MY CREATIVE COMMUNITIES

One of my teachers told me that if you stretch yourself creatively in one realm, then all creative areas in your life benefit. In other words, the more you dance, the better you write, the more you write, the better you paint, the more you paint, the better you sing, the more you sing, the better you draw...and so on and so on. Below is a list of people and organizations that have inspired me creatively. Maybe they will inspire you...?

Heather Bleasdell is an intuitive healer, artist & creative workshop leader and she's also tremendously funny. Other gifted intuitive counselors I respect and love: Mary Swanson, Gwenievere Maria, and Tamara Diaghilev.

Balanced Rock--a non-profit Yosemite based mind-body-spirit organization with a variety of retreats that include backpacking, yoga, hiking, art, meditation, writing circles and more. I went on a yoga-writing retreat a few years back and the incredible experience was the reason I started my own writing circles in Marin. Check out their website for current classes and workshops.

Cosmic Cowgirl University: A magnificent art studio in Healdsburg, CA or online where you can find your creativity in painting mentorship with Shiloh McCloud and other "cosmic cowgirls." I never painted a day in my life--then I took Shiloh's class, and I haven't stopped painting since.

Sweat Your Prayers is a place to let loose, sweat buckets and be wild and free in dance. I go on Wednesday nights or Sunday mornings, and the music takes me over and I dance like a whirling dervish.

The Flag Foundation--Horse-Human Partnerships. Shelley Carlisle runs this non-profit organization/farm in Sebastopol, CA. All I can say, is that after doing a workshop there where I got to reconnect with my love of horses, I have a new-found respect for those beauties.  Immersing yourself in this herd is MAGICAL!

Women's Hearts and Hands Guitar Camp--Yes, guitar camp for women only! How fun! It's offered two times a year in Mendocino, CA. A nurturing and cozy spot for all levels to learn and perform. Kay Eskenazi and Harmony Grisman are incredible bay area guitar and song-writing teachers.

Ali Weiss is a talented singer-songwriter, guitar/piano/voice teacher, leader of Mini Music teaching toddlers and babies music and song. She also does house concerts. Check out her CDs, she is wonderfully soulful.

Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)--the organization you NEED to belong to if you want to write for children.

Andrea Alban is a children's book author, poet and writing coach. A supremely supportive children's book writing consultant.

A Band of Wives-a great resource community that provides virtual and direct support for women. A place for women to connect, to nurture one another and to promote their businesses, talents and passions.

Bex Urban, my yoga friend and local teacher of pilates, yoga and retreats. She partners with me to put on our YeeHaW retreats (Yoga+Hiking+Writing) in the Spring.

Johanna Beyer is a gifted life-coach who helps her clients find and act on their life purpose and talents.