Feedback on UK Shamanism Training Courses & Workshops

Kathryn Colling, Reiki Healer from Devon writes...
re: "Shamanic Journeying Workshop, "Peace Through the Arts" camp, Dorset"
"I attended a workshop with Michael and found a very safe and nurturing space where the energy was held well. As I experienced a block to the journeying experience at the workshop, I also had a "soul retrieval" session to try and identify what was holding me back. This session was amazing! I felt in a deep relaxed state while Michael journeyed for me. I thought that not very much had happened until he talked of his experience on the journey.
He described the 'demon' that I had fashioned for myself as a teenager and kept hidden away, stopping myself from truly letting go into my psychic experiences because of a fear of what may happen. By finding and facing this 'demon', it had dissolved and freed the block. This made so much sense to me as I had a very religious upbringing and things I was interested in at that age would have been thought of as 'wrong'. I left the session feeling free, complete and full of light and at a subsequent journeying workshop I was able to finally contact my spirit guide. I know I can carry on with my path in a freer and more enlightened way now. My healing channel has since improved; people have had some really good results, one lady said that she saw a woman pulling things out of her chest and clearing it (she has had terrible breathing problems after a cold). I don't feel or see anything except the energy going through!"

Sue Jones [Holistic Therapist and Healer, Saffron Walden] writes...
re: "Shamanic Nature Practices Workshop"
"Thank you for such an uplifting and revitalising day, it was so easy to learn something new in such an enjoyable way. Your relaxed and humorous way of sharing your huge wealth of knowledge made it all the more pleasurable. I am looking forward to attending future courses with you. Namaste!"

Retired Security Officer (CC) writes...
re: "Sacred Dance, Movement Medicine & Shamanic Trance Dance workshop"
"I haven't felt better in a long while! I went to bed happier and more contented than for a long time!"

Zero-Balancing Therapist (MG) writes...
re: "Shamanic Journeying" workshop"
"Thanks for the photo, and for the day, it was really enjoyable!"

Mother/Homemaker (GS) writes...
re: "Sacred Dance, Movement Medicine & Shamanic Trance Dance workshop"
"To be honest I don't think there's anything we didn't like about the workshop, lots of interesting things to learn and do, lovely people to chat to and a beautiful day! Personally, as I'm just starting to explore shamanic work, I was a bit apprehensive before the day in case it was too detailed or "advanced" for me but everything we did was easy to grasp and most importantly, was fun to do. We only wish we lived closer as we'd both love to come to your drumming circles regularly as well."
re: "Shamanic Healing Workshop"
"Many thanks for another lovely day on Sunday!...Having dabbled with a lot of different paths I feel that shamanism is the way I want to go. I've been looking through your website ( its very good by the way!) and I saw that you ran a couple of courses on "Beginners" and "Intermediate" Shamanism [Shamanic Practitioner Training]... I've got several books now but its so much easier (and fun) when you have a group of people to learn and discus things with."

Investment Analyst (CD) writes...
re: "Shamanic Journeying" workshop
"Thanks so much for Sunday - I really found it interesting and helpful and am going to try and do some journeying on my own."

Archeologist Tarot Reader (DTJ) & Partner write...
re: "Shamanic Journeying" workshop
"We really enjoyed the day yesterday, so thanks again!"

Writer (LMA) writes...
re: "Shamanic Journeying" workshop
"Thank you for the photo - it's nice, isn't it? And thank you for a really good day on Sunday. It was nice to spend some time with spiritually like-minded people."

Retired Medieval Archivist (RCAR) writes...
re: "Sacred Dance, Movement Medicine & Shamanic Trance Dance Workshop"
"I felt the day went well. On your part you did it all excellently - the handouts, the subject matter, preparing us prior to our doing the various dances and chanting. The trip out of doors was great. Thank you again for a great day!"
After another Dance, Movement Medicine & Shamanic Trance Dance Workshop:
"Thank you so much for your mail and pictures. Thank you too for all the work you put into the workshop. I thought it went very well and thoroughly enjoyed it."

Marketing Executive (AF) writes...
re: "Soul Retrieval" workshop
"I noticed that after the workshop I had dreams that were clearer and more meaningful than usual. I feel this is something to do with my truth coming through."
re: Basic Level Shamanic Healing Course...
" "I enjoyed it very much. It was nice to get outside but my favourite bit was the Aramaic circling and chanting because of the focus on healing, which is my main interest at the moment."

Hypnotherapist/Reflexologist writes...
re: "Basic Shamanism & Shamanic Healing" workshop
The shamanic workshop [third session] was as powerful as usual: anguish, rejection, betrayal, anger and re-empowerment have passed through today. Thank-you once again for holding such a loving and powerful space, we had some fun, didn't we?
re: "Intermediate Level Shamanism" workshop
"I must spend some moments here expressing my gratitude and admiration for your dedication to the course, and your devotion of time and energy to its content, impeccable handouts, and holding the energy for us to be in the beautiful field that you create with your enthusiasm, love and penetrating insight. You attract the lovely students that you deserve!"
"I feel a great sense of gratitude for all the emotional clearing that I've experienced this weekend (and your thoughtful and caring facilitation of it)."

Housewife & Mother, ex-Teacher (MM) writes...
re: "At the Centre of Your Sphere" Shamanism workshop
"The circle exercise was great and as I am moving forward I was able to see the progress clearly with the later circle. All the activities were beneficial and the dance with the chakras we did in the wood was a real brain de clutterer."
re: "Soul Retrieval" workshop
I really enjoyed Sunday and everyone seemed to achieve. The two of you [presenters] worked well together."
re: "Beginners Shamanism course"...
"I really felt so much better mentally after the sessions. Thank you!"
re: "Intermediate Level Shamanism Course"...
"Thank-you for an amazing course. Life will never be the same and I look forward to further journeys on the shamanic path. Thanks for all the information and activities you gave us and also enormous thanks for the wonderful support system you give on the e-mail as well as all the follow up and prior information. It was lovely to know that there was contact when needed. You put such a lot of effort into preparing resources and activities for us to help us grow and enjoy.
You certainly challenge us all.
Well I am [now] working on looking for the positive and some things particularly nature seem extra vibrant and I seem to hear the birds more.
I resisted the wish to put my "mask" back on in the obituary exercise - I have been challenged to use the mask as it is safer and easier but so far I seem to be resisting long - may it continue!
I am gaining some ground in the exercise where you shared in twos and I was the time keeper. I resolved to work at meditating each day and even though difficult today I achieved [it], so i hope this will continue and I will benefit from the stillness and hope to receive some answers."
re: self-sabotaging patterns] "I hope I will recognise a past pattern and be able to deal with it using the suggested stragies."
re: "I am, I feel..." exercise] "This was fun.
You are always full of empowering ideas for movement in this exercise which is so good for all of us.
Twice now you have had us sing in rounds and this time the gut feeling was one of rejection memories and being asked to leave the choir but with my eyes closed I worked through that and gave it my best - you all sang well and the songs themselves are lovely, I was pleased with myself as i did not run away.
re: "How could anyone ever tell you?" New Age healing circle ritual] ...just wonderful to be surrounded by such caring energy!"
Many of us need help with this game of life and as always you have given us many insights during the course. Thank you.
re: Advanced level shamanism course]...
"I really enjoyed last night's course. It was lovely working with you both and the meditation outside was just magical and a whole new concept to do so much with nature. The whole evening was lovely and the film gave me much to think about."
[Re "Live Fully & Passionately in the Flow of Life!" workshop]...
"I enjoyed Saturday very much...From a personal perspective the circle exercise was great and as I am moving forward I was able to see the progress clearly with the later [in the workshop] [reconstructed] circle. All the activities were beneficial and the [Nembutsu] dance with the chakras we did in the wood was a real brain declutterer."

Social Worker (DC) writes...
[Re At the Centre of Your Sphere workshop]
"I had a lovely day yesterday, and I loved the dancing in the woods. I have certainly used the autogenic breathing today in my new job."

Cambridge University Student (RR) writes...
"Thank you for the great workshop on Saturday!
I enjoyed it very much, and I thought it was brilliantly led."
"I thought the workshop was really brilliant, and more importantly very inspiring towards making the search for that connection with nature a regular practice, something that is very absent in my daily life and something I have always felt was very important. I thoroughly enjoyed this day!"

A Librarian (RR) writes...
re: Shamanism courses & workshops]
"Congratulations on your achievement in leading sacred circle dances. I've always greatly enjoyed attending your classes, and impressed as to how much preparation you put into them."
re: "Celebration of Equinox" workshop
"Thank you for a great day yesterday - it was a real adventure. Thank you for your mails, and, as always, for all your hard work."
re: Session 3 of Basic Shamanism Course]
"Thank you again for enriching experiences on Sunday. Something interesting... [a vision] as we lay down for our journeying..."
re: Intermediate Level Shamanic Pactitioner Course]
"Thank you for a great day yesterday - you make it all so fascinating. I do like that song and will download it."

Ex-Drug dependency sufferer (NS), recovering from Mental illness (writes...
"On my way to the nature healing event, walking through the oak wood trail, I felt a palpable sense of adventure and mystery. I also felt joy at participation in a spiritual activity outside the architectural confines of churches - instead held within the chaotic beauty of nature."
"After connecting to the energy of the land, Mike sent me off on a long solo walk, during which I was to act out all the current feelings that came up. We spent an hour doing physical movement [moving meditation and tension release] exercises and then accessed our intuition to gently massage one another."
"Mike led us through these preparatory exercises [getting into a skilful integrated state of mind, body and spirit], drawing on his wide range of martial arts teaching and therapeutic training experience."
"We then meditated within ourselves to find a healing question and we each sought an answer by interfacing with the environment and our own intuition [deep inner guidance]. This exercise was gently revelatory as the minute detail of nature provided a bottomless well of wisdom to draw upon."
"It was a poetically beautiful way to gain inspiration and help each other [co-healing with a partner that we do not know] on our healing journeys. I have done shamanic journeys with Mike before and have always felt safe, yet free to explore and interpret the landscape of the psyche which I encountered."

Single Mother (VC) writes...
"I very much enjoyed the [Plant Spirit Healing] workshop I did with you using the body to help achieve a certain mental state. That was very interesting. I am not tending to look at the stuff I am doing as healing or stress management but as a self directed process of integration and movement towards wholeness and wisdom."

Empowered to speak my truth! - says FC, Therapist & Spiritual Healer (FC)
"I had something unusual happen on the way home.... not altogether pleasant but very step forwardish for me..."
"I got into a big argument with someone who was being very judgemental. Shock horror... I believe we need to work on ourselves first to change things inside for then to come out into the world to lead [others] from a place of love and compassion. I was shocked at the level of her judgementalism.... my training has really made me oblivious to the reality of the state some people are in in their lives.... I expect everyone else to be tolerant of other people's needs.... [the experience] came like a thunder clap in my solar plexus.
"My breakthrough [this time] was that I spoke out against her blanket judgement. This is really unusual for me! So thank-you.... I feel this afternoon ["Nature Heals and Inspires" workshop] moved me into my place of truth and being able to voice it.... whether it is right or wrong is irrelevant, I spoke out, and that, for me, is very good!"

Sufferer from Bipolar Disorder (SW) writes...
re: Beginners shamanism course...
"Thanx so much 4 last week - profound and lots to think about. The course was a "kick up the backside" for me - which was what I needed"
re: Intermediate Level Shamanism course...
"Thanks for last night['s workshop] - very inspiring evening!"
"Lovely [final workshop conclusion to our course - they are like magic in action I feel. I really enjoyed it and got so much out of it personally and concerning being part of our group."

Shop Assistant (PB) writes...
"I enjoyed enormously the meetings I attended - despite feeling very much the only beginner in the class. Looking forward to seeing you and the others soon."

Reiki Master (TL) writes...
"Thanks so much for Sunday [workshop. I had a great time and felt very positive at the end of the evening."
re: Advanced level shamanism course...
"I have again learnt a lot about my own weaknesses and strengths. I have found comfort in nature and exercise that I have always shied away from for some reason but now realise that when I am feeling low it is important for me to embrace both of these fully.
I really enjoyed all the outdoor stuff (even if some was more challenging than I thought I could cope with) I found the herbal bits fascinating, the dancing interesting and some very beautiful & connecting especially if you let yourself go and the exercises empowering."

Two Clinical depression suffererers write...
re: Plant Spirit Healing workshop
"Just wanted 2 say a big thankyou 4 the Plant Spirit course - we both found it really inspiring and perception altering, which has promoted a greater connection to ourselves and to the plant kingdom - thanks so much!"

Shamanic Practitioner (KM) writes...
"Interesting course so far by the way - thank you. I always feel really good when driving back afterwards."

Hypnotherapist/Spiritual/Reiki Healer (J-AM) writes...
"After going on your [Shamanic Healing for the 21st Century - Principles & Practices course I have been combining the things you taught us with the Reiki I've learnt and have noticed it really amplifies the strength of the healing. For me the most helpful thing you have taught me so far is how to breathe, I just love to breathe in the light!"

Polarity Therapist (AW) with impaired mobility writes...
"That was Beautiful! A really beautiful experience. You run your workshops and "hold the space" for people with such a gentle, safe energy!"

Chiropodist (AF) writes...
re: Intermediate Level Shamanic Shamanic Healing Course
"I had had a really crappy day and had xxxx not brought me I would have found an excuse - an early night! - not to have come. I am so glad I did, it was a lovely evening. The group has settled down to light, laughter and no egos. Thanks for the healing I am sure that everyone benefited.
I did make a change this week in my relationship with xxxx which was a biggy for me. All part of letting go, at least for this lifetime. Cutting cords."

A Massage Therapist (RC) writes...
"Thank you for a fantastic class. I really enjoyed it. I would really love to get involved in the Shamanic Healing community that is beginning to be formed, here, as I really enjoyed the class I took with you."

Retired Academic/Reiki Teacher/Shamanic Practitioner (MD) writes...
re: Basic Level Shamanic Healing Course...
"I'd just like to express gratitude for a really positive experience. I arrived in a tizz, there is a lot going on my life I would rather not have, and it took me a long time to come down to earth. But I did eventually benefit tremendously from the healing offered, and unexpectedly received a great gift from the music of the ritual and from the message in the journey about letting practical music back into my life despite the pressure."

A Singer & Voice Coach (FC) writes...
"I feel this afternoon [Plant Spirit Healing workshop] moved me into my place of truth and able to voice it...I spoke out and that for me is very good!"
Re: Shamanic Principles & Practices workshop
"Thank you again for a very good and thought-provoking workshop."

A Single Mother with Heart Problem writes...
"Hope your workshops are doing well and I must say I really enjoyed the [Plant Spirit Healing] one I attended and would love to do more."

Reiki Teacher & Crystal Healer JP writes...
re: Introductory shamanic practitioner course...
"I felt our group had nurtured me through my first shamanic experiences"

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