Joanna Elizabeth Read
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At-Home Retreat into Expressive Arts Therapy

1/25/2021

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In early 2021, I created my own week-long creative immersion to synthesize the inner work I'd been exploring over the last six months with my soul coach, Joe Drogo, where we had been diving deep over the last 6 months into integrating the shadow aspects of self and healing past trauma through the koshas, or energetic layers, as known in yoga. 

During my retreat week week, I set the intention of quietude: powering down electronics, music, podcasts, and cell phones so that I could really give myself the full experience of the inner listening available through a vipassana retreat, but in a softer, more feminine spirit that also allowed my creativity and sensuality to emanate as the Bindu.

Combining my interests in art, meditation, expressive movement, the chakra system, sound healing, essential oils, and bilateral drawing, I began each day with breath work, aromatherapy, and journal prompts specific to the particular chakra I was exploring, followed by a walking meditation in nature to listen and connect with my inner guidance, along with preparing fresh, nourishing foods specific to each energy center.

In the afternoons, I'd sit it in stillness in the center of the blank canvas, explore gentle asana warmup, and connect with the energy of color as I prepared my paints. After my mandala meditation, I'd take myself on a second integrative walk, come home, and meditate again before bed.

Unplanned, this seven-day exploration culminated on my 36th birthday with the Crown chakra. While this experience wasn't without the challenge of self-discipline and stamina, it also felt incredibly creative and expansive.

My dreams began arising to the forefront of my consciousness in a way I had never experienced. I began receiving messages from my dreams that came as vital pieces of the puzzle in my waking life, and I received new insights and inspirations for my creativity. 

I cannot recommend taking the time to create a home retreat more highly, even if for half a day.

Sign up for my email list to be the first to learn about my upcoming at-home retreat offerings :)
Picture
​Expressed in this first video, the Muladhara, or Root chakra, orients us in the sacred temple of our bodies. It is where we claim our sense of safety and security, our right to exist, and our right to have what we need to not only survive, but ultimately to thrive.
​

Learn more about the psychological benefits of bilateral drawing

Chakra Sound Healings from Sonic Yogi
My shadow work coach, Joe Drogo, on the Root Chakra​
Suggested reading on the psychology of the chakras: Eastern Body, Western Mind: Psychology and the Chakra System as a Path to the Self by Anodea Judith
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    Joanna Elizabeth
    ​Read

    artist | adventurer | yoga teacher | life coach
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Photos by Story & Gold, Tomasz Krawszak, Jesse Dufault, Krista Moll, Ben Greene, and Joanna Read
Video by Jesse DuFault
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • Artist Statement
    • CV
  • Art
    • Art - Shop
    • PERFORMANCE ART
    • SHARING AWE: ADVENTURE-INSPIRED ART
    • SILK PAINTING
    • MURALS
  • Programs & Events
    • ARCHIVE >
      • Creative Flow Fridays
      • YOGA & HIKING: MOUNTAIN PROGRESSION TRAINING
      • EVEREST BASE CAMP 2018
      • GLOBAL ART MOSAIC >
        • FAQ
        • Learn more
        • SIGN UP!
      • Holiday Art Fairs
      • Summer Fitness & Yoga Retreats!
      • WHITE MOUNTAIN RETREAT OCTOBER 4-6, 2019
      • Women's beginner climb nights
  • Shop
  • CONTACT
  • BLOG