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Shadow Tender Mask-making and Un-making Online Class


ABOUT THE CLASS

The past two years have confronted us with Shadow - both personal and collective - on an unprecedented scale. We have donned and shed masks over and over again amid conflict and profound uncertainty. We have been faced with things we could have never imagined, and faced them back with aspects of self we never knew were there. 


 Our workshops are a lovingly constructed container to
guide you as you build your own Shadow mask

They are a structure within which you can make and un-make
the courageous face with which you confront the world. 

They are space to encounter Shadow and step into relationship
with the wisdom, resilience, and joy contained within.

Unlike a traditional therapeutic or coaching environment, which encourages verbal exchange, the focus of Shadow Tender workshops is on creative, embodied, and symbolic self-expression and discovery. This approach is informed by over a decade of experience in teaching visual arts, physical movement, and performing art techniques. 

Workshops are designed as immersive multi-sensory experience that can accommodate a variety of schedules and learning styles. All levels of makers, movers, and monsters are welcome. 

“Shadow Tender was a game changer for me in how I approached shadow work on my healing journey. By engaging me intellectually, somatically, creatively, and emotionally - no aspect of self was neglected in what had been an historically painful process of “processing”. Natalya is a gifted artist, mystic, thinker, and community leader. This delicate work is in compassionate, master-level hands with the Shadow Tender Team. Post workshop, I had a dramatically more accurate view of myself, and a tenderness and love for my hidden aspects that is priceless. This workshop was a tipping point on my path.”

- Lindsey Bruno

THIS WORKSHOP IS FOR YOU IF YOU ARE…

  • Grieving, tired, and frustrated by the past 2 years, and ready to explore that in an intentional container 

  • Curious to discover your Shadow’s face and dive deeper into the Shadow archetype

  • Craving process and integrate emotions that may be difficult to put into words

  • Ready to begin or deepen a hands-on crafting practice 

  • Wanting to learn more about mask-making and create your own Shadow mask 

  • Eager for embodied, tactile tools to transmute fear and creative blocks

WHAT YOU WILL GET
OUT OF THIS COURSE

  • A multidimensional understanding of the Shadow archetype on individual and collective levels

  • Hands-on tools and exercises for nervous system resilience, integration, and creative expression

  • Personalized instruction and support for crafting your own Shadow mask

  • Structured exploration of your Shadow mask character from a variety of angles

  • A facilitated space to ask questions, dialogue, integrate and create in community with others

COURSE STRUCTURE & DATES

+ 2-hr lectures held on Sunday afternoons via video call, 12-2pm MT (four lectures total)

+ 1-hr optional study hall hours held on Thursday evening via video call, 6-7pm MT (three study halls total) 

*Study hall hours are optional meeting times when I will be online and available to give additional support, answer questions, or simply provide a space and accountability to craft in community with each other.

WEEK 1 // DRAWING THE CIRCLE

WEEK 2 // CROSSING THE THRESHOLD

WEEK 3 // MAKING THE MASK

WEEK 4 // ENCOUNTERING THE OTHER

WEEK 5 // DISCOVERING THE DANCE

WEEK 6 // CARNIVAL & CELEBRATION  

All students will receive: 

  • Guidance and support in creating a unique Shadow mask

  • Homework assignments

  • Embodied exercises and movement scores 

  • Games and small rituals to facilitate integration and grounding

  • Deep questions to prompt curiosity & compassion for personal journaling and reflection

  • Resources for further reading, tools, and other bonus material to inspire generative confrontation with the Shadow (short films, music playlists, etc.)

Please note: The curriculum is designed to accommodate a variety of learning styles and schedules. Working with the archetype of the Shadow is a deeply rewarding process the rhythm of which is unique to each individual - the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it. Outside of class time, this workshop requires a commitment of 1-2 hours per week. I would strongly recommend a minimum total weekly time commitment of 3-4 hours to receive the full benefits of this work.

The primary language in this workshop will be English - support in Russian is also available.
Questions? Please check out our FAQ page or write to me directly.

“I can’t believe this Shadow Tender workshop exists in the world. It’s like alchemy, healing, performance all rolled up into one. During this workshop, I relearned that healing takes place on levels we don’t even realize. Maybe it takes place when we can take off just one mask, for a little while, and put on another one. Thanks to Natalya, I regained a sense of wonder - and realized that the greatest secret is to have one, and not know what it is.”

- Mazarine Treyz

Next
October 29

Kolyada Slavic Mask-Making Family Workshop for Adults