The DOWH Immersion was a perfect marriage of intuitive, creative, feminine right-brain nourishment and structured, logical, left-brain learning. I felt well supported and guided by Erica as she gently and lovingly prepared me to step into the role of facilitator by honouring my individual needs, creating a safe space and most importantly, by being an example of authenticity, joy, and heart-centered facilitation. Thank-you for this unforgettable experience!
- Serena Oakley
2011 DOWH Immerson is now complete! It was another fabulous 3 months of training. What a blessing!
Big hugs and kudos go to our 10 magnificent NEW Facilitators: Tara Abrams, Anna MacLean, Vanya, Jennifer Peterson, Heryka Miranda, Tracey TieF, Zora Noronha, Nikki Singh, Maria Mars and Britta Sivasankaran!
Pics from 2011 Training. See the pics on Facebook.
“I have never seen or heard of a place that makes the Divine Feminine so concrete and touchable.” Britta Sivasankaran
Why This Training? Why NOW?
Over the past few years we've seen a global transformation unfolding. The old paradigms are no longer sustainable. We are being asked to fully step into new ways of BEING in the world. According to the Dalai Lama, it is women who will lead the way forward and save the world!
Sister, know this....
YOU are a powerful woman and this time brings personal opportunity like never before. The world needs who you are and what YOU have to offer. YOU are meant to positively impact lives with your gifts. Not someday, but NOW.
This training is positioned to help you do just that.
If you are LONGING to:
... then this uniquely healing, life-changing Divine Feminine IMMERSION is for you!
Immerse yourself in a circle of like-minded and hearted women on a personal and collaborative path towards more wholeness, richer authenticity, magnified self-love and sparkling magnificence.
Choose DOWH facilitation as an inspiring NEW CAREER or enhancement to your current life work, bringing a women's sacred way of embodied wisdom & wellness to others. Oh JOY!!!
This unique programme is rich in both practice and theory, guided by Erica Ross, drawing on a breadth of over 57 years of FEMALE experience with 35 years devoted to the study and living in the expressive, spiritual, visual and healing arts!
Engaging both right and left brain, body, heart and soul, you will develop the necessary skills and experience to facilitate this healing and sacred practice as well as deepen your own embodied exploration to navigate life in a richer, deeper, more courageous way, regardless if you choose to facilitate DOWH or not.
In a uniqueily holistic FEMININE way, you will learn and develop your capacities to:
Commit to self-care as a gift to yourself and the world. Fall in love with yourself and see the beauty and sacredness in others. Cultivate courage, fluidity, creativity and passion. Be present with what is, accept change and let go. Build community and loving relationships. Commit to the wellbeing of all; practice compassion, openness, generosity and honesty.
Be a positive role-model; to lead by example; to empower and inspire. Hold safe and sacred space for yourself and others. Express your own unique voice and communicate honestly and kindly; with authority and grounded presence. Tune in, trust and practice following your intuition and deeper knowing. Weave the magic of Divine Feminine energies, earth-based principles and practices. Find and offer your truest magnificent self and inspire others to do the same! SHINE ON SISTERS!
Use dance as a healing and sacred modality with more depth and understanding. Create and lead guided journeys for relaxation and healing. Use inspirational materials and music to support the DOWH journey of transformation. Create your own sessions with a special DOWH template. Incorporate different modalities into DOWH to make it your own. Market your work in a personal joyful way.
Included in the training you will receive:
A beautiful manual filled with some of Erica's favourite and personal scripts, music, lists, resources, images and inspiration collected over her years of research and facilitation, to support the learning process, to track each module's teachings, and visually inspire through beauty. (Printed and electronic.) A DOWH Workshop Template for creating and re-creating DOWH Sessions easily! Juicy homework to increase your success, commitment and accountability to your growth and learning experience. Access to Erica, including 2 phone sessions, for individual mentorship and focus, to ensure your needs are being met. Support and love from the growing DOWH Community, giving you a sense of true sisterhood, leadership and belonging. Special expert facilitators to expand your experience, understanding and growth. A spot on the DOWH website 'About Us' Page as part of the DOWH tribe, upon succesful completion of the Immersion.
A private DOWH Immersion Facebook Group through the duration of the Immersion, to deepen the trainee community, keeping the aliveness and continuity between sessions, and easing the flow of communication between us. Delicious light snacks and tea during the Wednesday night sessions so we can all feel warm and nourished as we sit around the hearth-fire.
FREE listings of your DOWH workshops on the 'Offerings' Page, to help bring you out into the world as a DOWH Facilitator. 50% off fees for ALL of Erica's Toronto DOWH workshops, with potential to co-facilitate, to keep you in the DOWH practice. *Does not include trainings beyond the Immersion, other workshops/sessions by Erica, or DOWH sessions promoted by anyone other than Erica. Contunued support from Erica via priority e-mails related to your DOWH facilitation- promo, client care, rentals, sessions and issues, to keep you on track through Erica's care, guidance and expertise, to help build your practice and biz!
Who fills the circle? Could it be you?
Yoga and Dance Teachers Pilates and Fitness Instructors Counselors and Psychotherapists Life Coaches and Spiritual Leaders Holistic Practitioners and Healers Expressive Arts Therapists Lovers of healing, community and women's wisdom and power Women committed to a Goddess state of being (evolving self-love/growth/healing) and juicy living!
The 7 'Shiny & Skill-filled' Modules of the Immersion:
Each module is explored over 3 training sessions- a Wednesday night at Erica's home followed by a full Sunday in studio and completed the next Wednesday night back at Erica's. (1 Sunday book-ended by 2 Wednesday nights.)
As we explore and wind our way through the modules, you will practice facilitating in studio, and slowly flesh out your own Invitation (session) through the DOWH Workshop Template, to be facilitated in the final weekend of presentations.
Opening ritual & the seeding of sacred space DOWH Visioning- personal purpose & wishes The history and 10 essential principles of DOWH Beginning connections & building communit A Woman’s way of learning & sharing Divine Feminine & Earth-based spirituality
Being embodied, present & aware Deepening self-care, self-love & body-love Freeing and softening into your authentic expression Diving into the depths of soul & the sacred Relaxing into pleasure and sensuality Creating a ‘Self-Care Plan’
The cyclical nature of life & the DOWH path Incorporating other modalities to a session Learning the components of a DOWH session
Collaboration, interconnection & community Being a role-model; leading collaboratively (to lead is to serve!) Dance as healing; circle as healing
Communication: storytelling & guided imagery Music; lyrics/non lyrics, flow & evoking emotions
Active listening & speaking from your heart/truth
Finding your unique voice as a facilitator
Marketing; creation of a flyer DJ & sound system tips
Being inspired; being a Muse; shining your light
Feeding your creative fire and passions
Allowing magic to flow; co-creating w/ spirit Listening & trusting your intuition Being a visionary; honouring your dreams Using divination cards & inspirational materials
Final Presentations and feedback Closing ritual & celebration Honouring your uniqueness & growth Creating your own DOWH Bag Next steps; staying connected; continuing ed.
Hours of Training & Locations:
14 Wednesday evenings (Sept. 12- Dec. 12) held around the hearth of Erica's home (near Ossington subway), 6:30-9pm (*For people with allergies: there is a cat in the house.)
7 Sundays (Sept. 16 & 30, Oct. 14 & 28, Nov. 11 & 25, and Dec. 2) held at Habeeba's Dance Studio, 11am-5pm
Final Presentations Weekend: (For trainees only)
Saturday, Dec. 8 & Sunday, Dec. 9, held at Habeeba's Dance Studio, 10am-6pm
Facilitation of two 1.5 hour peer-supervised and documented Workshops: (For friends, family or public)
Anytime between Dec. 10- Feb. 10, held in a studio or space of your choosing.
Due to the intimate, deeply personal and communal nature of this training, all interested women must have an interview with Erica. Please contact her to be sure this training is a fit.
Once you’ve connected with Erica and you are ready to register, click here to fill out the registration form and save your spot with a $200 non-refundable deposit.
For cancellations received by August 1: Refund of full payment less $200
By September 1: Refund of half of full payment
After September 1 or no-shows: No refund. (If for any reason you decide not to continue, at any point in the training, you will be liable for the fees of the entire Immersion.)
Upon successful completion of this training, plus the 2 facilitated workshops (peer-supervised and documented), you will become a Certified DOWH Facilitator and receive support from the growing DOWH Community, added to the DOWH website 'About Us' and 'Offerings' Pages.
If you are interested in participating please contact Erica at erica@danceourwayhome.com. In the meantime, dance as much as you can, even if it's in your living room!
"I have worked in education for over 30 years, and have made my career working with those training to be teachers. I can say that Erica is by far the best educator I have ever worked with. I have taken some amazing and creative courses in preparation for my masters and doctoral degrees: none as pedagogically sound and transformative as the DOWH Immersion certification course. I have also done considerable healing work and engaged several artistic courses and practices: this is by far the most healing course I have ever taken and the one that has offered me a profoundly welcoming and supportive invitation to my artistic creative self alongside my teacher, leader healer self. I feel so healed as the result of taking this class and I feel so supported in going forward in my own practice. I can not say enough about the thoughtful well situated pieces of this course and the eldership which Erica offers as she invites you to expand yourself as human, woman, dancer, learner, teacher, facilitator, healer, artist, courageous community member: she has the gift of calling and supporting visioning and I feel lucky to have found her and journeyed with her." - Jennifer Peterson
"When Erica and I first discussed the possibility of embarking on the DOWH Immersion I had no idea what I would do with this at the end of the journey. The most I'd hoped for was that along the way, DOWH might enable some personal healing to occur. I didn't see myself as a facilitator of a dance and movement practice, mostly because of some limited beliefs about what a big, bountiful woman can and cannot do. It's months later, now. The training is now complete...... This journey has given me a vision for my life; taken me home; partnered me with another who I could support and love and have that returned; taken me into community with women on similar journeys; allowed me to express who I am and how I feel through dance, sound, sharing, and being; and returned me back to my Self where there is new-found resources, power, ability, confidence, and healing. From this perspective, where I can connect deeply with who I am, who I wish to be, and what I want to offer the world... I am genuinely grateful for Erica, her mentorship, her love, and her belief in me. Together with DOWH and the wonderfully unique women in the program, I feel so blessed to have found my way home and in the process, discovered the mystery and magick of possibility. I am a loving, creative, and radiant goddess who dances to the rhythm of life as a DOWH Facilitator. Namaste." - Maria 'Savita' Mars
"5 years ago, I read a book about this 'new' kind of dance...where there would be no repeating of steps or moves...no one to follow but myself. I had never heard about this type of free-style dancing before but instantly fell in love with the idea of it! I began to dance to the new rhythms inside me and I knew I wanted to facilitate...this sacred practice is SO needed, especially among women. But the idea of facilitating scared me...I wasn't ready for all the light it could bring...yet. When I read about Erica's DOWH Facilitator Course on Facebook, I knew it was time. And my mom decided to join as well! Perfect. And so the journey began, and it transformed me. Taking this course exceeded all my expectations. Erica is the ideal teacher, guide and loving friend. Through being a witness to Erica embodying the Goddess, she inspired me to do the same. I learned so many valuable things that have enriched my mind, body and soul. I fell in love with the course, with our beautiful circle of women, and myself. It is time to shine!!" - Zora Noronha
"The DOWH Facilitator Training is an opportunity to deepen in wisdom, expand in knowledge, grow in confidence and skill as a facilitator, laugh, cry, dance and heal. I learned a deeper way of listening to my body and how to daringly share my gifts with the world. Our group was such a supportive place for this learning to take place. Erica is a wonderful teacher: a truly inspired guide! I left every session feeling uplifted and deeply nourished!" - Anna MacLean
"The DOWH Facilitator training opened my eyes and carried my feet to places in my soul that I have never been! It has impacted my life in so many ways- I am now confident to facilitate my own workshops and able to hold sacred space for a group of women who feel called to this soul-nurturing practice. There are so many beautiful "tools" I received in this training that helped me open up to new adventures in dance, facilitating and soul inquiry. It was a spiral journey from dancing curiosity into a whole new world of moving, transforming, blossoming and opening into countless possibilities of dance as community and celebration. Take a leap of faith and trust your heart to go on this journey with Erica, and many other incredible women, who will support you and raise you up to your own fullest potential as a glorious DOWH facilitator! Thank you Erica and all the beauties connected to this healing practice, for your guidance, courage and inspiration that has opened up a dancing spirit in me! Peace, love and dancing toes!" - Vanya
"What originally attracted me to the DOWH sessions was the opportunity to come home to my body. Like most people today, I spent too much time in my head and listen too little to my body. Dance is the perfect way to get in touch with your inner Self and receive the wisdom from deep inside your miraculous body. What I found was so much more though. It is a practice in the DIVINE FEMININE. Womyn come together here to evoke aspects of support, holding space for each other, welcoming feelings, letting go, total self-acceptance, self-love, sharing, and others. I have never seen or heard of a place that makes the DIVINE FEMININE so real and tangible. DOWH has definitely transformed how I show up in the world." - Britta Sivasankaran
"When my daughter Zora told me about this new concept of dancing where you just follow the rhythm of your body, I was quite intrigued. She heard of DOWH through Facebook. When Erica came to visit us for a personal interview, I felt the calling to join...and there was no turning back. Every cell of my body was ready for this journey. DOWH has taught me to embrace my inner power, wisdom and inner Goddess. I was deeply inspired by Erica being so powerful, and generous with her teachings. I met a beautiful circle of women. The experience went beyond my imagination. Through this dance I learned to stay in my body rather than being in my head. This dance has been a very powerful tool in my healing practice too. Whatever I do, I bring that loving and caring energy in my work place. It has empowered me a great deal. I was able release lots of fear and felt safe to just be 'me' and own my power. I acknowledge each and every one who was part of my journey of transformation. What an amazing gift I have received! Thank you so much Erica for just being you. I love you." - Nikki Singh
"I greatly appreciated the transparency and manner in which Erica shared her wisdom, resources, approaches, tips and best practices to participants in order for us to carefully craft and deliver healing workshops of transformation and empowerment for woman. She complemented the teachings and learnings with special guests who added their expertise and personal experiences in leading and facilitating women's groups. I gave birth to a beautiful workshop invitation with all "i's" dotted and "t's" crossed. I am confident and ready to deliver a healing experience inspired by the mystical moon using the magical powers of dance/movement." - Heryka Miranda"
"The DOWH Immersion training was everything I imagined and more: challenging yet nurturing, rigourous but flexible, and endlessly collaborative! Erica's ability to weave her love, knowledge, and experience of this beautiful dance practice was so rich. As well, my extraordinary DOWH Immersion sisters gifted me with so much wisdom, enthusiasm, and honesty. It was truly meaningful, grounding, and stretched me to grow! I am excitedly looking foward to offering DOWH very soon in Oakville." - Kersti Abawi
"Erica shares her wisewoman wisdom wholeheartedly and brightens the light within each and every one of her trainees all within a loving sacred space. Every woman is seen, heard and honoured. The support, inspiration and collaboration of this divine sisterhood is truly amazing. I eagerly looked forward to meeting with our circle and anticipated what juicy things Erica had in store for us each week! WOW DOWH! Although I had signed up for the Immersion with the intention of using it for my own personal growth, it was such a beautiful and empowering practice that I am inspired to share it with other women. Thank you radiant Erica for teaching me how to be of service to others while fully taking care of myself." - Della Bitove
"The DOWH immersion was a perfect marriage of intuitive, creative, feminine right-brain nourishment and structured, logical, left-brain learning. I felt well supported and guided by Erica as she gently and lovingly prepared me to step into the role of facilitator by honouring my individual needs, creating a safe space and most importantly, by being an example of authenticity, joy, and heart-centered facilitation. Thank-you for this unforgettable experience!" - Serena Oakley
"The Immersion was a unique possibility to explore the feminine both in a collective and personal way. I was inspired and moved to dance and explore my unique style and my possibilities as a facilitator through knowing the feminine in a deeper connection. The combination of practice and discussions was great. Erica held space for each one of us to grow in our own way. No doubt, the DOWH Immersion was a blossoming experience full of potential." - Alex Collas
"I was looking for a space to deeply nourish the roots and wings of my divine feminine mind|body|soul|heart and to strengthen my ability to create and hold healing spaces that foster individual and collective healing. I definitely found it! DOWH, and the DOWH Immersion, offered me a framework to more powerfully engage and reconnect to the innately sacred and divine feminine parts of my being." - Elisa Carlass Hatton