• Mentors
• Artistry
• Organizers
• Work trade

The power of mentorship

At Elements, we believe strongly in the power of mentorship. In pre-agricultural times, even young children were expected to mentor the children that were even younger. Mentorship facilitates strong bonds of connection, mutual respect, wisdom traditions and competence within the Village. 

We encourage all members of the Village to engage in mentorship. Have a special skill or area of expertise to offer? In addition to featured workshops, there is a Community Offerings board available in Main Camp to announce your workshop to the community. 

Elements offers several workshop spaces around camp including the amphitheater, The Haven (an all gender sacred space), Healing Pavilion and Kid's Camp. Some workshops (like plant walks) will take place in the forest. 

Elements features workshops in Earth skills, healing arts, sustainable living, communication and much more! We have gathered some of the most knowledgeable and talented mentors in the West to share their wisdom with our Village. Below are just some of the incredible Elements mentors who have either committed to this year or participated in past years.  We appreciate your understanding that occasionally an instructor cancels last minute.  Check back often.  More profiles are being added. 

And don't forget to check out our incredible Wild Child program for kids! 

Our Mentors

We will be updating this list as we get closer to the open of camp so CHECK BACK OFTEN!! ​

Celestino Cornielle

SHAMANIC JOURNEYS

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CELESTINO CORNIELLE

Shamanic Journeys

Celestino Cornielle, is best know for his portrayal of Raldo "El Sabroso" in the Universal Pictures film "The Fate Of The Furious" but he is also an international speaker and urban shaman with a psychology degree.

He is a wisdom keeper of IFÁ known as a Babalowe (Father of Secrets). His teaching combines the wisdom of the native tribes and the African tribes. Passionate about de-occulting the occult and creating safe spaces where ALL of our relations can gather to Pierce Through The Illusion Of Separation... he teaches the ancient arts in simple language that is easily understood by all.

His presence and candor inspires deep, transformative, introspection. At the heart of everything he does lies an ancient prophecy that is told in many ways by many different tribes and that prophetises that at a time of great crisis our ancestors would return to us wearing bodies of different colors to help unite mankind and save mother earth.

At Elements he will share several fun shamanic journeys where he will guide us through the mystic & taboo with a child like curiosity. His circles embrace the complete realm of the human experience as tools for spiritual enlightenment; love, social life, sexuality, activism, and artistic pursuits are all vectors of our evolution.

Sex, Love and Sprituality
A fun shamanic journey, that will give men & women the opportunity to authentically relate, ignite soul connections, and ask their most burning questions re: Sex, Love, & Spirituality... anonymously.

Zen and Hike
Eye guided Zen hike to nurture the Mind-Body-Nature connection, explore, and "feel" ourselves as nature.

Natural Law and Conscious Social Activism
Eye will teach the 7 Natural Laws & how they apply to taking compassionate actions to build the New Earth. 1. Mentalism 2. Correspondence 3. Vibration 4. Polarity 5. Rhythm 6. Cause & Effect 7. Gender

Natalie Brejcha

SPOON CARVING

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NATALIE BREJCHA

Spoon carving

Natalie Brejcha is a musician, artist, and naturalist who’s love of wood carving originated with her love of hiking and connecting with the natural world. She started about 4 years ago by taking a hike in her local mountains, picking up a stick, and whittling a small and very primitive spoon. The joy of creating that first functional and beautiful tool spurred her onto carving and creating many many more, and inspired her to learn as much as she could from other master carvers. Implementing new techniques she’s learned, and using tools like hand chisels, has enabled Natalie’s skills to become more refined, but still connected to the earth and the beauty and functionality of each piece of wood she picks up.

Natalie runs her own woodcarving, kitchen wares and custom vintage knife restoration business from her studio in Pasadena Ca, called Arroyo Seco Woodcraft. For examples of her work please visit her Instagram page @arroyosecowoodcraft

Beginning Spoon Carving with Natalie
In this class you will learn how to use a knife and chisels to carve you're very own spoon. The art of carving is one that requires us to slow down and enjoy the beauty in a simple utilitarian object but one that can be filled with intense beauty and satisfaction.

You will leave with a completed spoon if you're determined, but spoon carving is intense on the hands so there will be opportunities during the class to take breaks from carving and learn about wood selection, design and functionality, different knife and chisel techniques, and sanding and finishing options. I will provide chisels and have a number of basic carving knives, but feel free to bring your own VERY SHARP knife if you like. I recommend the Morakniv 106 as a basic carving knife if you want to purchase one. They're about $27 on Amazon. I will have sandpaper and finishing oil to share with everyone.

This class is not appropriate for children as the extreme sharpness of the tools means that a level of supervision that I cannot provide is required. Adults only please.

@arroyosecowoodcraft

Danny Morris

TRAUMA HEALING, SOMATIC MINDFULNESS, AUTHENTIC RELATING, MEN’S CIRCLES

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DANNY MORRIS

Trauma Healing, Somatic Mindfulness, Authentic Relating, Men’s Circles

Danny is a trauma informed somatic mindfulness coach and plays at the intersections of meditation, spirituality, healing and relating. He has spent over 10,000 hours in silent meditation retreat exploring for himself the direct experience pointed to by spiritual traditions. He is now in the deep inquiry of taking the depth of the inward journey and applying it to becoming fully human and engaging in a world that requires action with an open heart.

Healing Trauma Through Community
One of the most challenging parts of living in community, is learning how to hold space for each other when our past traumas get triggered in the present. To be human is to carry trauma in our bodies, remnants of unresolved experiences that keep replaying themselves until they can be seen and received in love. Most of us carry developmental / attachment trauma from not receiving the attuned love and care we needed from our caregivers and families. One of the driving forces to live in community is to find a loving and caring place where we can be seen and welcomed, healing and receiving what we didn't get in our early development.

In this workshop we will harvest the wisdom that group has to offer around these key questions: What is Trauma? What does healing look like and how do we hold space for each other when our wounds are triggered? What does it mean to heal in community?

Together we will discover how we can bring a trauma informed perspective to our communities and continue the conversation around the core components needed in community to make healing possible.

Somatic Mindfulness – Reconnecting Our Bodies to the Earth
Cultivating mindfulness helps to bring our attention into the present moment and perceive the subtly of experience that is happening all time but we are unaware of because of the conditioning of distraction. In this offering we will learn the basic skills of cultivating mindfulness through reconnecting to our bodies, learning to listen to them and become aware of the wisdom they have to share with us. We will also discover that our bodies are an extension of the earth and as we start to become aware of that connection, how the earth is constantly supporting us we will cultivate a sense of safety and trust. We will learn to hone our feeling senses to become more present inside and connected to the world around us.

Compassionate Masculinity – A Circle for Men
How do we come together as men to support each other with compassion and care? Being socialized as a man in today’s culture sends us the message that we need to hold it all together and that it is not OK to ask for support. When we do ask for support we might place that emotional labor on women or our partners, because they are the ones we trust to hold us in tender ways. As men we can lean into and find support in each other and find way to break through our conditioning around what it means to be a man and hold each other in compassion. Join us in this circle to get vulnerable with the struggles you face in live and be heard and supported by the men in your community.

Authentic Relating
Description to come.

Ray Livingston

SEARCH AND RESCUE

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RAY LIVINGSTON

SEARCH AND RESCUE

Ray was an English major and philosophy minor at U of O. After college, Ray spent time as a police officer in Eugene, Oregon, before moving into the transportation industry, where he continues to work today. Ray is an avid bowhunter, upland game bird hunter, and hiker. Because of his love for the outdoors, he started developing his wilderness skills as a safeguard against any problems he might encounter during his solo wilderness outings. This eventually led Ray to start volunteering as a search and rescue K9 handler in 2011 as a way to use his knowledge helping others. Ray and his search dog “Leroy”, a Pudelpointer, were the 2016 “K9 and Handler of the Year” for one of the largest groups in the area.

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION:

Every year, thousands of new adventurous individuals break free from the urban world to begin spending time in our forests.

It’s a wonderful thing and something I greatly encourage people to do; but Mother Natures is as harsh and unforgiving as she is sublimely beautiful.

My workshop has been developed from my personal experiences as a wilderness explorer and a search and rescue K9 handler.

I hope to share some basic information with you, to help make your next outing to your favorite wild place safer and more enjoyable.

Year after year, season after season, on the brightest days and darkest nights, my search and rescue team is called to assist in finding people that have become lost in the woods.

It is easier to get lost in the woods than many people realize, especially for those of us who get caught up in natures splendor or are focused on looking for flora, fauna or minerals.

What do you do if that happens to you? Do you know what to do when you realize that you don’t know where you are or how to get back?

Do you have the essential items with you to hold you over while search and rescue crews find and extract you from the forest?

If you or someone else is injured, do you have the knowledge and basic equipment to tend to those injuries?

I’ll be covering these topics and more during my workshop. I hope you find it relevant, helpful and that you never need any of the information provided.

However, if you do, it may prove to be a priceless use of your time to get this information.

I’m looking forward to sharing my knowledge and experience with you!

-Ray Livingston

Lonnie Hamilton

VILLAGE ELDER

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LONNIE HAMILTON

VILLAGE ELDER

Lonnie is a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and has been trained in the craft of bow making by a full blood Elder, Mike Berryhill, who has been honored as a Living Legend by his tribe. Mike was the Cvkotakse Haya (Bow Maker) and considered a master of traditional bow making in the style of the Muscogee people. Mike asked and blessed Lonnie to carry on his traditional bow making style in 2010 with the intention of continuing this ancient craft by teaching the next generations so this way will not be lost.

Lonnie has lead bow making workshops for five years, in Oklahoma, on the Window Rock reservation (July ’14), and in West Virginia in April, as well as individual instruction. Over 90 people have learned this craft since the first class held by Mike Berryhill in 2009 where Lonnie was one of 30 students and became one of the instructors.

“There is much more to this than simply making a bow, it is about connection with the wood which I consider a relative, and a deeper sense of connection with our Ancestors,” says Lonnie..

Jon Swann

SONGWEAVING, ACROYOGA

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JON SWANN

SongWeaving & AcroYoga

Jon is a San Diego-based musician and music educator. He currently teaches elementary music, maintains a private studio, and performs around the San Diego area. Saxophone is his main instrument, and he is proficient in flute, clarinet, guitar, and ukulele. When not engaged in music, you can find him practicing circus acrobatics with his troupe, The Circus Collective.

Terra Horton

BREATHWORK

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TERRA HORTON

Breathwork

Terra Horton is a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist, utilizing Art Therapy and Breathwork in her private practice in Highland Park, CA. Terra worked with children in the foster care system for several years before having children of her own, utilizing Art Therapy, and helping children work through trauma using TF-CBT. For the past 5 years, Terra has worked extensively with children in the Non-Violent Communication paradigm through her work as a parent teacher at The Garden Cooperative Nursery School in Glassell Park. Her work with adults in private practice has been profoundly affected by her discovery of Breathwork in 2017. After feeling called to teach Breathwork weekly to her community, Terra opened her private practice studio to everyone in order to make this transformational healing both affordable and accessible to all who need it. She teaches $20 classes at 4:00-5:00 every Sunday afternoon.

Breathwork
Breathwork accesses the body's own natural healing ability through a particular repetitive breath in a safe setting with a guide. Music, bells, essential oils, Palo Santo, and massage are often utilized to help the person stay present during and after the experience. Through this breathing technique, a person may experience a number of phenomena: chakras may become aligned, clarity may be attained, and the person may experience a complete release of emotions that had previously hindered their emotional and spiritual lives. Many people become tuned into spirit during a Breathwork session, and report sensing loved ones, guides, or angels in their presence. This intense work often results in euphoria and a state of deep relaxation afterward. Attendees are encouraged to bring a yoga mat, layers of clothes (including socks) or a blanket, and a journal if they want to record their experiences, insights and messages.

Mark Smith

BOW MAKING, ARCHERY, ATLATLS

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Mark Smith

BOW MAKING, ARCHERY, ATLATLS

Mark has been teaching traditional archery craft and skills for over 10 years – crafting several types of North American traditional longbows, tuning the bow & arrow designs for quiet flight and guiding folks to their shooting style.

Bowmaking
Mark teaches a how-and-why awareness of knowing the wood to begin the process of creating a partnership between bow and archer. We bring the stories of the wood and crafter together through our primitive skills. The proud result is “that’s my bow”, and in turn, the bow remembers you.

Archery training - Mark and his family are nationally certified instructors thru USAA, NFAA, and are members of Bowhunters Unlimited. They teach at local schools and organize shooting events - all ages all levels all fun.

Mark brings his full workshop to Buckeye Gathering every year and teaches at his home shop year-round when he isn’t backpacking or yardening with his family.

ArcheryForAllAges.com in Santa Rosa, CA.

Benjamin Pixie

SALMON SKIN BARK TANNING, MEAD AS MEDICINE

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Benjamin Pixie

SALMON SKIN BARK TANNING, MEAD AS MEDICINE

Benjamin Pixie has been actively romancing the wilds of this world for over half of his life. He is husband to millions of virgin maidens who dedicate their lives to the sex work of the Earth, and lovingly serves 50 queens. In addition to beekeeping, he is a mead maker, alchemist, herbalist, a hide tanner, leather worker, & poet. He is father of 2 shining radiant little witches.

The Magic and Medicine of the Bee
Benjamin will be sharing stories of Bees as stewards of the fecundity of life and examples of alternative styles of civilization that promote diversity.
Through myth, story and honey tasting this class will ingest the sweet plant medicines of the bees while exploring the bitterness of our current experiments in civilization. We will discuss the poison and catastrophe of monoculture as exemplified in Colony Collapse Disorder. Through stories of powerful plants, pollinators and humans who remember we will untangle the webs of death and amnesia to grieve the losses and celebrate the beauties of being alive in these times of great change.

Mead Making as Medicine- Wort Cunning
We will focus on the history and mythology of this ancient and sacred practice of fermentation and explore the delicious intricacies of alchemical transmutation that the bee perform to create the most immortal gold of honey and the ways we humans further this art in the creation of ambrosia- the divine drink of poets and the divine. We will explore various possibilities of mead due to yeast culture/ floral source and addition of herbs, as well as the role of mead and ferments in medicine and herb craft.

Bark Tan Salmon Skin
Learn the ancient art of bark tanning using plant skin medicine to bind with animal skin to become leather, while working with the most magical creature who bridges land and sea whil being steeped in wild myth, poetry and story. Students will get the chance to tan a salmon hide and learn much of how to bark tan mammals, and fur on as well as being immersed in wonder and richness of this wild and mighty fish.

Babba Dan

PINE NUT NECKLACES, RAWHIDE RATTLES, SHOE REPAIR

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Babba Dan

PINE NUT NECKLACES, RAWHIDE RATTLES, SHOE REPAIR

Metaphysical musing/ ego dismissing
Pine Nut Necklace
Rawhide Rattles
Shoe repair
​Conversations in Light

Chris Morasky

EARTH SKILLS

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Chris Morasky

Earth Skills

Chris Morasky is a wildlife biologist with 30 years experience teaching Stone Age skills and nature connection and is considered one of the top Stone Age skills experts in North America. Chris has lived most of the past 20+ years in the wilderness and small communities of British Columbia, Idaho and Utah. He lived in a tipi for 6 years, homesteaded along the most remote mail route in the lower 48 states, lead totally Stone Age expeditions into the wilderness of Idaho and Oregon, worked in the most dangerous job in the world, was one of the largest python breeders in Canada, was a waiter at a 4 Star restaurant, managed over $100 million worth of property in Park City, UT, and has had multiple near-death experiences.

His teachers include Lakota, Shoshone, Arapaho, Crow, Blackfeet and Serri tribesmen, many wilderness skills experts and life itself. Chris’ workshops focus on awakening instincts, ancient skills and deep nature connection as doorways to understand more fully who we are and why we're here.

www.facebook.com/chrismorasky

Ted Dawson

MEDICINE MAKING, WINTU COOKING, MEDICINE BAGS

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Ted Dawson

MEDICINE MAKING, WINTU COOKING, MEDICINE BAGS

Ted Dawson wildcrafts a variety of medicines through his company, Mountain Wintu Herbs. He is an ethnobotanist, storyteller and wisdom keeper. Ted will be teaching plant medicine making, native cooking, tanning a medicine bag and sharing traditional songs and teachings. "My grandmother is Nor Rel Muk Wintu, descendant of the first Californians. She has taught me about herbal healing and native plants since I was a child. I grew up in northern California, between Mt. Lassen and Mt. Shasta."

Workshop Offerings:
Medicine Making/Plant ID
Make and take home Fire Cider, Poison Oak remedy, One tincture. Will we do this class twice on in the morning early in the week and one in the afternoon later in the week.
$50.00 materials fee.

Medicine Bags
Make a medicine bag by tube skinning and brain tanning a fox, squirrel, or mouse.
$30.00 materials fee.

Cedar wood burned spoons, chop sticks
Learn to make primitive cutlery through carving and coal burning.

Cooking Wild Game Using Traditional Methods
Salmon, Venison, Buffalo - all you can eat for participants of the class.
$5 fee for a serving of game without class attendance.

www.mountainwintuherbs.org

K. Stellar Dutcher

SONGWEAVING, SOCIAL ARTISTRY

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K. Stellar Dutcher

SOCIAL ARTISTRY

With stars in their eyes and a guitar in hand, K. Stellar Dutcher can usually be found encouraging those who cross their path to step more radically into themselves and the world. A lifelong musician and event facilitator, Stellar led youth groups and worked in fundraising before hitting the road in 2015 with workshops and music.

With more than a decade of experience and training in group facilitation ~ from conferences to weddings to weekly meetups ~ Stellar's specialty is using mindfulness, guided interactions and music to open a group to deeper layers of itself, gently guiding people into more intimate connection with self, planet and perceived other. Poet, songwriter, fundraiser and activist, Stellar offers inspiration, activation and song to anyone tuning into the beloved community and emerging, healing world.

Riley Rainbow Family Circus

CIRCUS SKILLS & CONSCIOUS PARENTING

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The Riley Rainbow Family Circus

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS:
FAMILY CIRCUS CAMP:
Our family circus camp is a gateway for children and their caregivers to create a sacred space together that is judgment free. The space created provides an opportunity to foster the deep family tradition of Circus Arts as a powerful tool for incorporating intention, communication, and trust to an artistic expression into our Family Daily Living. This intimate interaction will provide you with you yet another in valuable tool to cultivate empathy, trust and healthy emotional communication with your young person. The Riley Rainbow Family Circus will demonstrate and facilitate safe and effective ways for you to be a well grounded, confident support person for your child while experiencing this age old family tradition together.

GO WITH THE FLOW:
This special play shop introduces young people to the warrior within as a personal guide and flow artist. Working with the staff Jai and Sean Riley conduct energy to channel self confidence, personal growth and interconnectedness with the space around us all Bringing each participant present to go with the flow in his or her life. Some staffs provided. Staffs hand made by The Riley Family available for purchase.

SACRED MOVEMENT:
This unique workshop introduces young people to channeled interpretation of music and allowing archetypal and ancestral movements to flow through. Working with ancient dance moves Isabella and Mariana Riley create a space for use to remember the moves encoded In our very DNA of the oldest recorded dance form in his/her story. Some hip scarves provided. Hip scarves also available for purchase.

Dress comfortably.
Ages 9 - adult

RED TENT:
The Red Tent is a space to GET REAL and show up Authentically. We welcome any who identify as a woman and/or bleed.

PLEASE BRING:
* A sarong to wear, to share our Authentic Selfs with one another (some provided)
* A cushion to sit on if you have one
* Any ALTAR items or TOOLS OF DIVINATION, special stones/crystals
* BRING YUMMY FOOD TO SHARE!!! Something healing for our Body Temple. Chocolate is highly encouraged!
**NO drugs or ALCOHOL so We may be Present with each other. **
The PURPOSE of this gathering is to Unite the Sisterhood! We are sharing our connection to the Dark Moon, The Collective Womb Grid, The Blood Mysteries and Blood Magic!
Ages 14 & up. Babies at the breast are welcome.

www.oftheearthaz.com
www.facebook.com/therileyrainbowfamilycircus
www.instagram.com/therileyrainbowfamilycircus

Bill Oliphant

CORDAGE, FRICTION FIRE

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BILL OLIPHANT

CORDAGE, FRICTION FIRE

Info to come.

Kriss Walas

PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION

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KRISS WALAS

Personal Transformation

Kriss Walas is a graduate of CSUS with BA degrees in Psychology, Philosophy, and Audio. Kriss is a certified Reiki 2 practitioner in Holy Fire. Kriss is in innovator in the fields of sound, intimacy, healing, bioenergetics, Tantra, Reiki, mindfulness, meditation, epigenetics, breath work, relationship coaching, body therapy, communication, connecting with nature, and personal growth/expansion. Kriss is a student of life and has merged timeless teachings of the East with New Age teachings of the West to guide people to self-realization within their own being and bodies.

Living With Compassion and Embodying Forgiveness
Metta meditation is the practice of cultivating awareness, love, and compassion in the present moment independent of thought and judgment. This workshop fuses two fundamental modalities from the East and West to help people align with letting go, inner joy, happiness, and peace. The Western practice, coined by Kriss Walas, is Grateful Awareness (rooted in Positive Psychology) which is merged with the age old Eastern practice of Loving Kindness (principal premise in Buddhism). The synthesis of these two modalities allows individuals a safe guided space to connect through the heart to experience love without condition.

Unconditional love is the expression of the divine which glues the universe together. When unconditional love enters our words, thoughts, and actions, we can see others as mirrors of ourselves, as one form of ever pervading consciousness. Seeing others like us is the basis of compassion. Through compassion, we can put ourselves in the shoes of another and feel their unique experience in our own body. Compassion training allows us to forgive ourselves and forgive others simultaneously and symbiotically.

Through Grateful Awareness and Loving Kindness, we can free ourselves from the chains of the mind, heal our bodies, and connect to others and life in a way which is deeply expressive and nourishing. Forgiveness is the single most healing human practice; a practice which is often buried under layers of guilt, shame, hurt, and repressed childhood trauma. Forgiveness is the nurturing, and we all need nurturing.

Personal Growth: A Quantum Shift with Self Love
Personal growth is impossible without self-love. With self-love we painlessly shift from the perspective of “impossible” to “I’m possible.” Many of our parents/teachers/ coaches made us feel like we could do anything as a child. As we got older we experienced failure, heartache, and rejection; instilling feelings that “we are not good enough, lovable, or worthy.” According to Quantum Physics, everything we can fathom has an equal possibility of becoming our reality, with the caveat of understanding that our existence is based on self-love, not on achieving everything we want because we want it.

When we shift our view from the external goal achieving paradigm of life being “impossible,” to the inner and holistic perspective of “I’m possible” we make a quantum leap from Newtonian physics into the Quantum realm of infinite opportunity and infinite self-love. This workshop ventures into the science of motivation and Quantum Physics. We will talk about powerful teachings from pioneers in the field like Tony Robbins, Dr. Joe Dispensa, Dr. Bruce Lipton, and more.

We will learn what personal growth means from a soul, heart, and spiritual perspective. We will understand the outdated model of cause and effect (Newtonian Physics) and learn about the infinite possibilities lingering in the Quantum Field. Self-love is the key to personal growth. Without self-love, we are aimlessly drifting through life, getting hurt, and frantically jumping from one sensory experience to the next, seeking fulfillment, pleasure, and happiness. Happiness is a fleeting emotion riddled with suffering. Self-love is a state of BEing free from suffering.

Chakra Restoration
The Chakras are the energy centers of the body. Blockages in our energy centers (stemming from mind) are the root cause of disease in the body. Western cultures have adopted Chakra training into many sets of healing but often are not aligned with the intuitive healing nature of the Chakra System. We all battle disease in the body but have one core misconception about the very nature of disease. Disease, broken down from an etymological standpoint, translates to “dis-ease.” When we are in a state of “dis-ease,” we are simply not in a state of ease, or out of balance within the body. The body has a natural way of healing itself through rest, active awareness, and presence. Awareness is the birthplace of intuition, and intuition is a gift we all possess.

Intuition is a natural aspect of being human but we receive no scholastic/societal training on how to use and develop our natural ability to be intuitive. Western medicine encourages us to ignore our intuition, ignore our energetic centers, and rely on expensive medical practices, medications, and clinical operations, which often do more harm than good for the body. This work shop goes into how we can effortlessly take care of our body, eliminate “dis-ease,” reduce Cortisol levels (the stress hormone) and align with perfect health within the energetic body and physical body.

All body systems are connected and are all one. When we align with “ease” within the body, ease is adopted by our body, mind, emotions, and spiritual essence simultaneously. Not one scientist can tell us how the heart beats or how we are being breathed by life. Now is this time we learn the truth about our body to empower our lives.

Sacred Tantric Affection Training for Relationships
We are all elemental beings doing our best to learn and grow on Earth. Earth is the most divine school for learning how to ground within the body, live through our heart, and remember our connection to Source. Tantric and Neo-Tantric practices are designed to ignite the body with sensual energy so that we can tap into our most powerful energy center, the heart. Sensual pleasure awakens the body and connects us more deeply to others through affection and our five human senses. Sensuality is the cornerstone of relationships and human connection. We all adore being touched and have strong natural desires to touch others. Our society and culture puts sex in our face daily but makes us feel ashamed to be sexual, sensual, and affectionate towards each other. Learning how to be affectionate is a vulnerable process which takes courage. When we are learning new skills and being vulnerable, support and feedback is essential for our growth.

Affection is something many of us were not given as children; thus, many of us have years of triggers to work through to remove subconscious blocks telling us that we are not worthy of affection. This workshop offers spoken guidance and collective interactivity to dive deep into affection and physical connection in a space which is safe, comfortable, and energy infused. Together we explore the secrets of the cosmos, the interworking’s of the body, and how we can express ourselves through sensuality, sexuality, and verbal/non-verbal communication in a healthy and healing way. Daring greatly, living openly, and expressing ourselves fully is the doorway to happiness and feeling acceptance within the body. When we allow ourselves to be vulnerable and say, “This is me, and I am worthy of love,” our lives radically change. It is time we ditch the feelings of guilt and shame and open our hearts to feeling affection, connection, and embracing all our relationships with more love and self-acceptance.

Andrew Ecker & Monica Patton

COMMUNITY DRUMMING, DRUM MAKING, MEDICINE RATTLES

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ANDREW ECKER & MONICA PATTON

Community Drumming

Andrew Ecker and Monica Patton are together Drumming Sounds, Monica is a trained Reiki practitioner receiving her initiation under Astarius Miraculii at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts. She is also an accomplished artist and Drum circle facilitator. Andrew born from the Apache “NDE” and born to the Irish was brought to this earth plane as a bridge operating in multiple cultural dynamics, this story of bridging people has been a part of Andrew’s process for most of his life. Andrew considers himself firstly a cultural architect and secondly a facilitator of sacred space.

Andrew and Monica as drum circle facilitators, spiritual practitioners, teachers and community developers have been able to, in over 25 years of combined effort, facilitate more than 5000 drum circles some with tribal nations, churches, businesses, festivals, organizations and individuals. Some of these groups include The Havasupai Nation, The Navajo Nation, The Hopi Nation, The Yaqui Nation, The Gila River Indian Community, The Tohono O’odham Nation, Native American Connections, United States Veterans Administration, City of Phoenix, Maricopa County Health Services, Baha'i Faith, Phoenix First assembly of God, Neotribal the Gathering, Enchanted Forest festival, Love long Beach, Lucidity Festival, Joshua Tree Music festival, Symbiosis Festival, Mcdowell Mountain Music Festival, The Power of Prayer at Burning Man, Oregon Eclipse Festival, Blue Stargate, Gem and Jam, Earth Mother Mind Jam, Pot Of Gold Festival, Fyah on the Water, Tribal Stomp Festival and many more.

As a sound healers and facilitators, Drumming Sounds has focused mostly on working with hospitals and institutions, sometimes 5 a day! Memory care, psychiatric behaviors, Drug Rehabilitation, Cancer care, Post Acute rehabilitation, and Skilled Nursing are some of populations Drumming Sounds works with. Recognized by the community and through this work, Drumming Sounds has been a presenter at some of the largest and most influential groups in the state of AZ including, The Arizona Senior Center Association, The Arizona Therapeutic Recreation Association, Arizona Activities Coordinators Association, Assisted Living Federation of Arizona, The AZTEC awards, Spinal Cord Injury Association and many more...

Drum Building

Join Andrew and Monica for a ceremonial process of birthing your own drum!

Andrew started doing drum building as a way to heal trauma and overcome substance abuse, bullying and suicide. First with the Havasupai Tribe in the bottom of the Grand Canyon and then with the Hopi and Navajo Nations with Native Americans for Community Action, a nonprofit out of Flagstaff, AZ. Since then, he has facilitated for a variety of organizations and people.

Monica has been building drums for 3 years and has worked alongside Andrew to create beautiful workshops and amazing drums. She has co-facilitated corporate team-building drum builds with 100+ participants multiple times as well as more intimate gatherings. She also births her own beautiful one-of-a-kind drums infused with reiki, intention and sound that are sold as custom orders to people all over the world.

"The Drum is the Teacher." We will go into ceremony and birth an amazing representation of our connection to source... the Air, the Water, the Fire and Earth all come together in the drum. This 3 hour ceremony will connect you in a deep way.

We are excited to share this ceremony with all and look forward to connecting in this beautiful process.

150.00 for an elk hide drum

Rattle Making

Andrew and Monica are offering a 2 day Medicine Rattle Birthing ceremony. The rattle is an extremely powerful tool when built with intention and prayer. This ceremony will give you the opportunity to build your own rattle to use in your ceremonial space, worship or medicine work.

Please bring any small sacred stones you would like to put into the rattle. I will offer some river stone and corn. Also, crystal and turquoise stones will be available for an added price of 1-5 dollars per stone.

Michelle Lopez & Mikhael Collins

FERMENTING

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MICHELLE LOPEZ & MIKHAEL COLLINS

Fermenting

Michelle grew up in the Ojai Valley, at the age of 18 she left to pursue her academic hopes and dreams. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Zoology and a minor in Botany and started her career as a wildlife biologist. Consulting throughout southern California with a handful of federal permits to survey for endangered species.

Butterflies quickly became a passion and eventually gained status as a southern California butterfly specialist. Still living in Los Angeles, the “concrete jungle” and with a small child in hand, she felt drawn back to Ojai.

Deepening her ties with the native land, through hiking, farming, gardening, yoga and being in community, she started the Ojai Food Co-op. The need for “access to healthy foods for all” became her mission. Hosting food workshops out of her home, private residences, natural food grocery stores, and at local food and community events throughout California.

Her passion of empowering people to preserve healthy foods transformed into fermenting in-season veggies and fruit that help aid in digestion and strengthen the immune system. All the while optimizing the bounty of local produce grown and received here as a southern California resident. She is most fulfilled when her hands are close to the earth, chopping raw foods on a wooden board, crafting nourishing foods. This is what brings her life value.

It is her intention to reignite the connection we once had with the land, animals and the microorganisms that live all around us. She does this by hand-cutting all the raw foods with love and ferments are aged much like a fine wine, meticulously looked after for up to 28 days in glass vessels. She has her own naturalist-probiotic twist on fermented foods and drinks.

Mikhael’s background is in medical science and the arts, with a national certification in Respiratory Therapy. After experiencing the allopathic medical system firsthand, he found that there was more to the picture than just drugs having opposite effects to symptoms and that the current approach to chronic dis-ease is insufficient. That’s when he started a journey to find health; beginning with his feet, and pollinating into a myriad of topics and experiments.

Wild Fermentation
Wild Fermentation is a way of incorporating the wild into your body, becoming one with the natural world. Wild foods, microbial cultures, possess a great, unmediated life force, which can help us adapt to shifting conditions and lower our susceptibility to disease. These microorganisms are FREE and are EVERYWHERE, in our soils, air, water, food!

Life Hacks for Living in a Toxic World
Facilitated community discussion about the toxins which are commonly found in our lives and how they affect us. We will cover food, the home, personal care, and social culture.

Lighthawk & Aeon

SOUND JOURNEY

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LIGHTHAWK & AEON

Sound Journey

Lighthawk: His sound and music skills focus around the didgeridoo and the breath of the tree song. Propelling with presence and living a path cultivated through self exploration, practice, and mastery. Light has endowed himself through natures mysticism and the ways of stillness, using an array of other tools, techniques, and instruments in his sound and musical journey. Lighthawk weaves with deep rhythmic tones and air coded resonance centered to ground, clear, and attune. Working with his partner Aeon as a channel for moving the energies cultivated through sounds and movement. Together they create a nice balance of earth resonance and the wings of spirit.

Journey of the 4 Winds
Journey of the 4 winds is a sound journey focused on calling in an attunement of the 4 directional winds and their corresponding elements while grounding into the sound, the body, and a meditative peace of mind. Entwining a multitude of instrumental essence with musicality the journey will take you through many peaks and valleys of an elemental soundscape.

Aeon

DANCE LANGUAGES

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AEON

Dance Languages

A class focused on the play and rhythm of your own flow. Beginning with basic body isolation with cultural influences of African, belly, and ballet dance styles aka languages. Continuing with a playful series of connective exercises with some contact/ partner dance fusion at the end. This class is good for all levels. This workshop is taught by Aeon (Andrea) Lee who has studied modern, ballet, and African dance and continues her exploration in contact partner work, improv and Dance performance.

Want to be a featured mentor at Elements? Email us at info@elementsgathering.com with a short bio and workshop description or click the button below to fill out an application right now.

Apply now

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There are two types of mentorship opportunities available:

Part time mentors

Part time mentors are expected to donate around 10 hours of formal instruction in exchange for a reduced price ticket of $200.

Full time mentors

Full time mentors are expected to donate around 20 hours of formal instruction in exchange for free entrance.

Artistry

Artistry and creativity are honored forms of self-expression at Elements. Many artists will be featured throughout the week through the mediums of musical performances, tribal drumming, flow arts, ecstatic dance and more. 

Do you have a special talent to share with us?
Email us at info@elementsgathering.com with a short bio and talent description
​or click the button below to fill out an application right now.

Apply now

The Artists

STELLAR
Co-Director

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K. Stellar Dutcher

With stars in their eyes and a guitar in hand, K. Stellar Dutcher can usually be found encouraging those who cross their path to step more radically into themselves and the world. A lifelong musician and event facilitator, Stellar led youth groups and worked in fundraising before hitting the road in 2015 with workshops and music.

With more than a decade of experience and training in group facilitation ~ from conferences to weddings to weekly meetups ~ Stellar's specialty is using mindfulness, guided interactions and music to open a group to deeper layers of itself, gently guiding people into more intimate connection with self, planet and perceived other. Poet, songwriter, fundraiser and activist, Stellar offers inspiration, activation and song to anyone tuning into the beloved community and emerging, healing world.

www.stellarsings.com

JON SWANN
Co-Director

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Jon Swann

Jon is a San Diego-based musician and music educator. He currently teaches elementary music, maintains a private studio, and performs around the San Diego area. Saxophone is his main instrument, and he is proficient in flute, clarinet, guitar, and ukulele. When not engaged in music, you can find him practicing circus acrobatics with his troupe, The Circus Collective.

HANNAH MAYREE

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Hannah Mayree

Hannah Mayree is a creative facilitator and musician who's work and art lends itself as a tool for redesigning and reconnecting to our roots as humans on this planet. A banjoist, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Hannah founded the Black Banjo Reclamation Project and is currently existing in Oakland and throughout the west coast territories.

Hannah was born and raised in Sacramento CA, where the waters flow from Mount Shasta to the Oak Savanna foothills lining the valley, to the delta and the bay.

Mayree is a storyteller and creates a musical backdrop, weaving in folk music as a communication between cultures and through time. Composed while traversing Turtle Island, the American landscape, communing with people and plants, their songs incorporate African rhythms and diverse European and modern American folk traditions to express the profound mystery contained within all beings. Through tools of community gathering, social permaculture and self healing, new realities are constantly being crafted and actualized.

The Black Banjo Reclamation Project is a cultural and land- based revival project that centers the Black community by reclaiming ancestral wisdom and moving forward with innovations through prospectives of Afro-futurism. Through our extensive network across the country, our work promotes conversation and action in healing the ancestral, historical, cultural and racially dividing wounds in this country and the world.

OF THE EARTH

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Of the Earth

Of the Earth is an award-winning band based out of Phoenix, Arizona that delights audiences with a multicultural experience of sights and sounds. Their music is an amalgamation of old world style with new world resourcefulness and flare sure to bring you to your feet. Feel your soul groovin' like never before as their sensual rhythms captivate and inspire you.

https://www.oftheearthaz.com/music

Meet your organizers

Chris Morasky

Elements founder Chris Morasky is a wildlife biologist with 30 years experience teaching Earth Skills and nature connection and is considered one of the top Earth Skills experts in North America. Chris has lived most of the past 20+ years in the wilderness and small communities of British Columbia, Idaho and Utah. He lived primitively for 6 years, homesteaded along the most remote mail route in the lower 48 states and led totally Stone Age expeditions into the wilderness of Idaho and Oregon. His teachers include Lakota, Shoshone, Arapaho, Crow, Blackfeet and Serri tribesmen, many wilderness skills experts and life itself. Chris’ workshops focus on awakening instincts, ancient skills and deep nature connection as doorways to understand more fully who we are and why we’re here.

​Chris lives in Portland, OR with his partner Rachel and her 6 year old son.

Rachel Natland

Co-Organizer Rachel Natland is a homeschooling mother of 2 boys, ages 6 and 23. She is a lifelong student of metaphysics and a devoted practitioner on the path of Unconditional Love. She has worked in spiritual mentorship for almost 20 years aiding fellow humans in discovering their authentic selves and developing a personal relationship with the Divine. Having spent years mastering a variety of modalities which support a path to empowerment and having applied these skills to her own life, Rachel has brought herself up out of the inner city, broken the cycle of poverty, violence and addiction she experienced during childhood and has stepped fully onto her path of personal empowerment and freedom. She has been called to pass this knowledge onto other folks in the hopes of assisting them in navigating the challenges of modern society with the open-hearted wisdom found through deep connection.

Rachel lives in Portland, OR with her partner Chris and her 6 year old son. ​​

Work trade

We are pleased to offer a number of work trade positions for Tribe members who would like to work in exchange for attending the event. We would love to have you as part of the team, so read on!
TO QUALIFY FOR WORK TRADE YOU MUST BE ABLE TO ARRIVE AT LEAST ONE DAY EARLY AND STAY FOR THE ENTIRE EVENT! 

We have two types of work trade available, full time and part time. 

***PARENTS: If you are bringing children please know: 

•  If you are approved for work trade you must still purchase a ticket for your child(ren).
• If any of your children are under the age of 12 another fully paid adult must accompany you. Both parents may not do work trade. 

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Part time work trade

You agree to complete approximately 15 hours of labor in exchange for a reduced price ticket of $200. 

Full time trade work

You agree to complete 25 hours labor in exchange for full admission to Elements. If you are accepted, we require a $100 refundable deposit which will be returned to you after you have fully participated in work trade.

Work trade positions include:

Set Up

Be prepared to arrive three days prior to the event opening and assist with heavy labor duties such as clearing camping spots and setting up structures. Your hours will be over before the event begins but please be prepared to WORK HARD! Full time position.

Participation Support

Many in our Village are first time campers or have children in tow. Assist the Village in unloading their gear and setting up their camp sites upon arrival. May require some additional clearing work. This is a heavy labor position.  Full time position. ​

Kitchen

Assist our head chef in preparing meals and keeping the kitchen area neat and clean. Requires early wake up for some shifts. Prior commercial kitchen experience a plus! Full time and part time positions available. ​

Sanitation

Some say you can tell a lot about a community by the condition of their bathrooms. Help us to keep our toilets clean, well stocked and welcoming. Part time position. ​​

Firewood

Elements hosts three fire rings, a large wood fueled grill and a pit cooking fire. That's a lot of wood! Keep our wood piles well stocked and organized. Keep our fire areas clean and well maintained. Prior fire keeping experience a plus! Part time position. ​​

Breakdown

Assist the organizers in breaking down all structures, loading gear on to the truck and sweeping the site for any left-behind items. All hours will be fulfilled on the last day of the event. Must be able to stay until all work is complete on the last day of the event. Part time position. ​​

Interested in being a part of the team? Do you feel pulled to co-create the most heart-opening yet grounded experience possible? We want to hear from you! 

Send us an email to info@elementsgathering.com and let us know you'd like to join us! 
Or click the button below to fill out an application form now.

Apply now

A note about work trade ethics

Please only apply for work trade if you feel driven to support Elements to be an incredible life-changing event, not just to get in for free. There are limited positions and we want to fill those with people who are genuinely invested in our vision. At Elements, our work trade team operates from a consciousness of service. We do not keep track of hours. We simply make ourselves available to do what needs to be done in order to create the most incredible, beautiful and deeply connected experience we can manifest.

​We do our best to be mindful of the work you are investing and to respect your time for workshops, exploring and connecting. However, things happen and all work trade team members are expected to pitch in wherever needed in a spirit of support and service to the Village. You are foundational to the success of Elements. 

Apply for work trade

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Apply to be an artist

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