VENUE:
THE OMNI COMMONS, 4799 SHATTUCK AVENUE, OAKLAND, CA 94609
DRUM ROLL FOR YOUR EMCEES...
Nasimeh B.E. Is An Artist, Performer, And Facilitator Based In California. Her Work Has Been Seen On Stages And Walls Across The U.S., From Daybreaker To Camp Grounded To The Moth To Local Poetry And Story Slams. Originally From Florida, And Born To An Iranian Mother And American Father, Much Of Her Work Centers Around The Complexities (And Humorous Aspects) Of Identity. Find Out More About Her At NasimehBE.Com, Or On IG/FB/Twitter @Nasimehehe.
Jeff Is The Founder Of East Meets West, And Is A Trained Herbalist, Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultant, Massage Therapist, Yoga Teacher And Sound Meditation Practitioner. For A More Extensive Bio, Check Out The "About" Section.
MAIN STAGE
SATURDAY OCT. 14
10am - 10:15am - Saturday Opening
10:20-10:45 - Get Ur Mind Right: Intro to Phytopsychology w/ Jeff Bausemer
Description: This talk will introduce people to the basics of working with herbal medicine for mental health, and will detail a few of the most commonly suggested remedies that I use. We will look briefly at the Ayurvedic and Chinese Medicine frameworks for discussing mental health, along with organ systems and related psychopathologies.
Bio: Jeff is the founder of East Meets West, and is a trained Herbalist, Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultant, Massage Therapist, Yoga Teacher and Sound Meditation Practitioner. For a more extensive bio, check out the "about" section.
10:50-11:10 - How to Network Like a Rockstar w/ Jaymin Patell
Description: Go from "fake" "boring" and "schmoozing" to "energizing" "authentic" and "connected" using The Relationship Hierarchy - a simple framework for building personal relationships with ANYONE.
Bio: Jaymin is Speaker, Coach, and Author of 8 books who has inspired 100,000s of people around the world from Harvard to the London School of Economics to 4th grade migrant students to multi-billion dollar corporations around the world. Jaymin is a popular TEDx speaker and travels the world as a full time nomad with his wife and two kids. Learn more about Jaymin and how he's bringing authentic connection back into a digital world at: www.JayminSpeaks.com.
11:15-11:40 - Buddhist Alchemy: Transforming Everything Into Wisdom w/ Yingzhao Liu
Description: How can we blend and integrate deep spirituality with our fast-paced lives? In this talk titled Buddhist Alchemy: Transforming Everything into Wisdom, Yingzhao will share her journey of integration, how the experience of presence, of beauty, meaning, and abundance heals us organically, and we are changed from the inside out. On the surface of life, there is a lot of complexity, at depth, things are very simple. We can practice and live from that deep source, integrating moment to moment, and facilitating integration for others.
Bio: Yingzhao leads product design for international markets at LinkedIn, and in her free time serves as an experiential educator and facilitator on topics of communication and transformation. She is also a resident and board member of Jikoji Zen Center, in the hills close to the heart of Silicon Valley. Yingzhao is native to mainland China, has traveled to five continents and 30 countries, always affirmed by people's relationship with the environment they live in--their creativity and spirituality in everyday life. At a young age she had envisioned a world without borders, and is constantly inspired by the next generation of global citizens and their ability to bring about that future.
11:45-12:00 - Break
12:00-12:20 - Into the Magic Shop: A Neurosurgeon's Quest to Discover the Mysteries of the Brain and the Secrets of the Heart w/ Dr. James Doty
Dr. James R. Doty is a professor in the Dept of Neurosurgery and the founder and director of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education a.k.a CCARE, at Stanford School of Medicine.
In his book, “Into the Magic Shop – A neurosurgeon’s quest to discover the mysteries of the brain and secrets of the heart” Dr. Doty talks about his challenging childhood. When he was 12 years old, he wandered “Into a magic shop” and met a woman who saw the potential in him and taught him how to manifest his greatest desires through a series of techniques and meditative exercises. With her, he learnt a unique relationship between the brain and the heart that lead to incredible success and happiness in life.
Dr. Doty collaborates with scientists from a number of disciplines examining the neural bases for compassion and altruism. He is an inventor, entrepreneur and philanthropist. His work has been published in a variety of research journals.
12:25-12:45 - PR, Marketing and Chatbots for Wellness w/ Dmitry Dumik @ Chatfuel
Description: Many marketers and small businesses are using "click funnels" to build their online presence, but not a lot of people know about chatbots, which are seemingly the next wave of online marketing. How can wellness coaches and professionals utilize them to leverage their digital visibility and attract more clients? For whom are they appropriate, and why would you choose to use them over other platforms? What are some other general guidelines for PR and marketing in the world of wellness? This panel will answer these questions, in addition to taking some from the audience.
Bio:
Dmitry is the Founder & CEO of Chatfuel. With a passion for technology and computer science, Dmitry jumpstarted his career full force with spending a few years working as an IT Product Manager at Procter & Gamble. After deciding to let his entrepreneurial spirit flourish, he founded a series of startups which he sold in 2015. Since 2015, Dmitry has been channeling his expertise in the and chatbot space through Chatfuel, which received funding from Y Combinator, Greylock, Yandex, The Knight Foundation and 500 Startups. To date, over 360K bots have been created on Chatfuel, serving 17+ million of users globally. Brands like Forbes, TechCrunch, Uber, National Geographic, NBA and NFL teams and many others have used Chatfuel to create their bots. With such a considerable progress, Dmitrii plans to continue to lead the charge in the chatbot space and provide advanced chatbot solutions for leading brands, publishers, and businesses.
1:05 - 2:50 - lunch
1-2 Lunchtime Workshop: Get Up Off'a That Thang And Move Till You Feel Mindful w/ Nkechi Njaka
Description: This Workshop Will Focus On Creating A Space That Allows For Paticipants To Explore Self-Expression, Inquiry, Adventure, Reflection, And Contemplation Through The Themes Of RADICAL PRESENCE. By Combining My Several Years Of Work As A Neuroscientist, Professional Modern Dancer, Choreographer, And Interdisciplinary Artist, I Create A Highly Integrated And Intentionally Curated Experience In Which Participants Are Encouraged To Deepen Their Connection To Self Through The Vehicle Of The Body And To Engage With A Kind Of Mindfulness That Moves Beyond Stillness.
Bio: Nkechi Is A Mindfulness And Creativity Expert Leveraging Her Backgrounds And Careers As A Neuroscientist, Art Director, Choreographer, Meditation Teacher, And Wellness Expert To Encourage And Inspire Radical, Authentic Living. She Has Spent The Majority Of Her Life Investigating The Connection Between The Brain And The Body And Is Continually Interested In How To Apply Such A Significant Relationship For Improved Health And Wellness. She Is The Founder Of NDN Lifestyle Studio, Where She Curates Lifestyle And Wellness Content For Brands And Individuals. She Teaches (Mindful Movement, Meditation, Yoga) In SF, Where She Is Based And Also When She Travels. She Is A Contributing Writer For Black Girl In Om And Is Also The Co-Founder Of Sitting Matters, A Mindful Lifestyle Brand That Is Elevating The Meditation Practice With The Design Of The Meditation Cushion.
2:55-3:20 - Self-Care for Skeptics and Workaholics w/ Vanessa Mason
Description: This talk will share the lessons learned from my experience of entrepreneurial burnout to allow the audience to examine their current habits and how they shape their mindset for success in their business and fulfillment in their lives. In particular, the audience will learn how they can use behavioral science to troubleshoot barriers to healthy habit formation, identify healthy alternatives to negative practices, implement positive habits that foster a better work-life balance, and build a plan for accountability and maintenance. Rather than relying on motivation alone, habit formation allows people to do self care consistently over time so they can make better decisions, manage their time and energy, and grow their careers and businesses strategically to optimize their health and financial wellbeing.
This talk builds on a workshop series I delivered for professionals of color who work in tech at companies such as Microsoft looking for healthy ways to manage stress and improve their happiness and job performance. I've also delivered this as a workshop for social impact innovators who were New Leaders Council fellows. In both situations, the workshops addressed the importance of self care within the context of privilege and oppression.
Bio: Vanessa improves lives through technological and healthcare innovations. She has helped entrepreneurs understand their customers to best position their products and services and best engage the communities for greater revenue and improved health outcomes. Throughout, she combined the theoretical underpinnings of behavioral science, habit formation and social psychology to scale businesses that improve health. As an entrepreneur herself, Vanessa has personally experienced entrepreneurial burnout. She developed her HABIT framework to move entrepreneurs from panicked and poor to peaceful and paid, applying many of the same principles from her work in healthcare innovation. She’s the creator of Healthy Hustle Habits, a 90 day online intensive for purpose-driven professionals and entrepreneurs to build the mindset and practices for a healthy life and more income.
3:25-3:45 - Do You, Boo: Conscious Entrepreneurship - Alex Ivanov, Annika Ericson-Pearson + more TBA
Description: What does it look like to lead from a place of integrity and connection? How fast can you grow before you need to hit pause to check in with yourself, or in order to better connect with your friends and family? What kind of mindset do you need to put yourself out there in a way that feels authentic and what are some resources and practical tips for figuring out how to run your business and your life without needing to prioritize one over the other? This panel will address these questions and many more.
Bios:
Annika is the Director of Search for StartingBloc, the social impact Fellowship. StartingBloc exists to convene, grow, and support the leaders that the future needs. Some of these leaders have included Adam “Smiley” Poswolsky, Debra Cleaver, and Shivani Siroya. Annika oversees the admissions process and develops partnership and sponsorship opportunities for the StartingBloc community. Annika started her weekly podcast, Tribe, in November 2015 and has since interviewed Chris Guillebeau, Heather Havrilesky, and Matthew Abrams, among other guests. Tribe episodes outline practical tips for day-to-day happiness, with a healthy amount of storytelling and humor. Annika offers private coaching sessions on these topics to young women who are typically priced out of access to life-coaching services. She is a student of Gabrielle Bernstein. In her free time, Annika is a fierce organizer, activist, and advocate. She was trained in advocacy by the UN Foundation, the RESULTS Educational Fund, and in her time interning for Senator Michael Bennet. She now serves as Secretary on the Board of Directors for the Global Campaign for Education – US Chapter (GCE-US) and is an unofficial mentor to her circles on all-things-Congressional-lobbying.
Alex Ivanov is the author of The Team Canvas, a free tool for leaders and facilitators that helps them bring more alignment and cohesion to their teams. As a coach and facilitator, Alex has worked with multiple founders and startup teams on bringing their values, purpose, and culture in sync with their goals, aspirations, and ambitions.
3:50-4:10 - Improv Comedy (U Ain't Ready!)
4:10-4:35 - Break w/ Classical Indian Music w/ Pallavi Mehta
4:40-5:10 - Teaching and Transformation in Yoga - Darren Main, Jean Mazzei, Valerie Sagun
Description: How has yoga transformed your life, body, relationships, work, community, world? How has yoga restored your life, body, relationships, work, community, world? A panel that Pulls together yogis from all different walks of life to discuss yoga as a transformative, healing, and binding experience.
Bios:
Darren Main Is A Yoga And Meditation Instructor And Author. He Facilitates Workshops And Gives Talks On Yoga And Modern Spirituality Throughout The United States And Abroad And Is The Host Of The Internationally Syndicated Inquire Within Podcast And The Living Yoga Series And Teaches Yoga On The Labyrinth Inside San Francisco’s Iconic Grace Cathedral. He Currently Resides In Northern California With His Son Jaden.
Valerie Sagun Aka Big Gal Yoga Is A Yoga Practitioner, Installation Artist, Ceramicist, Radical Self Love Enthusiast, And Body Positive Encourager Based In The SF Bay Area. She Started Her Yoga Practice At Her University With Yogi Lawrence Caughlan Who Gave Her A Positive View On Practicing Yoga, And Believing That As Long As You Have The Determination, Motivation, And Patience, Anyone Can Do Yoga. Valerie's Yoga Practice Is About Learning To Love Yourself Physically And Mentally Through Yoga, Learning To Listen To Your Body, To Know When To Push It And When To Protect It. Now That Valerie Has Finished Her Undergraduate Studies With A Bachelor Of Fine Arts In Spatial Arts, She Will Be Focusing More On Her Yoga Practice And Connecting To The Yoga Community. She Has Completed The 2016 January 200 Hour Hatha Yoga Training At The 7 Centers Yoga Arts In Sedona, Arizona. She Just Released Her First Book Big Gal Yoga: Poses And Practices To Celebrate Your Body And Empower Your Life, And Will Be On Tour.
Jean Mazzei, (E-RYT 500), Has Logged Over 15,000 Teaching Hours. Often Called “A Teacher’s Teacher,” She Is An Expert In The Subtleties Of Yoga Sadahana (Practices), And Bringing The Practices To Life Off The Mat. Jean's Quest For Healing Herself And Finding The Truth Within Has Guided Her Education. Aside From Having Over 30 Years Of Dedicated Personal Practice, Her Studies Include 4 Years With Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen In BodyMind Centering, 14 Years With Master Healer And Metaphysician Dennis Adams, Yoga With Dr. Albert Franklin (TKS Desikachar Lineage), BKS Iyengar, Rod Stryker, Ana Forrest, And Dharma Mittra (Level 1-2 Certified). She Is A Certified Level II ParaYoga Instructor And Is Currently Studying The Ancient Tantric Teachings Of The Sri Vidya Lineage With Pandit Rajmani Tigunait And His Student Rod Stryker. Being Of The School Of “Whatever Works,” She Believes That “One Size Does Not Fit All” When It Comes To Yoga. She Is The Visionary Behind Sri Yoga Retreats And Teacher Trainings, And Offers 200/500 Hr Yoga Alliance Certification Programs, Retreats, And Workshops Here And Abroad.
5:15-5:35 - The Power of Habits, Connection and Purpose w/ Cam Adair
Description: In Confessions Of A Video Game Addict, Cam Adair Shares His Personal Journey Overcoming A Video Game Addiction Of Ten Years That Led Him To Drop Out Of High School, Struggle With Depression, And Write A Suicide Note. He Shares Key Insights He's Learned Along The Way On Using The Power Of Our Habits For More Growth, Connection, And Purpose, Including Strategies To Thrive In A World Dominated By Technology.
Bio: Cam Adair Is The Founder Of Game Quitters, The World’s Largest Support Community For Video Game Addiction Serving 50,000 Members/Month In 82 Countries. His Work Has Been Featured In Two TEDx Talks, And In Forbes, BBC, ABC News, Vice, CBC, CTV, The Star, The Huffington Post, SiriusXM, And TV Asia, Amongst Many Others. He’s An Internationally Recognized Speaker, Host Of The Game Quitters Podcast, And Has Over 1M Views On YouTube. Born In Canada, He Currently Lives In California. Connect With Cam On Instagram, Facebook, And Twitter.
5:40-6:00 Panel: Jay-Z in a World of Beyonces: How Does Masculinity Fit Into the Age of Feminism w/ Christine Sanford, Tom Kubik, Ravi Mishra + Jessica Semaan
Description: Feminism Is On The Rise, And We're All Psyched. Patriarchy Has Had A Good Run, But It's TIRED. For A Lot Of Cis-Gender Male Identified Types, Though, This Can Feel A Little Wonky And Hard. What Is The Protocol Here? How Do Men Fit In? Are We Aiming For Matriarchy, Or Something Between The Two Extremes? How Can We Make Men And Women Feel Equally Included In The Conversation?
Bios: Tom Kubik Escaped From His Birthplace Of Youngstown, Ohio At Age 11 And Began His Curious Trek Around The States And Around The World. Getting Down, Dirty, And Daniel Craig He Worked As A Spy Plane Mechanic Before Taking The Glamorous Position Of Poker Dealer In Las Vegas, Nevada. He Has Dealt Himself Out Of The Poker Game And Grounded His Fanciful Flight As A Mechanic In Order To Pursue His Passion, Photography, As Well As Writing The Occasional Words. Tom Writes About Himself In The Third Person.
Born In India, Raised In California, Living In Brooklyn, Ravi Is The Founder Of The Awaken Meditation App. Awaken Is A Completely Unique Offering In The Meditation Space, Featuring Themed Contemplative Meditations That Focus On Areas Of Real Life Where People Are Looking For Support: Self Care, Relationships, And Social Change. He's Building The App Alongside Renowned Buddhist Teachers And Activists Rev. Angel Kyodo Williams, Lama Rod Owens, And Sensei Greg Snyder. Ravi Has Been Practicing Meditation In The Zen Tradition For A Decade, Studies With The Mountains And Rivers Order Sangha, And Received Meditation Teacher Training From The Interdependence Project In New York City. Awaken Is Ravi's Second Company, And He's Previously Led In Product Roles At Avaaz And Warby Parker.
Christine Sanford is an established producer of world class digital and physical experiences and a creative strategist with an emphasis on innovation. In 2014 she formed Knope We Can!, a forum for asking and answering questions on women's issues with the goal of facilitating dialogue around the issues modern feminism faces in the real world.
6:00 - 6:20 - WERQ IT OUT: The Emotionally Fit Leader w/ Dr. Emily Anhalt
Description: The Stress That Leaders Are Under Can Be Exceptionally Taxing On The Psyche And Spirit. Beyond Having Good Coping Mechanisms To Deal With Stress, Anxiety, & Self-Doubt, They Must Be Able To Communicate Effectively, Manage Conflict, And Maintain Trust From Those They Are Leading. Emotional Fitness Is An Ongoing Practice That Increases Emotional Intelligence, Strengthens Relationships, And Improves Leadership Ability. In This Presentation, Attendees Will Learn About The Role Of The Emotionally Fit Leader And Will Kickstart Their Emotional Fitness Regimen.
Bio: Born And Raised In The Heart Of Silicon Valley, Dr. Emily Anhalt Has Always Had An Interest In The Psychology Of The Entrepreneur. She Studied Psychology At The University Of Michigan And Attained Masters And Doctorate Degrees In Clinical Psychology In Berkeley, California. For The Past Eight Years, She Has Been Working Clinically With Executives, Founders, And Tech Employees, And Has Conducted Hundreds Of Interviews With Prominent Psychologists And Entrepreneurs. Through This Work, She Has Identified Seven Key Traits That Emotionally Fit Leaders Strive For.
6:30-8 - Dinner...Get ur Grub on, yasssss!!!!
7:30pm-11:30pm - Presence presents Audio Room w/ Nina Gray, Julia Sam, Rebecca Thieneman, Lucia Lilikol, Tasha Zigerelli, Pallavi Mehta and more.
SUNDAY OCT. 15
11:50-12:15 - Panel: The Social Dimension of Wellness, hosted by Bloom Network
Description: This Panel Discussion Will Approach The Social Or Societal Aspect Of Wellness. In A World Where Inequality And Centuries Of Oppression Are Still In Full Force, How Are Healthcare Practitioners Addressing The Systemic Factors That Affect Individual Health? Learn From Individuals And Organizations Who Study This And Contribute Innovative Solutions.
Bios: Daisy Ozim Is The Founder Of Resilient Wellness, A Healthcare System Designed To Decolonize Public Health While Simultaneously Building A New Healthcare System Rooted In Indigenous Medicine For People Of Color By People Of Color. She Is An SF State Alum And Her Work Is Centered Around Decolonizing Philanthropy, Spirituality And Social Justice.
Magenta Ceiba Is The Executive Director Of Bloom Network, A Global Social And Mobilization Network For Regenerative Culture. She Does Coalition Building Among Organizations And Leaders From Different Sectors Who Share A Focus On Regenerative Culture, While Making And Sharing Media That Boosts Their Representation To A More Mainstream Audience.
Taraneh's journey with yoga has led her to become the Owner and Director of Be the Change Yoga & Wellness (BTC), a donation-based yoga studio in downtown San Jose, which seeks to make yoga & wellness accessible to its entire community. Through expanding the "Yoga for All" community-based programs through BTC, she has expanded her own scope of teaching and working in a range of community settings, from juvenile halls and high schools with The Art of Yoga Project to making yoga accessible in public spaces like parks, community art spaces, and local farms. Taraneh is a yoga studio owner, teacher, and community organizer, who utilizes yoga and mindfulness as a platform to connect people around authentic and compassionate living and action and to uplift people who have been marginalized socio-culturally, economically, and/or systemically.
12:20-12:40 - That Good Good Ayurvedic Inner Wisdom w/ Sachi Doctor
Description: From An Ayurvedic Perspective, How Do We Cultivate Inner Wisdom? How Do We Integrate "Outer Wisdom", Learned Knowledge/Information, Into Inner Wisdom When They Contrast One Another? How Do We Learn To Trust Our Own Roadmap Of Life Without Blocking Ourselves From "Outer Wisdom" And The Possibility Of Things Changing Course And How Do We Steadily Hold Space For Both?
Bio: Sachi Docto Is Founder O Elemental Alchemy. Weaving The Ancient Practices Of Ayurveda And Yog It E Realities Of Western Lifestyle, He Offers Personalized Wellness Coaching, One-To-One Teaching, Trainings, And Event Elp You Consciously Connecting With Your Natural Rhythms, Cultivating Awareness For What Nourishes Your Body And Makes You Thrive. Www.Elemental-Alchemy.Co
12:55-1:15 - Break
1:20 - 1:50 - Mating, Dating and Relating w/ Zoe Gerlach, Kai Wu + Nkechi Njaka
Description: All the things you want to know and might be too uncomfortable to ask.
Bios:
Zoe Gerlach is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFC 48041). She has over 15 years experience helping her clients develop meaningful, satisfying love and work. Zoe holds a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology and has advanced training as a Life Coach. She is a member of the American Psychological Association and the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. Zoe is also a board member of the Northern CA Chapter of the International Enneagram Association. She has trained in effective trauma treatment ( PTSD) with Dr. Laurel Parnell, a leading expert in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR). Zoe conducts various groups and workshops in the Bay Area. Each month Zoe publishes the electronic newsletter, which examines the latest information and cutting edge research on relationships, work, communication, and personality. Zoe integrates contemporary psychological approaches with traditional Eastern teachings. Zoe currently has a private practice in downtown Santa Cruz, CA.
Nkechi Is A Mindfulness And Creativity Expert Leveraging My Backgrounds And Careers As A Neuroscientist, Art Director, Choreographer, Meditation Teacher, And Wellness Expert To Encourage And Inspire Radical, Authentic Living. She Has Spent The Majority Of Her Life Investigating The Connection Between The Brain And The Body And I Is Continually Interested In How To Apply Such A Significant Relationship For Improved Health And Wellness. She Is The Founder Of NDN Lifestyle Studio, Where She Curates Lifestyle And Wellness Content For Brands And Individuals. She Teaches (Mindful Movement, Meditation, Yoga) In SF, Where She Is Based And Also When She Travels. She Is A Contributing Writer For Black Girl In Om And Is Also The Co-Founder Of Sitting Matters, A Mindful Lifestyle Brand That Is Elevating The Meditation Practice With The Design Of The Meditation Cushion.
Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Kai Wu is a certified SkyDancing Tantra Teacher and Sexological Body Worker. While running a successful sex & intimacy private coaching practice, Kai teaches several Ecstatic Living seminars with Steve Still and Xanet Pailet. A love, sex and relationship coach and somatic sex educator, Kai's mission is to support people of all cultures and backgrounds to be happy in their bodies, relationships and sexuality. "This work is my great love and my form of activism", she says. Kai's passion lies in helping people experience the satisfying sex and relationships they have always wanted and, in doing so, transform not only their own lives but our communities and the world at large. Kai's teaching and coaching approach is holistic, interactive and experiential, and based on various influences from meditation, Taoism, Hakomi therapy, breathwork, and somatic healing modalities. Kai is co-founder of Embodiment Arts Collective, a San Francisco-based multi-disciplinary healing arts collective, a member of the American College of Sexologists, and a senior faculty member of the Ecstatic Living Institute. For more information about Kai's private coaching practice, visit lovebodysoul.com
1:55-2:15 - Panel - You Want Me To Pay How Much For this Yoga Class?: The Privilege of Being Well w/ Ayla Benjamin, Ravi Mishra and Jonathan TranPham
Description: Wellness and Mindfulness should not be expensive, but they are. They are becoming incredibly trendy, and people are capitalizing on it in a way that doesn't feel quite right to many people. In many ways, the world of wellness feels like it's becoming a kind of exclusive scene, almost entirely populated by rich, white females. What's this all about? Rather than simply expound a single narrative, this panel will cover some arguments and counter-arguments for simply accepting things as they are versus working to diversify and include (I mean duh, we're all about diversity and inclusion, but for the sake of making this interesting, we're going to try to at least imagine why an organization wouldn't bother with this).
Bios:
Born In India, Raised In California, Living In Brooklyn, Ravi Is The Founder of the Awaken Meditation App. Awaken is a completely unique offering in the meditation space, featuring themed contemplative meditations that focus on areas of real life where people are looking for support: self care, relationships, and social change. He's building the app alongside renowned Buddhist teachers and activists Rev. angel Kyodo williams, Lama Rod Owens, and Sensei Greg Snyder. Ravi has been practicing meditation in the Zen tradition for a decade, studies with the Mountains and Rivers Order sangha, and received meditation teacher training from the Interdependence Project in New York City. Awaken is Ravi's second company, and he's previously led in Product roles at Avaaz and Warby Parker.
Ayla is a co-founder and program manager of the Yoga For All Movement. Ayla did her yoga teacher training with Mark Stephens in Santa Cruz, California. She currently teaches yoga and meditation at the Salinas Valley State Prison. Ayla is particularly drawn to adaptive yoga practices and teaching underserved populations. Whether it be elders, inmates, kiddos, CEOS, and anyone in-between Ayla is grateful to share yoga with all.
Jonathan TranPham Is The Founder Of Reflect, A Mental Health Startup That Makes It Easier For People To Find The Right Therapist. Jonathan First Started Meditating As A Child Under Guidance Of His Buddhist Nun Mother. He Fully Embraced Mindfulness And Wellness When Stress And Anxiety Led To A Career Burnout After A Decade Of Working In Consulting And Startups. What's Worse, The Six Months It Took Jonathan To Find A Therapist Added Even More Stress To His Life. Through Reflect, Jonathan Hopes To Make Therapy More Accessible For Others. Outside Of Work, Jonathan Enjoys Cooking (Vegetarian), Traveling, And Is A Certified Spin Instructor. Learn More About Reflect At Www.Joinreflect.Com
2:15-3:00 - Lunch
3:00 - 3:15 - Meditation Break! with Hannah Knapp @ WITHIN Meditation
Take 15 minutes out of the jam-packed weekend to pause and reconnect with yourself. In this session, you'll drop into what's beyond your mind and rediscover your true self. Hannah's soothing voice will guide you to the stillness inside, leaving you feeling refreshed and ready for whatever comes next.
Hannah Knapp is the co-founder of WITHIN Meditation, a drop-in meditation studio that launched this summer in San Francisco's Financial District. She created WITHIN out of a passion for meditation that grew over the course of five years of guiding group meditations at her workplaces, and her personal Vipassana meditation practice. Before founding WITHIN, Hannah spent 8 years as head of PeopleOps with a tech startup, seeing the company through many transitions. During that time, she developed a deep passion for building great company culture, which she took to the next level in 2014, when she cofounded InnerSpace, a non-profit that helps early stage startup founders build happy, purposeful and effective teams. She's also the mother of two toddlers and finds that mindfulness and meditation are a lifeline for being the kind of parent she wants to be.
3:15-3:45 - Psychedelic Science: The Intersection of Science and Story in Traditional Amazonian Plant Medicine w/ Ismail Ali
Description: Psychedelics can be as hard to study as they are hard to talk about. The experiences they facilitate, and the way in which they work, often defy explanation. In this panel, we will specifically take a look at the Traditional Amazonian Plant Medicine known as Ayahuasca, and discuss its usage, both as a form of Physical medicine and also as a type of Emotional and spiritual Medicine.
Bio:
Ismail is Policy & Advocacy Counsel for the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), where he advocates to eliminate barriers to psychedelic therapy and research, develops and implements legal and policy strategy, and coordinates support for clinical research in Latin America. Ismail is licensed to practice law in the state of California, serves as Vice-Chair of the Students for Sensible Drug Policy Board of Directors, and is currently producing a documentary film about the intersection of systemic injustice, intergenerational trauma, and healing called Cura.
Ismail earned his J.D. at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law in 2016, after receiving his Bachelor’s in Philosophy from California State University, Fresno, in 2012. Ismail has been working with psychedelics in diverse contexts for over a decade, and he believes that psychedelic consciousness is a crucial piece of challenging oppression in all of its forms. He develops and advocates for just, equitable, and creative alternatives to the failed war on drugs.
3:50-3:55 - Performance w/ Nkechi Njaka @ Sitting Matters + NDN Lifestyling
Nkechi is a Mindfulness and Creativity Expert leveraging her backgrounds and careers as a neuroscientist, art director, choreographer, meditation teacher, and wellness expert to encourage and inspire radical, authentic living. She has spent the majority of her life investigating the connection between the brain and the body and is continually interested in how to apply such a significant relationship for improved health and wellness. she is the founder of NDN lifestyle studio, where she curates lifestyle and wellness content for brands and individuals. she teaches (mindful movement, meditation, yoga) in SF, where she is based and also when she travels. she is a contributing writer for Black Girl In Om and is also the co-founder of Sitting Matters, a mindful lifestyle brand that is elevating the meditation practice with the design of the meditation cushion.
4:00-4:55 - Medical Astrology 4 ur NERVES! w/ Adam Elenbaas + Ashley Sky Litecky
Description: Is your anxiety in your stars? This talk will cover some of the basic principles and history of medical astrology, including the most common issues associated with each sign and certain medicinal herbs that are associated with certain planets.
Bios:
Adam Elenbaas is an astrologer, teacher and author living in Silver Spring, Maryland. Adam is the director of the Nightlight Astrology School at Sky House. Adam holds an MA and MFA in Creative Writing and was one of the founding writers of RealitySandwich.com, where he still writes regular columns as a Contributing Editor. Adam's first book, "Fishers of Men: The Gospel of an Ayahuasca Vision Quest," was named one of the top 10 books of 2010 in the Religion Genre by Publisher's Weekly. When Adam is not studying the planets he loves participating in shamanic ceremonies, traveling and lecturing on the subject of ayahuasca shamanism and spending time in nature!
Ashley Litecky is a Clinical Herbalist and Registered Yoga teacher who hails from Minnesota. Ashley holds an MS in Clinical Herbalism from Maryland University of Integrative Health, where she graduated from in 2007 and is a professional member, active board member, and registered herbalist (RH) with the American Herbalists Guild. Ashley's passion for plant medicine and yoga is evident in her unique classes, which often blend the wisdom of nature with the wisdom of the body and yogic philosophy. Outside of her work at Sky House Ashley enjoys teaching yoga and meditation to teens through her work with The Body Love Yoga Project and writes for The Alchemist's Kitchen on herbs, healing, and plant advocacy. She also enjoys being near the ocean (although the ocean is still one of her greatest fears!), filling jars and bottles with herbal potions, playing peek-a-boo with her daughter, and getting soil under her nails in her garden. Sky House Yoga was born from almost ten years of Ashley's teaching yoga and studying herbal medicine, always daydreaming about the perfect way to combine her loves under one studio roof!
5:00 - 5:30 -From The Internet to The Innernet: A Closing Keynote w/ Gopi Kalayil
Gopi Kallayil Is The Chief Evangelist, Brand Marketing At Google. He Works With Google’s Sales Teams And Customers And Helps Grow Customer Brands Through Digital Marketing. In His Prior Roles He Worked As Chief Evangelist For Google+, Led The Marketing Team For The Company’s Flagship Advertising Product, AdWords, In The Americas And Asia Pacific, And The Marketing Team For AdSense, Google’s Publisher-Facing Product.
Before Joining Google, Gopi Was On The Management Team Of Two Silicon Valley Venture Funded Startups. While A Consultant With McKinsey & Co., He Worked On Engagements Helping The Management Teams Of Large Corporations Improve Business Performance And Maximize Revenues. He Has Also Led Large Information Technology Projects For Global Corporations In India, China, And The US.
Gopi Earned His Bachelors Degree In Electronics Engineering From The National Institute Of Technology In India. He Received His Masters In Business Administration Degrees From The Indian Institute Of Management And The Wharton School Of Business At The University Of Pennsylvania. He Is An Avid Yoga Practitioner, Triathlete, Public Speaker, Global Traveler And Burning Man Devotee. He Has Spoken At TEDx, Renaissance Weekend, The World Peace Festival And Wisdom 2.0. He Hosts A TV Program On Cable And YouTube Called Change Makers.
5:35-6:00 - What is East Meets West Really All About? A Closing Discussion and Checkin with Jeff Bausemer
YOGA ROOM
SATURDAY
11:30-12:30 - Mindful Biology w/ Will Meecham
Description: Developed by a former surgeon, Mindful Biology guides people inward. It combines visually appealing biological imagery with guided mindfulness to help people discover the sacred, energetic life in their own human biology.
Bio: Severe neck arthritis forced Will Meecham, MD, to leave his surgical profession at age 41. The setback triggered a psychological crisis that culminated in transcendent visions. Afterward, he devoted years of study, inner work, and meditative contemplation to reconciling his visionary experiences with scientific knowledge, while simultaneously making peace with major life traumas. With backgrounds in environmental science, biophysics, neuroscience, ocular oncology, and oculofacial surgery, Will grounds his spiritual teachings in modern biology and medicine. But with his meditation practice, mystical experiences, plus training in acupuncture and yoga, he also draws from deeply felt currents of compassion, non-duality, and beauty.
12:40-1:35 - Tai Chi/Qi Gong w/ Eli Cohen
Description: This class is designed as an intro to Eli's longer workshop later in the day. It is meant to ignite your body's own source of energy and vitality using ancient Qi Gong techniques and gentle medical Qi Gong practices. These practices are simple, easy and effortless to use any time of day. The class will include an introduction to Qi Gong principles.
Bio: Eli brings an array of mind-body energetic practices, and a wealth of insight to his teaching of the ancient wisdom practice, Qi (Chi) Gong. Eli is known for his approachable teaching style and shares this powerful practice with enthusiasm! Eli has studied with master teachers in the US and abroad for over 10 years.
1:45-2:55 - Yoga - The Natural Immunity Booster Intensive w/ VAZA
Description: Throughout winter, the chances of falling sick rise sharply. It’s difficult for our body to keep the pathogens at bay when the immunity levels are down and people around us are sneezing and coughing. When times are trying, our mind is also susceptible to diseases like stress, anxiety, and negative thought/action. Though we cannot shun from being in contact with those who are ill, nor can we hide from what is happening in our external world, we can certainly strengthen our defense mechanisms.
Yoga, perhaps, is one of the most effective and time-tested natural immunity boosters that we can adopt for a healthier life. It is an ancient art that strengthens the body and also relaxes the mind.
In this workshop, we'll work with a variety of asana learning to strengthen each posture and deepen your practice by understanding how to build these shapes from the ground up. Creating a strong foundation for each pose is the key to get into any asana in order to achieve a calm, meditative mental state. There will be a little bit of everything sprinkled in this workshop: backbends, arm balances and inversions. Together, we'll train the body, mind and spirit to be healthy and strong. We'll come together as a loving and compassionate community creating a supportive and uplifting space to explore our practice and build our physical and mental IMMUNITY!!
Bio: VAZA is a world traveler, a neighborhood resident, and an instructor at Yoga Garden on Divisadero. Originally from Carlsberg, Germany, she has lived in San Francisco for the past five years, and in our area for the past three, after traveling the globe for about a year. She’s also trained as an Occupational Therapist, and sees yoga as a unique way to blend her two passions.
3:05-4:15 - Aromatherapy Flow and Yoga Nidra w/ Jean Mazzei
Description: Transformation Never Smelled So Sweet! Actively Engage Your Most Basic And Primal Sense - Smell. In This Vinyasa Flow Class, Specific Topical Essential Oils Are Applied To Your Wrists, Consciously Stimulating Your Olfactory Nerve. As The Vibrational Aspects Of The Scent Move Into Your Brain, Your Nervous System Is Supported In Dissolving Conscious And Unconscious Levels Of Mental/Physical/Emotional Habits, Patterns, And Obstacles. This Practice Will Be Followed By A Short But Powerful Yogic Sleep Technique Known As "Yoga Nidra", Involving A Kind Of Hypnotic Survey Of The Body With Corresponding Relaxing Suggestion.
Bio: Jean Mazzei, (E-RYT 500), Has Logged Over 15,000 Teaching Hours. Often Called “A Teacher’s Teacher,” She Is An Expert In The Subtleties Of Yoga Sadahana (Practices), And Bringing The Practices To Life Off The Mat. Jean's Quest For Healing Herself And Finding The Truth Within Has Guided Her Education. Aside From Having Over 30 Years Of Dedicated Personal Practice, Her Studies Include 4 Years With Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen In BodyMind Centering, 14 Years With Master Healer And Metaphysician Dennis Adams, Yoga With Dr. Albert Franklin (TKS Desikachar Lineage), BKS Iyengar, Rod Stryker, Ana Forrest, And Dharma Mittra (Level 1-2 Certified). She Is A Certified Level II ParaYoga Instructor And Is Currently Studying The Ancient Tantric Teachings Of The Sri Vidya Lineage With Pandit Rajmani Tigunait And His Student Rod Stryker. Being Of The School Of “Whatever Works,” She Believes That “One Size Does Not Fit All” When It Comes To Yoga. She Is The Visionary Behind Sri Yoga Retreats And Teacher Trainings, And Offers 200/500 Hr Yoga Alliance Certification Programs, Retreats, And Workshops Here And Abroad.
4:25-5:30 - Roots and Branches: Understanding Hips and Shoulders in Vinyasa Yoga Part 1 w/ Jeremy Falk
Description: In This Workshop, We Will Explore How These Two Similar Yet Very Different Ball & Socket Joints Function To Provide All Of Our Limbs With Movement! We'll Basic Discuss Anatomy, What Exactly These Joints Have Evolved To Offer Us And How To Achieve Safe And Sustainable Practices For Strengthening And Opening These Crucial Areas In The Vinyasa Yoga Practice. Learn How To Safely Chattarunga And Down Dog, What Your Arms Are Doing When They Reach Overhead, How To Work With Neutral Pelvis & Pelvic Rotation, How To Balance What We Tend To Overemphasize With What We Tend To Underemphasize In The Modern Vinyasa Practice, And More! Discussion With Movement Practice.
Bio: Jeremy Falk Is An RYT-500 Certified Yoga Instructor Who Has Been Teaching Fitness And Movement For Over A Decade. A California Native, Jeremy Left His Personal Training Practice In 2012 To Embark On A Dream Trip Traveling The World With The Intention Of Studying The Holistic Healing Arts Throughout The East. Ultimately It Was The 5 Months He Spent Living In India, Studying Yoga And Meditation That Was The Most Impactful, And Where He Completed His Foundational Yoga Teacher Training In Rishikesh In 2013. He Lives In His Bliss Spreading The Light And Love Of Yoga In San Francisco Over The Last Four Years, Where Has Had The Fortune Of Working With Some Of The Bay Areas's Top Companies, Been Recognized As A Lululemon And Fitbit Local Ambassador, And Completed His Advanced 300 Hour Training With Gratitude To His Teacher Jason Crandell. He Loves To Infuse His Classes With Devotion, Discipline, And Playfulness, Encouraging His Students To Stay Focused On The Marathon Of A Lifelong Practice, Not Just The Sprint Of A Drop In Class. He Currently Teaches At Love Story Yoga (Mission), Glow Yoga & Wellness (North Beach), Equinox (Union), And Yoga Tree. Stay Connected At Www.JeremyFalk.Com Or @JeremyFalkYoga On Instragram.
SUNDAY
1:05-2:00 Yoga: Practice Breath by Breath w/ Angela Hale
Description: Have you ever thought, “I have no f*cking idea what I’m doing”? Found yourself in “Worrier Pose” rather than Warrior Pose? (“Am I doing this right? Am I doing anything right?”) Had the experience of “should”-ing all over yourself? (“I should be stronger/more flexible/differently sized or shaped” or “this should be easier/I should have this down by now”?) If so, you are a human and this workshop is for you!
Using precise alignment cues to break-down a series of super-basic yoga poses, slow-flow sequencing of breath with movement, and gentle hands-on adjustments, this workshop offers a safe space for yogis at ALL levels to explore a deeper understanding of the poses and discover a practice all about meeting yourself just as you are, right where you’re at in each moment. Whatever your previous yoga experience, you’ll walk away having had an “AHA!” moment, carrying powerful tools for practicing ease and grace on and off the mat, and meeting yourself (and the world) with presence, peace, and power.
Bio: Naturally curious and ever eager to know the depth of beingness, Angela has mined years of training and unique life experience to develop a meaningful tool kit for authentic, compassionate, and wise knowing of oneself. On a mission to connect people everywhere to their innate power, Angela shares a conscious evolution practice that draws on deep inner inquiry, sound, touch, energy work, yoga (asana, breath-work, meditation, and mythology), ceremony, and insight she’s picked up along the way. Through one-on-one coaching, a 90-day personal transformation intensive, public and private yoga classes, and inspired workshops, Angela’s clients deepen their relationships with themselves in body, mind, emotion, and spirit. She’s best known for her superpower of extraordinary unconditional love, with which she leads first and foremost, and for the safe space her warmth and grounded energy creates for people to begin to curiously listen to the whispers within, practice meeting themselves with compassion, and courageously create spirited lives of peace, ease, and freedom. Her clear and gentle guidance gently invites people at all levels of practice to step out of their comfort zones and find their own authentic path. Angela is a stand for the true nature of each person and the highest potential of their gifts, and she believes that each of us is inherently worthy and capable of living radiant, spirited lives - whole, wild, and free.
2:10-2:55 - Break
3:05-4:25 - Yoga For All w/ Ayla Benjamin
Description: Yoga for all bodies and abilities. Practice beginners mind by experiencing a trauma informed and adaptive yoga class.
Bio: Ayla Is A Co-Founder And Program Manager Of The Yoga For All Movement. Ayla Did Her Yoga Teacher Training With Mark Stephens In Santa Cruz, California. She Currently Teaches Yoga And Meditation At The Salinas Valley State Prison. Ayla Is Particularly Drawn To Adaptive Yoga Practices And Teaching Underserved Populations. Whether It Be Elders, Inmates, Kiddos, CEOS, And Anyone In-Between Ayla Is Grateful To Share Yoga With All.
4:30-5:55 - Roots and Branches: Understanding Hips and Shoulders in Vinyasa Yoga Part 2 w/ Jeremy Falk
Description: In This Workshop, We Will Explore How These Two Similar Yet Very Different Ball & Socket Joints Function To Provide All Of Our Limbs With Movement! We'll Basic Discuss Anatomy, What Exactly These Joints Have Evolved To Offer Us And How To Achieve Safe And Sustainable Practices For Strengthening And Opening These Crucial Areas In The Vinyasa Yoga Practice. Learn How To Safely Chattarunga And Down Dog, What Your Arms Are Doing When They Reach Overhead, How To Work With Neutral Pelvis & Pelvic Rotation, How To Balance What We Tend To Overemphasize With What We Tend To Underemphasize In The Modern Vinyasa Practice, And More! Discussion With Movement Practice.
Bio: Jeremy Falk Is An RYT-500 Certified Yoga Instructor Who Has Been Teaching Fitness And Movement For Over A Decade. A California Native, Jeremy Left His Personal Training Practice In 2012 To Embark On A Dream Trip Traveling The World With The Intention Of Studying The Holistic Healing Arts Throughout The East. Ultimately It Was The 5 Months He Spent Living In India, Studying Yoga And Meditation That Was The Most Impactful, And Where He Completed His Foundational Yoga Teacher Training In Rishikesh In 2013. He Lives In His Bliss Spreading The Light And Love Of Yoga In San Francisco Over The Last Four Years, Where Has Had The Fortune Of Working With Some Of The Bay Areas's Top Companies, Been Recognized As A Lululemon And Fitbit Local Ambassador, And Completed His Advanced 300 Hour Training With Gratitude To His Teacher Jason Crandell. He Loves To Infuse His Classes With Devotion, Discipline, And Playfulness, Encouraging His Students To Stay Focused On The Marathon Of A Lifelong Practice, Not Just The Sprint Of A Drop In Class. He Currently Teaches At Love Story Yoga (Mission), Glow Yoga & Wellness (North Beach), Equinox (Union), And Yoga Tree. Stay Connected At Www.JeremyFalk.Com Or @JeremyFalkYoga On Instragram.
WORKSHOP ROOM (Main Entrance Space)
SATURDAY
10:50 - 12:50 - Awakening Qi in Chinese Medicine: Foundation of Health, Vitality, and Productivity
Description : Learn to feel your meridians and work with acupoints from an experiential standpoint as well as a theoretical one. You will learn to feel your qi flowing through your meridians and to have an effect on your energy by using your energy to activate acupoints. You will learn how to take care of your energy in a fast paced modern world and how caring for your energy will prevent disease, promote creativity and productivity, and increase your quality of life.
Bio: Corinne is an energetic medicine practitioner and inner space therapist. She has a Masters degree in Chinese Medicine and has studied in depth with a master healer in the Western alchemical tradition. She combines her knowledge of the Chinese tradition and the Western alchemical tradition with a "see for yourself, know for yourself” approach to the energetic/qi body. In her San Francisco practice, Dragon Blossom Healing Arts, she treats clients based on her direct perception of the energetic organs and systems. She is a dedicated student and instructor with the Clairvision School, which teaches an energetic style of meditation. She is passionate about teaching others to perceive their own energy/qi and to actively create a vibrant life and body.
1-2 Break
2:05-3:30 - Qi Gong for Strength and Immunity w/ Eli Cohen
Description: This Practice Is Meant To Ignite Your Body's Own Source Of Energy And Vitality Using Ancient Qi Gong Techniques And Gentle Medical Qi Gong Practices. These Practices Are Simple, Easy And Effortless To Use Any Time Of Day. The Class Will Include An Introduction To Qi Gong Principles.
Bio: Eli Brings An Array Of Mind-Body Energetic Practices, And A Wealth Of Insight To His Teaching Of The Ancient Wisdom Practice, Qi (Chi) Gong. Eli Is Known For His Approachable Teaching Style And Shares This Powerful Practice With Enthusiasm! Eli Has Studied With Master Teachers In The US And Abroad For Over 10 Years.
3:40-5:40 - Who You Be, Fool?: Shamanic Theater w/ Michael Mcdonald
Description: This Workshop Is An Embodied Exploration Of Relationship And Group Process, Stepping Beyond What Is Rational And Learning To Follow Our Dreams. Drawing From The Shamanic Tradition, We Will Explore The Concept Of The Self As It Appears To Us In The Form Of The Actor Or Character On The Stage Of The World, And Work Through Our Experience Of This Self To Deeper Levels Of The Psyche Where A Truer Self Might Emerge.
Bio: Michael Mcdonald Is An Integrity Coach, Writer, Speaker, Workshop Facilitator, And The Creator Of Relational Alchemy. In His One-On-One Integrity Coaching, He Helps Conscious ‘Quiet Giant‘ Entrepreneurs Find And Courageously Pursue Their True Work In The World In A Way That Feels Authentic And In Integrity.
6-8 Break
8-10 - A Personalized Approach to Health: Typology in Tibetan Medicine
Description: One of the oldest medical systems in existence, Tibetan Medicine offers a truly personalized approach to cultivating health based on each individual’s unique typology. Through understanding the distinctive traits of our own body and mind, we can make better choices to prevent and cure disease and to support well-being.
In this workshop, Jason will teach the fundamentals of Tibetan Medicine, and guide students in interactive exercises to determine our own personal typology. We will explore Tibetan Medicine advice about the best diet, lifestyle, and external therapies for each type, and learn simple ‘kitchen pharmacy’ remedies that can be made using the food and spices in our own home.
Bio: Jason Whitlow is director of Sorig Khang Bay Area, a nonprofit center offering programs in Tibetan Medicine and the related Yuthok Nyingthig spiritual tradition. Jason graduated with honors from Harvard University, where he studied neurobiology and computer science, and worked as a somatics teacher and professional modern dancer. He has studied and practiced for many years under the guidance of Dr. Nida Chenagtsang, a renowned doctor of Tibetan Medicine and holder of the Yuthok Nyingthig lineage. Learn more at: bayarea.sorig.net
www.sorig.net
bayarea.sorig.net
Erik Jampa Andersson is a Tibetan Medicine practitioner and teacher with Sorig Khang Bay Area. He has devoted his life to the study and practice of Tibetan spiritual and medical traditions and is one of the few westerners to have undertaken complete training as a Tibetan physician, including a five-month medical internship in Nepal. He practices under the aegis of his teacher Dr. Nida Chenagtsang, founder of Sorig Khang International. Learn more at: www.erikjampa.com
SUNDAY
12-2 - It Ain't Halloween, Boo: Taking Off The Mask Workshop w/ Ashanti Branch
Description: We often put on masks to survive, for fear of being vulnerable or misunderstood. What masks do you wear? How can we work to take these off, and encourage others to live without theirs as well? How do we ask for help? How are we showing up? Ashanti Branch brings us through his experience becoming a teacher and starting the Ever Forward Club, helping young men of color build character and transform lives. He encourages us to take a closer look at the masks we wear and to understand why we wear them.
Bio: Ashanti Branch works to change how young men of color interact with their education and how their schools interact with them. Raised in Oakland by a single mother on welfare, Ashanti left the inner city to study civil engineering at Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo. A construction project manager in his first career, his life changed after he tutored struggling students and realized his passion for teaching. In 2004, during Ashanti’s first year teaching high school math, he started The Ever Forward Club to provide support for African American and Latino males who were not achieving to their potential. Since then, Ever Forward has helped all of its more than 150 members graduate from high school, and 93% of them have gone on to attend two- or four-year colleges, military or trade school.
The Ever Forward Club was featured last year in the documentary, “The Mask You Live In,” which premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. After completing a fellowship at the Stanford d.school in 2016, Ashanti, stepped away from working for a school district and began working as the Founding Executive Director for Ever Forward-Siempre Adelante, in an effort to grow the organization to serve thousands of Bay Area students. In April 2017, Ashanti was awarded a fellowship from the national organization CBMA - Campaign for Black Male Achievement.
2-4 - Urban Awakening Workshop w/ Gigi Azmy and Craig Wenaweser
Description: Urban Awakening is a fresh, modern and open minded spiritual gathering supporting the awakening journey through community. We integrate the wisdom traditions of East and West in a universal and accessible balanced offering of meditation (spirit), self-inquiry (mind), emotional processing and healing (heart), shamanic ceremony (earth/body) and community support. It is a nonhierarchical safe space to explore all aspects of our humanity, receive support on the spiritual path and directly experience our true nature.
Bios: Gigi Azmy is an Awakening Coach, whose gift is unlocking the next stage of spiritual progression in an individual by helping them access the truth latent within themselves. Using a combination of Shamanic practices, spiritual inquiry, Zen, Buddhism, Vedanta, Tantra, flow teachings, and inner listening, Gigi reaches one where they are. She is deeply connected to the 2 polarities within us that are calling for balance: Stillness/Consciousness/Masculine and Energy/Love/Feminine. Gigi is the co-founder of Urban Awakening, teaching classes and workshops on meditation and awakened living in San Francisco and Oakland and leads sacred women's ceremony circles.
Craig Wenaweser is a spiritual teacher and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has been studying and practicing various forms of eastern spirituality, western psychology and meditation for over 15 years. Through an integration of meditation, spiritual inquiry and a focus on self-acceptance, self-compassion and self-love, Craig guides students and clients to a direct experience of the peace, joy, balance and wholeness of their true nature. He is co-founder of Urban Awakening, an organization that holds classes and workshops on meditation and awakened living in San Francisco and Oakland and has a private therapy and healing practice in San Francisco.
4-6 - 2 Blessed 2 B Stressed: An East Meets West, Ayurvedic Approach to Breaking the Stress Cycle w/ Kim Lavere
Description: During this interactive workshop, we will use an Ayurvedic approach to define symptoms of stress showing up in the mind & body, and uncover ways to alleviate stress in your daily routine. Learn more about specific foods & herbs that help to pacify stress, breathing techniques, and lifestyle shifts that will keep you more in balance. We will also combine Ayurveda with coaching techniques to better address the root cause of stress in the mind, and establish new practices that improve well-being and resiliency.
Bio: As a Personal Development Coach and Ayurveda Lifestyle Consultant, Kim’s passion for wellness and self-care stemmed from working the corporate grind for nearly a decade and growing up in a highly competitive academic and athletic environment. After facing her own health challenges, Kim decided to unsubscribe from western societal pressures and set out to discover what a true happy & healthy life really looked like. Her work is now dedicated to creating a multi-pronged approach to wellness that addresses the interdependence of body & mind, partnering with executive and personal clients from around the world on their journey to fulfillment and self-care. Kim is also a Natural Foods Chef and loves to combine her culinary passion with coaching and Ayurveda in her 1-on-1 programs, group workshops, and worldwide retreats.
WORKSHOP ROOM 2 (Basement)
SATURDAY
8-10 - Circle : A Workshop in Being Deeply Seen, Heard, and Connected w/ Kirk Akahoshi
Description:
Tired Of Small Talk? Do You Want Deeper And More Genuine Connections? If So, The Sacred Circle Is An Intentional Platform That Allows Each Of Us To Be Authentically Seen And Heard. There’s No Advice Giving, Fixing, Or Debating. Instead, We Share Our Truth And What’s Close To Our Hearts. Within A Short Amount Of Time The Way You View Yourself And Others Around You Can Shift Dramatically In A Positive And Nurturing Way.
Guidelines
One Person At A Time
Share What Is Meaningful To You
Listen With Curiosity And An Open Heart
Respond With How You’ve Been Impacted
Be Mindful Of Time So Others Can Speak
No Advice Giving, Fixing, Or Debating
(Testimonials Here: Https://Www.Amenscollective.Com/Community)
Bio: Kirk Akahoshi, MA, LMFT Is A Psychotherapist, Executive Coach, Speaker And Workshop Leader. This Year, He Was Named “Top Coaches In SF” By Expertise And Continues To Be Ranked As “Best Of Yelp”. Kirk Works With Individuals, Groups And Corporations, Specializing In Men’s Coaching And Therapy. He Interweaves His Experience And Advanced Training (Hakomi Mindfulness-Centered Somatic Psychotherapy, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Existential-Humanistic Psychotherapy, And Psychosynthesis) To Help His Clients Live A More Empowered, Engaging, And Purpose Driven Life. As The Founder Of Men’s Collective, He Continues To Grow A Supportive Community Of Men Committed To Honor And Explore The Vastness Of Masculinity.
10-10:30pm - Panel - We're All Floating in Space: Art, Technology and Consciousness w/ Jeff Bausemer, Jenn Sodini and Valerie Beltran
Description: There Are An Abundance Of New Technologies On The Market That People Are Using To Improve And Enhance Their Well-Being And States Of Mind. Likewise, The Advent Of VR+AI Are Opening A Whole Slew Of Artistic Wormholes For Creatives To Explore. What Does The Future Of Human Consciousness Look Like In A World Where These Technologies Are Fully Integrated Into Our Lives? More Generally, What Is The Nature Of Consciousness Such That It Can Be Transformed Through Art, And What Is The Technologists And Artists Role In The Evolution Of The Human Spirit?
Bios:
Jennifer Sodini Is A Creative And Resourceful Conscious Media Entrepreneur Hailing From Asbury Park, New Jersey. She Is The Founder Of Evolve And Ascend, A Media Platform Dedicated To Inspiring Conscious Evolution, Phenomenalisms, A Curatorial Platform Featuring Thought Provoking Creativity, And Other Highly Successful Media Verticals.
Valerie Beltran Is A Psychotherapist Who Loves Incorporating Transformative Technology Into Her Therapeutic Practice. Valerie Is A Dual MFT Registered Intern (#91106) & PCC Registered Intern (#3321) At Bay Area Psychotherapy Training Institute, Supervised By Kimberly Kerlin, LMFT # 52037. Valerie Has A Gentle, Yet Firm Approach To Therapy, Which Can Sometimes Feel Like Deep Work And Sometimes Like A Conversation With A Life-Long Friend. Her Strength Lies In Making People Feel Comfortable Even In Their Discomfort.
10:30 - 11pm - Ur Computer is Gonna Kill You: Digital Detox and Learning to Redirect Your Attention w/ Gabi Junran, Andrew Dunn, Dr. Emily Anhalt
Description: How Can We Achieve A Balanced Relationship With Technology? Join A Panel Discussion On The Mechanics Of The Attention Economy, Its Impact On Society And The Human Condition, And What The Future Of Human Centered Design Looks Like. Learn About Digital Wellness Tips And Tricks To Give You More Control Over How You Spend Your Attention And Set A Positive Example For Your Family, Colleagues And Community.
Bios:
Andrew Is A San Francisco-Based Social Entrepreneur Who Envisions A World In Which Technology Supports Humans Being. He Is Currently Working On Siempo: An App That Transforms Your Phone Into A More Intentional And Less Distracting Experience, As Well As A Community Centered Around Digital Wellness. Andrew Is Passionate About Organizational Culture And Previously Worked In Learning & Development And International Development.
Gabi Is The Founder/Executive Director Of A Pre-Launch Non-Profit Called HAPPI (Helping Awesome Parents Parent Intentionally). Their Mission Is To Educate, Inspire And Empower Parents To Connect With Themselves And Their Local Communities To Ensure Future Generation Of HAPPIness. The Idea All Originally Stemmed From Watching His Niece Engage With An IPad Before The Age Of 2. He Noticed That She Became Proficient On It Very Quickly And Got Very Comfortable Going Down Endless Rabbit Holes Of Sponsored Content On YouTube. Once He Noticed This, He Knew Something Had To Change But Ultimately Realized This Problem Is Merely A Symptom Of Much Larger Systemic Issues. He Decided It Was Much More Important To Educate Parents On The Importance Of Practicing Self Care And Cultivating Attention By Using Technology Mindfully To Create More Space For Them To Be Present With Themselves, Their Kids And Their Local Communities. HAPPI’s Content Will Focus On Practicing Self-Care, Creating Intentional Habits, Using Technology Mindfully, Digital/Global Citizenship, Family/Community Engagement And Emotional Intelligence Skills.
Born And Raised In The Heart Of Silicon Valley, Dr. Emily Anhalt Has Always Had An Interest In The Psychology Of The Entrepreneur. She Studied Psychology At The University Of Michigan And Attained Masters And Doctorate Degrees In Clinical Psychology In Berkeley, California. For The Past Eight Years, She Has Been Working Clinically With Executives, Founders, And Tech Employees, And Has Conducted Hundreds Of Interviews With Prominent Psychologists And Entrepreneurs. Through This Work, She Has Identified Seven Key Traits That Emotionally Fit Leaders might benefit from.
SUNDAY
3:00-4:30pm - When I Think About You I Touch Myself: Intimacy and Touch 101 w/ Kai Wu
Description: Come Join This Fun And Experiential Class Where You Will Learn The Necessary Components For Touch That Truly Delights.
Kai Wu, Love And Intimacy Coach, Ecstatic Living Institute Tantra Teacher And Certified Sexological Bodyworker, Will Guide You Through This Short And Potent Class Where You Will:
Explore The 5 Different Kinds Of Touch (Including The Most Impactful One That Most People Miss Entirely).
Learn How To Combine The Different Kinds Of Touch For Maximum Effect.
Understand Why Connecting To Your Own Comfort, Pleasure And Enjoyment Is Essential.
Learn How To Effectively Ask For Feedback So Your Receiver Will Be Truly Happy And Satisfied.
Enjoy The Opportunity To Practice What You Learn In A Fun, Hands-On Way.
Whether You Are Touching A Friend Or A Lover For Relaxation Or For Pleasure, You Will Learn Skills To Bring A Lifetime Of Touching Pleasure And Fun.
Note: This Is A Clothes-On Experiential Class Where You Will Learn By Doing. You Are Welcome To Practice With Yourself (Self-Love Is Good Love!), Or You Can Bring A Friend Or Lover And Enjoy With Each Another (Double The Fun!).
Bio: Kai Is A Love, Sex And Intimacy Coach Whose Mission Is To Support People Of All Kinds To Be Happy In Their Bodies And Their Relationships. She Loves Helping People Be Confident In Who They Are, Be Who They Really Want To Be, And Have The Satisfying Sex And Relationships They Really Want. From This Version Of Ourselves, We Can Have The Greatest Impact – Not Only On Our Own Lives, But On Our Communities And The World At Large. This Work Is Her Great Love And Her Form Of Activism. Kai Is Also A Certified Sexological Bodyworker, SkyDancing Tantra Teacher And Senior Faculty Member Of Ecstatic Living Institute. She Is Co-Founder Of The Embodiment Arts Collective, A Multi-Disciplinary Healing Arts Collective In San Francisco, Which Has A Sex-Affirming And Inclusive Social Justice Mission. You Can Find Her At Www.Lovebodysoul.Com.
4:30-6pm - Vajrayana Capitalism: The Art of Business As A Vehicle To Awakening w/ Dave Burns
