The Way of the Shaman®

The Basic Introductory Workshop - Developed by Michael Harner

The Basic Introductory Workshop - Developed by Michael Harner

This is the classic introductory workshop in shamanism, developed by anthropologist Michael Harner decades ago and now experienced by tens of thousands of students worldwide. The workshop introduces Core Shamanism, a powerful methodology based on common and universal features of shamanism that are not culturally-specific.

The workshop focuses on the shamanic journey: a remarkable visionary practice used to access nonordinary reality for healing, problem solving, obtaining knowledge, and building spiritual power. Aided by shamanic drumming, a safe and effective means of altering consciousness, workshop participants will embark on shamanic journeys to explore other worlds and meet compassionate helping spirit teachers and power animals.

Schedule

What to Bring

Rattle and/or drum.
Notebook and pen for note-taking.
Blindfold, eye covering, bandana, or Mindfold®.
Comfortable clothing and warm socks.
Blanket and/or cushion (optional).
Packed lunch (optional).
A rough-surfaced, grapefruit-sized rock (not a crystal), new to you, and preferably found in nature. Remember where you found it so you can return it with respect and thanks.

What to Expect

All FSS workshops and training programs are experiential, interactive, and participatory. They feature instruction and practice with shamanic methodologies, as well as journeywork, shamanic drumming, group sharing, and small group discussions.

Notes

13 FSS Continuing Education (CE) Credits are available.
Completion of this workshop with an authorized FSS faculty member qualifies participants to take more advanced FSS workshops. NOTE: You must complete all sessions of this workshop to get credit and to meet prerequisites required for more advanced workshops. Please arrange your schedule so that you can be present at all sessions of the training.
Successful completion of this workshop is one of the prerequisites for an FSS Gold Certificate of Completion
Electronic recording, including audio, video, photographic or otherwise, and the use of computers, tablets or cellphones are not permitted during the workshop.
Tuition discounts are available to FSS members. Please see our FAQ (#19). Not a member? Join us!

Related Podcast Episodes

Podcast Episode #1

"The Way of the Shaman® with Timothy Cope." In this engaging conversation, Tim shares his journey into shamanism, detailing how he was drawn to the practice through a transformative experience with a book. He discusses the importance of community, the impact of workshops, and how shamanism has influenced his career in the arts.

Watch Now

What Participants Say

"This was one of the most life-changing experiences of my life. I had felt drawn to shamanism for a while, but I certainly did not expect such a deeply transformational experience!"

“I am truly impressed by the Foundation’s professionalism—both in the depth and clarity of the teaching and the organization of the workshop. The carefully planned structure and flow reflected a genuine commitment to keeping shamanism alive in a respectful and meaningful way. That level of care speaks volumes about your dedication to sharing this tradition with integrity and heart. It’s clear that the Foundation deeply honors the work it’s doing.”

“Totally Awesome! Fun, expansionary and perfectly harmonious. Love the experiential orientation.”

Workshop Schedule

The Way of the Shaman The Basics

Date	Location / Time	Instructor	Contact
Mar 14—Mar 15, 2026	Palm Springs, California	Juan-Carlos Safa 13 FSS CE credits	Juan-Carlos Safa Details & Registration
Mar 21—Mar 22, 2026	Wall, New Jersey	Elaine Egidio 13 FSS CE credits	Elaine Egidio Details & Registration
Mar 28—Mar 29, 2026	Toronto, Ontario	Catherine Hughes 13 FSS CE credits	Catherine Hughes Details & Registration
Apr 11—Apr 12, 2026	Portland, Oregon	Ken Glowacki 13 FSS CE credits	Ken Glowacki Details & Registration
Apr 11—Apr 12, 2026	Santa Barbara, California	Nikki Sherwood 13 FSS CE credits	Nikki Sherwood Details & Registration
Apr 11—Apr 12, 2026	Houston, Texas	Deanna Graham 13 FSS CE credits	Deanna Graham Details & Registration
Apr 11—Apr 12, 2026	San Diego, California	Juan-Carlos Safa 13 FSS CE credits	Juan-Carlos Safa Details & Registration
Apr 11—Apr 12, 2026	Buenos Aires, Argentina	Gerardo Roemer Taught in Spanish, en Español	Gerardo Roemer Tel: +54 911 56961783
Apr 25—Apr 26, 2026	East Hartford, Connecticut	Alex Solomon 13 FSS CE credits	Alex Solomon Details & Registration
Apr 25—Apr 26, 2026	Calgary, Alberta	Wade Prpich 13 FSS CE credits	Wade Prpich Tel: (403) 483-7240 Details & Registration
May 2—May 3, 2026	Lakefield, Ontario	Catherine Hughes 13 FSS CE credits	Catherine Hughes Details & Registration
May 16—May 17, 2026	Soquel, California (Santa Cruz area)	Narrye Caldwell 13 FSS CE credits	Narrye Caldwell Details & Registration
May 16—May 17, 2026	Buenos Aires, Argentina	Gerardo Roemer Taught in Spanish, en Español	Gerardo Roemer Tel: +54 911 56961783
May 30—May 31, 2026	Minneapolis, Minnesota	Timothy Cope 13 FSS CE credits	Timothy Cope Details & Registration
May 30—May 31, 2026	Houston, Texas	Anthony Rios 13 FSS CE credits	Anthony Rios Details & Registration
Jun 6—Jun 7, 2026	Portland, Oregon	Ken Glowacki 13 FSS CE credits	Ken Glowacki Details & Registration
Jun 20—Jun 21, 2026	Montreal, Quebec	Vikki Walker 13 FSS CE credits In English and French	Vikki Walker
Jul 18—Jul 19, 2026	Quebec City, Quebec	Vikki Walker 13 FSS CE credits In French	Vikki Walker
Jul 25—Jul 26, 2026	Washington, DC Area	Dana Robinson 13 FSS CE credits	Dana Robinson Details & Registration
Jul 25—Jul 26, 2026	Cedar Rapids, Iowa	Kerri Husman 13 FSS CE credits	Kerri Husman Tel: 866-425-8066 Details & Registration
Jul 25—Jul 26, 2026	Houston, Texas	Deanna Graham 13 FSS CE credits	Deanna Graham Details & Registration
Aug 1—Aug 2, 2026	Pacifica, California	Antoinette Cresci de la Torre 13 FSS CE credits	Antoinette Cresci de la Torre Details & Registration
Aug 8—Aug 9, 2026	Buenos Aires, Argentina	Gerardo Roemer Taught in Spanish, en Español	Gerardo Roemer Tel: +54 911 56961783
Aug 8—Aug 9, 2026	Córdoba, Argentina	Silvia Quinteros Taught in Spanish, en Español	Silvia Quinteros Tel: +54 9351 2113554
Aug 29—Aug 30, 2026	Toronto, Ontario	Catherine Hughes 13 FSS CE credits	Catherine Hughes Details & Registration
Sep 12—Sep 13, 2026	Minneapolis, Minnesota	Timothy Cope 13 FSS CE credits	Timothy Cope Details & Registration
Sep 12—Sep 13, 2026	Windsor, Ontario	Robert Ulicny 13 FSS CE credits	Robert Ulicny Details & Registration
Sep 19—Sep 20, 2026	Ottawa, Ontario	Catherine Hughes 13 FSS CE credits	Catherine Hughes Details & Registration
Sep 19—Sep 20, 2026	Calgary, Alberta	Wade Prpich 13 FSS CE credits	Wade Prpich Tel: (403) 483-7240 Details & Registration
Sep 26—Sep 27, 2026	Montreal, Quebec	Vikki Walker 13 FSS CE credits In English and French	Vikki Walker
Sep 26—Sep 27, 2026	Idyllwild, California	Juan-Carlos Safa 13 FSS CE credits	Juan-Carlos Safa Details & Registration
Oct 3—Oct 4, 2026	Buenos Aires, Argentina	Gerardo Roemer Taught in Spanish, en Español	Gerardo Roemer Tel: +54 911 56961783
Oct 3—Oct 4, 2026	Houston, Texas	Deanna Graham 13 FSS CE credits	Deanna Graham Details & Registration
Nov 7—Nov 8, 2026	Toronto, Ontario	Mira Chen 13 FSS CE credits In English	Mira Chen Details & Registration
Nov 14—Nov 15, 2026	Calgary, Alberta	Wade Prpich 13 FSS CE credits	Wade Prpich Tel: (403) 483-7240 Details & Registration

Our workshops are widely recognized as unparalleled in the world.

Originated, researched and developed over nearly 50 years by anthropologist Michael Harner, the pioneer of contemporary shamanism.

Our training offers students the opportunity to learn and practice authentic, powerful, and effective shamanic healing methods to high ethical standards.

Additional Information

For Educational Purposes

All Foundation workshops and training programs are offered for teaching purposes only and are not for healing or treating any student or participant for any physical or mental condition or illness.

© Copyright

All Foundation workshops and training programs are based in Michael Harner’s Core Shamanism and are copyrighted. © YYYY The Foundation for Shamanic Studies. All rights reserved. Electronic recording of audio, video or images is not permitted.