John Weiss, RSMT

Medical Qigong, Expressive Arts, Movement Coach and Registered Somatic Movement Therapist

web: www.movingintoawareness.com

1. What do you do?
I offer classes, workshops and individual sessions in the movement-based expressive arts. I really focus on resource building with the clients. My hope is for them to increase their movement awareness and authenticity. I do this through different exercises and activities like body part mythology. That is a wonderful to enter into the body by allowing the different parts to have their individual time in the spotlight. We look at the myths and metaphors held within as a way to see how they relate to our individual and collective stories. I also use drawing and writing to look at these stories from different points of view.

Recently, I begin to take an interest in bringing my focus to men’s work. I am currently offering a class for men only in Authentic Movement. A great way for men to enter into the expressive arts because the movement is done with eyes closed, no judgment, just following the impulses.

2. How have you prepared for your career?
I have always been transformed when I danced and/or moved with an awareness of my body and it’s needs and desires. That was taken to another level when I went to the Tamalpa Institute in Kentfield, California (Bay Area). That is where I learned more about the transformational healing properties of the expressive arts. I knew this is what I wanted to offer as my life’s work. I have been a sponge ever since taking in everything I can about movement, healing and the arts.

3. Why are you called to this work?
I am called because we are movers. We can’t avoid it. So, why not bring more awareness and insight into what we are doing and see how it can move us in the direction of our dreams and desires! I am so excited about this work. I drives me in the direction that I would like to assist the world to move towards ~ a more enlightened and compassionate collective energy.

4. Do you work with individuals?  Groups? Workshops? Conventions? Conferences?
As I stated in #1, I work with groups and individuals from the general public and I am looking at starting to offer my work to companies and corporations in the future.

5. Will you travel?
Yes, I will travel, but currently I offer my work only in the Vancouver, BC metro area.

6. Favorite color?
Navy blue

7. If you were an instrument, which would you be?
I would be a piano ~ deep and mysterious at times, but also fun and playful at other times.

8. What is your favorite style of dance to watch or do?
I love dance and movement as you probably inferred. I love to do the 5 Rhythms work. I can just be and don’t have to teach. I also love to just put on some music and allow my body to respond to it. Being as authentic with it as possible.

9. Favorite play or movie?
Wow, there are so many to choose from. I like so many genres that I would probably pick a couple. I loved Brokeback Mountain, Torch Song Trilogy and any of the wonderful animation movies made recently.

10. Favorite sculpture?
I don’t have one, but I love many.

11. Favorite song?
Almost anything by Sarah McLachlan, Sinead O’Connor or U2

12. Name one book that is inspiring to you
The Hidden Spirituality of Men- Ten Metaphors to Awaken the Sacred Masculine by Matthew Fox

Lea Goode-Harris, Ph.D.

Labyrinth Design & Creative Consultant

web: www.leastudio.com

blog: http://lealabyrinth.typepad.com

 1. What do you do?

I am a poet, a writer, mixed media artist, a creative consultant, and designer of labyrinths and sacred places. I strive through my art and creative consultations to assist people in finding beauty in their selves and surroundings, no matter where they are. I use labyrinths and my art as a bridge for the imagination and the heart, and as an inspiration for connection with self and the dance of being in relationship with others.

2. How have you prepared for your career?

All of my life experiences have prepared me for what I now do! And life, has given me a full range of those experiences! I returned to college for a traditional degree as a reentry student in mid life. I believed then that I was headed towards becoming a licensed psychologist. I encountered my first labyrinth in graduate school which changed forever the way I approach life and taught me my first real lesson of listening to the voice of my heart. I was the first Ph.D. graduate from the Institute of Imaginal Studies, now known as Meridian University. With the completion of my degree, I realized that being a psychologist did not fit with the way I wanted to work with people. I have been foraging a new way of working with people ever since.

3. Why are you called to this work?

It feeds my soul and imagination to work with people via the labyrinth and expressive arts. I love being present with others as they make their own discoveries and realizations of their individual and collective beauty. And I love the flexibility that comes with each encounter that is new and unknown.

4. Do you work with individuals? Groups?  Workshops? Conventions? Conferences?

Yes, I work with individuals, groups, and provide workshops for small and large groups. I’ve been the keynote and featured speaker at numerous conventions and gatherings, corporate meetings, participated in labyrinth dedications, and have presented to children and young adults from lower grades up through college.

5. Will you travel?

Yes! I love to travel!

6. Favorite color?

Moss Green

7. If you were an instrument, which would you be?

On Mondays a flute (some Mondays a Peruvian flute), on Wednesdays a viola, on Fridays a cello, and on Sundays, I would be the human voice.

8. What is your favorite style of dance to watch or do?

My favorite dance and one of my spiritual practices is Soul Motion & Transformative Dance

9. Favorite play or movie?

Spirited Away

10. Favorite sculpture?

Bronze sculpture of Daphne at Santa Rosa City Hall by Ron Rogers

11. Favorite song?

If It Be Your Will by Leonard Cohen

12. Name one book that is inspiring to you.

The Speech of the Grail: A Journey Toward Speaking That Heals and Transforms by Linda Sussman