Toivo

Join Heidi for a Walk and Talk on the first Monday of each month throughout the winter season. Walk and Talks will begin at Toivo. Come and enjoy a mindful walk around the block, to Pope Park, or perhaps a walk to Parkville Market to enjoy a treat.

Heidi will suggest a mindful walking experience and to observe the surroundings with one or more of the senses. Social connections will be welcomed with any conversations that arise.

Please wear shoes and clothing that welcomes comfort for you while walking outdoors in winter weather conditions.

A Walk and Talk offering will be canceled due to inclement weather (rain, snow, or storms). A gentle snowfall will welcome a Walk and Talk.

*Location has been moved to inside at Toivo due to possible weather conditions*

Community Drum and Dance Circle at Toivo!

Drumming can be a metaphor for any challenge or opportunity in life. It has the power to energize, relax, motivate, educate, heal, unite and inspire. Community drumming is an extraordinary dialogue that connects us with our world, our neighbors and ourselves. Come to celebrate life, honor the season or simply create some positive vibes in this high-energy, experiential play shop. Participants will be instructed on the basics of how (and what) to drum in a group and allowed plenty of room to improvise within this facilitated drum circle. Almost anything goes. Drummers & dancers of all ages, genders, and abilities are always welcome. No prior experience is necessary or expected. Bring your favorite instrument or share one of ours. Some extra drums and percussion will be available.

*Please bring a chair and anything you may need to make yourself comfortable​*

Facilitator bio: Mark Zarrillo is a versatile drummer, percussionist, drum circle leader and sound therapy practitioner. He holds an M.A. in Humanities from SUNY at Buffalo, has traveled to Guinea for a drumming and culture intensive, and is a trained HealthRHYTHMS® facilitator. Mark draws upon his rich knowledge of West African music and culture, as well as over forty years of drumming experience, in helping others express their own rhythmic spirit.

We are excited to partner with Ancient Healing Paths to host Alternative Healing Day on June 14th from 3-8pm. Experience a variety of free healing modalities including acupuncture, reiki, intuitive readings, reiki, spiritual coaching, herbal medicine consults, sound healing, therapeutic massage, and art therapy. A sign up sheet to register for sessions will be available when you arrive.

In addition, a Children’s Empowerment Program will simultaneously be taking place for children ages 5-13. This will include yoga, natura art, music and a and gratitude practice!

Can’t attend this month but want to know more about Free Alternative Healing Days? Follow

This Zumba class combines Latin and international music and dance to create a dynamic form of movement for people of all fitness levels and age groups. Explore slow and fast rhythms in a fun and welcoming environment.
*Bilingual as Needed*

Esta clase de Zumba combina música y baile latino y internacional para crear una forma dinámica de movimiento para personas de todos los niveles de físico y grupos de edad. Explorar ritmos lentos y rápidos en un ambiente divertido y cómodo.
*Clase de bilingüe según sea necesario*

Join Heidi at Elizabeth Park in West Hartford to listen, observe, and connect with the Wisdom of the Trees. Heidi will guide you in suggested mindfulness practices offering connection to each part of the tree. What roots you, how do you stand strong even through life’s storms, how do you branch out, what changes do you welcome and what are you ready to let go of? How are you growing and budding in this moment? Come to Elizabeth Park and explore the Wisdom of the Trees and welcome the answers as you are open to welcoming them. Dress comfortably for the weather and wear shoes that support you when walking on the Earth’s grasses and packed soil. Bring a water bottle and a journal/pen if called to do so, and please bring out what you bring in to help preserve this beautiful park. How will you listen, observe, and connect with the Wisdom of the Trees? 

Elizabeth Park is located at 1561 Asylum Ave., West Hartford, CT. Meet Heidi by the greenhouse diagonally across from the Pond House Café restaurant. We will begin with a grounding practice to arrive together and then enter into the forest of the trees to begin the Forest Bathing practice. 

Alternatives to Su***de is a peer-run support group for people dealing with suicidal thoughts, urges, and/or previous attempts. This group is an open forum to talk about topics directly related to su***de or whatever else needs to be expressed. We take the approach of Harm Reduction and mutual aid. Alternatives to Su***de groups are safe places where we can openly discuss these topics.     
     
In these groups, we encourage the notion of responsibility to one another, not for one another. In lieu of this value, people can openly express their experiences without fear of someone calling crisis intervention or psychiatric hospitalization.     
     
These groups are for adults, 18+.     
People are encouraged to come during times of crisis, as well as during times of strength. We ask that attendees come with an open mind, free of judgement - ready to receive emotional support as well as lend it to others.     

***deawarness

This Zumba class combines Latin and international music and dance to create a dynamic form of movement for people of all fitness levels and age groups. Explore slow and fast rhythms in a fun and welcoming environment.     

Esta clase de Zumba combina música y baile latino y internacional para crear una forma dinámica de movimiento para personas de todos los niveles de físico y grupos de edad. Explorar ritmos lentos y rápidos en un ambiente divertido y cómodo.

Breathwork 4 Recovery is continuing into 2024!

Sessions will occur the 3rd Tuesday of each month from Jan-June 2024.

Here is the registration link: https://form.jotform.com/233387477933167

Please feel free to share with others in your life who may want to attend. It is a great mid-day/mid-week reset!

DETAILS

Dates: Jan 16, Feb 20, Mar 19, Apr 16, May 21, June 18
Time: 12-1pm
Location: Virtually or In Person (1477 Park Street, Suite 102, Hartford, CT)

DESCRIPTION
Breathwork is an evidence based practice that supports recovery, stress mitigation, and holistic healing. During this 60 minute session, we will practice two basic breathwork techniques, and learn how breathwork supports a healthy nervous system.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1) Name at least 1 benefit of breathwork
2) Describe how breathwork supports a healthy nervous system
3) Experience 2 breathwork practices

FACILITATOR
Michaela I. Fissel, M.A., holds a masters in conscious studies and transpersonal psychology, with a concentration in breathwork to support healthy transitions, and brings nearly 2 decades of personal and professional expertise to this training. As a breathwork practitioner, yoga instructor, meditation facilitator, and researcher – she offers an integrative approach that inspires participants to craft of lifestyle of personal wellness.

Reminder: If you would like to attend please contact Jeff at: [email protected]

We will be answering any questions you may have via email up until the meeting starts. Please feel free to distribute the flyer below. Thank you. :)

Alt2Su is looking for dedicated facilitators to join our network.

--Are you a person that experiences suicidal thoughts, urges and/or attempts?
--Have you learned ways to manage and continue living despite these ideations/attempts?
--Are you looking for ways to connect with and support others grasping to find reasons to stay alive?

First and foremost, we are here to affirm you are incredibly strong for making it this far.

If the above speaks to you, and you are ready to step into a role of care within your community, we hope you'll join us at the upcoming Alt2Su Facilitator Training in November. Join our efforts to remove stigma/shame from experiences around su***de, while paving a new way. In Alt2Su groups we make space for a brave, vulnerable, open conversations about what makes us want to die, and keeps us alive.

Curious? Have questions about our approach? Ready to take the training & facilitate? Reach out to Jennifer Tirado at [email protected]

Reminiscing on the beautiful day that was DominGo! MagicSoul Drumline put on an amazing performance for the community and Bryan really closed out the evening with some dynamic Zumba!

Thank you to everyone who played a part in filling the day with laughter, art, and beauty. We're beyond grateful to be a part of this community here in Hartford 💚💜

Calling all Certified Peer Support Specialists to take this survey from the Office of Recovery Community Affairs for the state of Connecticut (DMHAS). You will be contributing to defining their vision and three-year strategic plan! Your honest and direct input is critical to this process, so they have taken all steps necessary to ensure this survey is anonymous.

Your Voice Matters!

See you Sunday! 🛼🏙🚲

🥁MagicSoul Drumline performance @ 12pm🥁
💃Zumba @ 2pm 💃
🎨 Community Art Project & Toivo Tours all day 🪷

Alternatives to Su***de, also known as "Alt2Su" or is a harm reduction approach that originated at The Wildflower Alliance in Holyoke, MA, in 2008.

This approach consists of support groups which value the importance of building community, coupled with respect for an individual's personal autonomy in addressing suicidal thoughts, urges or attempts.

Alternatives to Su***de relies on a community of people with lived experience to hold space for these conversations that are too often shamed and marginalized by the wider culture.

We are looking for facilitators with lived experience to hold weekly Alt2Su groups across the state of Connecticut. If you are interested in attending, reach out to Jennifer Tirado by emailing [email protected].

🍂September is Su***de Awareness Month - we are quite active in advocating, educating, and sharing awareness on alternative approaches to supporting folks with lived experience related to su***de, but we figured this is an opportunity to dive a little deeper.

➡️ Swipe right to debunk 3 common myths when talking about su***de & su***de prevention.

📖 Read the full article here: https://app.constantcontact.com/pages/campaigns/email #/edit/activity/63b968c0-58c2-4292-a212-1273df01f90b

📍View our list of statewide Alt2Su support groups here: https://toivocenter.org/alternatives-to-su***de/

Tomorrow @ 7pm! Join the livestream & catch Toivo Team member, Jennifer Tirado practicing advocacy in action!

Advocacy Unlimited, and the Keep The Promise Coalition, are excited to announce that members of our Peer Run Respite Workgroup will join Senator Saud Anwar on Wednesday, September 13th at 7:00pm, to discuss what harm reduction means in mental health, and the potential of peer run respites to provide compassionate support to people in mental health distress and crisis. The panel will be streamed live on Senator Anwar's page! Find The Senator's Page Here: facebook.com/SenatorSaudAnwar/

Hey y’all!

We love drumming in the park but todays forecast looks iffy. We’re moving the Drum Circle to Toivo - if the weather holds up you can catch us outside in front of the building! Otherwise we’ll be in the studio.

See you this afternoon 👋

The art of combining paint and poetic descriptive words, by using the art of ekphrastic. A hands-on therapeutic art fusion. Learn the power of healing colors and communicating with paint, as well as writing poetry, using your painting and rhythm/music as the muse. Hosted by Enfield’s Poet Laureate Nzima Hutchings. No experience is necessary.

Sound healing with Jodene!

Join us for happy AM sounds of healing vibrations. Nature wakes to the sound of new beginnings, and so will you. Clear your mind, and get ready to fill it relaxation, and positive energy. Jodene will start will a simple guided meditation, followed by a juxtapose of enlightening sounds that will allow you to connect to tranquility and a stimulation of stillness within.

Ayurveda Talks with Sarah E. Carey at Toivo!


Ayurveda, India's indigenous medicine and the sister science to Yoga, is a system designed toward living in rhythmic harmony with the flow of nature. By aligning our habits with the sun, the moon, and the seasons, we properly stoke the digestive fires necessary for nutrient absorption and long-lasting peace.


You can expect this class to cover a variety of topics including digestive fires, daily rhythm, rituals, and vitality. You can also expect a combination of lecture, meditation, and practical tips pertinent to the class discussion.

With Care We Ask That You RSVP! 💫❤️

The art of combining paint and poetic descriptive words, by using the art of ekphrastic. A hands-on therapeutic art fusion. Learn the power of healing colors and communicating with paint, as well as writing poetry, using your painting as the muse. Hosted by Enfield’s Poet Laureate Nzima Hutchings. No experience is necessary.

Nzima Hutchings