Grief comes in many forms. Over the past few years, we have collectively experienced a range of intense, heavy and complicated events. We recognize that these experiences on both an individual and collective scale have created complex and often unaddressed experiences of grief. These complicated experiences can be collective, anticipatory and often abstract for many of us living in a rapidly changing and unstable world. Transformations: Grief Work programming aims to create spaces where these nuanced and multi-faceted experiences of grief can be addressed, acknowledged and held.
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Program Eligibility
All U of T students
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How The Program Works
Our offerings and facilitators touch upon a variety of different experiences with grief and ways of moving through them.
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Program Facilitators
Saysah
Pronouns: they/them
Session(s): Embodying Grief and Transformation: A Movement and Breathing Practice, March 15 from 4 – 5:30 p.m.
Saysah is a multi-disciplinary artist, Good Body Feel certified movement teacher and community organizer rooted in decolonial approaches to community engagement. As a mover and maker, they use multi-sensorial mediums as a way to tell stories that centre 2SQTBIPOC experiences and resistance. Saysah also loves dance and movement as a centering practice of reflection, care and emergence in the embodiment of their work. They live on the stolen land of Turtle Island on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee, Anishinabewaki, Wendake-Nionwentsïo, and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
Learn more about Saysah
Sanna Wani
Pronouns: she/her
Session(s): Spiritual, not Religious: Meaning, Grief and Change (Literary Workshop), March 20 from 3 – 4:30 p.m.
Sanna Wani is the author of MY GRIEF, THE SUN (House of Anansi Press 2022) and the chap book THE PINK OF THE SEAMS (Penrose Press 2019). She is the Poetry Editor of Fernwood Publishing and completed her MA in literary and environmental anthropology from the University of Toronto. She loves daisies.
Learn more about Sanna
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Program Registration
Register on the CLNx through the links below:
Embodying Grief and Transformation: A Movement and Breathing Practice
March 15, 2023 from 4 – 5:30 p.m.
Multi-Faith Centre, Quiet Room – 569 Spadina AveJoin movement and meditation teacher, Saysah, for an embodied, reflective and multidisciplinary movement and meditation practice to explore how we embody and move through grief in our bodies. Our bodies and the sensations they produce and hold onto are intimately connected to the changing world around us. How are our bodies sites of transformation and grieving? What are some ways that we can integrate and move through these complex feelings and sensations using our bodies?
This movement and meditation offering is meant to be inclusive, gentle and introspective. Folks of all body types, abilities and experiences with moving are welcome and encouraged to participate. Yoga mats will be provided. Please come wearing comfortable clothing.
Spiritual, not Religious: Meaning, Grief and Change (Literary Workshop)
March 20, 2023 from 3 – 4:30 p.m.
Multi-Faith Centre, Multi-Purpose Room – 569 Spadina AveJoin poet and author of the poetry collection “My Grief the Sun”, Sanna Wani, for a discussion and literary workshop on moving through changing beliefs and shifting religious perspectives in the wake of massive interpersonal and societal griefs like the COVID 19 pandemic, climate crisis and global capitalism. What gives us relief in the midst? Where and when do we create joy? Peace? And most of all, love.
This event is meant to be as safe and inclusive as possible. There will be light refreshments and snacks available for attendees. We look forward to seeing you there!