Whidbey Institute Spring 2019 Programs

Spring 2019 FEATURED PROGRAM CATALOG Storyhouse, by April Huizenga

Imae by Chris Jordan

for transformational learning The Whidbey Institute is where leaders and learners of all ages share experiences that connect and inspire.

Our 106 acre campus, about an hour and a short ferry ride North of Seattle, has been a home for transformative learning since 1972.

Through place, community, and experiences, we nurture the conditions for human transformation in response to the world’s great needs.

image by Eric Neurath

www.whidbeyinstitute.org

360-341-1884

info@whidbeyinstitute.org

PO Box 57

Tax ID 31-1518700

6447 Old Pietila Rd.

Image by Live Edge Woodworks

INFO@WHIDBEYINSTITUTE.ORG 360-341-1884 WWW.WHIDBEYINSTITUTE.ORG/STILLNESS-TUESDAY/ALL

STILLNESS TUESDAY Monthly Drop-In Meditation

First Tuesday of each month, 7 to 8:30 pm, Sanctuary Every month, from 7 to 8:30 pm on the first Tuesday of the month, join Howard Aposhyan and other members of the community in the sacred space of our Sanctuary for a time of Shamatha (“calm-abiding”) and Vipassana (“insight”) meditation practice.

Shamatha (“calm-abiding”) meditation is a tool for calming and stilling our highly active minds, clearing them of our everyday concerns and worries so that the way can be paved for new insights.

Vipassana (“insight”) meditation brings you into deep awareness of the world around you and the impermanence of all that exists.

Howard Aposhyan is a clinical psychologist who has been holding meditation in the Sanctuary at the Whidbey Institute on the first Tuesday of each month for over seven years.

image by Thomas Arthur

Have you witnessed hurtful comments, racial insults, or harassing behaviors but felt helpless to stop it?

Image by pezibear

Do you want to build skills for intervening with courage and compassion?

INFO@WHIDBEYINSTITUTE.ORG 360-341-1884 WWW.WHIDBEYINSTITUTE.ORG/INTERRUPTING-RACISM/ALL

INTERRUPTING RACISM Free Drop-in Support group

Second Tuesday of the Month, Storyhouse

A recurring drop-in support group to strengthen awareness about racism and intervention skills in both interpersonal and institutional settings. Open to persons at all levels of experience who are interested in identifying and intervening in racist situations. Conversation may include addressing very basic issues about racism, and may be most relevant to white persons seeking awareness, education and action skills.

Though everyone is welcome, persons of color may find the monthly BIPOC Circle at Healing Circles Langley, led

by Rose Homme (rosehomme@gmail.com), a better fit.

TAKING A MORE EMPOWERED STAND AGAINST RACISM Facilitated by James DeLong and Janet Staub with other guest facilitators.

RSVP For information or to RSVP, please email James at delongj@uw.edu or call 206-465-9507.

April Huizenga photo

Image by invisiblepower

INFO@WHIDBEYINSTITUTE.ORG 360-341-1884 WWW.WAYMARKERS.NET/REWILDINGRETREATS

REWILDING RETREATS

with Waymarkers & Mary deJong Offered quarterly, including

April 6 & June 29 How are your spiritual practices changing in the face of climate change? How does your faith flourish as our forests burn? How do you engage the wild edges of your life, not as a place of chaos, but as a place of profound creativity? How do our prayers hold the ecological grief that howls within our hearts? A response to these probing inquiries demands a return to a whole-relationship with creation and re-membering, or rewilding, ourselves to a profound sense of the Sacred within and without the wild and wonder-filled world.

Details: $150 per day. At Storyhouse.

Waymarkers The mission of Waymarkers is to expand and deepen our relationship with the sacred found within one another and the natural world.

Image by Waymarkers, inset by Free-Photos

What is ‘The Work’?

Image by Micha Sager

INFO@WHIDBEYINSTITUTE.ORG 360-341-1884 WWW.WHIDBEYINSTITUTE.ORG/INNER-EQUITY

INNER EQUITY with Miik Wells

April 20, 2019 at Storyhouse We are being called to participate in social change. As we answer that call, we inevitably encounter references to “The Work” (with the CAPITAL “W”, of course!). When confronted with the charge to “Do The/Your Work”, we allow concern to prevent our curiosity from surfacing our deep question: “What IS ‘The Work’?”

I Offer You INNER EQUITY . . .

Details

Saturday, April 20, 2019, 9 am to 12 pm PDT at Storyhouse.

Cost is $22 to $66, sliding scale.

About the Facilitator M-i-i-K (pronounced “Mike”). He/Him/ His. Black/Indigenous. Learning facilitator by trade, experiential educator by desire, and lifelong learner by inheritance — Miik instigates dynamic, interactive, and adventurous experiences.

Image by Marnie Jackson

INFO@WHIDBEYINSTITUTE.ORG 360-341-1884 NWSOULQUEST.CO/PROGRAMS/SOUL-IN-NATURE

SOUL IN NATURE

Cultivating a Reciprocal Relationship with the Animate World

April 26 to 28, 2019

at Storyhouse with Sheila Belanger & Anne Hayden What would it be like to live daily in relationship with stones, trees, rain, squirrels and even tea kettles, knowing and experiencing their capacity to relate with their own particular kind of aliveness and presence?

The Soul in Nature camping program supports you to cultivate a reciprocal relationship with Nature and Other-Than-Human Beings.

Details:

Sliding fee of $295–$695 includes camping fees and all meals.

Program begins at 7 pm on Friday, with dinner available at 5:30 pm.

Program ends at 3 pm Sunday.

You will need a sleeping bag, tent, and minimal camping supplies.

About the Facilitators Anne and Sheila are inspirational local soulcraft™ and process work facilitators and long-time supporters of Whidbey Institute.

Image by Skitterphoto

INFO@WHIDBEYINSTITUTE.ORG 360-341-1884 WWW.WHIDBEYINSTITUTE.ORG/COMMUNITY-POTLUCK-19

COMMUNITY POTLUCK

for Maxelton friends and neighbors

April 30, 5:30 to 8 pm

Spring is the perfect time for Maxwelton Valley neighbors and friends to gather at the Whidbey Institute to connect and share stories.

5:30 – 6:00 Place dishes on potluck table and start connecting 6:00 – 7:00 Potluck and brief updates from Maxwelton Valley Collaborators, including Whidbey Institute, Whidbey Island Waldorf School, Aldermarsh, and Organic Farm School 7:00 – 8:00 Conversation and cleanup

Details: Please bring your favorite potluck

offering, a serving spoon, and your own plates and silverware. Tea, coffee and water will be provided.

Please sign up to join us! www.tinyurl.com/ WI-potluck-spring19

Space is limited and carpooling is appreciated.

Image by James DeMers

INFO@WHIDBEYINSTITUTE.ORG 360-341-1884 WWW. HEDGEBROOK.ORG/VORTEXT

VORTEXT

A Salon for Women Writers

May 3 to 5, 2019 VORTEXT is an extraordinary weekend salon from Hedgebrook, led by renowned women writers.

The program, now in its eighth year, gives writers the opportunity to connect in diverse and powerful small-group workshops. Writers also enjoy dynamic keynotes and discussions about opportunities and challenges for women who write, as well as several open mics over the course of the weekend.

Details: $950 includes keynotes,

workshops, group sessions, free writing time, breakfasts, and lunches. Lodging not included.

“What happens when women get together in support of each other is so expansive and fierce.”

—Karen Joy Fowler

Hedgebrook is a global community of women writers and people who seek extraordinary books, poetry, plays, films and music by women. A literary nonprofit, our mission is to support visionary women writers whose stories and ideas shape our culture now and for generations to come.

We offer writing residencies, master classes and salons at our retreat on Whidbey Island, and public programs that connect writers with readers and audiences around the world.

Image by shell_ghostcage

INFO@WHIDBEYINSTITUTE.ORG 360-341-1884 WWW.WHIDBEYINSTITUTE.ORG/LAZY-GARDENER

THE LAZY GARDENER An Appletree Garden Class

May 11, 10 am to 12 pm Gardening should be about delight more than work. Learn how to minimize the work by getting started right, planting wisely and maintaining your garden properly. Hosted in the Appletree Garden at the Whidbey Institute by Mara Grey.

Details: Tickets are $40 or $25 for

volunteers. This class takes place outdoors and is open to gardeners of all experience levels.

Mara has over 40 years of experience in horticulture and is the author of “The Lazy Gardener” and “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Flower Gardening.”

Image by MikesPhotos

If we want growth, health and good condition, nourishment is not indulgent: it is necessary.

Image by AllNikArt

Nourishment:

a gathering for women of color

with Victoria Santos and Debra Baker FACILITATORS

MAY 17 TO MAY 19, 2019 $350 plus room and board

DEBRA BAKER

Women of color need spaces to come together, listen to each other deeply, support and affirm one another, celebrate, heal and nourish ourselves in community. What nourishment does your heart, body and spirit need?

This gathering will offer women a warm, flexible community offering space for authentic conversation, play, movement, reflection, rest, healthy meals, and closeness to nature.

Begins with lunch on Friday and ends after brunch Sunday.

VICTORIA SANTOS

Women: Those who identify as women or were assigned female at birth

WWW.WHIDBEYINSTITUTE.ORG/NOURISHMENT 360-341-1884 info@whidbeyinstitute.org www.whidbeyinstitute.org

Image by Couleur

INFO@WHIDBEYINSTITUTE.ORG 360-341-1884 WWW.SARAHMANCHESTERTHERAPY.COM/MEDITATION-OFFERINGS

DAYLONG MINDFULNESS RETREAT with Sarah Manchester

Saturday, May 18 at Storyhouse

Take time and gift yourself a day of mindfulness!

• Learn why it is important to meditate • Learn mindfulness meditation or enhance your existing practice • Take meditative walks on exquisite trails • Enjoy a delicious meal • Write, collage, draw, and contemplate • Spend time in reflection and discussion

About Sarah Manchester

Sarah is a student of The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche and a senior student in the Tibetan Buddhist lineage.

She is devoted to the practices of somatic awareness, contemplation, meditation and creative expression, all of which guide her and her work as psychotherapist and program facilitator.

Details: Cost is $75.

Retreat runs from 9 am to 5 pm at Storyhouse.

Lunch provided.

Art materials provided.

Image from public domain

Image by Mary Jakubiak

INFO@WHIDBEYINSTITUTE.ORG 360-341-1884 WWW.WHIDBEYINSTITUTE.ORG/WOMENS-WISDOM-JOURNEY

WOMEN’S WISDOM JOURNEY with Judith Waldman

May 31 to June 2, 2019 Welcome to our journey­­—a Retreat of Mindfulness and Empowerment for Women in these times. We deepen our physical and emotional wisdom with mindfulness meditation and movement, gentle yoga, art, music, poetry, and playfulness. Letting go, moving forward, all with deep inner peace. We nurture our senses, create energy and balance, and enjoy our creativity. Being present, being true to ourselves, being Wise Women! We will be nurtured by a lush forest and fabulous food.

Details

The retreat will begin with dinner on the evening of Friday, May 31st, and conclude after lunch on Sunday, June 2nd. Cost is $310/shared lodging, $350 single lodging. Includes meals.

Image by Gabriel Schiavone

Image by Peggy Choucair

INFO@WHIDBEYINSTITUTE.ORG 360-341-1884 WWW.WHIDBEYINSTITUTE.ORG/WOC-LEADERSHIP

WOMEN OF COLOR LEADERSHIP IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT With Dr. Sayumi Irey

June 17 to 19, 2019 Women of Color Leadership Identity Development in White-Dominant Spaces • What does women of color sustainable leadership look like?

• Are you interested in naming your experiences while you are in white-dominant spaces?

• Do you want to learn some strategies and effective practices around how to navigate these spaces?

• What does your self-care look like? How do you sustain it?

Details

The cost of the 3-day workshop is $850. This includes food and shared lodging. A 3-tier registration process is designed to help make the workshop more accessible.

Dr. Sayumi Irey (she/her/hers) currently serves as an interim Vice President for Diversity at Bellevue College. She is also the founder of the Social Justice Leadership Institute (SJLI) and leads staff and faculty of color leadership development workshops. Her vision is to disrupt the system collaboratively to create more equity. She is also one of the recipients for Living Treasure at Bellevue College and has mentored a numbers of staff and faculty of color as well as other systematically marginalized members in higher education.

Image by Pezibear

INFO@WHIDBEYINSTITUTE.ORG 360-341-1884 WWW.WHIDBEYINSTITUTE.ORG/SUMMER-SOLSTICE-YOGA

SUMMER SOLSTICE YOGA RETREAT With Michelle Befus

June 21 to 23, 2019 The summer solstice marks a time when the sun is at its peak, providing its strongest burst of light for the year. It represents an opportunity to slow down, connect with the natural world and celebrate both the light that surrounds us and that which lies within.

Join for a weekend of immersion in the practice of yoga, including alignment based slow flow vinyasa and restorative yoga classes, accessible guided breathing practices, walking labyrinth meditations and healing crystal singing bowl sound baths.

Details:

Retreat begins Friday, June 21 at 4 pm and ends Sunday, June 23 at 1 pm.

This retreat is limited to 10 people.

Inclusive costs are as follows. Shared Room: $495 before 05/01/19, $575 regular. Private Room: $565 before 05/01/19, $645 regular.

About Michelle For over 20 years, Michelle Befus has studied movement, breath and balance; earlier as a professional ballet dancer and as a yoga teacher today. Her accessible, grounded classes integrate anatomical precision, thoughtful vinyasa transitions, breath awareness and intelligent sequencing.

Her primary teachers are Theresa Elliott and Kathryn Payne of Pacific Yoga, with whom she completed her 500 hour Advanced Studies Certification.

INFO@WHIDBEYINSTITUTE.ORG 360-341-1884 WWW.WHIDBEYINSTITUTE.ORG/SUMMER-WISDOM-19

SUMMER WISDOM FROM THE GARDEN An Ayurvedic workshop with Kumudini Shoba

About Kumudini Kumudini Shoba is

June 22, 1 to 4 pm

from a family in Sri

Join us in the sweet, woodsy Westgarden at the Whidbey Institute to learn about supporting health with Ayurveda practioner Kumudini Shoba.

tradition. She is a

Details: Tickets are $45 or $30 for

volunteers. This class takes place outdoors and is open to adults of all experience levels.

Lanka with a long “Vaidhya” (healer) Master Herbalist who has studied both eastern and western herbs. She also has a master’s degree in bio-organic chemistry.

Image by Hans Braxmeier

Image by kesie91

INFO@WHIDBEYINSTITUTE.ORG 360-341-1884 WWW.TURNINGTHEWHEEL.ORG/SUMMERRETREAT

THE BODY NOW!

The Path of the Heart, from Turning the Wheel

June 23 to 29, 2019 This six day immersion from Turning the Wheel offers an exciting combination of: • • • • • • • • • • • •

Joyful movement games in community Embodied leadership tools Inspired communication Theater improvisation explorations Community singing and sounding Guided pathways to your inner landscape Reconnecting with nature Ritual and sacred art The power of appreciations Body-based journeys for delving deeper Hundreds of ways to spiral into “The Body Now” Live music for the whole week!

Details: Fees include workshop, lodging, meals,

TURNING THE WHEEL Turning the Wheel uses the power of art to build healthy communities, foster leaders, and share the joy of self-expression.

They bring interactive and experiential arts programs using a unique model that builds participants’ confidence in their own and each other’s creativity.

and materials. Price ranges from $1075 to $1447.

images from Turning the Wheel

Image by Myriams-Fotos

INFO@WHIDBEYINSTITUTE.ORG 360-341-1884 WWW.WHIDBEYINSTITUTE.ORG/DRY-FLOWER-GARDEN

THE DRY FLOWER GARDEN An Appletree Garden Class

June 23, 10 am to 12 pm Add color and drama to your water-wise garden with drought-tolerant plants from a rapidly expanding list of bulbs, perennials and small shrubs.

Details: Tickets are $40 or $25 for

volunteers. This class takes place outdoors and is open to gardeners of all experience levels.

Hosted in the Appletree Garden at the Whidbey Institute by Mara Grey.

Mara has over 40 years of experience in horticulture and is the author of “The Lazy Gardener” and “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Flower Gardening.”

Image by Vikramjit Kakati inset image by Mary Jakubiak

OUR 106 ACRE TRAIL NETWORK IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM DAWN TO DUSK DAILY. TO LEARN MORE OR SEE ADDITIONAL UPCOMING EVENTS, VISIT WWW.WHIDBEYINSTITUTE.ORG

Front image by Marnie Jackson back image by Thomas Arthur