Join us for the Come Lay Down Series
A 4-week Black History Month series devoted exclusively to the restoration of Black folx.
There's so much to celebrate and mourn this month for people in Black bodies. This will be a gentle soul-nourishing series focused on metabolization and restoration of individual and collective grief and racialized trauma. The facilitators - Oceana Sawyer, Naomi Edmondson, and Shana Nunnelly will co-create along with participants a warm container of rest and restoration using a variety of somatic offerings designed to reset the nervous system and restore connection to self, community, and the Ancestors.
Each week we will explore self-care opportunities which include:
opportunities to share in small and large groups
herbal instruction with Kira Buckley
guided meditation,
restorative yoga with Najee Wilson
creative expression - writing, drawing, etc,
a weekly guided soundbath,
small group support throughout
thought-provoking assignments and additional resources between sessions
You can join with your own Rest Pod or you can be assigned to one during the first session. Rest Pods are intended to provide addition opportunities to be supported between sessions and they are optional.
A word about attendance: we are building community and creating a container. We’re looking for folks who can attend all of the sessions. If that’s not you, then this is probably not the workshop series for you. That being said, we know that “life happens”. We also want to encourage participants to show up in whatever state they’re in. It’s fine to be off camera, but there is also every chance that you will feel better for having shown up.
Sliding Scale
Here are some general guidelines (we are grateful to Alexis Cunningfolk for their labor in thinking this through and creating a wonderful graphic) about our sliding scale and to help you determine where you fall on it.
The highest dollar cost reflects the actual market rate and the true cost with a generous “pay it forward” contribution. If you have access to financial security, own property or have personal savings, you would not traditionally qualify for sliding scale services. If you are able to pay for "wants" and spend little time worried about securing necessities in your life, you have economic privilege and power in our community. This price is for you. $250
The middle cost reflects the true cost only. At this level, we know that paying the higher cost would prevent some folks from being able to attend, but who do not honestly find themselves reflected in either descriptions for the highest cost or the lowest. If you are struggling to conquer debt or build savings or move away from paycheck to paycheck living but have access to steady income and are not spending most of your time thinking about meeting basic needs such as food, shelter, medical care, child care, etc., you belong here. If you, however, can ask others for financial support, such as family members, partners, or friends, please consider using those personal resources before you use the resources of the sliding scale and limit opportunities for others. Limited to 10 spots. $150
The bottom cost represents an honest acknowledgment that there are folks whose economic circumstances would prevent them from being a part of classes if there was not a deliberate opportunity made for them to access services at a cost that is reflective of their economic realities. If you struggle to maintain access to needs such as health care, housing, food, child care, and are living paycheck to paycheck or are in significant debt, you probably belong here and you deserve a community that honors your price as equal to an economic offering as the person who can pay the highest tier. Limited to 10 spots. $50
We are limiting the amount of slots offered at the middle and lower end of the scale. Please be mindful that if you purchase a price at the lowest end of the scale when you can truthfully afford the higher ticket prices, you are limiting access to those who truly need the gift of financial flexibility. Being honest with yourself and your financial situation when engaging with sliding scale practices grows strong and sustainable communities. It also respects the work of teachers and creators, like ourselves, who have families to support and rent to pay. Additionally, when we are paid fairly, we are able to invest more time and resources to free and lower cost offerings.
BIOS
As an End of Life (EOL) Doula, Oceana Sawyer specializes in the liminal spaces of active dying and grief. She is currently researching somatic abolitionism and embodied grief, developing and holding space for healing through sensual exploration.
A certified home funeral celebrant, living funeral ceremony facilitator, and Conscious Dying Educator, Oceana also holds graduate degrees in counseling psychology and organizational development.
Oceana draws upon her meditation practice, experience as a sensuality educator, earth-based spirituality, and intensive study in the expressive arts and integral counseling psychology to bring a grounded, compassionate presence and holistic approach to her work. Through Death Cafes, EOL vision mapping, EOL doula training, and virtual grief events and workshops, Oceana has the opportunity to work with individuals and groups from all walks of life.
Naomi Edmondson (she/her) is a Black Queer Femme with all the feelings. The loss of a close mother figure is what brought her to deathcare, her training with Going with Grace, and the beginning of her time as a Hospice Volunteer. The death of her mother brought her to Grief care, her training as a Grief Guide, and what it really means to lose a parent. She provides safer, gentle space for conversations around death, loss, grief, and everything in between.
Shana Nunnelly [bio coming soon]
Kira Buckley has been a holistic health practitioner and spiritual healer for over a decade. As a former High School and College English professor, she quickly transitioned into the wellness field as a massage therapist and postpartum Doula + photographer in 2008. Expanding her passion into the field of nutrition consulting, reiki and shamanic energy healing, meditation and breathwork is what led her to pursue an Integrative Medicine program in San Diego, CA for acupuncture and clinical herbal therapy.
Kira created the HeyyHealer concept from a need to be more consistent in her own journey to healing while continuing to hold space for others. HeyyHealer has evolved from just a hashtag to a wellness community; with the intention of teaching high vibrational living and cultivating a tailored experience for those seeking Holistic lifestyle regimens. Kira is currently cultivating life as a clinical herbalist, writer and small business owner between California and Texas with her partner and two daughters; facilitating self care retreats, offering private healing sessions and embracing the alchemy of life as a healer...daily.
Najee Wilson is a 200 hr certified yoga teacher, whose practice is rooted in Ashtanga, Rocket, and Iyengar philosophy. He came to the mat for the first time in 2013, inspired to build strength from the inside out after a transformative weight loss. This was the catalyst for the cultivation of intentional growth through meditative movement. As a student of the practice, he is deeply grateful for the loving wisdom his teachers have shared. His /Sādhanā/ consists of philosophy, body positivity, yoga, pranayama, sound healing, and chakra alignment asana practice. His sequencing for classes is improvisational, dynamic, and most of all playful in nature. Always finding moments to impart gratitude, joy, mindfulness, and intuitive movement in each session.
Najee is inspired to help others thrive in life by nurturing body, mind, and soul with yoga, hoping that you step off the mat feeling invigorated, nourished, and balanced. Asé.