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 is open to anyone willing to practice and play in awareness. Individually, with partners, and in the larger group, participants can explore ways of bringing awareness to whatever is arising in the moment and in their lives through exercises, meditations, and discussion. 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 other workshops, which are online for the foreseeable future.

Leader: Sharon Terry

The Zoom meeting room will open 10 minutes before the start of each meeting. Please plan to arrive early so we can address any technical issues and start promptly.

Mindful of the taxing nature of looking at the screen, we will have several breaks, including a longer one for lunch. In addition, some workshop practices will not involve the screen.

To register for the workshop, fill out this form. We require a non-refundable deposit of $150, which can be paid via check, Venmo, or Zelle. The remaining balance must be paid at the beginning of the workshop. If you have any financial difficulties, please feel free to contact Sharon for assistance. If you register for both the Intro and Intermediate workshops, we offer a 20% discount.

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