JULY '06 NEWSLETTER

In this Issue:
Retreat Review
Did You Know?
Announcements
Women's Retreats
Relationship Workshops
Meaningful Vacations
Truly Madly Deeply Workshops
Couples Retreats

Our Couples retreat at Viamede Resort in the Kawarthas was a study of one extraordinary illumination after another. The workshop truly established that seeing is believing.

Participants creatively explored a list of thought provoking questions: What do you value most about your spouse? What contributions have you made to your marriage that you are proud of? What do you need to apologize for? With no required art skills, answers were effectively articulated with crayons, collage, clay and markers, resulting in simple expressions of profound truths. After the first morning of discussion one participant was stunned to realize just how bad things were. The purple drawing A. was a reflection of what the marriage looked like at this moment and expressed feelings that they had hit the bottom of the barrel with a mess spilling everywhere. The tiny detail of the joined hands inspired much hope for resolution in the spouse who was listening and looking.

Collage B. answered the same question: the marriage felt like a bridge with cracks, weeds and flames in it, separating them on either side, yet the pillars below were solid and strong and could support them through this trial. Pleasing nature scenes above were better times to look forward to. This image of strong pillars under the trouble brought unexpected and necessary hope into the discouraged partner witnessing the sharing.

It is difficult to find or authentically feel hope while in the hard stuff. Aziza's therapeutic approach uses creative non verbal communication to transcend all the words that fall flat on deaf or distracted ears over the years. Clarity, honesty and finally compassion become much more available for those courageous enough to commit to doing what it takes to rekindle their connection and reveal the truth in their hearts.

Upcoming opportunities for couples to rescue or enhance their relationship are listed below. For information on the next Couples retreat click here. If you'd like to hear what people are saying about Aziza Couples retreats and workshops click here.

Confessions from a Facilitators Garden

Clients tell me they appreciate hearing that I too have issues I need to navigate through. Imagine, a therapist who has work to do on herself. Like you, I too am a work in progress.

The front steps of my home needed fixing and I chose to have a porch built instead of repairing the ugly concrete stairs I'd disliked for 17 years. The day before the job was completed I could feel an unfamiliar pride in my home entrance. The absence of the embarrassment I'd been carrying around for years about this unappealing entrance was telling. I'd no idea I was burdened with these negative feelings and I realized that I had probably unconsciously blocked the natural growth of my business as a result. I wondered about the impact on Aziza now that my energy had shifted to match that of my new beautiful, fragrant cedar porch, welcoming all who came without apology. My phone literally started to ring that night and next day as new clients started to book appointments for individual therapy and workshops which take place in my home studio.

Concurrently the front garden demanded renovation and I dug up trees and plants that were no longer suitable. A low maintenance flowering shrub garden seemed like a good idea, and this time I left space for lots of room to grow. Tolerating the empty spaces between the plants reflected a new facet of patience and deeper self-confidence. When the garden was originally created, I was unsure and had packed in all the flowers I could, growing a colorful yet congested mess. Now, a few well placed ornamental specimens were all I needed to fulfill an aesthetic vision while experiencing that less is indeed more. I realized I'd grown into myself comfortably these last few years between plantings. Finally, I felt I was enough. It's so delicious to feel truly at home- in my own skin and on my front porch.

How might you be interfering with attracting or receiving what you want?

Where do you overcompensate by giving, doing or adding more than is necessary or healthy for you, misguided in your motivation because you don't feel like you're good enough as is?

Women's Sea Kayaking Retreat
July 5 - 7, Georgian Bay, Ontario

Relationship Patterns & Behaviour Workshop
July 15 - 16, Toronto

July 22 - 23, Same Sex, Toronto

Truly Madly Deeply Creative Therapy Workshops
Saturday July 22
Evenings, July 12, 26
Toronto

Women's Weekend Getaway: Flying Solo
July 28 - 30: Thirteen Moons, Ontario

• Dreaming of a relaxing respite from family/work obligations?
  
• Need time to reflect and find clarity?
  
• Longing to be nurtured and restore your depleted spirit?
  
• Seeking the camaraderie of kindred souls?

A monthly offering of retreats held at tranquil Southern Ontario locations. Retreats begin Friday with dinner and end Sunday after lunch ( except mid week Sea Kayak Retreats) and include therapeutic creative activities, gorgeous vegetarian meals, reflective journal writing, relaxing free time and physical wellness activities like forest walks and labyrinth mediations.

Subscribers get a free Thirteen Moons cookbook if you register for a women's retreat at Thirteen Moons by July 7.

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5-Day Retreat Vacation

This 5- day retreat is ideal for women with lives that are often focused on the needs of others. Whether you are a mom, career woman, or a woman in transition with questions, this retreat will be a welcome change. Take time out to focus on you, consider what you need and want right now, explore your heart's desire. Limited space left!

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Come with your own agenda for healing and relaxing on this weekend retreat. With open ended exercises, you have opportunity to focus on and be supported in meeting your immediate needs and concerns in your life process- whether your issues are around money, body image, self esteem, relationships, boredom etc, it's up to you.

August 7 - 11 Women's Retreat

This week is ideal for women with lives that are often focused on the needs of others. Whether you are a mom, career woman, or a woman in transition with questions, this retreat will be a welcome change. Take time out to focus on you, consider what you need and want right now, explore your heart's desire. Fill up your depleted inner well with therapeutic creativity, good company, gorgeous nourishment, in a totally relaxing supportive setting.
Click here for details Limited space left!

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Just south of Tulum nestled on the Caribbean Sea there is a perfect environment for those seeking reintegration. Awaken to an hour of refreshing yoga at sunrise on the beach. Creative personal growth activities are complemented with cenotes snorkeling, beach strolls, scenic tour and authentic cuisine. 7 luxurious days rediscovering all the parts that make up the whole of you.

Early bird special till August 15. For your convenience, you can pay in easy installments each month, or quarterly. Email for details.

Click here for retreat details.

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Our annual Creative /Yoga/Wellness retreat offers diverse activities for a delicious taste of this unforgettable island. Ten days unfold with a balance of walking along rice paddies, through weaving villages, past Hindu temples and other sacred sites, with time to be creative, to reflect, meditate, feast on local culinary delights, unwind at the spa, refresh with yoga, surrender to a labyrinth path and doze off on your own verandah.

Click here for retreat details.

Early bird special till August 15. For your convenience, you can pay in easy installments each month, or quarterly. Email for details.

ONLY 4 SPACES LEFT!

Imagine abandoning yourself to fun communication through colour, shape, and texture. We'll explore the jewels of insight you've just uncovered through your creation and unveil new ways of looking at yourself and your way of being. Held in Toronto, Ontario Click here for details

Saturday 10:30 - 4:30
July 22

Evenings 7:30 - 9:30
July 12, 26

CUSTOMIZED RETREATS & WORKSHOPS

Have a corporate or private group with a special focus? Aziza Healing Adventures will design a retreat to meet your specific needs and facilitate it at any international or local destination your heart desires. Please visit www.aziza.ca/group