In early November 2008 I had the privilege of participating in a Drama Therapy Conference organized by the National Association for Drama Therapists (NADT) USA, which was held in San Francisco.
My whole journey there was a wonderful experience. I had landed on the day after the presidential elections. The results were announced in the flight that Barack Obama won the elections. Many of the passengers in the plane was very excited and applauded when we heard the news. It was obvious there was an expectancy of positive change to take place in the USA and consequently in the rest of the world. I saw it as a sign of change taking place in both personal and the collective consciousness.
The conference was fabulous! I had learned a lot, participated in the many workshops and had the honor of meeting the pioneers in th
e field of Drama Therapy and also other wonderful Drama Therapist and aspiring Drama Therapists. As it is only in rare occasions such as during these conferences I get to meet other Drama Therapists (as there are now only two of us in Malaysia, the other person is based in Penang, which is a 6 hour drive from Kuala Lumpur, where I am), I could not contain my excitement of being in the presence among hundreds who are in the same field both from the United States as well as from other parts of the world.
My whole journey there was a wonderful experience. I had landed on the day after the presidential elections. The results were announced in the flight that Barack Obama won the elections. Many of the passengers in the plane was very excited and applauded when we heard the news. It was obvious there was an expectancy of positive change to take place in the USA and consequently in the rest of the world. I saw it as a sign of change taking place in both personal and the collective consciousness.
The conference was fabulous! I had learned a lot, participated in the many workshops and had the honor of meeting the pioneers in th
e field of Drama Therapy and also other wonderful Drama Therapist and aspiring Drama Therapists. As it is only in rare occasions such as during these conferences I get to meet other Drama Therapists (as there are now only two of us in Malaysia, the other person is based in Penang, which is a 6 hour drive from Kuala Lumpur, where I am), I could not contain my excitement of being in the presence among hundreds who are in the same field both from the United States as well as from other parts of the world. It is always fascinating to me to be a participant in the workshops instead of being the facilitator. Every time I participate in the Drama Therapy workshops, I am still in awe with the whole experience of the 'magic' of drama therapy... the unconscious materials are being revealed about myself and the personal insights I get from the experience and ways to work to improve myself or situations.
Some of my favorite workshops during this conference were Life Stories Embodied Processes, Action Theater, Clinical Supervision That is Alive, Exploring the Shadow, Diversity Forum, Theater Improvisation as a Meditative Process, Sacred Performances and Being Fully Alive in Our Bodies.
I was kindly invited by Dr. Renee Emunah (who heads the Drama Therapy Program in CIIS and who is a pioneer in the field) to attend a workshop at the California Institute of Intergral Studies (CIIS) to attend another workshop titled 'The Hero's Journey' facilitated by Dr. Robert Landy (also a pioneer in the field and heads the Drama Therapy Program in NYU) on the day after the conference.
I was in awe with CIIS... Many wonderful images from all over the world adorned its walls. I was very impressed with the library, I even found the 'Natya Sastra'(which is the text from which all Indian Classical dance forms was said to have originated from. The content of this text was supposed to have come through a saint during meditation) among the rather modest but precious and rare collection of books which were in its shelves.
I have already applied a few of the new drama therapy techniques which I have learned at the conference into my work in Malaysia and I found that my clients have responded very well to them. It is always amazing that each group and individual constantly create a whole new experience even if the exact same technique is applied. It is always amazing to witness the uniqueness of each individual or group.
Some of my favorite workshops during this conference were Life Stories Embodied Processes, Action Theater, Clinical Supervision That is Alive, Exploring the Shadow, Diversity Forum, Theater Improvisation as a Meditative Process, Sacred Performances and Being Fully Alive in Our Bodies.
I was kindly invited by Dr. Renee Emunah (who heads the Drama Therapy Program in CIIS and who is a pioneer in the field) to attend a workshop at the California Institute of Intergral Studies (CIIS) to attend another workshop titled 'The Hero's Journey' facilitated by Dr. Robert Landy (also a pioneer in the field and heads the Drama Therapy Program in NYU) on the day after the conference.
I was in awe with CIIS... Many wonderful images from all over the world adorned its walls. I was very impressed with the library, I even found the 'Natya Sastra'(which is the text from which all Indian Classical dance forms was said to have originated from. The content of this text was supposed to have come through a saint during meditation) among the rather modest but precious and rare collection of books which were in its shelves.
I have already applied a few of the new drama therapy techniques which I have learned at the conference into my work in Malaysia and I found that my clients have responded very well to them. It is always amazing that each group and individual constantly create a whole new experience even if the exact same technique is applied. It is always amazing to witness the uniqueness of each individual or group.
