Galentine’s Night Out at Ellie Mental Health Hales Corners

Celebrating love isn’t just for romantic relationships. Our relationships with ourselves and building strong friendships are crucial to feelings of love. This event is open to the community and will include:

• Crafts

• Light Refreshments

• Self-Care

• Raffle Prizes

• Music Wellness by McKenzie

Ages 12 and up encouraged!

Allow yourself to embrace the energies of the December Full Moon through music, inner reflection, and compassionate connection with others. To this session, McKenzie, board certified music therapist, brings her repertoire list consisting of 100 songs from a variety of genres and time periods, all of which she is able to sing and perform on guitar. Each individual who attends will be invited to choose one song from this list that they would like McKenzie to perform. After hearing their requested song performed, they will be asked to reflect upon and share with the group these 3 questions:

1. Why did you pick the song? (Ex: brings back memories, reflective of mood, you like the song or artist, etc.)

2. What emotions did you feel while listening?

3. What did you experience in your body while listening? (Ex: change in heart rate, change in breathing, tense, relaxed, chills, goosebumps, etc.)

Once they have shared their reflections, McKenzie will offer space for the other group members to share their responses to the music as well. This could include sharing things they noticed within themselves or connecting to the responses of the individual who shared the song.

As December's Full Moon, also known as the Cold Moon, encourages you to look within yourself and find peace in the stillness of the present, this live music experience will give you space to connect with your emotions, your body, and with those around you.

Mats and chairs are available for use. Feel free to bring other supportive items for comfort.

This session will focus on emotional, body, and interpersonal connection. McKenzie will arrive with a list of 100 songs from a variety of genres and time periods, all of which she is able to sing and perform on guitar. Each member of the session will be asked to choose one song from this list that they would like McKenzie to perform. After hearing your requested song, you will be asked these questions:

1. Why did you pick the song? (Ex: brings back memories, reflective of mood, you like the song or artist, etc.)

2. What emotions did you feel while listening?

3. What did you experience in your body while listening? (Ex: change in heart rate, change in breathing, tense, relaxed, chills, goosebumps, etc.)

Once you have shared your responses, McKenzie will offer space for the other group members to share their responses to the music as well. This could include sharing things they noticed within themselves or connecting with you on some of the things that you shared. The session will end once all group members have requested a song and shared.

This is a private session available only to Summit Woods residents.

This session will focus on mind, emotional, spiritual, and interpersonal connection. McKenzie will begin by briefly sharing the history and uses of mandalas. Following this discussion, session members will engage in creating mandalas to music. McKenzie will play 30-40 minutes of live music and ask that session members create mandalas based on what comes to their mind while listening to the music, along with a few other prompts which will relate back to the mandala discussion. At the conclusion of the music listening and art making, session members will be asked to individually share their artwork and their experience of creating a mandala. McKenzie will provide some basic art materials for this session. Session members are encouraged to bring their own materials as well.

Session FAQs
I’ve seen a mandala, and it looks so complicated! How am I supposed to do that?
While the focus will be on mandalas, yours does not have to look like a “traditional” mandala. You can create a collage of images that come to mind, use shapes and colors, write down words or phrases, or any combination of these things. It’s really up to you!

I don’t think I’m good at art. Can I do this?
Of course you can! You will find that one of the main takeaways of this session is that the focus is on the process and not the product. You cannot fail as long as you are willing to be present and try your best.

Do I need to bring my own art materials?
Basic art materials, including colored pencils and oil pastels, will be provided. However, if you prefer to use your own materials or would like to use materials other than what is supplied you are welcome to bring your own.

What if I feel nervous or uncomfortable sharing?
If this is the case, take a moment to reflect and remember that others are likely feeling the same way! If you are signing up for this session, it is more than likely because you are looking for connection. Connection occurs during moments of vulnerability. Some of the most beautiful moments occur when you open yourself up to others. You may just find that others have had similar experiences when you choose to share!

Do I need to be a musician or “good” at music?
Absolutely not! All that is required is a love of music and a willingness to be open to sharing your experiences and the experiences of others without judgment. A willingness to push yourself outside of your comfort zone will also serve you well - these are the moments where the greatest growth and connection occur!

This session will focus on mind, emotional, and interpersonal connection. The session will begin by listening to a song that contains themes of feeling held back by something in life. After McKenzie performs the song, she will initiate a lyric discussion based on the lyrics of the song. Session members will be asked to share any initial responses they noticed while listening, specific lines that stood out in the lyrics, and other specific prompting questions. This will be done in the form of group discussion.

At the conclusion of the lyric discussion, there will be a short writing activity which relates to the topic of the session. Once this portion is complete, the rest of the session time will be spent engaging in group songwriting using the lyrics of the initial song. Session members will work together to edit the song lyrics as they collectively see fit. This can be done by adding/removing words or changing different words/phrases within the lyrics.

Once lyrics have been changed to the group’s satisfaction, McKenzie will perform the re-written song for the group. The session will conclude with a discussion of the process.

Why isn’t the song that we’ll be focusing on shared ahead of time?

We are focusing on “in the moment” connection. If you come pre-planned with points you’d like to talk about, your responses will likely feel scripted and/or inauthentic to other session members. This will make it difficult to experience interpersonal connection and connection to the experience of the moment.

This song makes me feel a lot of emotions. What if I feel nervous or uncomfortable sharing?

If this is the case, take a moment to reflect and remember that others are likely feeling the same way! If you are signing up for this session, it is more than likely because you are looking for connection. Connection occurs during moments of vulnerability. Some of the most beautiful moments occur when you open yourself up to others. You may just find that others have had similar experiences when you choose to share!

Do I need to be a musician or “good” at music?

Absolutely not! All that is required is a love of music and a willingness to be open to sharing your experiences and the experiences of others without judgment. A willingness to push yourself outside of your comfort zone will also serve you well - these are the moments where the greatest growth and connection occur!

This guided meditation led by Star Seed Reiki with healing music provided by Music Wellness with McKenzie will take you on a past life journey to explore, heal, and transform the lifetime that you experience during this event. You are welcome and encouraged to bring a notebook or any other method of your choosing to record any messages you receive. We will begin with a short Mudra meditation to allow everyone to become comfortable and settled before starting. From there, we will lead into the Past Life Journey which will take place over the course of one hour or slightly longer. Once the Past Life Journey is complete, we will do one last short meditation to help everyone ground themselves before wrapping up. WitchRunes will provide a group rune reading before and after each section of meditation. There will then be an individual rune pull for each group member to connect back to the group readings and meditation.

***All Classes & Events will start on time/ Do not come to class more then 5 minutes late - Doors lock at start time.

*** NOTE: No Refunds/ No Exceptions- YOU are responsible for attending the class or event you signed up. Cost is $30/person and can be purchased through Star Seed Reiki at the link below