These Writing Workshops are designed for the serious writer, the amateur writer and the yoga student who is open to the idea of trying something new. Regardless of experience, all writers and would be writers will enjoy and benefit from these workshops. The primary objective is to encourage the natural voice of beginning writers and professional writers alike, and encourage them to write from body, mind and spirit.

Patricia Lewis will lead these workshops, assisted by one or more writing facilitators. She draws on the techniques of Amherst Writers and Artists, to create a supportive space for writers to generate new writing, hone their craft, overcome writer's block and enjoy revising their work.

At left, Writers gather together and Patricia leads a visualization and meditation, then suggests a writing exercise.

In photo on right, participants gather together after they finish writing into one of several more intimate response groups.

In all of her retreats and workshops, Patricia encourages the use of certain "rules" in responding to new writing. New writing which has not been edited is like a new baby: it's vulnerable and easily damaged by negative judgments. To maintain a safe, confidential, sacred space in which to write use the following guidelines in our response groups:

1. Writers are free to ignore the suggested exercises in favor of writing on their own.
2. Assume that every piece is fiction not auto-biographical, unless told otherwise.
3. Remember this is not a therapy group, comment on the writing, not the writer.
4. Honor the writer by listening carefully.
5. Stick to discussing the writing and avoid discussing our own anecdotes and asides.
6. Response groups are invited to comment on shared writing with only what we like, what stays with us, what moves usÑnot with how to make it stronger.