ROBIN CLAYFIELD

Joining Elder & Master of Ceremonies

Robin is a facilitator, trainer, author and musician with a passion for creative, interactive group work, Permaculture, ritual, ceremony and women’s empowerment. She has led many Wild Women’s Wisdom weekends, facilitated at women’s festivals and gatherings, Woodford Folk Festival, The Joining (including holding the energy for Ceremony since 2005) and is an ‘Elder’ for The Joining and Being Woman Communities. Robin has birthed three books, amongst them ‘Gifts for Wild Women’ and a CD of guided journeys set to music as well as being the founder of ‘Dynamic Groups, Dynamic Learning’ and running the business ‘Earthcare Education’. She also finds time to play in a band, potter in the garden, home educate her teenage son and be a Grandma.

The Ritual of Balance – Sacred Guided Journey

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AMRITA HOBBS

International facilitator of initiation rites and Joining Elder

Amrita Hobbs is an amazingly passionate woman. She is a teacher, author and community builder. Her work focuses on the importance of community and on bringing Rites of Passage and Rituals back into our lives. For more than thirty years her work has influenced the lives of thousands of people all around the planet. Amrita travels around Australia and the world offering her work.
Amrita is a powerful, wise woman, committed to making this a better world.

Into the Mystery

Journeying through the stages of our own Mystery we join the threads.
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GARRY LAWLER
Joining Elder

8 years ago, Garry found out the possibility of having Aboriginal Heritage. In 2005, he embarked on a 3-month solo journey through the deserts of Central Australia to hear dreamtime stories from Indigenous Elders to try to understand, reclaim and connect with this ancient culture and the spirit of this land to understand “who I am.”

So often, he has felt like a black man on the inside and a white man externally. On the trip, he learned much about himself, connecting with the spirit, the very essence of this land, the emptiness, the fullness, the timelessness, feeling a sense of belonging there, just to be in the now. Everywhere he went he felt the healing and nurturing presence of the Earth Mother, always feeling safe.

In the isolation of and being alone in the desert, Garry began doing an almost daily ritual, which grew in different ways along the journey and which were an expression of his feelings in that moment. This expression of his truth was both healing and connecting. “It is me – who I am” as a fully open conscious being. Being alone heightened the feeling of oneness with all that is in the Universe.

Garry wishes to share the healing energy from nature with others. He assists them to create their ritual (healing tool) from connecting with the awesome healing power of Mother Earth. This Earth connection puts him directly in touch with his feelings and his story, his higher self.

Garry’s passion is to empower people to connect with their feelings through nature to create their own internal healing. He does this work one on one, with couples or small groups up to about 30 participants.

Earth Connection

Your very essence in genuine connection with Mother Earth.

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FALU & MICHAEL EYRE
Retired international leadership presenters

Since leaving her home in Tanzania at the age of 19 Falu has lived and worked in many different countries. She began teaching personal development. in Australia in 1986 and in 1989 developed her own programme entitled “Beyond Excellence”. Falu continued developing her work taking it into the business arena and taught major corporations in Australia, USA, Russia and throughout South East Asia. When she was diagnosed with severe cervical cancer she stopped teaching in order to heal herself which she did without the aid of any medical treatment or intervention. During this time she also worked with Hyatt Sunshine Coast and conducted seminars for Australian Corporations.  Since then she has continued to teach but does not accept any payment for her work. Falu likes to inspire people to take action to better their own lives and make this world an even more wonderful place.  Falu is fresh, alive and lives life to the fullest. She will inspire you.

Struggle without Agitation

The chance to release the joy and love that we are at all times so that we can connect with others at a deeper level.

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RUDRAN BRANNOCK
Teacher of Aikido, Yoga, Counsellor, rebirther, student of tantra and shamanism

I am the founder/visionary of The Joining and am a trained rebirther, counsellor, group facilitator, and am a shodan grade in Aikido (The Way of Harmony). I run Men’s groups, weekends and 7-day retreats and am a young Elder of the Men’s movement in SE QLD. I am a student of Yoga, Tantra and the Shamanic field.

The Power of Presence (Men Only)

Sexual Ki, warrior Ki, Healer Ki. Whoever occupies the centre occupies his life.

The masculine and feminine in the martial dance (co-facilitating with Shannon Brannock)

Blending and harmonising our life force with others using physical principles that transpose to the mental, emotional and spiritual domains.

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SHANNON BRANNOCK
Aikidoist and Jongleur

I am a woman of many loves and talents. One of my biggest passions is Aikido, closely followed by juggling, drama, song, yoga, dance, languages, co-counseling, being with children, games and nature. I got my Aikido 2nd Kyu(brown belt) at the age of 18 in Ki Society style in 1992. At that time I regularly assisted running Aikido classes at the Lismore Aikido club(with my dad, Rudran) and in local schools. After that I studied Aikido in Sapporo, Japan and got my Aikido Shodan (black belt) in Aikikai style in 2008.

I did an exploration of the chakra system in a performance at the Adelaide folk festival in a dance musical piece called Tribe. I then went on to perform at the Adelaide Fringe Festival in another dance musical piece mixing old school crooning with modern techno beats. I have been in many amateur theatre productions with the University of QLD dramsoc at the cement box theatre. In Japan I continued with my love of circus skills by studying mime, and that ensemble performed at the Sapporo Street Performance Festival in 1999. Now I teach adults English at Global Village Language School in Noosa, QLD. I joyously revel in the drama courses I run at the school.

Expand into JOY!

With juggling, hula hooping, poi and stick spinning!

The masculine and feminine in the martial dance (co-facilitating with Rudran Brannock)

Blending and harmonising our life force with others using physical principles that transpose to the mental, emotional and spiritual domains.

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MAX WITSENHUYSEN AND CHIRONE WITSEN

Joining Elders

We have been in relationship since 1996 and married at our Mt Mellum home on the Suncoast hinterland in 2000. We have been co-facilitating workshops and events since 2003, and are accredited Systemic Constellation facilitators after training together with Margarete Koenning in 2008.

Max: Family and community mean a lot to me. I am the father of 25yo daughter Francis and 21yo son Reuben (both attending The Joining 2010!). My sister Juliet & brother-in-law Matthew Middleton have attended past Joinings, and even my 85yo Dad Fred & nephews Nathaniel & Nathan have joined me at Manshine. And of course my beautiful wife Chirone walks this path of Joining with me – in life & in our workshops as below – and has backed me to the hilt in my work with Men and Boys (Pathways SEQ & National, Manshine Committees, Mens Wellbeing Executive, The Grail, Common Ground, Manscape Architects, The Wolf to The Max, Kin Kin Deep Inner Work, Schoolboy Leadership Programs, Cairns Open Ground) along the East Coast since 1999. I am a blessed man rooted in the heart of my own Family Constellation.

Chirone: I’m a counselling astrologer with a psycho-spiritual focus to my work.  I specialize in relationships, family dynamics and grief therapy.  I’m also a healing practitioner, working with energy healing and essences (Australian bush flowers, White Light and Light Frequency essences). I run astrology courses and workshops, from beginner level to advanced/ professional. I’ve been involved with the Joining since the very start, helping birth the Joining by being on the first committee.
More info on my website  www.chironewitsen.com

Exploring Our Relating

The family constellations of the masculine and feminine.

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JO O’SHANESSY
Spiritual counsellor and Joining elder

I have hung around the planet for some 53 years now. Some of my labels are social worker, teacher and counsellor, but these only tell you about a small part of me and what I can offer. I offer a listening ear, a gauntlet of challenges, a resounding wit and a lively mind. I am a mirror for you to see and appreciate you. I can go blah blah about different modalities, but I won’t. My purpose is to continue to work on my expansion and offer you a sacred space for you to do the same. I am about fun, dance, laughter and compassion. I am the Pomona Crone.

Your Essence – Head, Heart, Hand

Experience changes to the way you relate to the other gender through conversation, movement and touch.

Infinite Freedom and Source Energy (co-facilitating with Prem Pravas)

Connect to Self, Source and Others through music, movement, murmurings and meditation.

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PRAVAS
Joining Elder & Common Ground facilitator

I bring a passionate open heart polished through a long broad life experience of death and relationship coupled with a deep exploration of sacred sexuality, meditation and spirituality. I share my involvement with inner work through my participation in gatherings such as the Joining and Men’s weekend gatherings over many years and my role as a facilitator of Common Ground men’s groups. From this broad experience I respectfully challenge others to flower into their full life potential in a fearless exploration of death. As a qualified Civil Celebrant I am available for Funerals, Weddings, Namings, Vow Renewals, Pet Funerals and any other Life event you wish to celebrate. In addition my passion is to encourage and assist people create their unique Life Celebration ceremony (funeral) long before it is needed thus giving you the joy of knowing how you will be celebrated and relieves your grieving relatives of this onerous duty.

Pravas and Jo met at the Joining. Others have commented that they are a vibrant couple, who bounce well off each other. Both continue to commit to their inner work. Each has seen challenging times, from which they have emerged transformed. They bring a unique mix of passion, clarity and humour to share with others. Pravas is a Civil Celebrant for all of life’s events and facilitator of Common Ground men’s groups. Jo is a Social Worker, specialising in counselling and work with families.

Living a Fearless Life

Moving through the fear of death into the freedom of a fearless life.

Infinite Freedom and Source Energy (co-facilitating with Jo O’Shanessy)

Connect to Self, Source and Others through music, movement, murmurings and meditation.

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DELANY DELANEY
This amazingly talented chorister is our singing master for this year

Mistress of Song and a facilitator for this gathering is a gifted people connector, known for her ability to hold space where people feel safe & full of energy & inspiration to explore their creative essence through breath, voice, bodymusic, theatre & music creation. Her reputation as a healer with and through voice is fast expanding both here and overseas. Delany is a gypsy healer joy machine facilitating change in people’s voices and lives across the planet. What else is possible?

Singing (Body Vox)

Weaving the masculine and feminine in the fun of song.

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ANDREW BARNES
Teacher of the depth of sacred sexuality

Andrew Barnes is an internationally acclaimed Tantric relationship, sexuality and orgasm coach, author, speaker and Daka, who specialises in educating individuals/couples about new concepts in life, intimacy and sexuality to awaken personal revelation and vibrational transformation. For more information you can go to www.heartoftheflower.com and www.awakeningwithin.org.au

Holistic Sexuality for Empowering Women (Women Only)

Awaken your inherent aptitude to experience pleasure.

Conscious Relating and Conscious Sexuality

Develop new tools and concepts for greater depth of relationship.

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ISRAEL ORTIZ (with NINA VAN DER PLAS)
International dance teacher and founder of the Cuban Dance Company

Israel Ortiz; Born in Santiago de Cuba, Israel has been dancing practically all of his life. He first went to a specialised dance school at the age of 11 and went on to graduate from the National School of Art in Havana. Upon graduating, he worked for 2 different modern dance companies in Cuba before winning a position in the dance spectacular ‘Havana Night’. He traveled the world with this company, performing in more than 9 countries throughout Asia and Europe, before settling in Australia in 2003. www.cubandancecompany.com

Salsa

2 hours of the blending of the natural rhythms of the masculine and feminine through Latin dance.

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NINA VAN DER PLAS
Dancer and Joining newsletter editor

I have been dancing for over 20yrs, I have travelled through London, Asia, New Zealand and Australia dancing in commercial and theatre productions having a wonderful time sharing my joy for movement. After a 7 year break from classes and a 4yr break from dancing altogether I decided to throw myself into a style that I had never experienced before, Salsa. Dancing is the ultimate celebration of life for me and to be able to share that experience of pure joy with so many people it makes me love it all th more.

Brazilian Samba

I will be taking a traditional Brazilian Samba workshop which is a dance style for women. It often gets a lot of male attention because it is so gorgeous.

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JOHN CALLANAN
International, multi-millionaire philanthropist and inner work teacher

John retired from the work force in 1980 with a wife and 3 young children, with little else but passion and longing John became a highly successful developer, multi-millionaire, philanthropist, global traveler, student, teacher, pilot and mentor. John spends six months a year traveling and the rest of his time in Byron Bay, He is on the boards of the Northern Rivers Community Foundation and Byron Uncle (a mentoring program for young boys without fathers). He is also and experience leader on the Pathways to Manhood program and a volunteer Angel Flight pilot.

Abundance and Spirit

An active process connecting you deeply with the source of all abundance.

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NATALIE RICHIE
The Rhythmic and passionate drumming master for this year’s Joining

Natalie Richie has studied with master drummers in Australia and overseas, including two intensive study tours in Cuba. Over the past 10 years, she has been passing on her drumming knowledge to students all over the Sunshine Coast. Upbeat Rhythms tuition is based on knowledge of traditional and modern drumming techniques and rhythms. Natalie directs and mentors adult and youth ensembles for community events and holds private drum sessions at the Upbeat Rhythms studio in Witta, home of the OBI ABATA rhythm/folkloric ensemble. She is currently finishing her rhythm instruction book titled ‘From Africa to Cuba’. As well as being a rhythm teacher, Natalie works professionally as a concert performer, principally with Afro/Cuban quartet Canta La Tumba, her musical style ranging from the African and Latin traditions, to contemporary Jazz/Funk fusion.

Upbeat

With the beat of the drums, we all begin to move as one entity, play one song, and unite our voices.

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PETER THOMAS
Film maker, shamanic apprentice and founder of Planet Radio

Peter has been pursuing a personal path of alchemy & spirit since childhood. He is currently a student of alchemy on several different paths, investigating “what works” for incorporation into his own “great work”. He is a film maker, life mentor & shamanic apprentice and has been teaching in various disciplines since 1983. He has been learning all of his life and continues that journey. Peter is a second circle elder and previous Holder of the Masculine Energy for the Joining.

Dragon’s Breath

The Alchemy of Personal Power

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CYNTHIA CONNOP
Creator and facilitator of the Living Love Program (Deida style)

Cynthia is the creator and facilitator of the Living Love seminar program. Cynthia has been exploring transformational work for over 25 years, is a personal growth facilitator and documentary filmmaker. She has facilitated numerous workshops – including the Heart of Woman, Meeting the Muse and culminating in the Living Love program for Men and Women, which is inspired by author and teacher David Deida. Her passion is to assist others to achieve authentic change  in their  lives.Cynthia grew up in Melbourne, Australia, completed a Dip Art in photography and film and later moved to Sydney to study at the Australian Film and TV School. Finding a rich world of personal growth and creative filmmaking Cynthia began an exciting period of her life that led her to relocate to the Northern Rivers region of NSW.

Cynthia’s  pioneering film projects include the international cinema feature and TV documentary ‘Sacred Sex’, the dvd ‘Secrets of Sacred Sex’,  the David Deida video ‘Spirit Sex Love’, and ‘Spiritual Terrorist’ a doco on the Indian mystic, Osho. Her most recent film ‘Bloodlines’ (ABC TV, YES Israel) explores a healing encounter between two women from both sides of the Holocaust.
In her private consultations Cynthia draws on her skills in masculine/feminine polarity, sacred sexuality, voice dialogue and creativity  coaching. She is a licensed Avatar master and committed to co-creating an awakened, loving planet.

Living Love (for Women Only)

Live the wild beauty of your feminine heart

Living Love for singles and couples (co-facilitating with Ernst Dams)

Discover the secrets of passionate intimacy (David Deida style).

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ERNST DAMS
Living Love facilitator (David Deida style)

Ernst has been co-facilitating the Living Love programs with Cynthia since early 2009. He has been involved with Deida-inspired men’s groups for over ten years and currently leads a committed weekly mens group in the Byron Shire. He is passionate about assisting men and women in exploring and deepening their true sexual essence, encouraging them to live & play in this enlivened polarity.

Ernst grew up in the Netherlands, completed a BSc. degree in Tropical Agriculture and started his Australian journey in 1988. He is currently working both as a counselor and as a solar industry consultant. This year he plans to finish a masters’ degree in Gestalt therapy.
Come and dive into learning about the intimate realm of masculine and feminine energies and why many relationships fail or succeed!

Living Freedom (for Men Only)

Deepen your mastery of love, intimacy and sexual desire.

Living Love for singles and couples (co-facilitating with Cynthia Connup)

Discover the secrets of passionate intimacy (David Deida style).

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ASTRID DE RUITER & TERRY BISHOP

Astrid started her professional life with the modest question of wanting to know how the world works. This initially lead her to obtain a masters in applied physics (well, one can make mistakes sometimes, doesn’t one?), discovering that she actually also wanted to help change that world for the better and then working in the field of renewable energies for a number of years.

A gentle but firm wake-up call in her early 30s helped her realize that what she really wanted to understand was the mystery of Life (and that the material world is only a very small part of that). She spent a few years on a journey (both inner and outer) to find some answers to that modest question, finding peace eventually in the insight that understanding the mystery of life is an ongoing, ever evolving, exciting and sometimes painful, frustrating and confusing journey.

On her journeys, she found a lot of benefit from learning Vipassana meditation, a meditation practice originating in Buddhism that is about learning to see things as they truly are. She retrained as a counselor and started teaching mindfulness meditation to clients, to help them better manage difficult emotions like anxiety, stress, depression and anger. Astrid suffered from depression and anxiety quite badly herself in her 20s and 30s, and it is her firm belief that a lot of people with mental health problems like that can learn to manage them much better and improve quality of life greatly by learning mindfulness skills. Astrid is also passionate about helping people discover who they really are and create a more purposeful, meaningful life.

Terry is the co-owner of the Worldview Centre, a retreat centre near Maleny dedicated to the evolution of consciousness. He was the Masculine Energy Holder for the Joining in 2009, and presently sits on the Elder’s circle. He has been on the executive committee of the Men’s Wellbeing association for the last 6 years. He has written a book entitled “Spiritual, Not Religious” that explores modern spirituality in the post-religious era. His next title looks into the spiritual nature of gender.

What is Your Heart’s Desire?

Sense deep into your heart to find what it is you really want from your life and skills to deal with our demons.

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ANDY COPEMAN AND LAUREL HEFFERON
Shamanic practitioners

Andy Copeman is a musician, sound healer, sound and video artist and recording engineer and producer with a career stretching back to the late 1970’s. His journey through the diverse music of this world was helped along by several years as a broadcaster working with ABC Radio National’s “The Planet”. His spiritual journey over many years has led him to explore meditation, shamanism, devotional and spiritual music from many traditions. His passion is the use of music, sound and images to connect with the Divine and bring healing, enjoyment, peace and passion to all involved.

Laurel Hefferon is a gifted healer with exceptional and diverse skills. Her broad knowledge base is an asset to her naturopathic consultations and is supported on a framework of experience derived from her background as a registered nurse with 30 years in the clinical setting along with lecturing in Wellness analysis Herbal Medicine and Naturopathic Philosophy. Her passion is helping people change their health story through a range of modalities including Herbal Medicine, Naturopathy, Nutritional and Food as Medicine advice and Energetic and Vibrational Healing. Together, Laurel and Andy are living their bliss in this piece of paradise, enjoying the rich abundance of this universe and celebrating their connection to spirit through their service to the community and the planet, their love for each other and their practices of meditation, tantra and shamanic journeying.

Awakening Centre, on 12 acres sacred forest in North Maleny, is the realisation of Laurel and Andy’s dream of setting up a beautiful centre of excellence in healing and music; a place of community, creativity, healing, passion and heart energy.

Sound Meditation Journey

Including bird song, drumming, crystal and metal singing bowls, chimes, gongs, koru, ebowed-cittern, harmonic singing and the words of Rumi.

Sacred Sweat Lodge

A Lakota nation tradition with elements from other similar traditions incorporated.

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SIVANI MIRA & KEVIN MACLEAN

Sivani has extensive experience in personal development and the healing arts: 15 years of Outdoor Education programs for teenagers, a personal Yoga practice of 20 years, Reiki healing, Yoga teaching, body work and facilitating workshops. Sivani’s strong embodied presence encourages bravery on the inner journey. Core to her work is deepening self awareness, love and a meaningful connection to spirit. Her love of nature and the sacred are evident in everything she does.

Close to completing a 3 year Bachelor of Midwifery, Sivani says, “My natural abilities, life’s experiences and skills culminate in this Birth Work. Healing birth is a powerful way to heal the world. The work is not just for pregnant women, it is for everyone.” Sivani completed the Apprentice Training with Elena Tonetti- Vladimirova, the creator of Limbic Imprint Recoding in January 2010 in Melbourne. www.birthintobeing.com

Limbic Imprint Recoding

Healing our birth trauma through a real ‘in the body’ experience of being conceived, gestated and born in love and bliss.

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CHURAIG MAC NIALL
International Shamanic practitioner

I was awakened to my Shamanic Path in 1993 when a Bear showed up in my meditations at a pivotal point in my life. This Bear’s advice led me to undertaking a Degree in Studies of Religion and Anthropology.  I then completed intensive training with Dr Crow Swimsaway and Bekki Shining Bearheart at the Church of Earth Healing in Ohio. Other teachers of both Western and Indigenous Shamanic lineages have also played a role in my development.

In April 2007, the call to make this his life-path became too strong to ignore and after a 6 week walk across Spain and a period of time living in woods in Wales, I emerged to living and working full time as a Shamanic healer and teacher. I also have a background in Massage, Hypnotherapy, Neuro-Linguistic Programming and have completed a B.Ed.

For the last 7 years I have been living in the United Kingdom where my Shamanic business Heart Tracks has flourished. I have been published in the leading international Shamanic magazine, ‘Sacred Hoop’ and twice presented at the Society of Shamanic Practitioner’s Conferences in the UK. I have also held workshops in the USA and Australia.

My work holds at its core the belief that healing happens when people take personal responsibility for their growth and transformation. My teaching and healing work reflects these values and is focused on Shamanic practices and techniques that develop, promote and encourage this.
More about my work can be found at www.hearttracks.com.au

The Original You

Meeting adversarial aspects of the Masculine and Feminine and negotiating alliance/release.

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ARAVINDHA D’ANGIOLILLO

Keeper of the Ashes for The Joining

The consciousness of healing is a changing force.   While viewing an exhibition during his art college days, Aravindha D’Angiolillo found a seed germinating for a powerful new idea in healing consciousness.

This began a journey that would see him combining inner child work, art, meditation, sacred cleansing ceremonies and affirmation exercises that have culminated in the Art 4 Heart   Alchemy of the Heart    workshops.   He has helped a wide range of people from children with learning disabilities to adults, to clear emotional blockages like fear and depression.

He emphasises drawing without the question of the conscious mind to release blockages from the heart and allow the universe, angels, and spirit guides to free the heart and transfer it to positive energy.   Aravindha explains, “Art is a form of releasing oneself from the mind, through the action of drawing, sculpting or painting momentarily forgetting where the pain is in your life.   Healing is in letting go.”

Art4heart

Rituals of universal guidance, renewal and contract of completion.

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KATE BARZDO

I have 15 years experience as a Yoga Chi Gung teacher and have more recently discovered my passion for Zen Thai Shiatsu – a combination of Zen Shiatsu, Thai Massage and Osteopathic techniques which creates freedom in the physical and energetic bodies.

My workshops are for ‘every-body’, regardless of your level of flexibility and experience, from complete beginners to experienced yogis.  Guaranteed to leave you feeling completely relaxed and renewed!  I reside in Brisbane and run regular classes at Bardon and Dayboro in addition to regular workshops.

Free Your Body

Yoga Chi Gung & Zen Thai Shiatsu to create flow of energy and freedom of movement in your whole being.

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GEORGIA RAILTON-STEWART & MICHELLE PRESTON
Our high energy raw food lovers

Georgia: Originally an elite athlete and a student of Health and Exercise Science at University, I eventually went very deeply into the relationship of food to the body and Spirituality. I ended up curing myself of “incurable” dis-ease states by eating a wholefoods, raw diet, juice cleansing and water fasts. After this I went on to work with several elite athletes in enhancing their health and fitness through diet, training and lifestyle changes. I have since attended many raw foods/detox/healing retreats as a participant and then as an assistant/educator. I am the founder/owner/director of Mother Natures Bounty, an organic food home delivery business in Brisbane.
I am a trained Yoga Teacher and combine these ancient practises and health/nutrition knowledge so I can work with people one-on-one to help them identify their areas of dis-ease/discomfort in their body and to design an easy to follow program to assist them to heal themselves through daily yoga practice, improved nutrition and body work.

Michelle Preston has been a successful business woman and corporate trainer for the past 10 years.  Through living the “normal” life of work stress and junk food, 2 ½ years ago, at age 33 Michelle was diagnosed with type 1, insulin dependent, diabetes. Four injections of insulin every day took its toll on her lifestyle and took away her freedom.  Not standing to be told she would need to inject insulin for the rest of her life, Michelle began the search for a solution…and she discovered the gift of live food.

Through much research of this raw vegan lifestyle Michelle uncovered the benefits that live food has on health and the association with the reversal of many incurable diseases.  With studies showing live food as a main prevention of these diseases, Michelle went on to experiment with live food as a way to heal her diabetes. She dove into learning the preparation of wonderful live food meals and began eating herself better.
Michelle has experienced incredible results and now has very little to no insulin injections.  She is living truth that live foods really do have a dramatic impact on health.

Love & Heal Thyself (Food with Raw Love)

Healing yourself with living food

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BARBARA BREWSTER
Author, presenter, poet, actress, teacher, clown & survivor

BA(HONS) PSoL* SA* LoF* (*Passionate Student of Life, *Spontaneity Addict, *Lots of Fun)

Every day life tosses up “offers,” some of which we’d happily skip. When, instead of blocking life’s offers, we say YES to them, amazing and wondrous adventures can occur. My passion is, through my mentoring, public speaking and various spontaneity workshops, to help adults to, have fun, laugh, and cultivate the art of saying YES to reclaiming their truth and joy, and to learn ways to quickly and easily enhance and expand their sparkle, health, creativity and connection with others. My books include Down Under All Over, Love or Growth; Why Not Both? and Journey to Wholeness.

The Power of Play for Reclaiming Your Truth & Joy

Liberate and expand your imagination, sparkle, creativity and health.

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TAMARA GERLIC

Ending a 10 year career as a filmmaker and public speaker, Tamara shifted her focus to education, and now teaches in the private sector. It was there that she noticed the effects of touch deprivation in the students and the teachers, and started questioning the over-emphasis placed on any form of touch in society, even when the touch is non-sexual, innocent or spontaneous. She has attended the Foundation Facilitators Course in Safe Non-Sexual Touch, and is currently completing an academic paper on the future repercussions of social norms, engramming, and body language trends in today’s youth.

(Tamara attained her BVA in 1996 and her DipEd in 2008, receiving the Griffith Award for Academic Excellence. She has certificates in both Massage and Reflexology. She began transcendental meditation at age 11, and has assisted in numerous Alpha Dynamic Mind Training Seminars from age 15.)

Physical Language Exploration

Consider your ‘primary touch language’ and how does that impact you as an adult.

Daily Cuddle Event

In the Cuddle Puddle

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CARSTEN NIELSEN AND ALISON SMITH

Carsten: My aim is to contribute to happiness in the world. One of the most important, if not the most important factor, in how we experience life, relates to the quality of our relationships with other people and how we influence each others lives. Recognising the importance of communication in our interactions with other people, I have always been passionate about clear careful communication.
Whether you want to learn and practise communication skills, express something that is important to you or just hang out for a listen in and a nice chat, while enjoying a cuppa and a cake, I am sure you will find the Compassionate Communication Café a nice place to be.

Alison Joy Smith has been teaching and dancing for many years. A member of the original Joining committee and keenly fostering reconciliation I am looking forward to presenting  a Compassionate Communication Cafe with Carsten, cake and a cuppa. Come along if you get stuck in sharing your values and views. Face your fears in a safe environment as we practise finding our voices with the support of each other.

Compassionate Communication Cafe

Any lunch time with a cuppa

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