Learning Opportunities:

Public Workshops:

• Whitehorse Yukon - 2 Day Workshop
• Bowen Island, BC: “At The Heart Of Living Things”
• Gabriola Island - 7 Day Residential Retreat
• The Inner Activist Program
• Private Workshops
• Individual Sessions

WHITEHORSE, YUKON: "NVC AT HEART" - a 2-day Workshop

Saturday and Sunday, October 29 & 30, 2011 - 9:30am - 4:30pm

Pre-requisite: An introductory course in Nonviolent Communication and/or please read Dr. Marshall Rosenberg’s book, “Nonviolent Communication, A Language of Life”

Course Content

This training is primarily designed to integrate NVC consciousness at the heart level - to support participants not only to understand the NVC process but also to live it more fully as they take it into their lives. This deeper heart-level integration of NVC will become apparent throughout the training as life is explored through guided role-plays as well as structured exercises and activities using real situations. The course is designed to support recognition of disconnects and the key differentiations between mind-chatter and stimulus, to ease the shift to the heart, to understand and experience the particular qualities we call needs, and to allow insights, inspirations and actions to evolve naturally. It will support participants to more fully connect with others in all aspects of life - in personal, work and community relationships.

Penny Wassman writes, “I believe that living NVC is an ongoing process of deepening authenticity - curious, compassionate, honest awareness of the self which then lends itself naturally to recognition of the interconnectedness of all human and planetary life. This continually evolving inner work supports the evolution of natural empathic awareness. So it is this raw (and I hope tender) work of the heart that will be emphasized in this training.”

Location: To be announced
Fees: $250 for the 2-day workshop. ($150 deposit requested by September 15, balance payable by October 15, 2011)
Registration Information: Seating is limited to 25 persons. Please contact the organizers below by September 15th to ensure availability:

Kim Outridge email: koutridge@northwestel.net Telephone: (867-667-6463) or
Tracy Rempel email: tracy.rempel@gmail.com Telephone (867-633-4240)

BOWEN ISLAND, BC: “AT THE HEART OF THINGS” – Deepening relationships with Nonviolent Communication”

Saturday and Sunday, March 3 & 4, 2012 - 9:30am - 4:30pm

Pre-requisite: An introductory course in Nonviolent Communication and/or please read Dr. Marshall Rosenberg’s book, “Nonviolent Communication, A Language of Life”

This workshop will include opportunities to:

• awareness and empowerment as you unravel busy mind chatter to discover your deepest yearnings.
• Enhance your own empathic power as you learn to really “listen” to others whether or not you agree with their choices in life.... as in the words of poet and spiritualist, Mark Nepo: “In the practice of our days, to listen is to lean in, softly, with a willingness to be changed by what we hear.”
• Learn to express yourself freely, authentically, compassionately and naturally.

About this offering, Penny Wassman writes, "I believe that living NVC is an ongoing process of deepening authenticity - curious, compassionate, honest awareness of the self which lends itself naturally to the evolution of natural empathic awareness and recognition of the interconnectedness of all human and planetary life. So it is this raw and tender work of the heart that will be emphasized in this training.”

Location: To be announced
Fees: $225 (plus HST) for the 2-day workshop. Early-bird rate $185 (plus HST) if paid by February 15, 2012
Registration: Please contact Mary Coleman at 778-938-4425 or email Mary at: colemanadventures@yahoo.com

GABRIOLA ISLAND, BC: "Nonviolent Communication – A Process of Life" - A 7-Day Residential Retreat

Location: the Haven Resort on Gabriola Island
Fee: $1,155.00 or Early Bird Tuition: $1015 if you register and pay in full at least two weeks in advance. (HST, Accommodation and meals extra.) in advance. Please note that The Haven will honour 2011 tuition rates if tuition is paid between September 1 and October 15, 2011 (an additional saving of $35)

This affordable 7-day retreat at the Haven Resort on Gabriola Island is designed to support the ongoing development and integration of NVC consciousness, whether participants are relatively new to NVC or experienced practitioners. Beginning on Friday evening, with an opening circle for sharing and connecting, the retreat will flow into Saturday with a full-day NVC review - an opportunity for seasoned NVCers to learn new ways to enhance their own outreach and for those newer to NVC to more fully understand the process. The balance of the week will deepen the process for all, with an emphasis on the spiritual foundation of the NVC process, natural and authentic expression, transforming pain, and deepening empathy skills.

Course Prerequisite:

We ask that you read Dr. Marshall Rosenberg's book, "Nonviolent Communication, A Language of Life" and that you have introductory level training in Nonviolent Communication. If you are unsure whether your NVC experience is sufficient for you to enjoy this NVC immersion retreat, please email Penny Wassman at pwassman@shaw.ca to arrange time for a brief phone conversation to discuss this.

Benefits of This Training:

1. Build community as you deepen NVC awareness and skills. This carefully crafted training is designed to assist participants to connect with one another, form mutual support groups and to sustain awareness over time.
2. Coached Practice Sessions with CNVC Assessor and Certified Trainer, Penny Wassman. With 10 years experience offering NVC trainings including 3 years as an assessor for North/South America for the global Center for Nonviolent Communication, and as a Certified Trainer at several CNVC International Intensive Sessions (IIT's), Penny brings her unique expertise and gentle presence to support your learning and growth throughout this NVC retreat. You'll have an opportunity to practice NVC with guidance, compassion, and support, whether your aim is to broaden awareness in your personal life, teach the process to others, impact positive social change in the world... or all three.
3. Relaxation, Beauty and Fun. The idyllic waterfront setting on Gabriola Island, resort amenities, and a training structured with afternoon and evening breaks will support you to learn NVC, enjoy nature and have fun too. Be sure to bring ideas, props and musical instruments if you have them for the participant directed "No-Talent Show" on Thursday evening.

This training will include opportunities to:

• Understand the spiritual dimension of human needs as you become the bridge between the outer dimension - the pain and chaos of our human conditioning - and the inner dimension - the true authentic self.
• Increase your awareness of your own inner chatter- projections, moralistic judgements, right/wrong thinking, blame, criticism - and learn to embrace it honestly and with compassion as you own the difference between the chatter, what you are truly observing, and the qualities you value in life.
• Transform lingering pain as you harvest the living energy of underlying needs.
• Discover core self-deprecating beliefs that repeat throughout your day-to-day life and use this awareness to understand your deepest yearnings.
• Work through apparently "conflicting" needs to align your choices with authenticity and with full commitment to life.
• Enhance your own empathic power as you learn to really "listen" to others whether or not you agree with their choices in life.... as in the words of poet and spiritualist, Mark Nepo: "In the practice of our days, to listen is to lean in, softly, with a willingness to be changed by what we hear." (from Mark Nepo "The Exquisite Risk - Daring to Live an Authentic Life").
• Express yourself freely, authentically, compassionately and naturally.

Course Schedule:

THE INNER ACTIVIST

A unique training program for activists, change agents, & social entrepreneurs

The Inner Activist Program is a result of the collaborative effort between prominent activists, trainers and educators from six different personal development organizations that include: The Haven Institute, Nonviolent Communication, Anima Leadership, The Process Institute, Learning as Leadership and The Work That Reconnects.

Using a combination of experiential and cognitive learning techniques, on-line peer and group coaching support, participants will embark on a journey through five residential modules. They incorporate leading edge approaches designed to help participants move to more congruence between their inner experience and their actions for social change.

Penny Wassman is a faculty member of this unique program. For more information, visit the Inner Activist Website: www.inneractivist.com

"Penny radiates unconditional love and knows all the little pieces of skill and NVC wisdom too. I guess I'm high right now - she seems like a living miracle."

"An opportunity to deeply integrate NVC principles and concepts through the experience of applying the practice to a wide range of important personal issues in a loving and supportive group and with a skilled and compassionate facilitator."

"Magical and transformative."

"Penny Wassman is a master teacher who lives her compassion and her convictions."

"Life changing and world changing."

"This is transformational work that will serve you your whole life thru all ages and stages."

"Enlightening - So useful in personal and professional growth"

"The teacher, Penny Wassman is an amazing and exceptional woman! She manages NVC in a professional and kind manner."

“Thank you for your presence of caring, gentleness, being in the moment, paying 100% attention, patience, demonstrating. It has been a reminder and a role model for me giving more clarity and direction to where I want to be. I feel hopeful, excited and challenged.”

Registration: For more Information or to Register: http://www.haven.ca/forms/registration/

Private Workshops:

“I have experienced Penny Wassman's depth of knowledge in Nonviolent Communication and can say without question that her dedication, knowledge and ability to share this work will enable those who are intent on enhancing their connection with others to enrich those communications, both personal and professional.”
Leah Bailey, A/Executive Director, Compliance & Regulatory Branch, Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Province of British Columbia

Individual Sessions:

“For several months, Penny met with my ex-partner and I while we were dealing with the painful process of redefining our relationship. She helped transform our despair and confusion by clarifying feelings that were alive in us, needs we wanted met, and strategies that fostered increased honesty and harmony in our relationship. She supported us in ways that deeply met needs for mutuality, empathy, growth, and healing. I believe the tenderness and trust that (my ex-partner) and I experience in our friendship and co-parenting connection today has much to do with the quality of support and guidance we experienced with Penny many months ago. Penny, it seems, simply makes it easier for people to remember how much they yearn to love and to be loved, and to behave in ways that are most likely to manifest that.”
Individual Session Client