Returning - 16 September 2023

This workshop gave participants an opportunity to come into the present moment and consider what the theme meant to them in terms of situations, seasons, places and faces.  We pondered what the word returning meant and created a word-cloud with a range of responses about the word and how it made us feel in anticipation of various sorts of returning.

The resource poem provided much food for thought both figuratively and existentially and elicited some profound written and spoken reflections.  We looked at some images and some oracle cards to inspire further writing and sharing.  Here's a flavour of our inspiration:

We came away with gems from our writing and plenty of fuel for further writing and reflection.

Leaving - 8 July 2023

The theme of leaving brought up various recollections for participants as well as a sense of longing.  Songs were recalled and we journeyed from Simon & Garfunkel's Homeward Bound to Otis Redding's A Change is Gonna Come and connected along the way.  We also recalled through the sense of smell as well as a connection to our younger selves, that spirit that never truly leaves us.

We explored our thoughts on the theme of leaving and arrived at these words which melded together to form a reminder of our time together; 

We contemplated some paintings on the theme of leaving which gave room for connection to different images.  We then wove our explorations with words together with our responses to some oracle cards.  

Here is an excerpt from my word weaving:

Those warrior figures in my life have departed

Maybe we're all warriors though

We have our strengths 

we each stand on our own.

There are times when confidence must put up

its shield against that which would detain it

and stride on to take us in our chosen direction.

As Otis would say—It's been a long time coming

but a change is gonna come—oh yes it is.

We shared what we would take away from the workshop through our own words and one another's and felt that these tied in to own aspirations at the beginning of the session.  There was much to reflect upon and quite possibly more writing to come.

The next workshop will be on 16th September.  Theme to be confirmed.

Replenishing - 17 June 2023

 It was good to come together and share how we accessed writing for wellbeing and the roots of our practice. We explored our thoughts on the theme of replenishing both by definition and through free-writing. Here is the wordcloud we co-created:

Some mindful movements brought us to a quiet space where we were ready to dive into the first poetic resource and writing experience. We reflected on the power of sharing our written words aloud in the group. 

It is often enlightening to see where the writing and sharing takes us and today was no exception. Participants came away with gems from their own writing as well as the words from others in the group to take away for reflection and future recollection on the self discovery path.

Feedback:

When asked "What did you particularly enjoy or was a highlight of the workshop for you?" 

 "I enjoyed being with people who were open to exploration in a safe space. I particularly enjoyed reading the poems out together. I liked the way we were inspired by each other and the alternate names intro." (Margaret)

"Having group discussions and expressing thoughts in a safe environment. Being heard and ideas being formed." (Loretta)

When asked if there were something that you would take away from today and practise at home?

"I enjoyed the meditation exercise and have incorporated into my exercise routine." (Margaret)

"Reading more mindful poetry. Good for the soul." (Loretta)

Other comments:

"I really enjoyed the session and found it empowering. I would definitely be interested in attending more sessions." (Margaret)

"After a long period of being away from these sessions, it was such a joy to come back and be part of a lovely group. I felt we all connected." (Loretta)

Communing - 4 March 2023

This was the first time I have offered a workshop on this theme.  It brought up a real sense of attunement to those in the space, to our breathing, where we simply 'were' in the space without identifying with our normal sense of self where we breathed together. This is echoed in the wordcloud we created:

We wondered how a shared experience, or a shared reading of a poem, or listening of our words, might then affect each person in different ways after the workshop.

The writing brought about discussion of lockdown experiences and how nature and online networking helped maintain a sense of connection and community. 

Firsts - 4 February 2023

 This was not the first time I have offered a workshop on this theme.  However, as ever with writing for wellbeing, the discussions, writings and reflections are very different according to who attends and what they bring and share.  

Today was no exception.  As we discussed some of our firsts, more firsts crept in and it is surprising how easily this theme promotes recollections of times pasts and imaginings of times that may come.  

Here is a word cloud of some topics we came up with for possible explorations as firsts.  Perhaps these can remind you of some of your own firsts or perhaps you can think of more?

The session brought up some recollections not often thought about and some evocative writing and reflections and ideas for further writing.