Hard Feelings: A Somatic Workshop Series by Indu Vashist
March 31, 2026 - April 28, 2026Critical Distance is pleased to present Hard Feelings: a somatic workshop series led by Indu Vashist. The full series comprises 5 workshops in total for $120 CAD and includes the following:
Session 1 is a two-part workshop taking place over two hours. For the first hour, we will discuss the structural reasons why the art world is shrinking. Arts Councils on every governmental level are oversubscribed and underfunded. This is resulting in far fewer artists receiving funding and fewer places to showcase work. Without this systemic analysis, individual artists experience rejection from the granting or showcasing system as social rejection. These emotions can trigger a physical response. We literally feel rejection as pain.
In sessions 2–5, Indu Vashist will lead participants through exercises to help identify how the climate of the art world impacts the realms of emotion, mind and body. Through these weekly 1-hour sessions, participants will learn the skills to practice these exercises independently, building self-care and resilience into their life and work as a way to sustain their artistic practices through current and future systemic challenges.
The full series will take place over five (5) Tuesdays: March 31 and April 7, 14, 21, and 28, 2026
The first session is from 6–8pm; subsequent sessions are from 6–7pm.
Participation is limited to 10 participants, so please register early to avoid disappointment.
Registration details:
Registrations will be confirmed via email upon completion of payment (submitting the registration form alone does not secure a place in the workshop).
If the full series reaches capacity, additional registrants will be placed on a waitlist and contacted in order of payment date as spaces become available.
A limited number of spaces may become available for just the first session in the series; if this is of interest, please select Option 2in the registration form and we will reach out pending availability after full-series registration has been completed. Single sessions are $30 CAD.
Cancellations made after March 24, as well as no-shows, are non-refundable.
Workshop location: Critical Distance, Suite 122 at 401 Richmond Street West, Toronto, Ontario M5V 3A8.
Participants are asked to bring their own mats and wear comfortable clothing suitable for movement-based activities. Complimentary hot tea and water will be provided by Critical Distance.
We will do our best to accommodate accessibility needs. Please inquire via the registration form.
Questions? Contact info@criticaldistance.ca.
We look forward to seeing you soon!