Working on the ‘right brain’

Press, 27 May 1985, Page 16

Working on the ‘right brain’

Making it happen

Right brain workshops. Not really? Yes, really. A series of “Winter Workshops" starting on June 5 is designed to stimulate that intuitive, visual, feminine side of the brain. It will use techniques developed at the Esalen Institute in California, with the idea of enabling participants to unleash their un-dreamed-of creativity. “We will be emphasising creative processes which stimulate use of the right brain,” explains Heather Mayell, who has taken a short course at the Esalen Institute. Mrs Mayell runs relaxation groups in conjunction with a medical practice. “What do we mean by creativity? We mean being open to new experiences, new thinking, new patterns of thought — allowing imagination to come through,” she explains. The seven week programme at the Arts Centre includes creative drama and dance, relaxation, drawing, pottery, herbs, breadmaking, and Kum Mye. The latter is a Tibetan form of exercising which em-

phasises gentleness and selfcontrol. The organisers particularly hope that men will take part, because they feel the workshops will be of real help to them. They also think the series will be very useful for older people, generally. “Older people are a generation which has lost its creativity, and many people have a fear of starting again.” The other organisers are: Mary Forrest, a potter, who plans to encourage people to express themselves through the use of clay; and graphic designer, Gail Johnstone, who is convinced that a person’s creativity can be stimulated by a particular approach to drawing. They will be assisted by Rosie Belton, Marion Lyftogt, Gillian Polson, Bridget Byrne, and Tom Brosnan. The workshops run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Partici-

pants are asked to bring food for sharing. For further details about the workshops, contact Heather Mayell (phone 518229) or Mary Forrest (phone 481-296). Women’s Decade Festival “The focus is on equality, development and peace at the End of Decade Festival for Women,” says Lady Hay, festival patron. It offers New Zealand women a time to rejoice in their freedom of self expression, and development of their special skills, talents and interests which lead to equal partnership in

the progress of our nation. The 74 workshops on Saturday will answer many questions for some, and challenge others into considering unfamiliar aspects of our society. Workshops include step-parenting, body knowledge and care, and a winning approach to money matters. The key to world peace lies in the hands of the world’s women and our ability to build bridges. Participation in the Festival is one step in this direction. The festival opens on Friday evening in the Christchurch Town Hall at 8 p.m. A Maori youth group will give a welcome to the many special guests. Lady Hay will also give a welcome. The writer, Keri Hulme, will read a poem specially written for the occasion, and Women’s Affairs Minister, Mrs Hercus will open the proceedings with a keynote address. Dr Gail Radford, 0.A., director of the Australian Equal Employment and Opportunity Bureau will speak about affirmative action programmes under way in her country. Dame Miriam Dell, world president of the International Council of Women, will speak briefly, as will Georgina Kirby, national president of the Maori Women’s Welfare League. The public is welcome at the opening.

Registrations can still be made for the full festival, or the opening and Saturday workshops only. Late registrations will be accepted from 9 a.m. onwards on Saturday, June 1, at Teachers’ College, Dovedale Ave, Ham. For information, phone Pauline, at 63-063. N.C.W. Life Membership A well-attended National Council of Women annual general meeting in the Centre Gallery of the Arts Centre, met to elect officers, and to award life membership to three longserving members of the. branch. New life members are: Freda Cameron, of Catholic Women's League, who was branch president, 1975 to 1978; Margaret Cleland, of the Presbyterian Women’s Association, president of the Waimate branch 1968 to 1970, and the Christchurch branch, 1978 to 1981; and Claire Crawford of the Townswomen’s Guilds, to branch secretary 1964 to 1967, and 1980 to 1982, and national secretary, 1958 to 1972. Some new faces appear on the executive, with Nan Farrant continuing as branch president, supported by Lynn Russell (Zonta) as secretary, and vice-presi-dents Liz Baxendine (Presbyterian Women) and Ruby

Selby (Altrusa). Maureen Tasker (Labour Women) is the new treasurer. Committee members are: Diana Taylor (Labour); Diane Broughton (Nurses’ Association); Evelyn Weir (Society for Research on Women); Patricia Woodley (Methodist Women’s Fellowship); Margaret Stevenson (Anglican Women); Kath Noble (Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child); Lyn Smeaton (Salvation Army). Honorary Solicitor: Isabell Mitchell; Honorary Auditor: Ann Carruthers. Mrs Farrant drew attention to the work of the environment sub-committee, particularly its submissions to the Rakaia River Hearing, and to Jennifer Familton for her work on the Christchurch Polytechnic Council, on behalf of the council. She outlined the Christchurch branch’s sponsorship and participation in the forthcoming Women’s Decade Festival, and stressed the need to look at priorities for ongoing strategies on behalf of women at the end of International Women’s Decade. Mrs Farrant also stressed the need for N.C.W. to ensure that it was representative of all women, and that it expressed the opinions of its members. Electrical expertise Ever blown the house electrical system up when you’re changing a plug? The Electrical Association for Women plans two five-

weekly courses designed to make you a dab hand at repairing plugs and fuses — and all other lawful electrical repairs. Each course concludes with a Red Cross lecture on the treatment of burns and scalds, and car-dio-pulmonary resuscitation. The two courses both start Monday, June 10, at the M.E.D. in Manchester Street. The day course runs from 10.30 a.m. — noon. The evening course is from 7.30 p.m. — 9 p.m. For enquiries, phone 586-426. (Men welcome). Knitting seminar Christchurch knitters have responded en masse to

Lee Anderson’s five-day creative knitting seminar, May 27-31. One hundred people enrolled in two days for the seminar, which is sponsored by Ballantynes. It is now sold out, according to the company’s Diana Jarman. Toastmistresses One of the best speakers I know used to stammer and stutter whenever she stood up to speak. Now she’s an accomplished. witty speaker, and sh. says she owes it all to membership of a Toastmistress Club. The six clubs in Christchurch all welcome new members. Contacts are:

Bishopdale, phone 428-645. Christchurch, phone 796-146. Hagley Park, phone 326-587. Riccarton, phone 427-390. Tusitala, phone 858-928. Garden City, phone 849-341. Feminist eye . . . “Women by Women,” display of photographs at the Canterbury Society of Arts Gallery is on until June 2. Strip-tease protest A protest is being organised against a male-only evening with female striptease entertainment at the Richmond Working Men’s Club. Women wishing to take part should meet at CORSO, 206 Barbadoes St at

7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 29, or outside the Club, on the corner of Stanmore Road and London St at 7.30 p.m. Quote Advice to a mother of a baby girl: Bring her up to be fearless and unintimidated by frowns, hints and conventions, and then she will be full of mercy and grace and generosity. It is fear that turns women sour, sly, and harsh to their neighbours. Sylvia Townsend Warner. Compiled by JACQUELINE STEINCAMP. Items for consideration in this column should be addressed to Making it Happen, Mrs J. Steincamp, The Press, P.O. Box 1005, Christchurch.