AYNI WAY
A Femine Focused Coming of Age Program
The Ayni Way is a community-based 6 month feminine focused coming of age journey for youth 11-13 years old. The word Ayni comes from the Quechua language, meaning “reciprocity, right relationship and harmony with the universe and all aspects of our being.” In this program, the focus is helping youth deepen authentic relationships with themself, with others around them and their gifts in the world.
Marisa Withey Byrne is the main facilitator, with support from Jazmin Helzer and Joanne Pontrello, and participation from community elders and mentors. From these caring and passionate community members, the youth will learn both hard and soft skills, like working with herbs, gardening, ancestral skills, and creating and maintaining healthy relationships, making good choices, confidence, and exploring values.
The group meets twice a month for six months on Coast Salish Territory on the Northern Olympic Peninsula in East Jefferson and Clallam Counties. Another aspect of this offering includes two weekend events: a weekend retreat with youth and mamas focusing on connection with each other and celebrating the feminine, and a culminating camping trip with the youth and mentors.
Cost:
The request is a range from $200-$350 a month, totaling to $1200-2100 for the whole program. This includes the costs for both extended weekend events. There are a number of scholarships available.
Schedule:
Most 2nd and 4th Sundays, January 12 - June 22, from 10-2pm.
Weekend Retreats:
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Mama and Youth Retreat March 21-23
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Culminating Camping Trip June 7-8
See full schedule HERE
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Program includes:
January-February: The Seed​
Orienting, Creating Group Agreements, Setting Intentions
Activities: Woodworking, Herbs
February-March: Germination
Embodiment, Confidence, Intuition, Find our yes and no
Activities: Weaving
March-April: Sprouting
Values, Relationships: friendships and family, Conflict and Boundaries
Activities: Tracking, Mama and Youth Retreat
April-May: Flowering
Gratitude
Activities: Service
May-June: Fruiting
Offering one's gifts to the world
Activities: Culmination Camping Trip, Community send off and return​
Testimonial
"As a rite of passage guide, Marisa encourages participants to push their edges, while ensuring that they feel safe and cared for. Her loving and playful nature allows people to open up, and immediately feel safe and comfortable. Marisa demonstrates her endless capacity to listen to, and reflect on what is said, so that youth feel like their journey toward young adulthood is understood, and supported."
- Aprentice on a youth rite of passage
