Council Training 1: Introduction to Council

Council builds positive relationships between participants by fostering attentive listening and authentic expression. It supports a deep sense of community and fosters recognition of a shared humanity and interconnectedness. It enables individuals to give voice to their stories, develop a mutual respect and cultivate a compassionate response to anger and defensiveness, as well as strengthen emotional health and resilience.

PRICE:
$550.00 Early Bird (until 2/1/2026)
$600.00 Regular Price 

Price includes optional overnight accommodations:

-Shared space in a yurt, sleeping pad provided (limited beds available upon request)
-Private campsite, bring your own gear (BYOG)
DESCRIPTION
Council Training 1: Introduction to Council, is a powerful and inspiring introduction to the practice of Council and provides a wonderful opportunity to explore the roots of the practice as well as the unique lineage of The Ojai Foundation. The fundamentals and nuances of the forms and modalities in Council are explored in some depth and a good deal of background is offered on the intentions and languaging used in the practice. In addition to a grounding in the basic forms and tools of Council, the broader applications to a variety of personal and professional settings are explored. It is a rich and dynamic opportunity to immerse oneself in and explore the foundational practice of Council and its application to the participants’ lives and work.
Itinerary
Saturday, April 11, 2026 - 9:00am-5:00pm.
Sunday, April 12, 2026 - 9:00am-5:00pm.

Please plan to arrive 30 minutes prior to the start time to allow for a prompt beginning.

Accommodations

Participants may camp for up to two evenings (Friday and Saturday) on the land. Participants must provide all their own bedding and gear if camping. Topa Institute has drinking water, flush toilets, hot showers, and level campsites available. For those wishing to camp on the evening of Friday April 10th, please plan to arrive between 3-6 pm.

Shared spaces in a yurts available, sleeping pads provided (limited beds available upon request)

Food

There will be light refreshments and snacks with the course (coffee, tea, simple snacks, etc.). Participants are expected to bring a bag lunch for Saturday and Sunday, and provide their own food for all other meals. There is a refrigerator and stove available for use, and personal camp stoves are prohibited.

**Pricing

We have needs-based scholarship funds designated to support access to our courses for those facing financial barriers. With each course, we aim to support as many people as possible with the funds. To this end, we are not asking for any financial records, but simply asking all who are in need to respond to a few questions. If you have questions of us, please feel free to email alea@topainstitute.org.

Transportation

Participants are responsible for getting to and from the course. You can find driving directions using this Google Maps link. Parking is available onsite.