Dancers save the date for March 14th - 16th, 2008  for the Body Wave 5Rhythms Journey  
 

Introductory Workshop - Saturday Evening
Intensive Workshop - Friday Night thru Sunday Afternoon

Whether you've danced the 5Rhythms® for years, meant to for years, or just found out about this dynamic, cathartic, joyful, insightful, wild Movement Meditation Practice of Gabrielle Roth's this workshop will ground us all in the basics, open us to the possibilities, and challenge us to take our practice deeper and further from wherever we start.

The 5Rhythms® is a living, breathing, evolving practice; one that we revisit over and over to expand our understanding of the basics and to integrate the changes that both the practice and we are experiencing as we transform into ever more expansive and compassionate beings.  It is a wonderful way to experience a deep and loving connection to self, to the other, and to the many communities to which we each belong.  Moving with attention to the 5Rhythms® of Flowing, Staccato, Chaos, Lyrical and Stillness leads each of us into a greater awareness of the vastness of soul - all through the action of our many unique and heart-full dances.

The key to unlocking our soul's door is the body. Each of us is blessed with the ultimate meditation tool, our body. This amazing teacher provides constant enlightenment with every breath and every step. In Body Wave we give ourselves the time to pay attention to our bodies, to the parts where we release and the parts where we resist, where we revolt and where we remove, where we reveal and where we revel. In this workshop we'll shake loose the building blocks our bodies and rebuild and reinvent ourselves from the feet up.

Over the course of the weekend we will dance and be danced - surrendering to wave after wave of our body's wisdom. Facilitated by Tammy Burstein, we will be led by the 5Rhythms® in waking up the body and waking up to the soul.  We will deepen and strengthen our understanding of the 5Rhythms® as we explore five physical gateways (feet, hips, head, hands, and breath) that inform and illuminate our practice.

We hope you will join us, newcomer, old-timer, beginner mind or devoted practitioner, to move a little further into the mystery.

Introductory Workshop: Saturday, March 15, 2008,   8:00 - 10:30 PM
Price: $50.00   Early Bird Special through February 8th - $35.00
Intensive Workshop: Friday night thru Sunday afternoon, March 14-16, 2008
Friday: 8:00 - 10:30 PM, Saturday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Sunday: 12:00 Noon - 5:00 PM
Price: $220:00   Early Bird Special through February 8th - $185.00

Venue: Carderock Springs Swim and Tennis Club (Huge hardwood dance floor!!!)
8200 Hamilton Spring Court, Bethesda, Maryland 20817
Approx. 1.7 miles from I-495 & River Road

To register now, Click: http://www.aphroditephoto.com/Workshops_Frame.htm

Questions or Additional Information:
Contact: Jim Guzel - Tel: 202.627.9903
or Email: [email protected]

This entry was posted on January 30, 2008 at 2:21 AM and has received 1255 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

Could radical acceptance of the many things, events, and people that we find unacceptable invite us into a space of deep loving where healing can take place?  Tom Goddard and Roger Telschow are leading a session to find out!


On the Frontier of Loving:  Radical Acceptance

Saturday, 4pm to 6pm, February 2

-- Falls Church, VA --

Potluck Gathering, 6:00 pm


What's on your list:  a child's attitude, a spouse's habits, a job, a neighbor's junky driveway, air pollution, foreign policy, or any number of the injustices plaguing our world?   Our coping mechanisms for these unacceptable things range from rage to gritting our teeth to turning our heads and much in between.
 
We won't be practicing shoulder-shrugging or capitulation.  Rather, through a series of experiential processes, we'll explore what it might be to accept what is, completely and radically.  Some suggest that it is only with this foundation that we can be effective agents of loving change in the world.  Come join us in the experiment!
 
BRING A DISH FOR 8 PEOPLE (main dish, salad, side dish, bread & beverage, or dessert).
 
Invite along a friend if you like.  Can't make it at 4pm? - then just stop in at 6pm for the potluck! 

 DIRECTIONS
to this month's meeting place (the home of Barra Kahn in Falls Church, VA):
 
 
From the beltway (I-495), take Arlington Blvd. (U.S. 50) eastbound toward Falls Church/Arlington.  In about 3 miles you will pass a McDonald's (it's off on the right on the service road).  Turn right at the next light, Annandale Rd.  Go 7/10 mile & turn left at the second light (Kerns Road).  Take Kerns through the light at Sleepy Hollow.  In a couple of blocks Kerns becomes Lily Dhu Lane.  Continue past the "Dead End" sign.  The house, 6438 Lily Dhu Lane, is a few houses past that sign on your left.  Barra's phone # is 703-941-8849.

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On the 20th I will host a discussion of the spiritual aspects of the book "Eat, Pray, Love" - a spiritual journey

I heard about this book from the Sandbox list and I immediately bought a copy and read it. I really enjoyed it. What a spiritual journey! Liz Gilbert writing in a revealing and humorous way about her struggles with negative thoughts, if praying is a good idea or  not and difficulties with mediation. For me there are many wonderful  quotes in the book. And so many magical moments. Like when she is  resisting 4am meditation, decides to commit to it and then her roommate  accidentially locks her into her room and she "decides" to jump out of   the (2nd story) window to make it to the mediation that she previously hated.

If you haven't read this book check out this summary and discussion group questions.
    http://us.penguingroup.com/static/rguides/us/eat_pray_love.html

Some questions are

1. In what ways is spiritual success similar to other forms of success? How is it different? Can they be so fundamentally different that they’re not comparable?
   

    

2. Do you think people are more open to new experiences when they travel? And why?

  And if you have read this this FAQ from the author is a good follow up.
    http://www.elizabethgilbert.com/faq.htm

Here is a quote from the book on

                      Diligent Joy
“…people universally tend to think that happiness is a
stroke of luck, something that will descend upon you
like fine weather if you’re fortunate enough. But
that’s not how happiness works. Happiness is the
consequence of personal effort. You fight for it,
strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even
travel around the world looking for it. You have to
participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your
own blessings. And once you have achieved a state of
happiness, you must never be lax about maintaining it,
you must take a mighty effort to keep swimming upward
into that happiness forever, to stay afloat on top of
it. If you don’t, you will leak away your innate
contentment. It’s easy enough to pray when you’re in
distress but continuing to pray even when your crisis
has passed is like a sealing process, helping your
soul hold tight to its good attainments.
p. 260

 This event will be on 2/20/08. More on Wednesday Sandbox Gatherings

This entry was posted on January 30, 2008 at 12:28 AM and has received 636 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

On 27th we can learn how to take Erotic photography with Jim Guzel. How do you capture the essence of someone in photo? And even more how can you show their inner erotic spark? Come learn how to take erotic photos or be photographed. Bring your own digital cameras.

Here is what Jim has to say about it:

"I believe that what we perceive as human beauty is comprised of about 50% emotional honesty and openness.  Nowhere is this truer than in the photographing of erotica.  I find that it can be wonderful fun to hold the camera or be in front of it.  In this special Sandbox event, I plan to share tips and techniques  that I have learned in my career as a fine art nude and boudoir photographer in how to assist the subject(s) in locking their emotional best and how the photographer may make the best of his/her equipment.  That's photographic equipment, you silly thing!

I encourage everyone to come dressed for fantasy fun.  Even if you don't intend to get in front of the camera, it will help set the festive mood.  And who knows, you may change your mind.  Bring whatever camera equipment you own, digital would be by far the best since it would allow sharing the images while it happens.  I don't see any way that issues of privacy can really be assured.  So if you want to keep your identity a secret, wear a mask.  It will add to the erotic nature of the event as well as providing a disguise."

Try this web listing to find places in the area that sell masks.

May I suggest that those who plan to attend begin to form groups through Sandbox discussions of two to four people with complimentary interests and make some plans in how you might interact at this event?

Imagination is invaluable.  And bear in mind that the camera loves exaggeration.

This event will be on 2/27/08. More on Wednesday Sandbox Gatherings

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 On February 13th Nancy will be leading a Sandbox Gathering at her home in Columbia MD on Loving your self (based on Gay Hendricks book). Nancy writes:

This is not a drop-in event, so please read the posting below.I'll be using Gay Hendrick's book &
workbook...LOVINGYOURSELF...which has some excellent exercises thatI've found to be useful. I thought this might be awonderful gift to ourselves for Valentine's Day.

Updated news...I now have 3 cats, and the hot tub maynot be repaired by then...we might just have to
cuddleafterwards...Oh, bother! Hope you can join
me,Love to your hearts,Nancy

You are welcome to bring people to my Wednesday gatherings who have not
attended a Sandboxevent before, but who you think share our goals and values. You are expected to be
present if you invitesomeone new and be responsible for his or her conduct. Please go over the following
with your guest.

The Wednesday gathering, 13February, 2008 will be at my house in Columbia, MD,from 6:30pm - 11pm.  We will be having a potluckdinner, doing a community building activity on LOVINGYOURSELF, by Gay Hendricks. I’ll be using his book andworkbook as a reference for the exercises. Socializing and hot tubing afterwards, if the hot tubis repaired by then..  We will ask that everyone wearenough clothing that they wouldn't be arrested if they step outside until the formal activities are over andthe hot tub is open. At that time, clothing is optional inside the house and out on the deck. I nowhave  3 cats for those who are allergic.RSVPs are a must as I limit attendance at these eventsin order to make sure that the activity planned will be accessible and doable forall, given the time constraints.

We want to stick as closely as we can to our schedule:

6:00 - People may begin arriving to socialize and prepare their food offerings.

7:00 - We will begin eating. People who have to arrive between 7:00 and 8:00 should bring an item that doesn't need preparation or should bring a desert. Letme say that again… there is NOT time to cook something once you get here. Please plan on not needing morethan 10 minutes to reheat
something. If you plan on arriving, after 7:30, please plan oneating ahead of time, so that we can get
cleaned up and started on time for the activities.

7:45 -  Start cleaning and putting away the food. If you brought it, pack it away and clean up where it was. We will leave the drinks and desserts out so thatyou can indulge later.

8:00 - Community building activity.  We will not admit anyone once the activity begins in order to create andmaintain a safe container.  Sorry, but I feel a strong commitment to this rule.

9:30 – Start putting the house back together and doing the task that you signed up for. If everybody pitches in, the sooner we get it all done, the sooner the hottub is opened and/or we can start a puppy pile.(cuddle pile for those who haven’t done one.) Dessertsand drinks will getput away at

9:45.WHENEVER? Hot tub open; puppy pile starts, clothingoptional at this point in the houseand on the deck.

10:45 – Lights on, and hot tub gets closed down.

11:00 - Everyone leaves.  You don't have to go home,but you can't stay here <g>.

FOOD: For me,
food is a way of showing love forsomeone else, so
chips and dip won't get it. Pleasebring a dish that is
already prepared, that will feed10 hungry people, and
costs around $10. Please do notfeel obligated to cook
it yourself; email if you needsuggestions. Please
email me what you're bringing so Ican coordinate
things on this end. I have a microwaveand two ovens
for reheating. I'll supply drinks and amasking for a
$10 donation to cover expenses.

PITCHIN' IN: There will
be lists of things that needto be done before we're
finished for the evening, anda sign-up sheet for those
jobs.

CLOTHES: Whatever...sarongs are fun. I love to
dressup and don't get enough chances to wear my
tiaras, sothink outrageous. Please bring a towel if
you want touse the hot tub.

HOT TUB: Once the hot tub
is open, clothing isoptional on the deck and in the
house. Please rememberbare butt etiquette...have
something between you andyour bottom when you're
seated. I ask that if you havean open cut that you not
go in the hot tub.

PARKING: Please park down on the
street. My house isat the top of a short hill. Again,
you’ll need aflashlight to get up and down the hill,
It’s reallydark! Limited parking is available at the
top of thehill if you let me know ahead of
time.

DIRECTIONS: You email me what you're bringing,
andtell me about a guest, if any, and I'll email
youdirections. In other words, RSVPs are a must, as
spaceis limited. INCLUDE:YOUR NAME:YOUR PHONE
NUMBER:WHAT YOU'RE BRINGING FOR THE POT LUCK:In case
you weren’t in time to get on the originalattendance
list, there is a wait list that I can putyou on, if
you like. Please be the kind of person whochecks your
email regularly if you agree to go on thewait list.

TO
BRING/DO LIST:---Potluck offering---Serving utensils,
if needed---Baggie/plastic container to take your food
home inif it’s not all eaten---$10 donation for
expenses---towel for hot tub---flashlight to get you
up and down the hill; pleasemark with your name      
 (It’s really dark down there where you’ll
beparking)---email Nancy what you're bringing for the
potluckand your phone number.*** Please do NOT repost
this message on any othere-list. You are welcome to
bring people to myWednesday gatherings who have not
attended a Sandboxevent before, but who you think
share our goals andvalues. You are expected to be
present if you invitesomeone new and be responsible
for his or her conduct.Please go over the above rules
with your guest.

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With Imbolc on Monday 4th on Wednesday February 6th we will kick off the Valentine erotic theme of the month with a Sensuous Story Telling and Poetry evening. Imbolc means, literally, 'in the belly' (of the Mother). For in the womb of Mother Earth, hidden from our mundane sight but sensed by a keener vision, there are stirrings. The seed that was planted in her womb at the solstice is quickening and the new year grows. Imbolc (or Candlemas)  may then be seen as the Pagan version of Valentine's Day, with a de-emphasis of 'hearts and flowers' and an appropriate re-emphasis of Pagan carnal frivolity. This also re-aligns the holiday with the ancient Roman Lupercalia, a fertility festival held at this time, in which the priests of Pan ran through the streets of Rome whacking young women with goatskin thongs to make them fertile. The women seemed to enjoy the attention and often stripped in order to afford better targets. While I don't see things getting quite that wild we will have  some poems/ stories written by you the participants, and  some that people read that speaks to them. Those not reading cuddle around in various puppy piles...sort of adult bedtime story hour. :-)

It's GREAT, GOOD FUN, and depending on the offerings, can get really hot. It's also very interesting to see what turns various people on, and male vs. female interests. The advantage of being at those events is that you can wander off to frolic in the bedrooms and trysting room(group play) or go disipate some steam in the sandbox or tuck yourself in your own bed,au solo, if thats what you want. I mention this fact as it's important to consider what options there are afterwards when you've got people all juiced up. Of course this being Sandbox you are always at choice and may chose to do nothing sexual at all. And if someone should ask you to hug them or more then at Sandbox you are supported to say No or Yes and your wishes will be respected.

The sexual tension in the room is thick at this one-of-a-kind erotic poetry lounge where the readings are as succulent as the atmosphere.  With a different theme each month this sensual salon is taken to the streets as people find out what limits Eros plays in their lives -- an then write about it. The lines between imagination and experience blur as people "literally" expose their encounters and push the limits of their creativity. Whether it's to listen or to read come be a part of this orgasmic evening where prose, love, sex and verse inextricably entwine.
The reading and cudding begin after dinner at 8pm.  I invite you to join us, though as always what ever choice you make you will be honored in.

This event will be on 2/6/08. More on Wednesday Sandbox Gatherings

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