Embodying Recovery is offered as a half day, or full day experiential workshop for your staff and clients. The most recent Embodying Recovery workshop took place on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at the Vancouver Island Regional Library, Harbourfront Branch in Nanaimo, B.C. The description of it by Mary Ann Moore is followed by comments by some of the participants.

The intent of Embodying Recovery was to embrace and re-awaken the spirits of people with mental health issues and their community allies. We did that by offering a sense of belonging and community to people who usually live in isolation in a setting where support workers and their clients were included in a circle together. The circle offered an opportunity for those dealing with mental health issues to have a voice and to have fun while exploring creativity as a wellness practice.

The theme that carried us through the day (May 14, 2008), was "Packing for the Future: Instructions", a poem by Vancouver Island poet Lorna Crozier. There were 24 of us in the circle writing our own version of "Packing for the Future" and sharing our poems with one another. Unsuspecting poets are born in the circle. Sharing in this way helps us get to know one another beyond the jobs we have or the labels we have been given.

We moved into art making with Lindsay Beal, an art teacher and artist from Victoria, B.C. Tables had been set up as two big islands at the end of the meeting space where people could sit and draw symbols that came to mind as a result of our poem making. We used colourful paints as we worked in silence. Every once in a while, Lindsay would have us move to the next seat and add something to the symbol we were now in front of.

Following a refreshment break, we did some breathwork, movement and dance with Mary Jo Fulmer. Mary Jo is a movement educator in Nanaimo who also teaches a form of breath work called SRI (somato respiratory integration). Much of the movement involved small motions and paying attention. She taught us about the "inner smile". Mary Jo ended her portion of the day with some dance music including hip hop. Everyone feels good when they are given permission to dance!

At lunch, people had an opportunity to go outside or stay in the meeting room at the library to share food and chat. Right after lunch, Catherine (Kayte) Caines, a drama therapist, facilitated her portion of the day. Kayte offers exercises to connect as a group and with one another. She's an amazing teacher. To keep the thread of "packing for the future" running through the day, Kayte had us get in touch with our dreams. Many people voiced their dreams for the first time by speaking to one other person who was listening to them. As a group, we got to create those dreams for a couple of people, each of us playing a part in the dream. That's where the improv comes in. Everyone got a chance to share their reactions to this portion of the day.

Following a refreshment break, Daeva N. Guest, a Nanaimo, B.C. chant leader and sound healer, led us in some sounding exercises - things people can do on their own like singing their own name. We sang a song together before moving into reflections of the day. Together, we wrote a group poem which included the following stanza:

We're so glad we gathered together
We're so glad we came
Were brave
Ate just about everything
Picked up those paint brushes
Had courage
Went to the top
We're so glad we learned
We grew
We sang
We shifted, healed, laughed
Became friends
Went over the top.

Following the sharing of the poem which I had written down as people gave me the lines, we passed the stone so people had a last opportunity to share their feelings and reactions to the day. We ended with a First Nations song, standing in the circle:

"May you walk in beauty in a sacred way
May you walk in beauty each and every day."

Other than three of the facilitators and Lori Banerd who helped to serve refreshments and keep the coffee flowing, all the participants were new to Embodying Recovery. It gave 20 more people an opportunity to express their creativity, experience the healing effects of The Five Creative Awareness Practices, and be part of a community-building experience.

I find it an honour to see people wake up to their own gifts and talents in a supportive circle. I really appreciate the opportunity to have given this workshop on behalf of Open Minds Open Windows. Thank you to Ron Plecas for being so open to adding this program to the many activities and initiatives Open Minds Open Windows offers to the community.