Breathing
is delighted to announce that we will be bringing the Yurt to this
summer's Greenbelt Arts festival. As well as a full programme including
storytelling, yoga, meditation and workshops the Yurt will also be a
place for quite reflection and a place to "find yourself".
Look out for the Yurt in
the Greenbelt programme. Find out more on
www.greenbelt.org.uk
Ages:
All
Regular Events
Breathing Space
The Breathing Space Yurt can also be
booked for times of private quiet and reflection as part of the
Small
Pilgrim Places network.
Tuesday8:00pm -
9:30pm (fortnightly)
Contact us for planned dates
Price:
Free
Venue:
28 Abbotts Road, New Barnet, Herts EN5 5DP
This is a
small but focused group which uses lectio divina, an ancient
contemplative practice that slows down our reading to allow the process
to descend from being a high brow activity for the intellect to an
activity of the heart. This term we are looking at the book Living
With Contradictions
by Esther de Waal.
Venue:
St Mary's Church, Church Hill Road, East Barnet, Herts EN4 8XD
Breathing Space, together with St Mary's, will be hosting these evenings
in the beautiful setting of this 12th Century church.
Simple, Still, Silent –
this is an inclusive meditation group for all ages. If you are new to
meditation and would like further information please feel free to
contact us for more details, or simply drop in.
We welcome people of any faith or
none to join us.
Price:
£10 per person
(£30 for family groups of up to 5)
Venue:
The Yurt,
28 Abbotts Road, New Barnet, Herts EN5 5DP
Painting,
mixed media & collage
Be part of an exhibition to follow
Encounter stories from the Land of the Rising Sun
*
All materials supplied
* Suitable for all ages
* Aged under 10 accompanied by an adult please
* Bring a packed lunch
Ages:
All Ages
Grow Freedom :
Inspired by Wangari Maathai
Current
work in progress
Venue:
The Yurt - in various locations
Born in a
rural Kenyan village in 1940, Wangari Maathai knew the importance of
trees. After studying in America she returned to Kenya and, after many
run-ins with the brutal government of Daniel arap Moi, set up the
Green Belt Movement in
1977. Now active across all of Africa this movement helps restore
indigenous forests while assisting rural women by paying them to plant
trees. Wangari's courage saw her go through imprisonment and illness in
order to help change Kenya's government into a democracy. After being
awarded the
Nobel
Peace Prize in 2004 she now serves as Kenya's Depty Minister for the
Environment and Natural Resources.
Using professional actors we will share
some of Wangari's inspirational story in the unique theatre space of the Yurt.
Sat 10th
May10:00am - 5:00pm and Sun 11th May 10:30am - 4:00pm
Price:
£50 per person
Venue:
The Yurt,
28 Abbotts Road, New Barnet, Herts EN5 5DP
The
Enneagram is an adventure in self-awareness. It draws together ancient
philosophical and spiritual wisdom and modern psychological insight.
It seeks to take us beyond our conditioned and separate self, to a
bigger
beyond. This is both a psychological and spiritual work.’ - Simon Parke
Join Simon as he explores
the Enneagram over this week-end. Find out more on
www.simonparke.com
Please book early for this as spaces are strictly limited.
Venue:
The Yurt,
28 Abbotts Road, New Barnet, Herts EN5 5DP
Come and
see the artwork created by participants in the recent "Rising Sun"
Easter workshop. There will also be Origami with the chance to take part
yourself and a Japanese style tea ceremony.
Venue:
The Yurt,
28 Abbotts Road, New Barnet, Herts EN5 5DP
A space to warm our
hearts on the words and musings of the Celtic poet, mystic and
philosopher John O Donohue, hosted by Breathing Space with Earthstars
Full Moon Group.
Refreshments available. www.jodonohue.com
Venue:
The Yurt,
28 Abbotts Road, New Barnet, Herts EN5 5DP
Stress
Free Shopping In A Unique Environment
Find something a bit different to give this Christmas
Fairly Traded and hand-crafted gifts for sale
Local people making alternative gifts
Venue:
The Yurt,
28 Abbotts Road, New Barnet, Herts EN5 5DP
Join us
for a family afternoon of seasonal creativity and make a unique winter
lantern.
*
All materials supplied
* Aged under 12 accompanied by an adult please
Venue:
The Yurt,
28 Abbotts Road, New Barnet, Herts EN5 5DP
You are
warmly invited to join us for alternative and traditional Christmas
songs, stories, music, food and laughter all around the log burning fire
in a cosy Mongolian style Yurt.
Please bring some food to
share and a story, song, poem...
or just yourself!
Venue:
The Yurt,
28 Abbotts Road, New Barnet, Herts EN5 5DP
Golden
Horde present a cornucopia of medieval stories; epics garnered from
bards, rude riddles, and the tender travails of troubadours to warm you
on an autumn evening, together with some odd (possibly very odd) songs.
Golden Horde are a quartet of actors and storytellers who bring the
magic of theatre into the intimate world of storytelling. Their Silk
Road Stories in June was a sell-out success, so please book early.
Venue:
The Yurt,
28 Abbotts Road, New Barnet, Herts EN5 5DP
Come and
explore and draw all things big and small in The Yurt and help create a
wonderful drawing installation in this unique environment.
All drawing materials supplied.
Ages:
All Ages
Movement - Summer
Workshop
Wed 25th
Fri 27th July10:30am - 4:00pm
Price:
£30 each (families - 3rd plus children half price)
Venue:
The Yurt,
28 Abbotts Road, New Barnet, Herts EN5 5DP
Three days of dynamic creation
Physical theatre, art, stories and kites!
Another in our popular summer arts workshops
Ages:
Young People
Grow Freedom -
Be a part of it!
Sat 9 June 11:00am -
6:00pm
and Sun 10 June 2:00pm -
6:00pm
Price: £20.00
Venue:
The Yurt, 28 Abbotts Road, New Barnet, Herts EN5 5DP
What do
you do when the rivers dry up?
There's a forest fire - and nobody is lifting a finger to help.
Can one person make a difference?
An
opportunity to be a part of a new theatrical production Grow Freedom
and work with professional actors over an intensive
and creative week-end.
The completed
production will be performed at the East Barnet Festival's "Theatre in
the Park" the following Sunday.
Wear clothes suitable for
movement work.
Ages:
Adults and young people 12+
Grow Freedom -
Theatre in East Barnet Park
Sun 17 June 3:00pm -
5:15pm (Performance at 4pm)
Price:
£6.00 (£4.00 conc)
Venue:
The Yurt, The green woodland arena, Oak Hill Park, East Barnet Village
What do
you do when the rivers dry up?
There's a forest fire - and nobody is lifting a finger to help.
Can one person make a difference?
A new performance piece
from Breathing Space Theatre - inspired by the work of Nobel peace prize
winner Wangari Maathai and the Green Belt movement she founded see below
Within the canopy of a hand crafted Yurt, actors and young people from
the local community come together to create dynamic and vibrant theatre.
Included in the price is an optional one-hour creative workshop before
the performance. The workshop starts at 3:00pm with the performance at
4:00pm.
Ages:
All
Cabaret Evening -
Journey of the Reluctant Veterans
Sat 23 June 7:00pm -
9:00pm
Price:
Donations to Oxfam
Venue:
The Yurt, 28 Abbotts Road, New Barnet, Herts EN5 5DP
An evening where you can be stimulated by stories
of journeys, startled with magic and chill out to the music. There
will also be an open floor when we will invite audience member to
tell their stories of journeys.
This event is to support some of our friends as they prepare for
the
Oxfam Trailwalker event on 14 and 15 July when they will walk
100 km across the South Downs in 30 hours to try and raise £2,000
for Oxfam. You can visit their fundraising page
here
There will be no charge for this event but we will be asking for
donations for Oxfam, so please come prepared to be generous.
Ages:
All
Easter Workshop -
Freedom in the City
Tuesday
3 - Wed
4 April 10:30am -
4:00pm
Price: £20
per person (£50 for family groups of up to 5) - Plus tube fare
Venue:
The Yurt, 28 Abbotts Road, New Barnet, Herts EN5 5DP
Join us
for a two-day Easter arts workshop including a trip to the Tate Modern
to experience Carsten Hollers slide installation ‘Test Site’.
- How would you really like to go from A to B?
- The brief is to design play and pleasure back into our local landscape
- Create your designs, working with canvas board
- Equip the Yurt as a playful space for an evening on the theme of
Freedom
- Encounter stories from across the world where freedom and play are
denied
Ages:
10+ (10-14 to be accompanied by an adult please)
Venue:
The Yurt, 28 Abbotts Road, New Barnet, Herts EN5 5DP
A time to
gather around the fire and enjoy the inspirational space created by
participants of our Easter workshop.
Please bring:
- something to eat or drink
- a story, piece of music, object, photo, anything that represents the
theme
- or just yourself!
Ages:
All (Children to be accompanied by an adult please)
Making Peace
Sun 19
Nov 2:00pm -
5:00pm
Venue:
The Yurt,
28 Abbotts Road, New Barnet, Herts EN5 5DP
A
practical workshop to think about words and the way we use them.
Suitable for anyone who enjoys creative writing, poetry and exploring
the use of language and for all those struggling to be 'peace-makers'.
Based around the book Making Peace by Joy Mead.
Ages:
All
Aphrodite And The
Real Red Shoes
by Xanthe Gresham
Sat 25
Nov 7:30pm -
9:30pm
Venue:
The Yurt,
28 Abbotts Road, New Barnet, Herts EN5 5DP
Aphrodite
and the Real Red Shoes is a tale that will carry you through time, from
Orphic Creation Myths to Modern-Day Soho on the red spike heels of the
gutsy Goddess Aphrodite. This piece of epic story telling promises to
upturn, kick, gyrate, spill and explode the themes of passion,
obsession, addiction and redemption.
Previously performed at the Barbican earlier this year.
Ages:
Adults (age 13+)
Seasonal Creative
Workshop
Sun 3
Dec 2:00pm -
5:00pm
Venue:
The Yurt,
28 Abbotts Road, New Barnet, Herts EN5 5DP
Creative
workshop around a seasonal theme. Join as for some practical creativity.
Please check back nearer the date for this years theme. OR
To register your
interest (and get details directly via email) please click the Info
link above.
Ages:
All
Winter Blooms
Sat 9
Dec 7:30pm -
9:30pm
Price:
Free (donations welcome)
Venue:
The Yurt,
28 Abbotts Road, New Barnet, Herts EN5 5DP
A seasonal
gathering for stories, music, songs and anything else you wish to bring.
Ages:
All
Red Tent Workshops
- "The Red Shoes"
Sun 15
Oct 10:30am -
4:30pm
Venue:
The Yurt,
28 Abbotts Road, New Barnet, Herts EN5 5DP
The first
in a series of workshops for women where we creatively explored
stories from the book Women Who Run With The Wolves by Clarissa
Pinkola Estes. This is a story of the beauty of the "handmade life" when
we decide to walk a path of faith, intuition, devotion, creativity, love
as well as the dangers of a compromised life. These event will be
facilitated by Linda Hill and Amanda Miles.
Ages:
Women of all ages
Open Day and
Labyrinth Making Workshop
Sun
10 Sep 12:00pm -
5:00pm
Price:
Free (Donations welcome)
Venue:
The Yurt, 28 Abbotts Road, New Barnet, Herts EN5 5DP
A group of us
attended this labyrinth making workshop 12:00 – 2:00pm. We enjoyed space, quiet
conversation and walked the labyrinth 2:00-5:00pm. This event marked the
launch of the Yurt as a place available for personal reflection and
space - as part of the
Small
Pilgrim Places network.
Ages: All
Drumming Evening -
Sing to the Well
Wed
24 May 7:30pm -
9:00pm Price: Donations welcome
Venue:
The Yurt, 28 Abbotts Road, New Barnet, Herts EN5 5DP
An evening of music with international drummer and musician
Martin Neil, who lead us in a drumming circle and sharing
some music and video from the Wagogo people of Tanzania.
The Wagogo people of
Tanzania are renowned for their musicality and Martin has recorded a cd/dvd
to share their music - and their story of hope.
Proceeds from the cd go back to the village to fund the rebuilding of
old wells and the digging of new ones.
This was a
very special drumming circle with a variety of unusual instruments. A fun evening for all ages and abilities.
Ages:
All - children very welcome, accompanied by an adult
It's A Wonderful
Life - Film showing for the Jack Brown Appeal
Sun 14 May 7:30pm -
10:00pm Price: £10 donation per ticket - proceeds to
Jack Brown Appeal
Venue:
The Yurt, 28 Abbotts Road, New Barnet, Herts EN5 5DP
Sunday 14
May was an evening where we celebrate the wonderful life of Jack Brown as Films in the Yurt hosted a showing of the classic film "It's A
Wonderful Life" to help raise money for the cancer treatment he urgently
needs. Almost £400 was raised for the Jack Brown Appeal
Venue:
The Yurt, 28 Abbotts Road, New Barnet, Herts EN5 5DP
Wednesday April 12th was a time to gather around the fire and enjoy the
beautiful ambient space created especially by participants of Breathing
Space Easter Arts Workshop. The space was inspired by Chris Ofili’s
Upper Room in the Tate Britain and set in our very own Mongolian style
Yurt!
The Upper Room was based around a story where hospitality is shared with
friend and enemy alike until all such distinctions dissolve.
Stories on the themes of hospitality and friends and enemies were
told by experienced storytellers, drummers drummed, and many creative
and
thoughtful contributions were made.
Ages:
All (Children to be accompanied by an adult please)
Easter Workshop - The Upper Room
Tuesday
11 - Wed
12 April 10:30am -
4:00pm Price: £15 plus tube fare (£30 for families)
Venue:
The Yurt, 28 Abbotts Road, New Barnet, Herts EN5 5DP
JThis two-day Easter arts workshop included a trip to the Tate Britain
to see Chris Ofili's "The Upper Room". Icons of hospitality
were created and
creative installations were prepared making an ambient space for an evening of
stories, music, food and reflection for friends, enemies, family or
stranger.
*
Suitable for everyone over 10
* No previous art experience required but artists also welcome
* Materials provided
* Aged 10 –14 accompanied by an adult please
* Bring your packed lunch both days
Ages:
10+ (Children to be accompanied by an adult please)
Drumming Circle
Every Friday
from 6 Jan - 10 Feb (6 weeks) 7:15-8.30pm
Price:
£30 per person (whole course)
or
£7 per person (single evening)
Venue:
St Mary's Church, Church Hill Road, Barnet, Herts EN4 8XD
Nadia Al Faghih Hasan has many years of working with groups in a variety of arts
facilitation roles. For the past eight years this has revolved around
her love of drumming and its ability to break down barriers and build
community. She has travelled extensively through West Africa learning
new rhythms and techniques.
We are currently "resting"
the drumming circle prior to relaunching it in the near future. Please
contact us if you are interested.
It is recommended
that people bring a djembe drum or something else to bang on.
Ages:
All
Landmarks
Tuedays
fortnightly from 1st November 7:45pm -
9:30pm Price: FREE
Venue:
28 Abbotts Road, New Barnet, Herts EN5 5DP
A group of
us took a journey as we worked through the book
Landmarks – an Ignatian Journey by Margaret Silf, inspired by the
writings of St. Ignatious Loyola, a Christian pilgrim of the sixteenth
century.
This book is intended as a companion for your own inner journey and the
purpose of a Landmarks group is to come together to share in this
journey.
We met
fortnightly on Tuesdays in two sections as follows:
1 Nov*, 15 Nov*, 29 Nov*, 13 Dec*
Then break for Christmas:
10 Jan, 24 Jan, 7 Feb, 21 Feb
You will need your own copy of the book and to be prepared to read two
chapters a fortnight in advance of the group as well as to work through
some of the suggested exercises.
The group is open to anyone interested in taking this journey.
* Please note we have had
to change these dates from those on our original leaflet.
The dates on the web site are the correct ones.
AGORA aims
to pioneer new initiatives in our society that:
- Generate the highest possible quality of public conversation
- Build realistic trust
- Encourage vision
This season of 21C events was designed around the theme of spiritual
journey. Amanda Miles will lead a workshop based on Peter Brook’s
understanding of ‘Holy Theatre’, as a place of ‘true contact with sacred
invisibility.’
See the main Agora
website for more general information.
Ages:
N/A
Winter Blooms – “A
Fool Life”
Sat 10
Dec
Venue:
The Yurt, 28 Abbotts Road, New Barnet, Herts EN5 5DP
One of our
regular, seasonal community gathering was once again held around a wood
burning stove in the Yurt. Seasonal stories, songs, poems and paintings
were shared representing the theme "A Fool Life", in the most
topsy-turvy season of all... advent.
This was a lovely end
to a year
when we were looking at the “Fool” in all his (and her) guises - continuing
our theme of carnival, protest and beautiful foolishness.
Ages:
All - N.B. Parents must be responsible for their children around the
fire.
Family Art
Afternoon - Making and Mystery
Sun 27
Nov
Venue:
The Yurt, 28 Abbotts Road, New Barnet, Herts EN5 5DP
This creative
workshop for all ages saw many families come and explore the advent themes through art and
poetry. Hanging mobiles were created which combined art with
"discovered" poetry (by selecting words within magazine articles).
Great fun for all ages.
Ages:
All
Eyewitness - An
Iraqi Humanitarian Aid Worker's Story
Fri 25
Nov
Venue:
The Yurt, 28 Abbotts Road, New Barnet, Herts EN5 5DP
We were
privileged to be able to host an evening with an Iraqi humanitarian aid
worker and speaker who was touring the UK.
The co-founder of a humanitarian relief organisation, made up of Iraqis and Americans who work primarily with children and women
currently at risk in Iraq. Her stories were both moving and challenging.
This was a unique opportunity to hear the often untold stories that make
up the current situation in Iraq.
Ages:
Adults and accompanied, mature children
Green Choices - A
green gathering
Wed 16
Nov
Venue:
The Yurt, 28 Abbotts Road, New Barnet, Herts EN5 5DP
Hosted in
partnership with Breathing Space this is a
Christian initiative from the Justice & Peace group, looking for ways to
change in response to the environmental crisis.
This initial meeting will
hopefully be the start of more collaboration focusing on environmental
and social justice issues.
Ages:
All
A Letter To The
Prime Minister - Film Screening
Sat 12
Nov
Venue:
The Yurt, 28 Abbotts Road, New Barnet, Herts EN5 5DP
A
screening of this film which was recently premiered at the Barbican took place in the yurt
to coincide with the anniversary of the
second attack on Fallujah by coalition troops.
A Letter To The
Prime Minister (cert 12) is a documentary film that follows Jo
Wilding, a trainee barrister, human rights observer and clown, as she
went to Iraq during the recent war. As well as eye witness reporting
from Fallujah it also contains scenes of unrestrained clowning and stilt
walking. It is therefore suitable for anyone who has watched the news
from the Middle East and thought "what can we do?".
A DVD copy of the film
can be purchased from the web-site link above.
Ages:
Adults and accompanied children 12 or older
Animal Art
Exhibition
Sun 25
Sep
Venue:
The Yurt, 28 Abbotts Road, New Barnet, Herts EN5 5DP
"Do you think their life is the same as ours? I mean what it's made
of, that little flicker of spirit, or whatever it is, inside them. Do
you think it's the same as what we have inside us?" Nicholas
Evans
Local Breathing Space artist Frankie Coventry displayed her latest
collection of animal paintings in the unique setting of the yurt.
Frankie has been painting animals for many years (when not busy with her
career in film animation and book illustration). The collection was
then toured to local venues including The Bull in Barnet High Street.
All of the work is for sale and Frankie
is also available to discuss commissions. Some of her work can be seen
on our Who's Who page. For more details
see Frankie's
website
Ages:
All
Greenbelt Arts Festival
Fri 26 Aug - Mon 29 Aug 2005
Venue:
Cheltenham Racecourse
This year at Greenbelt Breathing Space
supported a group from WCCM to host a creative contemplative space in
the Yurt. As well as supporting Fr Laurence Freeman who spoke on
contemplation and non-violence we also hosted several creative
workshops. See some of what we got up to on our
Greenbelt Festival 05 page.
Ages:
All age
Trees - Summer Holiday Workshop
Wed
17 Aug - Fri 19 Aug 2005
Venue:
The Yurt
Hosted in the Breathing Space Yurt we
used photography, drawings, montage,
poetry, story - the interplay of word, image and nature to produce an
art installation for the Greenbelt Arts Festival. This was an all age workshop inspired by the work of environmental
artists. See the results on the Trees
Workshop page.
Ages:
All age
Highland Gardens Picnic Day
Sun 10
July 2005
Venue:
The Yurt @ Highland Gardens Park
To support the "Friends of Highland
Gardens" we set up the yurt in this local park. As it was such a hot
day, we rolled up the sides as many people came in to take part in some
environmental arts events, including making tactile pictures with
various beans and puppets with giant leaves. To see some photos
of the day click here.
Ages:
N/A
East Barnet Festival
Sun 3
July 2005
Venue:
The Yurt @ East Barnet Park
We took the yurt to East Barnet
Festival to support the G8 Make Poverty History events. To see some
photos of the day and read a short report please
click here.
Ages:
N/A
Sensing
Stories
This 6
week course ran in June - July 2005
Venue:
The Yurt
In
the body's battle with the world the senses suffer. We start to feel
very little of what we touch, to listen to very little of what we hear
and to see very little of what we look at. These workshops for women
used games and play to help awaken our senses. We brought what we
learnt to a variety of texts where sense awareness was central to
the theme.
