Winter Guide
T u n e i n w i t h t h e R h y t h m o f W i n t e r
Tools and rituals to..
꩜ Empty yourself
꩜ Befriend the unknown
꩜ Tune in with the Winter Solstice
꩜ Learn about Ancient European Pagan Winter stories and traditions
꩜ Make your own Solstice candle
꩜ Dream yourself into being
꩜ Welcome new beginnings
What previous participants shared…
“The guided experience allowed me to view life with fresh eyes, wonder, and a feeling of expansive interconnectedness. I felt so grounded, relaxed, and had the opportunity to re-prioritise what I value in my life. Lara’s work connecting people back to nature and themselves deeply inspires me and I really look forward to learning more from her. I would highly recommend to join her work for more presence, groundedness, connection, and clarity for your life. I believe we all need to develop our connection to nature, not only for ourselves but for our future generations and for every being on the planet.” - Lila - Seasonal Workshop, Sept ‘22
“I am really glad I joined this course in order to support my process of unfolding into the season of spring. It can be an exciting but also scary time, in which my dreams are full on singing, and it's easy to feel pressured, to go into doing-mode, because otherwise I might "not catch the train". Having a moment every week to come back to myself, in a loving and safe environment, to find presence and calmness, reinforced my feeling of trust…” - Pau - Seasonal Course - Unfolding ‘23
“This workshop coincided exactly with what I am currently doing a lot in my personal life: Learning from nature and not being afraid to let go of things (especially now in the fall) and embrace change. The seed ritual helped me a lot with this, also to plant hope and prospects for spring. These kinds of rituals and knowledge are a nice support in a time of change...” - Anonym - Masterclass Natuurverbinding, Autumn ‘24
“It felt like coming home. In the wonderful setting of the Voedseltuin, Lara gave us various tools in four weeks to connect more with ourselves and nature. The combination of explanation and depth together with practical assignments and guided meditation was incredibly nice...” - Brigitte - Masterclass Natuurverbinding, Voedseltuin, Autumn ‘24
Upcoming
21 December
During the longest night of the year,
we will walk together in silence, accompanied by the light of candles.
We will welcome the return of the sun with a seasonal ritual.
Location: De Grote Schijn, Pr. Beatrixlaan, 3062 CM Rotterdam - Kralingse bos
21 December, 18:00-20:00
15€
* A warm herbal beverage and handcrafted candle included.
Winter Solstice - Silent Walk and Ritual
My offer
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Courses
6-week Seasonal Course
6 x 2 h in depth classes 2 x 3 h field classes
Ecotherapy & Mindfulness practice; Journaling Exercise; Somatic Practice, Group Sharing; Self-designed Ritual, PDF with journaling questions and exercises for reflection; alignment & integration, a guided audio meditation.
Celebration of seasonal transition in community; Sense of belonging to nature
*View Unfolding and Returning course below under Past events as examples.
•
8-week Mindfulness (MBSR) Course
8 x 2 h in depth classes PDF with journaling questions and exercises Guided audio meditation
Awareness for limiting beliefs and destructive coping mechanisms and tools for how to replace them with self-support; Emotion-related self regulation; Stress reduction; Gratitude cultivation
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Workshops
1 or 1/2 day Seasonal Workshop
Introduction to Ecotherapy and Mindfulness theory and practice; Somatic Practice and Group Sharing
*View Seasonal Embodiment courses as example.
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1-2 hours Mindfulness Workshop
Introduction to theory and practice; Guided mindfulness meditation and inquiry
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Circles & Rituals
Women Circle
Somatic-based practices, meditation, connection and expression practices, circle sharing and more.
Women empowerment and strengthening of sisterhood.
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Self designed Rituals
Celebration of new season or cycle.
Testimonals
“The guided experience allowed me to view life with fresh eyes, wonder, and a feeling of expansive interconnectedness. I felt so grounded, relaxed, and had the opportunity to re-prioritise what I value in my life. (…) It was one of my favourite workshops, and I wish I could have recorded it so I can play it every morning so I am aligned with the greater whole. (…) Her work connecting people back to nature and themselves deeply inspires me and I really look forward to learning more from her. I would highly recommend to join her workshops for more presence, groundedness, connection, and clarity for your life. I believe we all need to develop our connection to nature, not only for ourselves but for our future generations and for every being on the planet.”
- Lila, Seasonal Workshop in France, Sept ‘22
“Lara is a great space holder, and I felt strong and brave energy in the guided meditations and overall flow of the class. It is great to have someone that can bring you back to the essential parts of our life that can easily be forgotten in the daily rush.”
- Danik, Weekly Mindfulness Classes, Autumn ’22
“Subtle and gentle yet decisive guidance into open your heart, observe the inner world, be silent and listen both to the inside and the outside.”
- Ludovica, Weekly Mindfulness Classes, Autumn ‘22
“Lara's workshop was wonderful! She is in excellent guide for everyone interested in exploring the interconnection of nature and mindfulness in a fun and peaceful way I highly recommend you try her guidance and explore the power of syncing to nature's cycles from a conscious view.”
- Karima, Seasonal Workshop in France, Sept ‘22
Super fijne cursus met toegewijde teacher/facilitator. Fijn om met het thema seizoenen, in dit geval transitie naar herfst, in groepsverband en zelfstandig bezig te zijn en dit te koppelen aan je eigen leven. Het in een ritueel bewust bezig zijn met het afgelopen jaar, de oogst, wat je niet meer dient en wat je voor volgend seizoen zou willen zaaien, gaf me veel rust om dit in de herfst en winter even rustig te laten ontkiemen voor volgend jaar.
De cursus is gestructureerd in thema's en heeft een goede balans tussen ruimte voor gevoel en achterliggende theorie waardoor het niet zweverig wordt.
- David, 6-week Seasonal Workshop, RETURNING, Autumn ‘23
“Lara’s workshops were very interesting, enriching and motivating. Being honest, I enjoyed all of them, but my favourite was when we collected seeds in the woods above Catfarm. We walked slowly, observed and touched the plants gently, and finally stored the seeds in a small jar. Finally we stopped, sat down in a circle and Lara led us in a meditation. To the beat of a drum, Lara told us the story of the beginning of life in the Earth while inviting us to breathe slowly and consciously.
I felt relaxed and in close contact with nature. Every step or breath I took I was more aware of the plants, small animals, and colours around me. It was a magical moment!”
- Francesca, Seasonal Workshop, Sept ‘22
“Lara holds a fruly transformative and tender space. Nature is represented in the most simple and raw way. And she writes beautiful poems and visualisations to accompany her work!”
- Marin, 6-week Seasonal Course, UNFOLDING, Spring '23
Lara has the talent to be both warm and welcoming as well as strict and organized. Creating a beautiful safe space that invites one to open up and grow. Also she's equipped with quite some theoretical and practical knowledge coming from different frameworks. Very interesting and inspiring.
- Anonymous participant, 6-week Seasonal Course, RETURNING, Autumn ‘23
“A space to come home to my human and non-humam community is what I landed in with Lara's work. I saw some beautiful dark sides of myself and got to play with my inner child. I was guided to become closer to the urban nature around me and connect to my life force through embodiment work. And most importantly I feel like I have a bigger soul family now!”
- Anonymous participant, 6-week Seasonal Course, UNFOLDING, Spring '23
“I am really glad I joined this course in order to support my process of unfolding into the season of spring. It can be an exciting but also scary time, in which my dreams are full on singing, and it's easy to feel pressured, to go into doing-mode, because otherwise I might "not catch the train". Having a moment every week to come back to myself, in a loving and safe environment, to find presence and calmness, reinforced my feeling of trust. It was also very supportive to do this together with a community and I met lovely new friends. I am grateful that Lara brought us together and knew how to guide us through the process so well. I would definitely join again, and I also recommend it to fellow humans, no matter where you are in your process, presence and sharing is always a gift.'“
- Pau, 6-week Seasonal Course, UNFOLDING, Spring '23
A warm bath as always. I felt so held and loved and seen. A wonderful group of women & a great topic to discuss.
- Marianka, Women Circle facilitated with Dunja Zabunović, Autumn ‘23
“Such an amazing and unique experience. I recommend it to every woman or any human being that wants to let go and connect to other amazing women.”
- Eleni, Women Circle facilitated with Dunja Zabunović, Summer ‘23
“I really enjoy Lara’s classes. It sets me in a very positive, calm, happy & gratitude filled state. Often my days are busy & stressful (due to work & other things happening around life) , but your class helps me reset and get back to myself.”
- Meet, Weekly Mindfulness Classes, Autumn ‘22
RETURNING - 6 week autumn initiation
Reflect - Let go - Return.
Do you long to arrive in your body and in the present moment? Would you like to celebrate the seasonal transition from summer to autumn in community? Do you want to learn how the cycles of nature inform your inner process? Would you like to develop habits that support your path towards self alignment?
The transition from summer to autumn invites us to slow down, turn inwardly, reflect on our year’s harvest, decompose what no longer serves us and return to our core. From that place, we can plant the intentions that will germinate over Winter until they are ready to sprout and flower once the light returns in Spring.
As a certified Mindfulness trainer and Ecopsychology facilitator, I’ll equip you with body-mind-soul practices to strengthen your sense of connection to your inner and outer landscape. These practices will be your web of support throughout the year to follow your path with joy & determination.
• How? The Framework • 6 x 2 h classes in the urban sanctuary in Amsterdam & 2 x 3h sessions in the Vliegenbos (studio) that cover:
Eco-therapy & Mindfulness practice; Journaling Exercise; Somatic Practice, Group Sharing; Self-designed Ritual, PDF with journaling questions and exercises for reflection; alignment & integration, a guided audio meditation.
• Weekly Themes •
Day I. (12 Sep) Introduction Which tools will we use? Arriving in presence and our inner season - How & What?
Day II. (19 Sep) Inner Harvest Gratitude & Reflection - What are lessons you are harvesting from this year?
Day III. (26 Sep) Decompose Identifying limiting beliefs & conditioning. What do you need to accept & let go of first, in order to create space for new growth?
Day IV. (3 Oct) Ancestral lineage Drawing strength from your ancestors, human- & more-than-human. Who were your ancestors and what did they pass on to you?
Day V. (10 Oct) Seeds & their stories Setting intentions - What are the seeds you want to plant for next year to germinate, sprout and flower?Where do you want to spend your focus and time on?
Day VI. (17 Oct) Integration Take aways - Integrating and Aligning Open Space for exchange and questions.
Special days (3h long, 11:00-14:00):
Day VII. (23 Sep) Autumn Equinox celebration Day VIII. (7 Oct) Nature Connection in the forest
• Practicalities •
Date: Every Tuesday in the period between 12 September - 17 October. Time: 19:00 - 21:15 Between 18:45-19:00 is arrival time, with a cup of tea. Location: Urban Sanctuary in Amsterdam east. Derde Kostverlorenkade 35.
For the special days: Date: Two Saturdays, 23 September and 7 October. Time: 11:00-14:00 Location: We will meet at a different location on those days, next to the beautiful Vliegenbos, Nieuwendammerkade 26.
• Fee •
You can purchase your ticket here.
• About the teacher •
Lara Egbring (The Root of Life) is a certified Mindfulness trainer, Ecopsychology facilitator and Seasonal Embodiment practitioner. You can find more about her, here.
Feel free to get in touch if you have questions.
hello@therootoflife.net; +31(0)685394473
With love, Lara
Women Circle - Surrender
You are warmly invited to join our upcoming Women’s Circle in a beautiful urban sanctuary ♦️
To celebrate sisterhood, to surrender and find inner trust, to cut off the bullshit and land in radical honesty with yourself and each other.
The theme this month is about surrendering, and feeling fully safe within ourselves. This evening will be filled with somatic-based practices, meditation, connection/expression practices, circle sharing and more.
Let’s gather to remind ourselves that we have everything within to transform & create a world our hearts know is possible.
Practicalities:
When? May, 18th from 18:30 ~ 21:30
What to bring? An offering for our altar.
Where? Derde Kostverlorenkade 35 1054 TS Amsterdam (Important! Please arrive at 18.30 sharp so we can start the circle all together.
Get your ticket here.
In the spirit of conscious contribution, as well as openness through hopefully accommodating diverse social groups, we accept student/low income fee /exchange of services so please do get in touch if you are interested but cannot pay the total amount.
With love,
Lara & Dunja
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Artwork by: @alexandra_levasseur
Unfolding - 6 week Spring initiation
Do you want to be supported in carrying out your mission into this world? Would you like to identify limiting beliefs and destructive coping mechanisms that you have internalised and replace them with self support? Do you wish to learn how the seasons can support you on your path towards self realisation? Do you long for more awareness in the here and now?
Then this course is for you!
We are currently in the season of Winter, but can observe the return of more light with each day passing. This time invites us to detach from all that is no longer part of us, stand still and bath in the unknown of what is gonna come next. In the weeks preceding the Spring Equinox (March, 20th) this energy shifts. With the spring and the return of light, this time is great for creating a vision of what you want to manifest throughout the year. Which projects, do you want to create, where would you like to focus on, what do you want to let grow, how can you be supported throughout the process?
• **What can you expect ? •**
…
**Practicalities •** Thursdays,
Date: 16 February - 6 April every Thursday Time: 19:00 - 21:00, 2 hours per session. Between 18:45-19:00 is arrival time, with a cup of tea. Location: Studio in Amsterdam Jordaan. Address details will be confirmed upon registration.
**• Fee •**
I. **Full Package**:
For the full experience, I advice you to join all 7 classes. If you book the full package, the price varies between €15 - 30,- Euro per class, in total €105 - 210,-.
You can pay in installments.
II. **Drop in Class**:
Drop in classes vary between 20-30 Euro. *Fees include tea, cookies and a take-home practise.
In the spirit of conscious contribution, as well as openness through hopefully accommodating diverse social groups, I offer a price scale with the low edge being for allow income fee. I also accept exchange of services so please do get in touch if you are interested.
• **Weekly** **Themes** •
Each class includes a Mindfulness Meditation, partner/group practice, journaling exercise.
Day I. **Introduction** to Mindfulness & Seasonal Embodiment. How do we practise Mindfulness in a fast-paced world? What is Seasonal Embodiment & how can we work with it?
Day II. **Gratitude** - Coming from gratitude, as a life force for your path.
Day III. **Shadow Work** What is holding you back, where does the shame lie? What is your shadow topic? What do you want to let go of first?
Day IV. ******************Vision -****************** Seasonal Embodiment Spring What is your vision for the year? What do you want to invite in spring & summer? To what do you want to dedicate your time?
Day V. ****************Support -**************** Seasonal Embodiment Spring What do you need for support? How can you hold yourself through the shadows? Believing it is possible, working through limiting beliefs.
Day VI. ******************Action -****************** Seasonal Embodiment Spring From vision follows action, What are concrete steps you can take?
Day VII. **Integration** Day - How can you ensure your commitment& dedication? Community of Practice - Questions?
Add additional optional outside practice in the forest!
• **About the teacher** •
Lara Egbring (The Root of Life) is a certified Mindfulness trainer, Ecopsychologist and Seasonal Embodiment practitioner.
Seasonal Embodiment - The wonder & wisdom of winter
‘If we surrendered to earth's intelligence we could rise up rooted, like trees.’
~ Rainer Maria Rilke
Join us for an afternoon to honour the arrival of Winter, around the days preceding the Winter Solstice, the longest night and shortest day.
There is magic and mystery in the darkness, the stillness and silence of Winter. This is a time for radical rest and reflection. For just BEING, returning to our essence, stripped away of all that isn’t necessary for embodying our truth. An invitation to dive deep under the surface, into ourselves whilst honouring the lessons of the ground we stand on, our past experiences, our ancestral lineage. Floating into the vulnerability of not knowing what will come next, whilst feeling into what is present and what wants to be born through us. Knowing and trusting that new light, life and growth will emerge from the depth of Winter.
• What can you expect ? •
We will guide you through practices to honour the wisdom of Winter, to go deeply within, through meditation, visualisation, and there will be a lot of space to share together in intimacy and in community.
We will engage in practices inside and outside, and offer moments of group sharing and explorations in pairs, circle sharing, ritual and ceremony:
- Guided Drum Meditation and deep listening practices to invite you into a state of being and receptivity
- Releasing ritual to let go of what is no longer serving our growth and the world around us for this next cycle
- Nature connection practice outdoors to gather wisdom from nature around us
- Journeying to your roots through guided movement practice
- Dreaming Ourselves into Being Visualisation
- Closing Circle & Ceremony
• Practicalities •
Date: 18 December '22
Time: 14:00 – 18:00
Location: Beautiful place in Amsterdam Noord at the edge of the Vliegenbos (very close to Tennis club Elzenhagen). Address details will be confirmed upon registration.
• Fee •
In the spirit of conscious contribution, as well as openness through hopefully accommodating diverse social groups, we accept student/low income fee /exchange of services so please do get in touch if you are interested but cannot pay the total amount.
✧˚ · .You can purchase your ticket here. ✧˚ · .
•Why? •
Nature’s cycles are a mirror into our own cycles and rhythms.
We can sometimes forget we are part of this natural world unfolding, but deep inside we know how intrinsically interconnected we are to it and how wise it is to follow its rhythms that support our own existence in every way. Becoming totally out of sync with these rhythms (as modern, fast-paced life often is) harms our environment and threatens our own health and wellbeing.
Let’s gather and remember this wisdom that we once lived by, that we still hold deep within for our own well-being and the vitality of our community and natural surroundings.
• About the teachers •
Lara Egbring (The Root of Life) is a certified Mindfulness trainer, Ecopsychologist practitioner and a guide for cyclical living.
Marjorie Lumet (Experience Mindfulness) is a certified Mindfulness trainer and facilitator of Deep Ecology practices including the Work that Reconnects & Active Hope Circles.
Alejandra Alarcón will be our host and fire keeper.
We are honoured to share the wisdom of Winter with you!
Women Circle
Womxn, you are invited to gather with us on the full moon in a beautiful urban sanctuary 🪷🌕🪷
To celebrate sisterhood,
to invite our unapologetic beingness, rawness and wilderness in. It is all allowed to be expressed in the safe space we create together.
This evening wil be filled with a nourishing sound journey meditation, connection/expression practices, circle sharing, a ritual to welcome winter and this time of introspection. Authentically and shamelessly exposing our true nature.
Let’s gather to remind ourselves that we have the medicine within to transform & create a world our hearts know is possible.
Practicalities:
When? December, 7th from 18:30 ~ 21:30
Where? Derde Kostverlorenkade 35 1054 TS Amsterdam (Important! Please arrive at 18.30 sharp so we can start the circle all together.
In the spirit of conscious contribution, as well as openness through hopefully accommodating diverse social groups, we accept student/low income fee /exchange of services so please do get in touch if you are interested but cannot pay the total amount
What to bring?
A blanket to stay cozy, snacks to share and an offering for our altar.
*Womxn = non-binary and transgender people are warmly invited too.
With love,
Dunja & Lara
Artwork by the magical @merakilabbe
Mindfulness & Seasonal Embodiment Workshop
This is an invitation for all who long for presence and nature connection in the city.
Weekly Mindfulness classes
Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by your thoughts? Are you rushing through life without actually being present? Do you long for more awareness in the here and now? Would you like to identify limiting beliefs and destructive coping mechanisms that you have internalised and replace them with self support?
Then this Mindfulness class is for you!
Seasonal Embodiment - Seeds & their stories
“The same stream of life that runs through my veins night and day runs through the world.” - Rabindranath Tagore
• This is an invitation for all who long to explore how nature and the seasonal cycles unfold within us. Let us reclaim our sense of belonging to the web of life. •
~ Do you wish to embody your belongingness to nature?
~ Are you curious to explore how the season of autumn can support you on your path towards personal growth and self realisation?
~ Would you like to learn more about respectful foraging of local edible plants and seeds?
Then this workshop is for you!
• Why am I organising this?
Westernised culture is largely cut off from its natural roots, which leaves us with ecocide on a global scale. As societies old structures are falling apart, a new (ancient) world is on its way that is rooted in an understanding that we belong to nature. This starts with slowing down and listening to what the land has to teach us. As we are a reflection of nature surrounding us, what takes place outside also occurs within us. Therefore, tuning in with our inner nature, our intuition and seasonal cycles is an important part of regaining our belonging to the web of life. From this understanding, we can envision and build a world our hearts know is possible.
• Theme - Season of Autumn
Autumn arrived and brings us shorter days and the return of darkness. We can witness the life on the land slowing down, preparing for releasing what is no longer serving and moving towards stillness in Winter. This time invites us to slow down, turn inwardly, reflect on our years harvest and return to our essence.
~ What are the lessons we are harvesting from this year?
~ What can we leave behind as it does not serve us any longer?
~ Which seeds do we want to plant for the next generation of growth?
Together we will engage in a seed foraging practise and ritual to honor the biodiversity of seeds, as well as give awareness to our inner seeds/ intentions.
• Resources & Method
This workshop is based on the teachings of Ecopsychology, Buddhism, Wildcrafting and self-taught practices on cyclical living.
We will work with a mix of theory, guided meditation, mindful sharing, inquiry, movement, somatic-based practises and journaling.
• What will you learn?
- How to slow down and practise radical presence in a fast paced-world
- How to be supported by the seasons while reflecting, setting intentions and manifesting in regard to your personal vision
- How to forage seeds respectfully and engage in nature based ritual
- How to tune in with your inner nature, your intuition, cycle and sensuality
• Practicalities
Date: Sunday, 30 October
Time: 14:00 - 17:30
Location: Embodied Empowerment, Christoffel Plantijngracht 6, 1064 GW Amsterdam
• For whom?
Anyone who resonates with the topic.
The group size will be between 6-15 people.
• Fee
Purchase your ticket here: https://hipsy.nl/shop/6229-seasonal-embodiment-seeds-their-stories
*Fees include a small gift, coffee/tea, cookies and fruits.
You can purchase your ticket here:
• What to bring?
- meditation cushion or thick pillow
- journal and pen
- Optional: your own food if you need
Questions?
Feel free to get in touch if you have questions.
Lara: hello@therootoflife.net, +31 (0)685394473
I am warmly looking forward to hold space for you to tune in with the season of autumn,
With warmth Lara ~