There are many different ways of working.  You can either learn to meet your Spirit Helpers and Power Animals yourself, or you can ask a shamanic practitioner to do the work on your behalf.  Both are extremely powerful, and most practitioners would be happy to discuss how best you can work on your own issues and questions.  In fact, practitioners often consult with their own spirits on this very topic before starting to work with clients!

One choice is whether to work one to one or in a workshop session.  Individual sessions work well for deep, personal issues as the practitioner can create a 'sacred space' for you to be held safely as you learn to journey or receive healing.  They usually last 1-2 hours, so offer the chance to really examine the different aspects of your journey, as well as train you in the basic technique so that you can learn to do this on your own.  The general idea is to empower you, not to make you dependent on the practitioner!

Workshops are good for learning the basics, new skills or getting more experience.  They allow you to benefit from everybody else's questions to the workshop facilitator as well as your own.  You can meet people and cover a lot of ground in a short but intense period.  These group sessions often allow you to practise using rattles, drums and even singing and dancing (or making noise and moving!) which broadens your shamanic experience.  They are often focused around a particular topic.

NEW WORKSHOP - Spring 2008 A Shaman's Path - Introduction to Shamanism CLICK HERE

Drumming groups are a great way of continuing to deepen your experience and continue to build your relationship with your Spirit Helpers whilst having others to share your findings with.  These can be 'open' or 'closed' Open Drumming Groups allow you to attend when you feel like it, providing you meet the basic criteria as most groups like you to have some experience first.  A 'closed' group is usually by invitation only, and allows members to work in a committed way to really 'go deep' on an issue, theme or series of topics.  You may be able to join a Drumming Group near you.