Harvesting Love from Loss; Heart Mapping Workshop

Come and join us outside for this Fall experiential workshop under the big tent in a natural setting with fresh air, trees, and flowers. In our time together, we will take a transformational journey through the grieving gardens in our hearts. Often, we suffer because our hearts hold our stories deep inside in a state of isolation. There can be no words to describe this kind of experience. Healing transpires, within a safe container, when we courageously open our hearts to acknowledge and to witness ourselves and others by sharing and making meaning of our grief. The power in this practice lightens the burden we carry and creates a channel of expression that has a liberating effect on our own hearts and collective state of being.

Gardens thrive on love and compassion. In this four-hour workshop, we will gently drop in by tending to our group altar, honoring our loved ones, and relaxing our parasympathetic nervous systems with a guided meditation. The potent influence of exploring the garden as a metaphor will come alive as we connect and investigate the life cycles: birth, growth, death, and regeneration within the landscape of our personal journeys. We will do this by; reflecting on poignant questions in our journals, stimulating our five senses, collecting symbolic objects in nature, and using our creativity to intuitively design our own authentic heart map.

What is a heart map? A heart map is a visual map or collage using drawing, writing, painting, or crafting to express whatever you’ve stored in your heart. There is no right or wrong way to create a heart map. They can inspire insight, hope, and strength as we are required to access resilience in this challenging life journey together.

You will leave this workshop feeling uplifted and inspired. You will also reap the loving benefits of support by having taken the journey of tapping into your personal harvest for days to come.

Considering this is an outdoor event, please be prepared with layers to keep yourself warm.  This workshop will be happening rain or shine because we will be under a large marquees tent with ample space.  You never know what kind of Fall day it will be. Bring a special mat, cushion,  blanket, or chair for circling up. There are chairs available if you need one. Also, please bring a water bottle, snacks, and a lunch. We will have a 20-minute break to eat together. There will be hot water and tea bags available so please bring a tea thermos or mug. Masks are welcome, but not required.

Kylee Gies's Bio: formerly worked in the field of international education as a; teacher, cross-cultural field instructor, and international student advisor. She studied the Japanese martial art of Aikido for ten years and has been a life-long learner & practitioner of yoga, mindfulness/meditation, and emotional growth for twenty five years. Kylee is a bereaved mother whose son Oliver passed over five years ago. She continues to find insight, awakening, and deep transformation in her own healing journey. Kylee is following the calling and unfoldment of grief guiding to serve others who suffer from diverse grief experiences. She is currently completing the  certification process, through Creative Grief Studio, to be a Creative Grief Guide. She is a loving Mother of two Earthbound children and lives with her husband/family on the beautiful land of Sacred Dwelling in the country side between the towns of Monroe and Duvall.