Sacred Embodiment Healing Workshop
Bundaberg, Queensland | 1st, 2nd, 3rd March, 2024
A 2.5 day journey to set you on a path to healing and wholeness.
Join trauma-specialist and somatic therapist Carissa Rodgers for a weekend of embodiment, somatic practices and nervous system education.
We’ll explore the connection between the body and how it holds and heals from trauma. Through an immersive curriculum covering education on the nervous system, Polyvagal theory, and empowering embodiment practices, you’ll rediscover your body’s innate ability to release stress, anxiety and trauma, fostering a powerful sense of connection within a circle of like-hearted women on a shared path towards healing.
You’ve heard the whispers of your soul
And deep in the recesses of your heart, you’ve felt the effects. And it’s no wonder. Science has shown us that stress and trauma not only live in the mind but remain deeply embedded in the tissues of our body.
And as a result, these silent echoes reverberate throughout our daily lives, impacting our well-being in ways both seen and unseen.
A subtle ache, a tension in the muscles, a tightness in the chest, a heaviness that’s only felt in the quiet moments – all imprints of past experiences that never truly left us. When we are called to explore the roots of stress and trauma, we start to understand that true healing involves unravelling the aches etched in our essence.
“Working with Carissa is simply one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
“The idea of arriving open-hearted to a circle of women I’d never met, was uncomfortable for me. Yet I was soon at ease as I entered the cosy space and met the other wonderful women. The exercises were uncomplicated, challenging and rewarding. The Healing circle experience is one I know I’ll cherish and I’m looking forward to the next.”
If you’ve been yearning for a safe, heart-healing space,
this is where you’ll find it
Something profound happens when women come together to learn, reawaken felt sense and begin the journey back home to themselves.
This weekend workshop is designed to hold sacred space as you not only connect with like-hearted women but also reconnect with your own body.
This workshop is for you if:
You are interested in gaining a deeper understanding of yourself, your patterns and your behaviours with the aim of improving your outlook and enriching your life.
Our journey explores the following themes:
The schedule:
Day 1:
Sacred Embodiment circle by candlelight
Coming together Friday evening, you’ll meet and spend time connecting with the other women. In circle, we’ll explore personal safety and belonging, gentle movement practices, reawakening felt sense through practices and find deep rest and safety with one another.
Day 2:
Nervous system theory and practice
As an experienced trauma therapist and somatic specialist, I deeply believe that deep healing also requires education. Our full-day Saturday is for diving into nervous system theory and education interspersed with beautiful practices you can take with you and implement into your daily self care routines and rituals. At the end of the day, you’ll intimately understand your nervous system and see its patterns in a whole new light. We’ll explore simple ways to regulate ourselves and deepen our inner resources.
Day 3:
Connecting beyond the traumatised self
On Sunday, our final day together, we’ll explore trauma healing as a direct spiritual path that points us towards our true nature. We’ll use nature, creative arts, therapeutic touch, mindful presencing and meditation to point us towards and reactivate the essence of who we are—exploring the embodied present moment beyond our fight/flight/freeze patterns.
Your ticket to the retreat includes:
- Friday to Sunday education and practices
- Sacred Circle led by Carissa on Friday evening
- Labyrinth Walk with Labyrinth Facilitator
- 7 ways to ease emotional overwhelm ebook
- All powerpoints and handouts
- 15 min Zoom ‘Meet and Greet’ with Carissa prior to workshop
- Comfort essential oil
- Light refreshments
We’ll also be diving into…
New ways to be in the world. If you have experienced emotional overwhelm, stress, trauma, burnout, reactivity, depression, anxiety, loss of purpose, disconnection from self and those around you, and you have tried many things in your healing journey that haven’t helped, this weekend workshop will help set you back on the path to healing.
You’ll learn how to deal with negative emotions, reconnect with yourself and discover new tools and practices you can use in your daily life. You’ll also find a beautiful community of women on a similar path to you.
Meet your retreat host
Carissa Rodgers, MA is a heart-centred Somatic Psychotherapist, Counsellor, Stress & Trauma Therapist, and the Founder & Director of Wide Bay Counselling & Psychotherapy.
Holding qualifications in community services, Carissa completed her Master’s degree in Gestalt Psychotherapy. She is also a Somatic Experiencing and Somatic Practice (touch for trauma) practitioner. All these methods are based deeply in neuroscience and the science of the nervous system to heal and move toward well-being.
Before entering private practice, Carissa spent over 12 years as a Counsellor and Community Educator serving a diverse range of people in community services.
Through Wide Bay Counselling & Psychotherapy, Carissa supports workplaces and organisations with employee assistance programs, critical incident response, supervision for counsellors, and helping professionals. Her specialised contracts include providing counselling, supervising and training for the Emergency Services.
In addition to her psychotherapy practice, Carissa also works with women who seek a deeper connection with themselves by helping them connect more deeply with their wisdom through her signature method, the Somatic Awakening Method™, a body-centred, relational psychotherapy based on ancient wisdom, nervous system healing, family constellations, mindfulness, sacred practices and embodiment arts.
Carissa wholeheartedly believes in the healing power of warmth, deep connection, care and tender presence, which she offers to all who come into contact with her.
“Carissa helped me realise that what I initially thought were the issues were actually pointers to even deeper issues. She provides the exercises, tools and strategies but most importantly, the SPACE to BE and treats everyone with compassion and empathy.”
“Carissa’s astute observations, practical guidance and helpful suggestions make her an extremely skilled, compassionate and empathetic counsellor.”
“From the minute I met Carissa the connection was immediate and the weight lifted off my shoulders. I am a much happier human having had her enter my life. Thank you, Carissa. You truly are a beautiful, warm and very gifted guide.”
At the end of our time together you’ll walk away with a much deeper understanding of your own nervous system and its responses
You’ll learn how to harness the power of your autonomic nervous system with science-backed tools to make lasting changes in your life. You can use these tools and practices long after the workshop is over to support you in your daily life with stress and trauma responses. You’ll gain a deeper connection to self and body, and to a group of like-minded women plus a new map for healing your heart and mind.
This is the start (or a step in the right direction) of your lifelong healing journey. Over the three days, you will start to understand your nervous system and the causes of (sometimes lifelong) patterns and habits that drive behaviours. You’ll get an in-depth education about nervous system theory that you can take into your life. Remember, only so much can be achieved over one weekend, but it’s a big step in the right direction.
The Details:
The Sacred Embodiment Healing workshop will be held on the first weekend in March 2024.
Catering
Light refreshments will be supplied, including snacks, morning tea and afternoon tea. Please bring your own lunch on Saturday (a fridge is provided), or you can drive or walk a short distance to one of the nearby cafes, bakeries or supermarkets.
Dates & Times
Friday 1st: 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm
Saturday 2nd: 9.30 am to 5.00 pm
Sunday 3rd: 12.00 to 6.00 pm
(Plus a 15 min Zoom ‘Meet and Greet’ with Carissa to be scheduled prior to Workshop start)
Address
Bargara Uniting Church
Cr Hughes Rd and Blain St
Bargara QLD 4670
One time payment
$550
Payment Plan
2 x $290 (2 weeks apart)
The location:
The Bargara Uniting Church Hall was chosen as the venue for this weekend’s workshop for a few reasons: it has excellent facilities and is comfortable for up to 12 people. It features a beautiful Labyrinth and an ideal outdoor setting.
We will not be inside the church itself but rather using the back room/hall. This venue is also close to shops in Bargara should you need to purchase food; however, I recommend you stay at the venue or return to the venue with your food so we can eat together.
