Bidston Observatory Artistic Research Centre

BASIC INFO

Part 1 is about building a solid foundation. Rather than focusing on a single therapeutic perspective or modality we will present a usable tool kit of trauma informed practices and the theory behind them. The aim is to give participants confidence understanding how experience impacts their embodied system and what can be done to adapt and grow from the affects of past challenges.

Working collectively we will explore how frameworks like Internal Family Systems (IFS) can be applied within our daily lives and used to bring positive interventions to our personal relationships and wider communities. We will actively addresses topics like systemic and inherited trauma to enhance the agency we have in speaking for and re-addressing these legacies.

Each day will feature a session of embodied practice, a teaching with mediation, rest periods and time for group discussion. We will also make full use of the special environment at Bidston Observatory by cooking together and enjoying the surrounding woodland.

Sessions will be somatically lead and experiential. This means we will be using our bodies to feel into and understand different concepts. This will also inform our collective discussions, ensuring everyone has somewhere to speak from regardless of pre-existing knowledge or where they are at in their healing process.

WHO IS IT FOR

Anyone with a personal or theoretical interest in healing.

You might be:

• Starting your own healing journey and wishing to know more about how the effects of our histories are encoded in the body and what can be done to bring change.
  
• Already trauma informed and recognising the need to think with others about how this impacts the political structures and social arrangements around us.
  
• A deeper diver, wishing to get nerdy about the intricacies of our incredible systems, while picking up some new insights from different scientific frameworks.

Wherever you are at, you are welcome.

AIMS

For participants to come away:

• With an in-depth understanding of the principals behind Internal-Family-Systems (IFS) and an awareness of how Parts influence our behaviours and physical health
• Either competent using Tension Stress and Trauma Release Exercises (TRE) as a self-help practice or for those using it already, able to incorporate other techniques to develop the tremors in self practice
• With resources for speaking compassionately about trauma and its effects on the individual and social body
• With an understanding of systemic trauma and how it plays out politically
• With a deep sense of awe in their own system and an intention to honour it fully

Other tools and theory we might reference in Part 1 include:

Hakomi, Brainspotting, Wheel of Consent, Quantum Energy Coaching, Body Mind Centring. Poly-vagal, Holographic brain and Embodied Resonance theories.

ABOUT THE FULL COURSE

This is intended as the first of three four day workshops.

These will radiate out from the material body, through the energetic system and heart field before approaching wider aspects of spirit and mind.

Its my intention to share what has been offered to me by my teachers. To do this fully I must honour its depth. For such healing to be effective in a group context I am called to provide the appropriate foundation so all can enter the field. The motivation for this to make healing practice accessible to those who might struggle to find other ways in, due to financial or material constraint.

The two remaining workshops will be schedule around 4 months apart so participants have had time to integrate and adopt the teachings. There will also be opportunities to check-in online to support continued use of the tools in-between.

There is no obligation to continue at either stage of the course.

Contact info@positiveplasticityproject.com to confirm your stay.