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April
20, 2006
Talking to Caryn about staying in embodiment studies
My
original goal for my degree was to learn to run workshops helping women
overcome bodymind issues, and I wanted to go through the process
myself. I've spent this semester researching dissociation, mind-body
duality, women's (and the culture's) relationship to women's bodies,
some neurology, philosophy...
My journey is amazing, and Ellie's incredibly supportive,
so I'm learning, and getting really excited, and all along
my friend Sue has been asking, "So, Alex, done anything with your
body yet?" Sue's
into yoga and dance, tai chi... I'm comfortable with books, research
and writing, and that's all I've done this semester. I'm not exactly
reaching out of my comfort zone, the way I hoped I would.
But JUST lately, I can feel things starting to change... a very
slight, subtle desire to pay attention to my body. I even went to
a yoga class last week.
I want to spend next semester trying everything - yoga, acupuncture,
tai chi - with my body. As much as I can afford. I also want to do
more visual art and poetry. I know this is the right thing
to do and Ellie agrees.
But I want to learn to conduct workshops, especially
since I started looking for them in my area, and finding
nothing People say it's something they need, and
I think it's a niche I can fill.
But again, at this point my most important work is my personal journey
into my body, and if I need to abandon TLA, I will.
Caryn replied:
...you are just
in your first semester, so I suggest letting that change evolve as it wants to
and needs to. From the vantage point of someone who has pushed my own such
change, I know that it can't be pushed. I also think it's great that you're
looking at modalities of healing...
It may be that you find ways to bring body
image, being in a body and writing together. At this point, I wouldn't
worry about whether you need to do embodiment or TLA, but keep
diving toward what calls you. We
can name what it is later......but if you do want to learn about workshop facilitation,
it's likely you will fulfill the TLA requirements anyway. In any case,
let's talk about putting some workshop facilitation good books on your list
next semester to help you prepare to facilitate a workshop (on TLA and whatever
else you want....) your first semester.
...I don't
think you need to give up anything -- just keep going where you're called!
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