Hello Friends....
Maybe you landed here because you’ve journeyed through a major struggle and you’re ready to release it’s hold on you by freely moving your body.
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Maybe you landed here because you're hoping to make connections with like minded women and families.
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Maybe you landed here because you’re noticing some extra care with your family's social emotional well-being would be helpful.
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Maybe you landed here because you want your child to access the potential they have within themselves.
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However you came to know Open Circle with Val, I know you’ll find a program/event/workshop that empowers you.
A bit about me...
I’m Val, educator, guidance counselor, family and youth resilience coach, mindfulness & embodiment guide, women’s circle facilitator and a mother.
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I founded Open Circle with Val with the purpose to inspire women, families and youth to awaken to their inner wisdom, deepen their intuition and become more attuned to each other through connecting to their feelings, stories and bodies. This self-awareness, self-compassion, attuned parenting and holistic living - will move you forward into empowerment and more resilience.
“Be Like The Willow tree, able to bend without breaking under the weight of the storms may come your way."
My Story
It’s been through my own journey of life altering experiences and bending through the winds of change, that I have acquired many practices helping me thrive with trust and deep resolve. When we embrace our lived experiences with compassion - expansion and higher vibrancy living follows.
If you want to better understand how to do the same, you’ve come to the right place as we make space to nourish you and your families mind, body and soul.
My journey of breaking open and rebirth, almost a decade ago, showed me how important it is to nurture the “mother”. It’s said that a child’s resilience rests fundamentally on the resilience of the adults in their lives, most often the mother. I believe that a child’s pathway to success begins in the home and from our own healing we make space for nurturing, inspiring and secure attachment with our kiddoes.
I am a mother of two bright brave and wise daughters, a wife to a supportive hard-working fun loving husband and a pet owner to the sweetest cockapoo named Cedar. I value connecting with my family through play, creation, nature, movement & stillness. Making space for each other is of utmost importance and we thrive this way.
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My early days of motherhood looked beautiful to those looking in but I was crumbling inside with anxiety, depression, fear and serious sleep deprivation that had me trying to reach the surface for air. It was my first daughter, at 2 ½ years old, that asked me during the depths of my sinking - “mommy why are you so sad?” This was the catalyst to recognizing I needed help and immediately I booked an appointment with my doctor and my husband there. I shared how I was suffering. I took a year off work and dove into therapy, spiritual practices, attended women’s circles and dance movement therapy, journaled every day and built a healthy network of support around me - I still have all of this in my life now.
It’s through this story that I share openly - in hopes that if you can relate - you reach out for support. It’s also through this story where I discovered my spiritual gifts guiding me in my offerings and understanding the power of our bodies being wisdom keepers that send us nudges toward creating a life of alignment.
My Women’s Dance Circles are a place where you’ll awaken to your inner wisdom and nudges. When we live from this wisdom - we communicate with the world our truth and authenticity. Also, supporting the family unit.
As an educator for two decades and now a guidance counsellor for 12 & 13 year olds in a large inner city Toronto school - I've expanded my scope in supporting kids in their social emotional well-being and resiliency. Giving you access to more depth in my family workshops and youth mentorship and resilience building programs.
I love to dance, swim, read, hike, scuba dive, ski, travel and all things adventurous. I’m always up for trying new things. Yoga is a new fav. I miss my martial arts classes. I’m a practicing Buddhist and chant daily. I practice full moon & new moon rituals & live by cycles & seasons. I love spending time with my family the most!
I look forward to connecting with you & supporting you and/or your family in their well-being & growth. Let me help you thrive, even in the most challenging times or in the ebbs and flows of daily life. We are never free from obstacles but through our healing work and toolbox of nervous system support - we can flow through them with more ease and trust in ourselves.
Love
Val xo
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