2010 WORKSHOPS


Bending to Light and Dark: A Writing and Yoga Retreat

(open for all students)

April 12 with departure April 17

Writing is a physical activity like football, golf, running, tennis. It uses the whole body. The more we are in our bodies the better the lines of writing flow. This retreat aligns us through the wonderful, ancient practice of yoga into the lines of our notebook.

Come with your aching shoulders, bad knees, silly head quirks and gently ease yourself into a bigger place -- the home of our heart/minds, relaxed bodies and the pages of our notebooks.

Each day we will have a full session of yoga and two writing sessions, where we will write in small and large groups, listen deeply to each others, work and learn the writing process. There will also be short meditations and short yoga stretches integrated with the writing sessions.

Come with fast writing pens, note books, and if you have yoga props, please bring them.

Susan Voorhees has taught yoga for over thirty two years. She is a registered Yoga teacher, a licensed massage therapist and has a M.A. in counseling. Natalie began lessons with her in the early eighties when she was writing Writing Down the Bones. Natalie says, “She is a wonderful, very experienced teacher who does injury free yoga, meeting you at your own level of training, whether you are a rank beginner of an upper level yoga practioner. Her approach is down to earth and real. I’m dedicated to studying with her.”

Price: $1369.00 includes 5 nights lodging in a semi-private room, three delicious home cooked meals a day and tip. $300.00 deposit to register ($150.00 non-refundable).

Limit 24 Students

For more information or registration: 1-800-846-2235 or 575-751-9686
e-mail: mabel@MabelDodgeLuhan.com


Doodling Hearts: Using Writing Practice to Explore Love
and Relationships for the purpose of Memoir, Fiction, Essays

(open for all students)

July 19 with departure July 24

Everyone wants love but what is it? How does it function? Love is such an important subject it should have been in our high school curriculum, considered an essential training like math and science. Certainly, it should be explored as a writer, as our fundamental question. After all, isn't that why we really write? Out of love, for love, to get love--it's all mixed up.

In this workshop we will write about our first kiss, last love, flirting, being with a man, a woman, a crush, long-term love, how to get it, keep it, the underbelly of love--loneliness, how relationship does and doesn't work, luck, the moon, our stories of betrayal, dating, tender passion, sweethearts, affairs, bruised hearts--you name it. In addition we will have the poet Miriam Sagan, aka the relationship guru, spend a day with us, to share her insights, answer our questions and have fun writing with.

This exploration of love can be used to enlighten, add circumference and weight to our essays, novels, memoirs. There will be small and large group writing and deep listening to each other's work. Also included will be short meditation sessions and slow walking.

Come and enjoy the magpies, cottonwoods, clear summer skies. Upon registration a reading list will be sent out.

Price: $1369.00 includes 5 nights lodging in a semi-private room, three delicious home cooked meals a day and tip. $300.00 deposit to register ($150.00 non-refundable).

For more information or registration: 1-800-846-2235 or 575-751-9686
e-mail: mabel@MabelDodgeLuhan.com


True Secret of Writing

(for students who have studied with Natalie)

August 9 with departure August 14

This course is for students who have studied at least once before with Natalie. The week will be in silence and will consist of a morning, an afternoon, and an evening session. We will alternate between sitting meditation (a cushion or chair is fine - sits are no longer than 30 minutes and some are shorter), walking practice and timed writings. There will be some time for reading with the teachers. Space each day for a nap, a solitary walk, individual writing, sitting, and walking practice will also be provided. Instruction will be available.

Mabel Dodge provides delicious meals. This will be a time to nourish yourself and your practice. I encourage, if possible, that you come a day early and/or stay a day later to have time to ease in and then digest the workshop. Mabel Dodge will offer a discount for those nights. Upon registration you will receive a letter with additional information. Group is limited to 28 students.

True Secret begins on Monday, August 9, with departure after lunch on Saturday, August 14.

Price: $1369.00 – includes five nights lodging in a semi-private room, three delicious home-cooked meals per day and tip.

A $300.00 deposit, due with registration, includes a non-refundable and non-transferable administration fee of $150.00.

For more information or registration: 1-800-846-2235 or 575-751-9686
e-mail: mabel@MabelDodgeLuhan.com


True Secret of Writing

(for students who have studied with Natalie)

December 6 with departure December 11

This course is for students who have studied at least once before with Natalie. The week will be in silence and will consist of a morning, an afternoon, and an evening session. We will alternate between sitting meditation (a cushion or chair is fine - sits are no longer than 30 minutes and some are shorter), walking practice and timed writings. There will be some time for reading with the teachers. Space each day for a nap, a solitary walk, individual writing, sitting, and walking practice will also be provided. Instruction will be available.

Mabel Dodge provides delicious meals. This will be a time to nourish yourself and your practice. I encourage, if possible, that you come a day early and/or stay a day later to have time to ease in and then digest the workshop. Mabel Dodge will offer a discount for those nights. Upon registration you will receive a letter with additional information.

Group is limited to 28 students.

True Secret begins on December 6, with departure after lunch December 11

Price: $1369.00 includes five nights lodging in a semi-private room, three delicious home-cooked meals per day and tip.

A $300.00 deposit, due with registration, includes a non-refundable and non-transferable administration fee of $150.00.

For more information or registration: 1-800-846-2235 or 575-751-9686
e-mail: mabel@MabelDodgeLuhan.com

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