View of sunset and Morro Rock, taken from the restaurant deck of the Inn at Morro Bay. |
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW AVAILABLE for our next
CREATIVE HEALING RETREAT FOR BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS
Friday evening, October 1 through
noon on Sunday, October 3, 2010
at the elegant Inn at Morro Bay in Morro Bay State Park
The goal of our retreats is to help survivors improve their quality of life by learning techniques to reduce stress, fear and anxiety through art, music, writing, yoga and education.
After surviving a diagnosis of breast cancer and going through the medical treatment, often survivors are left without any coping mechanisms to deal with their altered physical shape, emotional trauma, and so on. Our retreats include those who were newly diagnosed as well as survivors of varying durations.
To view a beautiful and informative slideshow about these retreats, produced by Joanne Ruggles, the artist who leads our retreat Collage Sessions, CLICK HERE.
The University of California at San Diego website states: "uninhibited expression of feelings and emotions through art may help to release the fear, anxiety and anger many cancer patients experience. Art can also be viewed as a distraction to the pain and discomfort of disease, allowing patients relief from stress and increased well-being. By relieving stress, the body's immune system and, therefore, resistance to disease may be heightened." (http://cancer.ucsd.edu/Outreach/PublicEducation/CAMs/arttherapy.asp)
One of the most well respected cancer hospitals, MD Anderson in Houston states "Comprehensive medical care must take into account not only the biologic dimensions of an illness, but also the psychological and social factors that can affect the whole person." (Science Dailey, http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/01/060102104539.htm. ted: January 2, 2006, Art Therapy Can Reduce Pain And Anxiety In Cancer Patients)
Through different media, attendees at this retreat created collages, made music and did yoga. Joanne Ruggles, retired Cal Poly art professor, nationally acclaimed artist and breast cancer survivor led the collage sessions; Marisa Wadell, well-known KCBX radio personality and percussionist, led the percussion/music sessions, and Shoosh Crotzer, master yoga teacher, led the yoga classes. Attendees also learned about lymphedema and ways to help prevent, diagnose and manage it. They learned the importance of exercise, what type of exercise to avoid, what type is recommended; and they learned therapeutic routines and techniques to improve breathing and relaxation and reduce stress.
CLICK HERE to download a Retreat Program, as shown below:
OCTOBER 1-3, 2010
RETREAT PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Friday, October 1:
5:00 - 6:15 p.m.: Registration and Check-in
6:15 - 7:45 p.m.: Dinner
7:45 -10:00 p.m.: Get-acquainted circle
Saturday, October 2:
7:30 - 8:15 a.m.: Yoga with Shoosh
8:15 - 9:15 a.m.: Buffet Breakfast
9:15 - 11:45 a.m.: Collaging with Joanne Ruggles
11:45 - 2:15 p.m.: Walk (or drive) and Lunch (BAYSIDE CAFÉ)
2:15 - 3:00 p.m.: Free time
3:00 - 4:30 p.m.: Exhibits
4:30 - 5:30 p.m.: Free Time
5:30 - 7:00 p.m.: Dinner (with Guest Speaker)
7:00 - 10:00 p.m.: Percussion with Marisa Waddell (COALESCE)
Sunday, October 3:
7:30 - 8:15 a.m.: Yoga
8:15 - 9:15 a.m.: Buffet Breakfast
9:15 - 11:30 a.m.: Collaging / Percussion
11:30 - 12:00 noon: Concluding Remarks & Evaluation Forms
12 noon - 2:00 p.m.: Optional Retreat Alumni Luncheon
If you are interested in participating in this retreat October 1-3, 2010, CLICK HERE to download an Application Form; email us to be placed on our mailing list; or call Enhancement at 805.771.8640 for further information.
PHOTOS from our October, 2007 Retreat |
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| Percussion session at the 2007 retreat: Sticks Ready! |
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| Louisa and her collage at the 2007 retreat |
Here's what Breast Cancer Survivors who attended last year's retreat had to say about their experience at our first retreat in 2007:
COMMENTS FROM 2006 RETREAT ATTENDEES
Smiling faces and new friends at the end of our first Creative Healing Retreat for Breast Cancer Survivors. |
"I can't thank you enough for all the work, thought, planning and love you put into the retreat. It was amazing and just what I needed."
--Robin
"The retreat gave us opportunities to remember, share and express the searing experience of facing one's own mortality through creative expression that nurtured as it led us to explore hidden feelings. Making art and music together returns us to a child-like release of emotion and fear. It was fun, soul-satisfying and a timely reminder to make time for creativity in our lives."
--Carol
"All breast cancer survivors need to attend a retreat like this. It opened my mind! I was able to network and share with other women going through emotional and physical changes that this insidious disease brings to your life."
--Janet
"I would highly recommend this retreat. I feel I can take some of the tools taught me and incorporate them into my daily life to reduce stress. I thoroughly enjoyed the collage sessions. Before when I was reading, I'd find messages or images that I might have skipped over, but now, I pause and think "What does this mean to me?", "Is this something that represents part of my life?" Next thing I know, I'm cutting and pasting and adding to my collage book. It has become such a rewarding journey of self expression that I don't feel I had before.
I also felt very enthused about the yoga. On the first day there was such a great intro to yoga that it really took away my fear of trying it. I always have felt intimidated to try it because I'm not flexible. After listening to the explanations of breathing, positions and beliefs of yoga practice I recognized that I didn't need to compare myself to anyone but focus on my own stretching and breathing.
I feel very blessed that I've had this experience because it has taught me a lot about myself, and reinforced my belief that women when faced with adversity become stronger than they thought possible. Thank you for such an uplifting weekend!"
--Pati
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