First Post-Election Thoughts, 11/9/16

Having lived in middle America I am amazed at how many of us are surprised at the election outcome; I am also surprised at the depth of the natural human experience of defensiveness that propels so many of us to think that we are more caring, more enlightened, and that everything is reduced to good and bad. Yes, this is serious but do not give in to fear and anxiety, it will lead us astray.

In these times I am hoping that we will all become more localized. With the likelihood of many folks becoming more marginalized, that we will reach further and more concretely to disenfranchised people in our own neighborhoods. That we will take more action and expect less from government, that we will be a little more self responsible, more aware of our own hidden acts of prejudice and hatred, and more willing to put them aside and build community and to stand up for people.

Let us not focus on our fears. Be calm, hold Light and live it in your sphere. Maybe that is a good that can come from this all...

Videos, Banners & Conferences, Oh My!

Two weeks ago we had a great turn-out of people volunteering to help make a video showcasing the school, and tomorrow the banner for our booth at the United States Association of Body-Psychotherapy Conference in two weeks goes to the printer.  Life is in full swing at SSBP this summer, hope to see you at one of our events soon!

Find Your Joy in August!

The Find Your Joy Workshop is my introductory workshop that gives people a solid beginning experience of the work we do here.  We will be meeting the first weekend in August to do it again, I hope you can join us!

Traditional psychotherapy works toward congruence in a person’s thinking, emotions, actions, and life choices. Body-oriented therapy understands that the body is also profoundly affected by our life experiences.  Identifying and releasing attitudes and old images held in our physical structure adds an important component to therapy. This promotes lasting change, allowing for free flow of life energy from within us so we can more fully realize our life, our joy.

The workshop combines lectures with movement and experiential opportunities. I also bring my understanding of many other approaches to employ creativity and spirituality to enhance the journey.

There is also room available in the Herbal Remedies for Mental Health Difficulties Workshop July 8-9.  See the Special Events Page to register.

Garden Contest Entry!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kXq-XtdflI&feature=youtu.be

I made this little video for a contest in sharing garden tips and entered it in the "how to select plants" category.  Please go take a look and like it to vote for me! (I don't so much want to win as to get the word out about saving "at risk" medicinal plants).
Twenty plants that are commonly used for medicinal purposes are now considered "at risk" because of over-harvesting in the woods of North America. Another twenty two plants are on the "to watch" list because their popularity is sending more and people and natural health corporations after them in their wild abode. Many of these plants are easy to grow and simple to utilize for health care purposes. Thanks!!!

Dates and an Upcoming Special Cohort

We've got the dates up for the 2016-17 training year.  The new cohort starting next fall gets the special treatment since the class will, instead of meeting Mondays through Fridays, meet from Thursday through Monday.  This is an experiment and an attempt to better meet the needs of colleagues who work in agencies and have been having difficulty getting away for our training.  Even though this is many months away we already have students making appointments for their application interview, so if you are interested let us know.  Space is limited!

DATES for 2016-17: 

YEAR ONE:      November 3-7, 2016        February 23-27, 2017     May 25-29, 2017

YEAR TWO:     October 17-21, 2016        February 6-10, 2017      April 24-28, 2017

YEAR THREE:  September 12-16, 2016    January 23-27, 2017       April 10-14, 2017

Stalking the Vital Force

Last night I was having a conversation with a friend who, having experience with both, was discussing the similarities between Core Energetics and the another therapeutic approach.  I was uneasy with the comparison.  Then this morning in yoga the teacher mused, "Does the leaf let go of the tree or does the branch release the leaf?"  This question helped me to articulate what I believe to be the difference between Core Energetics and other paradigms. 

It is clear to me that the leaf falls when the Life Force, the Vital Substance, is withdrawn from the leaf.  In Core Energetics it is this substance that we work with, learning to track how the Vital Force which emanates from the Core of our being, manifests into matter; into our body shape, our emotions, thinking patterns, behaviors, belief systems, attitudes and more.  It is a concrete thing that is actually happening right before our eyes, something we can track physically.  It is not just an idea, theory, or concept. 

There are so many valid and useful approaches in the world, but I like Core because it is tangible, and it is always the "Now".  In Core we can learn to bring space and light into our body to allow our Vital Substance to manifest our true self into the world.  For it is clear from the leaf metaphor that when the Vital Force is held back or withdrawn there is no longer connection!