 “You cannot dismantle what you cannot see. You cannot challenge what you do not understand.” Layla F. Saad
Welcome to our Women’s Book Club! We continually feel called to bring women together to discuss important topics in the realms of self-development, health and spirituality. Our mission with a collaborative Book Club with Ripple Wellness and Good Medicine Nutrition is to support personal growth and evolution through thoughtful, in-depth discussion. As we were planning our first group, the world shifted. On May 25th, police officer Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd with an eight-minute knee hold seen the world over. A deep anger, frustration, sadness and desperation is felt in our hearts across the globe as we hear, see and feel these words daily, “Enough is enough.” Each day we are asked to respond, yet the action we take is highly personal. The book, Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad is a powerful tool and one we would like to explore with our community. Laid out in a 28-day workbook format with journaling prompts at the end of each chapter, Saad is clear in her intention to assist us in unpacking our own white privilege and contribution to systemic racism. This is not an easy pill to swallow as she asks us to read, contemplate, write and process our own white fragility. We are inspired to hold a space where women can come together to share their experience in doing this work. We will be following Saad’s request to hold groups about this book with a specific methodology and focus. We invite you to join us to share this important journey. PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING BEFORE REGISTERING: The Intention for Me and White Supremacy Book Club Our intent is to create an online space where a group of women can come together to share their experience with doing the work as laid out in the book Me & White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad. As hosts of this group, it is not our intent to “teach” about racial injustice past or present. Rather we are here to compassionately hold space for each of us to give voice to our own experience of white privilege and the work each of us has done and needs to continue to do to dismantle internal and external racism and process ancestral traumas. We will be following The Circle Way, a method of discussing the book, recommended by Layla F. Saad. What does it mean to “do the work?” In this case, it is reading Layla Saad’s book and participating by doing the journaling prompts at the end of each chapter. Do I have to finish the entire book? If you are moved to join us, we ask that you have gotten through at least ¾ of the book. Do I have to participate by speaking - can I just listen? You are welcome to listen, but we request that everyone have their video turned on. Part of the Circle Way method is that we all see and hear each other. This is a vulnerable topic and we want to support everyone who chooses to share with our visible presence. Can I join from anywhere? Yes. Please find a place in your home that is private as people will be sharing the very personal, deep work they have done with Layla’s book. Can I invite my friends and family? Unless they have registered with us, no. We are taking a small number of participants and not opening this to drop-ins. Why do we have to follow the Circle Way method for this group? Layla Saad writes in her book that she got multiple requests for information on how to hold a group for this book. After researching different methods, she found The Circle Way by Christina Baldwin and Ann Linnea and got permission from the authors to use this method for discussions of her book. She requests that all discussion groups follow the Circle Way format. What is the Circle Way? “The Circle Way is a methodology that gathers people into a circular shape with participants at the rim and the purpose in the centre. Each person has a voice and everyone can see and hear one another. Social agreements and practices help facilitate respectful conversation. Circle supports a leader in every chair.” - The Circle Way website. As we are doing this on Zoom, we will be making some adjustments while still upholding the intention of the group to be at the “center.” Are BIPOC able to join the group? The work laid out in Me & White Supremacy is the work of those with white privilege to do. If BIPOC want to attend the book club, it is not expected that they do the journaling work nor that they “teach” us about racial injustice. Layla Saad says that ideally, they would be there as observers with boundaries to ensure they are not harmed through racial aggression nor asked to walk us through the steps taken in her book. Where do I get the book? E-book versions are available on Amazon for $2.99, the hardcover is backordered. Is there a fee to attend? Donations for this event can be made to The Movement for Black Lives or any organization that supports black lives. How do I register? To register call or text Ripple with your email address (360) 207-0134 We are taking a small group and wait list for cancellations so please register soon! We will send you a Zoom link the day of the event! THANK YOU FOR READING!
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 We are up and running and able to offer ALL our services at this time. We continue to follow Washington State guidelines with strict precautions and screenings in our clinic to keep our patients and staff safe. We are here to answer any questions you may have about our services, COVID policies or insurance questions - give us a call!
MASSAGE: Amanda Kraff, LMP joined Ripple again in June for massage. She utilizes deep tissue, Swedish, myofascial release and cupping to help clients with common aches and pain, injuries and overall muscle tension. Amanda also loves pregnancy and respiratory massage. We are thrilled to be able to offer this important hands-on therapy again which is so effective for stress relief and relaxation. ACUPUNCTURE: Jeff Olson, L.Ac. is available for in-person acupuncture visits and herbal consults. Jeff sees patients to address pain, anxiety, depression, hormonal disorders, fertility and sleep issues. If you have never tried acupuncture before, it is deeply relaxing and has been a much needed respite during these stressful times. NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE: Dr. Cesilie Cocks continues to see and new and existing patients for in-person and Telehealth visits. She helps patients manage chronic and acute conditions and is here to answer all the questions and concerns about COVID for you and your family. Naturopathic medicine with Dr. Cocks can be used as primary care or in conjunction with your primary care physician. YOGA: Emily Olson, E-RYT is available for both in-person and virtual yoga therapy sessions. She works one-on-one with clients utilizing gentle yoga, breathwork, mindfulness and meditation to address muscle aches and pains, stress, fatigue, insomnia and anxiety. She also teaches our weekly Virtual Chair Yoga class. NUTRITION: Marketa Simal, FNTP is offering nutrition counseling both online and in-person. When possible we encourage clients to see her virtually in an effort to keep numbers down in the clinic. She guides clients in addressing nutritional deficiencies and concerns and often utilizes lab testing to get a clear picture of one’s gastrointestinal health. She is a wealth of knowledge and support in helping people make lasting nutritional and lifestyle changes. Let us know if you have any questions and we will see you soon!  We have been conflicted about offering the group in light of this week's events. It seems like in a world with so much violence and unrest, mindfulness and meditation may not be top of mind for many of us and possibly just irrelevant.
But then we remembered a few things: The only way to exist and not fall apart during a crisis is to stay in the moment (a practice of mindfulness). Dwelling on the past and worrying about the future only makes us more anxious, depressed and less likely to be able make positive, constructive contributions to our world. Now is not the time to abandon our groups of support. It can seem more challenging to focus and sink into these types of talks, but they are still important and we still need spaces like these. In the (paraphrased) words of Sharon Salzberg, 'We don't meditate to become better meditators, we meditate to get good at life.' The world needs us to take intelligent, insightful actions now more than ever. Let's do the inner work to get clear on what that is. We're dedicated to holding a space for you. Even though we may be a relatively small group of people coming together for a meditation, the world needs as many of these small pockets as it can get. Let's be a part of it. WHAT: Virtual Mindfulness & Meditation Group WHEN: Sunday, June 7th 4:00-5:15pm COST: $5-$10 sliding scale donation - donate at Body Bliss Yoga Studio website. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86415282034?pwd=SzIvdVR6SG5TZkErNU1zYnZQa09IZz09 Meeting ID: 864 1528 2034 Password: 620002 |
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