Rise Up Into Leadership

This program is designed to open, activate and empower your ceremonial leadership skills.

You will gain knowledge and experience in space holding for transformational experiences and ceremonies, opportunities to step into leadership positions guiding healing circles, practise and guidance with ceremonial singing and channeling, and the application of ceremonial energy healing and service.

This is an online program including live private sessions via Zoom + Replays

Ceremonial Leadership Program

Student Portal

Live Zoom Sessions Access HERE

Manual Login if link is not working > Meeting ID: 947 639 1851 Passcode: 4BV0ZC

Please Bring:

  • ⁠A journal and pen

  • A drink to stay hydrated

  • ⁠Light a candle to set your sacred space desired

  • Energetic smudge or clearing tools as desired

  • ⁠Questions and journal prompts from the weeks focus.

Lesson 1: The Art of Holding Space

Watch: Masaru Emoto - Water Experiments

These experiments offer a simple yet powerful introduction to how thoughts, words, and intention interact with the world around us. They serve as a foundational lens for understanding conscious co-creation, manifestation, and the responsibility we carry as facilitators holding energetic space.

Journal Prompt: How does the information in this video shift the way you think about the power of your thoughts, words, and intentions; especially in the context of holding space for others?

What is a Safe Ceremonial Space

A safe space is not something we declare, it is something we create and uphold through presence, intention, and care. Reflect on the following four realms as you explore what safety means to you as both a participant and a facilitator.

1. Physical Safety

What helps the body relax?

  • Lighting (soft, natural, or dim)

  • Sound and music volume

  • Temperature and airflow

  • Comfortable seating, cushions, blankets

  • Visual simplicity, beauty, and cleanliness

  • Layout that feels accessible and grounding

2. Emotional Safety

What helps the heart feel welcome?

  • Voluntary sharing without pressure

  • Permission for all emotions (tears, joy, silence)

  • Non-judgment and confidentiality

  • Clear consent and choice at all times

  • Feeling seen, respected, and valued

Music, Playlists & Songbook Resources

Medicine Music Songbooks

  • Surya Light’s Medicine Music Songbook HERE

  • Sacred Valley Tribe Medicine Music Songbooks HERE

  • Sound of Light Circle Songbook HERE

Medicine Music & Ceremonial Playlists

Search Playlists to find songs or full playlists for ceremonial facilitation:

Specifically Recommended Playlists:

3. Mental Safety

What helps the mind feel at ease?

  • Clear orientation and expectations

  • Preparation or communication before the ceremony

  • Transparency about what will happen

  • Simple logistics and structure

  • Knowing who is holding the container

4. Spiritual Safety

What helps the soul feel respected?

  • Inclusivity of beliefs, identities, and lived experiences

  • Respect for personal sovereignty

  • Clear intentions and boundaries of the container

  • No pressure to agree, perform, or conform

Journal Prompts

  • What does a safe space mean to you?

  • Which realm of safety comes most naturally to you?

  • Which realm feels most important for you to strengthen as a ceremonial leader?

What Does It Mean to Hold Space?

Holding space is the practice of being fully present, grounded, and available without trying to fix, change, or direct someone else’s experience.

It means:

  • Listening deeply without interruption

  • Remaining regulated in your own body

  • Allowing what is arising without judgment

  • Responding only when invited, and often asking first if reflection or feedback is welcome

When holding space, your nervous system becomes part of the container. Slow, steady breathing, grounded posture, and embodied presence help co-regulate the space, especially when emotions are present.

Often, holding space is less about what you say, and more about how you are.

Journal Prompts

  • What does holding space feel like in your body?

  • What supports you in staying present when someone else is sharing something vulnerable or emotionally charged?

What Is a Grounding Meditation?

A grounding meditation is a short practice that helps participants arrive fully into their bodies, the space, and the present moment.

Its purpose is to:

  • Regulate the nervous system

  • Bring awareness out of the mind and into the body

  • Support emotional, mental, and energetic presence

  • Help participants connect with their inner and outer resources

Grounding meditations gently orient people to:

  • The body

  • The breath

  • The Earth

  • Their heart

  • Their higher wisdom or intuition

They can be as brief as 2–3 minutes or extended to 10–15 minutes, depending on the intention of the space.

Distractions may arise, especially in outdoor or shared environments. Rather than resisting them, grounding practice teaches awareness and presence with what is.

Grounding meditations commonly work with the root chakra, as bringing attention to the lower body helps draw awareness out of the mind and into somatic experience. This supports embodiment, which is essential for healing and ceremonial work.

Ground · Center · Align

This is a simple framework you will hear throughout this program:

Ground
Bring awareness to the lower body and points of contact with the floor, mat, or Earth. Sense or visualize roots extending down into the Earth, anchoring and stabilizing your energy.

Center
Bring awareness to the heart space. Notice the breath moving in and out of the chest. Sense yourself fully here, present, and embodied.

Align
Bring awareness to the crown. Imagine opening upward, connecting to higher wisdom, intuition, or source energy. Allow this connection to feel natural and spacious.

This sequence helps participants arrive as clear, resourced, and embodied channels for the work ahead.

Grounding meditations may include:

  • Gentle breath awareness

  • Audible sighs, humming, or soft toning

  • Light touch or body awareness

  • Visualization (roots, light, tree imagery)

  • Silence, or soft music

Simplicity is key.

Lesson Assignment

Before our next live Zoom call:

  • Create a grounding meditation of your own to guide me through in our next live call.

    • This may be practiced before our session, or you may improvise in the moment.

    • This is a practice space, perfection is not expected. Trust yourself and be open to receiving feedback.

    • The meditation should be 3–10 minutes in length.

    • Music is optional. Keep it simple and intuitive.

Together We Rise!

Chelsea Lynx, Apprenticeship Alumni Student

“I am so honoured and grateful to have worked with Surya, she is such an incredible teacher who is so loving, compassionate and playful but she isn’t afraid to push my edges, challenge me, and call me out of my comfort zone. I was given 1-1 mentorship, feedback and support while stepping into service, holding compassionate space for other on their journey and offering my gifts in a ceremonial container. This was a deeply humbling experience that challenged and pushed my edges in many ways. I learned so many medicine songs along the way, and my journey of awakening and healing continues. There were many things I learned from Surya, but the greatest teaching is showing up with humility, authenticity and respect, walking with love always, even through the deepest challenges, and bringing a playful attitude. I am so grateful for all that I learned, received and all the ways that I served in this experience and I’m looking forward to continuing to deepen in my ceremonial skills and gifts. Thank you Surya, you are an incredible teacher, thank you for bringing so much love, compassion, grace, playfulness and mastery to all you do, I am so grateful for you.”