Leaf addresses some of the key challenges when confronted with trauma. The workshop is offered once a week over a period of 15 weeks. It has building blocks, thus it is important to attend the whole workshop to fully pick the fruits it has to offer.
STORY TELLING TEQNIQUES
Technically you will understand how to write a story upon completion of the workshop. However, this is merely a means to an end. Through story telling techniques we can re-discover our truest identity.
Nervous breakdowns is often partly associated with not being able to adapt to change. When experiencing trauma our world view, perspectives and dreams are often challenged. In a sense our 'life story' is destroyed. This leaves us disappointed, despondent, depressed, confused and anxious. However, with story telling techniques we can renew our minds to make peace with our past whilst creating a new story and dreams for our future life. It is one of the most powerful ways to make peace with what was, and create a new vision of what might still be.
ARTS AND CRAFTS
Trauma creates flashback loopholes which is extremely painful. As our future vision is also compromised at that point of time, these loops potentially ensnare our mind and can leave us feeling 'stuck'. Whilst building a new story we need some escapism. When our escapism is not carefully managed it can sadly lead to more trauma such as addiction. This is a vulnerable time in our lives. LEAF provides healthy escapism through various different types of arts and crafts, ranging from pottery, mosaic, charcoal grayscale images and many more. This is meant for the beginner, and by no means do you need to be artistic to participate. The focus is on expressing yourself freely while being fully engaged in a fun activity. Furthermore this creates a sense of meditation so your mind and heart can rest for a little while. Ultimately this presents an opportunity for your mind and heart to reset and rewire.
MUSIC
Compassion and understanding is key to healing. Music is naturally compassionate. We open the workshop with a music piece that was composed by a composer after experiencing major loss. We become conscious - we are not alone.
During arts and crafts peaceful background music is also played.
COMMUNITY
Loneliness is one of the biggest enemies of trauma and loss.
We'll have tea and coffee at the end of the workshop. This provides an opportunity to meet and chat to other workshop attendees. It is up to you if you would like to make friends, but the opportunity is presented.
LIFESTYLE TIPS
The causes of trauma is often preventable. Of course we cannot control what others do, but we can choose to control how we act when trauma happens to us. Are we going to be reactive or proactive? Do we live by the sword or rather forgive and pay kindness forward?
Fostering a healthy lifestyle not only makes our own emotions increasingly stable, but is a powerful and positive way to take control and proactively create a happier healthier you and world. It assists in transforming us from victims to being victorious!
CONCLUSION
Our rushed society often also rushes healing. Ironically this can potentially aggravate trauma healing.
We know that healing a traumatic wound entails more than a mere bandage. Medical staff wil immediately try to stop further blood flow, clean the wound, dress it and then fight to prevent further infection. Thereafter rehabilitation commences where necessary. Treating trauma needs to be facilitated in a similar way, and LEAF assists with the rehabilitation process.
LEAF addresses major challenges of trauma by renewing, resetting and rewiring your mind, whilst having fun in a relaxing environment. It provides coping strategies which you can continue practicing at home. Furthermore there is the opportunity of a temporary community which might sooth loneliness. It is a a safe space where we can freely express and transform the feelings of loss, so we can grow from these experiences.
