Wellness

Vanessa Grace of Soul Amplified will lead a workshop about the spiritual aspects of autumn from 6:30-8 p.m. Nov. 4 at Self Balance Massage, 8301 N.E. Hazel Dell Ave., Vancouver. Autumn is the transition between the outward-focused, fast pace of summer and inward-focused, slow pace of winter. Students will learn how to “live the autumn life” in preparation for winter, the art of releasing and the significance of endings. Grace will lead participants in a guided mediation, leaf release ritual and journaling. The cost is $30, including a digital workbook. For details, email [email protected].

The Umbrae Noctis Festival is elated to announce 3 different movement workshops with the illustrious headliners and feature performers. Take class with local sensation Asteria Atombomb, Burlesque Hall of Fame title holder Moscato Sky, and/or Dragula season 4 runner-up Throb Zombie.

November 14: Are you stuck doing the same repetitive movements onstage? Trying to tell a story but can't find the actions to fit the narrative? Then this workshop is for you! Asteria will use her decades of experience in dance, theater, and artistic direction to help you create a compelling act. Through a series of dance and improvisational exercises, attendees will explore various ways to incorporate movement into a compelling storyline. Walk away feeling confident in getting your point across on the stage and leaving audiences wowed. Bring a journal and writing utensils. Clothes that are easy to move in.

November 14: Take your chair work to the next level with the them fatale of burlesque, Moscato Sky. This class will begin with a warm-up to prepare students to learn innovative ways to use this classic prop, how to maneuver on and off the chair with ease and grace, and exciting tricks that will stun any audience. In this workshop-style class, students will be challenged to create new movement pathways, explore obscure approaches to chair work, and walk away with tools to generate chair choreography.

This class is designed for students with a movement background or previous chair and floor work experience and may not be appropriate for people with serious knee and back injuries. However, all levels are welcome as this class acts as a lab and encourages exploration. Wear yoga or dance clothes you can move freely in. Knee pads are encouraged but not required.

November 15: Hump and Grind: Masc Movement and Choreography with Throb Zombie. Hump and Grind is an energetic and sexy dance class for kings or anyone who is ready to move. Taught by one of the most prolific, current dancing drag kings in the industry and iconic himbo, Throb Zombie.

Class will entail:

• A stretch/warmup
• Introduction to posture/masculine body movement
• Transitions/specific moves that can work for all dance levels from beginner to advanced
• Commanding space with presence
• A short choreography sequence
• Don’t be scared! While this class dares to challenge you, all levels are welcome. Come gyrate, grow, and get ready to sweat with the boys.
• Students must bring clothes they are comfortable moving in and are strongly encouraged to bring a water bottle and knee pads.

Portland Japanese Garden’s Tea Ceremony Workshop offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the traditional practice of Chanoyu, or the Way of Tea. Experience the art of tranquility, mindfulness, and omotenashi, whole-hearted hospitality.

It is not an exaggeration to say that through tea, one can understand much of Japanese culture. Tea’s influence can be found in many of the nation’s most beloved artforms, including arranging flowers, calligraphy, incense, ceramics and lacquerware. Japanese gardens are also deeply intertwined with tea ceremony. The four principles of tea, wa (harmony), kei (respect), sei (purity), and jaku (tranquility), are explored by the gardeners of Portland Japanese Garden in their work every day.

Guided by skilled instructor Jan Waldmann, Sosui, the focus of this workshop is to learn to be a guest in the tea ceremony, an important aspect to this historic tradition. Participants will learn the proper etiquette for attending a tea ceremony, including how to receive and consume sweets and matcha, and most importantly, the reasons behind each of the steps. Additionally, you will gain insight into what it entails to be a host— understanding the occasion and seasonality, attention to aesthetics, careful preparation, and the thoughtful gestures made toward the guests.

Participants will first attend a presentation of tea ceremony in our Cathy Rudd Cultural Corner alongside visitors to the Garden before they are taken into their exclusive workshop in the Yanai Classroom.

Participants will first attend a presentation of tea ceremony in our Cathy Rudd Cultural Corner alongside visitors to the Garden (2:00-2:30pm) before they are taken into their exclusive workshop in the Yanai Family Classroom (2:45-4:15pm).

No previous experience is needed. Students will sit in a chair at a table, not kneeling on a tatami mat.

Urasenke Konnichian of Kyoto is one of the major establishments within Japan that has preserved the tradition of Chado or the Way of Tea.  From the first Urasenke generation, Sen no Rikyu (1522-91) to the current headmaster Zabosai Genmoku Soshitsu XVI (b.1956 -), the Sen family lineage has devoted great effort to fostering the philosophy of Tea through the simple words of Wa – Harmony, Kei -Repect, Sei – Purity & Jaku – Tranquility. Over the years Urasenke has established connections in over 21 cities worldwide.

Strengthen your household readiness through the "Be 2 Weeks Ready" program, presented by PrepLO. Learn how to prepare for disasters like earthquakes, storms, and wildfires. This essential training includes hands-on CPR/AED instruction provided directly by the Lake Oswego Fire Department (LOFD).

Fee: FREE (Pre-registration is required)

Thursday, September 10 • 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Course ID: 33840 • Register Online

Thursday, December 10 • 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Course ID: 33841 • Register Online

Saturday, September 5 • 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
Course ID: 33842 • Register Online

Saturday, December 5 • 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
Course ID: 33844 • Register Online

Tuesday, October 20 • 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Course ID: 35016
Fee: FREE

Join clinical experts from Providence Health & Services to learn how age-related changes in balance, physical strength, and general medical health affect daily mobility. Discover concrete ways to minimize risks by modifying everyday medications, assessing footwear choice, and addressing common home environment hazards. Includes a short, participatory tai chi balance demonstration.

Presented by: Providence Health Leaders
Register Online

Thursdays, October 22 – November 12 • 12–1:30 p.m.
Course ID: 34887
Fee: Resident $36 / Non-Resident $54 (4-week course)

This structural, evidence-based series features weekly presentations by Providence clinical directors focused on optimizing physiological health as you age. Learn actionable, science-backed lifestyle habits designed to promote everyday brain fitness, strengthen emotional resilience, and maximize lifetime physical vitality rooted in the latest senior medical research.

Presented by: Providence Clinical Directors
Register Online

Tuesday, November 3 • 10–11:30 a.m.
Course ID: 34823
Fee: FREE

Join representatives from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for an invaluable QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) suicide prevention training session. Participants will learn how to recognize early situational warning signs, ask supportive, compassionate direct questions, and safely guide neighbors, friends, and family toward life-saving community crisis resources.

Presented by: NAMI NW Advisors
Register Online

Tuesdays • 9:30–11:30 a.m.
Fee: Resident $20 / Non-Resident $25 per multi-week section

Elevate your card game in a supportive, structured environment! Curated for enthusiasts who possess standard background play experience, this community class weaves short, technical lessons with real-time coached table play. Refine card play execution, clarify bidding options on the fly, and share the friendly table camaraderie of fellow players.

Section A (Sept 8 – Oct 27): Course ID: 35364 • Register Online
Section B (Nov 3 – Dec 15): Course ID: 35365 • Register Online

Thursday, October 29 • 2–4 p.m.
Course ID: 35370
Fee: FREE

Learn how to optimize your living space to be safer, energy-efficient, and structurally accessible using public county support systems. Experienced case managers from Clackamas County will detail application criteria for free residential weatherization upgrades, low-cost deferred maintenance home improvement loans, and localized senior accessibility renovation grants.

Presented by: Clackamas County Program Coordinators
Register Online

• Life’s Final Chapter Series (May/June): A thoughtful practical exploration covering end-of-life logistics, medical directives, and grief support, facilitated alongside Death Doulas NW and End of Life Choices Oregon.
• Estrangement & Reunion Workshops (May/June): Multi-session mental health family guidance led by the licensed marriage and family therapists of Family Ties Counseling Center.
• Caregiver Support & Resilience Intensives (May/June): Specialized, four-hour professional workshops covering dementia communication habits and chronic caregiver burnout prevention, led by Dr. Andrea Holzner.
• Healthy Legs as You Age (May 6): A cardiovascular educational forum addressing vein health, modern treatment options, and leg circulation, led by Dr. Toshio Nagamoto of Inovia Vein.
• Estate Planning Basics (May 20): A legal resource class reviewing wills, asset protection vehicles, and common probate filing pitfalls, presented by Michael Rose, Attorney at Rose Elder Law.
• Paying for Long-Term Care (June 10): A community seminar providing legal guidance on qualifying for public Medicaid benefits and managing long-term institutional residential costs, presented by Rose Elder Law.

Emily Wright

$25 – the practice + all creative supplies

$55 – the practice, all creative supplies + a bottle of fine, natural scent, 5 ml roll-on. This special scent crafted by artist Catherine Haley Epstein blends natural, high-quality extracts of cedar, violet and apricot for a light, peace-inspiring aroma. A lovely add on to any restorative or creative practice.

The practice of Yoga Nidra is thousands of years old yet immensely relevant to our time. A systematic process of deliberate relaxation that combines breath, body-scan and imagery-based techniques to serve as a powerful antidote to overstimulation, burnout and exhaustion.

Yoga Nidra is an accessible go-to practice in any wellness toolkit for sharpening cognition, bolstering creativity and promoting a healthy response to stress. Through a 20-minute practice, studies have shown that it improves neuroplasticity, resets dopamine levels and supports healthy central nervous system regulation.

Additionally, its ancient wisdom undeniably invites in a deeper knowing of the soul. This more spiritual angle empowers a release of fear and unwanted habits and enables new alignment to authenticity, freedom and heart.

Don't let the rainy season stop you from connecting with nature! Join Urban Forestry at the Belmont Library to explore for an evening of mindfulness and nature education. Trees are good for our health, especially if we take time to pay close attention to them. At this event we will use all five senses to study tree samples to practice feeling grounded in natural spaces! You'll also learn about the many ways that connecting with nature and trees can improve mental and physical health.

This event will be entirely indoors. Tea and snacks will be provided for participants.

Join us at the new Multnomah County Belmont Library!

1038 SE César E. Chávez Boulevard
Portland, OR 97214

Led by Rayleen Courtney, this monthly workshop will explore somatic practices as a recovery support!

ALL levels of experience — with somatics and/or recovery — are welcome and affirmed.

In person, Loft

Join us for a special basketball skills and drills event with Michael Holton! Play games, learn new skills, and enjoy free pizza, snacks, and prizes while learning more about the Reynolds Middle School basketball program.

This event is free and open to all youth ages 5–14. Youth should wear athletic shoes, preferably basketball shoes, bring a water bottle and a smile, and be ready to play!

Registration required

Come see how Shalonda Menefee helps women and teen girls boost their self-esteem! Embrace your beauty and self-love in this workshop by decorating a personal mirror. Engage in a guided meditation and explore the power of positive affirmations. Create a mirror that reminds you of your inner beauty and self-worth. Look at yourself with love and appreciation, and embrace who you are with confidence!

The House Pilates, 2008 S.E. Eighth Ave., Suites 203 and 204, Camas, will open its new Restore Room featuring a red light bed. The event, from 6:45-7:45 p.m. Nov. 3, includes an open house and workshop.

Join local artist Elizabeth Higgins for weekly workshops focused on creative expression, mindfulness, and supportive community connection. Designed as a sanctuary from daily stressors, these sessions emphasize the joyful process of making art rather than the pressure of a finished product. Perfect for all skill levels, from absolute beginners to experienced creators looking to refresh their practice. All premium studio materials are included in the tuition fee.

Class Times: 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. on Mondays
Tuition per Session: Resident $79 / Non-Resident $119 (Materials included)

Slow down and see the world around you with fresh eyes. This four-week session uses the quiet patterns of the natural world to anchor your attention in the present moment. Through gentle, guided, and meditative sketching exercises, you will learn to quiet a busy mind and relieve daily stress. Elizabeth will introduce accessible mark-making techniques that make sketching feel approachable, helping you overcome the fear of the blank page and establish a sustainable, deeply personal daily sketchbook practice.

Topics Covered:

• Using rhythmic, repetitive drawing patterns found in leaves, seed pods, and stones to induce a meditative flow state
• Contemplative "blind contour" and gesture sketching to bypass the inner critic and build confidence
• Practical techniques for starting, organizing, and maintaining a regular, stress-free sketchbook habit at home

Dates: Mondays, 10/5, 10/12, 10/19, & 10/26
Event Code: 34836

Experience the liberating and playful art of paper collage. By cutting, tearing, and arranging everyday found papers, hand-painted fragments, and text, you will bypass the technical anxieties of drawing and jump straight into raw visual storytelling. This course balances mindful, intuitive play with fundamental design concepts. While enjoying a relaxed studio environment, you will discover how to arrange bold abstract artwork that expresses your inner landscape.

Topics Covered:

• Intuitive paper tearing and layer arrangement to build textures without overthinking your choices
• Introduction to foundational color theory, contrasting palettes, and visual balance in abstract design
• Mindful sharing and collaborative community exercises designed to inspire deep connection with fellow classmates

Dates: Mondays, 11/2, 11/9, 11/16, & 11/23
Event Code: 34837

About the Instructor:
Elizabeth M. Higgins is a Portland‑area teaching artist whose work centers on creativity, nature, and mindfulness. She holds a 100‑hour certification in eco-therapy and brings a gentle, encouraging approach to her watercolor and nature-journaling classes, inspiring students of all ages to explore art joyfully. Her vibrant work is shown at her Hillsboro studio and Grey Raven Gallery in Beaverton.

Website: Elizabeth M. Higgins — https://elizabethmhiggins.com/

The following previous topics from this season are now complete. Please contact the registration program desk if you would like to be notified when these seasonal topics return to the calendar.

Held weekly across April and May 2026, this foundational workshop invited beginners and nature lovers to connect deeply with seasonal shifts. Utilizing the principles of eco-therapy, students ventured into outdoor environments to observe regional flora and fauna firsthand. Under Elizabeth's gentle guidance, participants learned to blend delicate watercolor washes with organic line work to document the textures, shifting light, and quiet rhythms of the Pacific Northwest springtime landscape.

Introduction to the 5 major tea types and ceremonial tea.
Join us for an introduction to the five major types of tea; green, white, oolong, black, and dark tea. Together we will explore the origins of Camellia sinensis, trace its history and cultural roots, and experience the art of gongfu ceremonial tea service. This class is an invitation to step into the magic, wonder, and devotion that tea inspires, while learning how its many expressions continue to connect us to the natural world and our human nature.

This gathering is offered with a suggested contribution of $35. In the spirit of inclusivity and balance, you are welcome to offer what feels right for you, whether that is $35, $25, or more if you have the means. Contributions above the suggested amount help make this experience accessible to those with financial need and sustain the ongoing care and energy poured into holding spaces like this. Every offering, whether financial or energetic, affirms the value of community supported education.

We also acknowledge the systemic barriers that have long limited access for BIPOC communities. To honor this, a $15 option is available for BIPOC participants who would benefit from it. This is one way we commit to equity, ensuring that diversity is not only welcomed but integral to the richness of the experience.

If the listed prices are still a barrier, please reach out directly. I am more than willing to work with you to ensure that tea remains within reach for all who feel called to share in it.

All are welcome here. You are invited to arrive exactly as you are and take part in a space rooted in openness, care, and community, a living space where each presence is honored and where we grow together through the deep, transformative beauty of tea.

To help us hold a mindful and welcoming space, we ask participants to be considerate of sensory sensitivities by avoiding strong fragrances. This is a space of gentle awareness, where we honor our own needs as well as those of others. By showing up with openness, care, and respect for each other’s boundaries, we create a collective meditative atmosphere where, tea, and community belonging can flourish.

In the spirit of reciprocity and uplifting community together, five dollars from each participant will be donated to Q Center, a nonprofit that supports LGBTQ2SIA+ communities through advocacy, resources, and safe spaces, embodying tea’s spirit of connection, reflection, healing, and belonging.

This class is led by D’Guar (they/them), a trans person of color, tea guide, and community builder based in Portland, Oregon. D’Guar has devoted their path to exploring the spirit of Camellia sinensis through mindful practice, storytelling, and connection. Through their project Water Fairy Tea, they create spaces where tea becomes a bridge between nature, presence, and belonging. Their offerings weave education with devotion, inviting participants to meet tea not only as a beverage, but as a living companion in self discovery and community care with nature and the world around.

We acknowledge that this work takes place on the traditional lands of the Multnomah, Clackamas, Chinook, Kathlamet, Tualatin, Kalapuya, Molalla, and many other Indigenous ancestors and communities. We honor their enduring presence, care, and wisdom, and offer gratitude to the land and to the people who have tended it since time immemorial.

• A waiver is required for all participants. To be completed prior to the start of class.
• All equipment is provided for classes.

A monthly strength-training workshop focused on building confidence, refining technique, and helping you train safely and effectively in the weight room.

Make some sweet magic with other witchy babes in this 1.5-hour community gathering. Together, dive into November's theme, Shadow Work, with guided visualization, journaling, and a collective tarot spread for expansive visioning. There will be time for vulnerable sharing and community building throughout this gathering.

Make sure to bring:

• Your favorite tarot deck (or snag a sample deck from the shop to use if you're attending in person)
• A pen and paper for note-taking
• Whatever else you need to get comfy and sink into pleasure

Please arrive a little early to get settled in. Masks are required for this gathering. The shop will be closed from 5-5:20 p.m. to set up for class. For the sake of the container and to minimize distractions, the doors will be locked 10 minutes after class starts. Please keep this in mind while making travel arrangements.

Please bring a mask with you. You will be asked to wear your mask throughout class. If you're experiencing any COVID symptoms before the gathering, please do not attend.

Through guided self-inquiry, journaling, group reflection, and a guided inner child practice, you'll uncover some of the beliefs and patterns you may have learned in order to feel loved, safe, and accepted.

Slöyd is a historical Scandinavian method of education that used woodworking to develop character in children. Still utilized today in some of the highest performing schools around the globe, key elements of the original Theory of Educational Sloyd by Otto Salomon were replicated for these classes.

The DBT Recovery Action Group is a FREE community workshop series, led by a certified peer specialist and coach, that isolates one actionable DBT skill per week. We will cover topics such as Distress Tolerance, Core Mindfulness, Emotion Regulation, and Interpersonal Effectiveness, building practical skills like what to do when anxiety, cravings, or anger hit a 10/10 and executive function completely vanishes.

We'll help you turn abstract coping mechanisms into accessible physical cues and tools that strengthen your emotional sobriety.

Ballroom Dance Vancouver will host Sunday Ballroom and Latin Group Classes from 4-6 p.m. Sundays at Dance Fusion/Northwest Classical Ballet, 14511 N.E. 10th Ave., Vancouver. Beginning classes are 4-5 p.m. and advanced classes are 5-6 p.m. The cost is $15 for ages 12 and older. Learn more at ballroomdancevancouver.com, by emailing [email protected] or calling 503-789-3023.

FREE group series designed for anyone interested in strengthening their recovery and learning new ways of relating to their nervous system

Introducing “30 for 30” - A Somatic Series for Recovery

A FREE community workshop series, led by a certified peer specialist and coach, that combines 30-minutes of guided grounding techniques and 30-minutes of collaborative processing.

Using body-oriented tools and cues, we'll build coping skills that help keep us grounded and connected--to our physical bodies and one another--as we navigate short- and long-term recovery.

At A Glance: Our 6-Week Group Agenda

● Week 1 Focus: Calming the Storm (Autonomic Regulation & 4-7-8 Oxygen Regulator)

● Week 2 Focus: Navigating the Void (Dopamine Baseline Reset & Thought Labeling)

● Week 3 Focus: Holding the Boundary (Protecting Internal Peace & Somatic Body Scan)

● Week 4 Focus: The Taper (The Art of Stillness & 4-4-4-4 Box Breathing)

● Week 5 Focus: Processing the Weight (Somatic Grief Work & Heart/Shoulder Grounding)

● Week 6 Focus: The Sovereign Anchor (Stepping Into Your Expert Chapter & Open Awareness)

Workshop agenda is subject to change at the facilitator's discretion.

Everyone is welcome. This offering is 100% cost-free. We hope you'll join us at TRG-Hillsboro.

Attendance at all six workshops is encouraged to get the most from this offering.

For questions about this group, please contact Josh C. at [email protected]

Join us for a morning of hiking and casual Ski Walking! All are welcome - including experienced or budding ski enthusiasts, no prior experience is required! Bring hiking or ski poles. The leader will have an extra loaner set of poles. We will begin with a hike descending Fiirelane 5, then practice ski walking with poles on the Lief Erikson trail before heading gradually uphill on the Saltzman Rd. trail using our poles for "ski walking". After our first loop we will debrief and determine what additional trail loops we wish to make. Participants are encouraged to wear their favorite ski/snow hat, and we will celebrate the most creative snow dancer among the group. What is Ski Walking? This is great pre-season hype for nordic skiing or skimo skinning. Meet 8:30am at Saltzman Trailhead.

(video link: https://youtu.be/1WjrWfGArVI?si=UKcQbPDmKwj32sGY&t=3)

Explore green tea as a pathway to clarity in a guided tasting class centered on presence, flavor, and mindful attention. Participants will engage with the leaf’s story through taste, reflection, and conversation, discovering how each infusion can foster serenity and a felt connection to nature’s wisdom. A sliding scale contribution supports access and sustainability, with $35 suggested and the option to offer $25, $35, or more as means allow. A $15 option is available for BIPOC participants to honor equity and reduce barriers. If pricing remains a concern, arrangements can be made to keep this experience within reach. All are welcome in a space grounded in care, openness, and community, where every person is valued. To support those with sensory sensitivities, participants are asked to avoid strong fragrances. Respect for personal boundaries helps nurture a setting where meditation, tea, and queer belonging can flourish. Five dollars from each participant will be donated to Q Center, supporting LGBTQ2SIA+ communities through advocacy, resources, and safe spaces. The gathering is guided by D’Guar (They/Them), a trans person of color, tea guide, and community weaver rooted in Portland, Oregon, whose practice with Camellia sinensis blends learning with reverence through ritual and story. Through Water Fairy Tea, they cultivate spaces where tea becomes a companion in personal discovery, collective care, and relationship with the natural world. This work honors the traditional lands of the Multnomah, Clackamas, Chinook, Kathlamet, Tualatin, Kalapuya, Molalla, and many other Indigenous peoples, with gratitude for their enduring presence, care, and wisdom.

🎵 K-Pop Dance at Campus Rec!

Move, dance, and connect! Celebrate International Education Week with K-pop dance at the PSU Campus Recreation Center. Move to energetic beats, meet new people, and connect with the PSU community. Bring your enthusiasm, try something new, and have fun on the dance floor! More details can be found on the Campus Rec's website.

Get your dancing shoes on—or really any shoe, boot, slipper that you can find, and join us as we learn line dances for fun and exercise.

Meeting new people and learning to climb in the same night?! Join the Outdoor Program for an introduction to the Climbing Center, some climbing tips and tricks, and to meet other new climbers. Make sure to complete the climber orientation quiz at Member Services and then grab a wristband and some climbing shoes at equipment checkout. If you need accommodations please email the Outdoor Program: [email protected].

This beginner-friendly introduction to Wing Chun Kung Fu covers body positioning, efficient movement, and responding to pressure without relying on size or strength. Participants practice with a partner in a calm, supportive learning environment. No prior experience or fitness test is required, and instructors meet students at their level.

This gentle self-care class introduces the MELT Method, a straightforward approach that helps rehydrate connective tissue so movement feels easier, discomfort softens, and nervous system function is better supported. Guided by Kim Reis, a Level 4 MELT Method instructor, classically trained Pilates professional, and former dancer, participants use soft rollers and balls to release built-up tension from everyday life, improve mobility and flexibility, and encourage circulation and recovery for a greater sense of balance and ease. The class welcomes all levels, and no prior experience is required. The first class is free with code BEYOND1STCLASS.

Start from the basics with a friendly Level 1 Salsa and Bachata combo class in Downtown Tigard. Each session focuses on core foundations such as step patterns, turning technique, and other essentials in both styles. No partner is required since participants rotate throughout class, and casual attire is perfectly fine with no special shoes needed. The curriculum reinforces fundamentals while introducing new variations over the course of the month, so complete beginners are encouraged to begin in the first or second week for the smoothest experience. Attend once or twice weekly based on personal schedule, with more frequent practice helping progress come faster. Everyone is welcome, including those with no prior dance experience. Drop-in is $30, and the class is included with membership. A free week pass is available to explore classes and events.

Learn to box in a class built for you. Coach Chris Liles (USA Boxing certified) teaches fundamentals of footwork, form, and hitting things really hard in a supportive space for queer, trans, BIPOC, and fat folks. Beginner-friendly, zero experience needed. Just wear something you can move in and bring water. Gloves and all loaner equipment provided.

The Dance of Shiva is an ancient yogic art that combines precise, synchronized movements of the arms and legs with deep awareness to awaken powerful energetic flows throughout the body. This unique practice unites movement, breath, and concentration, creating a form of moving mediation that expands consciousness and fosters balance.

Location: MSCC - Aerobics Studio

Our 75-minute Myofascial Release + Recovery workshop will focus on mobility, foam rolling, and recovery tools to help you move with ease.

Discover the clear, focused character of green tea through a facilitated tasting that centers mindfulness and flavor. Participants tune their senses with attentive sipping and dialogue, noticing how each expression carries its own narrative. The experience blends tasting, introspection, and dialogue to heighten perception and foster a closer relationship with the leaf. It offers a calm pathway into nature’s wisdom, encouraging serenity and insight throughout the session.

Explore teas from the collection in a gathering where the selections themselves guide the learning. Each session may feature unusual cultivars, experimental processing, aged or stored teas, or other expressions of Camellia sinensis beyond the familiar. Led by D’Guar, a tea guide and community builder, the class brings together tea, mindful practice, storytelling, and community connection. All are welcome, and participants are asked to avoid strong fragrances to help support sensory sensitivities. The suggested contribution is $40, with a $15 option available for BIPOC participants who would benefit from it. If cost remains a barrier, flexible contributions may be discussed.

Please join us for our Inclusive Mixed Ability Dance Class!
The DanceAbility method will be used to learn principles of improvisational dance for all people. This class offers an opportunity for self expression, creativity, and builds self esteem and confidence. Our goal is to create a culture of dance that eliminates isolation and builds community. We honor each person’s movement language. Participation is completely voluntary, and it is fun! *Programs for our Disability Community*

The nonprofit Taoist Tai Chi Society will host Introductory Taoist Tai Chi classes from 9-11 a.m. Saturdays, Oct. 17-Jan. 2 (except Dec. 5) at Vancouver United First Methodist, Jason Lee Hall, 403 E. 33rd St., Vancouver. Start at the first session or attend any session. Try a class or two before deciding to continue. For more details, email [email protected].

This monthly workshop offers space for shadow work during the dark moon phase, with a focus on setting intentions for fresh beginnings and growth in 2026. Participants will spend time journaling desires, visualizing goals, creating vision boards, and outlining inspired actions while releasing old patterns to align more closely with the soul’s path. Light snacks and refreshments will be available. Bring a blanket or pillow if you would like to be extra comfortable while working. A shadow work journal will be available for purchase to support your practice; if you plan to buy one, please message the organizer in advance so enough copies are on hand. If you prefer to use your own materials, feel free to bring a personal notebook and continue with it at each monthly meeting. You are welcome to invite a friend.

Learn the fundamentals of salsa in a beginner-friendly Level 1 class, with footwork, turns, and regular practice to build your skills. The class rotates partners, so you do not need to bring one. No prior experience, special shoes, or special attire are needed. Beginners with no experience are encouraged to start during the first or second week of the month, as lessons progress throughout the month. Drop-ins are welcome, and the class is open to the public.

Join the Harvest Celebration, a one-of-a-kind evening where the worlds of art and wine come together in the heart of Portland. Presented by the Portland Art Museum and the Willamette Valley Wineries Association, this immersive tasting experience celebrates the creativity, craftsmanship, and intersection between artists and winemakers. Enjoy wines from 50 Willamette Valley wineries alongside engaging artistic experiences, seasonal culinary offerings, and opportunities for discovery throughout the evening.

Each artist will be paired with a collection of participating wineries, creating unique intersections between visual art and winemaking. Meet the artists, learn about their creative process, and discover how artistic expression and winegrowing share a common foundation.

The evening will also feature a live artist creating work in real time, offering guests a firsthand look at the creative process. Interactive experiences invite attendees to become creators themselves, including opportunities to design a custom wine label and blend a personalized spice mix to take home. Guests can further extend their experience by exploring works available through the Portland Art Museum’s Rental Sales Gallery, offering an opportunity to bring a piece of local art home and continue the experience long after the event concludes.

Make life a little easier on our Oregon winter birds with some crafty edible artistry for all ages.

The Portland Grief House invites you to join The Lost Table, a welcoming space to gather in community, remember those we’ve lost, and share in the traditions that help us keep them close. Bring a dish, pull up a chair, and make a place at the table for the dead. Grief can be hard to understand, and sometimes what we need most is community, ritual, conversation, and food.

Together, we’ll explore how different cultures and traditions call to, honor, and make offerings to those who have died. In the spirit of Día de Muertos, we’ll create a shared space where the living and the dead can gather around the same table.

We’ll begin with a creative activity led by Mario Mesquita, inviting us to reflect on memory, food, and our relationships with those we’ve lost. Participants will be introduced to the ritual elements that will carry us through the evening.

Laura Green will lead a community conversation about intercultural traditions of Día de Muertos and other ways communities call to and remember their dead. Participants will have an opportunity to share stories, traditions, and memories, and to dedicate an offering to someone they have lost.

Bea Yeh will introduce the tradition of Hungry Ghost and lead us in making an offering to the dead. We’ll set places at our table for those who are no longer with us and share food as an act of remembrance and connection.

Our community offerings and tributes will be gathered at Ximena Morales’s altar, creating a shared space of remembrance that connects the different traditions and offerings brought into the room.

Throughout the evening, we’ll create something together through words, offerings, and remembrance. We’ll dedicate a community poem to the dead and close our gathering with a collective ritual of words, sound, and stillness.

Please bring:

• A dish to share, plus any serving utensils it needs. Consider bringing something that reminds you of a loved one or connects you to a family or cultural tradition.
• Please label your food with a card identifying any allergens or dietary considerations.
• Your own dinnerware (plate, bowl, utensils, napkin).
• A beverage for yourself, if you’d like something other than water.
• A photograph, name, or other small tribute to a loved one for the community altar, if you’d like.
• Please do not bring chips, salsa, or guacamole—Milagro will provide these.

The Portland Grief House is honored to continue this tradition, originally started by Side Yard Farm. El Centro Milagro is excited to partner with Portland Grief House to create a space for English- and Spanish-speaking community members to gather, remember, share traditions, and honor the dead together.

Schedule
4:00–4:30 PM — Opening Ritual & Activity
4:30–5:45 PM — Community Conversation & Offerings
5:45 PM — Dedication & Closing

Estimated Running Time: 3 hours
Age Recommendation: Ages 10+

Join us for an afternoon with Grammy Award-winning soprano and PSU alum Audrey Luna! Audrey will give a masterclass with L&C and PSU students and present a lecture titled "The Business of Singing."

Learn more about the School of Music & Theater Voice Area.

Celebrate Samhain and the Day of the Dead with a transformative, grounding evening hosted by Celine Redfield of Two Wings Balanced Healing. Aligned with the deeply intuitive water energy of Scorpio season, this sacred gathering combines community connection with deep personal restoration.

• The Experience: The evening begins with an ancestral invocation and a warm botanical tea ceremony—guests are welcome to bring a memento, photo, or candle to place on a collective altar. You will then ease into a guided hypnotic meditation before relaxing into a restorative, one-hour water-element sound bath.
• The Instruments: Healing frequencies are created using a carefully curated selection of "watery" and crystalline instruments. You will experience crystal singing bowls for all seven chakras, a cosmic light chalice, ocean drums, rain sticks, aqua Koshi chimes, crystal pyramids, tongue drums, and pangi seed shakers.
• Who It’s For: This event is for anyone looking to honor their ancestors, connect deeply with their intuition, or find a peaceful space for internal reflection and fresh personal transformation.
• The Benefits: Attendees will experience deep, receptive relaxation, reduced stress, emotional release, and a renewed sense of internal safety and security.

Mantra, music, and storytelling to awaken the heart. Sacred Dharma is a Pacific Northwest kirtan-fusion jam band. At its core, they facilitate the devotional practice of chanting Sanskrit mantra. The music is colored by world influences ranging from Indian classical to jazz and psychedelic rock, enhancing the mood so that each repetition of the Name can awaken the heart.

Led by Sitaram Dass with Jeanette Kangas on tabla, Clark Stacer on bass, Lance Jordan on guitar, and a rotating selection of some of the PNW's finest musicians.

Sitaram Dass (he/him) spent several years serving his beloved teacher Ram Dass on Maui, where he was shown the path of Bhakti, the yoga of service and devotion to God. He is an author, teacher, kirtan singer, and spiritual counselor. As the director of the Sacred Community Project, he works to provide affordable, free, and donation-based offerings as a praxis of Sacred Community.

$25 Advance / $30 Door

(No one turned away for lack of funds)

Learn the basics of Salsa and Bachata in a Level 1 combo class. Each session includes fun footwork, turns, and other foundational steps, with repetition to build skills and new variations added as the class progresses. No partner, prior experience, or special shoes or attire are needed, and partners rotate during class. Absolute beginners are encouraged to start during the first or second week of the month, since the material builds as the month goes on. Drop-in classes are open to the public, with membership also available.

The Low Bar Chorale is thrilled to welcome internationally acclaimed multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and producer Laura Gibson as a special guest. To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of her debut album, If You Come To Greet Me, Laura is re-releasing her first four records on vinyl. Sing together and learn harmony parts for some of her best-loved songs from these albums, as well as some favorite covers and guilty pleasures. Come sing with one of the defining voices of Portland's musical legacy.

The annual Portland Holiday Market is the premier venue for holiday cheer! Kickstart your festive decor and gift shopping while enjoying gourmet food and festive family activities. The three-day market brings the community together for a weekend of getting into the spirit before the season begins in earnest.

This year’s market features one-of-a-kind treasures from hundreds of artisan shops and local makers, sensational bites and sips from local vendors, live carolers roaming the aisles, hands-on workshops from DIY holiday decor to cookie decorating, and adoptable pups at Puppermint Lane in partnership with One Tail at a Time. Snap a photo with the 25-foot living blue spruce, take a break with a festive cocktail in the YuleTide Lounge, and bring the little ones by to meet Santa. It’s a one-stop shop to prepare for holiday hosting, gifting, and celebrating before the hustle and bustle begins.

General admission is $13 online and $14 at the door, and tickets are FREE for children ages 12 and under. Bundle two tickets plus parking for $33, and parking is free after 4:00 pm on Friday.

DATES:

Fri 11/6 from 10am-7pm

Sat 11/7 from 10am-7pm

Sun 11/8 from 10am-6pm

Sharon Gan, founder of Heart Strings Mandarin, will lead children and their parents as they sing, move, play instruments, and tell stories in Mandarin, English and American Sign Language. All levels of Mandarin fluency from absolute beginners to native Mandarin speakers are welcome.

Program presented in partnership with Friends of the Tigard Library.