Wellness Spaces

The Partnership has pivoted to the virtual world to continue holding our annual Statewide Domestic Violence Conference—one of the platforms we use to live into the values from our Theory of Change: Partnership, Bravery, Beloved Community, Cultural Responsiveness and Equity.

We recognize that virtual participation is very different than being together in-person. We are working to make this year’s virtual conference a full-bodied experience with several Optional Wellness Spaces being offered from 10:45–11:30 a.m. each day. You will have the option to start your lunch meal break early (lunch break is 11:30 – 12:00pm) or attend one of the two optional simultaneous offerings each day:

Monday:

Music

Our conference playlist will play on a loop if you want to check emails or have your lunch break with empowering music playing in the background.

Stretch and Re-set, presented by Allison Talis - Holistic Trauma Specialist

With the stress and anxiety we navigate in work, life and a pandemic, it is vitally important we keep our nervous system regulated and our minds more calm. In this space, we will gently move our bodies, while breathing deeply to allow the body and mind to release, re-set and restore a sense of well-being and balance. No experience is needed. It can be done in a chair, or on the floor. Each person moves at their own pace and it is ok to keep your camera on or off.

Allison Talis has been a holistic trauma specialist for over a decade. In her role as National Healing & Wellness Consultant for the Joyful Heart Foundation, Allison co-developed and lead programs, classes, workshops and retreats for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse and the healers working on the frontlines of trauma, addressing vicarious trauma. She was also a consultant with A Thousand Joys, serving organizations working in Domestic Violence Shelters and Prototypes California Community Prisoner Mother Program. Allison is also a yoga and movement teacher and theatre director.

Tuesday:

Open Mic Poetry, presented by Michell Franklin - Capacity Building Program Manager

Share with us your poetry or if you’d like to read and give credit to poems written by others. This will be an open space with grace to share, acceptance of creativity, and self-expression. Some Partnership staff will be there to share! We want to pass YOU the MIC!

Meditation, presented by Rev. Evan M Smith - Artist, a Healer, Intuitive Guide, Reiki Master and Interfaith Minister

Today’s event is centered around teaching the basic uses and benefits of meditation as a tool for wellness and self care. Participants will receive practical tools to help cultivate mindfulness and relaxation, and connect to a deeper since of self. Join Evan M Smith while the group discusses meditation and learns a Mudra Flow Active Meditation you can take with you anywhere and do any time.

Rev. Evan M Smith. I am an Artist, a Healer, and an Intuitive Guide. As a student of the Self, I have been on a path of healing and development for as long as I can remember. Through walking my own path I have managed to gather skills and insights into the mysterious world of energy. To that end, I am here to share the Skills, Wisdom and Revelations I have found and explore them with you as you walk your path towards self. The goal of our work together is to bring you closer to your “True Self”. To aid you in making positive changes in the world by making positive changes in the self. Through our work together we will work to restore health and happiness to your being in a sustainable and integrated ways. As a Reiki Master and Interfaith Minister, I offer Reiki Treatments and Training.

Wednesday:

Movement Space, presented by Maria del Rosario Franco-Rahman, RYT 200 - Yoga Teacher, Dance from the Heart Facilitator, Seeker of Social Justice and Contributor to Communities of Care Born, Raised and Based in Los Angeles

Movement Space offers us an opportunity to connect with our body's self-healing design and offer tools that can support us in navigating systems and histories of harm that may be causing high stress and trauma in our lives. This space lifts up our resilience and well-being. Movement Space invites us to practice healing arts including Dance from the Heart (an intuitive form of healing body movement), asana (yoga body posture) and meditation as we explore what will help us move towards healing. The dance and asana movements are simple, gentle and accessible through our senses – this space is designed for EVERYbody. Participation in any of our activities is an offering and choice. Take what serves you, leave the rest.

Maria del Rosario Franco-Rahman, RYT 200, is a yoga teacher, Dance from the Heart facilitator, seeker of social justice and contributor to communities of care born, raised and based in Los Angeles. She has lovingly been part of our movement for fifteen years centering the healing and liberation of women of color survivors, advocates and activists and our fellow communities on the margins. Maria has led sessions at healing retreats and conferences in Florida, Massachusetts, Ecuador and across Southern California as well as co-led virtual series across the nation and sovereign territories. She is the founder and CEO of Con Todo Corazon where she offers heart-centered holistic healing services designed to support personal and social transformation.

Breath Work, presented by Vesta Walker - Founder and Lead Practitioner at Honey & Chi, Licensed Therapist, Multi-Certified Energy Worker, Artist, and Initiated Priestess

The Breath Empowerment is a powerful deep-breathing practice that supports the mastery of learning to mindfully control the speed and depth of your breath. In this practice, breath is used to cleanse and revitalize the being, leaving the body buzzing with feelings of wellness. Many people that experience this practice describe a deep sense of peace and gratitude. The opening starts with a mindfulness exercise to connect to the body. We then begin breathing a vigorous and intentional breath for an extended segment of time. Our practice then closes with a slower deep-breath meditation. The Breath Empowerment is typically done laying down on your back and during sections, propped-up on your elbows. However, modifications will gladly be made for participants whom require it. This practice is safe, but also very powerful. Therefore, it is not recommended for anyone who is pregnant. In preparation, participants are recommended to have a yoga/exercise mat and clear floor-space to lay, so the facilitator can view you and provide guidance.

Vesta Walker is the daughter of a long legacy of mental health professionals, herbalists, energy workers and community caretakers. In her mission of carrying her ancestor’s work forward, Vesta gained a passion for creating holistic collaborations with groups and individuals. As a licensed therapist, multi-certified energy worker, artist and initiated priestess, Vesta uses a compassionate integrative approach in each relationship to support healing and expansion. Vesta is the Founder and Lead Practitioner at Honey & Chi. Feel free to stay connected on Instagram @honeyandchi and www.honeyandchi.com