the last Forest Patrick runs in Australia for the foreseeable future, this will be Jehan’s first time as a lead facilitator!

Experience the rarity of this fun, playful, and nourishing team coming together for the first time.

WHAT IS A HUMAN FOREST?

For those of you that don't know, a Human Forest Experience is a human ecosystem connected by consensual touch.

Half of the room will be trees who will be blindfolded and receive loving, devotional touch from the other half of the room (the critters). You will have the opportunity to experience being both a tree and a critter.

These events can be powerful, healing opportunities for participants to experience intimacy and joy. Our priority to supporting participants to leave our events feeling opened, cared for and loved.

Come be part of a movement awakening people to the joy filled, healing and restorative power of touch.

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WHAT HAVE OTHERS SAID ABOUT THE EPOCH GROVE HUMAN FOREST?

"Can we please do this every day!?"

"I have never felt so supported in my life"

"I just feel like honey melting down a warm stove"

"I can actually feel my body, myself and other people. I feel so connected."

"I can't believe people can share so much intimacy with so much reverence and respect for each other. It's MIND BLOWING!"

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WHERE ARE THE PROFITS GOING?

This year a portion of our profits are going towards the EPOCH GROVE Reforestation Project. This project has been planting trees on Taungurung land near Heathcote, VIC.

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IMPORTANT:

• In this event we focus on devotional, loving and non-sexually oriented touch. Note: there is no genitalia touch at this event.
• All our events have been remarkably healing and opening for many participants, as seen in the testimonials above.
• That being said, this is a touch focused event. If you have any history of trauma related to receiving or giving touch, please be in touch with us directly to seriously consider whether this event is right for you.
• Participants are required to be on time to ensure they understand how to communicate their boundaries with clarity and respect via the consent and boundaries section at the commencement of the event.

About your facilitators:

Patrick Blooming
Patrick is one of the co-founders of the Human Forest Project and has been holding and organising Human Forests for over 3 years now. From its humble beginnings in a warehouse apartment in Melbourne, Victoria, the Forests have now been running internationally from Lisbon to London.
His emphasis is on holding and recognising the balance between being playful and serious, creating spaces that make you feel completely at ease but courageous enough to explore your edges. He believes in collaboratively building 'Brave Spaces', encouraging active self-responsibility while supporting participants every step of the way to recognise their own needs and be as authentic as they possibly can be.
Patrick has also been a songwriter/ musician for over 15 years and brings live music and group singing to connect people to their own voices and musicality during his workshops.

Jehan Abeysekera
Jehan is the newest addition to the Human Forest Project. Since 2021, he has been a strong supporter behind the scenes, advocating for the medicine that comes to a community whenever there's a Human Forest Experience in town. Now, he is actively taking part in cultivating that medicine.
Jehan's priority is building the foundations of safety in a space which provides more room for playful curiosity. He believes that there is magic to the Forest- it can be felt with our senses, when we strengthen the relationships to ourselves and each other. With his experience facilitating for the 'The Man Cave' (a Not-for-Profit helping adolescent boys develop greater emotional intelligence and awareness of consent), ultimately his focus is dismantling the barriers to developing a deeper connection with our community and nature.

Things to note:

Bring:

- Comfortable clothing

- Some nibbles and/or drinks to share with others at the end

- An open mind

- Any friends that might be interested! ;)

Arrival: Endeavour to arrive between 6:30pm - 6:45pm. To preserve the experience for all involved, doors will close at 7:00pm. Truly, it breaks our heart to have to turn latecomers away yet the disruption to the whole group experience by virtue of lateness does require management. We ask that you find understanding and consideration for the timebound nature of the container and make every effort to arrive on time.pm. Truly, it breaks our heart to have to turn latecomers away yet the disruption to the whole group experience by virtue of lateness does require management. We ask that you find understanding and consideration for the timebound nature of the container and make every effort to arrive on time.

Driving: Know Centre of You is on Chapel St and ample time to find a car spot is best to be factored into your plans. Park direct on Chapel St (spots unmetered after 5pm) or in Anchor Place, the open-air parking lot in the side street that runs opposite Centre of You (unmetered after 4pm).

Public transport - tram: Both the number 6 tram & 78 tram stop on the corner of High St/Chapel St. This is stop 31 on the number 6 tram (Moreland/Glen Iris) & stop 45 on the number 78 tram (North Richmond/Balaclava).

Public transport - train: Both Prahran & Windsor stations along the Sandringham Line will get you walking distance to Centre of You.

Finding Centre of You: Centre of You is nestled within the arcade that Chapel St Bazaar is in (217 Chapel St). It is up a flight of stairs with a wide landing at the half-way-point. Unfortunately, this current version of Centre of You does not have a wheelchair accessible lift. If you could use support in getting up the stairs or would like to discuss ways to make your experience at Centre of You more comfortable, please reach out via [email protected] or via DM over on Centre of You Instagram.

Accessibility: At COY we aim to ensure our community and events are inclusive and accessible while alongside upholding the needs and responsibilities of our business and the businesses of our collaborating facilitators. Should you be in a time of financial challenge and unable to pay the full ticket price comfortably, please reach out via [email protected] or via DM over on Centre of You Instagram

Ticketing T&Cs: We get it, life happens, therefore we will gladly refund you up until 24hrs before the event start time. After that, we have a strict no refund/no transfer to future events policy.

If you are no longer able to attend and wish to pay forward your ticket to someone within the community, be in touch via [email protected] or via DM over on Centre of You Instagram.

Questions? Email [email protected] or reach out via Instagram DM.

Host or Publisher Centre of You