Fwd: A Workshop for Climbing into Your Authentic Self

[Suze Allen]

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

I hope that you can join me for this fun and vital journey! This is a blog post followed by workshop information.

I am at the Institute of Noetic Sciences in Petaluma on February 5 - 7th. www.suzeallen.com and www.ions.org

and at The Esalen Institute on May 28- 30th www.powerhed.com and www.esalen.org

Namaste,

Suze

Teach What You Need to Learn or How I Came to Create

Women in Transition

A Workshop for Climbing into Your Authentic Self

by Suze Allen

Do you ever feel like you’re stuck between the confines of your own brain, the wiring of your hormones, the imposed boundaries of your life, or the expectations of your boss, co-workers, children or partner? If you said, “yes”, to any of the above, we have a lot in common. It seems that I have encountered a restless struggle in each decade of my life that renders me uncomfortable in my own skin, disillusioned and trapped by the world I set up for myself, and ultimately at a loss for knowing how to make the next step and go deeper into my life. And the transition keeps posing the eternal question – “What is “my life”? How is it mine and how does it intersect with the other people that I live amongst and between?

Over my 48 years, I have vacillated between yearning to move forward and being thrust into a change despite my Herculean efforts to stay the same. Each intersection of desire and necessity has made me stronger, more passionate, and wider-awake then I would sometimes like to be.

The paths to transition are many: surging hormones, complicated relationships, decisions about careers, college, spirituality, and motherhood, and about addressing the need to live a life of substance, whatever that means. Whatever kind of transformation you are undergoing, I can tell you unequivocally that you can benefit from taking some time for introspection, intention, and integration.  That’s what has worked for me and why I designed this workshop about women and facing change.

No matter what age or path you are on, if you are a woman in the midst of change; yoga, ritual, and purposeful writing can help you to both open up and get grounded. Yoga (any level – beginner to advanced) clears the path to your inner desire, your spiritual self, or to your god, if you will. Purposeful writing chisels a road into your innermost thoughts and emotions and clarifies your intention. Ritual cements your intention and your desire for change into a sacred journey and gives you the strength to move through the difficult but rewarding phase of transformation. I know this.  My lifelong study and research has shone this to be true.

Joseph Campbell, the author of “Hero of a Thousand Faces”, talks about the mono myth – the one story that gets told over and over again through the ages. The beauty of this story is that we are assured that we are not alone, that many have gone before us on this heroic journey and they have paved the way for us. Women in Transition – a workshop for Climbing into Your Authentic Self was designed by myself, Suze Allen, author, writing coach and teacher, and Jnana Gowan, certified yoga instructor and educator to meet women where they live in the uncertainty of change or evolution. We customized the class from our experience as mothers, spiritual practitioners, and teachers who know the difficulty and the power of the feminine journey. As women, who refuse to live our lives “asleep at the wheel”, our approach to transition is, “keep your eyes wide open, embrace the darkness and the pain and find as much humor, and grace as you possibly can.” The workshop provides lots of space, music, creativity, art, and contemplation. The yoga and writing aspect of the workshop is central. It’s for all levels and is appropriate for anyone from a complete novice to a seasoned professional.

What I find exciting about the workshop is that it creates space and time out of your busy world so you can actually hear the voices in your head, breathe deeply and honor what is happening to you, right here, right now. In this day and age of intense doing, it is imperative to take time to be, to feel, to intend, and to flow. As a mom and dedicated Capricorn, I find, that I have to coerce myself to feel the force within, and without, so I can grow and accept who I am. Workshops like the one, Jnana and I have put together, serve to make me a more authentic person. For me that means “being in my bones”, coming from a place of,” take me as I am” and “no judgment”, of intention and creativity. This is not easy but whoever said easy was good? And the journey is intensely personal to everyone.  The question I often ask myself and ask you now is, “What are you willing to live with and what do you need to lose?” That is the journey.  Attaining and letting go. - Mind, Body, and Spirit, embracing the connection of our whole selves: Yin and Yang, Dark, and Light, Joy and Pain.  

Women in Transition – Climbing into your Authentic Self

Your house is on fire. Your boat is sinking. What do you want take with you? What are you willing to watch sink or go up in flames? Making these decisions can help you navigate change and rediscover your most authentic self.

Living in a culture of advanced technology, time-starvation, overwhelming career and family obligations along with economic and emotional uncertainty often prevents women from taking the time to address and acknowledge life’s vital transitions.

This workshop gives you the time, the space, and the tools to ride the wave of change. Turbulent times are a call to adventure. Embark on the mythic journey with a transformational blend of hatha yoga, purposeful writing, deep relaxation and guided meditation.  You’ll gain a deeper understanding of your life in transition and find strategies and rituals for dealing with intense change and daily discomfort. And Research shows that expressive writing, guided imagery and hatha yoga have a profound healing and transformational affect on people undergoing significant upheaval.   Forward bends deepen your journey into your core; standing poses help you to climb into your power, and restorative poses help you to hear the still and quiet yearnings of your real self. Purposeful and expressive writing brings you clarity and wisdom. Music, movement, and ritual bring you catharsis and joy.

Women in Transition helps you to approach your life with acceptance, intention and integrity, so you can grow stronger and more authentic. In this space of creativity, bodywork and ritual, you can choose what you desire rather than what you think you’re supposed to do and break free from what others want from you.  

To paraphrase Joseph Campbell, when you accept the adventure of change you ride on the back of everyone that’s gone before you.  You are not alone. Take the ultimate of feminine journeys.

IONS Petaluma, CA 94952  www.noetic.org  February 5- 7 , 2010

ESALEN INSTITUTE Big Sur, CA 93920 www.esalen.org  May 28 – 30, 2010