The Art of Practice was established by Sam Cagnina and Cynthia Kagoshima, who have delved deeply into what it means to explore true personal freedom. Through this group exploration Sam and Cynthia bring teaching, body movement, philosophy and tools to enrich the experience of being alive. In addition to the process group, the members are supported via texts (BOPs: Bit of Practice messages) to enhance their ability to stay with themselves. The result is a re-established foundation of what it is to be; on this earth, in our culture and with ourselves as a living being fulfilling our deepest longing.
What is a process group
In the Core Energetics modality the group therapy model is often called a ‘process group‘. Core Energetics uses the body to help the client understand the emotional turmoil or blocks that are present in their lives. Because catharsis is part of the “process” toward making conscious shifts, these groups are often called process groups.
When we decide to seek support through therapy sessions we often choose private meetings with a therapist/practitioner. However, many of us forget to consider that group therapy has benefits that individual sessions can’t provide. Becoming involved in a group process allows us to check-in with others about how we are seen and get real feedback, test out the stories we tell ourselves, challenge each other and gain confidence in ourselves. For those who feel as if the world is a difficult place to navigate, group process is invaluable in changing how the world seems within the self. The experiences you go through in the group naturally transpose onto the world outside the group and the shifts are remarkable.
Becoming involved in a group is a six month commitment at minimum but those who become members often stay for several years due to the powerful healing that occurs.
Activities that a Core Energetics Process Group commonly utilizes are dance, psychodrama, breathing, meditation and physical energy exploration through physical stress like exercise or yoga. In The Art of Practice Group we also teach therapeutic concepts so the understanding of how we emotionally defend ourselves is overcome more swiftly and we understand the actual choices available to us in our lives at every moment.
Bringing ourselves to the world in our authenticity means that we live more peacefully, reduce stress and find that there is less conflict with others due to remaining true to ourselves.