Clowning and the Art of Mindfulness

A lighthearted, playful day to develop a sense of wellbeing, provide plenty of fun and laughter, and touch on how the two paths of mindfulness and meeting your unique inner clown are deeply connected.

Come and find that free, fun, spontaneous and playful part of yourself that copes with life without being concerned about getting it right or being clever. This approach to clowning is not a technique (tricks, gags or routines) but a personal journey towards finding your own inner clown.

Through play, games and short improvisations we will learn to let go of our need for being in control and be surprised and delighted by what happens!

By practising well-known mindfulness practices such as stopping, calming, mindful breathing and deep listening, both to ourselves and others, we will touch on living in the present moment without judging or comparing, qualities that are perfect companions to meeting your clown self.

For 18 years and over. Group size maximum 12.

All welcome, no experience in either mindfulness or clowning necessary.

Facilitators

Carol Thompson of Nose to Nose & Teri West from Plum Village UK

Teri West

An ordained Dharma teacher in Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s Order of Interbeing, Teri trained in the Nose to Nose clowning tradition for many years. Teri and Carol were founder members of The Fool Effect, an improvising performance group working with stories offered by the audience, and have led several Clown and the Art of Mindfulness residential retreats and workshops.

Find out more about Teri and Plum Village practice on the Plum Village UK website

Carol Thompson

Theatre Arts Teacher, Therapeutic Counsellor, Laughter Leader and Clowning Facilitator. Carol trained as a Clowning Facilitator with Nose to Nose in 2006/7. In the workshops she has led ever since, she has helped people discover how play and joyfulness can be manifested in their lives, both personally and professionally.

For more about Clowning and Carol see the Nose to Nose website and Carol’s blogspot

Cost

Standard Cost: £70.00 for the day

Concessionary: £60.00 for the day (2 concessionary places only)

Donations (Dana) are invited towards the costs for Plum Village UK Dharma teachers.

For further information email teriwest@plumvillage.uk