Creative Practice Gatherings
with Mara Elwood BA, B Ed., MA, PG Dip AT
Nov. 6 – Dec. 11, 2021
Weekly for 6 one-hour sessions
11 p.m. – midnight UTC (Saturday)
4 – 5 p.m. Pacific (Saturday)
7 – 8 p.m. Eastern (Saturday)
noon – 1 p.m. Auckland (Sunday)
Choose your price (USD):
$225 (Benefactor) / $180 (Sustaining) / $135 (Base)
No one will be turned away for lack of funds as space allows. For more information, please email admin@befriend-yourself.com.
Explore new ways of deepening self-compassion and mindfulness.
These therapeutic arts sessions are a judgment-free space to practice and explore the relationship with self and others in an expressive arts-based way.
Curiosity, awe, and play are welcome as we explore various forms of expression together.
We’ll sample a variety of expressive arts materials and modalities, including clay, collage, mark-making materials, sounding, movement, and more.
In a brave space of mutuality and vulnerability, insights can naturally arise.
The aim of each session is to provide self-resourcing skills and practices participants can use for their own wellbeing. This happens naturally and readily when the experience is shared in community and witnessed by others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this course designed for?
This course is for all CDP participants, both graduates and current participants. It is for those who wish to be experimental in their approach to self-compassion cultivation. This is a no-judgement zone, and all are welcome!
Which materials will I need?
Keep it simple by starting with whatever you may have around the house. Paper and coloured mark-making tools (markers, pens, pastels, etc.) are all you really need. However, if you’re curious, you might enjoy experimenting with:
- air-drying clay or PlayDough/salt dough;
- natural materials found in your environment, such as sticks, dried leaves, seed pods, mosses;
- images from magazines or newspapers that jump out at you;
- glue and scissors will be handy;
- If you are wanting to explore different materials, some watercolour pencils, or watercolours/inks are amazing, as well as other paints and brushes.
- You can also build a small collection of found sculpture items like, recycled (clean) aluminum foil, small boxes/containers, wire, string etc.
Must I have skills as an artist to participate?
Not at all. 🙂 No previous expressive arts or meditation experience is needed, and online materials are kept simple and adjusted to what is available to participants. The invitation is to come with curiosity and a willingness to explore and have fun.
How is each session structured?
A session usually begins with a short practice to arrive fully and a check in with participants, followed by a longer meditation practice and expressive arts exploration, finishing with optional sharing of the experience.
What if I don’t have suggested supplies before the start of the class?
You can start the class with a piece of paper and a pen or pencil. Colourful mark-making tools will give you a richer experience, as will any of the other supplies, they are however not absolutely required. It would be helpful for Mara to know if you are having trouble getting the basic supplies so she can be sensitive to this when giving instructions for creative invitations. Mara will also be suggesting some alternative sourcing of materials that are likely to be readily available in your house in the first class.