About Bonita
Bonita's work is focussed on the health and well-being of people and the environment. At the core of her work are education, personal growth, social change and healing, which she believes go hand-in-hand.
Bonita offers workshops, group facilitation, one-on-one "Cooperative Coaching", and also develops educational programs. She integrates experiential and body-centred learning, ecological principles (permaculture), Nonviolent Communication and Reiki in her work. Bonita has led workshops and groups worldwide for over eight years, including in Budapest, Soweto, Durban, Port-au-Prince, San Francisco, Seattle, New Mexico, Vermont, Toronto and Ottawa.
Bonita's Training and Background
Bonita has a Master of Arts in Holistic Health Education from John F. Kennedy University in California, and has a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Queen's University. She completed her Permaculture Design Certificate through Oakland Permaculture Institute and Urban Permaculture Guild. Her studies also include Nonviolent Communication, sustainability, deep ecology, Integral Theory and various forms of movement and dance therapies. Bonita is currently enrolled in the Permaculture Diploma program with l'Université Populaire de Permaculture in France and is completing her Reiki Master/Teacher training through Reiki Associates in Perth, Canada.
What methods or modalities does Bonita use with groups and individuals?
In group or individual sessions, Bonita uses a blend of expressive movement, body awareness, guided imagery, meditation, conscious communication, discussion, games, artwork, writing, ritual, Reiki and other energy work.
Where has Bonita taught?
Bonita has taught in university and college settings, at health centres, conferences, a yoga studio, a book store, an after-school youth program, and has worked one-on-one in people's homes. Her work has taken her to Toronto, Ottawa, the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, Vermont, New Mexico, Hungary and South Africa. To read more, click here.
What are some of the educational programs that Bonita has been involved in developing?
With Urban Permaculture Guild in Oakland, California, Bonita directed and co-facilitated one of the first Urban Permaculture Design Courses. Bonita was invited to Budapest, Hungary to co-create and co-facilitate an 8-day intensive training in Nonviolent Communication and the Body. She developd and piloted the Green Health Care Program at the Teleosis Institute in Berkeley to train health care practitioners as leaders in sustainable medicine. She also helped to redevelop the youth nutrition and organic gardening programs at Berkeley Youth Alternatives.
What do people say about Bonita's group and individual sessions?
"I received the gift of clarity, peace with transition, how to be grounded, how to receive all I need."
"I was reminded to come back to me – my body, my feelings, my thoughts – being a part of a relationship, part of a community, part of Gaia." ~Blessing Kobey
"I appreciate her showing compassion, spunk, love and passion to help bring people back to wholeness."
What are the topics of Bonita's classes?
Bonita's workshops are organised around four themes: Eco-Logical and Earth; Personal and Social Change; Communication; Body and Movement. Click here for workshop titles and descriptions.
Who are some of the people who have inspired Bonita?
Bonita is deeply grateful for the many beloved and esteemed teachers and elders from whom she has learned, including Vernice Solimar, Wendy Palmer, Joanna Macy, Masankho Banda, Jamie McHugh, Aric Bodin, Kimmy Johnson, Marshall Rosenberg, Fred Wahpepah, Brock Dolman, David Sherwood, Lucie Brunet, Nancy Sherwood, David Cameron, and her grandparents, Pon Pak Kwong, Fok Hue Gee, Ng Sui Chee and Foy Foo See.
How can I book a class or session with Bonita?
Please see Events to find out about upcoming classes or Contact Bonita directly.
Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. ~Howard Thurman
