The Seed Lodge

11/19/2024

Beautiful day on Saturday singing with the youth ambassadors 😊

11/08/2024

For those of you who haven't met me yet, my name is Esther Kalaba.

I am a licensed psychotherapist, art therapist, breathing teacher/course creator , as well as a health and wellness consultant.

I have been working in the field of mental health for the last 25 years.

What I have seen in all those years is very simple:

Creativity Cures.

The majority of my work is helping people connect to their own creative energy, so that they have access to this infinite force of life energy.

I do this through facilitating art making, story telling, breathing, and being with nature, each other and our emotions in an authentic way.

I do this through asking the questions that inspire people to think and feel deeply.

Creativity is pure life force energy embodied.
Creativity is power.

It allows us to always imagine new possibilities and bring dynamic energy to literally any situation.

We create the world in which we live.😀

If you are moved or interested in the vision and project of the SEED Lodge, please do sign up to our mailing list.

We are all in this together and need each other to show up now more than ever.

In peace, in kindness, let's make magic!

Sign up here:
https://people-of-the-prana-2.kit.com/7d1153cdee

11/07/2024

When things get funky in the world, you know where to begin... with your breath.

This is hands down the best thing that you can do for your mental health and the great thing is, you will have these skills for the rest of your life!

Begin with Breath is a system that was created for you to learn the basic breaths that you need in your tool box for life.

Begin with Breath is offered online and in person .

To sign up: https://theseedlodge.com/store/p/begin-with-breath-a-weekend-retreat-nov-22-24-2024

11/04/2024

Time to clear out those closets and refresh your wardrobe! Bring your loved and no so loved items to donate to the collective pile, and then dive into the treasures others have brought.

Swap, style, and find new-to-you gems to take home!

Expect laughter, connection, yummy treats, and even a little dancing. Don’t miss out on this chance to meet fabulous people in our community, swap stories, and leave with pieces that reflect a whole new part of you.
Only truly epic with YOU there!

This is a FREE community event. Bring a dish for the potluck if you’d like and your indoor shoes 🙂

Tell all your friends. Family friendly. No pets please.

***For those of you who are out of town, there is an option to book a night at the lodge. Please see the link to do so. Free pancake breakfast included 🙂

https://theseedlodge.com/store/p/clothing-swap

10/31/2024

Have you always wanted to learn how to sing but never had the chance?

Whether you're new to singing or have been doing it for years, this is your chance to discover or re-discover your voice in a fun and supportive environment!

This November at The SEED Lodge, we’re offering vocal lessons taught by Mamo Kobayakawa, professional singer and music producer.

Next 6 week session begins Sunday, November 3, 3-5pm and runs until Sunday, December 8th.

Come sing, laugh, and learn with others in our 2-hour group sessions. These classes are perfect for reconnecting with music lovers, sharing stories, and harmonizing together.

Think of it like a vocal workout with friends—plus a little improvisation to spice things up! And yes, it's as fun as it sounds. You'll get to connect with others and learn in a collaborative space non judgemental space.

These sessions are great for anyone looking to improve together, including those who sang "back in the day" and wants to rekindle their passion.

To sign up: https://theseedlodge.com/store/p/sing-your-heart-out-discover-and-re-discover-your-voice-and-have-fun
or visit:
Http://www.theseedlodge.com

10/30/2024

All I wanted was to move to the country and write!!!

When I tell people that I opened a retreat centre, I surprisingly hear back quite often: “I always had a dream to do that…”

Funnily enough, I did not have the same dream but here I am running a wellness retreat centre.

Maybe I kind of did… in the vague ethers.

It was the kind of dream that was tethered to the land of perpetual probability and seemed so crazy and inaccessible that I never imagined it could actually turn into “real” life.

When I decided to leave Montreal, what I did want was a home in the country where there were plenty of trees, expanses of sky, good air, and most importantly, quiet.

In essence, all I really wanted was to move to the country and write…

The SEED Lodge is what I got.

A big old place with plenty of potential and space for dreaming, as well as 15 long months of the most intense physical and emotional work to manifest that in 3-dimensional form.

I am here now, at the SEED Lodge, happy to say that I am finally sitting down and writing… However, rather than becoming a hermit living in my solitary abode in the country, I am writing with some truly fabulous people by my side.

The SEED Lodge first ever writing residency called “A Room of One’s Own,just finished!! Writers from all over the world have gathered to spend a week in this enchanted place. As people packed their bags to reluctantly go home, I can tell you that this has been a dream come true.

Not only can I now begin to work on the book that has been haunting me over these last few years (I will share more about this in a later post), but what I can do is invite you all to write WITH me. I have always been the most productive creatively when I am surrounded by like minded people working alongside me.

Is it accountability, is it validation, or is it the buzz of energy from other people working around me that gives me the courage to keep going? One word at a time.

Because for some reason, writing can feel sooooo hard.

To keep the momentum going I have scheduled the next residencies in 2025 so that if you have a writing project sitting on the back burner, you can actually schedule a time in advance to work on it. Whether it is a novel, a short story, play, graphic novel or a business idea that you need time and space to flesh out, having the week away from “regular” life and responsibilities has proved to be invaluable.

For more information and to sign up please click here.

10/09/2024

Have you always wanted to learn how to sing but never had the chance?

Whether you're new to singing or have been doing it for years, this is your chance to discover or re-discover your voice in a fun and supportive environment! This November at The SEED Lodge, we’re offering vocal lessons taught by Mamo Kobayakawa, professional singer and music producer.

Next 6 week session begins Sunday, November 3, 3-5pm and runs until Sunday, December 8th.

Come sing, laugh, and learn with others in our 2-hour group sessions. These classes are perfect for reconnecting with music lovers, sharing stories, and harmonizing together. Think of it like a vocal workout with friends—plus a little improvisation to spice things up! And yes, it's as fun as it sounds. You'll get to connect with others and learn in a collaborative space non judgemental space. These sessions are great for anyone looking to improve together, including those who sang "back in the day" and wants to rekindle their passion.

Here’s a taste of what we’ll be doing:

Fun Vocal Warm-Ups: Start each session with playful exercises that get your voice flowing and the fun rolling. Who knew warming up could feel this good?

Understanding Your Voice: Ever wonder what happens when you sing? We’ll dive into the science of sound, breath control, and how to create beautiful tones even if you are new to this stuff.

Skills for Days: Whether it’s reaching those high notes like a pro or nailing your pitch, we’ll work together on strengthening your vocal chops—no pressure, all progress!

Fall session: $250

Meet Your Instructor:

Hi, I’m Ma'amo Koba, a music producer and vocalist with a passion for singing and a lot of experience to share! I’ve been blessed to work with incredible artists like Celine Dion, TV on the Radio, and even directed recordings for the legendary Steven Sondheim songbook. From opera to jazz to ambient experimental, I’ve sung it all. I’ve also studied music at some fancy schools (Concordia, McGill, Manhattan School of Music), but what I really love is helping people discover their voices and have a blast while doing it!

To sign up please visit: https://theseedlodge.com/retreats/sing-your-heart-out-a-6-week-singing-class-for-everyone

10/07/2024

We can literally vibrate peace. ⁠
This is attainable for anyone, and does not require millions of lifetimes sitting in a yoga posture in a cave. ⁠
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When we can quiet our mind enough, put aside our ego, it’s easy to remember peace. ⁠
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We all know this state somewhere in our being, even if it has been a long time since we’ve experienced it. ⁠
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As you may have guessed it, I write these things today because this is all related to breathing. Breathing is your gateway to calm your mind and the emotions so that you can experience the silence.⁠
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We’ll be exploring all these questions, coming up with more questions and practicing all of this stuff on November 8-10 at the SEED Lodge. Hargopal Khalsa, a senior practitioner of the Sat Nam Rasayan technique, come to teach us how to work with conflict and how to access this healing space of silence. She’s been a practitioner for over 50 years. ⁠
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To sign up: ⁠https://theseedlodge.com/store/p/resolving-conflict-a-satnam-rasayan-training

10/06/2024

I love this quote because it reframes the consequence of not acknowledging our emotions, notably grief, as a integral part of life, and definitely a part of being human and loving.

No grief = No love = WAR

I have also believed that therapy or any sort of introspective practice is political because how we are with our own conflicts, emotions, and thoughts is how we are in the world. The micro is reflected in the macro.

You can live in a place where there is political peace, but be at war with yourself, with your family, your community, or the land itself.

Where do we begin?

The good news is that all these things are learned... just like reading or writing, we learn how to be with each other and with our authentic self. This is our goal at the SEED Lodge: to create experiences that allow us to question and wonder what it means to be human.

Our first retreat is from November 8-10, 2024 with Hargopal, a master teacher from LA who will share the incredible meditation technique of Sat Nam Rasayan. Come for one day or stay for the entire weekend. Being good at resolving conflict is a skill you will need for the rest of your life!

More information and sign up here.

https://theseedlodge.com/retreats/releasing-conflict

10/05/2024

I’m always amazed at the things that adults decide are useful for children to learn and even more incredulous that these decisions then become policy and curriculum. I am even more astonished that despite all the scholarship that has been done by so many academics, writers, parents, the school system hasn’t really evolved in the last 100 years.

Yes, we produce knowledgeable adults who can do all sorts of skilled jobs but also have a hard time handling stress, are depressed can’t seem to access joy, have poor interpersonal relationships, are afraid of their emotions, disconnected from the world they live in and do not know how to grieve.

This is what I encounter daily in my listening role as a therapist. What I have found is that grief is one of the most misunderstood emotions and not knowing how to "metabolize" or process has far reaching consequences on the way we live and are with each other.

For more about this and some other observations while "on the job", please sign up to the SEED Lodge newsletter.

https://people-of-the-prana-2.ck.page/3262eaffce

In peace.

10/04/2024

Tears are the flow of the heart longing for what it loves, which is no longer.

They are the waters of sores that give life to parched land so that it can once again feed.

Tears come unarmed.

They are the currency of what is human and valuable.

Tears are shiny diamonds offered as a gift of the most highest form.

Their beauty reflects all that is most dear.

Tears are the proof that we love.

TEARS NOT BOMBS!!!

09/25/2024

Hey all! The The Seed Lodge is officially opened and we are hosting our first writing residency from October 20-27. 7-days in the country curated for you to set aside time and space and finally put your ideas into words and onto paper. We are hosting these residencies 4 times/year so you can plan ahead 😀 Be sure to sign up to our mailing list.

Please visit the website for the details: https://theseedlodge.com/grow/aroomofonesownwritingretreat

https://theseedlodge.com/store/p/a-room-of-ones-own-7-day-writing-residency-the-seed-The Seed Lodge

09/20/2024

7-DAY WRITING RESIDENCY CURATED FOR YOU TO SIT DOWN, BE QUIET, & WRITE THAT BOOK YOU HAVE ALWAYS DREAMT OF WRITING.

October 20-27, 2024

Held 4 times a year for you to show up and devote your precious time to bringing your writing projects to life!

For more information DM us or visit: https://theseedlodge.com/grow/aroomofonesownwritingretreat

09/10/2024

09/01/2024

And there is still more. Under the big grandmother Maple, we gather to learn and move our bodies.


www.arterie.ca



For more information or to sign up please see link in bio or visit www.theseedlodge.com