Upcoming Session:
When: Tuesdays, January 23rd – March 19th, 2024 (no class Feb 13th)
*Late registration open until January 30th – use the code Latecomer! for $15 off
Time: 6-8:30pm PST (convert to your time zone)
Where: Online, over Zoom
Number of Participants: 6 max.
Participation fee: $375 CAD + GST (One 50% off scholarship spot available per series)
Facilitator: Christine Bissonnette
Psst… want to meet me before signing up? Email christine@9creativelives.com
“I witnessed the others bloom as I felt myself blooming. What a gift to share our work with one another, and to know each other through our poems. Thank you, thank you.” – Valerie Galvin (read more testimonials)
EMBODIED POETRY – an 8-Week Online Poetry Writing Workshop for Adults (19+)
There is a relationship between poetry and the body.
Rhythm can be soothing or disruptive; the sounds of language can resonate within you in a physical way that is both pleasurable and vulnerable; imagery can enliven your memories and imagination; metaphors can invite new ways of perceiving and participating in the world. And all of this is carried by your breath.
Over the next 8 weeks, we’ll explore the felt experience of the above through reading, writing, and engaging in the language of poetry.
You will also:
- reflect deeply on your relationship to the world around you,
- explore how to use expressive language to enhance and define your experience,
- read poetry by poets from around the world, noticing the rich tapestry of ways individuals have written about their experience,
- and implement a weekly writing ritual that is both nourishing and joyous.
A very rich part of this poetry writing workshop is the connections you’ll form with the other participants.
* No experience with poetry writing is necessary to participate.
THE WORKSHOP STRUCTURE / SCHEDULE
We begin every class with a lively discussion about the language of poetry and its connection to the body, and then we take what we’ve learned and read poetry together written by 25+ authors writing from different cultural and historical contexts around the world. Many participants have reflected that this segment instilled a love for reading poetry that was entirely new to them.
The poetry we both write and read every week will explore the themes you see in the following schedule: Voice, Community, Anxiety, Joy, and others. Through reading, we’ll notice the rich tapestry of ways individuals have written about their experience and then — through writing our own poetry — we’ll add our own voice to the conversation.
In the second-half of each class, we engage in a 45 minute guided writing practice. This practice includes: mindfulness (based on Breathexperience breath work), freewriting (four open-ended questions inspired by our theme), and 15 minutes of silence to write a poem. You are enthusiastically invited to turn off your video as you write.
We conclude every class with sharing, if inspired. Sharing is never mandatory — you’re always invited to simply listen.
Week 1
Voice
In our first workshop together, we’ll define the ‘goal’ and purpose of writing poetry, and you’ll write a poem about your relationship to your voice.
Week 2
Preparation & Perspective
We’ll discuss the resonance of first, second, and third person perspective in poetry, and you’ll notice ways to play with point of view creatively.
Week 3
Community, Home & Belonging
We’ll discuss movement, line breaks, and giving your poem a shape. We’ll explore how this shape influences how a poem is read and experienced.
Week 4
Ambition, Success & Purpose
We’ll explore imagery, and discuss how including a sensory landscape can make your poetry feel tactile and alive.
Week 5
Change, Tumult & Loss
We’ll take a close look at the relationship between sound and sense, and explore how the sound of a word or phrase can enhance (delightfully and mischievously) its meaning.
Week 6
Anxiety, Mystery & Uncertainty
We’ll discuss metaphor, and explore how this powerful literary device can shape the way we perceive the world around us.
Week 7
Joy, Delight, & Ease
We’ll discuss rhythm and notice how the drum beat of language can be both pleasurable and disruptive.
Week 8
??? (theme is a surprise)
How on earth do you edit a poem? We’ll discuss the editing process, and explore the problem of identifying the moment when a poem is ‘done’.
OUR CLASS AGREEMENT
In order to get the full benefit of this series we will be making an agreement to create a co-operative learning environment together. This includes: clear expectations of respect for diversity, and individual and group accountability for what is learned and created.
TESTIMONIALS
One of my goals this year was “write more poetry”. I googled poetry classes and stumbled upon Christine. I felt compelled by her approach and the incorporation of the body and breath. Her Embodied Poetry series exceeded my expectations and rekindled my connection with my inner voice. I absolutely recommend her as a facilitator and guide because her welcoming and accepting demeanor creates such a safe space for exploration.
Kt Rogers
“My participation in the Embodied Poetry workshop affirmed a new trajectory in my life, that enriches me every day. I am someone who writes poetry! I would not be making that declaration without having had your generous support and receptiveness through these 8 weeks. I witnessed the others bloom as I felt myself blooming. What a gift to share our work with one another, and to know each other through our poems. Thank you, thank you.”
– Valerie Galvin, Stand and Deliver Coaching
“Christine’s 8-week Embodied Poetry workshop exceeded expectations! It was very organized, engaging, inspiring, and thought-provoking. The small group design allowed for the participants to be more personal and feel connected. The meditation and breathing exercises included in each class helped relax and open the mind and body before writing. Christine provided excellent insights, encouragement, and feedback on each piece of writing, and I learned quite a few new things from her lessons.
– Valerie Chamberlain
I have definitely come out of this workshop with a new love and understanding for poetry, and more confidence in my work. I would strongly recommend this class. Thank you so much, Christine!”
I highly recommend Christine’s Embodied Poetry workshops! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced writer – Christine offers amazing guidance and direction.
She teaches a great combination of writing technique while providing space for improvised creativity. You will come out of her classes with increased confidence and a deeper joy of writing. She does an excellent job of facilitating discussion and brainstorming by asking thought-provoking questions and prompts. This workshop was the highlight of my week, and I really enjoyed the camaraderie and encouragement among the writers too. This was the best writing workshop that I’ve been a part of, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it too!
– Grace Lee
“Christine’s 8-week workshop Embodied Poetry encompassed breathing techniques, freewriting, and participating in group discussions. Each week we were given a list of poems to read and a workshop outline before the session, as well as group discussion notes afterwards. The breathing techniques were new to me and I think anyone who wishes to write should try this! Christine is a talented and compassionate teacher, encouraging candid poetic writing. She creates a respectful space to share ideas and to be curious. It was a pleasure to take part in her virtual classroom!”
– Lea Chambers
“I thoroughly enjoyed Christine’s Embodied Poetry Workshop . I learned so much from each workshop (terms, tools, examples) and it was always the highlight of my week. Christine was very supportive, insightful, and attentive. She brought out the best in all of us and I left each class inspired.”
– Maude Arat
“I participated in a wonderful online poetry writing workshop with Christine — 8 weeks of poetry classes, two hours each. She was kind, knowledgeable, creative, energetic and fun. We got lots of writing time, and also breathing exercises that were very useful to the creative process. I enjoyed learning more about poetry and developing my skills as a writer… I would recommend this course to anyone interested in poetry writing.“
– Sarah Rae Wells
LEARNING RESOURCES & WHAT YOU’LL TAKE AWAY
Every week, you’ll receive a package of 6 poems to read and enjoy at home. We’ll read 2-3 of those poems together in class, depending on which stood out to the group. Don’t fret if you don’t have time to do the weekly readings! You’ll be able to easily catch up during the session.
More resources:
- A Breathexperience mindfulness practice to add to your life and/or writing routine.
- A summary of all the material covered in this workshop.
- A record of all the anthologies and collections that were drawn from to design this series. I’m an indebted to poets Molly Peacock, Naomi Shihab Nye, James Logenbach, Mary Oliver, Jane Hirshfield; storytellers like Ursula K. Le Guin and Christopher Castellani; educators Rudine Sims Bishop; linguists Mark Johnson and George Lakoff. Thank you for your wisdom.
For those interested in submitting their poetry to literary magazines, you’ll also receive a list of publications to get you started.
ABOUT YOUR FACILITATOR
Christine Bissonnette is a performance poet, poetry educator, and authorized teacher of Breathexperience breath work. Based in Vancouver, BC. She has designed and facilitated poetry workshops through ArtStarts in Schools, Vancouver Biennale, CreativeMornings, Kudoz, and more.
REGISTER FOR EMBODIED POETRY
an online poetry writing workshop for adults 19+
Whether you’ve never written poetry before or are an experienced writer with a strong relationship to your craft, this workshop is an invitation to mindfully engage with what it means (and what it feels like) to write.
I’m looking forward to meeting you.
Psst… want to meet me before signing up? Send me an email and let’s connect.