If you'd prefer not to receive this newsletter, please send an email and you'll be promptly removed from the list. REVIEWSThe November Thirteen Moons Women's Retreat on Living an Authentic Life started out with a scrumptious dinner of split pea soup, potato, kale and roasted garlic casserole served alongside vegetable filled cabbage rolls, ending with a crispy apple strudel accompanied by sweetened yogurt, all lovingly prepared and presented by our host Louise Racine. Inspired by the clear starry sky, a fresh evening walk through the pathway surrounding the house led directly to the heart of what it means to live an authentic life. Participants who had little experience walking in the dark shared a discomfort with the forest on either side of the roadway, anticipating and imagining all sorts of danger and threat, and were quiet distracted by their fantasy. This is a common experience: choosing to imagine a potential, more dramatic experience and missing out on the simplicity of the moment and the gifts this simple moment holds. It was pointed out to the women that they were robbing themselves of the starry night they'd bundled up to see, an experience not always possible in the city and one of the benefits of coming to this country retreat they'd paid for and driven miles to attend. Their awareness of missing the moment was met with frustration as the participants felt at a loss as to how to stop their creative mind from concocting drama and anxiety. This simple exercise was offered: Concentrating on their breath, breathing in and out as the cold clean air tickled nostrils and filled their lungs, they became grounded in the moment, moving out of their heads and imagination, reconnecting with their bodies here and now. They looked up and took in the stars, and focused on what they saw. If they felt their minds wander, they were encouraged to concentrate once again on their awareness of their breathing. Simultaneously, they experienced the evaporation of their anxiety and fantasy. The had arrived right here, right now, and it was enough. The weekend was spent on creative expression, labyrinth walks, forest hikes, indulging in heart warming cuisine and contemplative journal writing. We focused on how various old habits and attitudes interrupt awareness and acceptance of the moment. The group was invited to explore what was really going on, and consider an authentic response to their immediate environment; to meet their needs in this situation- needs they otherwise wouldn't have known required attention. It was a wonderful time of awakening to a new way of being in the world, a way which challenged old learned behaviour and adopted family values, reactions that were no longer welcome, which no longer worked. Here's what was said about Living an Authentic Life: "The meals were excellent, incredible and beautifully presented: true art!" "I am always astonished to find that what I thought was going into the art in fact contains different messages. I am continually surprised at the revelations about myself through discussions of the art." "I'm glad I came and am leaving with a better sense of what is missing in my life and what I need to find or to work on next." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The new partnership of Aziza Healing Adventures and Group Care Experiences for Women enjoyed a successful launch with the November 27 Truly Madly Deeply Art & Therapy Authentic Living Workshop in Oakville. Our first event was a day long workshop which took place at Sovereign House, a charming historical site overlooking Lake Ontario, surrounded by forest and a few steps away from the beach. Our courageous group of women gathered with excited anticipation of having some fun with the abundance of art materials available for them to explore their life choices. The day unfolded with welcoming hot beverages, blueberry muffins and oatmeal cookies, Expressive Art activities, discussion in pairs, short independent walks on the beautiful grounds to help integrate new insights and awareness. A delicious lunch of assorted sandwiches- curried egg salad, roasted marinated chicken breast, caramelized mixed vegetables with cheese and a tropical fruit platter was followed by a Labyrinth meditative walk on the beach below, journal writing and one final creative activity and discussion before parting ways. Issues that emerged in this group of mothers included feelings of isolation, overwork, self-denial, sadness, loneliness, guilt, abandonment and selflessness, all of which interfere with authentic choices. It was a full, rich and magical workshop which resulted in the creation of a new community for a day, a time of connecting through the respectful, compassionate witnessing and sharing of commonly felt experiences. Here's what was said about the day: "The experience that stands out the most is the weaving of the outdoors and therapeutic art together- to connect with nature and get clear on my truth." "It was ( initially) difficult to open up, but so amazing to feel the release and my comfort level increase." "An invigorating and challenging experience that enabled me to gently learn more about myself." "Laila is an excellent facilitator- very gentle, sensitive yet provoking you to feel." Truly Madly Deeply Art & Therapy Workshops will continue to be offered in Oakville throughout 2005. Please set aside Saturday Jan. 15 and March 5 if you'd like to attend. Cost is $189 per workshop day and includes lunch, snacks, beverages, therapeutic activities and art materials. A special workshop subscription package for the year will also be available- details to come in January. ANNOUNCEMENTSDeeply felt thanks to all those who stopped by the Aziza Healing Adventure booth at the National Women's Show and the Yoga Show in Toronto. Your interest, enthusiasm and support is much appreciated! Special thanks to Denyse Marion of Art & Facts for her signage design, Laura Barnes and Schawk Imaging for sign production, and Heather Ford and Linda Harper for their invaluable help with the booth. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PRIVATE EVENTS Have a group of 4 or more? Have an occasion to get together and want to try something unique and lasting? Please consider a private evening or day workshop, weekend /mid week retreat or a meaningful vacation for your group of friends. Cost is usually the same as scheduled events. Please visit www.aziza.ca/group if you are interested or call us at 416. 696.0086 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ All emails and phone messages to AHA will be answered by Dec. 12. We are away at the Rediscover Yourself in Mexico Retreat from Dec. 3-10. Thank you for your patience. Look for the Mexico Retreat Review and photos in the January Newsletter. MEANINGFUL Winter
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