This is the first level of my shamanism classes, and is mainly, though not exclusively, focused on your inner spiritual practice. Class gatherings deepen students’ practice by exploring shamanic traditions and teachings, and offering experiential practices to develop connection with the spirit realm and the natural world.
Taking this class doesn’t mean you have to become a shamanic practitioner. This is an opportunity to develop your personal shamanic and/or spiritual practice. Anyone who wishes to work as a shamanic practitioner (or any healer) needs to have a well-developed inner practice focused on their own healing and spiritual growth. I offer this class series to help students develop a solid spiritual foundation for building a successful healing practice in any modality.
This class is a prerequisite for taking my Level 2 class, which focuses on building an outer healing practice.
Class Topics
Reindeer Shamanism. Teachings from my specific lineage of Reindeer Shamanism are the building blocks of our class and will be woven throughout our time together. You’ll learn the basics of shamanism, how to work in the spirit realm within our sacred places, meet our ancestors, and explore the unique practices that make up this lineage.
Developing Your Practice: Making Sacred Time Sacred. The first component of a spiritual practice is making time for your work regularly. I will ask students to set time aside weekly (at a minimum) for their work. We will explore what a deep spiritual practice (shamanic or otherwise) could look like and how we can incorporate shamanic energy into our daily lives.
Connection with Spirit. Shamanism is about working with spirits in both the physical and spiritual realms. Deepening your connection to guides, gods, or ancestors is a critical part of learning a shamanic practice, and we will learn and practice techniques to bring us closer to the spirits. It is also a critical part of realizing our interconnections with all of life and seeing beyond the illusion of separation.
Nature Immersion. This might be the most fundamental shamanic practice I can guide you to, and I believe it is one of the easiest. We will spend much time outdoors—both in group and solitary work—exploring and immersing ourselves in the natural world. All our shamanic lessons are there if we look and listen well. As part of this work, we will explore plant and animal spirit medicine and their potential to enhance our spiritual practices.
Intensive Journey and Drumming Work. A deeper dive into the work of our shamanic community. You’ll learn how to journey in various conditions and how to do specific work, including healing people and places, in the spirit realm.
Reiki Attunement and Work. Reiki is an integral part of Reindeer Shamanism, and being attuned by me brings you closer to our lineage. A Reiki attunement is part of the class because learning how to channel, heal, and meditate with Reiki is a powerful way to deepen your shamanic practice and connection to spirit.
Yin and Yang: Working With the Divine Feminine and Masculine. The most fundamental need in human spiritual development is to unite our opposing energies – light and dark, male and female, inner and outer, and so on. Shamanism, at its core, is about this work. We’ll explore our connection with the divine feminine and masculine, both through shamanic and Taoist practices, a descendant of Asian shamanism.
Ceremony Creation. Ceremony is the art of shamanism. We’ll explore its components, practice them alone and together, and learn and practice what is needed to lead ceremonies for others.
Divination Work. Divination was important to ancient shamanic practices. Shamans helped their communities predict the weather, locate animals for hunting and plants for medicine, and understand the root cause of illnesses. We’ll explore traditional shamanic divination techniques and more modern practices (yes, including tarot!).
The next Level 1 Classes will be offered in the spring of 2026. Contact me to be added to the prospective student list for 2026 (no commitment required).
Header image by Andy Chilton on Unsplash