Drumming is an ancient musical tradition that many cultures around the world use to energize, build unity, focus attention, relax, and heighten creativity.  A communnity drum circle is a group of people who come together to make in-the-moment music. 

No musical experience is necessary and beginners are always welcome.

A facilitator will be present to help participants feel comfortable and learn basic drumming techniques.  Bring your own drum or feel free to use one of ours.  No need to register -- just show up!

Community Drum Circle is held once a month on Wenesdays from 6:30-8:30.  See the calendar of events for dates in the coming months. 

Presenter: Jennifer Shults
Date/Time of Program: Monday, April 17, 2006   7 - 9:30
Registration Fee: $20

Description of Program:
Journeying is an ancient technique used by many indigenous cultures throughout the world to access healing and spiritual realms.  A specific frequency, in our case generated by drumming, is used to bring the brain into a theta state. This state, usually associated with sleep and dreaming, produces deep relaxation, healing, and often brings profound insight via creative imagery.  Come take part in a deeply empowering and fascinating process!  Beginners are welcome, the class will include both basic instruction and a journey experience.

Facilitator: Ed Boas

Presenter: Rick Grahovac, MA
Date/Time: Wednesday, April 26th, 2006  6:30-8:30 PM
Registration Fee: $20

Soul Collage is a creative process using magazine photos to create collages that express various aspect of the self.  Come explore and express the pieces and parts of yourself and create meaningful artwork.   It's a fun and  insightful process!  No previous experience with art is necessary -- everyone can do this!

Presenter: Rick Grahovac is an artist and an art therapist who has been making art all of his life and leading others in artmaking for 15 years. Rick is also the Executive Director of Common Ground.
 

Presenter: Jim Froelich
Date/Time of Program: Wednesday May 3, 2006 7:00-9:00 PM
Registration Fee: $15 before April 28th and $20 after April 28th

Description of Program: Come see and experience greater ease and joy of movement and being. We'll play with how you can let go of unrecognized patterns of holding (in muscles and thoughts!) to allow reflexes that make any movement easier. This wonderful century-old study helps you reduce stress, relieve aches and sore joints, prevent and help injuries from repetitive movement, and improve coordination, confidence and state of mind, all by restoring natural conditions.  Through gentle hands-on contact we'll show you more of the innate natural support available to you and how to use it on your own.

Presenter: Jim Froelich, a certified teaching member of Alexander Technique International, received his teaching certificate in 1997 from the Alexander Technique Center at Cambridge, Massachusetts. Jim first studied the Alexander work in 1977 while studying music in college, and later while playing professionally. He has offered workshops for the general public and has also done work with office personnel, college students, business people, healers, bicyclists, physical therapists, musicians, and dancers in both the Boston area and in Ohio. Currently, Jim teaches a movement class at Solaluna Center in Oberlin and teaches privately in northern Ohio. He lives in Ashland. 

Presenter: Richard Reinoehl
Date/Time: Monday May 15th, 2006   7:00-9:00 PM
Registration Fee: $15 before May 10th and $20 after May 10th

Facilitator: Rex Bacon

Date/Time: Sunday, May 28th, 2006  10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Registration Fee: $95 for the entire day (includes lunch) *

Come and experience the renewal of your body, mind, and spirit at Common Ground during our Balance Through Renewal Retreat.  This retreat provides an opportunity for you to take a moment out of your busy life to reduce stress and to reconnect with your essential values.  This public retreat is open and available to anyone who is interested in attending.  Some of the possible activities offered include art therapy, hiking, massage, meditation, labyrinth walk, yoga, and more.  Give yourself the gift of renewal!

Presenter: Wendy Langenderfer
Date/Time of Program:  Two Saturdays – June 10 & June 17th, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Registration Fee:  $35 (includes registration, a disposable camera, and film developing)

Description of Program:  Ever notice that when you concentrate on one thing, the world falls away? Join us as we let the world slip away using photography as a form of meditation. Learn to see the world around you with new eyes and to incorporate the elements of good photography – focus, simplicity, balance and beauty – into your life. We will be using disposable cameras to take photographs outside (regardless of weather) and sharing our images in this two-session class.


Presenter:  Wendy Langenderfer has been involved in photography and meditation for more than 30 years. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and is a Reiki Master. She currently works for The Center for Body, Mind & Spirit at The Ireland Cancer Center at Community Health Partners, Elyria.

Presenter: Wendy Langenderfer
Date/Time of Program:  Two Saturdays – June 10 & June 17th, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Registration Fee:  $35 (includes registration, a disposable camera, and film developing)

Description of Program:  Ever notice that when you concentrate on one thing, the world falls away? Join us as we let the world slip away using photography as a form of meditation. Learn to see the world around you with new eyes and to incorporate the elements of good photography – focus, simplicity, balance and beauty – into your life. We will be using disposable cameras to take photographs outside (regardless of weather) and sharing our images in this two-session class.

Presenter:  Wendy Langenderfer has been involved in photography and meditation for more than 30 years. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and is a Reiki Master. She currently works for The Center for Body, Mind & Spirit at The Ireland Cancer Center at Community Health Partners, Elyria.

Facilitator: Ed Boas

This retreat is for people who have been touched by cancer and is being presented by The Ireland Cancer Center at Community Health Partners, The American Cancer Society, Ohio Division, and Common Ground, The Cindy Nord Center for Renewal.

Are you ready to release stress, learn new skills, and have an adventure?  Join us for the 3rd annual Spirit of Healing Retreat, a free all-day event featuring multiple presentations and experiential workshops on Saturday, June 24th from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

This retreat will offer an opportunity for 60 people (30 cancer patients/survivors and one guest each) to learn about and experience a wide range of complementary therapies that help reduce stress, enhance quality of life, and improve coping skills - all in the beautiful, natural outdoor setting of Common Ground .

The Mural Arts Project Unveiling Open House -

Boys and Girls Club - Westview Terrace - 2218 West 24th Street, Lorain

Come see the wonderful mural created by teens in the Mural Arts Project with professional artists Fred Farschman and Wendy Knapp for Boys and Girls Club - Westview Terrace.  Mural Unveiling Ceremony at 12:15 PM.

Week 3 - Radical River

Explore the East branch of the Vermilion River that runs through Common Ground.  Take a river walk and interact with the living things that make the river their home.  Learn about the awesome powers of the river and the role it plays in our lives.

Week 4 - A Bug's Life

Bugs, bugs, everywhere!  Did you know that bugs outnumber us 200 million to one?  These creepy crawly wonders are everywhere just waiting to amaze us.  Come live a day in the life of your favorite insect.

Mural Arts Project Unveiling Open House -

Lorain County Workforce Development Agency - 42485 North Ridge Road, Elyria

Teens participating in the Mural Arts Project created a beautiful mural with professional artists Fred Farschman and Wendy Knapp.  Unveiling Ceremony will be at 4:15 PM.

Week 5 - Animal Adventures

A safari of fun awaits you here at Earth Camp.  Come journey through the tracks of your favorite animal.  Learn what animals in Ohio eat, where they sleep, and what they do for fun!

Open Journey Circle

Journeying is an ancient technique used by many indigenous cultures throughout the world to access healing and spiritual realms.  A specific frequency, in our case generated by drumming, is used to bring the brain to the theta state.  This state, usually associated with sleep and dreaming, produces deep relaxation, healing, and often brings profound insight via creative imagery.  Come take part in a deeply empowering and facinating process!  Beginners are welcome, the class will include both basic instruction and a journey experience.