Testimonials

“Christine’s Embodied Poetry class taught me not only to read and write poetry, but gave me practices in creative writing that I am taking into other writing mediums. The content was thought provoking, educational and gave us space to experiment and explore as burgeoning poets. It was a safe space to share and express ourselves and receive valuable insight into our work. This class was something I looked forward to every week. Through this class, I found a true love for poetry I didn’t know I had.”

Lily

“I’ve taken a number of classes with Christine now and have benefitted immensely from every one. The content, the structure, the class discussions, and the judgement-free atmosphere all make for a wonderfully welcoming learning and creative experience. These are classes to learn in, to play, to experiment, to workshop and brainstorm, and to experience other creative processes. More times than not after each class I ended up with a handful of ideas and spent the next week working on them until our next class. It is hard to overstate what these classes have done for my creative productivity.

Cameron Boyd

I took the 8-week Embodied Poetry workshop and it was truly eye-opening. I learned about myself through sharing, as well as through the reflections of others. I found myself looking forward to class every week. It was the perfect excuse to focus on what my soul needs on a consistent basis. Christine’s ability to hold space and the knowledge she brought forth was invaluable.

Erin An

“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 a 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

“I’m so grateful for the Embodied Poetry series that Christine instructed and facilitated wonderfully. In 2 hours every week for 8 weeks, we discussed poetry, reflected on our own relationship to poetry and writing, connected with our breath and bodies, wrote poems, shared poems, and received love and encouragement about our poems. This experience helped me believe more in myself as a writer, creative, and poet. I deeply appreciate the community that was created in this vulnerable and caring space. Christine made it so inviting and safe for us to contemplate and experiment with our writing process, her instruction was very accessible, and she hared a beautiful curation of poems for us to examine and learn from. I’ll remember this time with Christine and the other participants fondly.”

Gloria

“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!”

I was fortunate enough to return to Christine’s 8-week Embodied Poetry workshop for a second time this fall (2021). I knew it would be a different experience for me because with time I am a new person and the workshop would fill with others I hadn’t met before.

In this fall session I felt somewhat more ready to trust myself and that really is a game changer. My confidence in Christine as a gifted, innovative poetry writing facilitator and teacher was already there. 🙂 The workshop group size was small (6 students) which seemed perfect again. Writing is a state of mind and body. This workshop helps to understand that connection and that helped me learn how to be in that space for my writing. There were so many rewards from taking part and I would definitely join again for a future workshop with Christine!

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 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

After loving Christine’s 8-week Embodied Poetry workshop, I HAD to join her 6-week Narrative and Voice cohort.  While there was more flexibility in what classes you attended, there was still that intimate bonding each week.  Christine’s compassionate nature in and out of class has really made her workshop such a draw for me, and a bright spot in my week.  The safe space to share your ramblings along with your writing, leaves me feeling seen and heard.  With each poetry practice, I am always astonished at what I have written. There is always a line or idea that I want to follow up at a later time.  I would recommend coming in with an open heart and mind and see where it takes you.  For me it has made me a stronger voice.”

Kris Kaila

The January — February 2022 Voice and Narrative series of Breathe Into Poetry opened me up to a whole new sense of writing poetry. While looking into specific concepts and words, a generic feeling eventually gives way to a myriad of personal truths that come to the surface and can be shared amongst minds in a poetic mode during these sessions. The topics made me nervous because they sounded so vast, and yet I found something real in each of them throughout these weekly sessions. The encouragement and option to explore self, hear others, and share something of ourself is a genuine gift. I highly recommend Christine’s workshops! She is a trustworthy guide for this kind of poetic exploration!”

Lea Chambers

“I am a retired teacher and had the opportunity and privilege of attending the metaphor series on poetry writing as well as the series on voice. I actually did not know that writing poetry could be so exciting and fun! Christine is an absolutely amazing and gifted teacher. Her facilitation and encouragement allowed us to develop confidence and trust in our own “hidden poet”. I learned much about the exploration and adventure inherent in the writing process. It was like unearthing gems within myself, as well as celebrating the precious gems of the participants. Thank you, Christine!”

Velma

“Christine is an amazing teacher. The topics in the “Metaphor – Breathe into poetry” workshop resonated with me and lead me to write the work that I actually liked. While reciting my poems in front of the group, I felt appreciated and supported. 100% Recommend to attend any workshops from Christine. you will not regret it.”

Garima

“I participated in Christine Bissonnette’s writing workshop series called Finding Authenticity this September – October. The group size was 6 and sessions were hosted over Zoom. This series made space for topics that I have long been trying to understand and activate in new ways. Sharing the time with others in Christine’s format of facilitating never ceases to amaze me and uplift me, and encourage me to know something more about my own writing. The six weeks went by so quickly. It was an absolute pleasure, and I highly recommend any of Christine’s workshops. She is a trustworthy and masterful host.”

Lea Chambers

I first came upon Christine’s drop-in Breath into Poetry class, the summer of 2021, and it really helped me get back into my love of poetry.  I found that the free-write portion activated my own authenticity in writing.  I found my voice and need to write again.  What really surprised me was that sharing my work in progress with a small group of strangers was really cathartic.  Christine makes sure there is space and that it is safe to share.  This class made it easier to open up in other workshops.  The confidence I gained from Christine’s class and her compassion allowed me to try out (and be successful) for a fellowship at The Poetry Lab.

Kris Kaila

“I took a poetry workshop with Christine Bissonnette. I find her a thoughtful, intelligent teacher, who really listened to our ideas. She really wants to know what you are thinking/trying to say and she is attentive in listening and accepting everyone’s work and voices. I enjoyed her kind personality and felt safe in her class.”

Teaghan E., The Future Speaks Now
(participant of Poetic Disruptions Workshop, for teens)

“I look forward to Christine’s poetry class every week! It’s such a lovely, supportive group, and she always has great prompts to inspire us:)”

Jessica Gares

“I have been working steadily for the past year with Christine on a novel that I’ve been writing. It’s been important for me to have the focus and space to write and the weekly sessions have been great. Christine has been patient and thoughtful and welcoming in my journey as a writer. I still have a long way to go, but I am so grateful that she has been alongside me for this journey.”

Jai

“I don’t even remember how I heard about Christine’s poetry workshop but I’m delighted that I did. I’ve written poetry in the past, and occasionally published a few bits but not for a long while. Within a very short time the poetry writing block I’d experienced for years was GONE and the words were just pouring out of me. The multiple choice of prompts, Christine’s enthusiastic encouragement and the wide variety of “voices” among the students all combined to give a huge boost to my creativity!”

Carol McGrath, Herbalist

“I really appreciated Christine’s facilitation skills. She provided just the right balance between participant sharing and instruction. She managed to elicit such a range of poems and poetry practices from a very disparate group. I learned a lot. Thank you.”

Marlene Elder

“I feel very lucky to have found Christine as my daughter’s public speaking teacher after having her try with several teachers for several years intermittently.

In my mind Christine is unique and outstanding as a Speech Arts teacher.

She is obviously a spontaneous speaking lover. I felt this from her very natural and relaxed state when she interacts with my daughter during each lesson in such an effective, organized, methodical, yet simple way.

Ms. Christine is not only very responsible in class but also after class since she always spends a certain amount of time describing what she taught and assigns homework by sending me in-time emails. This is a thing that’s hard to insist on, but she does so every time as are her habits.

Ms. Christine is a very kind and pure person. Every time I hear the laughter and conversation from her and my daughter in their class, I feel we are so blessed to have her as one of my daughter’s learning guides.

Definitely, she is the best choice as a public speaking/vocal performance teacher for children.”

Yew Pan (parent)

“I’m very grateful for Christine’s effective and encouraging teaching which has greatly contributed to my daughter’s achievements and progress. My daughter’s confidence has grown immensely under her guidance. Christine has a genuine passion for teaching and deep understanding of the art of speech. Her ability to make learning fun and engaging is amazing!! I recommend Christine to anyone looking to enhance their child’s communication skills!”

Alicia L (parent)

“Absolutely LOVED the 8-week Breathe into Public Speaking Course. Christine is an excellent coach and shared a lot of helpful tips and tricks that I now use in my professional and personal life. I feel like I’ve grown leaps and bounds under her guidance. Highly recommend for anyone looking to improve their public speaking skills.”

Heather Forbes

“I [received] feedback from a colleague saying that I did a great job, that I was a great speaker and that she could have listened to me all day. She said I had a great virtual presence and I that I nailed it! She thought I was an expert Toastmaster! Thank you!”

Ruth

“I think of you often and how much I learned from you and your sweet sincere and authentic way of being! Thank you for all that you do to add value and joy to others lives! I really appreciate and honour my time with you!”

Sandy