What to expect in a Goddess Playshop

The American flags were flying at half-mast when Anita Ryan-Revel drove into Taos, New Mexico to conduct her first Goddess Playshop in the United States.

“It was 2005 and the Pope had just died,” says the Australian author to explain the flags. “At first I was surprised at the overwhelming display of Catholic devotion, but I soon realised that religion, race or culture don’t matter when it comes to a woman connecting with her true essence – dozens of women still signed up to connect with goddess energy.”

That point is certainly evident when Anita describes the type of women who attended her unique Playshops.

“I’ve had solitary witches, Mormon expatriates, single mothers, corporate heavyweights, a moonlighting mechanic and even a Catholic nun in my Playshops,” she laughs. “It’s not uncommon to find such an eclectic mix coming along. Women are working to make sense of their world by becoming more self-empowered from within, no matter where they come from or what they do for a living.”

Anita developed the Goddess Playshop concept in 2003 as a practical extension of her website, goddess.com.au. Conducting the Playshops locally in her home state of Western Australia, they grew so popular she took them on tour through six states in America in 2005, eight states in 2007, and, at six months pregnant, she's planning another tour to celebrate the new year in 2008!

“I'm recruiting new facilitators to keep up with the demand,” she says, “ but there's always someone somewhere wanting to promote spiritual sustenance amongst their circle of friends or workplace.”

What makes the Goddess Playshops so popular?

“They’re fun!” she grins. “Self-empowerment doesn’t have to come through self-help books and dreary seminars. I use lots of easy and fun methods to help women connect with the ultimate source of power – their inner goddess.”

Pamela Pierson from Reno, Nevada is an insurance administrator who attended a Goddess Playshop, even though she had “never felt a connection with the whole goddess thing.”

But that all changed once the space was cleansed, candles were lit and the evening pronounced ‘on’.

“The day of the workshop was one of the worst days I'd had in weeks. The last thing I felt like doing was going to the workshop. But I am SO glad I went – I was energised for days afterward.”

And they’re something every woman should consider doing, according to Anita. Below are some ideas to get you started in developing your own goddess party at home. For more ideas or to become a facilitator, go to www.goddess.com.au .

INNER GODDESS TOUR

The most beneficial exercise according to Ms Pierson, was the Inner Goddess Tour, a meditation set to music.

“Anita talked us through it while hypnotic tones played in the background. During that time, we were asked at different points to communicate with specific Goddesses,” she said. “For the first time in my life, I actually felt that I communicated with them. It was phenomenal.”

Participants often put forward their ideas about their favourite meditation and soul music, but there is no one “right way” to do things.

“Whatever feels good and can transport you to another timeless, spaceless place, use it,” says Anita.

GODDESS WHISPERS

The search for the inner goddess isn’t an egocentric thing like wanting to be worshipped, nor does it require converting to a pagan faith.

“It’s more a way to understand your own femininity, strength and wisdom and to give yourself permission to assert these gifts to empower your life,” says Anita. “It also helps to hear supportive words from others too to affirm you’re on the right track. That’s why I developed the Goddess Whispers game.”

This philosophy of hearing truth (via the “goddess whispers”) rang true with Karen Martinez of San Francisco, a University student and ex-Mormon.

“My family is very upset that I have left the Mormon faith to explore who I really am,” she says. “But I have never been happier, and the work (ha ha) we did in this Playshop confirmed that I have made the right decision. I cried and cried during the Goddess Whispers activity – it was the first time I felt truly loved.”

PAMPER THE PRINCESS

If you think crying goes against the grain of a fun Playshop, think again.

“Tears are a good thing,” insists Anita. “I open the Playshops by letting people know that laughter is allowed, but if there is crying they will have the space to shed the tears. We can’t access our inner power if there are emotional issues blocking our way, and crying is one way to clear the obstacle.”

Sister Jean Erhardt of Colorado Springs agrees.

“We massaged each other’s hands using organic massage oil and pure essential oils designed to energise the chakras,” she says, describing one of the Pamper the Princess activities. “It was fascinating how taking the time out to be pampered, in a space where it’s safe to talk can affect the psyche so deeply. On top of that, there were all these beautiful smells in the air that created a really relaxing atmosphere. I loved it – much energy was moved!”

The open-minded Sister Erhardt wasn’t the only one who enjoyed the pampering and shifting of energy.

“Who’d have thought that having your toenails painted could be so powerful?” says Ruthay Coney of Denver, Colorado. “But it was almost tribal – I felt really connected to my sisters who were making me feel like an absolute princess! I wanted to cry with happiness!”

MINI READINGS

“A major element of being ‘woman’ is the art of listening to our intuition,” says Anita. “Too often we make decisions then churn them over and over wondering if it was the right one. This effectively shuts down intuition and puts us in doubt of our own wisdom.”

Jayce Knight*, a recovering alcoholic from Mariposa, California, was surprised at how such a simple concept could change her entire outlook.

“It was very uplifting to realise I’m actually allowed to make a decision and tell the voices of judgement and criticism to get lost. This exercise will be a real source of strength for what’s to come in my life,” she says.

This activity was particularly profound in a geodesic dome overlooking the Sierra Mountains. “The acoustics and energy created in the space was truly magical,” smiles Anita.

“I especially loved that I could whisper the message from my Chakra Oracle card and it resonated through the dome so that everyone could hear it – not as my voice but as though it were from a divine being,” says Jayce.

Anita giggles at this comment. “Of course it came from a divine being – her! Every woman is goddess – it’s just that when we get bogged down in the daily mondo of life it’s easy to lose the connection with our feminine divine.”

TAILOR TO SUIT

It seems if you want to reconnect with this divine feminine, these Goddess Playshops are the perfect vehicle.

“The basic Goddess Playshop is definitely an empowering experience,” says Anita, “but sometimes I get asked to tailor a Playshop to suit specific situations. For example, a boss might be feeling that her staff is lacking motivation so gets me in to get them feeling good about themselves and each other again. Or someone might ask for an evening of inspiration as a hen’s night. It doesn’t matter what the format is, I’ve never had a participant who isn’t moved and inspired in some way.”

No matter what the situation, Anita is helping women of all walks get in touch with their inner goddess and back in control of their lives.

“In an activity called The Loving Embrace, I describe the Egyptian goddess Nuit as a bridge between heaven and earth,” explains Anita. “I ask participants to visualise reaching for the stars and falling into her loving embrace. It is essentially a trust exercise designed to help them trust in themselves and others again.

“It never fails,” she smiles. “They always come out of the Playshops walking on air and in love with themselves again. To see the transformation during a Playshop makes this the best job in the world!”

End

* Name changed per request

More information: www.goddess.com.au