Gathering Circle

Past Sessions:

Session 1 | Gentle Yoga with Ana

Thursday November 2nd, 2023 | 6pm-8pm

Ana has been practicing Yoga for half of her life and she had the opportunity to attend an Instructor Training Course in India some years ago. As a traveler woman, Yoga is something that has always been there to help Ana connect to the present, no matter where she was or what it looked like.

Ana would like to invite you to share a 45 minutes gentle Yoga practice, in which she would like to open the Circle as a safe space where we can be curious about what connection means to us and honour our body in the process. Yoga means union, lets join and enjoy sharing this powerful practice.

Registration closed.

Session 2 | Ribbon Skirt Making Activity in Collaboration with Eagles Nest Stoney Family Shelter

Thursday November 16th, 2023 | 5pm-7pm

Join YWCA Banff and Eagles Nest in making ribbon skirts as a group and engage in conversation and learning around ribbon skirts.

Registration closed.

Session 3 | Flower Art with Jenesa

Thursday November 30th, 2023 | 6pm-8pm

Jenesa (she/her) is an Outreach and Advocacy Counsellor at the YWCA and is excited to host space to build connections, create art and have fun!

Jenesa will be hosting a craft night where everyone will get to explore their own creativity using flowers.

Registration closed.

Session 4 | Paint Night with Liz

Thursday December 14th, 2023 | 6pm-8pm

Liz (she/her) is a Residential Programs Counsellor here at the YWCA and has a background in Art Education. Her specific interest is in painting, drawing a large amount of inspiration from the wild shapes and deep colours of the alpine environment. Come create your own alpine artwork in a chill and fun setting. This painting session will be relaxed with prompts from Liz and the intention of creating a unique piece of art for yourself to take home!

Registration closed.

Session 5 | Mindfulness with Lannah

Thursday December 21st, 2023 | 6pm-8pm

This mindfulness session will begin with Lannah (she/her) leading us through a short activity followed buy a group grounding exercise. Lannah is our Manager of Residential Programs at the YWCA Banff, she is also a certified hypnotherapy/meditation teacher. Lannah is excited to lead us through an activity followed by a guided meditation for grounding. The guided meditation will focus on encouraging a deeper connection to inner self/voice, working towards releasing and heavy or uncomfortable feelings, help in aligning us with our higher self and through this, build connection to self and community.

Following up the grounding exercise we will grab some hot drinks and head over to Cascade Gardens for a walk through the lit up gardens, YWCA Banff is able to provide some warm clothing, if warm clothing is a barrier please contact Jenesa at .

Registration closed.

Session 6 | Craft Night with Jenesa

Thursday January 11th, 2024 | 6pm-8pm

Join Jenesa (she/her), one of our outreach counsellors, for an evening of creativity and connection. In this session we will be creating poetry collages and exploring the joy of creative expression. We will be using this time to honour ourselves & our emotions as well as to focus on showing ourselves compassion in the year ahead.

Registration closed.

Session 7 | Nutrition on a Budget

Thursday January 25th, 2024 | 6pm-8pm

For this session, YWCA Banff will be collaborating with the Bow Valley PCN to offer a session surrounding affordable nutrition. Join Sienna, a registered dietitian to engage in learning and conversation around nutrition on a budget.

Childcare and dinner will be provided.

Registration is closed.

Session 8 | Collages + Connection

Thursday February 8th, 2024 | 6pm-8pm

Fathima (she/her) is a Residential Programs Counsellor here at the YWCA and has a background in Psychology and Early Childhood Education. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, camping and being outdoors.

Fathima will be conducting a session on creativity and connection. The session will consist of an opening activity, followed by creating a collage and ending the session with a progressive muscle relaxation technique.

We will be using this time to connect with our inner self, as well as focusing our holistic wellbeing.

Snacks and Childcare provided.

This session was cancelled.

Session 9 | Film Screening

Thursday February 22nd, 2024 | 6pm-8pm

Join Jenesa and Sachi, our Advocacy and Outreach Counselors at the YWCA Banff,  for the screening of Keepers of the Land. Based in BC, this film takes you along the journey with the Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation, as the impacts of colonial exploitation and mismanagement take an increasing toll on their territory, the Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation finds strength in its stories and culture, emerging as a stewardship leader in a new age of reconciliation in Canada.

Registration is now closed.

Session 10 | Macrame Art

Thursday March 7th, 2024 | 6pm-8pm

YWCA Banff Outreach Counsellors, Jenesa (she/her) and Sachi (she/her), will be hosting a fun evening of macramé art. We will start the sessions will a slow walk to gather nature-based items you may want to incorporate in your unique piece of macramé wall art, followed by creating the art pieces and dying your creation to fit your vision.

Registration closed.

Session 11 | Ceramic Art

Thursday March 21st, 2024 | 6pm-8pm

We will be joined by Puck, a local ceramic artist, that will lead us through creating one of her signature art pieces, Sprites! Creating this art piece is a great way to explore self expression through your creativity, slow down, and have some fun with clay!

Registration is closed.

Session 12 | DIY Micro Garden

Thursday, April 18th, 2024* | 6pm-8pm
*Note: Updated date.

Join Outreach Counselor Jenesa in creating your own small garden box that is tailored to you! We will be building the boxes and then planting a herb garden that fits your needs best, choose between a flavor garden, a tea garden, a healing garden, or a fun mix of all! Build and plant the garden that will suit your space best.

Food and childcare available.

Registration is now closed.