Realise the power of poetry as an act of mindfulness, self-care, and well-being during times of uncertainty.
Explore the power of poetry as an intentional process of mindfulness and creative meditation; a tool that can be used for problem-solving and emotional regulation during times of anxiety, emotional distress and crisis. As an experienced educator and published poet, Nicki Cassimatis will draw on her own personal and professional experiences to guide participants using a range of creative prompts and writing activities. A safe space will be established with no prior writing or poetry experience is needed.
Learning Outcomes:
To assist you in practicing poetry as a process of mindfulness and creative meditation, this course will cover the following:
Gain insights into the history of poetry as therapeutic writing
Distinguish between ‘poetry as literary pursuit’ and ‘poetry for well-being’
Understand the role of the senses in poetry for well-being
Explore the role of reflection in therapeutic writing
Engage with practical techniques and writing strategies for managing grief, anxiety and depression
Compare the experience of writing poetry in collaborative and individual processes
Please note that this program will not be suitable for those wishing to develop the craft of poetry using poetic techniques. Poetry is a powerful tool that can trigger the unconscious; therefore, emotional safety is paramount. ‘Safety’ techniques will be introduced and reinforced during the program. This program is not a group therapy program.
Format
This is a seminar for all writers. More information on program formats and level definitions can be found here.
About Nicki
Nicki Cassimatis is an experienced language educator, workshop facilitator and passionate arts health and community advocate. Her poetry chapbooks, published under pseudonym, form the foundation of her recovery journey from clinical depression, anxiety and mid-life burnout. She has presented papers and workshops at numerous conferences, including a TED talk in 2016, on poetry as a tool of transformation and healing.
How to Connect to the Live Stream:
When you buy a ticket, you will receive two emails. One will be your receipt from Eventbrite. The other will be an email from Queensland Writers Centre on behalf of Crowdcast, our live stream provider. The latter email will thank you for registering for the course and provide you with a link to the video. A representation of this email is below; the 'Visit Event' button will take you to the live stream's landing page.
It is only through this link in which you may access the live stream, so it is important that you check that you have received it. In case you misplace this email, you will receive another email with the live stream link 10 minutes before the course is scheduled to start. If you don't receive the initial email when you buy the ticket, contact us on 07 3842 9922 or at admin@qldwriters.org.au.
FAQs
Are there ID or minimum age requirements to enter the event?
Unless otherwise stated, Queensland Writers Centre workshops and events are suitable for participants aged 16 years and over. If you are under 18 years of age, please check with us for suitability before purchasing a ticket.
Will I be limited in any way if I choose to view the live streamed event over attending the event in person?
Queensland Writers Centre always recommends attending our workshops in person; however, we do understand that this might not be possible for our members who live all throughout Queensland. With this in mind, we seek to deliver the event to our at-home viewers as seamlessly as we are able. During your live stream session, you can still perform the exercises and activities given by the instructor and you can also participate in group discussions with other online viewers via the online chat feature.
Can I ask the instructor questions as a live stream viewer?
We will have a live stream facilitator monitoring the chat section, so if there is a recurring question being asked, that employee will ask the instructor on the viewers' behalf. Naturally, the instructor will also provide time to answer such questions; however, depending on the number of live stream viewers, for the tutor to answer everyone's question within the time allocated can be a challenge, so please understand.
What should prepare for the event?
We suggest having either a pen and paper or electronic note-taking device as you watch the live stream.
How do I access the event?
Once you have purchased a ticket on Eventbrite, you will receive two emails: one from Eventbrite confirming your purchase and another from the live stream provider, Crowdcast, with your unique link to the live stream. If you do not receive two emails, please check your spam folder or else please contact QWC.
Can I playback the live stream after the event has happened?
Yes! You will have access to the live stream for seven days after the event. If you are watching the playback after the live stream, please keep in mind that you won't be able to use the chat feature and ask questions to the presenter. For the best experience, we highly recommend watching live. After seven days your access will be revoked. You cannot purchase access to the live stream after the physical event has started.
What am I allowed to say in the group chat?
The group chat is a fantastic way to interact and collaborate with other online participants, the QWC live stream facilitator, and the presenter. We expect members to be courteous and respectful in the group chat. The same behaviour you would conduct yourself in person at a QWC event is expected online. The QWC live stream facilitator will ban any participants who don't abide by these rules so other participants can enjoy the event. If you are banned you will not be refunded the admission.
How do I improve the video quality of my live stream?
Every live stream is broadcasted in high definition. To watch the live stream in the best quality, select the gear icon in the bottom left of the video and select the highest possible resolution (in most cases this is 720p).
What internet browser should I use?
Our live stream provider, Crowdcast, recommends using Google Chrome to watch the live stream. However, the live stream does support Firefox, Opera, Edge, and Safari.
Can I watch the live stream on my mobile device?
On Android, Crowdcast can be used with Chrome for Android or Firefox for Android.
On iOS, you can use the Crowdcast app or view in your favourite Mobile browser!
If using the app, you can access the event by clicking the link sent to your email on your device and this will open the event in the app.
How can I contact the organiser with any questions?
You can contact us by phone on 07 3842 9922 or email us at admin@qldwriters.org.au