Rooted in Memory is a four-week creative wellness series exploring the relationship between herbalism, cultural memory, storytelling, and community care. Grounded in African Diasporic traditions and healing-centered practice, the series invites participants to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and discover how plants have long served as sources of nourishment, resilience, and collective wisdom.

Through herbal education, guided reflection, tea rituals, creative writing, and community dialogue, participants will cultivate practical wellness tools while deepening their connection to culture, history, and one another.

No previous herbal knowledge is required.

Week 1 | Returning to the Garden

• Welcome and grounding exercise

• Intro to herbalism and African Diasporic traditions

• Exploring the ritual of herbal tea

• Guided journal and reflection

Week 2 | Herbs for Everyday Wellness

• Herbs for rest, stress support, and nourishment

• Tea blending Activity

• Sensory observation

• Reflective writing

Week 3 | Lineage, Storytelling & Healing

• Family traditions and herbal knowledge

• Story circle

• Memory writing

• Creating intentional rituals of care

Week 4 | Cultivating Your Practice

• Designing a personal wellness ritual

• Community tea gathering

• Closing reflection

• Celebration and resource sharing

About the facilitator:  Ashlin Randolph is an Oakland-based arts educator and facilitator passionate about creating spaces where people can explore identity, creativity, and self-expression. Her interdisciplinary practice brings together visual art, storytelling, culture, and community, and she has experience developing programs for schools, museums, and community organizations throughout the Bay Area. She loves creating welcoming, imaginative spaces where participants can experiment, connect, reflect, and find their own creative voice.

This beginner-friendly yoga workshop series is suitable for newcomers and more seasoned yogis alike. This 4-class series will workshop basic poses in detail, while also leaving time to flow. Join us if you'd like to learn how to use props and modifications to help bring out your strongest and most aligned expression of yoga. Questions are highly encouraged in this class!

Week 1: Yoga Basics

Week 2: Warrior Poses

Week 3: Vinyasa Flow (and gentle alternatives)

Week 4: Spinal Movement

About the instructor: Shana Melnysyn draws upon her training as a somatic guide and cultural anthropologist to create accessible and joyful yoga classes where students feel welcome and at ease. She has been practicing yoga for over 15 years, and loves to share its life-changing benefits with others. Her goal is to help people slow down and connect with the wisdom of their bodies, cultivating the tools to move more mindfully throughout their daily lives.

Reiki is a Japanese energy-healing practice that uses light, hands-on touch to channel "universal life energy" to promote relaxation and well-being. This vital spiritual energy activates the body's natural healing processes, detoxifying it of physical and emotional blockages while bringing deep relaxation and calm. It is believed to balance the body's energy centers (chakras) and can be used alongside conventional medical treatments. Potential benefits include reduced stress, anxiety, and pain, improved sleep, and greater mental clarity. The term comes from two Japanese words, "Rei," meaning "universal," and "Ki," or "life force energy." Reiki loosely translates as "universal life-force energy."

Reiki is a Japanese energy-healing practice that uses light, hands-on touch to channel "universal life energy" to promote relaxation and well-being. This vital spiritual energy activates the body's natural healing processes, detoxifying it of physical and emotional blockages while bringing deep relaxation and calm. It is believed to balance the body's energy centers (chakras) and can be used alongside conventional medical treatments. Potential benefits include reduced stress, anxiety, and pain, improved sleep, and greater mental clarity. The term comes from two Japanese words, "Rei," meaning "universal," and "Ki," or "life force energy." Reiki loosely translates as "universal life-force energy."

Rooted in Memory is a four-week creative wellness series exploring the relationship between herbalism, cultural memory, storytelling, and community care. Grounded in African Diasporic traditions and healing-centered practice, the series invites participants to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and discover how plants have long served as sources of nourishment, resilience, and collective wisdom.

Through herbal education, guided reflection, tea rituals, creative writing, and community dialogue, participants will cultivate practical wellness tools while deepening their connection to culture, history, and one another.

No previous herbal knowledge is required.

Week 1 | Returning to the Garden

• Welcome and grounding exercise

• Intro to herbalism and African Diasporic traditions

• Exploring the ritual of herbal tea

• Guided journal and reflection

Week 2 | Herbs for Everyday Wellness

• Herbs for rest, stress support, and nourishment

• Tea blending Activity

• Sensory observation

• Reflective writing

Week 3 | Lineage, Storytelling & Healing

• Family traditions and herbal knowledge

• Story circle

• Memory writing

• Creating intentional rituals of care

Week 4 | Cultivating Your Practice

• Designing a personal wellness ritual

• Community tea gathering

• Closing reflection

• Celebration and resource sharing

About the facilitator:  Ashlin Randolph is an Oakland-based arts educator and facilitator passionate about creating spaces where people can explore identity, creativity, and self-expression. Her interdisciplinary practice brings together visual art, storytelling, culture, and community, and she has experience developing programs for schools, museums, and community organizations throughout the Bay Area. She loves creating welcoming, imaginative spaces where participants can experiment, connect, reflect, and find their own creative voice.

This beginner-friendly yoga workshop series is suitable for newcomers and more seasoned yogis alike. This 4-class series will workshop basic poses in detail, while also leaving time to flow. Join us if you'd like to learn how to use props and modifications to help bring out your strongest and most aligned expression of yoga. Questions are highly encouraged in this class!

Week 1: Yoga Basics

Week 2: Warrior Poses

Week 3: Vinyasa Flow (and gentle alternatives)

Week 4: Spinal Movement

About the instructor: Shana Melnysyn draws upon her training as a somatic guide and cultural anthropologist to create accessible and joyful yoga classes where students feel welcome and at ease. She has been practicing yoga for over 15 years, and loves to share its life-changing benefits with others. Her goal is to help people slow down and connect with the wisdom of their bodies, cultivating the tools to move more mindfully throughout their daily lives.

Reiki is a Japanese energy-healing practice that uses light, hands-on touch to channel "universal life energy" to promote relaxation and well-being. This vital spiritual energy activates the body's natural healing processes, detoxifying it of physical and emotional blockages while bringing deep relaxation and calm. It is believed to balance the body's energy centers (chakras) and can be used alongside conventional medical treatments. Potential benefits include reduced stress, anxiety, and pain, improved sleep, and greater mental clarity. The term comes from two Japanese words, "Rei," meaning "universal," and "Ki," or "life force energy." Reiki loosely translates as "universal life-force energy."

This beginner-friendly yoga workshop series is suitable for newcomers and more seasoned yogis alike. This 4-class series will workshop basic poses in detail, while also leaving time to flow. Join us if you'd like to learn how to use props and modifications to help bring out your strongest and most aligned expression of yoga. Questions are highly encouraged in this class!

Week 1: Yoga Basics

Week 2: Warrior Poses

Week 3: Vinyasa Flow (and gentle alternatives)

Week 4: Spinal Movement

About the instructor: Shana Melnysyn draws upon her training as a somatic guide and cultural anthropologist to create accessible and joyful yoga classes where students feel welcome and at ease. She has been practicing yoga for over 15 years, and loves to share its life-changing benefits with others. Her goal is to help people slow down and connect with the wisdom of their bodies, cultivating the tools to move more mindfully throughout their daily lives.

You have more to offer than you think. In this empowering workshop, you’ll list and evaluate your skills, explore new job possibilities, and identify potential employers. Tackle your challenges with a solid plan, practice your personal pitch, and discover fresh strategies and resources. Build your network—and your confidence—as you commit to taking the next step toward success.

Email career@ywca-berkeley.org to RSVP. Drop-ins are also welcome.

Put your education to work with clarity and purpose. In this workshop, you’ll identify your academic and work skills, reflect on why you chose your field, and explore a wider range of career options. Expand your list of job possibilities, evaluate your network, and find where you truly fit in the world of work. Leave with a clear understanding of what it takes to move forward—and a commitment to making it happen.

Email career@ywca-berkeley.org to RSVP. Drop-ins are also welcome.

Reiki is a Japanese energy-healing practice that uses light, hands-on touch to channel "universal life energy" to promote relaxation and well-being. This vital spiritual energy activates the body's natural healing processes, detoxifying it of physical and emotional blockages while bringing deep relaxation and calm. It is believed to balance the body's energy centers (chakras) and can be used alongside conventional medical treatments. Potential benefits include reduced stress, anxiety, and pain, improved sleep, and greater mental clarity. The term comes from two Japanese words, "Rei," meaning "universal," and "Ki," or "life force energy." Reiki loosely translates as "universal life-force energy."

Reiki is a Japanese energy-healing practice that uses light, hands-on touch to channel "universal life energy" to promote relaxation and well-being. This vital spiritual energy activates the body's natural healing processes, detoxifying it of physical and emotional blockages while bringing deep relaxation and calm. It is believed to balance the body's energy centers (chakras) and can be used alongside conventional medical treatments. Potential benefits include reduced stress, anxiety, and pain, improved sleep, and greater mental clarity. The term comes from two Japanese words, "Rei," meaning "universal," and "Ki," or "life force energy." Reiki loosely translates as "universal life-force energy."

Reiki is a Japanese energy-healing practice that uses light, hands-on touch to channel "universal life energy" to promote relaxation and well-being. This vital spiritual energy activates the body's natural healing processes, detoxifying it of physical and emotional blockages while bringing deep relaxation and calm. It is believed to balance the body's energy centers (chakras) and can be used alongside conventional medical treatments. Potential benefits include reduced stress, anxiety, and pain, improved sleep, and greater mental clarity. The term comes from two Japanese words, "Rei," meaning "universal," and "Ki," or "life force energy." Reiki loosely translates as "universal life-force energy."

Reiki is a Japanese energy-healing practice that uses light, hands-on touch to channel "universal life energy" to promote relaxation and well-being. This vital spiritual energy activates the body's natural healing processes, detoxifying it of physical and emotional blockages while bringing deep relaxation and calm. It is believed to balance the body's energy centers (chakras) and can be used alongside conventional medical treatments. Potential benefits include reduced stress, anxiety, and pain, improved sleep, and greater mental clarity. The term comes from two Japanese words, "Rei," meaning "universal," and "Ki," or "life force energy." Reiki loosely translates as "universal life-force energy."

This beginner-friendly yoga workshop series is suitable for newcomers and more seasoned yogis alike. This 4-class series will workshop basic poses in detail, while also leaving time to flow. Join us if you'd like to learn how to use props and modifications to help bring out your strongest and most aligned expression of yoga. Questions are highly encouraged in this class!

Week 1: Yoga Basics

Week 2: Warrior Poses

Week 3: Vinyasa Flow (and gentle alternatives)

Week 4: Spinal Movement

About the instructor: Shana Melnysyn draws upon her training as a somatic guide and cultural anthropologist to create accessible and joyful yoga classes where students feel welcome and at ease. She has been practicing yoga for over 15 years, and loves to share its life-changing benefits with others. Her goal is to help people slow down and connect with the wisdom of their bodies, cultivating the tools to move more mindfully throughout their daily lives.

Turn your global background into a career asset! In this workshop, you’ll name your skills, assess your unique strengths, and recognize the value of your international experience. Discover where your background can take you, who needs what you offer, and how to fill any skill gaps along the way. Explore new paths and leave with fresh ideas for putting your global expertise to work.

Email career@ywca-berkeley.org to RSVP. Drop-ins are also welcome.

Take charge of your career in this action-focused workshop. Assess your options, rediscover your strengths, and clarify your goals and timeline. You’ll explore the risks and rewards of change, learn how to build on your past experiences, and tap into the power of planned happenstance. Walk away ready to commit—and take the next step toward the job you want now.

Email career@ywca-berkeley.org to RSVP. Drop-ins are also welcome.

Ready to stand out and move forward with confidence? Join us for a hands-on, high-impact workshop where you'll uncover what sets you apart, name your strengths, and identify your ideal audience or market. Then, turn those insights into action by developing a focused strategy and kickstarting your own marketing plan.

Email career@ywca-berkeley.org to RSVP. Drop-ins are also welcome.

Have you been out of the paid workforce for a while, under-employed, or working below your skill level? Ready to level up but need inspiration? Wondering how to revamp your resume or improve your LinkedIn and social media presence? This workshop is designed to help you jumpstart your career, boost your confidence, and get back in the game stronger than ever.

Email career@ywca-berkeley.org to RSVP. Drop-ins are also welcome.

Get clear on what you truly want and identify what’s been holding you back. Explore what you’re already doing—and discover new actions you can take. Tap into fresh resources and ideas to break through barriers. Leave feeling unstuck, energized, and ready to move your career forward with confidence.

Email career@ywca-berkeley.org to RSVP. Drop-ins are also welcome.

Are you in your 40s, 50s, 60s, or 70s? It’s time to focus on what truly matters to you—your passions, concerns, and strengths. Explore new possibilities and reflect on whether you want or need to work, and what kind of work fits your life now. Get ready to dream big and start planning your next fulfilling career chapter.

Email career@ywca-berkeley.org to RSVP. Drop-ins are also welcome.

Small Personalized Coaching Workshops: Facilitator Claire Marchiano, Certified Career Counselor & Job Search Professional. Workshop held at Berkeley- Oakland YWCA 2600 Bancroft Way, Berkeley.

Email career@ywca-berkeley.org to RSVP. Drop-ins are also welcome.

Small Personalized Coaching Workshops: Facilitator Claire Marchiano, Certified Career Counselor & Job Search Professional. Workshop held at Berkeley- Oakland YWCA 2600 Bancroft Way, Berkeley.

Email career@ywca-berkeley.org to RSVP. Drop-ins are also welcome.

Learn a little more about the YWCA Berkeley/Oakland at our Open House. Come to enjoy a live music performance, participate in a clothing giveaway, and hear about our ongoing campaigns such as Get Out the Vote and our free yoga classes!

More info about our in-person event:

When: 11:00am - 4:00pm, Thursday, August 20th. 
Where: the YWCA Berkeley/Oakland building, 2600 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA 94704

Parking Options 
🚗 Telegraph Channing Parking Garage – 2450 Durant Ave.
🚗 Lower Sproul Parking Garage – 2465 Bancroft Way

Aim to arrive 15-20 minutes before the program begins to ensure you have enough time to find parking. Because our building is near UC Berkeley, traffic and limited space can make parking challenging, so early arrival is strongly encouraged.

Questions? 

Email Program Curator, Karma Smart at ksmart@ywca-berkeley.org

Want to practice conversational English with other English learners?

Join the EIA English Corner! Meet new friends, discuss interesting topics, and gain confidence speaking English in a relaxed and encouraging environment.

Step into the employer’s shoes and sharpen your interview skills in this small, personalized workshop. Practice clearly communicating the problems you can solve, telling impactful stories, and preparing for phone, Zoom, and in-person interviews. Learn how to position yourself as the best choice and leave with renewed confidence that you will be hired.

Email career@ywca-berkeley.org to RSVP. Drop-ins are also welcome.

Make your resume work harder for you in this focused, practical workshop. Learn the keywords that get past resume robots, understand why accomplishments matter, and explore different resume styles. You’ll develop a strong profile statement, master the 15-second review, and discover how to turn your resume into a powerful branding and marketing tool.

Email career@ywca-berkeley.org to RSVP. Drop-ins are also welcome.