Here are two events that just came through my email. They are in South Florida (Fort Lauderdale). I have been to some of their events and they are usually well worth the time and very helpful in healing. I thought I would just share this with everyone.

July 30
Show-N-Tell

Innermotion is a dance theatre company comprised of adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Through the use of interpretative movement and expressive dance, Innermotion portrays a fascinating life journey with a universal message of hope, empowerment and joy to which everyone can relate. Come and experience the celebration and triumph of the human spirit!

WHEN: Tuesday, July 30, 2002
TIME: 7:00pm
WHERE: First Church of Religious Science
1550 NE 26th Street, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33305
CONTACT: Innermotion 954-537-0636 or http://www.innermotion.org
COST: $5.00 donation

August 17
INNERMOTION MOVES ME
Experiential Movement Workshops with Sharon Daugherty, M.S.

WHEN: Saturday, August 17, 2002
WHERE: Unitarian Universalist Church
3970 NW 21 Avenue, Oakland Park, FL 33309 (Between Commercial & Oakland Park Blvds on NW 21 Avenue, approx. 1 mile west of I-95)

TIME: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
COST: FREE
WHO: Adult female & male survivors of
incest and /or sexual violence. No art
or dance experience is required.

WHAT: We will look at various sexual violence
and childhood sexual abuse issues which may yet
be unresolved, such as closure, empowerment and growth. We will use different forms of art, music & movement styles designed for all body types, ages and abilities.

WEAR: Wear comfortable clothes. Bring lunch and a towel, blanket or pillow to sit on.

Call to Reserve Your Space 954.537.0636

Mr. Don,
I'm interested in going to the Innermotion event next weekend. Are you going?

I am seriously considering it. Trying to get the courage up to go. My therapist will actually be leading the workshop I think which will make it a little easier for me. This is held at a unitarian church and that will be hard enough for me because the last time I walked in the door of another church, I had an anxiety attack...

But I am going to push myself to be there.... and I may have to push pretty hard.

Don

This was a very good event, no make that EXCELLENT event. I was very scared to go and really didn't know what to expect (fortunately my therapist was leading this one so it helped me a lot). And to make things scarier for me, I was very afraid of stepping inside of a church (which is where it was held at). But I managed to go and make it through the entire day and am glad I went.

So many of the exercises I was scared to really do because it involved us doing various activities in front of the group. I'm not one of those people that like to be out in front of a group... just would rather stay back by myself... but I noticed that many others there were scared as well.

We did an exercise where you paired up with someone and you took turns with one person leading and one with their eyes closed. That was tough.... and it was tough for me because we were in a small room around several people... I don't like to have people moving around (especially with my eyes closed) right next to me.

Another excercise we did was we were each given two index cards and told to write two statements about what the abuse has done for us or what it is to us. We then took all of these statements and formed them into a poem. It was an awesome poem and it still amazes me that all of these strangers came together and created something so beautiful.

One event was to music, we created a sculpture using ourself of something that we were currently facing, dealing with or just how abuse has affected us. Once we did this, than others in the group could come and join in our sculpture... once this was complete, someone would take our place and we could step out of it, taking a look at what it looked like. Man, was that powerful. Mine was about wanting the strength to keep going in life, feeling strong and confident... kind of like a sculpture to remind me of this. When I stepped out of it, I saw others supporting my various parts so I could have the strength... and it had a very big impact on me. I often don't see the support others give me... I often just don't see it.

We did an exercise with music of what songs have meant so much to us in our healing... and that was a very good exercise as well. I shared my song from Shaina Noll's CD, How Can Anyone Every Tell You.....

There was a lot more we did, but overall that is the things that really touched home to me. It was well worth the time, the fears, the struggles and the immense effort it took for me to go... I am glad I didn't miss it... glad I had the courage to go....

Just wanted to share that.

Don