Imagery in Health and Healing: An Introduction to the Arts as Therapy
A dynamic introduction to the arts in healing that begins with the ancient and multi-cultural role of ritual, mythology and shamanic thought. From this historical foundation we move into present day psychological theories and practices with primary attention given to spiritual and ecological perspectives. Hands-on work in art media will be used consistently throughout the course to deepen our understanding of the various perspectives presented.
Tracking (heart) skills include: 

• Introduction to sacred forms of attention 
• Engaging our ancestral hunter/gatherer skills
• Exploring the shamanic roots of art

Academic (mind) skills include:

• A basic understanding of the history, theories and various approaches to the arts in healing
• Knowledge of the underlying structures that influence the communicative and healing capacity of the arts
• Understand the ways in which other cultures have utilized the arts in health and wellness

Animal Assisted Healing and the Expressive Arts Therapies
An original and unique program of study and training that combines the wisdom and compassion of animals (equine and canine) with the expressive arts for health and wellness. Learning takes place in the company of Tangus an international therapy Shiloh Shepherd and numerous horses from the Eagle Feather Ranch in Alberta, Canada. 
Tracking (heart) skills include:

• Understanding the non-verbal language of animals
• Alignment with the wisdom of the body
• Art as a form of communion, animal-assisted connection and tender touching

Academic (mind) skills include:

• Methods for integrating animals with expressive arts therapy practice
• Equine and Canine helpers – gifts and distinctions
• Understanding animal behavior and its sacred significance across cultures

Soul Bridges: An Introduction to the Arts and Spirituality
Discover, renew and celebrate the depths of being called “soul” through the forgotten language of art, symbol and ritual. Using a variety of art forms and materials, participants will examine issues surrounding the meaning and experience of soul. Today, the capacity for the arts to heal and guide at a deep spiritual level have been minimized and made peripheral. In this program of study creativity is considered a core attribute of our spiritual identity with the imagination being our greatest gift.
Tracking (heart) skills include:

• Body Gates
• Dimensions and domains of beauty tracking
• Reading Signs: Oracular perception and the imaginal realms

Academic (mind) skills include:

• Cultivate a deeper understanding of the role the arts play in spiritual development and expression
• Thoughtfully examine ideas and feelings surrounding personal, religious and cultural notions of “soul”
• Come into relation with one’s own visual language and symbol system

World Soul: Restoring our Ancient Bonds
World Soul (Anima Mundi) is an art and healing retreat, an opportunity for personal creative immersion in a serene natural location. It is a multicultural exploration of our deep relationship and belonging to the Earth and all of her inhabitants. The field of ecopsychology will be the primary philosophical structure used to track our understanding of the ecological dimensions of the human personality. Ecopsychology embraces many of the world’s ancient traditions including Native American/First Nations, Celtic mythology and the medieval mysticism of Hildegard of Bingen as well as recent research in biology and cognitive psychology. Drawing from this deep and rich wellspring coupled with direct experience in nature we will address issues related to our sense of self, consciousness and expanding our senses through alignment with our animal teachers.
Tracking (heart) skills include:

• Sacred dimensions of the senses – the non-interfering gaze
• Indigenous art making
• Receptive bonding - reciprocal responsibility

Academic (mind) skills include:

• Understand the role of art, imagination and perception in an ecologically directed therapy
• Find pathways to authentic connection to our inner and outer nature
• Discover the ways we are shaped by and interact with the biosphere

Art Therapy and Bereavement: Drawing from within
There are four rivers to the experience and expression of grief; physical, mental, social and spiritual. This course guides the participant down each of these tributaries through the therapeutic application of the arts, metaphoric language, and theories of death and dying. We will also address those losses that are devalued, such as the loss of an animal companion.
Tracking (heart) skills include:

• Liminal space: portals and thresholds
• Night Walking
• Body navigation

Academic (mind) skills include:

• Developing an arts-based language of grief that assists the bereaved in a gentle, non-judgmental manner
• Become familiar with the elements of bereavement and loss
• Recognize the healing role that nature plays in addressing grief and loss

Art, Aging and Spirituality
The experience of aging is an act of imagination. How have you been imagining growing old? Our images form a blueprint that our bodies naturally follow. In our culture aging has been imagined in a very narrow and devalued way. This course will provide the participant with an opportunity to explore their inner images and ideas of aging in a playful and profound way through the arts. The course will include rich real life examples and detailed guidance on the healing role of the arts. Participants will recognize and reshape old age blueprints and expand our collective vision of growing old through the wisdom of nature, the beauty of art and the many spiritual traditions of the world.
Tracking (heart) skills include:

• Wonder and Stillness
• Chaos and Generativity
• Butterfly power: Shape-shifting

Academic (mind) skills include:

• Gain a deeper awareness of the meaning and experience of aging, both personal and public as it influences the physical, social, mental and spiritual dimensions of being
• Learn creative and respectful ways to be of healing service to older adults
• Discover the ways in which the wisdom of nature mirrors the wisdom of aging