Wellness for Women of Color: Yoga & Trauma-Informed Creative Writing

In-person workshop inside the beautiful Micaela Fitch Room at Ottawa Arts Court.

Early-bird ticket sales end February 15th.

This workshop offers a nurturing, supportive space for Women of Color to reclaim connection with their bodies, true desires, sexuality, and authentic self-expression.

Through trauma-informed Yoga, creative writing, breathwork, and community discussion - we will re-write empowering narratives that honor our bodies and self-expression as sacred and worthy of care.

This space is dedicated to exploring and challenging the cultural, societal, and personal messages that often disconnect us from our bodies' wisdom and authentic self-expression.

It is an opportunity to redefine these relationships on our own terms, and to explore our connection with pleasure and our bodies without stigma or shame.

We’ll explore how connection with our bodies and authentic desires can be sources of inner power, wisdom, creativity and self-expression.

*Note: This workshop is not focused on writing about trauma - it is focused on rewriting narratives of empowerment, healing and self-compassion based in the present & future.

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Why this workshop?

Women, particularly Women of Color, are often subjected to narratives that frame our bodies and self-expression as existing primarily to serve the desires and expectations of others. These harmful messages can disconnect us from our sense of self-worth, self-expression, autonomy, and connection to our own bodies' wisdom.

This workshop creates a space to challenge these narratives, empowering us to reclaim our stories and redefine our relationship with our bodies and sexuality on our own terms. Through trauma-informed creative writing, yogic practices, and discussion, we will explore honoring these parts of ourselves as sacred and worthy of respect & care.

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What to expect:

• Yoga practices, including: breathwork, meditation and gentle movement to support grounding and connecting with your body’s inner wisdom and guidance.

• Guided trauma-informed creative writing exercises designed to help you create empowering narratives surrounding connection with your body, true desires, authentic self-expression & sexuality-sensuality.

• Community Discussion: Opportunities to reflect, share, and connect with other women of color in a compassionate, non-judgemental space.

No writing or yoga experience is needed—just come as you are.

Gentle Reminders:

Who this is for: Women of Color interested in exploring their relationship with their bodies through creative expression, yogic practices and community.

What to bring: A yoga mat, journal, pen, and comfortable clothing.

Traditions & Teachings: The yoga practices and teachings offered during these workshops are based in the Yoga - Himalayan Tradition, Ayurveda & Theravada Buddhism that I carry & pass on from my ancestral lineages and am a student of.

*** Sliding scale: A sliding scale is available to accommodate different financial situations. Please choose the rate that feels right for you, keeping in mind your own resources and the value of this offering. When you choose a higher ticket price, you help subsidize lower-cost spots for those who may not otherwise be able to participate. This creates a community of mutual care and support, ensuring this offering is available to as many people as possible.

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About The Facilitator: Shalyn Isaacs, M.Ed Counselling Psychology

I have been facilitating mental health and trauma education workshops every year for academic, corporate and non-profit organizations since 2016. I hold a Masters of Education in Counselling Psychology from the University of Toronto and held a private practice specializing in working with survivors of racial and gender-based violence. I have worked as a Mindfulness Facilitator at York University and the University of Toronto.

I carry ancestral teachings from Theravada Buddhism, Yoga & Ayurveda, passed down by my matrilineal lineage. I was initiated into the Kundalini Yoga - Himalayan Tradition in 2021 and am currently completing a Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training with traditional wisdom keepers at Samadhi Ashram. As my knowledge and practice of these ancient traditions grows, I seek to honor what I receive by sharing the teachings and practices with others to support them towards healing and collective liberation.

My approach is based in an understanding of how trauma is held within the body. Some of my trauma-informed practices include: Honoring your autonomy and pacing, checking-in regularly, and allowing you to choose the practices and pacing we engage with.

Host or Publisher Shalyn Isaacs