CALENDAR

Celebrate Black History Month with us! Free and Open to All.

Movie list coming soon…

** Doors open at 7:30pm. Instruction from 7:30pm**

Improve your flogging skills! Whether you’re a total novice or already confident with the whip, there’s plenty for you in this unique and very active class.

Enjoy drills on techniques to deliver powerful, effective sensations without top-fatigue. Sharpen your finesse and precision to create the desired sensual, sexual and emotional effects.

You’ll learn how to select the best flogger for your style and body type.

Bring your floggers. More the merrier! If you don’t have any, there may be a few to try out. Midori shares with you a uniquely connected “California” style of whip use.
If you want to learn to flog in high heels, or other specialized footwear, bring them.
No need to bring a target person or a practice partner.
Want to get some good floggers in advance? Check out this site for quality whips, made in the USA. http://FHP-inc.Stockroom.com/

Get further training on the subtle moves the next night at Part 2!
https://planetmidori.ticketleap.com/2019-02-26

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ABOUT MIDORI

Dan Savage calls Midori “The Super Nova of Kink”! She is an artistic visionary who has touched lives across the globe with her expertise in sexuality, personal fulfillment, and kinky adventures. Using her “head-heart-hands” methodology she facilitates tackling challenging topics and creating space where people are allowed individual self-exploration. Her incredible passion is fully on display in her transformative small group intensives, including Rope Dojo ®, ForteFemme: Women’s Dominance Weekend Intensive and Make Hot Play Happen.

For more information on her upcoming classes and events, please visit: http://www.FHP-Inc.com/classes

** Entrance is on the Telegraph Street Side.**
Doors open at 6:30pm. Instruction from 7pm

Class limited to 24 people. Pre-registration highly encouraged.

PREREQUISITE – NO EXCEPTION FOR ALL ATTENDING: You must have taken [The Exquisite Whip Part 1] ~ this includes the second person in the Pair ticket. If you have not taken Part 1, you will not be able to attend.

This class builds on Part 1 with additional challenges and new drills to improve your speed, flow, and partner control. The rigorous exercises are designed to enhance intuitive play with greater passion.

There will be more times for drills covered in Part 1. No need to bring a target person or a practice partner. We will do precision and movement exercises on each other.

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BRING: Floggers

WEAR: Comfortable clothing to move in.
If you wish to improve your flogging in specific footwear or challenging garments, do bring or wear them

TRANSPORTATION: Discount with Lyft!

Forget parking woes & get to the class with comfort and savings! I love to use Lyft! I find them much better than Uber for both cost and quality of service. And Lyft is so much better than the average San Francisco taxis.
Go to either www.Lyft.com or to your app store. Download Lyft app
Set up your account.

Use my discount code MIDORI273844 You’ll get free ride credits!

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ABOUT MIDORI

Midori has been pivotal in the rise of awareness and popularity of Shibari in the US and the West. She wrote the first English language instruction book on the topic, ‘The Seductive Art of Japanese Bondage’, and then founded the Rope Dojo in 2002.

Using her “head-heart-hands” methodology she facilitates tackling challenging topics and creating space where people are allowed individual self-exploration. Her incredible passion is fully on display in her transformative small group intensives, including Rope Dojo ®, ForteFemme: Women’s Dominance Weekend Intensive and The Wanted Man Intensive.

For more information on her upcoming classes and events, please visit: www.FHP-Inc.com/Classes

One DJ, three Tea-J’s, twelve teas, endless tastings, and you.

Join The Well for Tea-J Tuesdays, featuring three Tea-J’s each with a station to hold tea ceremonies. Each Tea-J will be sampling four teas throughout the evening. There will be a Chinese tea station, herbal tea station, and a matcha station.

Show your ticket to get your wristband. Once you have your wristband, you are welcome to go to any Tea-J from 8-10 and try the tea they have on rotation. From 10-11, your wristband gets you unlimited pots of tea off of The Well’s menu so that you can dive deeper into your favorites of the evening.

A DJ will be setting the mood each week.

Meet your Tea-J’s:

Annie Chen – resident Chinese Tea-J

“Within the region of Guangdong province, is my birth place, and the origin of gongfu tea. The tradition of 功夫茶, gongfu cha, has been a practice dating back to the Song dynasty.
Growing up with tea, this practice and philosophy has stayed with me. The farther I am from home, the more I find comfort in reconnecting to simplicity, to a feeling that predates a description with words.” (teaphile.com)

Cay LaOrangetree – resident herbal Tea-J

Cayla blends modern herbalism, magic, and sensuality to share the power of plant wisdom with her community. She believes everyone has the ability to communicate with plant spirits and receive wholesome healing. She currently leads medicinal plant walks, workshops & She is is an apprentice at the Ohlone Herbal Center in Berkeley, CA where she is falling more in love with her practice. You may follow her on Instagram @soltree_alchemy to join her on this elemental journey.

Sasha Kay – resident matcha Tea-J

Sasha Kaori Hippard has practiced Japanese tea ceremony since learning the tradition in her mother’s home town of Sendai, Japan and at the San Francisco Japanese community center. A personal practice of family and community, she is thrilled to share the nuanced flavors of matcha, traditional and modern.

Tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the door
www.eventbrite.com/e/49663464760

Embrace the day with a little more love for your body through movement & mindfulness practices. This is a ONE HOUR yoga flow focused on breath work, core strength and dynamic movements. This class is designed for ALL body types! Big bodies, small bodies, bodies with injuries, all welcome!

Self care and self love is the main focus of this one hour class, and will be acknowledged throughout the hour. Angela uses Health at Every Size, Yoga For All, Curvy Yoga and Hatha principles.

Focus:
-Breath work
-Core Strength
-Feeling sensational

Sliding Scale $12-20. SIGN UP HERE: https://calendly.com/bigyogalife

If money is an issue please email me! [email protected] Please contact me before class if you have any limitations with being on the floor. You are more than welcome to do chair modifications, but this isn’t a specific chair yoga class. Space is wheelchair accessible. Please arrive as scent free as possible. More info on my website www.bigyogalife.com

Register here: http://www.kitka.org/vocal-workshops/2019/unleash-your-voice-workshop-with-briget-boyle

Briget is thrilled to be launching her fourth “Unleash Your Voice” workshop series. Briget’s teaching philosophy is centered on the power that is found through discovering your own voice and having fun while doing it. In this six-week workshop series, Briget will focus on Eastern European singing techniques and how they can be applied to folk and popular styles from other regions. She will discuss and demonstrate how to develop a personal, confident, and healthy vocal technique, as well as how to perform effectively alone and in groups. At the end of the series, students will have the opportunity to perform some of the material learned in the workshop. Through unleashing our voices together, we build confidence and freedom of expression while connecting with other human beings.

*BONUS: Briget is offering a discounted private lesson ($25 off) when you register for the full series. You will have the opportunity to schedule a lesson once your registration is complete!

Photo of Briget Boyle by April Renae

Open times are unstructured periods when EBCS is open to everyone, under the guidance of a volunteer host. During these times, the main space and mezzanine are available for play, dance, personal yoga practice, hanging out or sharing a meal.

Bob will be here every Thursday from 3pm – 5pm and would be delighted to meet you and show you around EBCS!

Information about classes is available on our calendar. Note that some classes and open times may be cancelled due to holidays. If you would like to teach a class of your own, please see our page on weekday rentals.  For more information, or if you would like to host open times, you can also contact us.

Enter at 5447 Telegraph Ave, Oakland CA 94609.

Attention Leaders:

Whether you run a small business, a team among many, or an entire organization…

You want your team to align with your vision so they give you their very best work.

But what does it take to inspire greatness in others?

And what does it take to be chosen to lead the really important projects, the ones that actually inspire you?

Besides business knowledge and technical skills, what is the X-factor that puts you over the top?

The answer is the so-called “soft skills” — your ability to use self-awareness, emotional intelligence, empathy, transparent communication, and authentic feedback to inspire, unite, and mobilize your team members.

Google spent years analyzing the best teams. Their research places psychological safety as the number one factor that sets successful teams apart from others.

Author and researcher Brené Brown has documented courage, empathy, and vulnerability as the cornerstones of the most innovative teams.

We knew Authentic Relating was powerful in group dynamics, but now the data has borne out our long held belief.

Business culture is finally recognizing the very same “soft skills” we have facilitated for thousands of people through Authentic Relating workshops and events over the past 15 years.

Come join us for an Authentic Relating evening for Leaders!

Practice the fundamental skills that have our clients get recognized for their leadership, promotions, raises, and best of all more job satisfaction!

**THIS IS AN EVENT FOR MEN AND MALE-IDENTIFYING PEOPLE. PLEASE INVITE FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES TO REGISTER HERE: https://bsfreemasculinity0226.eventbrite.com **

Are you craving a deeper and more authentic connection to other men and your own masculinity?

This is an important time in history, when we are called upon to re-invent what it means to be a man. But it’s not just about calling each other “brother” and making grunting noises.

Stepping into conscious or “divine” masculinity might look different for each of us.

Join transformational facilitator Nick Meador to find your own unique path!

This fully guided experience will include:
☆ Cacao Warrior Ritual
☆ Embodied Empowerment through Bioenergetics Exercises
☆ Circle work (if someone has something to work through)
☆ Integration with Communication Practices

WHAT IT DOESN’T INVOLVE:
• No pressure to expose your deepest, darkest secrets in front of a large group.
• No dogma about what it means to be a man or doing men’s work.
• No worship of a guru telling you the “right” way to live or be.

WHAT IT DOES INVOLVE:
• Finding the BS Free fellowship that you’ve been craving with other men.
• Gentle guidance from ceremonial cacao, the “Food of the Gods.”
• Safe and effective ways of transcending limiting beliefs and inner critic voices.
• Deep fellowship that comes from real validation and truly being seen and heard.

☆ This is a BS Free Spirituality experience. The container is CONSENSUAL (you decide what’s right for you) and CONFIDENTIAL (take only your own experience out with you). ☆

DETAILS
7:00-10:00pm
Tuesday, February 26
East Bay Community Space
Oakland, CA

CONTRIBUTION
$20 Early Bird thru Jan 31 or til gone
$28 Advanced Registration Feb 1-25 or til gone
$35 Day of Event (Feb 26) or til gone

REGISTER AT: https://bsfreemasculinity0226.eventbrite.com

Low-income scholarships available. Write to [email protected] for more info.

ABOUT CEREMONIAL CACAO

Entry includes a cup of ceremonial cacao! Pure cacao is a gentle plant medicine that opens the heart, deepens meditative experiences, and fosters inner/outer connection. With his social enterprise Soul Lift Cacao, Nick serves cacao grown organically at a family farm in eastern Guatemala, prepared by a women’s collective at Lake Atitlán that he met personally, and obtained through ethical direct trade WITH FULL PERMISSION AND CONSENT TO SHARE IT IN THIS WAY. When Soul Lift Cacao buys from the women’s collective, 100% of profits from that sale go back to the Mayan indigenous people growing and preparing the cacao. By giving back and showing respect, we honor the sacred role that cacao has played for thousands of years in the indigenous cultures of what we now call Central and South America. We are so fortunate that ceremonial cacao is entering the global consciousness at a time when it can have a massively positive impact. For more info visit bit.ly/soulliftcacao.

*Cacao consumption is optional at this event. It is not advised for people taking MAOI anti-depressants or people with a heart condition to have a full serving of pure cacao.

ABOUT NICK

Nick Meador is an RYT-200 yoga instructor, transformational life coach, holistic event producer, mindful entrepreneur, and world explorer. Nick has been organizing gatherings that promote connection for 15 years, and leading self-development workshops for 6 years. His mission is to empower and liberate people in a sustainable way. With his brand BS Free Spirituality (bsfreespirituality.com), Nick works to demystify introspective practice and make holistic self-management options more accessible to ordinary people.

X Days of Y, the debut art show of Molly Ampersand McLeod, features selected works from 4 years of her daily art practice. Beautifying the walls of the Telegraph Room at East Bay Community Space since June, the show is coming down to make room for more artists to share their work! Join us for a celebratory show closing to get up close and personal with Molly’s work.

🖼Original artworks for sale will be highly discounted – purchase framed original art right off the wall, and take it home with you! Pieces start at only $40. Signed copies of the Letters to a Friend postcard book and miscellaneous zines will be also available for purchase.

✍🏼From photo collage and watercolor words to zines and intimate letters to friends – Molly invites us to consider our own daily creative practice through the lens of our relationships with others and with ourselves.

Selected works include:
❓100 Days of Questions: thought-provoking, whimsical, and provocative questions
✍🏼 100 Days of Words: meditations on the power of words and their meaning
💌 31 Days of Letters to a Friend: empathetic and joyful reflections on friendship
📓 30 Days of Zines: a collection of mini one-of-a-kind books about mindfulness, introspection, and humorous observations
🎲 31 Days of Games: beautiful suggestions for interacting with the world and your friends a little more playfully
…and more.

Molly McLeod is a artist, creativity coach, and educator based in Oakland, CA. She specializes in supporting artists and creatives to work towards their goals and share their work with the world. She was the art director and lead animator for the feature-length documentary The Heretics — the story of a feminist art collective — that premiered at the MoMA in 2009. She’s designed many civic board games, including Co-opoly: the Game of Cooperatives, which was featured at the BMW Guggenheim LAB in 2011 and has sold copies in over 30 countries. In the past two years, she’s art directed three adult summer camps. You can find her latest daily works on Instagram @mollyampersand and mollymcleod.com.

Do you have a closet that needs to be cleaned out? New Marie Kondo hype got you keeping only what brings you joy? Don’t donate unwanted stuff to corporate giant, Goodwill. Give back to the local community instead!

On March 2nd, Survivor Alliance is hosting it’s first ever community clothing swap. One person’s trash is someone else’s treasure, so join us as we bond over shared style and conscious consumerism. Not only can you walk away with some rad new pieces for your wardrobe, but there will be some small workshops on promoting sustainable fashion. Come ready to learn, collect, upcycle, and connect!

How this works:
We need a lot of clothes donated to make an event like this possible, so please consider donating what you no longer use. We’ll be collecting your donations in the 2 weeks leading up to the event, as well as the day of. Then our team of volunteers will sort and organize the clothes based on size and style for “shopping.”

All members of the community are welcome to stop by and sift through the donated items. There’s no limit to what you can take, but we ask that people be mindful to take only pieces they’ll actually use. Shoppers are encouraged to donate via Eventbrite or at the door for the items taken, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

At the clothing swap, we’ll also have a few mini-workshops, lead by community members on conscious consumerism and sustainable fashion, including some craft projects with upcycled clothing finds. Be sure to plan some time around your shopping to check them out! Follow us on Instagram for more details about these workshops.

Any clothes left unclaimed at the end of the event will be available again at our REDEFINED event on April 27th at Humanist Hall or donated to Out of the Closet, a community thrift store providing care for people with HIV/AIDS.

The suggested donation for this event ranges from $5-50, with no one turned away for lack of funds. Proceeds support the venue, future Survivor Alliance gatherings, and the Alliance Fund, which provides grants and mentorship to survivors of sexual assault.

Get involved! Donate!

Here are some guidelines:

We accept all articles of clothing except used underwear: pants, tops, jackets, matching socks, shoes, belts, purses, accessories. Clothes for all ages and sizes are accepted. Only donate clothes that others would still want to wear (No major tears or stains please). Please help us prepare by folding cloth donations and sorting based on size and type of garment.

Drop off donations at the East Bay Community Space in Oakland between 9am-5:30pm M-F AFTER February 18th or the Saturday of the event, March 2nd, starting at 11:30am.

Volunteer! This event could not be made possible without the support of volunteers. We’ll need assistance sorting and folding clothes in the few days before the event as well as at the event itself. If you’re interested in exchanging an hour or two of your time in for some Survivor Alliance swag and our eternal gratitude, please fill out the form below! Just let us know in the comments how you’d like to help with this event, and we’ll get back to you.
https://goo.gl/forms/lc7FkpDdr8hhCivb2

Speak! If you’re interested in leading a short workshop at the event, email us with your idea: [email protected]

Breaking her chains is putting on a fundraiser event to help support women in the life of domestic violence, prostitution, and drug and alcohol abuse.

There will be a dance battle showcase, raffles, silent auction, food and much needed fun. Come out to support every women that still needs the help, and guidance in breaking the chains of her past.

All Donations will go to building our support group and growing breaking her chains. The goal is to rise funds for space rental and materials needed.

letsbreakchains.ticketleap.com/lets-break-chains/

One DJ, three Tea-J’s, twelve teas, endless tastings, and you.

Join The Well for Tea-J Tuesdays, featuring three Tea-J’s each with a station to hold tea ceremonies. Each Tea-J will be sampling four teas throughout the evening. There will be a Chinese tea station, herbal tea station, and a matcha station.

Show your ticket to get your wristband. Once you have your wristband, you are welcome to go to any Tea-J from 8-10 and try the tea they have on rotation. From 10-11, your wristband gets you unlimited pots of tea off of The Well’s menu so that you can dive deeper into your favorites of the evening.

A DJ will be setting the mood each week.

Meet your Tea-J’s:

Annie Chen – resident Chinese Tea-J

“Within the region of Guangdong province, is my birth place, and the origin of gongfu tea. The tradition of 功夫茶, gongfu cha, has been a practice dating back to the Song dynasty.
Growing up with tea, this practice and philosophy has stayed with me. The farther I am from home, the more I find comfort in reconnecting to simplicity, to a feeling that predates a description with words.” (teaphile.com)

Cay LaOrangetree – resident herbal Tea-J

Cayla blends modern herbalism, magic, and sensuality to share the power of plant wisdom with her community. She believes everyone has the ability to communicate with plant spirits and receive wholesome healing. She currently leads medicinal plant walks, workshops & She is is an apprentice at the Ohlone Herbal Center in Berkeley, CA where she is falling more in love with her practice. You may follow her on Instagram @soltree_alchemy to join her on this elemental journey.

Sasha Kay – resident matcha Tea-J

Sasha Kaori Hippard has practiced Japanese tea ceremony since learning the tradition in her mother’s home town of Sendai, Japan and at the San Francisco Japanese community center. A personal practice of family and community, she is thrilled to share the nuanced flavors of matcha, traditional and modern.

Tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the door
www.eventbrite.com/e/49663464760

Embrace the day with a little more love for your body through movement & mindfulness practices. This is a ONE HOUR yoga flow focused on breath work, core strength and dynamic movements. This class is designed for ALL body types! Big bodies, small bodies, bodies with injuries, all welcome!

Self care and self love is the main focus of this one hour class, and will be acknowledged throughout the hour. Angela uses Health at Every Size, Yoga For All, Curvy Yoga and Hatha principles.

Focus:
-Breath work
-Core Strength
-Feeling sensational

Sliding Scale $12-20. SIGN UP HERE: https://calendly.com/bigyogalife

If money is an issue please email me! [email protected] Please contact me before class if you have any limitations with being on the floor. You are more than welcome to do chair modifications, but this isn’t a specific chair yoga class. Space is wheelchair accessible. Please arrive as scent free as possible. More info on my website www.bigyogalife.com

Open times are unstructured periods when EBCS is open to everyone, under the guidance of a volunteer host. During these times, the main space and mezzanine are available for play, dance, personal yoga practice, hanging out or sharing a meal.

Bob will be here every Thursday from 3pm – 5pm and would be delighted to meet you and show you around EBCS!

Information about classes is available on our calendar. Note that some classes and open times may be cancelled due to holidays. If you would like to teach a class of your own, please see our page on weekday rentals.  For more information, or if you would like to host open times, you can also contact us.

Enter at 5447 Telegraph Ave, Oakland CA 94609.

Bring your friends and your games for a night of nerdy fun!

Friendly folks on hand to help explain games and join in on the action.

Snacks and drinks provided. $5 Suggested Donation. NOTAFLOF

You can bring beer/wine.

Welcome to the Second Friday Herbal Medicine Salon with Maya Blow at The Well.
This monthly class explores different properties of herbal plants and our relationships to them.
Classes will be held in the backspace of The Well. Space is limited, please reserve your spot with a ticket in advance.

Tickets $30 adv ; $35 door
Materials fee $0-$15 to be collected in cash at the door
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/49791855781

Please email [email protected] if you need a scholarship for a class.

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SEPTEMBER 14TH: Spiritual Properties of Plants

For all those interested in plant spirit medicine, this class offers the opportunity to explore the spiritual and energetic properties of plants. Join us in deepening and re-scripting our relationship to them as living and wise beings! We will discuss properties of sacred plants used in ceremony and ritual as well as several powerful allies we can grow and harvest locally. We will also journey through some plant and medicine meditations.

*materials fee $0 to be collected in cash at the door

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OCTOBER 12TH: Working with Medicinal Roots

Fall is the best time to harvest and prepare our rooty medicinal allies for replenishing through the seasons. The roots of medicinal plants often hold potent constituents for healing our internal organs as well as the nutritious starches our bodies need to be nourished deeply. In this class we will learn how to properly harvest, wash, dry, tincture and powder roots as well as make a tasty syrup. We will explore the uses of comfrey, burdock, elecampane and yellow dock.

*materials fee $10 to be collected in cash at the door

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NOVEMBER 9TH: Nervines – Herbs for Anxiety, Stress, Pain, Depression & Sleep

Nervines are plants that have a beneficial effect on the nervous system. In this class we will focus on three groups of nervines, those that are relaxing, stimulating and restoring. We will explore plant allies that can sooth and support the nervous system, ease anxiety, stress, trauma, pain and help you sleep! Meet milky oats, skullcap, passionflower, California poppy, damiana, and rose. Learn their uses, differences, make a simple effective formula.

*materials fee $10 to be collected in cash at the door

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DECEMBER 14TH: Homemade Herbal Body Products

Learn how to feed your skin and hair with simple, healthy & nourishing “foods”. Natural healing oils, medicinal herbs and detoxifying salts and clays are the basis of this workshop. Join Maya for a fun, empowering class making herbal creams, salves and salt scrubs that can also be replicated for beautiful holiday gifts! You will take home samples of all we make.

*materials fee $15 to be collected in cash at the door

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JANUARY 11TH: Herbal First Aid

In this class we will learn about how the plant kingdom can support us in emergencies. We will discuss how to create a thorough first aid kit including an herbal antibiotic tincture, antimicrobial salve, insect repellent, liniment for muscle aches and pains, anti itch/poison oak treatment as well as herbs that stop bleeding. We will focus on local and native plants that can be found in our surrounding east bay region. You will leave with an all purpose healing anti microbial salve and a handful of DIY recipes.

*materials fee $10 to be collected in cash at the door

—————–

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:

Maya Blow is an herbalist and classical homeopath practicing at the Emeryville Health and Wellness Center in the San Francisco Bay Area. She studied undergraduate history at Clark Atlanta University and San Fransisco State University. Maya studied herbal medicine at the California School of Herbal Studies in Northern California and also completed four years of homeopathic medical school at the Institute of Classical Homoeopathy in San Francisco. After graduating Maya went on to teach homeopathic materia medica at the ICH. She is a current teacher for the California Women of Color Herbal Symposium, as well as on the faculty of the Institute of Urban Homesteading based out of Oakland California. Maya has been studying, practicing and making herbal medicine for over fifteen years and brings to her practice an innate sensitivity, empathy and powerful intuition towards her clients. Besides her passion for holistic and alternative medicine, Maya is an artist, mother of two, farmer, and avid crafter. Maya teaches nature studies, gardening, herbal medicine making and many other homesteading and DIY classes. She has been making and teaching art for two decades and continues to draw her inspiration from her love of nature. Some of her hobbies include organic gardening, animal husbandry, foraging for wild food, fermenting and canning, making herbal medicine, cheese making, and dying with plants. Maya runs a handcrafted herbalism CSA from her organic farm where she grows fruit, vegetables and medicinal herbs, as well as tends bees and raises chickens and jersey milk cows. Some of her most recent work and adventures include speaking at the Black Farmers and Urban Growers Conference Oakland, California 2015, representing the Black Permaculture Network at the International Permaculture Convergence in England 2015, participating as a North American representative at the Agricultural Biodiversity Community Conference in Thika, Kenya 2015, speaking at the San Francisco Flower and Garden Show 2016, speaking at the Women’s Visionary Congress in Petaluma, California 2016, and teaching for the Bay Area Farmer Training Program through the Multi National Exchange for Sustainable Agriculture.

You will get a taste of how experiential sex and relationship coaching can revitalize your personal and professional life.

Somatica founders, Celeste & Danielle will take you on a tour of the Somatica training while giving you the opportunity to experience your own growth edges and connect with a beautiful community of people. See how you can go to the next level in your personal transformation around sex and relationships and help others as well!

Attend the Intro and save $200 off of your Core Training Tuition

Location Details once you register

SoulPlay Connect is back! This time we’re pairing up with Somatica Institute to bring you a very special evening of dance, connection and PLAY!

Expect to drop into your authentic self.
Expect to meet others who are doing the same.
Expect to feel embraced by your community.

Enjoy dinner at the bar, tea and cuddles upstairs, and perhaps a massage in between. Perfect for people who enjoy having a lot of fun, while deeply connecting with new and old friends.

This event is created by the SoulPlay Festivals team to give you a taste of this festival’s spirit of joy and connection. Come drop into your body, open your heart and let your true self-play among kindred souls.

www.soulplay.co

EVENING WILL INCLUDE
– Soul-Expanding Ecstatic Dance DJ set by DJ Dragonfly
– Playing with the Soul of Intimacy by Celeste and Danielle, Somatica Institute Founders
– Contact Improv
– Luscious downtempo DJ set
– Live Sound Journey

ADDITIONAL OFFERINGS
– Conscious Cuisine by The Well Cafe
– Tea Service
– Donation Based Table Massage
– Lots of Cuddle Space
– Incredible People and Energy!

TICKETS
Online sliding scale – $25-$35
At the door sliding scale – $30-$40

There are 3 price options. Please select the one that best reflects your financial ability. Your generosity helps support those who are less fortunate.

SCHEDULE DETAILS

***Playing with the Soul of Intimacy: How to Share Erotic and Emotional Vulnerability by Celeste Hirschman and Danielle Harel
Come experience a gentle stretching of your edges in a community of supportive, loving SoulPlayers. Practice with emotional, interpersonal, and erotic connection to prepare you for your full presence and engagement.

In this one hour workshop offered by the founders of The Somatica Institute, Celeste & Danielle, you will go on a journey of revelation and empowerment in the realm of intimacy. Learn more about who you are and melt into the moments of oneness available to you through vulnerable sharing of your true erotic and emotional self.

***Ecstatic Dance set by Dj Dragonfly
If music is medicine, Dragonfly’s apothecary of sonic tonics are elixirs for the spirit, melodies for the mind and tribal beats for the body…so join him on a journey where all genres and tempos weave together with global voices and vibes, deep bass, gossamer groove and beckoning basslines. It all adds up to an inexplicable, soul-crafting session on the dance floor!

Breathe deeply, go deep, dance hard.

As an inveterate global traveller whose journeys have taken him across the sands of North Africa to the steamy jungles of South America and to the rugged slopes of the Asian Subcontinent, Dragonfly’s transportive DJ sets are his personal travel narratives, ones that recollect his musical adventures amongst the global indigenous. Mixing the soundtrack of those travels with today’s exotic, cutting edge productions with deep bass and deep rhythms, you have a compelling cauldron of sonic soup. His one-of-a-kind mixes celebrate the vibrant voices and vibes of Latin America, The Caribbean, The Middle East, Africa, India and beyond.

Sexuality of the Chakras
~ Erotic Playshop ~

* Have you ever felt like you’ve been speaking 2 different sexual languages with your partner?

* Are you ready to bring some more passion into your lovemaking?

* Are you developing a deeper relationship to your authentic turn-on?

Erotic desire comes in many forms. Consider what it’s like when your desire is expressed in it’s most primal animal form, or when it’s deliciously lavished upon your lover like honey, or when it shines tenderly from the heart space.

The chakras are a framework for understanding how energy and emotions manifest in the body. Sexual energy is among the strongest energies we feel in our bodies, and takes a slightly different form when expressed through the different energy centers. In this interactive workshop, you will deepen your understanding of the different flavors of desire, learning which one might be your default mode, and which energies are more edgy or challenging for you to express. You’ll learn tools to enhance your capacity to feel and express these energies and to broaden your range between them, becoming a more dynamic and conscious lover.

Here’s what we’ll cover
In this experiential workshop, you’ll learn about the 4 flavors of desire and how they relate to the chakras in our bodies. Through this framework, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how erotic energy manifests and moves though us. You’ll be immersed in the direct experience of feeling these energies in a safe, supportive environment, and invited to practice sharing these flavors of desire with the group. And you’ll learn how to harness this energy to embody your true radiant Self.

You can expect to:
Deepen your understanding of the different flavors of desire
Understand what a chakra is in traditional and modern practice
Learn which chakra is your dominant for erotic expression
Explore different energies that may be more edgy or challenging for you
Investigate the emotional and psychological blocks on each chakra
Enhance your capacity to feel and express all these energies and broaden your range between them, becoming a more dynamic and conscious lover!
Is this for me?
No prior experience necessary – just an open mind and an excitement to explore with us! We create a strong container where you are safe, resourced, and secure so you can express yourself. We’ll give you the opportunity to go deep into your experience while following what feels just right for you. Open to singles, couples, triads, etc… and people of all genders. We support our whole community – low income application form: https://goo.gl/15aWoA

Facilitated by
Caity Flanagan – Co-Founder of Embodied Erotic. Caity bridges the worlds of love and alchemy together through her practices as a modern day medicine woman. Her combination of tantra, somatic, and shamanic practices allows her to move seamlessly between the physical and mystic worlds in service of body, mind, heart and spirit. She deeply believes that everyone can live a fully embodied and purpose-driven life.

Matt Sturm – Founder of Embodied Erotic, yoga teacher, somatic therapist, and relationship coach. I am following a calling to share the gift of sacred relating with the world. My work integrates meditation, yoga, and ritual into the path of spiritual growth. I teach hands-on methods for inhabiting our bodies, connecting with the breath, cultivating deep intimacy, and tuning in to the universal love within us all.

One DJ, three Tea-J’s, twelve teas, endless tastings, and you.

Join The Well for Tea-J Tuesdays, featuring three Tea-J’s each with a station to hold tea ceremonies. Each Tea-J will be sampling four teas throughout the evening. There will be a Chinese tea station, herbal tea station, and a matcha station.

Show your ticket to get your wristband. Once you have your wristband, you are welcome to go to any Tea-J from 8-10 and try the tea they have on rotation. From 10-11, your wristband gets you unlimited pots of tea off of The Well’s menu so that you can dive deeper into your favorites of the evening.

A DJ will be setting the mood each week.

Meet your Tea-J’s:

Annie Chen – resident Chinese Tea-J

“Within the region of Guangdong province, is my birth place, and the origin of gongfu tea. The tradition of 功夫茶, gongfu cha, has been a practice dating back to the Song dynasty.
Growing up with tea, this practice and philosophy has stayed with me. The farther I am from home, the more I find comfort in reconnecting to simplicity, to a feeling that predates a description with words.” (teaphile.com)

Cay LaOrangetree – resident herbal Tea-J

Cayla blends modern herbalism, magic, and sensuality to share the power of plant wisdom with her community. She believes everyone has the ability to communicate with plant spirits and receive wholesome healing. She currently leads medicinal plant walks, workshops & She is is an apprentice at the Ohlone Herbal Center in Berkeley, CA where she is falling more in love with her practice. You may follow her on Instagram @soltree_alchemy to join her on this elemental journey.

Sasha Kay – resident matcha Tea-J

Sasha Kaori Hippard has practiced Japanese tea ceremony since learning the tradition in her mother’s home town of Sendai, Japan and at the San Francisco Japanese community center. A personal practice of family and community, she is thrilled to share the nuanced flavors of matcha, traditional and modern.

Tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the door
www.eventbrite.com/e/49663464760

Embrace the day with a little more love for your body through movement & mindfulness practices. This is a ONE HOUR yoga flow focused on breath work, core strength and dynamic movements. This class is designed for ALL body types! Big bodies, small bodies, bodies with injuries, all welcome!

Self care and self love is the main focus of this one hour class, and will be acknowledged throughout the hour. Angela uses Health at Every Size, Yoga For All, Curvy Yoga and Hatha principles.

Focus:
-Breath work
-Core Strength
-Feeling sensational

Sliding Scale $12-20. SIGN UP HERE: https://calendly.com/bigyogalife

If money is an issue please email me! [email protected] Please contact me before class if you have any limitations with being on the floor. You are more than welcome to do chair modifications, but this isn’t a specific chair yoga class. Space is wheelchair accessible. Please arrive as scent free as possible. More info on my website www.bigyogalife.com

Open times are unstructured periods when EBCS is open to everyone, under the guidance of a volunteer host. During these times, the main space and mezzanine are available for play, dance, personal yoga practice, hanging out or sharing a meal.

Bob will be here every Thursday from 3pm – 5pm and would be delighted to meet you and show you around EBCS!

Information about classes is available on our calendar. Note that some classes and open times may be cancelled due to holidays. If you would like to teach a class of your own, please see our page on weekday rentals.  For more information, or if you would like to host open times, you can also contact us.

Enter at 5447 Telegraph Ave, Oakland CA 94609.

Where musicians who’ve just met form bands on the spot!

(1) The first rule of Instant Band Night is: YOU 👏 DON’T 👏 HAVE 👏 TO 👏 PLAY 👏 AN 👏 INSTRUMENT 👏 TO 👏 ATTEND

(2) The second rule of Instant Band Night is: We guarantee you (the audience) an astonishingly excellent time.

(3) The third rule of Instant Band Night is: Invite your friends!!!!!!!

In case you’ve never been to Instant Band Night, here’s the deal:

1. The stage has a drum kit, guitar, bass, keyboard, and mics.
2. We draw names out of hats to make instant bands that get 7 minutes in the green room to plan a 5-minute set.
3. A hat-drawn artist will also take the stage alongside each band to draw their gig poster on a meeting room easel pad.

Come play or come watch; you’ll have fun either way! Bring your people, crack a beverage: let’s do this.

$5/person – BYOB

* * * w e ‘ l l * s e e * y o u * t h e r e * * *

F.A.Q.

Q: Do I need to be a musician to show up?
A: No. Absolutely not. Hell no. Come see the show and have a good time; you don’t have to get onstage.

Q: I’m a musician; am I guaranteed a slot in a band?
A: We literally draw names written on slips of paper out of coffee cans, so there’s a chance you may not be called; in a purely mathematical sense, it’s a function of how many musicians of each type show up that night (there are five musician cans — DRUMS, GUITAR, BASS, VOX, MISC — and one can for artists who’ll be picked to draw the bands’ gig posters). We say: surrender to the spirit of random chance, or maybe slip the MC a bribe of some sort.

Q: Do I have to be an amazing musician to throw my name in a can?
A: Probably not. Your band’s only gonna be onstage for 5 minutes, anyway; how bad can you possibly be?

Q: I play an instrument other than what’ll be onstage, like the sax or trumpet. Can I bring it?
A: Hhhheeeeeelll yyyeeeessssss you can bring it. PLEASE DO. We had a guy bring a bassoon once, and he rocked the living shit out of it — and, by extension, us. Woodwinds and brass, which tend not to need extra amplification for a space of this size beyond being pointed vaguely at a mic, are most welcome. If your instrument requires an amp, that’s cool, but you should get in touch with Jon about showing up early for setup.

Q: Do I have to pick my cover tune beforehand?
A: Listen. You and your band (who you’ve JUST MET) have 5 minutes onstage to do whatever the hell you can think of in the 7 minutes prior to walking up there. You wanna try to pick a cover everyone can agree on? Great. You wanna try writing something new? Fantastic; it can definitely be done. You wanna pick a key and tell each other to just fuckin’ wing it up there? You are a RAGING PSYCHOPATH and we love it. We’ll see you in 7; get in the green room!!!!

Q: What does BYOB stand for?
A: We don’t sell drinks at Instant Band Night, so you gotta bring your own. Get a cheap sixpack of something. Maybe a bottle and some cups. We’re not here to godmod how you get down.

Q: Is this in the East Bay?
A: It is. Do not be alarmed: it’s within walking distance of MacArthur BART, and as a bonus, you get to tour Oakland’s version of the Mission on your way over. Or you could just take a Lyft from SF (or the BART station if you fancy). Got a car? Drive on over; parking around the East Bay Community Space is pretty simple. You can do this. We believe in you.

(photo by Luuk Wouters on Unsplash)

REGISTER NOW AT https://pulsation0316.eventbrite.com

Pulsation is a Holotropic-style breathwork done lying down, with people taking turns in pairs. Imagine getting the beneficial effects of a plant medicine like ayahuasca… but without ingesting any substance, and with much quicker integration/returning to ordinary consciousness. That’s what Pulsation offers!

HOW DOES IT WORK?

One person lies on a mat and the other one supports them. Each person goes through three rounds of breathing up to peak capacity, and at the end of each round there’s a period of physical release (for example, pounding the feet down or the arms down) that often brings about a vocal catharsis (yelling and other noises).

Transformational facilitator Nick Meador moves around the room guiding the whole time, giving verbal encouragement and occasionally providing an adjustment (similar to in yoga, but more like acupressure… and only with advance consent) to help flush things out.

WHAT WILL YOU GET?

The experience is like a purging of energetic gunk that has been stuck waaaay down in our system from trauma, negative cultural and family conditioning, heartbreak, and other painful/challenging experiences.

Unlike breathwork practices which can send people into other dimensions, Pulsation has built-in precautions to keep you grounded and safe, and to help you gently find your way back to ordinary consciousness afterwards.

☆ This is a BS Free Spirituality experience. The container is CONSENSUAL (you decide what’s right for you) and CONFIDENTIAL (take only your own experience out with you). ☆

☆ Wear loose-fitting clothes and bring a water bottle and notebook (if you want to journal). Take some time to prepare an intention for the experience, and come well-rested. There’s no need to come in a pair. Everyone will be matched with someone according to greatest comfort and ease. ☆

DETAILS

1-5pm
Saturday, March 16
East Bay Community Space
Oakland, CA

*Doors open at 12:45pm. Entry closes at 1:15pm to create a safe container. No late entry permitted.

CONTRIBUTION

$55 Early Bird thru Feb 28
$77 Regular Rate Mar 1-16

Register at https://pulsation0316.eventbrite.com

ABOUT NICK

Nick Meador is an RYT-200 yoga instructor, transformational life coach, holistic event producer, mindful entrepreneur, and world explorer. Nick has been organizing gatherings that promote connection for 15 years, and leading self-development workshops for 6 years. Nick learned Pulsation Breathwork from transformational facilitator Gaia Ma (gaiagasm.com), with whom he trained intensively for two years. Nick’s mission is to empower and liberate people in a sustainable way. With his brand BS Free Spirituality (bsfreespirituality.com), Nick works to demystify introspective practice and make holistic self-management options more accessible to ordinary people. Nick is also the founder of Soul Lift Cacao, specializing in organic ceremonial cacao from sustainable sources in Guatemala that are preserving ancient traditions. Learn more at bit.ly/soulliftcacao.

One DJ, three Tea-J’s, twelve teas, endless tastings, and you.

Join The Well for Tea-J Tuesdays, featuring three Tea-J’s each with a station to hold tea ceremonies. Each Tea-J will be sampling four teas throughout the evening. There will be a Chinese tea station, herbal tea station, and a matcha station.

Show your ticket to get your wristband. Once you have your wristband, you are welcome to go to any Tea-J from 8-10 and try the tea they have on rotation. From 10-11, your wristband gets you unlimited pots of tea off of The Well’s menu so that you can dive deeper into your favorites of the evening.

A DJ will be setting the mood each week.

Meet your Tea-J’s:

Annie Chen – resident Chinese Tea-J

“Within the region of Guangdong province, is my birth place, and the origin of gongfu tea. The tradition of 功夫茶, gongfu cha, has been a practice dating back to the Song dynasty.
Growing up with tea, this practice and philosophy has stayed with me. The farther I am from home, the more I find comfort in reconnecting to simplicity, to a feeling that predates a description with words.” (teaphile.com)

Cay LaOrangetree – resident herbal Tea-J

Cayla blends modern herbalism, magic, and sensuality to share the power of plant wisdom with her community. She believes everyone has the ability to communicate with plant spirits and receive wholesome healing. She currently leads medicinal plant walks, workshops & She is is an apprentice at the Ohlone Herbal Center in Berkeley, CA where she is falling more in love with her practice. You may follow her on Instagram @soltree_alchemy to join her on this elemental journey.

Sasha Kay – resident matcha Tea-J

Sasha Kaori Hippard has practiced Japanese tea ceremony since learning the tradition in her mother’s home town of Sendai, Japan and at the San Francisco Japanese community center. A personal practice of family and community, she is thrilled to share the nuanced flavors of matcha, traditional and modern.

Tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the door
www.eventbrite.com/e/49663464760