Ancestors, Body & Belonging
Oakland, CA
Friday, August 21, 2026, 6:30–8:30 p.m.; Saturday, August 22, 2026, 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; and Sunday, August 23, 2026, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Ancestors, Body & Belonging
Reclaiming Connection Through Play, Ritual & Ancestral Wisdom
In a time of uncertainty and overwhelm, how do we remember who we are and what sustains us?
Ancestors, Body & Belonging is an experiential gathering exploring embodiment, ancestral connection, creativity, ritual, storytelling, song, and improvisational play as pathways toward belonging.
Together we'll slow down, reconnect with our inner knowing, deepen our relationship with ancestral support, and experience the healing power of community, joy, and embodied presence.
August 21–23, 2026 | Oakland, CA
Friday Evening – August 21
Open to All Bodies • 6:30–8:30 p.m. • $25
An evening of ancestral healing, astrology, and community song.
Saturday–Sunday – August 22–23
BIPOC Gathering • $95 ($75 with a friend)
Movement, ritual, ancestral practices, storytelling, art-making, reflection, and community connection.
No prior experience with somatics, ancestral healing, ritual, or InterPlay is necessary. Come as you are.
Learn more, view the full schedule, and register: https://ancestorsbodybelonging.netlify.app/
Cost: $25 for Friday evening; $95 for the BIPOC weekend; $75 when registering with a friend
Registration/Information: Register here -->> https://ancestorsbodybelonging.netlify.app/
InterPlayce
Aarti Tejuja (she/her) is a meditation, contemplative art teacher. She is a group facilitator skilled in holding space using the methods of art of hosting, interplay, and peace circles. Aarti is a community organizer, youth mentor and advocate for those impacted by the current justice system.
Aarti graduated from DePaul University with an MS in Technology Project Management. She worked in the IT/Finance Industry for over ten years, including 6 years at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. After completing a one month meditation retreat in 2008 with Shambhala, Aarti left the corporate world and went to work for Shambhala for ten years. During this time, she trained as a mindfulness meditation instructor, interplay instructor, art of hosting facilitator and circle keeper.
Aarti co-created three self-care mindfulness conferences with multiple non-profit organizations working to end violence in Chicago. She developed several mindfulness and team building trainings for non-profits and youth in schools throughout Chicagoland. Aarti serves as a youth mentor and advocate for those who are disadvantaged by the current system. Aarti also has experience training organizations to work with racial, gender and age bias.
Aarti has personally witnessed how the magic of creativity and movement, the power of meditation and the art of holding space has transformed the lives of so many people and hopes to bring the same tools into the workplace.
Aarti lives in Todd, NC with her partner Matt and their 3 kitties.