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The purpose of ADVENTURES IN AWARENESS™ (AIA) is to develop
awareness
and expand consciousness while enhancing an individual's ability to be
responsible for self, and thus, contribute to the safety of the group,
through work with horses.
This equine facilitated experiential learning process work is suitable
for individuals of any age interested in achieving clarity of life
purpose, rewarding interpersonal relationships, and compassionate
heart centered communication skills. Carefully structured interactive
exercises are designed to create bonding, promote team building, and
develop personal insights. The AIA process promotes working with
horses as reflective (mirror principle – "what I see in you, is
also in me") of our personal and interpersonal relationships.
Learning what horses can
teach us about basic life skills in an interesting and often fun
approach to awaken our capacity for authentic empowerment. Self
empowered individuals make healthy behavior choices and practice
mindful awareness of thoughts, feelings and emotions as determinants
of personal reality.
For those people unfamiliar with group process, this equine facilitated
experiential learning process work, a form of equine guided education,
provides a self-determined opportunity to practice the
participant/observer principle. It is a significant opportunity to
expand cross species communication while enjoying the healing ambiance of
Nature.
During your AIA session(s) you may:
Learn an effective communication tool; especially useful for periods of
intense emotion when it is crucial to express yourself in a
non-adversarial manner. The, "When I perceive you..., I
feel..." "Is any of this true for you?"
Practice the Participant/Observer Principle: the influence of our
feelings on the quality of our reality with active witnessing and inner
awareness.
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Be introduced to elementary principles of energy as expressed through the
horse's behavior and concept of archetypes.
Develop an awareness of Energy; "reading – sensing" The Field.
The AIA process connects mind, body and heart in relationship with a
sentient being, the horse. AIA engages the Sacred while exercising the
body, calming the mind, and nurturing the Soul. Working with and Riding
horses may be experienced as "Joyful meditation in motion".
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The Purpose of ADVENTURES IN AWARENESS™ (AIA) is to develop
awareness
and expand consciousness while enhancing an individual's
self-confidence through work with horses. Horses are compassionate
teachers of basic life skills. During an AIA session participants
learn principles of responsibility, relationships, and communication,
including inter-species communication.
AIA's interactive exercises with horses provide an interesting and fun
process for awakening self empowerment skills, while promoting team
building, and interpersonal relationship development. A growing body of
clinical evidence suggests that people experiencing authentic empowerment
through work with animals make healthy behavior choices; thus,
contributing to reduced societal violence.
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Participants may expect:
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Challenge through choice options and practice
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Student teacher bonding; equine and human
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Practice with group dynamics and energy principles
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Experience metaphor as a learning tool
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Fun with horses, other group members, and AIA staff
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Skill practice with insight development
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Basic individual and group processing experiences
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During a half day - full day session of AIA participants
learn:
- Basic equine physiology
- Principles of self-responsibility
- Effective communication skills
- Practice inter-species communication
- 5 Session AIA option offers classical equitation skills
development
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Requirements: Signed AIA application and release, long pants,
closed toe shoes, sun visor/hat, personal water bottle, and an OPEN
HEARTMIND. Participants are not to expect to ride during their first AIA
session. Our purpose is to develop relationship, investigate leadership
requirements, and build trust and communication skills. Students in the
5 session AIA curriculum may expect to learn classical principles of
equitation.
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Learn communication and intimacy skills
Develop clarity of intention and focus
Practice mindfulness meditation
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The AIA process connects mind, body and heart in relationship with a
sentient being, the horse. AIA engages the sacred while exercising the
body, calming the mind, and nurturing the soul. Working with and Riding
horses may be experienced as "Joyful meditation in motion".
Available in Phoenix - Scottsdale Esperanza Center
The purpose of ADVENTURES IN AWARENESS™ (AIA) is to develop
awareness
and expand consciousness while enhancing an individual's ability to be
responsible for self, and thus, contribute to safety of the group,
through work with horses.
|
|
This equine facilitated experiential learning process is suitable for
individuals of any age interested in achieving clarity of life
purpose, rewarding interpersonal relationships, and compassionate
heart centered communication skills. Carefully structured interactive
exercises are designed to create bonding, promote team building, and
develop personal insights.
The AIA process promotes working with horses as reflective (mirror
principle - "what I see in you, is also in me") of our personal and
interpersonal relationships. Learning what horses can teach us about
basic life skills in an interesting and often fun approach to awaken
our capacity for authentic empowerment. Self empowered individuals
make healthy behavior choices and practice mindful awareness of
thoughts, feelings, and emotions as determinants of personal reality.
For those people unfamiliar with group process, this equine facilitated
experiential learning process provides a self-determined opportunity to
practice the participant/observer principle. It is a significant
opportunity to expand interspecies communication skills while enjoying
the healing ambiance of nature.
During your AIA session(s) you may:
- Learn an effective communication tool; especially useful for
periods of intense emotion when it's crucial to express yourself in a
non-adversarial manner. The "When I perceive you...., I feel....".
- Practice the Participant/Observer Principle: the influence of our
feelings on the quality of our reality, active witnessing, and inner
awareness. Be introduced to the elementary principles of energy as
expressed through the horse's behavior.
- Develop an awareness of Energy; "reading - sensing" the field.
AIA'S Consciousness Growth Working With Horses
- Releases (attached) signed - logistics - (gather under the trees)
- Circle with responsibility agreements: chairs for all in circle
near arena
where horses are turned out.
Expectations
Equine Facilitated Experiential Learning
Focus on feelings
Influence of Energy
Significance of Intention
- Heart Scanning exercise: with designated horses turned out or in
corrals.
Principles of Energy
Relationship of listening
- Teams formed - Energy greeting "con su permiso": further greeting
and meeting with help of group members and AIA staff.
- Round Ring - Congruent Message Sending: exploration of 'gestalts'
Role of witness
"When I see you................., I feel........................."
Entering the ring directions: create intention to pass through the gate,
mindful of breath, focus, listening inwardly as your energy extends outward
to the horse. Patience - Practice. Time Out for Help.
- Completion Circle:
What I learned today that may serve me as I leave here
is....................
- Optional Lunch together (sack lunch under the trees) in neighborhood.
The AIA process connects mind, body and heart in relationship with a
sentient being, the horse. AIA engages the sacred while exercising the
body, calming the mind, and nurturing the soul. Working with and Riding
horses may be experienced as "Joyful meditation in motion".
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Credited globally with development of practice the help of horses in clinical setting of residential in early 1990, Barbara has also contributed to the wide spread teaching practice of experiential education with the help of horses (Equine Facilitated Learning EFL). Her Adventures In Awareness equine facilitated experiential learning process work trainings, seminars and Internship Program are attended by a diverse international community of clinical practitioners, educational facilitators and horse professionals.
In 1973 Barbara was helped by her best friend, Nancy McGibbon to rehabilitate her severely injured body from a horse falling on her after pitching over his head during a four foot jump at an A rated Hunter/Jumper Show in the oval of the Tucson First Avenue Race Track. In 1974 Barbara and Nancy co-founded (TROT) with the guidance of Bazy Tankersley, owner/operator of Al-Marah Arabians. Barbara worked in a variety of capacities for and with Bazy nearly forty years.
In the mid 90's Adventures In Awareness was invited by the Episcopalian Dioceses to house its eight horses, two part time staff and Barbara at Chapel Rock Retreat Center in Prescott, AZ. There a collaborative project with Prescott College with environmental studies students and experiential education students how to work with horses for mutually insightful growth and development.
In 2000 a residential year in Baxter Springs, KS with the Horses of Hope family introduced Barbara, the six horse Adventures In Awareness (AIA) herd to medical research examining the implementation of a developmental vaulting program with youth in trouble. The spiritual focus of this developmental learning based horse work included adolescents both inpatient and outpatient who were challenged learners, those with cognitive impairments and behavioral acting out episodes to cooperative and collaborative behaviors, precise communication and mindful practices of clear intention and focus with the horses as they worked together to achieve successful gymnastic maneuvers on the back of a cantering horse.
Barbara served two terms on the Board of Trustees for NARHA - now
Professional Association Therapeutic Horsemanship International
(PATHIntl. - www.pathintl.org ) and nine years on the Medical Committee developing and reviewing Standards, Safety Guidelines and Therapeutic Riding facility protocols. She is an enthusiastic member of the Tucson Dressage Club and has held national certification as a riding instructor for both English Pleasure and Hunter/Jumper through American Association of Riding Instructors.
Barbara's book, Adventures In Awareness: Learning with the Help of Horses (05)is available through Amazon as paperback or eBook.
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