This workshop focuses on embracing personal narratives and cultivating wholeness as acts of resistance and hope. In this workshop, I encourage the practice of “un-othering” ourselves, normalizing our multilayered perspectives and stories, and cultivating a sense of belonging through the connection of storytelling. I bring an intersectional lens to discussions of personal experience and identity.
Preparing for the workshop:
Collect memories: I invite you to prepare by collecting memories that you associate with your personal history, cultural background, identity, sense of belonging, notions of home and ancestry. Examples may include but are not limited to: recipes, songs, language, landscapes, spells, prayers, books, poems, slang, trees, flowers, dances, memories, histories, stories, diaries, emails, moments in time, etc. There is no limit to how many "items" you collect in preparation for the session, but I invite you to have at least one.
Workshop supports:
Sharing our pieces: We will close the workshop with an "open-mic" for those who'd like to share what they imagined/created in session. This is not mandatory, but an opportunity of expression for those who feel called.
Space to create: Bring something with ample space to write with/ on -- if possible, I encourage a screen free experience.
Wear comfortable clothing -- I'll be inviting you to move and stretch in ways that are available to you.
Bring something that brings you comfort e.g. noise cancelling headphones, blanket, stuffy, etc. -- I'll be inviting you to get comfortable in ways that are available to you.
About me:
Ayla Vejdani (she/her) is a storyteller, holder of space, and curator of experience. Her debut novel YOU X ME weaves a series of queer, BIPOC love stories. These modern entanglements are the kind of romances that make us lose sleep, love letters to the friendships we can’t live without, and a celebration of our endless journeys of self-discovery. Raised and educated all over the world, she has a master’s in human rights, is a certified brain-based inclusive leadership consultant and the co-host of The SHIFT podcast. She speaks four languages and laughs in all. Ayla is a queer Iranian-Canadian from Tkaronto/Toronto living in Tiohtia:ke/Montréal. She is an insatiably creative, hopeful romantic who believes in magic.
youxmebook.com | iamayla.com | @ayla.author
