HeART of Healing weaves together creative expression, community connection, and wellbeing practices to support whole person wellbeing. Through a constellation of arts and healing offerings, HeART of Healing fosters meaningful connection with self, one another, and the natural world as we build our collective capacities to learn, heal, and co-create our positive futures.
HeART of Healing programming is offered in virtual and in-person formats, for our University community as well as the broader community, and is also available to organizations and workplaces.
HeART of Healing programming
HeART of Healing programming is offered in virtual and in-person formats, for our University community as well as the broader community, and is also available to organizations and workplaces.
Sound Baths (offered in-person and virtually)
Sound Baths are designed to support reflection, relaxation, and rejuvenation. During this peaceful experience, participants are invited to lie down or sit comfortably while immersed in soothing sounds. Sessions are carefully crafted to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, helping to reduce stress and anxiety, and bringing rest and relief to mind, body, and spirit.
Creative Sanctuary: Supporting Student Wellbeing
Many college students struggle with stress, and evidence shows that arts-based interventions significantly improve both mental and physical stress outcomes. Creative Sanctuary weaves together immersive sound, poetry, story, and song led by the Waking the Oracle Ensemble. It is a space designed intentionally for students to tap into a sense of peace, creativity, and reflection that is free from external expectations.
Seasonal Webinars
During these experiential webinars, participants have the opportunity to explore practices that awaken the senses, soothe the nervous system, and open the heart. We invite you to honor the current season with live musical meditation, breathwork, and mindful movement. Whether you're seeking rest, renewal, or inspiration, this session will offer a space of rejuvenation to attune to your inner energy and the natural world.
Pop-Up Workshops and Experiences
Pop-up workshops and experiences blend music, poetry, and storytelling with science-informed mindfulness practices for restoration and wellbeing. Pop-up events offer spaces to restore, reflect, and connect with others. Pop-Up events can be held in many settings, and can include:
- Kinship Mandala
- A kinship mandala is a collaborative meditation symbol. Participants come together to add to a communal art design and use their time to reflect on prompts that invite them to reflect on life-giving relationships between the inner-self, each other, and the planet.
- Reflective Journaling
- Reflective journaling is a gentle, supportive practice that invites participants to slow down, listen inward, and give a voice to thoughts and feelings. Through guided prompts and free expression, this session offers an opportunity to explore how journaling can cultivate emotional release, self-discovery, and wellbeing.
- Mini Soundrests
- These individual soundrest experiences use tuning forks to support a brief mindful pause and reset. They can be done in most any space.
- Community Care Listening Circles
- Listening and Story Circles facilitate community connection and wellbeing by nurturing compassion-infused spaces for sharing and time for personal and collective reflection. Individuals are invited to express their thoughts and experiences as they wish in facilitated spaces that prioritize feelings of safety and empathetic listening.
- Immersive musical performances by members of the Waking The Oracle Ensemble
Story, Listening and Dialogue Circles
Led by HeART of Healing facilitators, circles can be delivered in partnership with any group and focus on any topic or be open-ended. Designed to cultivate spaces of meaningful exchange and reflection, listening and dialogue circles foster compassion, dialogue, and empathy as we develop our capacities to connect across divisions and lean into our innate wisdom.
Community Wellbeing Facilitator Training
Developed over years collaborating with people in trauma-infused settings, Community Wellbeing training supports participants with foundational and adaptable practices for facilitating group spaces that foster compassion-centered whole person health, community connection, and personal and collective renewal. Integrating contemplative and participatory creative practices, social justice, and nature-based practices, this training is scalable and is relevant both for people already working with groups and communities and those who wish to in the future. Participants come away with potent tools and templates made to be customized to each person and community. The training was created to be adapted to a variety of timescales and settings.
History of HeART of Healing
Based upon 30 years experience working at the crossroads of music, community healing, health, community organizing, science, and spirituality, this work was first raised in 8 weeks while director/founder Molly Sturges was a visiting professor at George Washington University in arts and community engagement. The work was embraced and continues to evolve. The core creative activation team started to build in Minnesota in January 2024 and continues to grow.
HeART of Healing Events Gallery
