Tucson, Arizona is a sunny paradise for those wanting to escape the winter.  I am, however, traveling this winter to some places where winter may still be present!  My first trip is to New Mexico to work with Lisa Murrell and Susan Castañeda in week one of Lisa's coach training program in EFL.  

This program is certified through the International Coaching Federation and I believe the only program to certify people in Equine Facilitated Coaching.  I completed my certification with Equine Alchemy in November 2011 and have worked for 4 years with Lisa in New York and Lisa and Susan at Equine Alchemy Southwest.  My board certification as a coach is almost complete.

Why would someone with over 35 years experience as a psychotherapist want to qualify as a coach?

I have spent the last 10 years working with horses as teachers, therapists and coaches. Linda Kohanov and I co-created and developed the Epona Apprenticeship where we worked together until 2007.  I continue to teach with my style and skills in the training programs of IFEAL in UK, Equine Alchemy in US, and Horse Spirit Connections in Canada, and offer qualified individuals a personal mentorship program. 

My personal belief is that the horse, as co-facilitator, is best honored by me as a coach. I use my expertise as a psychotherapist when I am working and keep the experience with the horse in the present moment for each client's new learning and awareness.

When I am teaching students, I incorporate the skills and knowledge derived from my background as an addiction counselor and a psychotherapist - skills that I call the foundational pieces needed in EFL. Since Equine Facilitated Learning is not psychotherapy, my students are not trained as therapists.  We encourage students to make the interaction with the horse the pivotal piece in their client's new learning.  Students come in with their own experience as a therapists, coaches, horse professionals, or are often individuals in transition from corporate jobs looking for a new way to serve others.  Even psychotherapists and counselors, I believe, need to understand the big difference when working with the horses.

When a person has the implicit knowing, derived from experience, it is important to let it settle in their body to guide and support them in their new learning.  Like coaching, this triad between the horse, the coach, and the client, assists people with their inner knowing and awareness.  Working in tandem encourages people to have the faith to take new paths and opens up possibilities for deeper richer lives. 

The work with Lisa and Susan in New Mexico in February, Sun Tui and the IFEAL herd in UK in March, and Eva and her herd in Germany in April are in sync and harmony with my personal beliefs by the respect and care they show the horses and people coming to these programs.  

In my last newsletter, I included an essay written by Beth Godwin, one of my mentorship students, about the incredibly positive changes she observed and facilitated with the horses.  EFL practiced with integrity benefits the horse and the person and is actually life changing.  What may look like magic in the connection, or like nothing at all, brings people deep into their bodies with the implicit knowing derived only from experience.  

Please take a look at the individual offerings, dates, and the variety of programs being offered this winter in EFL, both in the US and Europe.

Many Blessings,  

KathyGram@cox.net
www.SacredPlaceOfPossibility.com  

A 3 day Learning Intensive with Lisa Murrell and Kathleen Barry Ingram, Hosted by Susan Castañeda

Are you ready to step into your greatness and share your gifts?  Do you want to wake up each day excited and full of gratitude because you are living your life with a clear purpose? Then you have arrived!  "Launching your Coaching Journey" is about launching your life as you intend it to be from now on.... Coaching is not a 'job', it is a way of being.

Relationship building is at the heart of coaching!  The experience of working with horses requires a relationship with another being. It requires an acute awareness of boundaries -yours and theirs- as well as skill in interpreting body language. Interacting with horses requires obtaining permission to lead and demonstrating a willingness to follow. Such a relationship demands courage as well as vulnerability. 

Twenty minutes in the round pen with a horse will anchor these powerful, insightful concepts into your entire being. 

Through a series of specially designed activities with horses on the ground (no riding), you will deepen awareness of your personal challenges, core feelings, and areas of bodily tension that inhibit your ability to reach your true potential. This is an ICF Approved Coach Training Workshop

Cost: $2000 per person

More information: www.SacredPlaceofPossibility.com
To register, visit: www.EquineAlchemy.com

A full day of learning, horse experience, and the basics behind the Epona Approach ™.  This is not a method of training but an approach to being in integrity with the horse and the client. 

Cost: 180€ with snacks and a vegetarian lunch.   

This workshop will be held in English - German translation possible if required. 

To register, please contact Eva Balzer: Stockweg 143, 45481 Muelheim an der Ruhr, Germany 

Mobile phone: +49 (0)172-2320836

Grace in Presence & Flow in Movement 

This 2 day workshop is an advanced workshop with those already familiar with the Epona Approach,™ which is not a method of training or working the horse.  Kathleen Ingram, as the co-creator of the Epona Approach,™ along with Eva and her magnificent herd will encourage the participants to follow their hearts in a respectful relationship. 

This workshop will help participants to maintain connection with respect and afford opportunities to take this into movement with the horse.   Each individual's intuitive gifts and the horses true essence is honored and encouraged. 

Daniel Siegel, author of "Mindsight", uses the description of this honoring of self with others and calls this "feeling felt".  In order for this to take place both the horse and the person must feel and experience the soul and essence of each other.  

As facilitators, we hope to help others to be open to their unique gifts and challenges.  We will assist them in this integration for following the original "blueprint of their souls".  To do this the person must be present to what is happening and look for collaboration in stillness and movement, essentially what Kathleen has called the "Yin and Yang of It"

Cost:  395€ with snacks and vegetarian lunches. 

This workshop will be held in English - German translation possible if required. 

For more information: www.SacredPlaceofPossibility.com

To register, please contact Eva Balzer, Stockweg 143, 45481 Muelheim an der Ruhr, Germany

Email: kontakt@evabalzer.de

Mobile phone: +49 (0)172-2320836

 www.zentaura.de