Latvian Cultural Practices Online Series

Latvian Cultural Practices Online Series: Reclaiming Your Roots and Empowering Your Spirit

Join Aija Harrison and Maija West for four, monthly online gatherings dedicated to exploring and honoring Latvian Cultural Practices. This workshop is designed for those seeking to connect with their heritage, embrace traditional wisdom, and cultivate personal and community well-being. All are welcome!

Our Vision:

A monthly Zoom session featuring special guests when possible, offered at a time that accommodates women from both Latvia and the United States. This is an invitation to delve into the rich tapestry of Latvian traditions, fostering awareness and understanding of healing and cultural practices.

What You Will Experience:

Deep Dive into Latvian Traditions: Explore the profound wisdom of pirts (traditional bathing rituals), ancestor honorings, dainas (folk songs), weaving, and other ancestral practices.
Empowering Community: Connect with a supportive community dedicated to reclaiming cultural lineage and fostering a sense of belonging.
Flexible Learning: Participate in 90-minute sessions held on four Thursdays from 8-9:30 am PT (6-7:30 pm EET) (18:00-19:30 EET) We'll connect via Zoom and WhatsApp, and sessions will be recorded for those who commit to all four.
Upcoming Sessions:

November 13: Introductory session
December 11
January 15
February 12
March 12

Proposed Platform: Matriarch Makeover Member Community here

Reciprocity and Support:

A reciprocity contribution is requested to support all facilitators and cover administrative costs. This ensures the sustainability of these vital cultural teachings. No one turned away due to lack of funds.

A Message from Aija:

"This is an opportunity to commit to four transformative sessions, teaching women to stand shoulder to shoulder. Pirts is not just a place to wash your body, but also to wash your soul. Our approach encourages acceptance of sexuality and liberation, fostering a space where you can be truly yourself."

A message from Maija:

This workshop is an ecological call to action for women, inviting a radical reimagining of how we lead from a place of cultural groundedness and feminine wisdom.

Meet The Facilitators

Maija West

Building a culture of trust, by following the lead of matriarchs and peacemakers

Maija is a dual citizen of Latvia and the United States. Her practices are related to her heritage on my mother's side and are beginning to also be influenced by the pre-Germanic roots of her father's side. Her mother's name is Laima Danilovs and she fled the occupation of Latvia by the Russians and Germans during WWII and settled in California with her family as a displaced person. Her mother's people come from near the Gauja River and the Aloja region north of Cēsis. The Latvians are land-based people who have survived 800 years of occupation, and make up five different Peoples.

She is currently living as a settler on the unceded lands of the Salinan, Chalon and Ohlone Peoples in California, in the United States. She is passionate to share what she has learned about her own cultural recovery for those who may benefit.

As the founder and managing partner of Matriarch Makeover, she champions women’s voices, believing that women’s leadership is vital in shaping the future. Her journey has also led to my lifelong commitment to bridging divides, strengthening communication, and creating spaces where transformation can take root.

Aija Harrison

Body de-armouring, pirts rituāli, apmācības, mandalas, veseluma atgūšana

Aija is learning how to live life easier, happier, healthier embracing self-discovery and self-growth. Aija’s passion is a Pirts (Latvian sauna) ritual, when the individuals can slow down and reconnect with their body. Her guided ritual is powerful, deep, nourishing and subtle at the same time. Aija is dedicated to help making the connection between mind and heart, to connect with themselves and the world, to activate the life force energy, to dive into the depths of their own awareness that may never have been, empowering people to reconnect with their inner strength.

Aija is passionate about the transformative power of Body De-armouring as well. With a focus on presence and deep connection, her guided de-armouring session allows people to express themselves, vulnerability, release the emotional armor held in the body for years and years bringing back inner peace, freedom and self love.