Young Adult Writers Program (YAWP): Embodied Poetics: Self-Compassion, Poetry & Performance

Class Description:

 In a fast paced 21st century world that challenges our ability to reconcile sacred alongside secular, how can poetry & embodied awareness alchemize the sacred, mundane & profane experiences of our heads and hearts into meaningful art? How can our life experiences and our poetry connect us more deeply to ourselves, each other, and something larger? In the same way our lives are vessels for experience, poetry and creative writing are vehicles for expression, connection & emotion. We can use the awareness and expanded perspective we gain in combining poetry craft skills, curiosity and self-compassion to write poems that uncover our fullness, express the innate sacredness of our humanity, and integrate the material of our lives into a deepened sense of wholeness.

In this workshop, we will deepen our relationship with ourselves while we generate new writing. We will explore both poetry prompts and compassionate awareness practices as we give voice to our individual experiences and the world around us. We’ll experience the way authentic writing speaks to an audience, and begins with our unique voices and our own embodied knowing.  For writers age 13-18 ONLY.

Takeaway:

Students will leave with a self-loving writer's practice and poems that channel and express their lived experiences and emotions.

Class Format:

This class will take place in-person at our Center for Creative Writing in Boston's Seaport neighborhood. Students who need an MBTA pass to commute to class can request one using this form. Snacks, pens, notebooks, chromebooks, and post-class pizza will be provided! 

Space Accessibility:

Our space is fully ADA accessible with automatic door openers, ADA compliant restrooms, desk and table spacing, braille signage, and elevator. Our classrooms can be equipped with ALS for hard of hearing individuals. We cannot guarantee a scent-free environment. For more accessibility requests, please contact our Operations team at [email protected] or (617) 695-0075.

Covid-19 Updates:

GrubStreet is a mask-friendly space. When our community Covid risk level is low or medium, masks are optional. We are currently at a medium community risk level, so this offering is: mask optional. If our community Covid-19 risk level becomes high, we will follow the CDC recommendations and require masks within our space. Learn more about our Covid-19 Policy here.

Registration Instructions:

• If the student is under 18, parents/guardians must complete this permission form online. You only need to fill this form out ONE TIME, NOT for every class. If you cannot remember whether you have already filled it out, please email [email protected] and we will check for you! If you do not complete this form, your registrations could be voided and the cancellation policy will apply.
• If the student is 18, simply let us know by emailing [email protected].
• If you are registering on behalf of a student, add their email in the “For a Friend or Child?” field on the right-hand side of the screen at check out. This will send them a direct link and reminder to create their own profile with GrubStreet.
• Please register with your preferred name :)

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***If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at [email protected]. We’re looking forward to writing with you this winter!***