By Stefanie Little | Rise Above Violence
Since January of this year, Rise Above Violence (Rise) has been teaming up with PMAB + Movement once a month to host Healing Circles at the PMAB studio, taking place every fourth Thursday of the month from noon to 1 p.m.
The idea grew from a brainstorming session, with both organizations trying to figure out the best way to support trauma survivors in our community. It feels like there is a shift in Pagosa (and society at large) and there is a desire for alternative healing modalities, as well as a need for community belonging.
Monthly Healing Circles began to take form as mini-workshops, with a different modality or practice offered each month. So far, we have offered such workshops as sound healing, reiki circles, self-massage, cognitive behavioral therapy tapping, flower essences, the art of council and aerial yoga.
These workshops are free to attend. The goal is to encourage anyone who has had trauma to try different types of movement, energy work and meditation practices (just to name a few) so that deeper healing can occur. There is no expectation of survivors who choose to attend to share, as we have created these workshops as a way to introduce new and alternative techniques for health and healing.
For this month, October’s circle is happening Thursday, Oct. 27, at noon, and Roberta Strickland will be leading a workshop with a practice in tangle patterns. This is an easy-to-learn, relaxing and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing patterns we call “tangles.” The practice has been described as “yoga for the brain” or “yoga with pen and paper” for its relaxing, meditative qualities.
This will be our first art therapy-based workshop and we are so excited to present this offering to survivors in our community. You can visit PMAB’s website for more information: https://www.pagosamassageandbodywork.com/workshops1.html, as well as Rise Above Violence’s Facebook page.
Keep an eye out for more information about offerings for future circles. So far for November, we have planned an upbeat drum circle (note this one will be on Nov. 17 due to the Thanksgiving holiday), and then a loving yourself yoga/meditation class for December.
If you are a survivor in Pagosa searching for community and alternative healing, we hope you will join us for these amazing, transformative and healing mini-workshops. If you have any questions, feel free to call PMAB at (970) 903-9278.
The healing workshops are one way that Rise works with the community to support victims and survivors. Advocates at Rise also offer safety planning, emotional support, help victims navigate the legal system and much more. Research shows that supportive services that are trauma informed are the best way to get to those who have experienced domestic violence on the path to healing.
Every1 Knows Some1. We know that as prevalent as domestic violence is in our nation and community that you or someone you know is likely touched by domestic violence. Rise is here to help; whether to help you learn how to support a friend, family member, co-worker or child, or to work directly with the person experiencing violence. Rise has a hotline to support both the victim and their support network. You can call (970) 264-9075 any day, at any time and talk to an advocate. Don’t wait to get help.
Get involved: join us at Coffee Talk today, Oct. 20, at 9 a.m. at the Tennyson Building Event Center for our last Coffee Talk of the year. This is a great way to learn more about the issues in our community and find out how you can be part of the solution. There are many ways to help: from volunteering for events or to be a hotline volunteer, be a monthly donor for as little as $10 a month ($10 answers one crisis call), or just by having more knowledge to share with those in your life who may need help.
Rise is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides 24-hour support and advocacy services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault or other forms of violence, serving around 400 victims each year. Rise also works to eliminate violence through education for youth and our community. All programs and services are free and confidential, including emergency prevention education and empowerment programs. Visit www.riseaboveviolence.org for more information or call (970) 264-9075 to talk to an advocate today.
