Wisdom Quarterly: American Buddhist Journal: LA Fire Trauma Workshop (2/24)

Monday, February 24, 2025

LA Fire Trauma Workshop (2/24)

WHAT HAPPENED?

Info for FREE event for emotions

Twenty-four participants made it out, all but three of them females, mostly older, wealthy ladies living high in Altadena. Not everyone lost a home or car but were forced to evacuate, see their neighborhood destroyed, and are having to deal with the rebuilding of community and detoxing the area, depending on the EPA to remediate the land in the next 12 months. Everyone was traumatized in one way or another. Entering the stage area at Throop UU Church from the rear, avoiding the pews or main area used for Sunday services, we found yoga mats, sleeping bags, blankets and pillows for all. We set down our things, picked up a bound journal, and formed a circle of chairs for introductions. Sadly, the center of the event, Dr. Aimon Kopera, could not make it due to a family illness. Her facilitators also bailed on Thursday, leaving Dr. O'Connor with a tough choice: reschedule, cancel, or push forward.

The only way through it is go in and emerge.

She could not bring herself to make changes, so she pulled in her sound bath team, a Pilates instructor from the Langham Spa Resort, and volunteers to pull it off. We then learned "circle breathing," taking in long or short breaths of the same length without pause. Then we were asked to lie down with eyes covered under warm blankets, focusing only on the breath. After emerging, we journaled and did art with the supplies provided. Then, taking a break, it was time for lunch, followed by a Pilates session and a lengthy sound bath with Vivian the acupuncturist coming around and applying essential oils on us. She then made another round with a dab on the third eye and a drink of flower essence. Finally, she came around with tuning forks and attuned us on various chakra points. Windchimes, a massive gong, Tibetan singing bowls and crystal bowls, and bells all fluttered, bringing us to the final sharing circle, where we formed a pro-Altadena allegiance or association so everyone could stay in touch, share information, and invite each other on nature walks now and in the future. Stay tuned for the next event at Dharma Buddhist Meditation (Foothills Meetup) and Dharma Buddhist Meditation (Urban Meetup) or Dharma Buddhist Meditation (Valley Meetup).

Event details

What is emotional pain that makes the body hurt?

Dr. Aimon Kopera of the MINDAI Institute with Dr. Ling O'Connor were offering a free trauma release workshop at the Langham Huntington Spa Resort Hotel.

NEW LOCATION

The time for it has doubled so that it now runs from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm by changing the location to Throop Unitarian Universalist Church in Pasadena, a UU church created by the same man who built Caltech, which was originally called Throop University, Pasadena.

Throop Unitarian Universalist Church, Pasadena, California

Original flyer for Langham Resort Spa location

In the wake of the recent Eaton Fire (one of many of the LA fires), the MINDAI Healing Community under the guidance of Dr. Kopera and her team of facilitators is offering a special one-day retreat at no cost to those affected by the disaster in the Eaton Fire community. Space is limited. Register at mindai.institute