Reflect. Restore. Action.

Check out the recap from the Beats of Healing: Community through African Drumming which took place in June 2023 at UTM:

(Video clip credit: Ali Jaafar)

Winter 2024

Virtual Restorative Space for Jewish Community at U of T

Facilitator: TBA

Format: Virtual – Zoom Platform. Accessibility information for Zoom.
Audience: Students, staff and faculty at the University of Toronto who identify as members of Jewish community.
Cost: Free
Registration Opening Soon

January 25, 2024    •    1:00 pm – 2:00 pm 

Faith and Hope: Towards Restoration for Muslim Community

Participants will engage facilitated space of restorative practice and artistic expression informed by the teachings of the Muslim faith. Drawing from prophetic traditions and islamic spirituality, a multi-arts creation space will be cultivated through this workshop where participants can engage in narrative building practices that support self and community care. Based-in narrative writing, poetry, and music, activities in this workshop are designed to facilitate pathways towards self-determination and healing for Muslims in a non-judgemental, inclusive environment. No prior experience is needed to participate.

Facilitator:

Timaj Garad (she/her)
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Format: Virtual – Zoom Platform. Accessibility information for Zoom.
Audience: Students, staff and faculty at the University of Toronto who identify as members of Muslim community.
Note: You must use a University of Toronto email address to register.
Cost: Free
Register

February 13, 2024    •    11:30 am – 1:00 pm 

There is More: Black Healing Circle

With the use of African wisdom and principles, the focus of this Black healing circle will be for participants to explore how they may begin to live more liberated now, whether in or outside of the school institution. Black bodies are constantly in a state of survival, which leaves many feeling overly exhausted and stressed as it relates to school or job performance. Together, we will unpack the exhaustion of racial trauma, recognize and amplify glimmers of joy and hope in our Blackness, and explore ways forward to ensure Black bodies live more liberated.

Facilitator:

Simone Donaldson (she/her)
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Format: Virtual – Zoom Platform. Accessibility information for Zoom.
Audience: Students, staff and faculty at the University of Toronto who identify as members of Black community.
Note: You must use a University of Toronto email address to register.
Cost: Free
Register

April 26, 2024    •    11:00 am – 12:00 pm 

Rejuv Movement Session

A 1-hour restorative movement session that is done to a slow to medium pace. Blending Indian classical dance gestures, breath and self-reflexology, this class is designed to bring participants to a state of balance, deep relaxation and allow their mind and body to restore. Participants will leave feeling a sense of renewal, release and restoration.

Facilitator:

Reshmi Chetram (she/her)
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Location:

Multi-Faith Centre
Main Activity Hall
2nd Floor, Room KP208
569 Spadina Avenue

Format: In-Person
Audience: Students, staff and faculty at the University of Toronto who identify as members of Asian community/communities.
Note: You must use a University of Toronto email address to register.
Cost: Free
Register

May 23, 2024    •    11:00 am – 12:00 pm 

Cultivating Hope in an Apocalypse

For many marginalized communities, the apocalypse has already happened and continues to. What keeps us going when we are fighting for post-apocalypse world and liberatory futures? How do we tend to our fiery and grieving hearts as we fight for a future free of violence and oppression in Asian and Pacific Islander communities and beyond? Join us for a one-hour long artmaking workshop where we dream and envision what a world free of oppression for communities made marginalized, including Asian communities would be like. If we can dream, we can build it. No prior art experience is needed.

Facilitator:

Stephanie Wu (they/them)
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Format: Virtual – Zoom Platform. Accessibility information for Zoom.
Audience: Students, staff and faculty at the University of Toronto who identify as members of Asian community/communities.
Note: You must use a University of Toronto email address to register.
Cost: Free
Optional Materials: Drawing utensils, paper, collage material (i.e.,newspaper, flyers, old books), scissors, glue/tape
Register

Past Events

October 2023 

Beats of Healing: Community through African Drumming

Drumming and drum circles are a part of the musical and cultural landscapes practiced by many communities. The African drum and drumming circles are often used to promote healing and self-expression; the drum is an effective tool in promoting well-being, releasing stress, breaking down barriers and uniting communities. During these sessions, participants will engage in drumming and dialogue that honors the collective spirit of the U of T community and prioritizes community connection and restoration.

Facilitator:

Negus Medhin (he/him)
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Format: In-Person
Audience: Students, staff, and faculty (racialized members and allies) at the University of Toronto are welcome.
Cost: Free

November 17, 2023    •    1:00 pm – 2:00 pm    •    In collaboration with the Sexual & Gender Diversity Office 

Contemplative Movement: Spacializing Grief and Play

We invite participants to join movement artist and embodiment facilitator, Saysah for a space that
welcomes folks who identify as two-spirit, queer, trans and gender-diverse with IBPOC folks. Saysah will hold space for a community-informed co-creation space in which the offering will centre around a multi-sensorial ode to our collective and self rest. There is an invitation to be present and playful, with no expectation but to show up as you are. We hope to offer a space full of witnessing, joy, movement-play and grief-space. This space is for us.

Facilitator:

Saysah (they/them)
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Format: Virtual – Zoom Platform. Accessibility information for Zoom.
Audience: This space is open to all queer & trans community members at U of T, while centring those who identify as Black, Indigenous, racialized, two-spirit, queer, trans and gender-diverse.
Cost: Free
Optional Materials: water bottle, comfy clothing, grounding/sensory/comfort/fidget objects (i.e., blankets, pillows)
Registration Closed