Workshops, Events & Gatherings

Lymphatic Breast Massage Sessions
with Abigail Hinds

Sunday, April 28, 2024, 10am-4pm PST

From Abigail:
This is a nourishing and therapeutic massage of the entire breast & chest area, including the underarms. We focus on moving, cleansing and nourishing the lymph in the breast & chest area. Opening the channels of flow, so the breasts can be more free, and naturally cleanse and nourish as they are designed to.
I approach this work with great care, and go at the pace of your body's needs. Even just one gentle session can be very potent for opening the channels of lymph, clearing stagnation, and creating more flow. If desired and ready, we can go deeper into clearing and creating change, through softening scar tissue, draining cysts, dissolving lumps, and moving significant blockages.
In these sessions, we can also map the terrain of your breast tissue. Through an Ayurvedic elemental lens, I will share what I feel in your tissue, if there are imbalances to tend to, and what your 'normal' looks like. This is so you have a clearer sense of what's going on in your breasts and how to care for them. If you are curious or concerned about a lump in your breast, we can investigate further to see if we can identify what specifically is going on.
When appropriate, I offer tools, remedies and self-care practices you can take home with you. These are tools to support change, prevent dis-ease, create more balance, and uplift your own relationship with your breasts. I enjoy weaving in sound medicine and aromatherapy to support the sacred unfolding and nourish the subtle realms of spirit.
$160 for a 1 hour session (extra time can be added if needed, and recommended if you have very large breasts, or if there is a lot going on you would like support with)

You can schedule here https://whalewombweaving8.as.me/
or check out more on my website ~ https://www.whalewombweaving.com/heart-breast-tending

ReConnect~ ReSet~ ReEmerge:
Planting Seeds for Hope and Magic

Sunday, March 17, 11am-1pm PST

Come play, learn, and be in healing sacred space with us, as we honor the Spring Equinox, reconnect with heart and soul, cleanse the spirit, release what is no longer needed, and realign with what holds meaning. Let magic in as we reset body/mind/spirit, to reemerge into the season with vision and hope. Meditation with tools to ground, center, and heal energetically. Essential Oils and Acu Points to guide us this season. Visioning, creativity, and play, with art-making, journaling, oracle/tarot cards, making essential oil sprays. Garden time and plant medicine. Seasonal tea and closing ritual. 

You must pre-register to attend; please email shoshana@manzanitawellness.com by March 10 to hold your spot; space is limited. Fee is $25-45 sliding scale (please let me know if you need a scholarship). 

We would love to have you join us!

Rituals of Return: A Seasonal Offering

Sunday, Sept 10, 2023, 11am-1pm PST

We will gather in the Manzanita garden (and maybe some time inside as well) for a meditative journey into the season, incorporating breathing practices, deep relaxation, and elements of hypnotic reverie— to support all levels of mind body spirit as we center and ground, revel and release, realign and reSource, and prepare for the Autumn season. Back by popular demand, we will explore acu points and essential oils for rebalancing and healing for this season (with more delicious readings from Lorie Eve Dechar and others). We will have time for making essential oil blends, art making and journaling, ritual harvests and waterings, and a convivial teatime. And Sabrina Hinojosa, amazing Manzanita therapist, will be offering tarot card readings for those who are interested!

Please do RSVP, so that we may prepare for your presence, and because space will be limited, to info@manzanitawellness.com. Sliding scale $25-65; anything is accepted with gratitude.

We would love to honor and bring in the season with you in this way!

Spring Equinox Mini-Retreat: Reset, Replenish, Realign, Renew

Sunday, March 19, 2023, 1-5PM PST

at Manzanita Wellness, with Shoshana, Denise, Ratka Mira, and Inez

Come refill your cup. Spend an afternoon nourishing and replenishing on all levels~ mind and body, heart and soul~ with ceremonial and seasonal tea drinking, meditation and breathing practices, sound healing, sacred rose oil facial self-massage, guided energy healing practice, acu-points and essential oils for balancing and healing for Spring (with beautiful readings from Lorie Eve Dechar and others), connecting with our creative spirit through visioning and art-making, and time in the garden connecting with plant allies. Learn tools for spring cleansing and nourishing on all levels, loving your Liver, and engaging with stress in ways that promote health, vitality, and joy. We will also have time for journaling and deep rest, and send you home with a rosemary blessing. Light snacks and teas will be provided. We will be both indoors and outdoors; masks are optional.

Space is limited! Sliding scale $50-125. Reserve your spot by emailing info@manzanitawellness.com by March 10

Vision Board Art Class with Ratka Mira

Saturday January 28, 2023, 2-5PM PST

IN PERSON at Oakland Lawn Bowling Club, 660 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland, CA

or ZOOM ONLINE

It’s a New Year, with new dreams and goals to achieve and envision. Join Dr. Ratka Mira Popovic of Manzanita (http://nectarhealth.net) for her 8th annual Vision Board art class. Set your intentions into action through visual mapping.

Cost: $30.00 per person (In person and online.)

Sign up/payment: https://www.nectarhealth.net/annual-vision-board-class/ Or: Zellle ratka@nectarhealth.net, Venmo @RatkaMira-Popovic

Bring: inspirational quotes, magazines, and scissors. (RM will supply a large piece of construction paper, magazines, scissors and glue sticks.)

Fall Equinox: ReTurn, ReAlign, ReConnect, ReSource

Sunday, Sept 18, from 3pm-5pm in the Manzanita Garden

We will honor the upcoming Autumn Equinox, practice some breathwork and meditation, share practices for Lung and Immune Health, and have some time in the garden, including art and harvesting, connecting with the Earth, healing intentions, and a water ritual. We will weave in using acu-points and essential oils for balancing and healing our Five Elements (with readings from the beautiful book Kigo by Lorie Eve Dechar), and realigning with our true essence/Life. We will have teatime with a Health Q and A- any and all questions are welcome!

Please email info@manzanitawellness.com if you would like to come!

$18-72 sliding scale; no one turned away for lack of funds.

Space is limited, pre-registration is required. Hope you can join us!

Spring Afternoon to Nourish, Cherish, Flourish

& RePlenish, ReSet, ReNew, and ReGenerate

Sunday March 27, 2022, at Manzanita

with Denise Arline, Ratka Mira, and Shoshana

Gather in the Manzanita garden to soak in the nourishing and transformative magic of Spring, with breathing practices, gentle qigong, time in the garden, making essential oil concoctions, sipping spring tea blends. We will connect with the plant spirit medicine of Roses for embodied collective Heart healing, delve into deep visioning, and get our creative juices flowing with some artistic expression. We will explore qualities and topics related to Spring in Chinese Medicine; tips and tools for how to nourish and liberate our Liver and Gall Bladder and Wood element; engaging with stress for greater health and vitality; and ways to gently cleanse and release and replenish in Spring. We will offer healing prayers for our planet and our world.

Space is limited, you must RSVP to info@manzanitawellness.com and PRE-REGISTER . Sliding scale $20-80. Please let us know if you need a scholarship.

Hope you can join us!

Sisterhood Circle

Sundays, November 14 & December 12, 2021; Jan 9, 2022
3-5pm at Manzanita

with Dr. Ratka Mira Popovic

Gather monthly with other Feminine identified Women for ritual, magic, sharing, and soulful play!

Cost: for the series of 3 classes - $30.00-180.00, depending on financial ability. Venmo = @RatkaMira-Popovic

One-time attendees also welcome- make sure to please contact me in advance!

(Required: vaccinated and masked.) *** Location: Manzanita Wellness Collective

Contact: Dr. Ratka Mira Popovic 510-967-7563 or ratka@nectarhealth.net

www.nectarhealth.net

By-Donation Ayurvedic Breast Clinic
Ayurvedic Lymphatic Chest Massage & Breast Check
All Genders Welcome

Sunday, March 8, 2020
10am-6pm at Manzanita

with Abigail Hinds

Get to know your breasts and what's going on in and around them! Receive a deeply nourishing and empowering massage to open to your healthy flow. 45 minute sessions including aromatherapy, Ayurvedic health counseling, and empowering education about breast health and care. Suggested $66-88 donation; anything is accepted with gratitude ♥ 
~ Map the terrain of your breast tissue and lymphatic system (immune system) so you know what's happening and know what your unique "normal" feels like.
~ Learn how to massage, check, and care for your breasts and lymph tissue to nourish health and vitality.
~ Tools to support change and prevent diseases.
~ Great treatment for processing/releasing stagnant emotions, receiving deep nourishment, and supporting your healthy flow.
Call, text, email, or walk in for an appointment
(They fill up fast! I suggest scheduling ahead of time)
45 minute sessions begin on each hour.
abbyhinds@gmail.com
650-308-6755

Plant Wisdom Healing Circle

Begins Jan 5 at Manzanita

With Denise Arline and Kathryn Murrell Stevenson

This is a year-long in-depth opportunity to deepen and empower your healing journey and spiritual practice with earth wisdom and connection-- including tangible methods, take-home practices, circles and ceremonies, 60 hours of facilitation and training, and 12 Plants to work with over the year. For more info and to sign up, please visit: https://www.wisdomecology.com/event-details/2020-plant-wisdom-healing-circle

Introduction to Holistic Gynecology

Sunday, Jan 12, 3-5pm at Manzanita

With Lisa Fox

Please join Lisa Fox (a wonderful midwife and herbalist now offering holistic gynecology appointments at Manzanita!) for an Introduction to Holistic Gynecology. This workshop will explore the foundations of reproductive and sexual health, highlighting the importance of self care and affirming our whole selves as key to maintaining wellness. Please email Lisa at fulloflife.wellness@gmail.com for more info and to sign up!

Manzanita 10 Year Anniversary Celebration Gratitude and Deepening

Sunday, Nov 17, 12-3pm at Manzanita

With Shoshana Uribe, Amanda Nube, Lauren Samuel, Denise Arline, Amy Chang

~ Garden Harvest, Gratitude, Healing, Deepening ~

~ Make Your Own Essential Oil Blend for Support of Body, Mind, Heart, & Spirit this Season ~

~ Plant Spirit Healings w/ Denise ~

~ Teishin/Contact (Non-Insertive) Needles for Fall & Winter w/ Amy ~

~ Pop-up Herbal Clinic & Consultations w/ Lauren ~

~ Time to Harvest, Learn, Work, and Play in the Medicine Garden ~

~ Seasonal Deliciousness and Conviviality ~

PLEASE RSVP TO info@manzanitawellness.com

Fall Wellness Gathering and Workshops

Sunday, Sept 22, 2-5pm at Manzanita

With Amanda Nube, Marny Culpepper, Lauren Samuel, and Shoshana Uribe

Come honor and prepare for the turning of the season, with:

~ Garden Harvest, Gratitude, Healing Earth, Deepening into Fall~

~ Herbal Medicine Making for Autumn ~

~ Fall Wellness—> Learn Self-Care Practices Such As:

Acu, Abdominal Massage, Movement, Foods, Herbs, & More ~

~ Time to work, play, and learn in the Medicine Garden ~

~ Seasonal Deliciousness ~

~Donations gladly accepted and will be shared with Youth vs Apocalypse and/or Rainforest Action Network/Amazon Watch

Healing Heart: Summer Solstice Garden Sanctuary

Sunday, June 23, 1-3pm at Manzanita

With Denise Arline, Shoshana Uribe, and Jessica Wakeman

Join us for an intimate and joyful afternoon in the garden as we connect our hearts with the sacred heart of nature.  We begin the afternoon with qigong and meditation focused on the Heart and Belly, and connecting deeply with the season of the Heart, and the power of this Summer Solstice time. Take time to visit, learn about, and harvest some of the amazing herbs growing in our own little medicine garden. Immersed in the magic of the garden, we will experience a Plant Spirit Healing Drum Journey.  During this Shamanic journey, you will meet and step into a deeper co-relationship with a plant ally that will support you in standing in your power at this time of your life.  We will make mandalas with natural materials to activate and honor the courage and strength in our heart's center. And... Learn self-care acu massage and essential oils related with Heart and the Summer season, have the opportunity to make essential oil blend sprays, and enjoy the delicious tastes and elixirs of the season! We will will close our time together with guided imagery and a short ritual.

$20-40 donation requested; no one turned away for lack of funds.

Please RSVP ahead of time (space is limited) by emailing info@manzanitawellness.com

By-Donation Ayurvedic Breast Clinic
Ayurvedic Lymphatic Chest Massage & Breast Check
All Genders Welcome

Sunday, July 7, 2019
10am-6pm at Manzanita

with Abigail Hinds

Get to know your breasts and what's going on in and around them! Receive a deeply nourishing and empowering massage to open to your healthy flow. 45 minute sessions including aromatherapy, Ayurvedic health counseling, and empowering education about breast health and care. Suggested $66-88 donation; anything is accepted with gratitude ♥ 
~ Map the terrain of your breast tissue and lymphatic system (immune system) so you know what's happening and know what your unique "normal" feels like.
~ Learn how to massage, check, and care for your breasts and lymph tissue to nourish health and vitality.
~ Tools to support change and prevent diseases.
~ Great treatment for processing/releasing stagnant emotions, receiving deep nourishment, and supporting your healthy flow.
Call, text, email, or walk in for an appointment
(They fill up fast! I suggest scheduling ahead of time)
45 minute sessions begin on each hour.
abbyhinds@gmail.com
650-308-6755

Move into Spring! Manzanita Spring Equinox Open House & Gathering

Sunday, March 24, 2019, 1pm-4pm

with Manzanita Collective Practitioners

Come move, express, play in the garden, make liver loving spring tonics, participate in workshops, receive healing treatments, and more...

~ Make your own Herbal Vinegar ~ QiGong for Spring ~ Massage Mini-Sessions ~ Meditation & Spring Cleanse Mini Workshop on Getting Unstuck: Transformation in the Midst of Challenges ~ Teishin Acu for Spring ~ Restorative Yoga Lounge to Encourage Circulation & Breath ~ CranioSacral Sessions ~ Activities in our Medicine Garden ~ Massage Workshop for All Levels ~ Ultimate Energetics sessions ~ Lymphatic and Breast Health Self-Care ~ Sound Healing

Donations gladly accepted. Please RSVP by emailing info@manzanitawellness.com

Abdominal Massage Clinic

Sunday, April 14, 2019

with Amanda Nube

Sign up for your one hour individualized treatment with Amanda by emailing Amanda@HealingMama.com or calling 510-213-0793....

Mayan Abdominal Therapy (Arvigo Technique) is beneficial for: strengthening and balancing the immune, digestive, and reproductive systems; alleviating congestion; promoting the vital flow of energy in the abdomen; breaking down scar tissue, adhesions, and cysts; helping regulate menstruation and easing cramping and irregularities; improving, toning and cleansing uterine lining, supports fertility, potency, pregnancy, and postpartum recovery, regulates enlarged prostate, and improves sperm (count, motility, morphology).

New Years Workshop: Empowerment and Creativity

Sunday, January 27, 2019, 1pm-4pm

with Shoshana Uribe, Denise Arline, and Tracy Richardson

Register Now! Our annual New Years Workshop will harness the energy of the 2019 New Year, Jewish New Year of the Trees, Chinese New Year, and Imbolc/Candlemas, to move forward in this time with empowerment and creativity! We will offer practices to move, clear, ground, replenish, and protect our energy so that we can most effectively focus our creative life force energy and empower our emotional, spiritual and physical well being. We will also look at the regenerative power of stress, and transformative ways to approach and embrace stress that are beneficial and healing to body, mind, and spirit. Learn new tools with meditation, acu and herbal self care, qigong/somatic practices, plant spirit healing, visionboarding, and more.

Sliding scale $40-60. Please register in advance by emailing Shoshana@manzanitawellness.com.

Her Revival: A Day of Nourishment
Sunday, February 3, 10am - 6pm

Daylong Live Retreat with Ayah Buonaugurio

Come together and luxuriate in a day long women's sanctuary. All activities throughout the day are completely optional, and you'll have option to rest, share tea and cultivate new alliances with sisters in the field of healing arts. What we'll cover: Opening ceremony for Imbolc/Candlemas, Ceremonial Dance of Life (a Cherokee 4 directions dance that invokes medicine & vision), Ovarian Breathing, Restorative & Yin Yoga for attuning to cycles, Yoni Steam ritual (aka Vaginal Steaming), Therapeutics with partners, Closing circle with drumming & chanting, Nourishing vegan soup for lunch, and Trading & networking circle; bring a craft or medicine that you make to trade with group.

Sliding scale of $39-89 (your deposit of $30 holds your spot for the entire day).

Space is limited and will fill up quickly! 
For more info and to register, contact Ayah Buonaugurio at obsidianwombsister@gmail.com

HeartGiving

Sunday, November 11, 2018
1-4pm at Manzanita

with Denise Arline, Shoshana Uribe, Tracy Richardson, and Karen Daley

Join us for an afternoon of going deep into self- care practices to nourish and protect on all levels (mind, heart, spirit, body). Meditation, connecting with this seasonal time of year, Qigong and energetic practices, craniosacral offerings, time in the medicine garden, herbal and acupressure self care, crafting your own herbal talisman/amulet or essential oil spray, and more. Healing treatments of acupuncture, medical qigong, essential oil acu, craniosacral, and 2nd chakra healings will be offered as well. This is an afternoon of giving to yourself and letting us give to you, as a thank you for all that you do in our community.

Space is limited, so PLEASE REGISTER AHEAD with shoshana@manzanitawellness.com

This is our gift to you... and any donations are gratefully accepted for time and materials

Harvesting Health: Fall Equinox Gathering

Sunday, September 16, 2018
2-5pm at Manzanita

with Manzanita Collective and Medicine Garden

~ Gather to connect with, celebrate, and honor the Autumn season (ceremonial gathering begins at 2pm), including art-making, garden activities, and yummy farmers' market deliciousness
~ Harvest herbs in our medicine garden, and learn herbal remedies & acupressure for Fall wellness/self-care
~ Make your own herbal elixir for Fall health and immune care
~ Experience a healing medical qigong treatment and/or moxa treatment, to align and vitalize your energy for this season. Email us to sign up ahead of time: info@manzanitawellness.com
~ Participate in a Mayan Abdominal Massage self-care workshop, to strengthen and balance immune, digestive, & reproductive systems, alleviate congestion, and promote the vital flow of energy in the abdomen.
 
Donations will be shared with Run for Salmon and Freedom for Immigrants. 
Please take a few moments to read about these timely and important organizations....
Please RSVP to info@manzanitawellness.com or 510-459-9320

Summer Solstice Heart Healing

Sunday, June 24, 2018
10am-1pm at Manzanita

with Manzanita Collective and Medicine Garden

Summer Solstice Heart Healing
with Manzanita Collective and Medicine Garden
Sunday, June 24, 10am-1pm
Please join us to honor and celebrate summer and the season of the Heart. Learn about plant spirit healing, plant spirit meditation, and make your own plant spirit essence and/or essential oil mist. Receive acupuncture for the summer season and mini lomi lomi massages, as well as energy readings and plant spirit ritual cleansings to heal body, mind, and spirit. Plant seeds, make art/altarscapes, and learn about and harvest medicinal herbs in the garden. Enjoy herbal consults from Tea and Sympathy pop-up herbal clinic. Come play in the garden, cultivate joy, and allow your heart to bask in the sunshine of healing! 

Donations gladly accepted.
Please RSVP to shoshana@manzanitawellness.com

Ongoing: Qigong Classes with Suzannah Season
Wednesday evenings

Qigong ("chee-gong") is mindful movement exercise designed to restore health, increase energy and open heart space to improve mood, function and overall well being! If you have yet to try it, please join us and experience the community, the benefits and fun! Class are great for beginners and experienced Qigongers alike. All levels of fitness, ability and experience are welcome to join. Each class will consist of qigong movements and exercises for self-healing and a guided meditation. Suzannah's mission is to support you in your health goals by sharing simple, easy to learn and powerful techniques for self-healing. Her goal is to create a qigong community that fosters vitality, health and tranquility in our everyday lives.

Suzannah is an acupuncturist and medical qigong teacher and practitioner with clinics in both San Francisco and Berkeley, CA. She has been teaching Qigong since 2010 and is certified in both medical qigong therapy and as a qigong teacher by Suzanne Friedman, L.Ac., DMQ (China). More Information at www.SuzannahStason.com and www.mindfulmovementqigong.com

 Moving, Clearing, Grounding, Replenishing:
Tools for Empowering Our Life Force Energy & Transforming Our Relationship to Stress
Sunday, January 28, 2018, 2 - 5pm

During this workshop, facilitated by Denise Arline, Julia Katz, and Shoshana Uribe, we will learn and share practices to move, clear, ground, replenish, and protect our energy so that we can most effectively focus our creative life force energy and empower our emotional, spiritual and physical well being. We will also look at the regenerative power of stress, and transformative ways to approach and embrace stress that are beneficial and healing to body, mind, and spirit. These tools will include meditation, visualization, creativity, somatic and movement practices, and exploration with plant spirit allies. 

This workshop is wonderful for all of us, and can be especially helpful for anyone who feels they experience anxiety, stress, depression, or fatigue as a result of taking on other folks' energies, and/or who would like to learn and share techniques for moving, clearing, grounding, replenishing, and protecting energy. This is also a great workshop for anyone who would like to transform their relationship to stress!

For folks who have participated before, this is a lovely opportunity to remember and practice as well as learn new tools. Newcomers are very welcome as well.

Space is limited for this workshop. If you would like to come, please RSVP to shoshana@manzanitawellness.com or call (510) 459-9320.

Suggested donation $40-50; however, all are welcome, and any donation amount is received with gratitude. Join us and start off your new year from a place of empowerment and joy!

Bringing Light into Darkness:
How to Prepare for the Coming Solstice and the Beginning of Winter

Saturday, Dec 9, 2017
10-12pm at Manzanita

A two hour class of QiGong and seated meditation, with Tracy Richardson, L.Ac.

$30. Limited to 10 people. Call or email to reserve your spot: 415-233-3691 or tracy@medicalqigongnow.com

Heartgiving

Sunday, Nov 19
1-4pm at Manzanita

Donations to Undocufund and/or receive as a gift

It is time to ground and root and go deep with this season. To take some time for sanctuary and stillness. We are in the seasons of both delving into the darkness and celebrating light; surrendering to the deep waters, and honoring the life gate fire within. The seasons of plants rooting into the earth, seed resting in the ground, and also the community around the hearth fires. It can be challenging to find the balance between the spark of fire and activity, and the pull into dark, watery, earth realms. Take some time for deepening and rest, for healing and renewal, for centering, nourishing, and balancing our water, fire, and earth elements. As we enter into times of giving thanks, please give to yourself as we give thanks for you, give from our hearts as part of the fire healing, and join with plant medicine in gratitude and heart healing.... Join us at Manzanita for one or both parts of a two-part connected event (Mending the Heart with Plant Spirit Healing, followed by Heartgiving):

Come receive acupuncture, herbal essential oils, massage, craniosacral work, and plant spirit energy healings. We are offering this time as a gift to you, our community. You may offer this time as a gift to yourself. If you are an activist working to support the healing of the earth and justice for all, you are invited to receive these gifts for free, as our thank you gift to you. Donations are also welcome and will be given to Undocufund (undocufund.org) to help with fire relief for undocumented folks who won't receive FEMA assistance in the wake of the October fires.
 
And please come earlier in the day for this beautiful offering with Denise Arline:

Mending the Heart with Plant Spirit Healing
Sunday, Nov 19
11am-1pm at Manzanita

with Denise Arline

When we connect with the plant spirit realm, we connect through the heart, our bridge between the divine source of Spirit and Earth.  Join me on a sacred journey of opening our hearts to the spiritual nature of plant consciousness and embodying this direct alignment with source. We will connect deeply with the plant spirit realm, mending and healing our hearts and dreams- for ourselves our family and our world. Begin the holiday season in this perfect way, as the plants guide us in embracing the gifts of gratitude, forgiveness and loving acceptance.
~Suggested donation $40

Women's Health and Vitality Sanctuary

A Day of Learning, Empowerment, & Sacred Practices for Women

Sunday, October 22, 2017, 10am-6pm

With Kirsten Cowan, Abigail Hinds, Ayah Buonaugurio, Amanda Nube, and Shoshana Uribe

Featuring workshops on:

*The Magic of Aligning with Your Moon Cycle ~ Aligning with your moon cycle for health, empowerment and natural birth control. - with Abigail Hinds
*Holistic Breast Care ~ Ayurvedic Lymphatic breast care, and learn tools to empower yourself in keeping your breasts healthy! - with Abigail Hinds
*Feed your Skin and Embrace your Radiance with Holistic Skin Care Practices - with Kirsten Cowan
*Intro to Obsidian Yoni Egg ~ The obsidian egg practice is an ancient practice used to heal ancestral patterns and trauma, reclaim power, and resolve emotional as well as physical blockages. - with Ayah Buonaugurio
*Libido, Life Force Energy, and Waves in Our Life Cycles ~ Morning Yoga Offering - with Amanda Nube

As well as: breast exams, yoni steams, herbal facials, and individualized consults for acupressure and herbal self-care for women of all ages.

$85-125 sliding scale. Space is limited. To register, email shoshana@manzanitawellness.com

Bios:

Abigail Hinds is an Ayurvedic Counselor and Womb Priestess. Her creation ~ Womb Weaving is a collection of offerings focusing on awakening and empowering the feminine through returning to the womb and the magical consciousness that resides there. 

Kirsten Cowan is an acupuncturist and herbalist and creator of Angelica & Peony, skin care and therapeutic oils for beauty, health and happiness using traditional Chinese medicine, organic oils and aromatherapy.

Ayah Buonaugurio has been teaching yoga, and facilitating women’s empowerment circles, ceremonial arts, womb wellness clinics, and sacred dances, for over a decade. 

Amanda Nube is a yoga and dance teacher and doula, and has been practicing acupressure and bodywork for decades. She is trained in Hebrew priestess traditions and curanderismo, and facilitates rituals and ceremonies.

Shoshana Uribe is an acupuncturist, herbalist, massage therapist, and founder of Manzanita Wellness Clinic. She is passionate about empowering women to heal and care for themselves. 

Self Care 101: A Free Introductory Workshop for Girls 13+

Sunday, October 8, 2017, 3-4pm

with Jessika Fruchter, LMFT

Between academics, peer relationships, societal pressures, internships, extracurricular activities, family obligations and social media, how do girls care for themselves in a world that rarely slows down?

In this one-hour complimentary workshop, we'll begin to explore the concept of self-care and why it's a key practice in living a happy, healthy life. Participants will leave with a basic understanding of self-care and a template for creating an individualized self-care plan.

For more information and to register, email: jessikafruchtermft@gmail.com

Equinox in the Garden: Honor and Celebrate Fall with some time in the Manzanita Garden to Root into Wellness for the Autumn season!

Sunday, September 24, 2017, 2-5pm

with Lauren Samuel, Denise Arline, Amanda Nube, Tracy Richardson, Harue Wiedlin, and Shoshana Uribe

*Garden Herb Walk and Ritual Harvesting of Medicinal Herbs
*Make your own Fire Cider or Herbal Vinegar to support your system this Fall ~ And kitchen-table style chat about seasonal wellness, with Q&A
*Mini-Energy Alignment Healing Sessions ~ Align Your Energy with Your Intention through Chakra Clearing and Recalibrating. This energy healing will support you in feeling balanced, grounded, and clear, as we celebrate Fall Equinox and move into the later part of this year.
*Medical QiGong for Autumn ~ And Individualized Medical QiGong prescriptions, based on a short consult
*Tea and Sympathy Pop-up Herbal clinic ~ Time for a cuppa tea and a chat about what ails you. Herbal consultations that dig deep and explore avenues that suit you individually. 
*Planting and Art-Making in the Garden ~ Family Friendly

This event is by donation. All proceeds will benefit 350.org-- "building the global grassroots climate movement that can hold our leaders accountable to science and justice." (There is an additional donation/fee of $10-20 for the Tea and Sympathy Pop-up Herbal Clinic)

Please RSVP to shoshana@manzanitawellness.com
  

Womb Wellness Clinic: A Day of Feminine Vitality Practices  

August 27, 12pm-6pm, with Ayah Buonaugurio and April Miller McMurtry

You are invited to a day of powerful practices & techniques that improve reproductive health and transform your well-being....

A Day of Feminine Vitality Practices: 

• 12-2 "obsidian egg & vitality practices " w/Ayah Buonaugurio

• 2:15-3:30 " healing with the moon " w/ April McMurty

• 330-4 snack, tea break

• 4-5:45 pm yoni steams

• 5:45 closing ceremony

The Obsidian Yoni Egg is a therapeutic tool to heal memories of the female genital tract. It has ability to alleviate cysts, fibroids, herpes, vaginal infections, as well as menstrual pain. It is a way to connect with healthy yin energy and lunar cycles. The obsidian egg practice is an ancient practice used to heal ancestral patterns, reclaim power, resolve trauma and emotional blockage, balance yin, restore feminine energy, and stimulate the intuition. Black Obsidian is protective and provides support during difficult changes. Obsidian comes from the center of the earth, it is a volcanic stone found primarily in Mexico and India.The eggs were custom made in Mexico for us with love and integrity and given to us with prayers. Because the stone is so extremely absorbent of its surroundings and powerful, it is important that One is well informed when working with Obsidian for healing. 

In this workshop we’ll also cover:
-entire protocol & guidelines for working with the obsidian egg
-visualizations for grounding and clearing unwanted energy. Good for anxiety, overwhelm, and empathic (highly sensitive people) ones. 
-working with the power of Intention
-basic pelvic floor kegel & abdominal toning exercises building ~agni~ aka digestive fire
-intro to Ovarian breathing for building ~chi~aka vital energy
-intro to yin yoga postures for restoration of ~chi~
-embodying your inner medicine woman

Healing with the Moon: charting your journey in circular time to connect with your radiance. Circular time is fluid and expresses the natural cycle of expansion and contraction as the moon waxes and wanes. By charting with the moon as a part of your daily self-care, you can begin to notice how the pulse of expansion and contraction is also a part of you. Unlike the paradigm of constant productivity and progress inherent in linear time, circular time offers a template for flowing with change and understanding your cyclical nature. Get to know your personal "orbits" throughout the lunar cycle and learn more about using the New Moon Calendar/Journal as a tool to chart your physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.

Vaginal Yoni Steam bathing will be offered in an additional room... donations of $5-25 for herbs, sessions last for 20-30 minutes each, come early and sign up! 

Yoni steaming has been known by women throughout history to:

• Significantly reduce discomfort, bloating and exhaustion associated with monthly cycles

• Decrease menstrual flow as well as reduce dark purple or brown blood at the onset or end of menses

• Regulate irregular or absent menstrual cycles

• Increase fertility, especially when combined with Mayan abdominal massage

• Speed healing and tone the reproductive system after birth

• Treat uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, uterine weakness and uterine prolapse

• Assist with the healing of hemorrhoids

• Treat chronic vaginal/yeast infections, and maintain healthy odor

• Relieve symptoms of menopause

Reserve your spot-- spaces fill up quick! To Pre-Register please send an email to Ayah, at
healingthroughmovement@gmail.com

$15-60 sliding scale door price w/out pre-registration
Send Deposit to:
PayPal.Me/AyahB

April Miller McMurtry is a visual artist, mama, and creative lunar coach. Her work reflects her passion for nature-based cycles, personal mythologies, and symbolism. The Moon Is My Calendar - was born out of a vision to create a beautiful and simple tool for women to connect with their physical, emotional, and creative selves within the context of the phases of the moon. 

April has ore than fifteen years experience working in education as a classroom teacher, workshop facilitator and program coordinator at home and abroad. Her formal education includes a B.A. in Art History from UC Santa Cruz and an M.A. in Teaching from SIT Graduate Institute in Brattleboro, VT. She lives in her hometown of Walnut Creek close to four generations of her family.

Connect with the Sacred Medicine of Plant Consciousness  

June 25, 11am-5pm, with Denise Arline

In this time we are living in, it is vital for our health and the health of the planet that we take the time to listen to the sacred wisdom of nature; that we receive the sacred medicine of plants to heal and step fully on our path of wholeness.

Join Denise for this day of healing, deep listening and communicating with the sacred medicine of plants as you meet your own ally in this garden sanctuary.  We will activate our co-creative relationship with the plants so that we may open fully to the multi-dimensional ways of receiving support and giving support to the natural world. 

During this time we will:

• Learn and explore different ways of communicating with plant spirits.

• Spend time in the beautiful cultivated medicine garden at Manzanita where each person will meet a plant-ally that will support their soul's expression in the world.

• Step deeper into the wisdom and medicine of the plants through Shamanic drum journeying.

• Engage creative exploration as a way receiving the healing gifts; "bringing it back home" and integrating it in your daily life.

• Together we will meet with a plant spirit and learn about the plants healing gifts collectively.

• Discuss other ways of integrating the medicine and nourishing your co-creative relationship with spirit.

Cost: $55. Space is limited.

Summer Garden Day

June 10, 1-4pm

Throughout the afternoon enjoy delicious summer treats and herbal beverages, massage with herbal essential oils (with Liana Hayes), pop-up herbal clinic (with Lauren Samuel of Tea and Sympathy), acupuncture-to-go, and as a special sunny treat, Jenny Overman (astrologywithjenny.com) will be doing little mini birth chart astrology readings (if you'd like one, please bring your birth information, including date, time, and location)!

• 1pm qi gong in the garden — with Tracy Richardson

• 1:30pm herb walk and learning about herbs in the Manzanita garden — with Shoshana Uribe, Kristin DuPont, and Hilary Seamans

• 2pm weed, plant, harvest, and craft garden art

• 3pm plant spirit healing cleansing ritual — with Denise Arline

• 3:30pm reiki healing circle — with Liana Hayes

Please let us know how many folks to expect — RSVP to shoshana@manzanitawellness.com. Any donations will go to practitioner treatments or to our growing Community Herb Garden. Also, if you have any plants you'd like to donate, please contact me!

Spring Equinox Wellness Sanctuary

Sunday, March 19, 2017, with Shoshana Uribe, Amanda Nube, Denise Arline, Kristin DuPont, Amy Chang, and Hilary Seamans

Learn about Spring wellness practices and receive healing treatments in our Manzanita Sanctuary. Beginning promptly at 2pm, we will gather to learn about the Wood element (Liver and Gall Bladder) traditionally connected with Spring in Chinese Medicine, and share seasonal self care practices including meditation, movement, acupressure, and essential oils, for embodying sanctuary, hope, courage, and power. 

We will also explore the regenerative power of stress (how we can approach and engage with stress in a way that empowers us and benefits our health and well being), and healthy ways to cleanse in spring. 

From 3pm-5pm, healing treatments will be offered in our Manzanita Sanctuary, including massage, acupuncture, essential oils, and mini energy readings. 

Also from 3pm-5pm, participate in our Acu-Yoga Lounge, Medicine Making (make your own customized herbal blend for Spring), Creative Visioning, and the Manzanita Community Herb Garden (come help us begin to create it)! 

Please let us know how many folks to expect-- RSVP to shoshana@manzanitawellness.com. Any donations will go to our new Community Herb Garden.

Tea and Sympathy Pop-Up Herbal Clinic  /  Healing Mama Story Circle

Sunday, February 26, 2017, 2-5pm, with Lauren Samuel and Amanda Nube

Time for a cuppa tea and a chat about what ails you. Herbal consultations that dig deep and explore avenues that suit you individually. Go home with a clearer plan for your needs, some medicines, and a bit of tea and sympathy. 

Tea and Sympathy is a pop-up herbal clinic at Manzanita Wellness, 2818 San Pablo Ave in Berkeley, suggested donations $10-20 sliding scale for consultation. Joined on Sunday Feb 26 by Amanda Nube for a Healing Mama Story Circle: Based on a true story, the book, Healing Mama takes us on a mythic journey of learning, laughing, singing, praying, and healing throughout the generations. You are invited into the spiral of your life story and into the gifts of healing there for you. This is the first Healing Mama book event and reading. Books will be available for purchase or pick up. 4-5pm

Lauren has practiced Herbal Medicine for over 10 years. Her focus is on Women’s Health, especially during the childbearing years. And the more magical, alchemical use of herbs and flowers for emotional/mental well being. You can find her Etsy page and her website.

Healing Mama Book: "On the day I was born, I knew I had a gift and a challenge, Healing Mama." Told through the lyrical voice of a 13 year old, this book narrates a mother and daughter's journey into healing the heart and soul of "Mama."  Healing the past and the present so as to give life and keep giving, as all mothers do. During the different phases of the moon, we learn the power of song and we learn to listen and follow the moon’s guidance. What is a daughter to do with this wisdom? What is a mother to do? For this mama and daughter duo the quest to regain and reclaim these ways is crucial to their well-being. Order your copy here!

Free Acupuncture Support Sunday

Sunday, December 4, 2016

So much going on right now, in the world-- and in each of our lives. There really always is, right? And yet, for many of us, the last few weeks have felt especially potent, heartbreaking, and soul-waking…. This Sunday, we are offering a few moments of time to be still, to be present, to realign and ground with our deepest source, and find strength within to support our continuing journey… going into the dark and finding the flame to shine a light on our way… connecting in to feel the connected web in which we are all joined... Join us this Sunday afternoon from 2pm-4pm, at Manzanita. We will be offering free acupuncture and essential oils, to support you in health, embodiment, and presence, in heartened awareness, at this time of post-elections and pre-holidays, this time of resting in the deep wintry dark and rekindling our soul fires… Any donations will be sent to support the Water Protectors at Standing Rock… Meanwhile, upstairs from 2pm-5pm, Lauren Samuel will be offering her amazing herbal wisdom during Tea and Sympathy.

Tea and Sympathy

Sunday, December 4, 2016, 2pm-5pm, with Lauren Samuel of Homemade Herbals

Time for a cuppa tea and a chat about what ails you. Herbal consultations that dig deep and explore avenues that suit you individually. Go home with a clearer plan for your needs, some medicines, and a bit of tea and sympathy. Tea and Sympathy will operate as a pop-up herbal clinic at Manzanita Wellness, 2818 San Pablo Ave in Berkeley, monthly beginning Dec 4th from 2pm-5pm (tea time). Suggested donations $10-20 sliding scale for consultation. Lauren has practiced Herbal Medicine for over 10 years. Her focus is on Women's Health, especially during the childbearing years. And the more magical, alchemical use of herbs and flowers to emotional/mental wellbeing. Etsy & Website.

Women's Womb Wellness Clinic

Sunday, November 20, 2016, 12pm-6pm, with Ayah Buonaugurio, Sage Trucano, and Abigail Hinds

Join us for an introduction of 3 Powerful Techniques that can transform your Emotional, Physical and Spiritual Well-being. “Traditional Mayan abdominal & Healing Techniques “ and “Obsidian Yoni Egg Therapy” and “Tracking Your Cycle". Sliding scale $20-$55 no one turned away! 3 master workshops! Invaluable knowledge from female healers and wisdom keepers of female lineage, genital wellness, and self-care practices. Come and bathe in sisterhood, share tea, network and receive discounts on all products, programs and sessions booked on this day! 

Fall & Winter Open House and Celebration

Sunday, November 6, 2016, 2-5pm

You are warmly invited to Manzanita Collective's Fall & Winter Open House and Community Celebration! We will gather to honor and celebrate the season, our community (you! and your family, friends, co-workers, etc…), our sweet healing space and wonderful practitioners, our beloved home Earth and seeds of healing and justice, and-- 7 years of Manzanita Wellness Clinic! And of course, we will be delving deep with the season, nurturing and supporting autumn and winter wellness, wholeness, and time shifting, on all levels. Community acupuncture and essential oil acu for seasonal health of body, mind, spirit, herbal medicine making, fresh farmers' market facials bar, nourishing broths and medicinal foods, acu-yoga lounge, mini energy readings, massage, moxa for wellness and immunity, apothecary offerings, shonishin treatments for kids and self-care tools for wellness at home, garden harvest, planting, and art making, community altar/intentions, and general festivities!This is a FREE event. Donations happily accepted. RSVPs much appreciated.

Summer Open House

Saturday July 16, 12pm-4pm

Let's celebrate! Let's celebrate the delights of summer and sunshine, the deliciousness of abundant summer harvest, and the growing movement creating peace, justice, harmony, and healing on the planet. Let's celebrate Manzanita Wellness Collective! Join us to celebrate and honor summer, new and continuing practitioners, and our beautiful place of healing, resource, and community, that we are so lucky to be able to continue to co-create and evolve! Enjoy: Welcoming and celebration, summer eats and herbal drinks, summertime broths, acupuncture, massage, essential oils, energy readings, fresh fruit facials, qigong, reiki healing circle, family activities, art making, writing, intention setting, medicine making, and garden festivities. Let us know if you will join us! This is a free community gathering, with donations graciously accepted for treatments and the space. Hope to see you soon!

Spring Pop-Up Sanctuary Spa: an Afternoon Retreat for Women

Sunday, May 1, 1pm-4:30pm, with Kirsten Cowan of Angelica and Peony, Amanda Nube, Shoshana Uribe, and Denise Schwab

The cross-quarters times (halfway points between equinox and solstice) have traditionally been times of great potency and celebration for many cultures. May 1, in Chinese Medicine, is during a time that bridges spring and summer, and the elements of wood, earth, and fire, which relate to vision, growth, renewal, nourishment, centering, joy, love, and creativity. This May 1, take some time to celebrate and renew body and soul, in this afternoon retreat for women. The first hour we will gather to share acupressure and herbal self-care practices, as well as movement, meditation, gentle cleansing and nourishment, and more. The rest of the day we will revel in sacred healing oils, herbal facials and skin care, herbal foot soaks, massage, acupuncture with essential oils, energy readings, make your own herbal blends, and have time for rest, grounding and entering, replenishment, and joy. Give yourself this loving treat, and/or invite a friend, sister, mother, or daughter, to share it with you. Space is limited so please register by April 20. Fee is $65-100 siding scale.

Equinox!

Sunday, September 20, 2015, with Amanda Nube, Denise Schwab, and Shoshana Uribe

The year is turning and the season is changing. Come gather with us to celebrate the harvest and abundance of our lives, gather our resources to root down and prepare go deep within, protect our immunity and empower our community, and delight in the Fall.  We will delight in the harvest of the Garden as we make individualized herbal medicines for Fall, and learn about herbs and acupressure for Fall wellness and immunity, and any other health concerns that are shared, kitchen table style. Fall themed meditations and movement practices will deepen our experience as we build our inner resources toolkit for the season. And there will even be an opportunity for little energy readings/healings as we set our intentions for the season! Please RSVP by September 12, space is limited, offered by donation.

Living Room: Mother's Meditation and Conversation

June 7th: Identity with Sensual Self; July 12th: Reflections on how you relate and learn from your child(ren)

Living Room is a term to describe carving time for your Self to both thrive and to feel yourself thriving. Offering a new group for mothers, opening up a space to celebrate our many identities, learn from each other’s journeys and really, most of all, be in a safe, quiet space together–honoring our Goddess-selves (which may not always feel so “Goddess-like”). Join moms of all ages and stages. Invite your own Mom, Mother-figure, Grandma or friends who have children of varying ages for a 20 minute guided meditation followed by nonjudgemental conversation on topics related to womanhood and motherhood. This will be an open (you can come once, twice or every time) monthly circle.

Plant Spirit Healing: Shamanic Exploration of Plant Consciousness

Saturday June 13, 1-4pm, with Denise Schwab

$20-$60 suggested donation

Contact Denise at threefeatherhealing@gmail.com to register or call (510) 590-8187

In this class, we'll learn to communicate with plant spirits and receive their healing gifts for our soul and spirit. 

• First, we will spend time in direct contact with nature in Manzanita’s magical garden where each person will form a relationship with a plant ally through sacred visioning and exploring the depth of our sensory awareness.

• We will then go on Shamanic drum journey in order to get to know the spirit of the plant more deeply.

• We will also explore intuitive art making and creative exploration as receiving the healing gifts and sacred communication from the plants.

• We will also discuss practical tools for integrating and honoring these sacred teachings of the plant spirits into our daily life.

What is Plant Spirit Healing?

Plant spirit healing begins with understanding that plants are much more then their physical constituents. These intelligent beings have a “spirit essence” that allows them to communicate with us through light, sound, and vibration. When we are in coherence with these plant spirits we are able to receive balance and healing from the core of our being, our spirit. Moving into this co-creative relationship with nature allows us to feel our magic and power to create change in our life, which allows earth healing to take place.

Health Empowerment Clinic!

Sunday May 31, 1-3pm, with Shoshana Uribe and Amanda Nube

This workshop is all about your own health empowerment! Learn and practice self-care acupressure points, herbs, home remedies, massage and movement practices, meditations, and more, for your own (and your community, your loved ones') self care at home (or on the go)!

The workshop will begin with a short seasonal teaching (on herbs for summer/joy) and movement practice. Then, kitchen table wisdom style sharing and learning tools for health and well-being, focused on your own questions and issues. Free (donations graciously accepted) and open to community participation. 

Space is limited, please RVSP: shoshana@manzanitawellness.com, or 510-459-9320

3rd Annual New Year’s Workshop: Clearing, Grounding, Moving: Replenishing Life Force Energy

Sunday, January 25, 1-4pm

During this workshop, facilitated by Denise Schwab, Shoshana Uribe, and Julia Beylina-Katz, we will learn and share practices to clear, ground, replenish, and protect our energy so that we can most effectively focus our creative life force energy and optimize our emotional, spiritual and physical well being.

This time, we will also explore the elements of Water, Fire, Earth, and Wood (which will be the elements most connected to the season) and how they relate to strength and healing in our own bodies. We will explore ideas of trust, confidence, flow, and empowerment in relationship to our bodies, as well as tools for clearing, grounding, moving, and protecting energy both within our own bodies and as relates to our interactions with others. These tools will include meditation, visualization, somatic and movement practices, and plant spirit healing.

This workshop is especially helpful for health practitioners of many varieties, and anyone who feels they experience anxiety, stress, depression, and/or fatigue as a result of taking on other folks' energies. Also great for anyone who feels worry or fear arise when something unfamiliar or uncomfortable happens in the body. This class is open to newcomers or folks who've taken the workshop before.

Space is limited for this workshop, and pre-registration is necessary. If you would like to come, please RSVP to shoshana@manzanitawellness.com or call (510) 459-9320. You can find more info about the teachers at deniseschwab.com, mountainriveracupuncture.com, and manzanitawellness.com. By donation.

New Moms Group with Manzanita

Thursdays 10am-12pm, with Natashia Fuksman

This group will meet mid-November to mid-December, focused on helping new moms build a community and meet other moms with babies with similar ages.  The friendships that are formed are really quite amazing and most groups continue to meet for years to come on an informal basis.  There is something about going through a shared experience, while recognizing that each mom's experience is unique, that leads to great connection and support.  I think moms are often most grateful for the perspective they gain from talking to other moms.

The 5 week facilitated portion is a weekly 2 hour meeting where moms share their experiences, questions, concerns, and get tips on all sorts of topics, since this can be quite an overwhelming time for many moms.  The moms all bring their babies, and so we also talk about how to connect with infants.  I also provide psychoeducation (as wanted) on different topics including infant development, sleep/feeding questions, changes in relationships and family dynamics, transition to motherhood, feelings re: going back to work or not, postpartum health, and identity as a mom.  The group offers lots of support and perspective that can be especially helpful after some sleepless nights!

I also help facilitate the group getting together more informally once a week outside the scheduled group (starting the 2nd week) and provide connections to the many resources available in the area for moms and babies to help reduce the isolation some new moms feel.  We find this combined approach allows for the moms to form friendships and most of the groups continue to meet on their own long after the organized group ends.

Email natashia.fuksman@gmail.com to register! And read more: www.natashiafuksman.com/workshops-groups, www.oaklandmom2mom.com

Fall Wellness Extravaganza!

Sunday, September 21, 2014, 3pm-6pm

Come join Manzanita Collective members on this new moon equinox, as we share abundant resources for your wellness this fall season! Learn acupressure self care, herbal medicine, and moxibustion (the art of burning mugwort near specific points on the body) for protective immunity, colds, coughs and more (with Shoshana and Amy)! Camila will talk about seasonal nutrition and natural sweetness, including a demo/tasting! Special guest Gingi Allen will share how to use essential oils for fall wellness and immunity, and lead some medicine making with essential oils. Amanda’s new moon cycle offering will be part of our gathering this month, and open to both men and women. It will include new moon ritual, visioning and collaging for the coming moons, and insights and medicine from Elsie about where we are in this Dragon Moon calendar! This event is by donation.

Space is limited, so please RSVP to Shoshana as soon as possible if you plan to come: (510)459-9320, shoshana@manzanitawellness.com

New Moon Monthly Cycle: Meditation and Ritual to Release and Restore

Sunday, November 23, 2014, 8-9:30pm, and monthly at new moontime, with Amanda Nube and friends

Meditation and ritual to release and restore with each new moon, and in keeping with the monthly cycles within each of us. A place for plant and energy limpias, meditations, a Moon "Mikvah" (ceremonial wash) and prayer ceremony, as a resource for monthly healing and ritual around the dark of the moon. 

This month's special offering: our creativity, our life blood & essential oils. It is a free drop-in space, donations for the practitioners holding the space welcome. Read here for more info, or to RSVP, please call or email Amanda, at 510-213-0793, or amanda@healingmama.com.

Springtime Women’s Health Workshop

Sunday, March 16, 2014, 10am-12pm

The blossoms are blooming, the bulbs are flowering, and the New Year of the Horse has begun. We are in the season of Spring, according to Chinese medicine, and many other traditional calendars! The Liver, (as well as its partner, the Gall Bladder) is the organ system related to Spring, in Chinese Medicine, and is connected to flow of qi in the entire body, as well as vision, the element of Wood, wind, green growing energy, mood, digestion, and much more (just about everything, really)! Liver health is especially vital for women's health, and relates with hormonal balance, menstrual cycles, mood, energy, and more. We will share tools for blossoming into health this season, through herbal medicine making, restorative/moontime yoga and meditation, learning self care acupressure massage for menstrual issues, and Ayurvedic and Chinese Medicine perspectives on what foods to eat during specific phases of your cycle. This event is by donation; no one turned away for lack of funds. Please do RSVP so we can plan accordingly: (510) 459-9320 or shoshana@manzanitawellness.com

Moving, Grounding, Clearing: Tools for Replenishing our Life Force Energy

Sunday, January 26, 2014. 1pm-4pm

During this workshop, facilitated by Denise Schwab (deniseschwab.com), Shoshana Uribe, and Julia Katz, we will learn and share practices to ground, clear, replenish, and protect our energy so that we can most effectively focus our creative life force energy and optimize our emotional, spiritual and physical well being. We will explore and develop various tools for understanding and healing our own spiritual energy system.  These tools will include meditation, visualization, somatic and movement practices, and plant spirit healing (connecting with spiritual essence of plant medicine to assist us in these practices of directing and healing our spiritual energy). 

This workshop is especially helpful for therapists, social workers, and bodyworkers, and anyone who feels they experience anxiety, stress, depression, and/or fatigue as a result of taking on other folks' energies, and who would like to learn and share energy moving and protecting techniques, including movement, meditation, visualization, and more.  

This is the encore for a wonderful class we did last year at this time. For folks who participated, this is a great class can serve as an opportunity to remember and practice as well as learn some new tools. Newcomers will feel at home and comfortable as well. Space is limited for this workshop. If you would like to come, please RSVP to shoshana@manzanitawellness.com or call (510) 459-9320 as soon as possible. By donation.

Postpartum Preparation for Parents

Classes in December, January, and February, with Natashia Fuksman - now being offered in a different location

What are our plans/ideas/visions about life once our baby is here? What should I know or gather information about regarding postpartum? How can I prep during the prenatal time period? This is a two-part series with Natashia Fuksman, M.A. in Counseling Psychology, and postpartum doula. Natashia facilitates prenatal parent education groups discussing this greatly important topic: the rite of passage time period of postpartum for parents. Becoming a parent is a major life transition. Topics to be covered focus on the new parents experience during the postpartum time regarding: 

• Education in general and specific emphasis on one's new relationship with their body, their partner, experiencing oneself sexually during this time period

• Sleep

• Identity Development (who am I now that I am also a parent?)

• Exercise & Time for Yourself, within your adult intimate relationship(s) and with your child(ren)

• Non-judgmental Sharing, Emotional Support, Practical Support (What is a postpartum doula? How is she different from a Nanny? What's an IBCLC?)

• Referrals & Other Resources

Taking time to be mindful about preparation, continuing to enhance your community by engaging with other parents who will be giving birth soon, and engaging with the concept of parenthood as an addition to your identity(ies) will be explored. For more info and to RSVP: 415.326.4033 natashia.fuksman@gmail.com, fee: $75

Fall/Winter Wellness Essentials: Class and Clinic

Sunday, November 3, 2013, 10am-1pm

Please join us for this workshop focused on strengthening health this fall and winter! We will share tools for protecting immunity for yourself and your family, as well as addressing coughs, colds, flus, etc., through herbal medicines, foods, self-care acupressure massage, and moxibustion. Then, Manzanita Collective practitioners will offer acupuncture, massage, tea, and more self-care tips, in a community style clinic. This event is by donation; no one turned away for lack of funds. Children are welcome but please do RSVP so we can plan accordingly. For more information, and to reserve a space, please call Shoshana at (510) 459-9320, or email shoshana@manzanitawellness.com.

Birthing from Within Classes: 6-week Childbirth Education

Sunday September 8th - October 15th, 6:30-8:30 pm, with Jen Miriam Altman, M.A. Perinatal Psychology

In this class you will...

• Increase your confidence by learning mindfulness and effective coping practices for labor and beyond.

• Gain an understanding of how labor works.

• Make birth art and gain self-understanding through multi-sensory experiential processes.

• Learn practical information about birth, parenting a new baby and your changing relationships.

• Explore cultural and personal views about birth and parenting.

• Meet other families and share the joys and concerns of pregnancy in a safe and fun environment.

• Discover ways for Dad's/partners to connect with and support mom.

• Prepare for Birth as a "Rite of Passage"

• And much much more!

To register go to : www.birthdoulajen.weebly.com or e-mail Jen Miriam at birthdoulajen@gmail.com, to learn more about Birthing From Within go to their website at www.birthingfromwithin.com

Intro to Kinesio Taping with Amy Chang

Sundays, 6:30-8:30pm, with Amy Chang, CKTP, LAc

July 28, 2013: Muscles & Joints

Aug 4, 2013: Circulation and Lymphatics

I would like to invite you to a fun, hands-on workshop. I recently acquired a certification in kinesiotaping and am excited to begin researching how to use this tape on acupoints & meridians. I thought I'd start by introducing kinesiotaping to my community. Please forward this invitation to folks you know who may be interested.

Solstice Massage/Acu Clinic & Celebration!

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Manzanita’s community massage clinic makes a comeback for Summer Solstice, with acupuncture, children’s wellness, and summer herbal teas and tinctures! 

Enjoy a 15 or 30 minute Chinese Style Meridian Massage (clothed, oil-free-- see below*). We will also be offering community acupuncture treatments for Summer Solstice, working with the element of Fire, the Heart, Joy, and anything else that needs addressing! Shonishin (pediatric acupuncture, laser acu, and/or meridian massage to strengthen and balance) treatments will also be available for children. We will have herbal tea tasting and making, too, and some fresh harvest from the herb garden. Please RSVP and schedule your sessions!

*How much good can really happen in fifteen or thirty minutes? The answer turns out to be: a lot. Studies have shown that the brain begins to recharge in just a few minutes, and with just the right touch, tired muscles feel rejuvenated right away. Receiving even just five minutes of massage has been found to be effective for relief of aches and pains and reduction of stress. The community massage clinic environment is peaceful and relaxing, from the moment you walk in the door to the time spent on the massage table. Manzanita’s skillful practitioners provide Chinese Style Meridian Massage, which is a clothed massage and oil free.

Sliding scale sessions are 15 min: $10-20, 30 min: $20-35. Sign up for your 15 or 30 minute session now, by emailing shoshana@manzanitawellness,com, Amanda@healingmama.com or juliakatzz@yahoo.com. Or for more info call Amanda at 510-213-0793 or Julia at 510-417-9874, or Shoshana at (510) 459-9320.

INTRO TO ACU YOGA with Amanda Nube: Balancing the Meridians

Friday, May 3, 2013, 6pm

Most of you know that Acupuncture is but probably don't know how to work with these powerful energy pathways and points in the body yourselves. I'd like to teach you Acupressure and Acuyoga. These ancient therapies and self care tools use movement, stretching, holding and massaging specific points to unblock, balance, or increase the circulation of life force energy in the body. In working with you one on one for massage or in small group workshops, I can show you these practices that can dramatically reduce tension, increase circulation, and enable the body to relax deeply, thereby strengthening resistance to dis-ease and enhancing quality of life. The Acuyoga workshop takes place in a small group setting. You will get a chance to learn to read and respond to the energetics of your body and how to build your practice to balance your meridians. RSVP: amanda@healingmama.com or (510) 213-0793

You Are What You Digest: Hands on Yoga and Ayurveda Workshop for Digestive Health

Saturday, April 13, 1:30-4pm

Do you find yourself tired after meals? Or lacking energy in general? Does your belly gurgle or grumble? Are you gassy or bloated? Belching more than normal? Do you find foods that you used to love are suddenly not digestible? Have you developed a sensitivity to milk or wheat? Is there a coating on your tongue? Does your breath smell odd? Are you a little "irregular" without your kombucha or activia®?

Any of these complaints are a sign that your digestive health is suffering. Luckily it can be fixed with the wisdom of Ayurveda and Yoga Therapy!

Digestive health is key to a healthy long life. Without good digestion our body can not function properly or form strong, stable, resilient tissues. Poor digestion creates an environment where disease can set in at an early age. Both Classical Ayurveda and Yoga Therapy point to poor digestion as the underlying cause for nearly all disease but especially: heart disease, diabetes, metapolic disorders, auto-immune diseases, skin conditions, mental health issues, and of course digestive problems.

In this 2 - hour workshop get real hands-on skills in preserving,  regaining, maintaining digestive health.

• Learn everyday ayurvedic techniques to eating better in the modern world.

• Learn Yoga sequences designed to correct for specific digestive imbalances

• Take home a personal understanding of what you can do to feel better!

Learn the signs of weakened, slow and over-active digestion and the condition of your own ‘Ahar shakti’ or digestive strength. Please wear yoga-appropriate clothes, yoga mats and pillows, if needed,  for sitting comforably on the floor. Ghee and Digestive formulas will be available for purchase. Light Ayurvedic snack  and tea will be provided.

Presented by: Eden Lorraine Tosch, Registered Ayurvedic Clinician , MSc Social Psychology - 3409 Grand Ave Oakland 510-851-2822. Jennifer Meek, Yoga Therapist, performing artist, and dance instructor. She recieved a BFA in Dance, Yoga Instructor certification from the Temple of Kriya Yoga, and more recently Yoga Therapy training through the Niroga Institute in Berkeley. Jennifer teaches yoga at Square One Yoga in Emeryville, facilitates workshops in Movement and Yoga Therapy, and can lead you to a deeper sense of intimacy with yourself through one-on-one yoga sessions personalized to your needs and desires.

$30-15 sliding scale. Read more information and check our her website.

Community Massage Clinic

Saturday, March 9, 2013, 10am-12pm

Experience a rejuvenating community-style Acupressure Massage at Manzanita's Community Massage clinic and take a mini vacation! How much good can really happen in fifteen or thirty minutes? The answer turns out to be: a lot. Studies have shown that the brain begins to recharge in just a few minutes, and with just the right touch, tired muscles feel rejuvenated right away. Receiving even just five minutes of massage has been found to be effective for relief of aches and pains and reduction of stress. The community massage clinic environment is peaceful and relaxing, from the moment you walk in the door to the time spent on the massage table. Manzanita’s skillful practitioners provide Chinese Style Meridian Massage, which is a clothed massage and oil free. Sliding scale sessions are 15 min: $10-20, 30 min: $20-35. Sign up for your 15 or 30 minute session now, by emailing Amanda@healingmama.com or juliakatzz@yahoo.com, or for more info call Amanda at 510-213-0793 or Julia at 510-417-9874

Herbs and Nourishment for Post-Partum

Saturday, February 16, 2013. 11am-1pm. with Lauren Samuel and Eden Tosch

This class will delve into the importance of post partum care for the mother and child, using nutrition and herbal remedies from the Ayurvedic Tradition as well as a Western Herb perspective. 

Ayurveda views health as a multi-generational project. One can not be considered healthy unless your children are able to bear healthy children. A great deal of time and energy is focused on preparation for pregnancy, care during pregnancy and a special period post partum called "sutika awastha' that lasts 3 months after giving birth. This period is critical for the long term health of the mother and the baby.

We will discuss basics of ayurveda regarding fertility and healthy babies and mamas, with a focus on what women can do to take care of themselves post partum (herbs, daily practices and foods). We will discuss long term physical and emotional support for the mama, with blood nourishing and belly/body support, warmth, and the herbs that support that. We will also include information on healing the perineum, sitz baths, and aiding breastfeeding, among other topics! Herbal goodies will be available to sample and take home.

Suggested donation: $10-$20 sliding scale. To register: Lauren Samuel, 510-478-5776, loza@homemadeherbals.com

Eden Lorraine Tosch, Classical Ayurveda Clinician., MSC,

Eden’s abiding interests in holistic healthcare, human potential, and universal systems of understanding drew her into the study of Classical Indian Medicine (ayurveda). Seeing everyday healing using ancient practices motivate her to continue on this path. The balance between individuality & collective good, classical thought & unorthodox practices challenge her daily as she seeks to heal & inspire others with Classical Ayurveda. Eden has an office on Grand Ave where she does in-depth investigatory consultations, creates formulas using classical ayurveda herbs and medicines, does many traditional treatments and leads people on pancha karma cleanses for long-term health. eden-tosch.squarespace.com/about-eden

Lauren Samuel has practiced Herbal Medicine for over ten years, mixing and making teas and tinctures for friends, family and clients. She has learned extensively and apprenticed with teachers in England, Israel and the US. Her focus has always been on Women's Health, especially during the childbearing years, and children's health, as well as the more magical and alchemical use of herbs and flowers for emotional/mental well being. Her website is www.homemadeherbals.com and www.imeinu.wordpress.com for her doula work. Feel free to contact her for private consultations at loza@homemadeherbals.com

Big Picture and Details Workshop with Rebecca Redstone

March 10 and March 17, 2013, 9:30am-1pm

I am excited to be offering two workshops to facilitate you in successfully holding the big picture along with the details in your daily lives. I offer a structure and process but invite you to invest it with creativity and fun. These are impact workshops providing powerful transformational experiences and skills. As a coach, I know that such experiences can inspire and motivate in the moment but a lasting impact involves true integration into ones daily life. This is why I have included a follow-up coaching session in the price of each workshop.

Part One: The Big Picture, March 10, 9:30 – 1pm, Cost: $60

You will be guided in the process of creating your Personal Statement. This is a summary of who you are as well as who you would like to be. It is written in the present tense. 

A Personal Statement is a powerful tool to:

• Clarify and organize your thoughts

• Manifest parts of you that may not be fully integrated at present

• Remind you who you are

• Serve as foundation for decision making, goal setting, taking action

It is a dynamic statement which will inevitably change as you do. In the workshop you create your statement and explore how you plan to activate it.

Part Two: The Details, March 17, 9.30 – 1pm, Cost: $60

This is a workshop for people who want to…

• Turn their goals into reality

• Find a better way to manage their daily to-do list

In this workshop you will connect the dots between your Goals and your To Do List. We start big with identifying what you want to achieve and we distill this into actionable parts ultimately ending in what you can take action on this week and even this minute. This is a never ending process and I support you to create a system that truly works for you and enables you to activate your goals while navigating the demands of your daily lives. To register please email rebecca@redstone-consult.com. Note: Although this is a two part workshop you don’t need to attend the first part to attend the second, but it certainly helps. A reduced rate of $50 per session is offered for people who sign up for both workshops

Rebecca Redstone: Background: www.redstone-consult.com

Rebecca runs Redstone Consulting, a company that empowers people to act intentionally and operate efficiently so that they are best  positioned for success. Many of her clients consult with her because they are overwhelmed by day-to-day demands and struggle to stay connected to the bigger plan. Rebecca supports her clients in replacing chaos and complexity with organization, clarity and action. An independent consultant for the last 5 years in the Bay Area working with individuals, entrepreneurs, managers and teams in small businesses and corporations. She draws her skills and experience from 10 years in corporate Canada and America building, managing and transitioning teams. Partial list of companies that Rebecca has consulted for: Ryder Systems Inc., EDS, PG&E, City of Hope Hospital, Colourshadow Communications, Inc. Royal Bank Capital Markets.

Winter Warming and Wellness: Moxa Day

Sunday, December 16, 2012, 2-4pm

Come on down to Manzanita for your moxibustion treatment, wellness acupuncture, and some delicious seasonal tea! Moxibustion is the practice of burning dried mugwort herb at certain points in the body, to stimulate healing by warming and strengthening the body’s vital forces, moving and nourishing qi and blood. This practice is used for myriads of conditions, including as a protection for immunity. This time of year is Kidney time of year, and moxa is deeply nourishing, protective, and strengthening for the essential energies of the Kidneys/Water element in particular. It can also help with chronic pain and cold conditions of various kinds. Please call (510) 459-9320, or email shoshana@manzanitawellness.com, to reserve your space!

Fall Equinox Extravaganza: Harvesting Health for the Fall Season  

Sunday Sept. 23, 2-5pm, at the MG Mother Garden: 1731 Oregon St. Berkeley, with Manzanita Collective members: Shoshana Uribe, Julia Katz, Amanda Nube, Francine Madrid

As late summer begins to turn toward Fall, it is time for us to harvest abundance and joy, and begin to strengthen our inner roots for fall and winter.

Collective members will share resources such as:

• Acupressure self-care to prevent and treat colds and flus for adults and children

• Boosting energy systems with quick get up and go stretches, sun salutations, & qi gong movement

• Nutritional and detox information for Fall

• Garden walk and herbal preparation for immune strengthening

• Childrens' activities and back-to-school wellness

Meet members of Movement Generation and Manzanita healers' Collective, and learn more about both organizations, which are dedicated to building health resilience and accessibility. RSVP (510) 459-9320 or shoshana@manzanitawellness.com. Especially beneficial for anyone dealing with issues around asthma, digestion, toxicity, compromised immunity, allergies, skin disorders, stress, trauma, and humanity!

Shonishin/Children's Wellness Day

Sunday, July 1, 2012, 2-4pm

Now is also a great time to bring in children with asthma or other ongoing respiratory conditions which act up in winter. During summer we do “moxa” poultices at points on the back to address cold related respiratory issues during the hotter seasons.... Please enquire for more information. Shonishin is a pediatric method of meridian massage and stimulation which was developed in Japan several hundred years ago. It is used to enhance immunity and maintain wellness, as well as for conditions of disharmony. This wonderful balancing treatment is given to healthy children once a month on or before the full moon. One of my favorite teachers shares that in Japan, all the clinics have their flags (each with a different animal on it) out on these days to let people know they can come for Shonishin! Shonishin day is also a time when parents can learn practices to do at home, such as acupressure points and meridians, and immunity building foods, teas, rubs, etc. Treatments on Shonishin day are $15 for a 15 minute treatment. Appointments are necessary! If your child has a complex health issue, it may be preferable to come for a longer visit before or after the Shonishin day.

Joy Solstice

Sunday, June 24, 2012, 3-5pm

A day for cultivating and experiencing Joy, nourishing our Hearts, and honoring the element of Fire.... Summer is the season of Fire in Chinese medicine, relating to the Heart organ and energetic system, and the emotion of Joy. We will plant herbs and make herbal medicines which address the Heart (physical and emotional), learn acupressure for the heart and other fire organs, and do some qigong practices to benefit these systems as well. Massage and acupuncture will also be offered with the intention and focus of joy and the heart. Children are welcome too. With Manzanita Collective members and Friends. RSVP to Shoshana if you will celebrate with us! (510) 459-9320 or shoshana@manzanitawellness.com.

Manzanita Collective Welcome Open House: Festivities and Workshops!

Saturday May 12, 2012, 1pm-4pm

Join us to welcome Manzanita Collective, our new constellation of healing practitioners with food, festivities, workshops, and ritual. Free acupressure, massage, and acupuncture; workshops in qigong, acupressure, acu-yoga for mamas, and the seasonal element; info session on Mayan abdominal massage; garden herb walk, children’s crafts/activities and shonishin/children’s wellness. We are looking forward to celebrating with you! Please RSVP to Shoshana, Julia, Francine, or Amanda.

Wood Earth Harmony Day

Sunday, Feb 26, 2012, with Shoshana Uribe, Julia Katz, Amanda Nube, Lauren Samuel, and Shantell Herndon

A day for giving love and nourishment to our Wood (Liver and Gallbladder) and Earth (Spleen and Stomach/Digestive) elements in our bodies! This is a wonderful opportunity to attune our bodies to the spring season. Learn qigong practices, acupressure self-care, and make your own unique herbal remedies for harmonizing these elements and tonifying/soothing the Liver. Especially beneficial for anyone dealing with issues around digestion, menstruation, sleep, mood, allergies, headaches, and humanity! 

$15 donation requested. Space is limited.Please call (510) 459-9320, or email shoshana@manzanitawellness.com, to reserve your space!

Herb-Making for Fall/Winter Health

Sunday, November 6, 2011, 1pm

Join us for a delightful herb making workshop with Lauren Samuels, Sunday November 6 at 1pm. We will be offering little teachings on the herbs and making immune boosting herbal liquids for you to use during this Fall/Winter season, including organic and garden grown herbs! Please call or email Shoshana to register. Fee is $15-20 sliding scale.

Lauren is an herbalist living in Berkeley, CA. She grows and prepares organic and wildcrafted herbal tinctures, as well as some flower essences. She has been studying and making herbs for ten years with various teachers, including Matthew Wood and Baruch Shapiro. Her passion involves women and children's health and vitality in all stages of their lives.  

Plant Spirit Garden Ceremony

Sunday, May 15, 2011

The blog delves into some of the connection between Heart and Earth, spirit and embodiment, that is related with this time of year.... To celebrate this time, I would like to invite you to a Plant Spirit Garden Ceremony, May 15, from 1-2. 

Here is an opportunity for you to bring a little plant (herbal or otherwise) that you feel a healing connection with, to plant in our little container garden at the clinic. When you come for treatments, you can visit your plant, and perhaps water it or harvest from it. 

We will have some herbal tea with some Heart related herbs, of course, and a bit of meditation and qigong to harmonize Heart and Earth elements in the body, as well as talk about (and harvest!) some of the other medicinal plants in the garden. Some ear acupuncture in the garden to harmonize fire and earth for those who are interested, too. Please please let me know in advance (by May 10) if this is something you would like to participate in! If you would like to bring a plant but can't come on May 15, you can let me know that also.

Liver Tonic and Spring Tea Tasting

Sunday, March 13, 2011

You are invited to Manzanita for an afternoon of community acupuncture and spring teas and snacks, all focused on nourishing, cleansing, tonifying, and balancing the Liver for Spring, the season of renewing the Liver. Please bring a poem for the bulletin board, so that our Spring visioning may be delighted and inspired! If you are interested in participating in a community herb garden later this spring, there will also be some moments to envision this! Please RSVP to hold your space: (510) 459-9320. Looking forward to seeing you.

Class: Nourish and Strengthen for Fall - Maintaining Wellness and Protecting Immunity

This is a traveling workshop on how to maintain wellness and protect immunity before and during cold and flu season. This workshop will include information on beneficial herbs, foods, acupressure, qi gong, herbal rubs, and other home practices for staying healthy and vibrant at this time of year. If your school, office, organization, community group, family, etc. would like to host/participate in this class, please email shoshana@manzanitawellness.com or call (510) 459-9320 to arrange a time for the workshop to take place, either at Manzanita Wellness Clinic or a different location suitable to the attendees.