LAST CHANCE To Join Knitsana Mindfulness Workshops!

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There’s Still Time To Join!

I have found that if you look closely, the Universe is a pretty loving place. The things we need are presented to us (especially if we ask for them), we just have a tendency to get in our own way and block our own joy (I avoid using the term ‘happiness’ – according to Eckhart Tolle the world is not here to make us happy, it’s to make us conscious …. but being conscious feels pretty frickin’ good and brings happy things like joy and peace and contentment, so while it isn’t the same thing, there’s a connection).

People don’t pay attention to the little synchronicities in their lives, which is a shame, because when you open up to those little nudges from the universe they can put you on a completely different path … normally a brighter one. Sometimes it’s an author, a book that catches your eye, or a podcast or a video, an email …. whatever it is, it’s something new, something you maybe might normally dismiss. New things are scary to the human mind, our brains are engineered to keep us alive, but joy … not so much. That’s where the practice of mindfulness comes in, it helps us learn to create the space necessary to reach for the nourishment we need, break old patterns, and create new, happy ways of living.

If you’ve been thinking or reading about our Knitsana mindfulness workshop and haven’t committed, what are you hesitant about? Are there other areas of your life that you are experiencing pause? Is it time for you to open up to more joy, more contentment, more peace, more love? Join Michelle Bloom, a registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist with a passion for knitting will guide you in your mindfulness as you learn the basics (or go deeper).

Whatever synchronicities are laid out in front of you, trust the universe, trust life, and follow the crumbs it’s leaving for you.

If you have any questions about the Knitsana Workshop or want to register, simply e-mail Michelle.

Past participants share their inspiring experiences …

“Knitsana has been a “moment” of peace and growth over the past few months.  I’ve taken the opportunity to reflect, find some balance and focus on ‘now’ not ‘then’.  I look forward to the group hour as my time to learn and grow.  Of course, the growth continues as the learning continues … I appreciate change is wonderful and necessary as long as we are alive …” ~ F.D.

“I joined the Knitsana group last winter …  It was lovely – so relaxing, so interesting.  I love knitting & being able to incorporate mindfulness to knitting is joyous.  Knitting can be so relaxing & so loving – especially if you are creating things for loved ones.  I realized I put so much love into what I create.” ~ Lisa H

“As someone who has practiced mindfulness meditation for a few years, I found the Knitsana group a fantastic way to extend that practice and to bring mindfulness and a greater sense of calm into other parts of my life.” ~ Linda B.

“Knitsana for me is a mindfulness knitting community right in my living room. It’s meditative, relaxing, and peaceful—my one hour of contentedness in a stressful world.” ~ Karen H

“I’m relatively new to knitting, and I love it for the relaxation factor. Knitsana brought me together with a group of warm, creative people and helped inspire me to love the journey, not just the outcome. “  ~ J.F.

Discounted Option Available!

If you want to take the workshop with the lovely recommended yarn you can do that for $200, but if you want to save a little bit of money and use some yarn from your stash we are now offering the course at a discounted $175. We want you to have a great experience when you practice your mindful knitting, but ultimately it’s about practicing being present.

Reminder: You May be Eligible for Insurance Benefits!

Because this group is led by a licensed Social Worker and considered to be ‘therapeutic’, any participant residing in Ontario that has insurance coverage for social work can apply for benefits. Otherwise, you may be able to write off the cost of this group on your taxes (talk to your accountant to see). Michelle will issue an official receipt at the end of the session.

KNITSANA 1: Introduction to Mindfulness Through Knitting

NEXT SESSION: SUNDAY JANUARY 29, 2023  

Mindfulness is the basic ability to be fully present and aware. The practice can help us  when we feel overwhelmed, and help us manage how we react to stress. Luckily, mindfulness is a quality that every person already possesses, you don’t need to conjure it up, you just have to learn how to access it and practice using it. In this workshop, we will use knitting as an entry into the practice of mindfulness, with the intention to help you learn how to both improve and maintain your well-being. The craft of knitting with its repetitive and rhythmic motions is well known for its calming and healing properties. Mindfulness practice has been used for years to help people focus themselves in the present moment. Together, we hope to provide you with the needed tools to decrease stress and support your daily well-being. 

The only prerequisite is that you already know how to cast on, knit and purl. You do not need any prior experience with mindfulness or meditation, you just need to show up and be present. 

When

Every SUNDAY morning for one hour from 10:30 am  to 11:30 am for SIX WEEKS
(January 29; Feb 5, 12, 19, 26; March 5) 

SEE BELOW FOR THE REST OF THE DETAILS

KNITSANA 2: Expanded Mindfulness Through Knitting

NEXT SESSION: WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 1, 2023 

Welcome to Knitsana 2 – if you are looking for a way to expand your mindfulness skills then this is the group for you! We will continue to use knitting in your practice with mindfulness. Knitting with its repetitive motion, illuminating colours and textures offers so much in the way of healing properties. This group will ‘go deeper’ into concepts explored in the first Knitsana group (ie. perfectionism, burnout, etc.) and will help bridge into your daily living. 

When

Every WEDNESDAY evening for one hour from 6:30 – 7:30 pm for SIX weeks. (February 1, 8, 15, 22; March 1, 8)

SEE BELOW FOR THE REST OF THE DETAILS

Details that Apply to Both Workshops

Important Notes

  • These groups DO NOT include any knitting instruction
  • Groups are presently only held online
  • Space is limited to 20 participants per group, so please don’t wait to register

Who

This group is facilitated by Michelle Bloom, a registered Social Worker with a thriving counseling practice who has a love for knitting and a passion for healing.  Haley Waxberg, owner of Knit-O-Matic will be co-hosting. 

Where

These online groups and will be held over a secure zoom channel. 

You will also have access to the Knitsana Facebook Group, a private forum exclusively for Knitsana members to share their mindfulness growth and experiences.

Cost

The cost of the group WITH YARN is $200.00 for all six sessions, and WITHOUT YARN it is $175. Payment and registration will NOT be going through us at the store – because Michelle is a Registered Social Worker it is more cost-effective to offer this workshop directly through her (if it went through the store we would have to charge tax, cover overhead, etc).

Insurance Benefits

Because this group is considered to be ‘therapeutic’, any participant residing in Ontario that has insurance coverage for social work can apply for benefits. You may otherwise be able to write off the cost of this group on your taxes (talk to your accountant to see). 

Registration

Register by e-mailing Michelle. Payment will be made directly to Michelle Bloom (by ETF), who will issue an official receipt upon completion of all 6 sessions. 

Skills Required

You must already know how to cast on, knit and purl. For knitting tutorials please see our Knitting Skills Page.

Materials (optional)

We will all be using the same, specially selected yarn for our mindful journey. If you are a new knitter we recommend 10” straight bamboo or birch needles. If you are a crocheter that is also fine, you will need a 4.5mm or 5mm crochet hook.

1 skein of Malabrigo Rios (colour of your choice)

  • Total 200m/100g
  • 100% merino wool (superwash)
  • machine wash, lay flat to dry
  • 4.5mm/US7 to 5mm/US8 needles required

Projects

This is NOT a knitting skills course, so we won’t be taking on a specific project, but here’s a list of simple project options that are well suited to mindfulness knitting (choose something that is simple for you):

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