image credit – Christina-Pivarnik
About
Teresa’s thread in her work is to facilitate activities that engender a deeper connection with the natural world, other and self. The goal is greater awareness of our relationships and how all life is interconnected. .
As a Seven Lotus Chi Kung practitioner of ten years and Chi Kung instructor since 2020, there is an understanding of practises that assist in the management and flow of energy both individually and collectively that contribute to raising this awareness.
Teresa’s experience with facilitating workshops, holding circles and community engagement projects, that when infused with these considerations, lend to an enhancement of the creative spirit and uplifting of the venture.
Over the years Teresa has facilitated and organized several public engagement events. She sees working in collaboration as a gift and appreciates how the voices of others, each with their unique contribution, can heighten and broaden the richness of the experience for all.
Being a successful small business proprietor since 1997, Teresa values her own time and the time of those she is working with.
In her basket she carries knowledge of herbal medicine, foraging, growing food, designing gardens, as well as storytelling, poetry, narration, and song writing.
Teresa spent six years under the mentorship of Cree Elder Amy Eustergurling helping to co-facilitate Medicine Wheel events and teachings, with children’s groups as well as at intergenerational type gatherings.
Teresa has facilitated Forest Walks and Guided Visualization at events such as Yoga Outreach Retreats in Langley BC and through the Playroom in Crescent Beach BC.
Since 2009 she has participated in and was mentored in transpersonal Jungian based dream-sharing groups, and in 2018 began facilitating dream groups. Visual art, drama, movement and sound have at times augmented this exploration of archetypes, symbols and meaning in the dreams of participants.
Through a course of about four years, Teresa travelled and attended conferences hosted by the International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers. Learning about ceremony and honouring protocol, she strives to uphold these principles.
Under the umbrella of the Buddhist Association of Interfaith Teresa cultivates and acts to officiate weddings and other life transition ceremonies.
Teresa completed an 8 week Teen Talking Circles facilitators training for talking circles with a focus on teen conflict resolution and reflective listening
Since 2016 Teresa has been involved in helping to oversee a community land art project called the PLOT Sharing Garden and Newton Medicine Wheel.
My Studies
I utilize the tools acquired, through these multidisciplinary studies to inform my life, my practices, and my teaching.
Chartered Herbalist, Dominion Herbal College (2015) Avid Forager and Forest Alchemy Walk Guide
Founding Member of Pacific Northwest Dream Group, Mentored by Dr. Diane Greig (2009) Dream Group Facilitator PNWDG (2017)
Completed a two year program with the Center for Sacred Studies (2014); a study that integrates Transpersonal healing principles and indigenous ways of seeing that honour the Earth and all Her sentient beings, Teresa officiates at Ceremony for Weddings, Birth Blessings and Celebrations of Life as a Minister of Walking Prayer.
As part of The PLOT Sharing Garden Project in the City of Surrey, now entering it’s seventh year, under the Mentorship of Cree Elder Amy Eustergurling Wuttenee, Manchew S’quao Earthworm Woman, Teresa helped create, organize and co-facilitate quarterly ‘Turning of the Season’ observations at the Newton Medicine Wheel beginning in March 2016
Filled with gratitude for her beloved teacher Jan Zickler, Teresa began her study with Seven Lotus Chi Kung in 2014. With the encouragement of her mentor, Teresa began teaching in the fall of 2020. Teresa’s wish is to share the benefits of the practices.
