Historically, stories and myths were the ways in which psychological lessons were transferred. This is why we are still 'wired for story' today. However, most of our culture's current stories are based on the 'Hero's Journey,' the quest for independence and wholeness based on men's challenges in life. The Heroine's Journey, however, is quite different and often forgotten and overlooked. In her book, 'Women Who Run With The Wolves,'Clarissa Pinkola Estes describes and analyzes mythical stories about female protagonists and what their symbolism can teach women about returning to their wild, instinctual, authentic, and creative selves. I read this book for the first time 15 years ago, and it has stayed with me since. One of the many wonderful stories she covers is the story of The Red Shoes, which eventually became the lens through which I started to see and make sense of my own journey into more authentic self-expression and acceptance. After completing a course in women's circle work and one in systemic coaching, I used the Red Shoes story, as described by Clarissa Pinkola Estes, as the outline for a workshop and circle about self-loss and re-finding authentic self-expression. It got raving response and so I am now hosting the same workshop in English as well as developing a new program based on a different story from the book.

 

Click on the images for more information on both programs and upcoming dates.