Education in the Community

2008 was the most successful year in history for the Shakti Rising Education and Community Wellness Program. Onsite class enrollment quadrupled and evaluation results revealed that participants experienced increased self awareness, improved quality of life, and enhanced interpersonal relationships as a result of participating.

This Fall, Shakti Rising's offsite education services partnered with transcenDANCE Youth Arts Project, San Diego Youth and Community Services Teen Options program, and the Monarch School to provide courses. Shakti taught its flagship Transformation 101 course and a modified Transformation 101 workshop to 28 students with tremendous impacts. Students had the opportunity to connect with themselves on a deeper level and make positive changes in their lives.

Evaluation results from one course revealed a 17% increase in self-esteem and an 18% increase in optimism over six weeks. When asked to reflect about the course, one student said, "it allowed me to connect with my spirit guide and to see that I am much more than a body, name, but that I am this beautiful energy that can only do one thing and grow." Another student commented, "when stressing out, I'm going to take a couple of breaths before I react or keep doing what I am doing."

Shakti Rising's Education and Community Wellness Program is expanding services in 2009 to reach even more women and youth through transformative courses and workshops. To register for a class visit us online at www.shaktirising.org/classes or contact jordan@shaktirising.org, 619-501-2746. For more information about offsite services, contact laura@shaktirising.org, 619-501-2746.

It's not too late to register for Winter courses!

Herbalism and Self Care February 9th - March 16th, Mondays 6pm-9pm
Explore herbal medicine and learn to create your own teas, oils and salves. Cost: $150, plus materials fee: $50.

Yoga Classes (Restorative Yoga) Fridays 4-5:30pm (Basic Yoga) Saturdays 8:30-9:30am
Our yoga classes are customized for the women who attend them and are taught by professionally certified female yoga instructors who specialize in yoga for women.

More Skills (For Community Members) Mondays, 7-9pm January 27- March 17th, $200 (includes cost of class materials)
More Skills is for participants who have completed Skills for the Journey and are committed to taking the next step in transforming their lives. This powerful course, which works exclusively through the 9 Gates of Transformation, blends together a high level of personal growth work with ritual, symbolism, and group activities to provide you with a container to awaken the fuller experience of yourself.

For more information and to register for classes, contact Jordan Stanton, Educational Co-Director at 619-501-2746 or jordan@shaktirising.org.

Upcoming Fundraiser

Dear Friend,

In her last year of college at age 21 my daughter, Allie, a beautiful, intelligent, privileged young woman, became addicted to heroin. She cycled in and out of jail, rehab and living on the street for five years. In 2006 she became an apprentice in a radically different, successful, one of a kind program, Shakti Rising in San Diego. Her support from the Shakti community has transformed her into a healthy, productive adult who is following her passion and giving back to the community. After nearly three years of intensive work she graduated from Shakti this fall. Shakti Rising's unique model and 80% success rate have drawn interest across the country, creating opportunities for replication and partnership in other cities and states. Shakti is developing a strategic plan for expansion to satisfy the overwhelming need for gender-specific, trauma informed services.

I invite you to help accomplish their expansion by participating in a fundraiser to celebrate Allie's graduation. We are looking for 100 celebrity actors, activists, artists, musicians, etc. to take 5 minutes to doodle something that could raise $10,000 or more for an organization that saved my daughter's life?

If you know any celebrity who would like to participate, please send me an address I will mail you a piece of paper with a return envelope for them to doodle, draw, paint, color, or collage on, SIGN IT ON THE BACK SIDE and send back to me. On March 21, 2009, the framed art will be exhibited at the Smith Andersen Gallery in Palo Alto. A $100 event ticket entitles guests to choose one piece of art, not knowing who created it.

Allie is living proof (emphasis on living) that Shakti Rising works. With your help many more mothers will have the chance to celebrate their daughters graduations.

Thank you from all of Allie's happy family,
Catherine O'Brien
www.100doodles.com