watering the mind
Watering the Mind is a writing development program for BIPOC womxn writers who want to learn how to overcome creative blocks by mending the mind, body, and spirit.
In this six week container, we’ll learn to approach our creative block as an extension of our shadow—the hidden stories, beliefs, and emotions that shape our relationship to creativity.
Together, we’ll rewrite these shadow stories with curiosity and compassion, so our creative waters learn to flow again. Through mediation, sound healing, and movement, participants will cultivate a deeper understanding of their creative process and strengthen their artistic voice.
Alongside weekly workshops, participants will receive one-on-one creative mentorship to support the development of a personal writing project. The program culminates in a digital anthology featuring original work created throughout the journey.
eligibility
Must identify as BIPOC woman or non-binary
Must be between the ages of 18-29
Must be able to attend all six weekly session in Toronto
Deadline: August 14, 2026
Program Schedule
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Identify what’s blocking you from your creative flow through a guided narrative exploration where we map your creative block in the body.
Date: September 13th 1pm-3pm
Location: Alternity (333 Bloor St. W)
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Identify the “song” your shadows play in your body and how that manifests in your creative flow through a guided sound bath session.
Date: September 20th 1pm-3pm
Location: Alternity (333 Bloor St. W)
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Through guided mediation you’ll learn to discover what’s sitting beneath your creative block, and how to engage with it with compassion and clarity.
Date: September 27th 1pm-3pm
Location: Alternity (333 Bloor St. W)
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Through somatic movement, you will learn how the body stores creative tension and how movement can unlock expression.
Date: October 4th 1pm-3pm
Location: Alternity (333 Bloor St. W)
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This week explores transformation through symbolic action. You will choose an object that represents your shadow story and use creative writing to reframe its power.
Date: October 18th 1pm-3pm
Location: Alternity (333 Bloor St. W)
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You will integrate your journey by writing a letter to your reimagined shadow story—honouring what they’ve learned, released, and reclaimed.
Date: October 25th 1pm-3pm
Location: Alternity (333 Bloor St. W)
Our dark side is destructive when it is discarded or neglected.
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Our dark side is destructive when it is discarded or neglected. 〰️
It is creative when it is acknowledge and attended to
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It is creative when it is acknowledge and attended to 〰️
- DAvid richo, shadow dance (1999) -
About your guides
Bahari, Creative Facilitator
I am a creative arts facilitator dedicated to helping people come back home to themselves through the power of writing. My intention is to help people live more intuitively, reconnect with the wisdom of the earth, and open their souls to the magic of this wild human experience.
Participants in this program will get access one-on-one mentorship. These virtual sessions can be used for feedback on your writing, editing support, creative guidance, or discussing challenges that arise in your artistic practice.
Ana Emily guides women to look within the heart–womb connection to access the answers already living within them through intuition, embodied awareness, and deep listening to the inner fire that leads with passion, clarity, and surrender.
Through healing modalities such as The Womb Hara Massage, Feminine Embodiment coaching, Somatic practices, music, Hand Made Tools & so much more to come. She is here to Guide, Hold, and Walk alongside Woman as they reclaim their bodies as sacred, remember their cyclical nature, and return home to themselves.
Learn more about her here: https://the-feminine-way.square.site/who-am-i
Follow her on Instagram: @_thefeminineway_
THE FEMININE WAY
Ana Emily, Sound Bath Instructor
Nicole, Yoga Facilitator
Nicole has been teaching yoga for over 3 and a half years to children, youth, families, adults and seniors in various settings such as community centres, high schools, health centres and community groups. Nicole always had an interest in the processing of trauma and the involvement of the body in this process
Recognizing the barriers racialized folks and other marginalized communities may face, Nicole recognized that healing looks different for everyone, including herself. She loves teaching yoga from a trauma informed perspective. She has seen how it can be beneficial for others in their experience with yoga, as it is more about being present rather than making each form prefect.
Learn more about her on her website: https://www.lotusstrengthwellness.com/
Follow her on Instagram: @lotusstrengthwellness
LOTUS STRENGTH WELLNESS
This program is 100% free for participants thanks to our funders
