Art to Heart Classes and Seminars
Exploring Your Inner Cast of Characters
A Journey of Self-Awareness Using Creativity and Body Wisdom
With Gordon and Meagan Pugh
- Learn how to bring compassion and healing to yourself
- Transform judgment into curiosity and caring
- Move from self-loathing to self-love and Self–Leadership
Four Saturdays in Sebastopol
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
May 19
June 23
July 21
August 18
$300
Some partial scholarships available
Call 707-823-1131 to register
“Revitalize your Work with Somatics and Expressive Arts”
Presenter at monthly RECAMFT Meeting in Santa Rosa, CA
Have you been feeling the need to recharge in terms of your work or life? Have you been practicing for many years and want to explore new options? Are you just starting out and know the importance of including creativity and embodiment practices in what you do? If you are a therapist, nurse, doctor, social worker, teacher, student, artist, alternative healer, bodyworker or coach, this workshop will help you feel more revitalized. It is designed to increase your connection to your bodymind so that your creativity leads you as you deepen or expand your work.
Do you or someone you know struggle with relationships or feel cut off from joy, vibrancy and purpose? Do you work with people who have been through trauma, whether it be an accident, medical intervention, deep loss or abuse? Do you wonder why some people easily heal from their experiences while others seem unable to move forward in their lives? This workshop will introduce the physiology of trauma and its resolution using practices from somatics and the creative arts therapies. Special emphasis will be placed on learning simple techniques to use with clients and self to bring more presence, develop clear boundaries and learn to recognize the language of the body. Slide show of art and simple somatic techniques will be shared.
May 11, 2012 11:00 – 12:30pm
Oddfellows Hall/Mercer Hall 545 Pacific Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Working Effectively with One’s Inner Cast of Characters: Integrating the Internal Family Systems Therapy Model with Art and Somatics.
Evening Lecture and 2-Day Course
In this 2 day course, students will be introduce to the Internal Family Systems therapy model for working with one’s inner cast of characters using lecture, somatic exercises and simple art processes. Participants will learn to identify and connect with their own sub-personalities or aspects of self in a creative and embodied way. They will also learn to sit with and relate compassionately to the challenging parts of their clients.
June 14 – 16
Ursuline College, Cleveland, Ohio
Guest teacher for Art Therapy and Counseling Graduate Program
The Spiral of Healing
Introductory Workshop
The Spiral of Healing is a training that will revitalize your personal and professional lives by integrating somatics and the expressive art therapies. Through the somatic art therapy processes which follow a developmental structure, you will:
- work with your own somatic sensations and imagery;
- gain greater strength, course and awareness of self;
- learn strengthening tools, resources and embodied support to help forge a tangible working relationship with your body;
- become more present with yourself and others.
This brief workshop is a taste of the year-long training which has been developed for healthcare professionals who are interested in exploring the connection between mind, body, spirit, creativity, healing and joy. $95 includes art materials For more information call 707-823-1131 or email meagan@art-2-heart.com
Saturday, July 28, 2012 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Sebastopol, CA
Nurture Your Inner Tyrants: Transform Protective Strategies with Somatic Awareness and the Creative Arts Therapies
Presenter at USABP (United States Association of Body Psychotherapy) Conference, Boulder, Colorado
The Internal Family Systems Model builds relationships with one’s inner cast of characters. Participants will learn somatic awareness practices and creative art process together to identify and transform protective strategies into helpful alliances. These modalities are extremely effective in realigning the nervous system to release the aftereffects of trauma.
August 11, 2012
USABP Conference, Boulder, Colorado
Creative Approaches to Healing Trauma: Rediscovering the Wisdom of the Body Through Art and Movement
Presenter at Sonoma State University
We all know someone or are someone who has been through trauma, whether it be an accident, medical intervention, deep loss or abuse. Why do some people easily heal from their experiences while others seem unable to move forward in their lives?
This 2-day introductory course will focus on the physiology of trauma and its resolution using body wisdom and the Creative Arts Therapies. Special emphasis will be placed on the physical and behavioral aftereffects of trauma and how the nervous system stores and releases traumatic memory.
This course will provide useful skills in assessing and working with self, and others who exhibit traumatic aftereffects. It is useful for therapists, nurses, teachers, parents and others interested in exploring the connection between body, creativity and healing.
For more information and to register
call Extended Education 707-664-2394 or online at www.sonoma.edu/exed
September 22-23, 2012 9:00 – 5:00
Rachel Carson 14
Sonoma State University
Ongoing Women’s Somatic Art Therapy Group
Meets Twice a Month
Wednesdays 9:30am -12:30pm
$50 per session/$350 8 week series
8 week renewable commitment
Space is limited
All art materials included
call 707 823-1131 for more information.
Join other women in a safe and supportive environment of ritual, movement, art process WOMEN’S SOMATIC ART THERAPY GROUP and group sharing. We will hold sacred the idea that change is an opportunity and an initiation into a deeper connection with self and the Mystery of life.
This group is designed to support women who are healing from trauma or loss, in transition, or who have work, relationship or physical challenges.
A Journey of Ritual, Movement, Art and Community
Would you like to experience a transformative spiral journey in a safe, supportive and sacred environment? We will journey into each gate (based on The Second Half of Life by Angeles Arrien) for one day a month and end with an integration day of ceremony. If you want to manifest right livelihood, healthy relationship, renewed passion, acceptance, self-love or anything else in your life, this group will deepen your experience.
The Eight Gates are:
1. Silver Gate – Facing new experiences and the unknown;
2. White Picket Gate – changing identities, discovering one’s true face
3. Clay Gate – intimacy, sensuality and sexuality
4. Black and White Gate – relationships: the crucible of love, generosity, betrayal and forgiveness
5. Rustic Gate – creativity, service and generosity
6. Bone Gate – Authenticity, character and wisdom
7. Natural Gate – presence of grace: happiness satisfaction and peace
8. Gold Gate – Non-attachment, surrender and letting go.
$1200.00 – $900 ($133 – 100 per day) sliding scale
Committed year-long group – 9 full days including art materials
2012 dates to be announced
Monthly payments accepted and full payment offers a 10% discount.
CEU’s and upper division academic credit are also available from
Sonoma State University.
For more information and to hold a space please email
Meagan@art-2-heart.com or call 707-823-1131.
Exploring the Feminine from the Personal to the Sacred
“We all come from the Goddess
And to Her we now return
Like a drop of rain
Flowing to the Ocean”
In this 2 day creative arts therapy course designed for both men and women, we will explore the impact of the Feminine on our lives personally, socially and spiritually. In a safe and playful environment, using art process, movement, guided imagery and writing, we travel deep into the images and stories of our feminine ancestry.
During the weekend we look at patterns of behavior and core beliefs inherited from the Motherline, address body image, issues of power and our relationship to the Sacred Feminine. Art materials included in course fee.
Academic credit and CEU’s available from SSU
To Register:
call 707-823-1131 or meagan@art-2-heart.com
$250 (partial scholarships available)
