For too long, women have been told “be quiet,” “calm down,” and “be appropriate.” For generations, we have stifled our expression to “fit” in and be agreeable. And in many instances, we’ve also done it to keep ourselves safe.

We’re inundated with messaging around the “right” way to be a woman, and truth be told, it’s easy to get lost in all that…to let others’ opinions and beliefs dictate how we show up, even if we don’t know we’re doing it. To give our power away and feel disconnected from our own knowing and what nourishes us, simply by losing track of who we really are and what we truly desire for our lives.

When it comes to giving our power away, TIME’S UP! 

It’s time to uncover your essential expression and your own unique way of moving, speaking, and being you!

There are many types of expression inside you (from big and expansive, to quiet and still), and it is your birthright to nourish and connect fully into the full range of your expression. Your unique expression is an essential part of our future and the consciousness of our planet, and you aren’t meant to hide them.

We are at a pivotal time in history, as we can see this in the #metoo movement, #blacklivesmatter, #timesup, and March for our lives just to name a few.  Now more than ever our world needs your unique expression! (& you need your unique expression too!). This is a totally free event designed to support you in identifying, embracing, nurturing, and unleashing your expression into the world.

“There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and will be lost.”
– Martha Graham

We are incredibly lucky to live in a time and place where we can safely voice our opinions, wants and needs-all while tending to the many layers of our expression. It hasn’t always been that way and for many people in the world, it still isn’t.

That’s why it’s our sacred responsibility to rediscover and continue to expand into our expression (voice, body, heart, mind, spirit, feelings). As we rise and say #METOO and reclaim all parts of ourselves, we inspire others, and while it might seem cheesy, this really can start a ripple-effect that changes the whole world.

Think about it. What if Oprah or Brené Brown or Gloria Steinem (to name a few) didn’t befriend their fears and let them outweigh what they know and feels is true inside? What if they never shared their authentic expression or championed the expression of other? Think how many incredible things exist in the world because of so many women have been brave enough to step into their own authentic expression. Over and over and over.

The truth is, deepening into oneself and expressing energy authentically into the world is a journey that never ends. Even if you are an incredibly empowered and expressed woman, from a place of already being enough, there is always new layers to your self expression waiting to be revealed.

The Expressed Woman is a sacred mini retreat in beautiful Santa Barbara. It is a pathway back home to yourself and your essential expression.

NEW BOX HERE…

Have you ever:

• Worried about what other people think so much that you decided not to act?
• Agreed or gone along with things that don’t feel good because it feels easier than speaking up?
• Been fearful of being seen as a bitch for voicing your thoughts and opinions?
• Experienced an immense amount of shame about your body and your experiences in your body over your lifespan?
• Dismissed your natural need for silence and stillness because you believed that it wasn’t productive or “expressive” enough
• Kept yourself small with addictive behavior–overindulging in food, alcohol, netflix, whatever?
• Deprived yourself of essential nourishment–healthy food, time with loved ones, self-care–because you feel you don’t deserve it?
• Fallen into the trap of people pleasing and deprioritized your own wants and needs?
• Become paralyzed with anxiety as you consider what it means to be a “good” mom, a “good” woman, a “good” daughter, etc?

These are all ways we hide…covering up our true expression!

The truth is: the things we seek (like abundance, loving relationships, a career that feels aligned, and a life where we feel connected to ourselves) have a harder time coming to us if we aren’t tapping into and living from our essential expression.

When we block the flow of our expression it is like kinking a hose, leading you to feel tight, constricted and generally unwell. Everything from your work life to your personal life is impacted when you are cut off from the flow of your expression.

I’m not here to tell you what to do as YOU already have the answers inside. During our time together at the Expressed women you will have the space to be seen, supported and loved as you embrace your creative expression for our world.

It’s time to follow your impulses: say what you need to say and dance like no one’s watching! (I feel a song coming on!)

This event is about taking a stand for you, and redefining from the inside out what expression is for you (and the ever evolving expression of expression).

It’s time to step out of the addiction of apologizing for your essential expression and step into your own power and the way expression uniquely moves through you.

We are experiencing a global awakening and more and more women are stepping into their calling. I want to help you live to your greatest potential and reflect your soul sparkle into this world!

Who This Event is For

This event is for the woman who:

• feels deeply inside she is ready to expand more deeply into her own unique expression, independent of the good or bad opinion of others
• wants to come into her voice even more
• is beginning to find her voice and wants support in expressing it
• radically knows she is meant to share all of who she is
• wants to feel a freedom inside of herself; shifting from squelching to allowing whatever is moving through her
• wants to feel connected to the natural rhythms and cycles rather than feeling like she has to be a robot and on all the time; no more denying the natural fluctuations of her energy, body, mind.
• wants to learn how to put words behind the raw and real expression that is emerging
• craves being in the flow with her own authenticity

What to Expect

Get ready for a day of embodied learning and exploring, as well as restoration and relaxation, AND sisterhood!

As women we are being called to wake up, rise up, and break free from the ways we have hidden who we really are. It’s my absolute passion to guide you towards rediscovering a relationship with your essential self, deeply appreciating your body, and playfully learning to listen to your intuition. I do all of this through a range of modalities: yoga, self care, mentoring, and other tried-and-true practices, all of which bring you into connection with your sacred self.

I’m not into quick fixes or scripted exercise and yoga routines, which in my opinion, are outdated models that limit you from the unique language of your body.
I believe that opening to your body’s natural wisdom is the missing piece of the equation we’ve all been waiting for.

I believe – and have built my work around this belief – that it’s time for a new collaborative, feminine, embodied approach to life. One that allows you to create a way of living and moving that nourishes you, feels pleasurable, and brings you back to a juicy connection to yourself.

I designed The Expressed Woman event because I fully believe that it is time for women to claim their full and unique expression… all while surrounding yourself with other like-minded women who are committed to doing the same. Because while we can do this alone, we weren’t meant to!

Where and when

Saturday, June 2, 2018
9AM – 3:15PM

Location: The Goodland, a fun and hip Santa Barbara boutique hotel

As my commitment to bringing this powerful message to as many women as possible, this event is completely FREE of charge. Advance reservations ARE REQUIRED to reserve your spot as space is capped at a certain number of women!

Also note: The Expressed Woman is a sacred journey from beginning to end-each exercise from morning all the way until the afternoon/ending weaving into the next. With that being said, this event is intended to be participated in from start to finish- giving yourself the gift of being present for the complete day – no rushing, no coming and going, just ease, spaciousness and the opportunity to receive it all! We need time and space like this regularly as a modern women in this fast paced culture-and it is my pleasure to hold that space with you!

“How do I know it’s right for ME, Melanie?”

When opportunities like this show up, I know how easy it can be to back away.

You might be reading this and feeling “YES! YES! YES!” inside, and I imagine you’re human and you may have some of these thoughts, too! Check out what some of my previous and current participants have said.

“I won’t know anyone. Will everyone know each other already?”

“A quality of consciousness that Melanie invites with her unique genius drew together a gathering of amazing, intentional women.” -A.L.

“I don’t know exactly what I’m going to do there and I’m scared it might feel uncomfortable.”

“After attending Melanie’s [previous] event, Occupy Beauty, I knew that I had found my tribe: Melanie was speaking my language.” -G.R.

“I haven’t done yoga in years. I’m not sure I even can.”

“She knows the mechanics of the body and gave me some invaluable tools – minor but mighty, that have helped my practice on the mat tremendously.” -R.S.

“Before working with Melanie, I was really uncomfortable, almost afraid, of being in my body.” K.D.

“I have a hard time opening up with other women. Is this another way to feel left out or inferior?”

“Working with Melanie and gathering with incredible women who continue to inspire, offer friendship and create an undeniable sisterhood -that is love and pure magic.” -L.S.

“What if I discover something new about myself and realize I want to make a big change in my life? Can I handle that?”

“I instantly connected with her warmth and sincerity and felt somehow changed for the better by those shared hours and I was excited about what might happen next.” -M.C.

“Six hours? Can I really take that much time away from all the things I have to get done?”

“There is always so much to get done. That will never change. But taking the time for “me”, above anything or anyone else, not only sustains me, but nourishes me. I’ve learned this intentional time is now required for my health and well-being.” C.D.

Sister, I’ve had all those thoughts every time I was about to step into an experience that I sensed would be life-changing.

Every exercise I guide you through in this event is by invitation only, meaning if you want to share your discoveries throughout the day there will definitely be space for that, and if you don’t you are certainly not required to. I have found in years past that even the most scared to share women feel like they can let out a sigh of relief once they are there in the space because I set a really powerful and safe space for you to be YOU.

The best way to experience The Expressed Woman is by giving yourself the gift of being present for the complete day – no rushing, no coming and going, just ease, spaciousness and the opportunity to receive it all.

If you’re feeling a “YES!” I encourage you to follow it – trusting that you don’t need to know the why or the how.

If not now, then when?

Imagine having a facilitator and an expert team of women who can hold that space with you.

Imagine making new connections, being with women who really see you and get you.

Imagine what could be possible in your world from the moment you leave.

Let’s be honest – if you don’t join us at The Expressed Woman, when will you create another time for yourself for this kind of depth and community?

It’s time to respond to the calling.

Stepping into your full expression is a shift from fear into joy, from isolation into community, and from suppression into freedom.

You have a responsibility. You aren’t meant to diminish your light. You aren’t meant to hide who you are from the world. That isn’t your purpose.

You’re meant to share it.

I look forward to seeing you there!