The Retreat Benefits Prereqs Facilitators Location/Accommodations Investment Registration
Mindful Play, Playful Mind
Opening to Life as Improvisational Adventure
Santa Cruz, CA Area, June 11-15, 2018
The practice of improvisation teaches something that we are hungry to understand: how to be in harmony with each other and how to have fun.
–Patricia Ryan Madson, author of Improv Wisdom
Is this retreat for me?
Maybe you’re feeling stuck. Or isolated. Or bored. Maybe anxieties have crept close enough in so life has taken on a dull, gray tone. Maybe you’re wondering where all the joyful options went.
We know how you feel. And that’s why we’ve created an event to welcome you back into a full-color sense of freedom and possibility.
Imagine a chance to catch your breath and settle your mind. An opportunity to just play with other joyful souls. Where you’re surrounded by nature’s beauty and nourished by handmade, organic foods. Where you feel your curiosity stir, your creativity surge, and your belly ache from laughing.
Four full days where each moment comes alive and every connection breeds promise.
That’s this retreat. And that’s life as improvisational adventure.
We’ve been honing our partnership in the worlds of mindfulness and improvisation for over six years now and we’ve co-led dozens of workshops and retreats that have left participants feeling recharged and reconnected. It’s our unique specialty—and we’re excited to share this joyous approach to life with you!∧
What will I get out of this?
In our time together, we’ll use playful exercises and mindful contemplation to help you get fully present—in your body, your breath, and your voice. You’ll get plenty of stimulation—and you’ll have time and space to learn, to breathe, and to integrate your experience. More specifically, you’ll have the opportunity to:
- Find and express greater spontaneity
- Transform your approach to failure
- Increase your sensory acuity and in-the-moment awareness
- Trust your creative leanings
- Reach new levels of generosity
- Improve your communication: better listening, clearer speaking, deeper understanding
- Collaborate with greater ease
- Get resourceful in the face of chaos∧
*Please note: 2 Units of graduate-level professional development credit are available for this program through Courses4Teachers in conjunction with the University of Pacific.
Steeping myself in these principles for peaceful, playful living has been a true gift. –Kathy R.
I had expected to learn, to reconnect, to be delighted. I had not necessarily expected to be transformed. Thank you for that. –Sarah
Click below to hear spoken reflections from retreat participants:
Will I fit in?
Do you have little or no prior experience with improvisational theater or mindfulness practice? Are you a bit nervous about the whole idea of improv and think “That sounds interesting, but I could never be good at that.” Or with mindfulness, think “Yeah, I just can’t get settled like that. I don’t think I can do meditation.” You’re going to love this retreat.
Do you have more substantial improv or meditation chops and want to explore new avenues and tap deeper levels? Perfect! This experience will breathe new life into either practice!
No particular religious or spiritual path is required, but those with an inquiring heart and open mind will gain the most from–and contribute the most to–the experience.∧
This workshop was everything I hoped for and much more. You created a safe environment for us to play and did so many things to foster our creativity. –Eric H.
Who will guide us?
Ted DesMaisons has been synthesizing innovative approaches to learning for over 25 years. Since completing his graduate work at Stanford (MBA) and Harvard (Masters of Theology), Ted has studied improvisation with Patricia Ryan Madson, Bay Area Theater Sports (BATS) and Loose Moose Theater in Calgary, Alberta. He is the founder and principal of ANIMA Learning and a trained Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) instructor. He teaches Playful Mindfulness through Stanford’s Continuing Studies program and writes regularly about improv, contemplation, and positive reinforcement on his ANIMA blog (www.AnimaLearning.com/blog).
One of the most recognizable and most beloved teachers of improvisation in the world, Lisa Rowland has performed, coached, and conducted corporate trainings with San Francisco’s BATS mainstage company for more than eight years. Students from Palo Alto and the Presidio to Amsterdam and Arabia rave about the way she combines power and generosity in the service of their learning. A graduate of and current faculty member at Stanford University and an uncannily astute observer of what’s needed next, Lisa was named the 2012 San Francisco Actor of the Year.
Ben Lomond Quaker Retreat Center, Ben Lomond, CA (near Santa Cruz). Our June retreat will convene at the beautiful Ben Lomond Quaker Center in the mountains outside of Santa Cruz, CA. We’ll enjoy the inspiration of redwood forest trails, refreshing coastal mountain air, and a lovingly built stone labyrinth. We’ll make sure to allow time for enjoying the place.∧
We will share three vegetarian meals each day that will include local organic fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and extraordinary cheeses. The chef will draw upon flavors and techniques from around the world to create a diverse cuisine with alluring flavors. Trust us–you’ll carry lasting positive memories of the food with you.
Participants can expect to stay in simple, clean rooms, two to a room. Single rooms may be available for an extra cost, space permitting. Each set of two rooms will share one bathroom.∧
Investment
June retreat (4 nights): $1197, including food and lodging ($1397 after April 30). Discounted early bird payment of $1197 ($200 savings) due upon registration before April 30. After April 30, regular payment of $1397 due upon registration. Single rooms may be available for an added charge. Feel free to inquire!
Early bird payment will be refundable (minus $95 processing charge) before the early bird cutoff date. After that date, payment will be refundable (again minus a $95 processing charge) only if the workshop is full and you or we are able to find a replacement. Please note: you can earn a $50 credit for yourself for each person you refer who attends the workshop.∧
*Please note: 2 Units of graduate-level professional development credit are available for this program through Courses4Teachers in conjunction with the University of Pacific for $99 per unit. 2 PDEU (CEU) equivalents for psychologists and therapists may also be available for $100. Feel free to contact us for more information.
I already find myself craving more. You have opened the door to adventure. –Cathy Z.
Beautiful. Life-Changing. Thank you. –Jen D.
Registration/Contact Us
To register, click on one of the buttons above or follow this link. If you have any questions about the workshop, please contact either facilitator. We’d be delighted to talk with you!∧
Ted DesMaisons: Ted@monsterbabypodcast.com Lisa Rowland: lisa@monsterbabypodcast.com
