The experience of Writing for Wellbeing workshops offers the opportunity to explore emotions and feelings you want to understand, therefore gaining insight and a deeper understanding.
Writing for Wellbeing workshops usually have a theme to work with creatively. In my workshops we start with a breathing exercise or a short movement exercise, for example chi kung or tai chi. These help to bring the body and mind together to ground and centre ourselves in preparation for writing.
We will move into poetry, listening to a poem and reading it aloud if desired. This promotes the opportunity to listen mindfully, to gain insight into what the poem is revealing to you or trigger understanding. Sometimes there will be images.
We will take this into our writing where there is no necessity to have any prior experience. We are not looking at the poem in a literary sense. There is absolutely no need to write in poetic form, although sometimes the practice of Writing for Wellbeing can evoke these responses. The majority of people write in prose, tapping into their life experiences, feelings at the moment, and past lived experiences.
Guided suggestions and prompts will be offered throughout the session, but some people may wish to follow their creativity if the poem has sparked something within them. There is an opportunity to share in a safe, peaceful space. Not all people want to share and it is very much an option. However, sharing often helps with a healing process into wellbeing and can highlight emotions and experiences you wish to explore further.
The groups usually consist of between four and ten people although Writing for Wellbeing can be practiced on a one-to-one basis. However, sharing and interaction with a larger group encompasses a positive effect.
Attending these workshops (which are for women) can be a creative way to increase a sense of wellbeing. In my groups, combining breathwork or movement accentuates the feeling of wellbeing.