New Shamanic Students Welcomed!

Shamanic Studies include 2 full weekends per year, occurring in October and June, plus a one day-outing during the winter when all levels meet and work together.   It is a very empowering, rewarding, grounding and stabilizing source of personal growth that is rejuvenating, invigorating and expansive as understanding develops.
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 If you are interested in learning more about progressive Shamanic studies please contact 
Dr. Laurel Ballard, Shamanka at
(250) 635-9577 ,  email elfin5@yahoo.com or fill out the contact form below.

Shamans work with spirit and soul. They gain knowledge and insight from working with the spirits of nature such as rocks and trees, the land, and gain knowledge from working with spirits of animals, humans (such as their ancestors), and others. For the shaman, everything is alive and carries information.

​To communicate with the spirit or consciousness of these things, the shaman will shift his or her own state of awareness. We can do this through various means, such as meditation, or repetitive sounds such as that of the drum or rattle.

​What Is Shamanism?
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Shamanism is a way of life founded in ancient healing tradition that allows us to connect with nature and all of creation. This tradition is concerned with the natural flow of life, with harmony, and with showing respect to our fellow creatures, to one another, and to all life everywhere. 
Ultimately, it is about trying to reach our full potential, providing healing, and working in stewardship of the Earth.

Shamanic practice and techniques help us reconnect to ourselves, each other, the Earth and to the great mystery that we are all a part of.  Daily spiritual practice allows for continued and exponential growth and development on all levels. We seek relationships with the spirit in all things, creating internal and external harmony with all creation. 
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Shamanism is in part a study of our environment, which is a big reflection of who we are. All the information we need is around us; we only need to know how to look and listen for it. Shamanic experiences are part of everyday life.  The cycles of birth, death and re-birth are an intrinsic part of our reality. 

Shamanic Studies are about creating a balance in our lives, and living in harmonious relationship with natural and cosmic forces.  This is what our ancestors did and what some people in traditional societies still do today.  We do ceremonies for healing and to honor the spirits of nature and to help promote harmony and balance.
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It is not about having powers, but it is about the power to be ourselves, to live the way we would like to live and to feel connected to something greater than ourselves.