Event Details:

Welcome the new year as part of the Arnprior + District Museum's #SeekingPeace initiative with community members who can help us find inner calm during difficult times. Activities for the whole family will include dance, a sound bath, breath practice, and a cacao ceremony. Everyone is welcome, there’s no registration, and admission is free.

See the full program below.

Note for all workshops:

Please bring a yoga mat with you, or something to lay on the ground. You’re welcome to also bring pillows, blankets, eye masks, fuzzy socks, and anything else that will help you feel a sense of ease.

No registration required.

Vibefest Program:

11 am: Open Movements - Simple and Power Movements to Improve Your Day

Dance and experience the transformation: Experience a new way to release daily stress, with an incredibly fun fitness mode, which will have a positive impact on your health. With the constant practice of this body expression, you will learn to support a young, flexible, strong, and toned body.

·       Afro essence dances: Therapeutic and energizing action, activates reflexes and resistance.

·       Dances with Arab techniques: Body dissociation and coordination action

·       Yoga and breathing techniques: Elasticity, concentration, and relaxation.

Love develops freely when loyalty, will, trust, responsibility and honesty are the basis of our walk.

Hosted by Andrea Villarreal
Environment designer and dance guide / Personal development coach
Founder: Movimientodharma.org 
Instagram: @movimientodharma
Facebook: dharmadharma

11:45 am:

Stretching and Breathing Meditation

With 10 years of experience as a yoga teacher, Gusnara Bustos—certified in Yoga Rahasya and Jivamukti —offers a practice designed to cultivate a daily connection with yoga. Rooted in meditation and mindful movement, her classes help awaken prana (energy), bringing peace, calm, and stillness. Originally from Nicaragua, Gusnara believes in using yoga and meditation as a vehicle for inner balance, release, and steady transformation, guiding students toward a more harmonious and enriched lifestyle.

Hosted by Gusnara Bustos (Nicaragua)

        I.          Mandala and God Eyes Workshop: Practica de meditacion y arte

Hosted by Cristina Cota (Mexico)

Originating in the indigenous cultures of the Americas, primarily among the Huichol people of Mexico, the Eye of God Mandala, known as "Sikuli," is a spiritual symbol. They represent divine vision and understanding, serving as amulets of protection and wisdom. Over the centuries, these creations have expanded and adapted, acquiring new meanings and forms.

Each culture has imbued these mandalas with its own essence. In Latin America, for example, they are used in spiritual ceremonies, while in other regions of the world, they have been adopted and adapted into meditation and artistic practices.

12:30 pm: Circle Dance - We Share the Joy

The Circle Dance, a rhythmic delight, serves as an essential tool for community bonding. It is a space where individuals can comfortably express themselves, find connections and achieve a sense of unity. Every member’s participation is vital for the dance’s rhythm, showing the significance of collaboration. Think, for instance, of the traditional Greek circle dance often performed at social gatherings. Each participant, hand in hand with their neighbor, jointly creates an enchanting spectacle, fostering relationships within the group.

Moreover, since Circle Dance does not rely on having a partner, it’s more accessible for people of all ages and potential dancers needn’t worry about partner dynamics. From a social perspective, it breaks down barriers, gluing a community together, and lays the foundation for powerful social interaction.

Hosted by Marion Newlands
Trained teacher in International Folk Dancing for more than 50 years

1:45 pm: Cacao Ceremony - Connect With Your Heart

The story of cacao begins thousands of years ago in the Mesoamerican region, inhabited by civilizations like the Mayans and Aztecs. For these ancient cultures, cacao was not merely a culinary delight, but a sacred substance used in religious rituals, marriage ceremonies, and even as currency.

When you take part in a Cacao Ceremony, you are signing up for an experience that transcends the ordinary. From the cellular level to the expanses of your soul, the benefits are far-reaching and deeply transformative.

Physical Benefits: A Symphony of Wellness

·       Cardiovascular Health: Cacao is a powerhouse of antioxidants like flavonoids. The antioxidants in Cacao improve heart health by reducing inflammation and improving blood flow.

·       Mood Elevation: Cacao also contains serotonin precursors, which contribute to feelings of well-being and happiness.

·       Sustained Energy: Unlike the abrupt highs and lows of caffeine, the theobromine in cacao offers a more sustained and gentle energy boost.

Hosted by Jose David Castro y Cristina Roman
Priests of the Mayan tradition
Instagram: @temazcalarnprior

2:30 pm: Ecstatic Dance - Free-form/meditative practice

Corey Sheikh is the visionary creator, DJ, and primary facilitator of the AWAKEN Experience—a unique immersive journey drawing from over 12 years of expertise in guiding wellness-based sessions. His extensive background spans Group Fitness, Ecstatic Dance, Breathwork, Meditation, Emotional Healing, Sound Therapy, and Relational Connection practices. With Music as a core element of these types of sessions,  over the years Corey has refined his craft as a DJ, music curator, and producer, amplifying the depth and impact of his sessions.

The AWAKEN Experience brings together these modalities and Corey pulls on the sounds of Organic, Afro, Progressive House, Tribal Melodic Techno, and Golden Era Trance, enriched by ambient synths, ancient vocals, and meditative soundscapes. These curated musical journeys create immersive, transformative experiences, inviting a full spectrum of emotions, energies, and sensations aligned with AWAKEN’s holistic approach. Through the synergy of music, breath, movement, and connection, Corey holds space for participants to find inner peace, vibrant joy, and grounded presence.

Hosted by DJ Corey Sheikh
AWAKEN Founder, Ecstatic Dance DJ, Producer, Meditation Teacher
Instagram: @corey.sheikh
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CoreySheikh
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0TOhsr39pwRTKW72tL1Vkx?si=rTwBQUN6Tta65Zbchfq8FQ

3:30 pm: Sound Bath - A truly rejuvenating experience!

A sound bath is a fantastic opportunity to embrace self-care and relaxation.

During the session, you will immerse yourself in soothing sounds, vibrations, and frequencies. The aim is to promote deep relaxation, reduce stress, and restore balance to your mind, body, and spirit. It is a truly rejuvenating experience!

Please bring a yoga mat with you, or something to lay on the ground. You’re welcome to also bring pillows, blankets, eye masks, fuzzy socks, and anything else that will help you feel a sense of ease.

Hosted by Diana Freitag
Diana is the owner of the metaphysical shop in town, Mystical Elements, and also offers reiki, breath work and workshops in addition to sound baths, and they have just celebrated their 3rd Anniversary!
https://mystical-elements.square.site/

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