Shakti Rising! is a powerful, yet playful workshop for women facilitated by Aparna Khanolkar. This five- week course is designed for women who wish to embody the feminine divine. Women today are leading fast-paced lives juggling careers and family, without much time for self-reflection or rest. Over time, this lifestyle can lead to a feeling of emptiness and disconnection from the Divine. Shakti Rising! is a workshop designed using Ayurvedic principles so women can reconnect to their own divine essence and create a practice that supports their Dharma, inner peace and a sense of fulfillment.

In March 2009, Aparna hosted a Goddess gathering in Santa Barbara, which consisted of meditation, mudra and mantra practice, as well as a presentation on the three Vedic goddess, Lakshmi, Durga and Saraswati. This workshop was so well-received that Shakti Rising! was birthed and the first session was launched in August 2009.

Each session begins with meditation, followed by a delicious, saatvic Ayurvedic dinner, prepared by Aparna. Each week, Ayurvedic principles are explained and are applied to each and every woman's understanding of the body/mind and one's need for nurturance and self-care. Also included are presentations on the Devis, so participants can invoke those qualities that they most need or desire in themselves. Participants are also encouraged to explore and share their most divine qualities and make commitments to expanding their spiritual expansion and take care of their emotional and and physical well-being using simple a Ayurvedic self-care regimen. So that participants integrate their experiences, each session ends with Savasana with aromatherapy.

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Cost : $400 for five weeks, which includes dinner, workshop materials,
handouts, and take-home recipes.
October 6, 13,20,27, and November 3 from 6-9p.m.
Location: Downtown Santa Barbara
A shorter version of Shakti Rising!, titled Goddess Gathering is scheduled for:
October 18 in Ojai, CA
October 24 in Ventura, CA
Contact Aparna for details and registration. May your Shakti rise!
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Here's what Shakti Rising! participants had to say about their experiences:

"Shakti Rising was satisfying to both my body and soul. Aparna gave my body food it didn't realize it was missing. Participating in Shakti Rising unearthed wisdom inside my soul that had always been there, but was buried deeply under layers of muck. Shakti Rising gave me focus and clarity"
~Monica Varah., LMT and Yoga Teacher, Agoura Hills, CA

"Shakti Rising! workshop is a wonderful place for women to gather and learn how to better nurture their body and soul. Aparna is an insightful workshop facilitator with great knowledge about Ayurvedic food and teachings. I also enjoyed that each session began with a delicious Ayurvedic meal prepared by Aparna. Shakti Rising! is a wonderful gift to give yourself."
~Cynthia Daddona, Author & Host of RomancingTheTable.com
Santa Barbara, CA