Week 1- Yoga and The Artist's Way
Tools Needed:
The Artist's Way, A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron. For the next eight weeks & beyond, this will be your guide, your confidant, your "go-to" read as you explore yourself through a creative lens. Keep it by your bedside and snuggle up.
Tools Needed:
Lined or blank notebook - 8 x 11. I like the brand, Rhodia. Wet Paint on Grand Avenue in St. Paul carries the Rhodia brand for $6. Any notebook will work. Buy a new one that calls to you, make it special just for YOU and your Morning Pages. 
Tools Needed:
A pen or pens that you LOVE! Markers, crayons, colored pencils, crafting supplies as desired. Start finding those creative tools that are tucked away or you lovingly use. These will be your BFFs and need to be handy for the creative impulses that will arise throughout the course.
Tools Needed:
Your yoga mat will be used lovingly each week to put postures, breath and motion with the creative flow that arises with each weeks theme. Wear comfortable clothing for movement. Carrie will guide an Asana practice for 45 minutes ending each week with Yoga. 
Weekly Class Structure:
We will begin class discussing the reading for the week, answering questions about the Artist's Way process and writing. (approx. 45 minutes)Then, we will move to our yoga mats. Carrie will use Julia's themes to guide you through an asana practice that align you with the week's work. (approx. 45 minutes)
Weekly Themes and Reading Schedule:
READ: Introduction/Basic Tools/Safety
Week 2: January 19 - January 26
READ: Identity/Power/Integrity
Week 3: January 26 - February 2
READ: Possibility/Abundance/Connection
Week 4: February 2 - February 9
READ: Strength/Compassion/Protection
Week 5: February 9 - February 16
READ: Autonomy/Faith
Week 6: February 16
No reading as it is our last session together.
Creativity Contract
You are saying YES to yourself, to your creativity, to your power as a unique creator.
Click on the link below and make a copy of the contract. Print it out, sign it, and post it somewhere where you will see it for the 6 weeks of your commitment to the artist within.
"Every time we say Let there be! in any form, something happens." Stella Terrill Mann
Week 1:
Recovering A Sense Of Safety
Your artist is a child. Protect and nurture her.
The enemy within: Your core negative beliefs (not facts)!
The ally within: Affirmative weapons...AFFIRMATIONS help achieve a sense of safety and hope. "Use your affirmations after your Morning Pages. Use the Creative Affirmations - read them aloud!
TASKS:
There are 10 tasks to choose from. You don't have to do them all. Remember to choose a few that speak to you and a couple that you want to run from!
Carrie's Suggestions:
#10 Take your artist for a brisk 20 minute walk!
#9 Work with each blurt and turn each negative into a positive
#8 Imaginary Lives...if you had 5 other lives to lead, what would you do in each of them?
Each week, as a group, at the beginning of class, we will do the "Check-In" and answer the following questions:
1. How many days of the week did you do your Morning Pages? How was the experience for you?
2. Did you do your Artist Date this week? What did you do? How did it feel?
Each week we will do at least ONE of the tasks together as a group.
Our task for the group which we will do together in class on Jan. 19th:
:#7 Time travel: Select and write out one happy piece of encouragement. Write a thank-you letter. Mail it to yourself or a long lost mentor.
