Kate Sutherland

As our challenging pandemic times stretch on, how are you holding centre and staying grounded ? While it's true that adapting to new work, school and restrictive social situations can bring us added stress and cause damage to our wellbeing, we're also being given the perfect opportunity to use and expand our personal wellness repertoire. We grow stronger when we choose to positively engage, to work with the obstacles we've been given. Let's dive into re-awakening our potential and finding joy in our bodies, minds and hearts. It's time to move beyond (barely?) coping, to thriving in our daily lives, wherever we find ourselves.    The Graceful Warrior Wellness Training journey will give you well-rounded practices and skill sets to support your personal wellbeing. The skills you learn will help move you through life's ups and downs with grace, by sourcing the power you hold within. We will engage many facets of our human consciousness: physical, energetic, emotional and mental; this diverse training approach builds resilience into your overall health and wellbeing.     For balance, both "hard" and "soft" arts have been woven into the design of this journey; you will explore martial arts and other physical fitness exercises, as well as various creative and artistic activities. There will also be small-group Heart Share sessions (described in more detail below). All of these elements will become an integral part of your enriched self-care routine, and will allow you to continuously develop your self-awareness.   What exactly am I signing up for?   There are three components to the Graceful Warrior Wellness Training journey. When you become a member, you may choose to have access to all three components, or just one or two, depending on where the "holes" are in what you've got going on already.   Warrior component - Kung Fu   Once/week, 1 hour (Tentatively Mondays, 7-8 pm)     Here you will improve your fitness, develop discipline and deepen your self-awareness (and so much more!) through the study of Chinese martial arts - Kung Fu and Chi Kung. The traditional practice is so much more than learning self-defense, hand-to-hand combat techniques, and weapons training (although those are definitely a part of it).  Another important aspect is knowing how and when to quiet your mind and strengthen your chi through meditation. True martial artists know great peace; they have met their dragons and know how to ride them. You will discover layers of meaning and beauty in the technical animal forms, and explore your creativity in making these ancient practices your own. The learning and rewards of this discipline are endless.   Kung Fu means "hard work over a long period of time."  Let the journey (that never ends) begin!    Creative Expression component - Song Sharing & Visual Arts Therapy   Once/week, 1 hour  (Tentatively Wednesdays, 7-8 pm)   In these sessions, we will alternate weekly between creative expression through visual arts, and through singing.  On the visual arts weeks, we will practice drawing and painting "as an experience," for the purposes of self-expression, self-exploration, and as a component of personal healing rituals. You'll be notified of any required materials the week before each session. No experience required!   On the singing weeks, we will learn and share uplifting positive-message songs, some of which will likely become healing mantras for you as you go about your daily life. If you don't already know it, you will learn how precious a gift your song voice is as a tool for self-expression, emotional catharsis, community connection and personal enjoyment. Singing is an incredibly effective way to really wake up your power!    Community Connection component - Heart Shares   Every other week, 1 hour (Tentatively Sundays, 10-11 am)   During these video calls, you will be given the opportunity to witness and be witnessed by other Graceful Warriors, in a safe container where all you need to do is show up as you are. Each person will have approximately 10 minutes to speak what is true in their heart on that day, in that moment. When you are finished, the rest of us will simply thank you for sharing. What a gift it is to listen, and to be seen and heard by others who walk with intention on their human journeys.   Optional add on: One-on-one mentoring calls ($60/hour)   If you would like help with your accountability to your self-care commitment,  or if you're seeking guidance in your healing path, would like some additional help with your creative goals, these private calls may be what you're looking for to get more out of your membership experience.   Energy Exchange   Full Membership is $100/month, and includes:   - 1 weekly Kung Fu class (1 hour) - 1 weekly creative expression workshop (1 hour) - Every 2 weeks, a Heart Share call (1 hour) with up to 5 other participants   Interested in just one or two elements of training? Individual component rates are listed below:   Kung Fu only membership is $60/month, and includes one weekly Kung Fu class (1hour/week)    Creative Expression only membership is $60/month, and includes one weekly creative expression workshop (1 hour/week)   Bi-weekly Heart Share calls: $15/month (two x 1 hour calls/month)   One-on-one mentoring/check-in calls: $60/hour