Eleven years ago I opened the doors to my very first Wild Heart Expressive Arts Teacher Training Program.
To say I was completely terrified would have been an understatement. But there was something greater at work than just terror as I made the announcement to the world about this next step on my creative journey. There was a feeling of being done with my life as it had been. A sure sense that certain reliable structures and routines had run their course. That I could no longer keep doing what had been working and now wasn’t anymore.
It wasn’t that my work life was bad. I had a robust private practice as a psychotherapist and my Creative Juices Arts business, with it’s intuitive painting classes, workshops and retreats, was at that point thirteen years old and getting more and more successful.
Things were humming along on one level. But I had been doing one-on-one psychotherapy for almost 28 years. And while I still loved my clients, I was no longer as energized by the work itself. What was calling me with a growing sense of urgency and excitement was using art, community and sacred circles as a more potent means of bringing healing energy into the world.
I could see how powerfully effective this process was in terms of accessing feelings of self acceptance and self love.
It gave people permission to open up to all of their emotions … even the forbidden and shameful ones… and to express those emotions visually through the intuitive painting process. I watched my students, who were primarily women, reclaim their voices and tell their unvarnished truth out loud in loving and accepting circles of creative sisters. I observed them becoming more expansive and more confident in themselves as their paintings got larger and took up more space. And take that confidence into their lives through writing books, leaving destructive marriages, starting creative businesses while making more art, more meaning and more fun.
I witnessed these women becoming more resilient. More empowered. More intuitive. And more connected with their core values and deep sense of who they were and who they were always meant to be.
It was beyond thrilling. And I wanted this holy magic of being immersed in healing communities that supported women’s unleashed creative expression as much as I could get it.
I also wanted to see this work spread.
I envisioned these kinds of expressive arts groups springing up in every city and town in the world. I wanted to spread the gospel of creative honesty and the power of sacred creative circles to heal and empower women far and wide.
So I had a big vision and a desire to manifest that vision. And a great deal of uncertainty about whether or not I could pull this off.
I had participated in a number of trainings myself at this point. Some of them were really good and some not so much. I learned a great deal from both ends of the spectrum. And I was determined to make sure that my training was grounded, useful, effective and transformative.
In order to make space for the teacher training program I needed to let go of most of my psychotherapy practice. Which was close to half of my income. And was one of the reasons I was so freaked out.
I happened to launch the program in 2008, right in the middle of the biggest national financial crisis in the USA since the Great Depression. Which freaked me out even more. But I was committed now. And had to keep moving forward no matter what.
To my surprise and absolute delight the training filled with just the right number of amazing women. I came to realize that the financial turmoil was actually working in my favor. Many people had lost money in the upheaval and had also lost their faith in the current system. And so were looking for alternative ways to not only make a living but to create deeper meaning in their lives.
And my work was just the thing to help them in finding that sense of spiritual and creative depth.
The rest, as they say, is history. I am about to graduate my TWELFTH group of amazing wild hearted women in February. With a new group starting up this coming May.
It’s kind of hard to believe that I’ve been engaged in this awe-inspiring spiritual practice of being a creative mentor and guide to so many incredible women for over a decade. And have had the honor and privilege to witness these women not only transform their own lives but the lives of their family, friends and students through this heart opening, mind blowing creative soul quest.
I’ve learned a lot on this journey about things like meeting nail biting fear with courage. Over and over again. About the never failing wisdom of following my heart. And listening to my intuition. The miracle of Divine timing. The terror and joy of letting go of control. And trusting in the process no matter where it leads me.
One thing I know for certain is that I’m not anywhere close to being done. And am looking forward with great enthusiasm and joy to leading yet another group of brave and intrepid women on this powerful creative pilgrimage to their boundless creative source.
If you would like to know more about this Wild Heart Expressive Arts Process I’m offering a FREE online Webinar titled:
What It Means To Become An Expressive Arts Facilitator, Leader and Guide.
And How The Wild Heart Expressive Arts Teacher Program Can Help You Get There.
Thursday, January 17, 2019 at 3pm Pacific Time.
And if you can’t make it in person there WILL be a recording of the event.
Join me for this interactive webinar introducing you to the wild joys and profound fulfillment of taking people on the magical healing soul journey of the expressive arts process.
I can’t wait to spend this time with you sharing some stories, tips, and guidance about my many years of experience as an expressive arts facilitator and what you can expect if you follow that path. As well as giving you the inside scoop on what happens inside of my wondrous Wild Heart Expressive Arts Teacher Training Program.
Bring your questions, something to write on and an open heart. As always, we are going to both go deep and have fun along the way.
For more info, and to register, click on the cute little enroll button below.
Chris Zydel is a Bright, Shining Light, Guide, Magnificent Teacher, & Friend of the Heart.
I Loved the Teacher Training and weekly classes. I miss painting in your Studio with a group sharing painting experiences.
Thanks for inspiring me again. Good timing!
Happy to get your msg.
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