EVENTS
Temple of Joy
Temple of a Joy is a sensory workshop that invites you to play, create, dream and rest. In our space, you will guided through sensory play, collage-zine-making, somatic movement, and gentle meditation. We will be centring questions such as:
“What does a temple of joy taste like?”, “What sounds of worship echo in our temples of joy?”, “What are the textures of joy?”, “What are the shapes of joy?”.
We will open the workshop with a joyful meditation, then be guided to explore textures, materials, and images through collage-zine-making, then you will co-create your temple of joy in a small groups. We will close by embodying the shapes of joy in our bodies, and sharing our reflections into the shape.
Heartspace : meditative making & writing workshop
✨ How do we connect to the Divine flow?
🌀 What textures move in our bodies?
💗 If you could hear your heart, what words would it whisper to you?
Join Poonam in a two-hour, creative workshop as we journey into our hearts.
Through meditation, intuitive drawing or painting and writing we will explore your connection to your heart. We will be connecting to the Divine energy and inviting it to flow onto the page.
We will be gently inquiring into our bodies, and learning from the wisdom of bodily sensations and textures in our internal landscapes. Our intention is to trust the flow and be present in the process, not to focus on creating a "perfect" outcome. We are not striving to make a finished piece.
Resting Circle
Resting Circle is an online gathering space for slow self-reflection, breathing, grounding and softening into. It's a gentle space to build restorative, healing practices together in community.
During our spaces, we will be exploring the textures and rhythms of our breath and bodies. We may use somatic practices, self-reflection exercises, soothing touch, and self-compassion meditation practices to support us consciously decelerating.
Vibe Check Panel, Nike Well Fest
Join Poonam for a live panel chat alongside athletes, and holistic practitioners.
We will be sharing how you can run a daily ‘vibe check’ to assess your energy + top tips on how to flex your routine based on your mood. 💗
We will explore self-care rituals that help us reconnect back to ourselves and how to stay rented and calm when stress rises. I will be guiding you into a gentle embodied enquiry to notice and name the textures you are feeling. ✨
Resting Circle
Resting Circle is an online gathering space for slow self-reflection, breathing, grounding and softening into. It's a gentle space to build restorative, healing practices together in community.
During our spaces, we will be exploring the textures and rhythms of our breath and bodies. We may use somatic practices, self-reflection exercises, soothing touch, and self-compassion meditation practices to support us consciously decelerating.
Apple: Wellness mentoring
Meet practitioners from across the wellness space to explore how their alternative approaches could help you to live better and achieve your goals. In a series of one-on-one and group conversations, you’ll engage with specialists in somatic coaching, tarot readings, self-discovery, meditation and more, hosted by Self Space founder, Jodie Cariss.
Apple Wellness Panel: How to Practise Self-Care in a Modern World
Join Poonam at Apple Covent Garden, for a live discussion on living consciously, practising self-care in the modern world, and learning from the spiritual practices that have supported my healing journey.
She will be holding space in the afternoon as part of the wellness mentoring, where you will experience the power of textures, slowing down and feeling into your body.🌀
Embodied Reflection
As we transition into the new year, we will take inspiration from nature to creatively explore what you're bringing forward and leaving behind.
Poonam will guide you to through a journey of feeling, tapping into the body’s wisdom through somatic practices, creative exercises, writing and grounding meditations to support your reflection process.
Resting Circle (Copy)
Resting Circle is an online gathering space for slow self-reflection, breathing, grounding and softening into. It's a gentle space to build restorative, healing practices together in community.
During our spaces, we will be exploring the textures and rhythms of our breath and bodies. We may use somatic practices, self-reflection exercises, soothing touch, and self-compassion meditation practices to support us consciously decelerating.
Resting Circle
Resting Circle is an online gathering space for slowing down, breathing, grounding and softening into. It's a gentle space to build restorative, healing practices together in community.
Resting Circle
Resting Circle is an online gathering space for slowing down, breathing, grounding and softening into. It's a gentle space to build restorative, healing practices together in community.
Rituals & Rhythms: Creativity and Movement Afternoon Retreat
Our intention is create a space for self-expression, and to discover deep meaningful connections, through embodied exploration, creative expression and intuitive movement. Our experience will involve body listening, visualisation, playful movement, touching objects, interacting with the space around you, and feeling into the vibe.
We invite you to play with rhythms, and cultivate rituals through mind-body-spirt connection. We will be holding this retreat for us to create, heal and celebrate together.
The rhythm of the day ( subject to change in flow of the experience)
1:30pm: Arrivals.
2:00pm: Opening Ritual.
2:30pm: Exploring our feelings by touching textures, objects, and sensing into how we feel.
3:15pm: Tea & snack break.
3:30pm: Playful movement either standing, sitting or lying down to global rhythms and sounds. Listen here to feel the vibes.
4:00pm: Collective discussion.
4:30pm: Tea & snack break.
4:45pm: Self-reflection, rest & integration through mini-zine making.
5:30pm: Closing Ritual.
6:00pm: Goodbye.
We will be reconnecting to ourselves through an embodied creative inquiry. During the retreat you will be:
Moving your body: in your own way, exploring the rhythms and sounds of global cultures - joyful and free of judgements!
Playing and feeling: texture constellations to unlock your creative flow
Slowing down: connecting to the rhythm of your breath, heart and hands, savouring your experience.
Drawing, writing and creating: a mini zine to document your experience
Becoming aware: of the textures of sensing, naming, and feeling.
Exploring the shapes: of scarcity and abundance within your body.
Observing and feeling: you breath as you build a grounding ritual to restore your energy.
Exploring:playful movement, spontaneity, and flow that is rooted in your body.
Sharing your experiences: in a gentle, kind and loving community space
Resting: creating space to integrate your new discoveries into a sense of meaning
Retreat guidelines - please read and digest
Please plan your journey and leave plenty of time arrive promptly between 1:30pm-1:45pm, so we can all begin as a collective. Late arrivals will disrupt the flow of the session.
Connecting to our bodies and breathe can sometimes surface feelings, and emotions. You may realise this type of grounding isn’t supportive for your needs. Please listen to what you need and pay attention to what feels good and safe in your body.
Trust your pacing and feel into your capacity. You do not have to engage in any movements or reflections, you are welcome to sit and soften in silence.
Letting go of fixing and striving for perfection: Imagine that nobody in the room needs fixing, including yourself.
Kindness: Be kind to yourself, others, and our spaces.
Honour the sacred: Some sensations, experiences and feelings can’t be spoken or shared. Savour those precious moments and let them rest within you.
Slow down: Attune to what is happening within you, breathe and pause. Feel the vibe of the space, sensations within your body, the rhythm of your breath
Self-focus: Share your own thoughts, feelings, observations, and experiences. Don’t speak for others or assume the experience of others.
We do not tolerate any BS behaviour. We have a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination, period. We welcome all bodies of culture and respect the diverse lived experience, nuances, and backgrounds of our community. There is no space for "-ists", "-isms", or "-phobias." We reserve the right to remove anyone from our space if they are causing harm in the space.
There will be gentle photography in the background to capture the vibes, if you do not want to be in the pictures, please let us know.
We will be providing herbal teas and snacks to keep you nourished throughout the day. We cannot cater for any allergies. You are very welcome to bring your own snacks too! Please respect the space rules and don’t bring anything oily or that may stain the beautiful furnishings. There will be water and kettles so you can fill your mugs and tea throughout the experience.
Resting Circle
Resting Circle is an online gathering space for slowing down, breathing, grounding and softening into. It's a gentle space to build restorative, healing practices together in community.
Resting Circle
Our Resting Circle is an online gathering space for slowing down, breathing, grounding and softening into. It's a gentle space to build restorative, healing practices together in community.
During our spaces we will be exploring the textures and rhythms of our breath and bodies. We may use somatic practices, self-reflection exercises, soothing touch, and self-compassion meditation practices to support us consciously decelerating.
Resting Circle
Resting Circle is an online gathering space for slowing down, breathing, grounding and softening into. It's a gentle space to build restorative, healing practices together in community.
Resting Circle
Resting Circle is an online gathering space for slowing down, breathing, grounding and softening into. It's a gentle space to build restorative, healing practices together in community.
What's On Your Plate, M8?
In this series of virtual sessions, we invite ourselves to respond to questions such as, “What is the texture of home?”, “What rituals root us?”, “Where do we go to find faith?”, “What fragments of us need healing?”, "What wisdom do objects speak to us? “What spirals of abundance are we creating?”, “What would we create if we wore beads of courage”, “How can we speak our truth with ease?”.
As this community container evolves, we’re curious explore the notions of self, home, belonging, displacement, preservation, ceremony, sanctuary, courage, truth and love. We will be weaving threads of somatic practices, creative exercises, story telling and collective listening.
Together we will find the way home through intimate collective sharing of experiences and release the sense of isolation.
Naturally Creative
Learn how to develop your creative voice in a way that feels genuine, fun, and complimentary to the structures of everyday life. Join André Anderson and Poonam Dhuffer as we explore an array of ideas, methods, and perspectives to become our natural, most creative selves.
Shine Your Light
Diwali is a festival of the light which dispels the darkness of our ignorance. It is a time for inner reflection, celebration and connection. The light of Diwali symbolises the path of truth and righteousness, and reminds us to shine our light bright during these challenging times.
Join embodiment practitioner and founder of YSM8, Poonam Dhuffer for an evening of self-discovery and reconnection in a compassionate space. Together we will be lighting the lamp of love, compassion and kindness in our hearts so we can dispel the dark forces within us, so we can take better care of ourselves and in turn our communities.
This workshop will explore:
How to find the spark in yourself and light the spark in others
How to reframe our inner dark qualities and nurture the light within ourselves
Why lighting a lamp reminds us of our interconnectedness to our communities and the world around us
How to cultivate sacred rituals brings us inner peace and calm our chaotic thoughts
How to release the things that no longer serve us
Spiritual teachings from Dharmic traditions to nourish our wellbeing
The power of collective prayer
The workshop will involve invitations from Poonam for you to engage in embodiment practices, which often will include self-awareness exercises, journaling and self-compassion meditation.
These practices are offered with the intention to increase self-awareness, cultivate self-compassion and reconnect with yourself. Please note that these activities (in the same way as speech/chat) are always optional, and remember to only ever do/ share what is comfortable for you.
Citizens of Everywhere
As part of the annual NOW Later series, NOW Gallery interrogates the stigma of ‘otherness’, whilst contemplating historical and evolving racial tensions in the wake of the global pandemic through the eyes of Black, South, South East and East Asian communities. Coinciding with Black History Month, Citizens of Everywhere presents a series of film projects celebrating activism, rituals and the constantly shifting idea of ‘home’ and global citizens.
In a world where diasporic people and communities contribute to infinite blueprints of hybrid identities; where many are not from one place but multiple, how do we create our own sense of home? How do marginalised communities foster a spirit of solidarity, whilst navigating trauma? Who is to say that we are citizens of nowhere?
YSM8 are holding space for a community workshop that explores what sacred rituals and healing practices which bond and bring comfort to Diasporic communities during challenging times.
Expect self-reflection, mindfulness practices and collective discussion.
RSVP for a free ticket
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/citizens-of-everywhere-tickets-185702961557
How to build emotional resilience
Join YSM8’s 2 week self-love course where founder Poonam Dhuffer will help you cut the BS and do the inner work.
Whether you’re looking to understand more about your thought patterns and emotions, learn how to be kinder and cultivate spiritual practices or you want to develop a deeper understanding of yourself so you can start living wholeheartedly, we will give practical tools and exercises, mindfulness and meditation techniques to approach emotional resilience in everyday life.
Whether you want to reframe negative thinking, be more compassionate or celebrate your whole self. We got you M8.
How to reframe your mindset
Are you a creative freelancer, starting a side creative project or taking the courageous leap to start your own business or perhaps your looking to grow your creative network? Is your self-doubt and negative mindset holding you back from moving forward with your creativity? Do you want to reframe self-destructive thoughts into positives ones and be more kinder and loving towards yourself while you're struggling?
Self-compassion is simply giving the same kindness to ourselves that we would give to others. Imagine if we embraced all parts of ourselves, including strengths and weakness and starting appreciating our whole selves while we're facing self-doubt and imposter syndrome.
Join wellbeing practitioner and founder of YSM8, Poonam Dhuffer for a talk and live Q&A on how to reframe your inner critic, ask for support and practice self-compassion.
You’ll leave the talk with knowing
How to reframe self-destructive thoughts into positive ones
How self-compassion heals us when we’re experience self-doubt
Why we need to celebrate our wins and build support network
How to find new opportunities and collaborate
Why asking for support is a strength and not a weakness
Why we need to commit to practicing self-love on a daily basis
The talk will include a mindfulness exercise, self-reflection prompts and practical tips and advice that you can implement on a daily basis.
What you will need:
A notepad and pen
A candle, incense and a blanket
Warm drink and snacks
Good internet connection
Headphones
To be sitting in a quiet area.
How can we make the wellness industry more inclusive?
The global wellness market is valued at more than $4.2 trillion, however, the fact it is often built upon cultural appropriation and values that uphold white supremacy means the wellness industry often excludes the people who need support the most: POC, BIPOC and other marginalised communities.
Join founder of Still Chill, Rose Eskafi and founder of YSM8, Poonam Dhuffer for an honest and open chat on exploring the wellness industry from an intersectional POC lens and why the face of the wellness industry needs redefining.
How to make it on your own
Are you just starting out as a freelancer, running a side hustle alone or thinking about making the leap to go solo with your career? If so we want to give you our insider tips and support to help you with making it on your own!
Join Daisy Morris founder of The Self Hood, Poonam Dhuffer founder of YSM8, and Stef Sword-Williams founder of F*ck Being Humble as they open up on how they navigate business, confidence and productivity alone.
During this live Q&A we'll aim to answer as many questions that you might be struggling with and offer up honest and relatable advice.
Can't make it to the live event? Sign up to our newsletters via the link below to get access to the recording!
www.theselfhood.com
www.fuckbeinghumble.com
www.ysm8.co.uk
Reflect & Reset
A guided meditation and journaling workshop for everyone.
This past year has been difficult on so many levels. If you feel like you are facing a lot, you’re not alone. The people who cope well with a difficult moment are usually the ones who are not blindly optimistic. According to Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist from Vienna, it’s those who are able to cultivate a sense of tragic optimism: the ability to maintain hope and find meaning in crisis.
Join us for a guided meditation and journaling workshop to find hope and self-compassion during an unprecedented time - and cultivate a sense of tragic optimism. It’ll be gentle, accessible, and low-key. Come as you are. Take a moment to reflect and reset for the new year
YSM8 Monthly Meets
YSM8 Monthly Meets is an intentional and accessible space for Sikh women and non-binary peeps. To chat and share in a safe space.
Rest & Reset: YSM8 meditation wake up call
Gal-dem are launching a virtual event series helping us Rest and Reset for 2021, created in partnership with Beats by Dre and YSM8 are supporting with a workshop on how to rest and restore.
We need to understand how to listen to our bodies and hearts in order to fully rest and restore. Discover the seven different types of rest needed for you to thrive in your relationships, career and personal life.
Join self-compassion meditation practitioner and founder of YSM8, Poonam Dhuffer for a self-reflection and guided meditation workshop to kick start the year.
We will give you the tools on how to take care of your needs and why we all need to fully switch off and be present during the festive period.
Together with Poonam you will learn and discover:
How to identify the seven different types of rest
How to discover the type of rest you need the most
Why our thoughts and emotions impact our vibration
How to promote movement for body peace and inner healing
How to cultivate self-compassion is the ultimate self-care
What habits can we create that promote a sense of calm and restore us
Lovingkindness, creativity and how to build a wellness brand
Join Creative Entrepreneurs founder Carolyn Dailey and our founder Poonam Dhuffer for a talk on how to tackle some of the most urgent topics currently affecting business owners and freelancers in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.
Poonam Dhuffer started wellness community YSM8 to explore ‘oneness, interconnectedness and universal love’. In this hour-long Zoom Dive, she talks about how we can move towards self-acceptance and connectedness in 2021, the importance of diversity in wellness – and why practices like loving-kindness meditation can make you a better, more resilient creative entrepreneur.
Thank you M8
2020 has been a challenging year for every human being. We’ve all been wading through the storm and facing difficulties. Now more than ever we need to take time to reflect back and appreciate all the Good Stuff that’s happened this year.
We will give you the tools on how to celebrate the present and identify where you pour your energy, how to take care of your needs and how fully rest during the festive period.
Join self-compassion meditation coach and our founder, Poonam Dhuffer for a self-reflection, creative letter writing and guided meditation workshop before we wrap up the year.
Together with Poonam you'll and learn:
How you took care of yourself this year
What people in your life influenced you in positive and meaningful ways
Why cultivating gratitude shifts our mindset from negative to positive emotions and connects us to the present
What you can let go and leave behind in 2020
What brought you peace and joy
How you will move forward in 2021 with self-compassion
Live Q&A + lovingkindness meditation
During challenging moments do you offer yourself criticism or compassion? Are you battling with anxiety or depression? Do you find it difficult to be kind and loving towards yourself?
Join meditation coach and founder of YSM8, Poonam Dhuffer for a live Q&A + meditation on how to cultivate self-compassion. You’ll leave the session with knowing how to switch off and honour your needs, why distractions arise during meditation and how to cultivate more love and kindness towards yourself.