Firewalking

Meet the fire and ignite your spirit.

About Firewalking:

Firewalking teaches a profound lesson about the power of the mind, and the effect that our thoughts and beliefs have on our experience of reality. It shows us the vastness of human potential. And most importantly, it helps us to shift the energy of fear. For thousands of years, cultures all around the world have practiced the ancient ritual of firewalking. For those of you whose connection with fire is deep, for those of you who fear fire and are intrigued with its ability to transform, for those of you who are ready to move forward into your lives with focus and intention, come and join in healing community as we walk through our fears, let go of limitations that do not serve, and celebrate our triumphs! You need only bring your curiosity, your desire to walk the fire and/or your desire to move forward from personal patterns and obstacles. All those who attend will avail themselves of the healing properties of the fire whether they walk the coals or not.

Why do people attend a firewalk?

There are many reasons to attend a firewalk. Perhaps:

  • You are feeling stuck and confused about what to do next in your life.
  • You want to celebrate an achievement or rite of passage.
  • You are open to a new experience.
  • You are curious about what happens at a firewalk.
  • You are ready to face your fear and move forward.
  • You want to break through limiting beliefs.
  • You want to learn to say No to what is keeping you stuck.
  • You would like to learn to say Yes to your dreams and stop living to please others.
  • You are ready to stop hiding.  You are ready to ignite truth and move forward.

What happens at a firewalk?

  • You are feeling stuck and confused about what to do next in your life.
  • You want to celebrate an achievement or rite of passage.
  • You are open to a new experience.
  • You are curious about what happens at a firewalk.
  • You are ready to face your fear and move forward.
  • You want to break through limiting beliefs.
  • You want to learn to say No to what is keeping you stuck.
  • You would like to learn to say Yes to your dreams and stop living to please others.
  • You are ready to stop hiding.  You are ready to ignite truth and move forward.

Do I have to walk the fire if I register?

No. Participation is voluntary – you are encouraged to walk, although it is not necessary – all who attend will avail themselves of the healing properties of the fire.

Who is facilitating? Is this safe?

My name is Stephanie Foy. In 2005, I became a Certified Empowerment Teacher and Firewalk Instructor through Sundoor. I have walked on fire well over six hundred times. I believe in the power of fire, in deconstructing limiting beliefs, and in the healing aspects of community. I teach firewalking workshops, offer private firewalk ceremonies, rites of passage through firewalk, group retreats and team building. In 1999, I founded Dimensions In Healing where I work with individuals and offer trauma healing support and craniosacral therapy. Your safety and wellbeing are important to me. I am not a dabbler in any of my offerings. I continue to learn and practice in honor of my Teachers, the Elements ~ Fire, Water and Earth ~ and the vast, tender Human Heart. Having studied trauma for a number of years now, I am intrigued and excited to connect and utilize trauma resolution tools, ancient ways of being in tribal community and the healing power of fire. I have developed a strong and unique ceremony to help people shed their traumatic histories and step into present life with renewed vibrancy. While the focus of the firewalk is not on trauma but rather on the vast potential, space is held for the human heart’s history. Each firewalk evening offers some time for those present to work with and make decisions around how to move forward from difficult history.

Note: Complex histories require time to unpack and unfold gently. An evening with the fire is full of opportunities and experiences. You will take home new ways of being, and many new tools. Individual sessions may help to integrate changes. To learn more visit the trauma healing section of this website.

Why would anyone want to walk on fire?

There are many benefits to Firewalking, which is why after thousands of years we still are doing it! Here are a few reasons I can think of:

  • To face fear and teach the body how to move forward and make decisions,while in fear, can effect great change in patterned responses to fear (such as the fight, flight or freeze responses)
  • To deconstruct old beliefs that are not life serving (such as “I can’t”)
  • To move through perceived obstacles and limitations
  • To welcome and embrace the element of fire and utilize its medicine in a new and profound way
  • To expand your current realm of possibility
  • To purify the body and increase vitality

When you listen to the voice of your soul, and take action on its behalf, all things become possible.

Firewalking teaches a profound lesson about the power of the mind, and the effect that our thoughts and beliefs have on our experience of reality. It is a practical way of confirming our instincts and validating our intuition.

Firewalking provides an unforgettable visual image to accompany our thoughts and beliefs. It shows us the vastness of human potential. And most importantly, it helps us to shift the energy of fear.

“I don’t find much inspiration in the world,typically, or perhaps I should say I find inspiration of the heart in the world, but at last night’s firewalk you inspired something far deeper and monumental in me, the possibility of true healing, and through that healing, finding my own unique powers and gifts to offer the world.” T.W.

“Upon arriving at the firewalk my stomach was queasy with anxiety and anticipation. The mystery of the next few hours left me scared of the unknown. Questions were racing through my head, “Why am I here?” “Can I really do this?” As the night unfolded, I let go of these uneasy feelings and allowed myself to rest upon the support of the group and trust in Stephanie. Through this support and trust I was able to participate in the workshop and firewalk ceremony wholly. After walking across the fire, I realized a POWER hidden within me. This power gave me strength to answer questions that had earlier brought fear. Because of this memorable Friday night, my new found power will be alive in me forever.”

We’ve all been taught that fire burns. When you have the experience of walking on fire without being burned, you re-evaluate other things you’ve been taught. If fire doesn’t burn, maybe germs don’t cause colds. Maybe getting old doesn’t mean getting slow, stiff, or weak. Maybe getting sick doesn’t mean having to die. Maybe we are capable of much more than we originally believed.

When we walk on fire without burning, many other possibilities open up for us. Physical and emotional barriers can fall away. When we examine the beliefs that create undesirable patterns, we are able to replace these beliefs and change our lives. As we practice the art of creating our own reality, we quickly evolve to new states of harmony. “I’ve never experienced this level of trust in myself and my inner voice before. Its so powerful! Thank you beyond words.”

I have walked on fire hundreds of times and have experienced the miracles and powerful transformational effects of this ancient ritual. As an observer, I have watched the fire awaken something deep within others.

Everyone’s experience is unique, and there are many ways to experience firewalking. It is a personal and sacred journey. During a firewalk ceremony we can:

  • Connect with what has been suppressed and is waiting to emerge
  • Call on our hidden vitality to meet the energy of the fire
  • Ignite or rekindle a vision from our Soul
  • Allow the fire element to purify and heal
  • Experience and/or remember safety in a group setting
  • Walk as a sacred prayer of the heart
  • Become reminded that we are beings capable of walking forward with intention, even in fear.

For centuries, human beings have gathered around fire in community. Our culture has lost its way when we fail to gather around this healing element and share who we are with our community. Firewalking returns us to this element and to the circle surrounding it. One of the greatest joys of facilitating these gatherings is in witnessing the close community that forms as a result. When we gather in community to support each other and the whole, we begin to create real and lasting change in the larger picture.

My journey with firewalk

I have always been drawn to fire. Within all of us is a deep magic, and I see that reflected in the flames. Fire has connected me to ancient parts of my soul and to the present belief that I have the ability to create my inner state of being.

When I tentatively shared with my brother my desire to become a firewalk instructor (I was expecting a negative reaction) he smiled and said “Well that makes sense. I remember you as a little girl standing on the grates of fire melting your sneakers just to see how long you could stand there!”

I became interested in firewalking as a tool to heal myself and to share with others the profound ability within themselves. Walking on fire has the ability to leave us with a sense of personal power that is unforgettable. I see Firewalking as a natural compliment to the Shamanic work of restructuring subconscious beliefs and restoring personal power.

I learned the art of firewalking from my Spiritual Teacher, Peggy Dylan, at Sundoor School of Firewalking. It was truly transformative and one I hold as one of the most profound experiences on my path. I remain grateful for the opportunity to learn from Peggy. It is an honor to bring these teachings back to this area and share them with you.

I encourage you to ignite your vision through this sacred rite of passage.

Why on Earth Would Anyone Want to Firewalk? I like my feet!!

There are many reasons why you might want to step out of the initial fear and explore something so far out of your comfort zone that your initial reaction is “no way!”

Firewalking teaches a profound lesson about the power of the mind, and the effect that our thoughts and beliefs have on our experience of reality. It is a practical way of confirming our instincts and validating our intuition. Firewalking provides an unforgettable visual image to accompany our thoughts and beliefs. It shows us the vastness of human potential. And most importantly, it helps us to shift the energy of fear.

We’ve all been taught that fire burns. When you have the experience of walking on fire without being burned, you re-evaluate other things you’ve been taught. If fire doesn’t burn, maybe germs don’t cause colds. Maybe getting old doesn’t mean getting slow, stiff, or weak. Maybe getting sick doesn’t mean having to die. Maybe we are capable of much more than we originally believed.

When we walk on fire without burning, many other possibilities open up for us. Physical and emotional barriers can fall away. When we examine the beliefs that create undesirable patterns, we are able to replace these beliefs and change our lives. As we practice the art of creating our own reality, we evolve and enjoy harmony.

Are you ready to explore what is waiting for you outside your comfort zone? When we join together to support and witness each other in vulnerability and power, we create a strong community; one which has the ability to effect true change.

This evening is a three to four hour workshop in which we explore personal obstacles, fears, goals and empowerment. You will be given all the guidance necessary should you choose to walk the fire at the end of the evening.

Afraid to come solo? Take the leap and be welcomed with respect and warmth. This event is open to all with an interest in attending. You are not required to walk the coals to participate.

I'm curious...What's the agenda?
  • Everyone Arrives – Welcome!
  • Check-in and Complete Registration
  • Welcome and Introductions
  • Purpose and intention for the workshop
  • Personal intention setting for the evening
  • Facing Our Fears
  • Teaching the Body new ways to respond to Fear
  • Clearing out old limitations and old stories
  • Why do we Firewalk
  • What are the gifts of Firewalking and how does it help me LIVE
  • History of Firewalking
  • How to Firewalk
  • Celebration with Live Drumming at the Fire
Why Do People Attend a Firewalk?
  • You are at a crossroads and are feeling stuck and confused about what to do next in your life.
  • You want to celebrate an achievement or rite of passage.
  • You are open to a new experience.
  • You are curious about what happens at a firewalk.
  • You are ready to face your fear and move forward.
Trauma and Firewalking...Really?!

After studying trauma for the past several years, I became intrigued and excited to connect and utilize trauma resolution tools, ancient ways of being in tribal community and the healing power of the fire. I have developed a strong and unique ceremony to help people shed their traumatic histories and step into present life with renewed vibrancy. Each firewalk evening will offer some time for those present to work with and make decisions around how to move forward from difficult history. Note: Complex histories require time to unpack and unfold gently. An evening with the fire is full of opportunities and experiences. You will take home new ways of being, and many new tools.

FAQS

Is it real fire?
Yes. Together we build and light a fire using seasoned, local firewood. The coals we walk on are glowing embers typically 900 – 1500 degrees.

Is there a risk involved?
Yes, as with any challenge, there is a risk; and your safety is my utmost concern and intention.

Do I have to walk the fire if I attend?
Definitely not. While supported in expanding the comfort zone and taking risk, each person is encouraged to choose what feels best for them at every moment.

Can I come and just watch?
No. Spectators are not allowed at firewalks – this helps the group to feel safe and connected. Again, it is not necessary for registered participants to commit to walking the coals in advance in order to participate and benefit. mFirewalking is voluntary and your choice will be supported. *I do not make exceptions – Non participating spectators are not allowed.

Can children come?
Anyone over the age of 10 is welcome, with a parent’s permission. Please check the schedule for Rite of Passage firewalks or contact me if you have an interest in creating a group event for teens.

How many times can I walk on the fire in one evening?
As many as you like, for as long as the fire lasts!

Musings

Fanning the Flames
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Few people run with open arms toward change just for the pure adventure of it. For most, change comes when the pain of staying the same outweighs the fear of the unknown.