2022 Events
Healing Workshop Series for Pregnancy & Infant Loss - ONLINE :: monthly
These 90-minute workshops are co-facilitated by Joanne and Amrit Dencer-Brown (Hummingbird Stars, located in North Berwick, Scotland). This inclusive workshop series invites all gestational and non-gestational parents who have experienced perinatal loss of any kind to work in a small-group environment to process both their grief, loss, and pain AND their strength, creativity, and healing.
They incorporate a range of reflective (written, drawing, etc.), embodied, and guided imagery activities, and each month has a different theme. **Workshops continue through December 2022.
Climb Out of the Darkness Community Gathering - Downtown Asheville, NC :: June 25, 2022
Joanne was invited to speak at this community event that raises awareness about perinatal mental health and postpartum community support. She gave a talk that wove together her personal experience of stillbirth, the importance of incorporating a variety of healing practices, and offered ways to think about active grieving as a necessary part of parenting with/through loss.
Creative Approaches to Grief Workshops - ONLINE :: February AND September 2022
This workshop has inspired participants to engage with their grief in new ways. We focus on the words we use to describe our grief; how we can create beneficial grief spaces in our homes; where grief resides in our bodies; and how rituals can help us honor our various losses and transitions.
**2023 Dates - TBD
Grief Immersion for Death Workers - ONLINE :: January/February AND April/May
Each time we run this 6-week course, our cohort grows. We feel the vitality of this work as those who engage with grief, loss, and death professionally are feeling the need to navigate their own grief experiences. We offer this class on a sliding-scale basis and we offer BIPOC/BIPGM Equity scholarships in order to make it as accessible as possible. **Our next class begins October 9, 2022 - and places are still available!
Holding Space for Pregnancy Loss - ONLINE :: January, February, April, May, AND August
This course ever more important as maternal health and mental health receives more attention and as folks are still dealing with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Also, the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade has created new kinds of challenges for those navigating fertility, pregnancy, and pregnancy loss. Joanne has taught these small-group trainings to a range of individuals: from nurses and family educators, to birth and death doulas, yoga and massage therapists, and mental health professionals. **Joanne’s upcoming training dates are in October and November 2022.
2021 Events
Grief Immersion for Death Workers - ONLINE :: October/November 2021
We were thrilled to design this 6-week course for death workers of all stripes - those new to death doula work and those who have been practicing death care/support in their communities. We included 3 guest participants to help us tease out ideas and provide important perspectives to our students. Our topics range from exploring the social and ecological/more-than-human elements of grief to considering the advocacy and activist components of grief work.
Borrowed Time Conference - ONLINE via Art.Earth - UK-Based Event :: November 2, 2021
We collaborated with Laura Cull (Head of School, DAS Amsterdam) and Siegmar Zacharias (Berlin-based researcher, performer, death doula) to generate a symposium contribution called “Creative Grief Practices.” To the international audience gathered online, we introduced our various practices for working with grief and discussed the importance of engaging with grief through an artful lens.
Creative Approaches to Grief Workshops - ONLINE :: February, May, AND October
In these 4-week workshops, we work with a small group to explore grief through different creative modalities. Specifically, we explore language/writing, drawing/visual mapping, embodied movements, and designing rituals. We alternate the facilitation of this workshop, so that Will leads the participants in Week 1 & 3 and Joanne leads the sessions in Weeks 2 & 4. We provide activity prompts during the weeks prior to our Saturday online gatherings.
Supporting Perinatal Loss - ONLINE :: March 13 AND September 4
Joanne taught this 30-person course as part of a Full-Spectrum Doula Training organized by Homegrown Families. While most participants were birth and postpartum doulas-in training, additional vocations included a funeral director, end-of-life doula, and elementary school teacher. This eight-hour training included large and small-group discussions, and participants completed a reflection assignment after our gathering.
Image credit: @artoftransitions
Holding Space for Pregnancy Loss - ONLINE :: January, February, April, May, August, October AND November
Joanne has really enjoyed teaching these small-group trainings again this year. Her participants have included family educators, nurses, social workers, hospital chaplains, and healing arts practitioners. They have joined the online trainings from across the United States and Canada, as well as Trinidad & Tobago, Ireland, Scotland, and France. Click HERE to learn more about these regularly held trainings and view upcoming dates.
2020 Events
What Grief Is/What Grief Does Workshop - ONLINE :: October 17, 2020 (9-10:30am EDT)
Joanne was so honored to be invited to offer a grief workshop for the Fall 2020 UU Womenspirit Virtual Event, “Everyday Sacred.” Joanne facilitated a 90-minute workshop on grief to a group of 18. She discussed a section of Martin Prechtel’s book, The Smell of Rain on Dust: Grief and Praise and invited participants to craft their own definitions of grief and statements about what grief does to/with/in us. We then discussed ideas for making public these statements through clothing, accessories, public art, and more.
Exploring Creative Approaches to Grief - ONLINE :: October 3, 10, 17, & 24 (2-4pm EDT)
Joanne and Will alternatively facilitated this 4-week-long workshop designed for both grievers and those who wish to support the bereaved. Our sessions introduced perspectives on and activities for engaging with Grief & Language, Grief Mapping, Embodiment & Grief, and Rituals for Grief. Each week, participants received prompts for engaging with the topics in more depth through activities and reflections.
Reiki 1 Class & Attunement - ONLINE :: July 18 & 25, 2020 (1-5pm EDT)
Will had a great experience teaching his first online Reiki 1 class with compassionate and curious students. Dividing the course material over two days allowed the students to deepen their understanding of the practice of Usui Reiki. Interim assignments invited students to integrate the teaching into their everyday life.
Learn more about future online and in-person classes HERE.
Holding Space for Pregnancy Loss - ONLINE :: June 22 & 29; August 7 & 14; September 16 & 23; November 8 & 15
Joanne is thrilled to be able to offer her Pregnancy Loss training in a live online format for small groups. Her trainings have included doulas, chiropractors, a midwife, end-of-life celebrant, and therapists. In small groups, we discus the three main components of the training and explore a case study to put our learning into practice. Assignments undertaken between our meetings allow participants to reflect on and engage with the training materials. Attendees receive handouts with additional resources and ideas for supporting grieving parents and their own self-care.
For more information about this workshop and for details on future trainings, please visit our website HERE.
2019 Events
Holding Space for Pregnancy Loss - Twin Cities :: July 27, 2019 (10:30am-4:30pm) at the Minnesota Birth Center in St. Paul, MN
Joanne taught her inaugural Holding Space for Pregre nancy Loss training for a compassionate group of attendees who contributed immensely to the workshop with their experiences and perspectives. Designed for care providers and birth professionals, the training covered three core elements: the Companioning Model of Grief Care/Support, Strengthening Support Networks, and the Healing Power of Ritual.
Through case studies, discussions, and embodied activities, we dove into the important topic of supporting grieving parents and families in the wake of pregnancy loss and infant death. Joanne is grateful to the Minnesota Birth Center for their support of this work!
Mapping our Grief Worlds and Embodying the Shadow Workshops :: May 18, 2019 (8:45-11:45am, 1:15-4:15pm) at UU Womenspirit Gathering held at the Mountain Retreat & Learning Center
Joanne taught two 3-hour long workshops to wonderfully open-hearted and open-minded participants. Her Mapping class introduced the notion of Ecotone to frame the productive zone that exists between and within grief events. Participants created their own griefscapes and shared their insights and realizations about their grief journeys with one another. They also received instructions on how to create Grief Body Maps at home.
The afternoon Embodying session incorporated several activities (physical games, guided imagery, a reading from a play) to explore the ways in which grief inhabits our bodies and the consequences of not attuning ourselves to where it takes up space. Each workshop was framed through the archetype of the Shadow. And it became clear that our creatve & collaborative efforts were equal parts Shadow & Light Work.
Creative Grief Workshop :: April 13, 2019 (10am-3pm)
Joanne and Will co-facilitated this multi-part Grief Workshop. Beginning with a mindful tea-drinking activity, we dicussed the place of everyday rituals during the grieving process and how it can help to generate a communal experience. In conversation with our students (who are both grievers and grief workers), we discussed Alan Wolfelt’s Companioning Model of Grief Support and discussed personal experiences with companioning and care-giving.
Then we launched into our Grief Mapping exercise, which allowed us to see our grief experiences from different perspectives. After a lunch break, we moved our bodies to explore the relationship between emotions, language, social conventions, and embodied knowing.
Reiki 1 Class & Attunement :: April 7, 2019 (9am-5pm) at Nutritious Thoughts
Will had a great class with a small, terrific group of students. As with past introductory Reiki classes, he discussed the historical context of Usui Reiki and its journey from Japan to the United States. Students practiced self-Reiki and then worked with one another to practice Reiki on someone else. They each brought engaged energy and generated insightful observations. Will looks forward to future Reiki 1 classes!
Embodied Reading Group :: February 9, 16, 23 and March 2 (5-7pm) at THE BLOCK off biltmore
We enjoyed this four-week exploration of David Grossman's powerful book Falling Out Of Time. The book is an expression of grief, an artful working through of the devastating loss of a child. Grossman gathers together individual stories of loss within a fictitious landscape to begin imagining a community-wide recognition of grief.
Through close reading, small and large group conversations, written reflections, embodied activities and guided meditations, we engaged individually and collectively with death, loss, and grief. Going back and forth between discussing our personal experiences with grief and the world of the book encouraged introspection and insight.
2018 Events
Candle Lighting to Remember Children Who Have Died :: December 15, 2018 (7-8pm) at the Parish Hall of the Cathedral of All Souls
We are very pleased to haved hosted our third Candle Lighting event. Our gathering was held in conjunction with the annual worldwide celebrations organized by groups affiliated with The Compassionate Friends. However, our ceremony took place a week later due to a winter storm.
We were joined by several grieving families who wished to honor their children, siblings, and other relatives and friends who have passed through this world. In addition to Joanne’s opening remarks, we heard from invited speakers Ariel Schumaker-Hammond (LCSW) and Greg Lathrop and Said Osio (who coordinate Death Cafe Asheville and operate thirdmessenger.com). Greg also gifted us with flute music that framed the formal part of our gathering.
We shared candle light, the names of our beloveds, tears, and love. Afterwwards, we enjoyed conversation about life, death, support, and self-care. We are very grateful to all who attended and to everyone who helped us to circulate news of the Candle Lighting in person and online!
Death Faire 2018 :: November 3, 2018 (12-8pm), sponsored by Abundance NC
We were thrilled to take part in this Abundance NC community event in Pittsboro, NC. Joanne facilitated an embodied grief activity from our Creative Grief Workshop and Will gave a short talk on the International Necronautical Society.
At our Inviting Abundance table in the Vendor Village, we spoke to many people processing grief and/or working to help others engage meaningfully in living, dying, and grieving. We were also happy to give out samples of Finlay’s Garden Herbal Honey and some other botanical treats. Thanks to everyone who attended our events and who stopped by our table! We hope to continue the conversations and see you at next year’s Death Faire!
Reiki 2 Class & Attunement :: July 15, 2018 (9am-4pm)
This was Will's first Reiki 2 class. It was a great challenge to introduce practitioners to the esoteric sign system underpinning Reiki healing. He finished the class by discussing the many ways to integrate Reiki into one's everyday life.
You don't need to know how you'll use Reiki in order to explore it in depth through one of these classes. Looking forward, we still believe that Reiki 2 would be especially helpful for those in the medical & healing arts: nurses, doctors, midwives, doulas, chiropractors, herbalists, acupuncturists, cranialsacral therapists, massage therapists, etc.
Reiki 1 Class & Attunement :: May 20, 2018 (9am-4pm)
This was Will's second Reiki 1 Class. Students gained an insider's understanding of the practice of Usui Reiki; they learned how to utilize Reiki healing on themselves and on others. Less an introduction to Reiki and more of an instant immersion, this course attuned students to the first level of Reiki understanding while providing an in-depth overview of this spiritual art.
For more information on Reiki (and specifically, Distance Reiki), please see Will's 4-part blog available here.
Reiki 1 Class & Attunement :: March 4, 2018 (8am-3:30pm)
Will really enjoyed teaching hist first Reiki 1 class. He offered students a tour through the history of Usui Reiki, an overview of Reiki healing practices, a discussion on the role Reiki plays in self-care, and the first of three Reiki attunements. Familiarity with Reiki was helpful but not necessary for students -- the only requirement was an open mind and an open heart!
Creative Grief Workshop :: February 17, 2018 (10am-3pm)
In our second workshop, we did some heart-opening breathing, gentle yoga, and tea-drinking activities. We also drew maps of our grief worlds, which we shared with one another. And then we got up on our feet for activities that helped us think through our emotional responses to grief and our interactions with others in everyday life. Writing prompts between activities helped us to process our insights, feelings, and observations.
2017 Events
Candle Lighting to Remember Children Who Have Died :: December 10, 2017 (7-8:30pm) at the Parish Hall of the Cathedral of All Souls)
Our Candle Lighting Ceremony took place in conjunction with The Compassionate Friends's 21st Annual Worldwide Event. For those unfamiliar with The Compassionate Friends , it is an international organization that supports bereaved families in the wake of a child's death with peer-led chapter groups, online resources, and a yearly (national US) conference.
Tonight, communities across the Earth gathered at 7pm (local time) to create a 24-hour wave of light as they honored and remembered our beloved children.
In addition to the candle lighting, we spoke the names of our children and grandchildren. Will talked about the practice of hope and Joanne spoke about white pine as a support for our "grief immune systems". We also wrote out gifts that we would give to ourselves in the coming weeks: patience, quiet, etc. We are grateful to those who joined us for this evening of healing!
Conversation about Grief :: November 16, 2017 (6-8pm) at Malaprop's Bookstore/Cafe
Megan Devine, author of It's Okay that You're Not Okay: Meeting Grief and Loss in a Culture That Doesn't Understand (Sounds True, 2017), and Inviting Abundance's Will Daddario, author of To Grieve (Ugly Duckling, 2017) discussed topics related to grief, loss, love, and healing.
This conversation seems especially timely with the approaching holidays & the myriad emotions and expectations that can accompany them for those of us who are grieving. It was great to meet more members of the grieving community in Asheville! Thanks for those who attended.
Creative Grief Workshop :: November 11, 2017 (10am-3pm)
Our work together included grief mapping exercises, journaling, and embodied activities that led to personal reflection and group discussion. Additionally, we participated in a tea-drinking mindfulness exercise and discussed some herbs that can prove especially beneficial during grief. Our attendees, we hope, left our workshop with new ideas for thinking, seeing, and feeling their way through their grief journey.