Spring,
2010 Workshops
(scroll down for details)
Enjoy themed discussions, workshops and exercises designed to help enhance and inform the way that you look at the poetry that you read and write. Limited attendance guarantees special attention to your own voice, questions and interests. Daily workshops are complimented by great meals, yoga, morning song, evening poetry and musical performances, open readings, and plenty of time for personal recreation.
Session 1 March 12-14 :
Poetry, Kindness, and the Call to Compassion with legendary teacher, poet and humanitarian Naomi Shihab Nye.
An intense and intimate writing workshop with one of the greatest, kindest poets living in our times. Naomi’s reputation speaks for itself. No need to cheerlead here. Naomi says to expect the following: Writing at the edges, at the rims, near the cliffs, with respect for margins. Writing out of time, about time, for time, beyond time. Connecting dots, finding threads, making a few knots, and always untangling. We are beginners every day.
Session 2 April 1-4:
Experiencing Joy and Creativity IN THE MOMENT… In Praise of Authentic Voice, Beauty and Joy through music, movement and poetry with David Darling, Lisa Starr and Sue Littlefield and Rebirthing Breathwork with Alissa Rosenbaum.
David Darling, one of the most brilliant and humble teachers at work in the world, will be with us celebrating his love of music, rhythm and the inner beauty inherent in each and every one of us. David, Sue and I will work with small groups separately and collectively, incorporating music, spontaneity, yoga, poetry and breathwork into the creative process, with the goal in mind of accessing the pure place inside each of us where creativity comes from. We will learn to practice joy, celebrate authenticity, play the holy fool, and discover the musician buried deep within. Those interested can experience the magic of weaving their own poems and David’s beautiful improvisation on the cello together. Please note that April 4 is Easter Sunday, and we will be incorporating the magic and mystery of rebirth and renewal into the content, in particular through the work of Alissa Rosenbaum who will lead those interested through a process she calls:
The Breath, Renewal, and Creativity
How one breathes is an indicator and reflection of how one experiences flow of life (i.e. inspiration). Rebirthing Breathwork is a process of conscious connected breathing that utilizes one’s relationship with the breath to increase the body’s oxygenation, heighten one’s ability to be in present time, cleanse on a cellular level, release stuck energy and emotion, and accelerate the flow of intuition and creativity. Rebirthing supports ones intention to heal- body, mind, and spirit.
This workshop is an opportunity to experience Rebirthing Breathwork and how it affects your flow of inspiration, joy, and aliveness!
Facilitated by Alissa J. Rosenbaum
Alissa also goes by the name Blooming Rose. As a cultivator of life, she is on a continual conscious journey of expansion and exploration through studies, travels, and trainings of the body-mind-spirit. Currently she is involved in a 9-Month Personal Growth/ Rebirthing Program in Philadelphia, PA, and is studying the Collard Method of Bodywork. Through body awareness, mind consciousness, and the breath, Alissa empowers others to take full responsibility for themselves and the creation of their lives in every moment.
Session 3 April 8-11:
Circles and Cycles of Truth with Jen Lighty, David Whetstone and Sue Littlefield.
What is the truth and how do we know it? Despite the revelations of quantum physics which proves that even the physical world is relative, a product of consciousness, we still persist in believing in the existence of objective truth. Where does this need come from and why is it so important to us? Encircled by ocean waves and the ethereal music of David Whetstone's sitar, grounded through the practice of yoga led by Sue Littlefield, we will explore the concept of truth using all of our senses to engage our minds and deepen our poetic process by giving ourselves the opportunity to form a new understanding of this concept which has caused pain and conflict for so many. Our lens will be the Iroquois Twelve Cycles of Truth, a guide for viewing the way truth works in our lives that can hopefully lead us into a deeper understanding of our actions and reactions as we encounter this deep longing at the core of being human.
This process will last the entire weekend. Specific manifestations to be announced so as to invoke the Gods and Goddesses of Surprise! Tricksters and Fools especially encouraged to join us.
Session 4 April 15-18:
In Which We Celebrate Life as Living Ceremony, and the Block Island Poetry Project.
This weekend will include an introduction to the ritual and history of the Sacred Sweat Lodge with Carl Bigheart and family, new poems workshops with Lisa Starr, and music with Rex Fowler of Aztec Two Step (April 17). Other Block Island teachers will be joining the line-up in the weeks to come so please stay posted as we develop this weekend.