Honouring Our Ancestors Through Family Constellations in Toronto
Written by Sachi Koziol — Family Constellations Facilitator at Mahaya Health, Toronto.
I honour my great-grandmother, Sone-san.
Have you ever wondered why you ended up where you are now? I do. Especially on a cold winter night in Toronto, Canada, I sometimes ask myself why I came here, and what truly brought me to this place. I can tell the story in ordinary terms: I met certain people, made certain choices, followed a certain path. But beneath those visible events, I wonder whether something deeper was guiding me.
In Family Constellations, there is a moment when something settles inside me and I feel, “That’s it. I know.” It is not only a thought. It is something felt in the body, a quiet recognition that reaches beyond logic.
My father was born in Sakhalin, on the northern island that lies just off Russia’s southeastern coast. At that time, it was called Karafuto. My great-grandparents had originally emigrated from southern Japan. Along the way, they received support from local people, and through years of hardship, they built a business and made a life there. But at the end of World War II, everything changed. They were forced to flee, leaving behind everything they owned. My great-grandfather had already passed away, and my grandfather was sent to an internment camp. My great-grandmother returned to her hometown with three children, all under the age of five.
Much of what happened during that time was never openly spoken about in my family. Even now, my father does not want to talk about his experiences. But when I visited my hometown after sensing a deep call to look into my father’s lineage, I asked him about my grandmother. He showed me her photograph and told me how strong she was. He said my father had been her favourite grandson.
Through Family Constellations, she returned to my awareness as someone who still belongs in my family system. I feel her place in my heart now. And when I feel the cold of winter, I think of her life, her strength, and her perseverance. It reminds me that these qualities live in me, too.
My great-grandmother continues to encourage me to make my way in this land, even while being far from my first home. Her love remains with me.
Frequently asked questions
What does it mean to honour ancestors in Family Constellations?
In Family Constellations, honouring ancestors often means acknowledging those who came before, recognizing their place in the family system, and making space for what may have been forgotten, excluded, or left unspoken.
Can Family Constellations help with intergenerational patterns?
Many practitioners describe Family Constellations as a way to explore how unresolved family experiences and intergenerational trauma may continue to affect emotions, relationships, and identity in the present.
Do I need to know my full family history?
Not necessarily. Some people come to this work with detailed family knowledge, while others have only fragments, silence, or felt questions about their lineage and still find the process meaningful.
Is ancestral healing the same as therapy?
Not exactly. Family Constellations is generally described as a systemic and experiential approach to family patterns and belonging, rather than a replacement for medical care, psychotherapy, or trauma treatment when those are needed.
For people who wish to explore Family Constellations in Toronto, ancestral work can offer a meaningful way to reflect on migration, belonging, family resilience, and inherited patterns. In a grounded clinic setting, this process can support deeper awareness of family history while helping individuals relate to their story with greater compassion and steadiness.
To learn more about offerings with Sachi at Mahaya Health, visit our online booking page.