A Movement and Writing Experience for Women

Join us for an afternoon of gently coming into your body, of writing as a way to tend to your soul, and of beautiful connection with other like-minded women.

When we open ourselves up through breathing and gentle movement, we find our inner state of calm and wisdom. And when we write from our memories or from our imagination about the things we care about, something shifts inside us.

We allow insight to arise; we make space for discovery.

We see ourselves more clearly.

And when we gather with other like-minded women, we make connections. With others. And, even more so, with ourselves.

We touch the parts of ourselves bathed in the shared divine mystery, that ineffable sense of something larger.

Who Is Breathe, Write, Connect For?

This event is for women interested in writing or the written word. All experience levels are welcome. 

Lovely Words from Others

“Honestly, I had no idea what to expect. Because Diane and Mary Kay put a great amount of research, effort, tried and true experience, and heart and soul into this content, it was an experience that challenged, nurtured, and called forth wisdom, discernment, and processes I can actually use on my own. I feel empowered, hopeful, and grateful. Thank you!”

 —Racine Women’s Reflective Writing Retreat participant 

An Alchemical Mix Of Three Key Elements  

  • Gentle, guided movement to help you ease into your body

  • Space to write in response to selected passageways and wherever your memory or imagination take you

  • An opportunity to share your stories, illuminating the jewels of your own voice

 What Will The Afternoon Be Like?

This warm and welcoming atmosphere extends an invitation to everyone looking to develop a closer connection with herself and meet other women. After our initial introduction and connection, Sarah will start off guiding us into our bodies with some embodied movement.

From there, we will spend time writing in response to selected writing doorways chosen to help us cultivate a deeper connection with ourselves. We’ll take time for a short, nourishing break, then we’ll read, sharing what stays with us, what is strong.

We’ll close our time together by calling on the energy of our newly created shared connections and sharing an intention for ourselves.

A Small, Intimate Gathering

We’re intentionally keeping the size of this group small, so we can create an intimate, supportive setting where everyone feels safe and has the space to stretch out, contribute and share. 

The group will have no more than ten participants, along with Sarah and I. That way we can be expansive, breathe deeply and make sure everyone's voice is heard. 

A Word about Sharing and Feedback

There will be space to share our words. At this event, and in all my writing workshops, the only responses that are offered on freshly written pieces are supportive. We share what stays with us, what is strong, what we felt as we listened to the writing.

In my writing workshops confidentiality is also maintained. We treat all writing as fiction—as a piece of art. The truth is, we are always writing from both memory and imagination. Treating our work as fiction creates a safe space for us to share our words without judgement.

 

Lovely Words from Others

“The biggest benefit of coming to this retreat has been inspiration, renewed sense of purpose, renewed passion. The way the retreat is structured allows time for reflection and clarity. Experiencing this will help me as I write on my own in my own practice.”

— Deborah Ward, writing retreat participant

“I needed this to get me back to writing my memories, from which I have strayed in recent months. A truly inspirational and enriching experience, not only the writing but the sharing of each other’s journeys! Mary Kay and Diane have a special talent for guiding us through such a meaningful journey.”

— Carol Corrigan, writing retreat participant

This Breathe, Write, Connect Experience Lets You:

  • Spend an afternoon resting into and tending yourself

  • Experience gentle, guided movement to bring you into your body

  • Write about things that you care about, exploring whatever emerges

  • Start uncovering the jewels of your own voice and style

  • Witness and give words of support for others’ writing

  • Cultivate relationships with a beautiful group of other women



Some Questions You Might Have…

When is the event and how long is it?

Our afternoon together will be on August 10, 2024 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Where is it being held?

The Joy Collective Yoga Studio

921 E. 8th Street

Sioux Falls, SD 57103

Where can I park?

There is parking in front of the studio, along 8th Street. There is also parking along Fairfax Ave., half a block east of 8th Street.

What do I need to bring?

Please bring your yoga mat.

You’ll need something to write with too, so bring a pen and paper!

Note: I encourage you to write by hand. Writing by hand activates the right side of your brain, helping to bypass our seemingly in-resident, left-brain editor tendencies. That said, if you’re more comfortable using a laptop, you can certainly bring that instead. Be sure to bring a charger if needed.

What should I wear?

Please wear something comfortable you’ll feel good moving around in.

About Your Facilitators

Diane Douiyssi, Writer, Intuitive Guide and Mentor

I’m a lifelong writer, and reader, who loves both fiction and poetry and has co-hosted several women’s reflective writing retreats. I’m delighted to have just recently completed a poetry collection as well as a draft of my first novel.

AWA Certified Writing Workshop Facilitator

With years of experience in nurturing creativity and empowering others, I bring a unique blend of expertise and passion to my role as an AWA Certified Writing Workshop Facilitator. Trained in the Amherst Writers & Artists method, I create a supportive and inspiring environment, where writers of all types of experience can explore their voices and refine their writing.

Every person has a story worth telling. We are writers because we write.

Certified Coach and Intuitive Guide 

In 2016, I completed an in-depth life coach training program, and then went on to become a Martha Beck Certified Wayfinder Life Coach. After that, I studied intuition and learned the ARTs method of energy reading at Beverly Belling’s Intuitive Arts Studio, where I soon became one of the program’s Endorsed Intuitives. 

I’ve spent hundreds of hours coaching, mentoring and reading energy for individuals, creatives, and other coaches, helping them align their projects, businesses and lives to their soul-selves. 

I’ve lived across the globe and am currently settled in the upper plains of the Midwest, close to the earth and peoples that nourish the world.

Sarah Lindemulder, RYT 500, YACEP

I’m owner and founder of the Joy Collective Yoga Studio. I’m passionate about immersing myself in nature and love bringing others along for the ride.

I’ve been teaching yoga since 2014 and am appreciated for my contagious joy, ease, and deep desire for learning. I teach at my studio in Sioux Falls and lead retreats in any location that makes my heart sing.

I have my RYT-500 yoga certification through Amy Ippoliti and have further invested into studying yin yoga and yoga nidra (Richard Miller, PhD) as well as a three-year somatic trauma healing program with global expect Peter Levine.

A mother of two humans and one fur baby, I delight in exploring the great outdoors and relishing good food with my family. When not studying yoga and all its various offshoots, you can find me diving deeper into the study of herbal medicine.

Lovely Words from Others

“I didn’t know where to start to begin practicing writing every day. You helped me find my why for my story, trust the process, and dig deep into showing up for myself. Your intuition was always spot on. Your feedback was gentle and useful and I never felt judged, less than, or anything but a writer! I learned to trust writing my story longhand and focus on the first draft letting myself get the story out onto paper. I learned to give myself a break and celebrate my successes!

I’m grateful for your support and kindness and your commitment to me as an artist, the importance of my voice, and the actualization of my Story. Thank you.

— Laura Allen, writing client

What’s Included?

  • Attendance to Breathe, write, connect: A movement and writing experience for women

    • August 10th, 2024 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

  • Beverages and a light snack

Price: $55 - early bird price good through August 3!

Price: $65 - regular price after August 3, 2024

Deadline to sign up is Friday, August 9th at 11:59 p.m. Central Time

REFUNDS AND CANCELLATIONS

Due to the nature of this event and the small number of attendees, we will not be able to refund monies if you drop out at the last minute, so please be sure you know you can join before signing up. 

If you have any questions about this event or about what it might be like for you, please send me an email, and I’ll get in touch with you. 

Are You Ready to Breathe, Write and Connect?

If you’re ready to join us for an afternoon filled with gentle movement, inspired writing and delicious connection, follow the steps below:

Step 1.  Click the “I want to join” button below. You’ll be taken to Diane’s scheduling page to book your spot in the workshop and pay.

Step 2: Once you’ve completed the registration, you’ll receive a confirmation email with a link to add the information to your calendar. 

Step 3: You’ll receive a reminder for the gathering 24 hours ahead of time.

Step 4: We’ll see you on August 10th at 1 p.m. CT at the Joy Collective Yoga Studio!!

 

NOT SURE?

Feel free to ask me any questions you have about this program. You can send me an email and I’ll get back to you by email or suggest a short call if guided to.




PHOTO CREDITS

PHOTOS BY Sixteen Miles Out, Finde Zukunft, Le Minh Phuong, Alexis Brown, Marcos Paulo Prado, Daiga Ellaby, and Carlos de Miguel on unsplash. BANNER PHOTO BY Ilyuza Mingazova ON UNSPLASH.