Gestalt Awareness Practice is a form – nonanalytic, noncoercive, nonjudgmental – derived from the work of Fritz Perls, influenced by Buddhist practice, and evolved by Richard and Christine Price.

This work integrates ways of personal clearing and development that are both ancient and modern. Since awareness is primary in Gestalt Awareness Practice, this work has a strong relationship to some forms of meditation. This approach is similar to some Reichian work as well in that it is somatically based with energetic release and emotional expression is allowed and encouraged.

The emphasis is intrapersonal rather than interpersonal. It is explicitly understood that participants are not patients but persons, actively consenting to explore in awareness. The leader functions to reflect, clarify, and respect whatever emerges in this process. The aim is unfoldment, wholeness, and growth, rather than adjustment, cure, or accomplishment.

This introductory workshop is both didactic and experiential and open to anyone willing to practice and play in awareness. Individually, with partners, and in the larger group, through exercises, meditations, and discussion, participants can explore ways of bringing awareness to whatever is arising in the moment and in their lives. Individual work reflected by the leader (“open seat”) is not the focus of this workshop.

Completing the Introduction to Gestalt Awareness Practice course qualifies participation in Open Seat Intensives and Mirrors in the Dark.

Workshop hours:
Friday – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Saturday –10:30 AM to 7:00 PM
Sunday – 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM
Doors will open 30 minutes prior to the start of each meeting. Please plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early so we can start promptly.

You are welcome to bring a lunch. There is a refrigerator and place to eat at the office. Restaurants with good food “to go” are within walking distance.

To register, send an email to registration@tribalground.org. You will receive a response with information on how to secure your place by paying a $125 non-refundable deposit by check or PayPal. Balance of payment is due at the beginning of the workshop.

Upon registration, we will send a list of nearby accommodations and restaurants for those who are coming from out of town.

Recommended reading: Gestalt Therapy Verbatim by Frederick Perls; The Wisdom of No Escape by Pema Chodron.

Note: For those of you considering attending the Practicum, this workshop is a way to fulfill the prerequisite.