2024 TTNO Therapeutic Touch Retreat
and Conference
November 1-3, Fern Resort, Ramara
TRANSFORMING OUR THERAPEUTIC TOUCH® PRACTICE
BY TRANSFORMING OURSELVES
The TTNO is thrilled to be holding their first hybrid retreat and conference at Fern Resort, Ramara. Relax, reconnect, rejuvenate and earn your continuing education credits in style. Lots of free social and spa time. person.
In person attendance is limited to 55 at this venue so register early to avoid disappointment. Zoom attendance is available for the continuing education workshops.
Saturday November 2, 8:00 – 9:00 AM: Keynote Speaker: Dr. Yvonne Kason MD
Dr. Yvonne Kason MD, MEd, CCFP, FCFP, is the President and a Founder of Spiritual Awakenings International and the Past-President of IANDS. She first coined the phrase “Spiritually Transformative Experiences” or “STEs” in 1994. She is the Group-Leader & Co-Founder of Toronto Awakenings Sharing Group. Dr. Kason has had 5 Near-Death Experiences (NDEs), 2 in her childhood and 3 in her adult life, as well as multiple Spiritually Transformative Experiences (STEs) of many kinds. She is a retired family physician and transpersonal MD -psychotherapist, previously on faculty at the University of Toronto, and an internationally renowned medical expert on NDEs, Kundalini Awakening & other STEs. In 1990, Dr. Kason was the first Canadian medical doctor to specialize her medical practice in the research and counseling of patients with diverse types of STEs for over 40 years. She co-founded the Kundalini Research Network in 1990, was the Chair of the Kundalini Research Network’s Questionnaire research project, results published in Explore, July 2020. She co-founded the Spirituality in Health-Care Network in 2000. Dr. Kason has six published books, her most recent, Soul Lessons from the Light: How Spiritually Transformative Experiences Changed My Life (2022), and Touched by the Light: Exploring Spiritually Transformative Experiences (2019). She has made hundreds of professional presentations, has given scores of media interviews, and is in demand as a keynote speaker.
Kundalini Awakening & Spiritually Transformative Experiences: A Global Spiritual Awakening
Kundalini Awakening/Spiritual Energy Awakening is a sacred universal potential present in all people. It is described with different terms in diverse mystical traditions: Kundalini Awakening in Yoga; Holy Spirit quickening or Holy Spirit activation in Christianity; Holy Wind or Shekinah in Judaism; Chi activation in Daoism; Dumo Fire in Buddhism; and other terms. For more than 40 years Dr. Yvonne Kason has been researching and experiencing Kundalini Awakening and other Spiritually Transformative Experiences (STEs). She will describe the key features of a Kundalini Awakening, and its numerous after-effects on body, mind, and spirit. She will explain how Kundalini Awakening starts a long-term process of spiritual transformation of consciousness, punctuated with many STEs, gradually expanding the range of normal consciousness. Dr. Kason concludes that the long-term transformation goal, which usually takes many lifetimes of purification and spiritual deepening, is to attain a sustained expanded state of spiritual consciousness while able to fully function in the world – nirbikalpa samadhi, aka ongoing cosmic consciousness.
WORKSHOP A: Saturday, November 2, 9:15 AM -1:00 PM
Diane May, RN, QTTT, RT, is a true healer for our time, blending entrepreneurial skills with her passion for teaching to help others help themselves. The author of the popular Therapeutic Touch Handbook series, she brings over 30 years of experience with TT and combines her extensive background in the field of human energy work, and management and administration to create highly successful workshops worldwide. Diane is the Past President of both TTNO and Therapeutic Touch International. (From the Conference Chair: If you have never attended a workshop with Diane, you have missed an unforgettable experience.)
Transformational Self-Care
A shift in consciousness can occur in a variety of ways. An external event like trauma can trigger it. Krieger said that jumping into cold water or laughing uproariously could, too. Most healers have had experiences during their sessions that are hard to explain (mystical perhaps?) and these are often triggered by specific internal states. We will explore how to create these mystical experiences yourself (and more consistently) rather than waiting to respond to whatever external events present themselves.
Historically, to have a mystical experience a person was told to separate from the world and sit back and wait—sometimes for a very long time. In contrast, Dr. Renee Weber, former philosophy professor from Rutgers University and friend of Dora Kunz, thought there was another way, a more proactive way. She thought that in TT it is possible for a practitioner to have a mystical experience at every session. What makes the difference between responding and internally creating is functioning centered and working with intention. These two parts of the TT process create a state that is conducive to mystical experiences.
We will explore various methods of centering--sound, breath, kinesthetic, your meditation practice, maximizing conscious intention - and much more. The exercises will provide and reinforce transformational self-care tools to incorporate into your own Therapeutic Touch® practice.
Workshop B, Sunday, November 3, 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Heather Grace Gurd, RT: When Therapeutic Touch® (TT) legend Kathleen Fanslow-Brunjes asked us: “What was your first experience with death as a child”? I replied. “My own.” She smiled and said: “Ah – what a gift. You will have no fear of death.” This is true. I was also left with the ability to see auras, angels, have dreams about things that are happening in real time, hear “earth song”, “know” when people are sick, receive clear guidance through dreams and inspiration, and write backwards and in rhyme. I thought everyone could do this. By the mid 70’s I was a yogi. By the late 80’s I found Therapeutic Touch, which I considered light years ahead of other healing modalities. I was like a duck to water. I have practiced daily and taught TT for 35 years. I am honoured to return as a workshop facilitator for this conference, and am excited to explore giving and receiving touch through new exercises along with my latest play in rhyme, from the Relationship, Love and Death Trilogy for Children.
For education and TT work bio go to: https://www.therapeutictouchontario.org/member/heather-gurd/)
Putting the Touch back in Therapeutic Touch
Touch is something that human beings need to thrive yet sometimes we only feel safe at a distance, especially so since the pandemic. What do you need to feel safe? What do you require in order to touch and be touched? While a professional setting and good communication help, there is more. When we feel safe, we are our fastest, strongest and most creative. Our energetic wings can spread. Through an original presentation and interactive components we will glean concepts and tools that facilitate centering, safety, and efficacy through this act of intimacy that is the “Touch” in Therapeutic Touch®. It is our natural human potential. It is a dance with oneness and the music is love. This workshop is for anyone, from the new mother with child to someone holding the hand of a loved one in hospice and everything in between. You are invited to join me in: My Trees say Hello to your Trees (Meditation), Fairy God Mother and Granny with their Usual Flair, A Pyramid A Mouse and A Little White Hare, (child’s play), Hathor’s Wings (Movement exercise) and A Dance of the Hands (How-to and hands-on exercises including: Reflexive, Grounding, Clearing, for the Dying, and from the wheelchair).
A healing partner is required for the Dance of the Hands exercises. If you are attending via Zoom, please have someone close by to practice with. A Full Therapeutic Touch practicum will complete this workshop.
The 2024 Conference Committee is thrilled to offer these workshops to our members and non-members of the TTNO and sister networks.
All conference hours can be used for maintaining RP status.
MORE HAPPENINGS AT THE IN-PERSON RETREAT AND CONFERENCE AT FERN RESORT
Silent Auction: One of the most popular activities at our in-person conferences has always been the silent auction. The funds raised by this auction go to our “Scholarship Fund” which has helped many members attend workshops, conference and PD Days as well as assisted with other eligible expenses. Whether you plan to attend in person or not, your auction item can be dropped off at the TTNO. We accept new or used items (in good condition), gift certicates, artwork and other items that you feel would be loved by members.
Raffle Draw: Item 1: The ‘TT Quilt of Hands’, has been proudly hanging in our office for several years and after moving to a smaller office we did not have the wall space that it deserves. It truly represents the TT family and friends. Item 2: A garden stone made by Dr. Dolores Krieger with an imprint of her hands, and the energy in those hands, embedded in the stone. More information will be available throughout the summer about how to buy your raffle tickets. The draw will occur on Sunday November 3 and the winner will be notified and sent their prize.
Optional Activities: We will be offering optional activities at Fern Resort that are designed to connect you to nature, to silence and to each other in spiritually awakening ways. We hope you enjoy the extra time allotted for the “retreat” experience – it is totally up to you.
Book Exchange: Bring your books and exchange for another or purchase a used copy by donation.
Click Here to Register Now
The registration form is also available from the office. We are looking forward to seeing you at conference this year.
If you have any questions about the conference, please contact Mary Jane Cowtan at [email protected]
