Workshops

Aah-men!

Men....don't you just love them?! Well, maybe not, if your experiences have not been positive. Fathers, ex-husbands, current lovers: you feel hurt, afraid, bewildered, or just pretty-damned mad. Those feelings turn into resentment, affecting your physical/mental/emotional health as well as subsequent relationships. (If you are at any stage of menopause, you know how everything can intensify!)

We'll look at forgiveness, for yourself and your men: the first step in releasing the past and its inherent resentment. We will also look at anger, letting go, self-esteem, little ways to beautify your surroundings, ways to think and be a little bit different. We will have ritual, exercise, fun - and bring some tissues because we also have laughter and tears. Whether or not you choose to love again, join with other women in letting go, looking forward to renewed energy for life, and learn to cherish that beautiful, unique woman that is You! This three-hour workshop is offered to any group of women. A workbook is included, which sets out a ninety-day plan for enhancing your life, dealing with your issues, and having some fun. Each woman is invited to bring something for a Healing Altar.

Couples in Harmony

I am passionate about harmonizing relationships, and designed this programme with the intention of meeting several needs. You may have a good marriage and want to make it great; you may need to communicate with your partner but can't figure out how; you may be yawning through your relationship and want to turn it around before it's too late; or you may be drawing up a wedding plan which includes a relationship-oriented programme. This six-week course is ideal for you!

The course will run for six weeks, and each session will be for two hours on a chosen evening. It will be stressed to participants that we are all teachers, discussion is encouraged, and everyone's feelings, emotions and opinions are honoured. There will be handouts, but group time will be discussion-oriented, as I believe that group dynamics are very powerful. Homework: your assignments are private and not to be shared in class (unless participants wish to do so).

We will look at essential traits of couples who thrive, discuss important issues such as boundaries, values, intimacy and commitment. What are your obstacles, what are your beliefs around marriage? Let's find out together.

We will look at communication - learn to listen, script your needs, express your feelings, discover how to problem-solve and negotiate. Are you defensive by nature, argumentative, controlling? Let's see what we can do to help you through these minefields.

Many couples drift along for years barely remembering how good it can be - others have forgotten completely and end up going their separate ways. Sometimes it can take just a shift in thinking to turn things around, or it can take lots of hard work and determination. Remember: Love is a decision, and one that you can make!

If this all sounds serious, then take heart. We will be looking at ways to put fun into your relationship, with some ideas hopefully coming for you to inspire your fellow participants. If there are couples planning weddings, we will ask the other participants to bring ideas and anecdotes to the final class. Each week we will have a break for juice and munchies, and some minute-breaks for stretching and relaxation techniques.

Courses will be on an on-going basis, and at the end couples will receive a certificate of participation. If you know of a couple who would benefit from this programme, I would be happy to arrange a gift certificate for them.

Lighting Fires

Weekend workshops for couples, with the emphasis on privacy and intimacy, based on Dr. Ellen Kreidman's highly successful Light Your Fire programme. (This is not for couples in crisis). You are already in the passionate, fun and exciting relationship that you always wanted - you just have to turn up the heat! Realize your potential and incrase the quality of your life together. Remember: romance is a decision!

Second Wife, Second Best?

Most women who take on the role of subsequent wife are unprepared for the emotional and financial minefield ahead. We look at issues such as dealing and coping with the first wife, adult step-children, your charter of rights as subsequent wife and step-mother. We explore your husband's issues: guilt, anger, grief, self-blame, self-worth. We ask and answer the questions about your feelings: resentment, jealousy, fear of failure, and doubts and concerns about the future. There will be a sharing circle for those who wish to share their stories, and what we hear will stay within the circle. Your privacy will be respected.

Remarriage - A Healing Gift?

Regretting, enduring, or considering marrying again? Second marriages break down at a faster rate and in greater numbers than first marriages. We explore what lies behind the choices people make, look at solving the problems that can be solved, and learning to live with what we cannot change. On the lighter side, we will look at Ten Good Reasons to be a second spouse! Come to this workshop alone or as a couple.

Reiki Workshops

Reiki Level I

The Reiki Level I class takes place over two days, usually a weekend, and involves much more than learning the hand placements and receiving the attunements. We will look at the skills of a healer, uses for Reiki, the benefits to the practitioner and receiver, some ideas for grounding and breathing, and how the hand placements relate to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of the recipient. You will take turns with other students, giving and receiving, sharing and learning. If you choose to learn one-on-one, you may invite people to join us just for demonstration and practice - otherwise I do have a list of willing volunteers on whom to call.

After receiving the attunements at the end of the second day, you will be presented with a certificate. I recommend that you practice as much as possible before considering Level II. Many people who take Level 1 do so because they want to learn the technique and use it on family, friends, and - yes - animals. Your pet will love you for it! As will your weary spouse, your friend with the headache, your stressed sister...... It will be an enjoyable and positive experience!

Reiki Level II

This level also takes two days, and a certificate is given after the attunements. Level II focuses on the emotional aspects of healing, as well as distance healing. I recommend that the student be absolutely certain that he or she is ready for Level II before deciding to apply - only you know for sure if you are ready. Some teachers like to set a certain amount of time between levels, but I know students who have been ready within a short period of time, and others who have taken years, while there are others who decide that they will not go on.

We will review Level I, and as with that Level, we will invite volunteers on whom to work unless you wish to ask someone to offer themselves for the practical work. You will need to have someone who is at a distance on whom to do the first evening's homework - usually someone with a physical or emotional issue who has given permission for you to send distance healing.

Master/Teacher Level

This level is usually taught with only one student. If two or more people specifically request to be taught together (possibly because they plan to be partners in teaching), I do not have any objection, but personally feel it is of benefit to the student to learn one-on-one. Not every Level II students decides to go on to take the Master/Teacher Level. This is referred to by some teachers as Level II, while others split the designation. There are some teachers who have chosen to split Reiki learning into even more levels. The student will decide which teaching methods are suitable for him or her.

This level is taught over four and a half days. Days One, Two and Three cover the three levels and how to teach them, one each day. Day Four reviews the entire process. Each day has time for questions from the student, meditation, exercise, grounding, breathing, ritual and breaks. The morning of Day Five opens with an elemental meditation, time for the student to ask any remaining questions, a full Reiki treatment for the student, the attunement, then presentation of the certificate and what I call "the Master's goodie basket" (filled with practitioners' essential items!).

Overview

While I generally teach in my room at the Holistic Centre, I am willing to travel to put on workshops. My first experience of teaching more than one student at a time came when a yoga teacher contacted me by e-mail and offered to provide accommodation and her yoga studio as teaching space if I would travel to her city to teach. She put up posters and notified all her students, and in exchange we came to a mutually satisfactory agreement regarding the fees payable by her and her husband. If this appeals to you, phone or e-mail with your proposal!

I encourage students to share their experiences, but also assure them that there is no expectation on them to do so. Each person's experience is unique; for some a treatment involves clearing a headache or easing stress, while for others it is deeply spiritual.

Before each Reiki workshop, I provide students with a letter which prepares them for the workshop experience. It's a good idea to wear comfortable clothes; bring water and simple nutritious food to "graze" on; anything you wish to share such as an exercise, poem, meditation, prayer, wisdom story; if you have some favourite soothing music, bring that along as well. There will be ideas for self-care, breathing exercises, meditation, music, movement, stories, and some fun!