- Event Date: 31/05/2025
The Monkey Mind & Inner Critic: Exploring Patterns of Mind with Yoga, Meditation and Writing
Event Details
- 09:30
- Whirlow Spirituality Centre, Whirlow Grange Close, Sheffield, S11 9SY
- From £40
Event Description
In this session, we turn our attention to the inner awareness of mental activity.
In yoga and meditation, we aim to develop the capacity to observe or witness the mind’s activities, recognising that we are not defined by our thoughts or feelings. This practice of witnessing is a lifelong journey. Yet, as anyone who practices mindfulness or meditation knows, it often feels like an endless return to the breath, accompanied by the chatter of the “monkey mind” and the commentary of the inner critic.
Freewriting, integrated with yoga and meditation, offers a powerful tool for navigating this mental chatter. It helps us make sense of what arises, allowing us to notice and gradually loosen the grip of unhelpful thought patterns. This combination of practices helps us make steady progress in taming the monkey mind and the inner critic, creating more ease and clarity in daily life while also freeing us for creative expression.
What to Expect
The yoga and meditation practice is suitable for all, including beginners. You will be encouraged to move at your own pace and comfort. Chairs are available for seated practice. The writing requires no prior experience and serves as a personal tool for self-expression. Writing takes place in short, guided bursts of about five minutes, using prompts to get started. This writing is purely for you – unfettered by grammar, spelling, or any inner critic. You are free to follow the prompts or let your pen flow wherever it leads you.
There will be opportunities to share your experiences if you wish, but sharing your written work is entirely optional. Any feedback focuses on emotional resonance rather than craft. The workshop also includes a tea/coffee and cake break, where you chat with each other. The venue is beautiful, spacious with a garden we can use for our break if the weather is good enough!
Typical Morning Schedule (may vary slightly)
9:30–10:40 – Slow, mindful yoga movements and breathing
10:40–11:10 – Writing prompts, writing, and discussion
11:10–11:30 – Tea/coffee break with cake
11:30–11:50 – Meditation
11:50–12:10 – Writing prompts, writing, and discussion
12:10–13:00 – Yoga Nidra and final writing session
Note
This is a therapeutic practice for personal wellbeing, not therapy or a creative writing course. The focus is on self-exploration and expression, not critique. My role is not that of a therapist or writing critic. While your writing may inspire ideas for future development, the emphasis is on personal reflection and discovery.
Details
• Date: Saturday,31st May 2025
• Time: 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
• Location: Whirlow Hall, Sheffield
Please Note:
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Call for Papers: 2nd European Biblio/Poetry Therapy Conference
Conference theme: Exploring New Dimensions of Biblio/Poetry Therapy
Conference host: University of Jyväskylä, Finland
Call for papers deadline: 30 April 2025
Conference dates: 2–4 October 2025
Biblio/poetry therapy, as a form of art therapy, utilizes reading and writing in various ways as therapeutic and growth-promoting tools. How is biblio/poetry therapy applied in today’s Europe? Where should it be introduced, and which disciplines should it collaborate with to have the greatest positive impact? What role could biblio/poetry therapy play in a world facing increasing uncertainties, and how can the use of new technologies as part of it help us adapt to changing environments and conditions?
These and many other questions will be explored at the 2nd European Bibliotherapy Conference, which will be held at the University of Jyväskylä October 2–4, 2025. The theme of the 2025 conference is Exploring New Dimensions of Biblio/Poetry Therapy. This event provides an opportunity to discuss both theoretical and practical issues, as well as to interact with researchers and colleagues in the fields of biblio/poetry therapy, arts therapies, literary studies, narrative medicine, cultural studies, health sociology, anthropology, psychology, and other related disciplines.
Keynote Speakers:
- Dr. Judit Béres, Associate Professor, Department of Modern Literary History and Literary Theory, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Pécs (Hungary)
- Dr. Päivi Kosonen, Associate Professor of Comparative Literature and Senior Researcher (SELMA, University of Turku), Biblio/Poetry Therapist and Educator (Finnish Association of Biblio/Poetry Therapy)
We welcome a broad range of abstracts and workshop proposals related to the conference theme and topics. Kindly submit your proposals by 30 April 2025 via the submission form provided on the conference website: www.jyu.fi/poetrytherapy2025. You will also find further information about the event and its organizers on the website.
We look forward to your participation!
Conference Chair: Karoliina Maanmieli PhD, University of Jyväskylä
The 2nd European Biblio/Poetry Therapy Conference 2025, University of Jyväskylä
www.jyu.fi/poetrytherapy2025
email: poetrytherapy2025@jyu.fi
Header image: Photo by The Climate Reality Project on Unsplash
Led by Bethany Rivers, a certified Focusing Practitioner, this two hour workshop will give a taster of what Focusing is and how to use it alongside the poem ‘The Layers’ by Stanley Kunitz.
Many of us may have used this poem as a container, guide and prompt in writing for wellbeing sessions at some point with a group. It takes two years to train as a Focusing Practitioner, so this will very much be a taster session that will begin to look at a couple of aspects of Focusing.
Mostly, we will be looking at resonance. Resonance in the body, resonance of words, resonance of feelings and memories. Focusing is about accessing the body-wisdom, coming into compassionate relationship with all the parts of ourselves and helping us find the next step forward, however small that might be. It’s a healing space to have the time to really slow down, express what you need to without interruptions or judgements, whilst being witnessed and companioned on that journey.
A Focusing session can bring fresh perspective and insight by enabling the process of hovering on the edge of what you don’t know, as the body (actually meaning our whole being) knows more than the head does.
Focusing and writing for wellbeing dovetail really well and can help take you deeper into the journey with the presence of a compassionate listener, and learning to be your own compassionate listener.
About Bethany
Bethany Rivers is a certified Focusing Practitioner with the British Focusing Association and teaches Focusing one to one and in groups. She has an MA in the Teaching and Practice of Creative Writing, has two poetry chapbooks published, a novel and a book on the creative writing process. Bethany has taught creative writing and writing for wellbeing since 2007. She has worked with a diverse range of populations including the bereaved, school pupils, prisoners, young people excluded from the mainstream, families, those with mental health difficulties, post-doctorate students, the homeless and elders.
About the event
This event is open to Lapidus members and non-members. Tickets can be purchased at the following links:
- Lapidus standard member ticket: £15
- Lapidus student/low-income member ticket: £10
- Non-member ticket: £20
Please note that there is a limited capacity for this event, and we recommend booking your space as soon as possible.
For enquiries before and on the day of the event, please contact membership@lapidus.org.uk.
Header photo by Thanhy Nguyen on Unsplash
This excursion-retreat weaves together the inspirational power of strikingly beautiful locations with literary pilgrimage, lively literary discussions, and expressive writing for wellbeing.
During this 12-day UK adventure, participants will be invited to respond to stirring poems and prose pieces of English, Welsh and Scottish authors within sites associated with their life and creative work. In this program, we will travel through varied landscapes, savor restful stays in delightfully scenic surroundings, and visit historically significant places within the Cotswolds, southeast Wales, Liverpool, the Lake District, and Edinburgh. As we savor the charms and literary vibe of these places, we will enjoy numerous opportunities to amplify our sensory perceptions, experience playful creativity, gather rejuvenating memories, and gain personal insight, as we respond to stimulating writing prompts.
Registration for this trip is now open, and the final date to pay your deposit and register is December 5, 2025, but you are encouraged to register as soon as possible to hold your place in the tour. Contact Geri Chavis at ggchavis@stkate.edu to receive a detailed brochure and for answers to any questions you have. Arrangements for this trip are made by Sovereign Tourism, based in London.
Program Leadership by Geri Chavis, Founder/Convener of MN Poetry Therapy Network, Professor Emerita, St. Catherine University