Spirituality Matters

MONTECITO JOURNAL26 “I see my life in terms of music.” – Albert Einstein Luxury Real EstateSpecialist WENDY GRAGG 805. 453. 3371 Luxury Real Estate Specialist for Nearly 20 Years Lic #01304471 Backbone is Back Spirituality Matters by Steven Libowitz “Spirituality Matters” highlights two or three Santa Barbara area spiritual gatherings. Unusual themes and events with that something extra, especially newer ones looking for a boost in attendance, receive special attention. For consideration for inclusion in this column, email slibowitz@yahoo.com. T here are a lot of opportunities for locals to compose, create, perform, and or just partake in storytelling, as evidenced by the ongoing Personal Stories series – the showcases that feature local actors and writers developing first-person true stories that fit a theme to share at Center Stage Theater in the periodic events that outlived the main events of its parent/sponsor Speaking of Stories. (The next entry hits the black box theater over a four-day stretch April 28-May 1, with a submission deadline of March 16 at cstheater@ sbcoxmail.com.)

Then there’s The Moth Mainstage, which began as a modest storytelling collective in its founder’s living room and has grown into an epic, nationwide phenomenon with a cult-like following as hand-picked storytellers share their tales in front of live audiences and over the air. That series – which was the inspiration of SOS’ Personal Stories – returns for another spellbinding evening at the Lobero Theatre on March 19 in which the tellers offer somewhat more animated delivery.

But neither one gets as deep into what might be called the spiritual side of things as Backbone Storytelling, which asks its performers to not only get immersed in their tales but also embody them. Created and curated by Jenna Tico – a ninth-generation Santa Barbara native whose oeuvre includes both dance and facilitating for AHA!’s social and emotional intelligence program for teenagers – the single-evening shows become a space to share the meaningful, moving, and mortal stories inspired by the human body in all of its glory. Each showcase features stories that are as physical as they feels safest. The new workshop presents an opportunity to inquire deeper into your own body, find embodied safety, support, and uncover innate resources, insights, and your unique next step inward or onward. The tools of trauma-informed movement, mindfulness, insightful questions and conscious listening allow you to welcome your grief however it shows up. The event includes slow, full-body movement, and exploring the power of the voice in community. Fee: $30 in advance, $35 day-of.

Holistic Health, Voice & Lifestyle Coach Britta GreenViolet, the co-creator of the non-audition community choir inCourage Chorus, adds to her repertoire of offerings a new two-hour workshop from 3-5 pm on Saturday, March 14. Meet Your Voice is an experiential, dynamic workshop that represents a deep dive into the transformative power of singing and its power to heal emotional, mental and physical wounds. Participants will learn two simple exercises to ease you into the foundations of singing and to start befriending your voice in a nonscary, non-judgmental environment and engage in discussion, technique, exercises, breath practices and actually sing. All experience levels are welcome ($20/$25). Kirtan, Mantra, Sound Healing, and Soul Songs Montecito-raised musician Joss Jaffe, who basically created his own sub-genre of dub-mantra by combining the rhythms of reggae with chanting and world jazz, is back in town for a final show with frequent partner Johanna Beekman. Jaffe, a Top-Ten New Age Billboard chanting artist whose four albums have been critically acclaimed, teams with Beekman, whose soulful voice evincing her gospel background, radiant spirit and inspiring songs and sacred chants has made her a rising star in the world of kirtan and yoga music, for an evening at the Santa Barbara Yoga Center from 7-9 pm on Sunday, March 15. Admission is by a $20 suggested donation. Morse Code of Healing Santa Barbara-based author and healer Elizabeth Morse wrote are emotional, and the performers are encouraged to tell them through both spoken and nonverbal language. The submissions are culled to represent the diversity, vulnerability and truth associated with the theme of each show.

For its next presentation, at Yoga Soup on Saturday, March 21, from 6-9 pm, the theme is Cutting Teeth, which means whatever it does to the storytellers. Following a “Community Mingle” to create connection from 6-7 pm with live music by Phillip Rogers and Austin Moore, the showcase will feature the voices, and choices, of Rachael Quisel, Rudi Lion, Jeffrey Berke, Nicholas Farnum, Mario Mendez, Elaine Gale, Samantha Bonavia, Miguel Rodriguez, and Emily Chow-Kambitsch, each of whom will share something visceral, vulnerable, or both. Admission is just $10. Reservations are recommended as the series’ first installment at Yoga Soup sold out. Soup Central

Workshops at Yoga Soup this week include a Breath & Musical Journey with Luna & Gabe from 7-9 pm on Friday, March 13. Breathwork facilitator Blake Spencer will guide participants in tuning into their breath while simultaneously listening to local artist Gabriel Kelly sing his original songs and play guitar with Luna Kelly accompanying on African drum. Participants will experience about 45 minutes of breathwork with live music followed by an additional 45 minutes of integration, singing and/or dancing to more live music. Admission by $30- 40 suggested donation. Monique Minahan’s Exploring Grief in the Body workshop, which takes place 2-4 pm on Saturday, March 14, follows her earlier seminar that explained how sensation and emotion move through the body, and the use of embodied anchors to create freedom to proceed in whatever way J ARROTT & CO. REAL E S T A T E INV E S T MENT S SPECIALIZING IN 1031 TAX-DEFERRED EXCHANGES AND TRIPLE NET L EASED INVESTMENT PROPERTIES WITH NATIONAL TENANTS CALL Len Jarrott, MBA, CCIM 805-569-5999 http://www.jarrott.com MANAGEMENT FREE

the alternative health book that’s also part self-help and part spiritual guide called Your Best Health by Friday: How to Overcome Anxiety, Depression, Stress, Trauma, PTSD, and Chronic Illness. The book explains the commonalities of all illnesses and provides action steps for people to heal, based on her private practice where people with PTSD are able to reset their minds and bodies using muscle movement and brain repatterning. Her work also helps those on a spiritual path release held emotions, based on what the body requests using muscle testing, increasing access to spiritual connection.

Moss, who is also the founder of Right Brain University, is offering an introductory workshop about how our childhood traumas impact our health as adults by forming unconscious beliefs that limit our success. The event, slated for 11:30 am to 12:30 pm on March 12 at Workzones in Paseo Nuevo, featuring a presentation and demonstration of the group energy clearing/healing work she’ll be offering on the second Thursday of the month going forward. Admission is free.

Back on the Path

Santa Barbara Bodhi Path Center resident teacher Dawa Tarchin Phillips will be leading a two-part class over successive Thursdays this month, as “Awakening Bodhicitta – How to Open Your Heart and Develop Love and Compassion” takes place 7-9 pm on March 12 and 19. The course addresses how we may be familiar with the benefits of giving and receiving love, but often restrict our love and compassion to just a few people who are close to our hearts. The teachings are aimed to help us familiarize ourselves with the practice and benefits of extending unconditional love and compassion to all sentient beings as impartially as the rays of the shining sun. Each evening includes lecture, meditation and mingling. Admission by donation.

“Buddha Nature: Uncovering the Sacred Within,” the third weekend curriculum in Phillips’ new two-year course of study, takes place March 21-22, and dives into the topic of Our True, or Awakened Nature, of Buddha, a timeless subject of scientific exploration, philosophical examination and spiritual contemplation. Participants will explore and discover how awakened nature works, and why following a path to awakening with sincerity and commitment is the most effective way of reducing suffering and access potential for happiness and freedom. Call (805) 284-2704 or visit www.bodhipath. org/sb. •MJ