2022 Global Learning Conference Scottsdale, Arizona – In-Person Optional Extras

The Grieving Project Workshop

Attendance options: In-person and virtual
Included in event registration cost? Yes

We will be kicking off the 2022 Global Learning Conference with a powerful workshop from The Grieving Project. Attendees are invited to join at 1:30 pm MST on Wednesday, August 3.

We will be joined by Lisa Sniderman, also known as Aoede, from The Grieving Project for a hands-on workshop on grieving a chronic illness diagnosis. This creative workshop is focused on grieving our losses, changes, and transformations around our chronic illnesses, intended for those living with chronic illness and disabilities, caregivers, and anyone who would like to explore using arts to move through grief.

Young Adults Meet-Up

Participation options: In-person 
Included in the event registration cost? Yes

On Wednesday, August 3, The Ehlers-Danlos Society staff will be hosting an informal pre-event mixer onsite at the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa. This will take place 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Mountain Standard Time (MST) and is suitable for conference attendees aged 18-35.

Body Meditation Workshop

Attendance options: In-person 
Included in event registration cost? Yes

This workshop is for 30 people on a first-come-first-served basis. 

Dr. James Kustow, a leading London-based Consultant Psychiatrist, and an experienced and dynamic educator will lead an active ‘body meditation’ session for up to 30 active participants in the conference hotel. He will introduce a protocol he has developed and refined over a number of years – The Solo-Soma Wake-up Body Meditation.

Solo-Soma is an efficient 15-20 minute, self-applied, sensory-based protocol. It engages movement, touch (in various forms), and breath. It can be used on a daily basis (ideally in the morning) as part of your self-care routine, to help start the day on a positive footing.

It is the output of an ongoing and iterative process of intuitive self-exploration and experimentation, underpinned by a solid scientific and trauma-informed grounding, and the years of experience James has had working creatively and somatically with patients and clients.

The protocol draws from a variety of existing healing / trauma-processing methods, some older and others are more contemporary. Potent elements of these approaches have been extracted, (in some cases) modified, and integrated into the meditation.

The specific techniques/approaches that underpin Solo-Soma include:

– Vagal nerve stimulation– Yoga (especially Kundalini), and other forms of movement and breath work– Acupressure (Tuina) and Emotional Freedom Techniques (Acupoint tapping)– Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), and other forms of repetitive, bilateral stimulation– Hypnotherapy (and the healing effects of affirmation, gratitude, intention, and awe)– Tension and Trauma Release Exercises (TRE), and other trauma-focused approaches(including the Havening technique)– Energy Medicine and Chakra work (including the therapeutic effects of sound)– Calf pumping and inversion (to stimulate blood supply to the brain)– Cold water approaches

This novel and integrative approach to emotional regulation is a refreshingly new way to tune up the autonomic nervous system and promote wellbeing. Solo-Soma fosters connectedness with one’s own physical body, and in turn, with others.

Zebras Got Talent

Participation options: In-person and virtual
Included in event registration cost? Yes

We are inviting all artists and creators to take part in the “Zebras Got Talent” exhibition, by submitting their original work!

Zebras Got Talent is an hybrid exhibition that will showcase the creativity of those in our community. Those joining us in person will have the opportunity to perform their talent live during the conference, and all entries will be uploaded for attendees to view and vote for their favorite on our event app, Whova.

Submissions could include a talent of your choice such as:

  • Creative Writing (eg. poem, fictional story)
  • Painting
  • Drawing
  • Graphic Design
  • Photography
  • Dance
  • Video Performance
  • Music

Talent submissions close July 22.

Gala Dinner

Participation options: In-person
Included in event registration cost? No

The Gala Dinner will take place on Thursday, August 4, at 7:00 pm Mountain Standard Time (MST), and is suitable for all ages. Your Gala Dinner ticket includes a buffet meal, and live entertainment. Our Zebras Got Talent live performances and annual awards ceremony will take place during the dinner, which will also be viewable for virtual attendees.

Dress Code
Smart-Casual. Black and white or zebra stripes are encouraged, but not mandatory!

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