September at Holds The Moon
Greetings, Beloved Commmunity!
Wishing sweet and easeful fall transitions to everyone this eclipse season, we have some special announcements below and are also making some big internal changes here at Holds the Moon, stay tuned for more <3
SPECIAL EVENTS:
AQUATIC CONTACT DANCE with Juliana Mendonca
Saturday, September 5, 2026
5:30–8:00 PM
Oakland, California
A guided Aquatic Intelligence experience exploring contact, listening, weight-sharing, and improvised movement in warm water.
Inspired by Contact Improvisation and aquatic movement, we’ll explore breath, floating, touch, support, momentum, and spontaneous connection — moving alone, together, in water, with water, and as water.
Reserve your spot:
The LIQUIFY Series with João Paulo Pereira
What is Liquify?
In this 3-workshop series you will embody an amalgam of formless art and movement practices. Brewing together different water modalities, somatics, and play, at Liquify authentic movement meets breathwork while weightless contact improv meets deep meditation. Whether you join the full series or take them à la carte, get ready to embark on a whimsical experience of physical receptivity as you float and dive in a body temperature womb-like aquatic space. Each workshop has a 6-7pm integration meal provided in our integration on land.
LIQUID BODY
Sept 12th, 2026 ~ 2-7pm
Drop into your senses to connect with the water element within and around you with reverence and depth, to enjoy weightless and effortless aquatic movement with others and/or solo.
AMPHIBIANS
Sept 19th, 2026 ~ 2-7pm
A guided somatic metamorphosis exploring movement on land and in water. You will welcome texture and grace in your aquatic dance, and bring to land deeper connection to your water body.
REBOZO JOURNEY
Sept 26th, 2026 ~ 2-7pm
Enter a somatic womb-like space just as you are. At times tender, at times playful, this water-birth ritual is inspired by the eclectic and sacred usage of cloth by the indigenous women of Mexico and beyond.
SEPTEMBER EVENTS:
water babies: a monthly queer circle
Every 1st Thursday
SEPTEMBER 3 · 7-10 PM
Facilitated by Tanner Montierth
$55-$22 sliding scale (NOTAFLOF)
To pay $44, use code WATER44
To pay $33, use code WATER33
To pay $22, use code WATER22
intermediate-advanced aquatic dance lab series
Every 1st Monday
SEPTEMBER 7 · 6-9 PM
This experimental lab space welcomes aquatic dancers with existing experience to focus on specific research themes in warm water contact improv with guidance from experienced aquatic dancers and facilitators. Each session will be guided by rotating facilitators from Holds the Moon and visiting guest teachers.
6: Arrival/Opening
6:30: Lab
8:30: Closing/Departure
$70-$30 sliding scale (NOTAFLOF)
To pay $50, use code WATER50
To pay $30, use code WATER30
weekly sitting meditation (dry-land)
EVERY TUESDAY · 6-7:30 PM in the Zendo*
Sitting meditation with James in the Pacific Zen Institute style: some simple instruction, a koan for the group, some silent meditation, and then some conversation and the four vows. We will be gathering in person and virtually joining David Weinsteins’s weekly zoom Koan meditation group. (www.pacificzen.org)
*free/dana based by donation
Intro to Aquatic Peer-to-Peer Bodywork Class (Triad Round)
EVERY SATURDAY · 10 AM-1 PM
Together, the group (up to 6) will explore aquatic somatic connection variously, including: solo, in triads, pairs, and the whole group, supporting and holding each other in bodywork mode--and also interacting in contact improv dance mode. Blissful to receive, delightful to give, and always amazing to connect, transform, and integrate in the moment. This is a non-professional, peer-to-peer practice of connection w/friends & family based on James's original training in the Watsu Round and blending elements of Healing Dance and Aguahara.
$40 (NOTAFLOF)
age 55+ Intro to Aquatic Peer-to-Peer Bodywork Class (Triad Round)
EVERY TUESDAY · 10AM-1PM
Together, the group (up to 6) will explore aquatic somatic connection variously, including: solo, in triads, pairs, and the whole group, supporting and holding each other in bodywork mode--and also interacting in contact improv dance mode. Blissful to receive, delightful to give, and always amazing to connect, transform, and integrate in the moment. This is a non-professional, peer-to-peer practice of connection w/friends & family based on James's original training in the Watsu Round and blending elements of Healing Dance and Aguahara.
$40 (NOTAFLOF)
the water knows us: a monthly QTBIPOC/PGM circle
SEPTEMBER 10· 7:30-10 PM
Facilitated by Seh-reum Tom
$55-$22 sliding scale (NOTAFLOF)
To pay $44, use code WATER44
To pay $33, use code WATER33
To pay $22, use code WATER22
beginner aquatic dance series
Every 3rd Monday
SEPTEMBER 21 · 6-9 PM
This space welcomes those new to aquatic dance to learn the basics of warm water contact improv and begin to develop familiarity and attunement in the water with guidance from experienced aquatic dancers and facilitators. Each session will be guided by rotating facilitators from Holds the Moon and visiting guest teachers.
6pm: Arrival/Opening
6:30pm: Class
7:30pm: Jam
8:30pm: Closing/Departure
$70-$30 sliding scale (NOTAFLOF)
To pay $50, use code WATER50
To pay $30, use code WATER30
clarity, consent & curiosity: aquatic container culture & care pt. 2
SEPTEMBER 13 · 2-5 PM
*while this is a workshop offered as a requirement for new facilitators & practitioners before sharing their practice here in the temple, it is also open to any participants who are interested in embodied consent practices within aquatic work
please take part 1 before taking part 2
(This workshop is influenced and inspired by the Wheel of Consent® as developed by Dr. Betty Martin. We have trained with the School of Consent and have permission to share these practices, but are not yet certified facilitators. For more information visit www.schoolofconsent.org.)
Facilitated by Seh-reum Tom
$111-$55 sliding scale (NOTAFLOF)
To pay $99, use code WATER99
To pay $77, use code WATER77
To pay $55, use code WATER55
pouring in: a birthworkers aquatic circle
Every 3rd Wednesday
SEPTEMBER 16 · 6-9 PM
this is a space open to non-aquatic birthwork practitioners (doulas, midwives, nurses, etc) to be held in the water in a circle of peer support, facilitated by a group of rotating aquatic dance and bodywork practitioners and facilitators who have backgrounds in birthwork
~a space to fill your own cup~
$40 (NOTAFLOF)
a space to grieve: monthly BIPOC/PGM circle
SEPTEMBER 24 · 7-10 PM
$55-$22 sliding scale (NOTAFLOF)
To pay $44, use code WATER44
To pay $33, use code WATER33
To pay $22, use code WATER22
*we have two gifted spots available per circle reserved for Black, Indigenous & SWANA (centering Palestinian, Lebanese, Sudanese & Iranian) kin, worktrade options also available, please email universaltideshifter@gmail.com at least a day ahead of time
Facilitated by Seh-reum Tom & Sabah Brinson
*please only book if you identify as Black, Indigenous, a Person of Color/Person of the Global Majority
clarity, consent & curiosity: aquatic container culture & care pt. 1
OCTOBER 27 · 2-5 PM
*while this is a workshop offered as a requirement for new facilitators & practitioners before sharing their practice here in the temple, it is also open to any participants who are interested in embodied consent practices within aquatic work
please take part 1 before taking part 2
(This workshop is influenced and inspired by the Wheel of Consent® as developed by Dr. Betty Martin. We have trained with the School of Consent and have permission to share these practices, but are not yet certified facilitators. For more information visit www.schoolofconsent.org.)
Facilitated by Seh-reum Tom
$111-$55 sliding scale (NOTAFLOF)
To pay $99, use code WATER99
To pay $77, use code WATER77
To pay $55, use code WATER55
This November with Ways of Water:
Intro to Aquatic Therapy in Oakland, California
Dive into the art of bodywork in water
Experience the transformative power of water in this 2.5-day intensive, where you will learn the fundamental principles of Ways of Water, an approach that integrates multiple aquatic therapy modalities to provide a solid and versatile foundation.
Through a combination of theory and hands-on practice in the pool, we will explore:
Body mechanics and fluid movement in water
Submersion techniques and smooth transitions.
The physical principles that make water a unique space for healing and well-being
By the end of this course, you will have the tools to submerge and flow with another body in the water, sharing this experience safely and with confidence. This introductory course provides a strong foundation that you can expand and adapt to your personal style.
Ideal for bodyworkers, wellness practitioners, and anyone interested in exploring the therapeutic potential of water.
Join us in this immersion and discover a new way to connect and heal through water!
Nov 13 - 15 , 2026
Fri, Nov 13th: 5–8pm | Sat 14th & Sun 15th 10am–6pm
$490
Holds the Moon, Quan Yin Temple
No experience needed.
Limited spots – reply to reserve yours!
Register: https://rb.gy/vcges
Deeper Waters
This course delves deeper into the wisdom and potential of aquatic therapy. Building upon a solid foundation, participants will gain the freedom to explore various planes of movement, enhance their sensitivity to fascial dynamics in water, and improve their ability to flow seamlessly during immersions.
Course Highlights:
Profound Techniques: Learn sophisticated methods to engage with the body’s fascial system, optimizing therapeutic outcomes in the aquatic environment.• Intuitive Immersions: Develop a heightened awareness of the body’s internal responses, allowing for more intuitive immersions.•
Introduction to Rebozo: Experiment the potencial of Rebozo (cloth ) in the water, adding a membrane like experience, a hanging your treatment
Dates: November 16- 17, 2026
11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Location: Holds the Moon Quan Yin Temple, Oakland, California
Contribution: $420
Register:
https://forms.gle/fJD7B2E4XKSMK2Rs6
*Limited space
Sessions
For 1:1, 2:2, or 2:1 aquatic bodywork sessions, you may book with Kawai (James) and Seh-reum here on Acuity
If you are interested in receiving discounted sessions from student practitioners, or if you yourself are a new practitioner interested in joining our practice groups, or for general inquiries, please fill out our google form here.
with love,
Seh-reum & Kawai (James) at Holds the Moon
