Elemental Well-Being: Explorations in the Natural World

A Workshop Series devoted to Wellness through

Art, Balance & Connection with the Elements of Nature

Finding a Sense of Place...............................................May 16

Earth ~ The Peace of Grounding....................................May 23

Water ~ The Flow of Life...............................................June 6

Wind ~ Embracing the Unknown..................................June 13

Fire ~ Becoming Through Transformation.....................June 27

Wood ~ Living With Gratitude......................................July 18

Metal ~ Reflecting Self and Society................................July 25

Workshops will run on Sundays from 1-4pm, with sites & specifics detailed in the registration packet

Fees: $65 per Workshop

All 7 Workshop Package Deal: $400

Any 3 Pre-Registered Package Deal: $180

(10% Discount for Orchesis Members)

Register at Orchesis.org by the Wednesday Prior to Workshop

*space is limited due to the depth of the workshop- minimum 3/maximum 12 participants

For inquiries, please call Sam @ 336.385.1508, or email Maloo at ReflectSpirit@hotmail.com

Facilitators: Sam Griffin, MA Counseling/Expressive Arts Therapy; highly experienced practitioner of earth skills & eco-connection; Wilderness First Aid certified

Maloo Haynes, MA Counseling/Expressive Arts Therapy & Eco-Connection; ReflectSpirit: Natural Wellness, private practice; member of Wilderness Guides Council & Rites of Passage Leadership Training; Clinical Director & Assistant Camp Director of Buffalo Cove Outdoor Education Center; Wilderness First Responder certified

***See Individual Workshop Series Descriptions Below in addition to Summer and Fall Circles and Classes!!!!

Finding a Sense of Place

Sunday, May 16, 2010

We begin with “Finding a Sense of Place” in order to create a refuge or “home”. This sacred place embodies safety and security for our soul to be comfortably revealed. Sacred space is necessary in order to cultivate a deeper connection to self, so that we may go forth from that connection with a compassionate heart to meet our world, all that we encounter, and all that we experience.

We will discover our own sacred space and begin to identify our place in this world through introspection, guided imagery, connection to nature through creativity and the arts, and fostering community.

Earth ~ The Peace of Grounding

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Earth offers a constant source for grounding the experience of our lives. Awareness of this ground, this connection, allows us to find balance in knowing our roots & core amidst the experience of soaring to new heights & exploratory discovery. In this balance we are able to recognize the foundation from which life’s wisdom is revealed.

In the exploration of connecting to the earth we will ground ourselves through movement, clay work & mindfulness.

Water ~ The Flow of Life

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Water and its properties offer a potent metaphor for how we experience life from the past, to the present, & into the future. The specific qualities of water~ its grace, fluidity, force, rhythmic constancy, multiplicity of forms & cycles, and beyond are all keys to our survivorship, adaptability & flow through life and time.

In coming to know water through its many metaphors, we will reflect on the magnificence & flow of our own lives. In this we will use storytelling, watercolor journaling, & deep listening as we follow the wisdom of the stream.

Wind ~ Embracing the Unknown

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Wind, as a power in nature, brings a wide range of experiences to us in often unexpected ways. As in life, acceptance of this unseen mysterious force and the many possibilities that it brings provides a deeper sense of peace capable of enduring, however the winds of change come and go in our day to day lives.

In this experience we will play with wind through sound, movement & the arts to embrace the joy and peace found in acceptance.

Fire ~ Becoming Through Transformation

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Fire is a powerful transformer in the natural world. Capable of providing for our basic human needs, fire is also a visual representative of our own abilities to create positive change from what can seem scary or overwhelming. We will allow fire to call us all to become active creators in our lives capable of becoming the new growth we desire.

Experiencing this transformation visually and tangibly, we will cultivate new growth using fire, ash & earth.

Wood ~ Living With Gratitude

Sunday, July, 2010

Wood, this gift of the natural world, has benefitted each one of us at times in our lives. Whether it is the roof over our head or the warmth on a cold winter night, we are blessed by wood from the trees in numerous ways. An attitude of thankfulness and gratitude for the ‘basics of life” can spill over into other areas of our existence, and thus benefit beyond measure our lives and the lives of those we encounter.

This experience will focus on carrying a deep sense of gratitude through every branch of life. In so doing, we will enjoy an intentional meal prepared in community and cooked over an open fire.

Metal ~ Reflecting Self and Society

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Metal, with its naturally reflective surface, is a useful metaphor for life. We too carry our own reflection based on our experiences, culture, and other factors that affect what we reflect back to the world. Perhaps now in our mechanized world more than any other time in history, metal bears relevant wisdom for our sustainable connection with the earth.

This experience will be a call for us all to examine what we send back to the earth. We will use metal, creativity, and the sun’s reflective beauty in this experience.

Living Beautifully in the Mountains & Valleys: An Expressive Arts Exploration Group for those who Love Individuals Living with Bi-Polar Disorder

Coming Summer and Fall 2010.....

Living Beautifully in the Mountains and Valleys is a circle of support that allows for individuals to process and share creatively through the challenges of loving someone who lives with bi-polar disorder. This creative journey, in supportive circle, facilitates the shifting of paradigms, and opens to the liberation that comes with shedding guilt and deeply honoring one's own heart and soul. We will explore many different arts modalities, from visual journaling, to painting, collage, claywork, and movement, as well as guided imagery and meditative practices. This is a 6-week series with the potential for continuation.

Exploring the Moon: Expressive Arts Circle for Young Adolescent Women

Coming Summer and Fall 2010.....

Exploring the Moon is an opportunity for young women (age 13-18) to discover strength, empowerment and the beauty of womanhood while cultivating a supportive and creative community. In this deepening connection with self and others, we will play with movement, journaling, painting, photography, and nature. This is a 6-week series with potential to build and continue.

Journey Into Creativity & Sacred Space: Discovering the goddess within

Coming Summer and Fall 2010...... On this Journey we will tap into the wisdom within in supportive circle of women, and serve as both witness and co-creators of the beautiful life we desire to fully embrace through connecting, sharing, writing, visual journaling, movement, painting, laughter, and beyond.....

This is an opportunity to come together to support each other on individual paths in life, while also creating a stronger sense of community between within and beyond the circle. It is a time for reflection, creativity, support, renewal, visioning, self-acceptance, and love. It is an opportunity to strengthen existing friendships and develop new connections.