Many of us are really good at journaling to vent, which is delicious release. And there's more we can do to support ourselves in times of distress.
In this monthly community space, you'll learn how to pinpoint the emotional gunk- those spiraling thoughts that keep you up at night, those strong emotions that sabotage your day, those irritations about others that just won't quit. You'll learn specific journaling prompts that help you get to your truth. And you'll learn rituals for releasing what you don't need through somatic practices, visualizations and energy work.
We do this in community, witnessing and encouraging each other as we clean out our insides frequently and intentionally, so we can make room inside for what we want to call into our lives.
past workshops:
call it in (in person)
february 12, 6:30 pm, 554 Clark Drive, East Van
Upon the first sliver of the new moon, the Universe offers us a portal of energy that is supercharged with possibility. The New Moon is a powerful time for grounding into spaciousness, getting really clear in what you truly want and asking for it through ritual
This workshop is for those who seek an aligned community where you can engage in ritual, be witnessed, and bridge your inner desires with their external expression.
Join healer and authenticity coach Phiroozeh Petigara in this monthly offer to connect to New Moon energy.
You can expect a soft space where we cleanse, clear emotional “gunk” & call in desires through meditation+movement, journaling+art, and ritual.
What to bring:
Journal and pen
Offering for altar (optional)
manifesting 2023
January 22, 2023, 1 pm-4 pm PST, a virtual event
In this workshop, we connect to our inner wisdom using energy work, chakras, and somatic tools. We then use guided visualization meditation to listen to what our soul self is calling us to cultivate at this moment. We set these intentions in writing thereby beginning the journey of manifestation.
We discuss manifestation techniques so this isn't a one and done thing but a living breathing practice that you tap into throughout the year.
Throughout the year, you water these seeds and watch them grow and beautify your life with abundance big or small.
This is intentional work. This work is done in safe community so we can do it together. In this way, individual and collective healing work together to amplify the effects.
This is an online event open to self-identifying BIPOC. Please be in a comfortable, quiet space as best as possible. Have with you writing/coloring tools. Keep snacks and water nearby. If you wish, bring your favorite crystals and smudging tools.
Please note: This event is charged in US currency, factoring in the cost to Canadians, and is open to all.
bipoc reflect and release
in partnership with Massy Arts Society
On Sunday, December 11 at 1pm, join Massy Arts + South Asian writer and healer Phiroozeh Petigara for “BIPOC Reflect and Release 2022”, an in-person reflection workshop that invites attendees to pause, and turn the gaze inwards.
At the end of another long year of uncertainty, the strain of capitalism, the harm to BIPOC communities, this gathering is an invitation to pause. Slow down. Turn the gaze inward. In safe BIPOC space, we gently sift through the nuances of this human experience and reflect on the year gone by. Through writing, art, and somatic practices, we amplify the joy and uplift the spirit. Through ritual and guided meditation, we release the heartache, the loss, the things that linger but no longer serve. We tap into our inner wisdom and call on plenty of self-compassion to do this tender exploration, and you are invited to do it at your own pace.
Note to attendees: Please bring a journal, your favourite writing and colouring tools, and any items that bring you comfort (warm sweater, blanket, crystals). If you wish, bring an object of personal significance to add to our community altar (which you will take home with you after). Bring water for yourself and snacks to share for community care if so inclined.
This event is open to all of our community, tickets are limited, and registration is mandatory. Although the event is planned to happen in-person, it may be changed to online format depending on public health guidelines for December, 2022.
The gallery is wheelchair accessible and a gender-neutral washroom is on-site.
Please be sure to register for this event.
“write to heal” a storytelling workshop for bipoc
On Thursdays, October 13 + October 27 + November 10 at 6pm, join Massy Arts + South Asian writer and healer Phiroozeh Petigara for “Write To Heal”, a 3-week storytelling workshop focused on creating a safe space where self-identifying BIPOC writers can draw inspiration from their own personal stories. As a space open for all BIPOC community, this workshop is intended for writers of all levels, and no prior writing experience is necessary.
At this in-person event, Petigara will teach concrete writing tools plus grounding techniques to tell someone’s story, addressing how to work with inner criticism and inviting attendees to speak to their truth and power.
Petigara says: “Whether you want to write for personal exploration or you’ve been thinking of sharing your story in written or spoken form, telling your truth is healing and empowering. But when it comes to actually writing, we are our own worst critics. We think, ‘who wants to hear my story?’ or ‘I’m not a writer.’ We silence ourselves before we’ve even had a chance to explore what we might have to say. BIPOC stories are essential, especially now. When we speak our story out loud, we heal ourselves, and we heal those who need to hear us.”
This event is open to all of our community, and registration is mandatory. The gallery is wheelchair accessible and a gender-neutral washroom is on-site.
Covid Protocols: For all in-person events, attendees must provide proof of vaccination, wear a mask (N95 masks are encouraged and recommended as they offer the best protection), and consent to having their temperature checked at the front door. We ask that if you are showing any symptoms, that you stay home. Thank you kindly.
healing the “what will people say” syndrome
(presented through qsaw’s chai and chill series)
september 8, 2022, 6 pm pst, 9 pm est
Grab your chai (or beverage of choice) & come chill with fellow LGBTQ+ South Asian Women & Gender Marginalized folks. Register below for our workshop on Thursday September 8th at 9PM (EST) | 8PM (CST) | 6PM (PST). This months workshop focuses on manifesting new narratives to heal from "what will people say" syndrome facilitated by Phiroozeh Petigara.
Perhaps the most toxic burden queer South Asians bear is the fear of “What will people say?” This inhibits us from ever pursuing our authentic path and can lead to higher levels of chronic anxiety and even illness.
In this month’s Chai and Chill workshop , Phiroozeh creates a safe space to begin a tender and compassionate exploration of where these narratives come from, how to begin releasing them and how to begin creating new narratives that clear the way for you to thrive in your full amazing self.
queering crystals for qtbipoc
september 15, 2022, 6pm pst, 9 pm est, (virtual)
This virtual workshop is a safe space for QTBIPOC (Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous and People of Color) and is taught from this lens.
In this introductory workshop, we will discuss some crystals that support QTBIPOC wellness, such as crystals to protect the heart, to speak your truth, and to block negative energies. You can also ask about particular crystals for your own wellness.
We will also discuss how to choose crystals, how to care for them, and how to combine them with other tools for healing and thriving.
This workshop is taught by Phiroozeh Petigara (she/her). Phi is a queer bipoc healer, writer and personal authenticity coach living on stolen coast salish lands (aka Vancouver). In her business, "Decolonizing Aunty", she shows up as the safe aunty she didn't have growing up, helping folks stop living in the "shoulds" and start living in their truth. Phi loves sharing her knowledge of all things healing, including crystals, chakras, reiki and how they all support our healing and thriving.
beginners self-love for bipoc
june 20, 2021, 10 am-1 pm PST, online workshop
Most of us aren't taught self-love. Instead, we're taught to be hyper-critical of ourselves, judge ourselves as less-than and never enough. This debilitates our physical, mental and spiritual health.
Join holistic healer, writer and self-care educator, Phiroozeh Petigara, in this exploration to build your own self-love practice.
In this safe space for BIPOC folx (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), we will discuss where we're at and where we wish to be in our self-love journey. You will be guided through meditation, writing exercises and discussion, to create concrete tools and intentions to begin your own self-love practice.
It's hard work, and necessary, for our own healing as well as collective healing.
exploring the inner critic for bipoc
Part 1: April 18 and 25, 2021, 11 am - 2 pm PST, online workshop
So many of us are plagued by that inner voice that tells us we're less than. As BIPOC , even more voices add to the inner cacophony. The inner critic can debilitate, keep us from our authentic self,from what we truly desire.
In Part 1 (April 18), we invite the inner critic out of the shadows and into the light through mindfulness practices, journaling and group discussions.
In Part 2 (April 25), we offer ourselves some self-love. We invite our inner child and inner critic to get to know each other so they can be our allies, no longer our saboteurs.
We do all this in safe BIPOC space, and support ourselves and each other with lots of grounding and compassion infused into our exploration.
This is hard work, but the only way forward is through. We do this work to show up for our selves to reclaim our power.
bipoc write to heal
October 10, 2020, 1-4 pm PST, online workshop
Want to write but don’t know where to start? Inner critic kinda loud? This session teaches concrete writing tools plus grounding techniques to write your personal story. Learn also to work with your inner critic. Whether you want to write your story for personal exploration and healing or you’ve been thinking of sharing your story in written or spoken form, writing your story is healing. It is empowering. But when it comes to writing down our stories, we are our own worst critics. We think, “who wants to hear my story?” or “I’m not a writer.” We silence ourselves before we’ve even had a chance to explore what we might have to say.
If you have been curious about exploring writing as healing, this series is for self-identifying people of color to explore our stories in safe, community space.
You don't have to be a monk to meditate. You don't have to go to a mountain retreat for a month or meditate every day for 3 hours.
In this workshop, you will learn how to make meditation work for you. To meet you where you are. If you have a very stressed, busy, anxious mind, if you have trouble falling and staying asleep due to mental chatter, this class is for you.
I teach folks to work with their humanity, not against it. I teach you to find a balance between holding yourself accountable and also being gentle with your own habits and blockages, working to shift them slowly and intentionally.
I use an easy approach, starting with the basics, teaching folks to sit for just 5 minutes a day. That is enough.
reflect and release 2019
December 14, 2019, 11:30 am - 2:00 pm, Oakland, CA
A morning of grounding, visualization meditation, writing and ritual.
We begin by centering with grounding practices and a guided visualization meditation. We reflect on 2019 with guided writing prompts. We honor the year that’s passed, the growth that’s taken place, the challenges overcome. We celebrate all the hard work we’ve done, for self and community. We then release what needs releasing with a variety of rituals.
Share space with other people of color as you honor and celebrate your journey and your strength.
