The District House is a benefit of District216. Come by for a portion or all of the evening, meet amazing members + guests, and interact with speakers on a variety of topics.
Workshop: “Interactive Relational Workshop: Sacred Play"
When: Wednesday, February 15, 2025 from 6pm to 10pm (Workshop at 6:15pm)
Where: LoDo Studios, 216 E. Gutierrez Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(Please only park across the street on the Office Max side of the lot.)
Early Bird Tickets: $30 (through Feb 14th)
Day of Tickets: $40 (on Feb 15th only)
Note: We will not be filming this event. Refreshments provided.
What to Bring:
We will be sitting on a wooden floor. So please bring items to make yourself comfortable, mats, back-jacks, zafus, blankets, teddy bears, pjs. Please eat a meal before you arrive, and bring a snack for break time.
Facilitator: Eric Adler, Ecologist, Soil Scientist & Certified Educator of Holistic Management
FACILITATOR BIO
Facilitator: Eric Adler, Ecologist, Soil Scientist & Certified Educator of Holistic Management
About the Evening:
An interactive, relational workshop that blends narratives about ecology, human wellness, the intelligence of sacred plants as well as movement with Qigong & Tai Chi. We will close with a cacao sharing circle. The event will be 3 hours long and 1 hour at the end for free social time.
Mother Nature's natural processes for keeping life alive are nothing short of magical. And, as earthings, we are part of it as well. And, so what happens in us is also magical.
In this workshop, Eric will tell stories of how ecology functions, and then we will form breakout groups to integrate the stories. The groups will return and share their discoveries through spoken word, art, dance or in whichever ways come to them. We will incorporate movement in our time together with neo-shamanic practice of Qi Gong & Tai Chi. And discuss why it is neo-shamanic.
What to Bring:
We will be sitting on a wooden floor. So please bring items to make yourself comfortable, mats, back-jacks, zafus, blankets, teddy bears, pjs. Please eat a meal before you arrive, and bring a snack for break time.
Timing:
6:00 pm - Arrival
6:15pm - Begin
8:30pm - Cacao
9:00-10:00pm - Departure
Facilitator: Eric Adler, Ecologist, Soil Scientist & Certified Educator of Holistic Management
The intricate workings of Mother Nature intoxicates me. This passion drove me, in my mid-twenties, to earn a Master’s Degree in Agricultural Science with a focus on rangeland ecology at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. While pursuing my degree, I recognized how deeply agribusiness shaped the curriculum. Chemical and mechanized agriculture took center stage, while sustainable farming practices were dismissed as impractical. This realization fueled my determination to explore regenerative agriculture. To deepen my knowledge, I earned a credential from the Center for Holistic Management, where I studied how to plan and implement sustainable agricultural practices.
Despite my professional achievements, I battled significant inner struggles. Consumed by stress and trapped by limiting beliefs, I shifted to a career in IT to support my wife and two children. While my company achieved financial success, I felt deeply unfulfilled and miserable.
In 2015, I hit rock bottom. I was in the midst of contentious divoirce, and I spiraled into depression, anger, and blame. Traditional counseling provided little relief. One evening after yoga, a friend invited me to an ayahuasca ceremony. Having grown up with parents who endured severe childhood abuse, I carried the weight of neglect and trauma into my own parenting. Sadly, my children and former wife experienced the consequences of my cycles of anger, depression, and rage.
By the grace of divine intervention, I found healing through plant medicine. I began attending ceremonies regularly, pairing these experiences with various therapeutic modalities. In the plant medicine community, there is saying, “The journey begins the moment you say yes to medicine, and the real work happens between ceremonies.” Over the years, I have participated in more than 100 ceremonies, and this practice continues to guide my growth and healing.
In 2020, I sold my IT company to return to my roots in ecology. I immersed myself in a rigorous program focused on soil regeneration and plant nutrition, with a particular emphasis on soil microbiology. I discovered the essential role microorganisms play in regenerating soil. These tiny yet powerful beings sustain life, and their decline has profound consequences for ecosystems. Recent research also underscores their importance in human health—both physically and spiritually.
As I delved deeper into these connections, I discovered The Healing Promise of Qi by Roger Jahnke. His exploration of Qi and its healing properties resonated with my ecological insights. This inspired my journey into Qi Gong, leading to a meaningful friendship with Roger. Encouraged by him, I trained at his institute and now serve as a Qi Gong and Tai Chi practice leader.
Today, I channel my experiences into helping others. Through my coaching practice, I support individuals as they face life’s challenges. Guiding others through their journeys of growth and healing is both an honor and a deeply cathartic part of my own path.
