Around me the trees stir in their leaves
and call out, “Stay awhile.”

The light flows from their branches.
And they call again, “It’s simple,”
they say, “and you, too, have come
into the world to do this, to go easy,
to be filled with light, and to shine.”

~ Mary Oliver, When I am Among Trees

Come and celebrate Arbor Day with the magnificent bur oaks of Prairie Oaks Institute.  Dwell for a day in the quiet beauty of bur oak trees, and discover some of the lessons they can teach us about living more fully, more intentionally.  Learn about the biology, ecology, even mythology of the bur oaks in their native savanna ecosystem.  Listen to their wisdom for reconnecting with the natural world, and with yourself.  Come away refreshed and renewed, more deeply rooted in the rich soil of your life.  Space is limited, so register now!

WHEN:    9 A.M. – 4:30 p.m., Saturday, April 28, 2018

WHERE:   Prairie Oaks Institute, Belle plaine, MN

COST:  $50 (includes lunch); optional overnight lodging is available ($40)

To REGISTER, go to www.poitrees18.eventbrite.com

Facilitator:

Cindy Johnson, Professor of Biology & Environmental Studies, Gustavus Adolphus College. Cindy is interested in the lessons the natural world can teach us, particularly trees. She has spent a lifetime admiring and studying trees, teaching tree ecology/identification and was the Director of the Linnaeus Arboretum. Reconnecting with the natural world and cultivating this connection is vital to our wellbeing. Lessons from the bur oaks will enrich your personal journey. To live deeply among the trees is to savor the breath within each of us that cycles among all living beings, rocks and clouds.  Cindy will co-facilitate this workshop with the bur oaks (Quercus macrocarpa) of POI.

A retreat for mature individuals interested in intentionally directing the next stage of their life.

May 18-20, 2018

Prairie Oaks Institute

https://prairieoaksinstitute.org/contact/

To register: www.poifinishingstrong.eventbrite.com

What’s next? Would you like to be intentional about your next steps? Whether it is leaving a lifetime career for retirement / re’fire’ment or transitioning to new ventures this workshop will guide you in thoughtfully creating a plan for directing this transition. Throughout the weekend we will use meditation, writing, sharing, movement and music to create a setting for mindfully crafting what’s next. Are there unrealized dreams that need voice or do you simply need an open canvas on which to paint next steps?  We will use life maps, visioning and time outdoors to examine who we were, who we are and what really matters as we move forward. Join Michele and Cindy to explore what is next in your life, ‘finishing strong’.

Cost: Participants pay for meals and lodging ($175 for the full weekend) and are asked to make a tax-deductible tuition contribution at the end of the weekend based on the value they received from the workshop, ability to pay, and interest in supporting Prairie Oaks Institute.  (Bring a checkbook or credit card.)

Times:  We will start at 7:00 pm Friday evening and finish by 1:00 pm on Sunday.

Facilitators:

Michele Rusinko

Michele is a Professor of Dance at Gustavus Adolphus College.  She is also a breast cancer survivor, yoga teacher, writer and resiliency coach.  Michele has spent her entire career integrating the life of the mind with the wisdom of the body.  Navigating her cancer diagnosis gave her new skills which allowed her to feel empowered and joyful as she adapted to the changing landscape.  It is these skills, and this dance, she enjoys sharing with students of all ages and backgrounds.

Cindy Johnson

Cindy is Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies at Gustavus Adolphus College. She is interested in the lessons the natural world can teach us about transitions.  Reconnecting with the natural world and cultivating connections with nature in the “next stage” of life is vital to a successful transition.  Lessons from the natural world will enrich our emerging understanding of our personal journey.  To live deeply within the natural world is to savor the breath within each of us that cycles among all living beings, rocks and clouds.

A retreat for mature individuals interested in intentionally directing the next stage of their life. Tickets found here.
March 24-26, 2017
Prairie Oaks Institute

What’s next? Would you like to be intentional about your next steps? Whether it is leaving a lifetime career for retirement / re’fire’ment or transitioning to new ventures this workshop will guide you in thoughtfully creating a plan for directing this transition. Throughout the weekend we will use meditation, writing, sharing, movement and music to create a setting for mindfully crafting what’s next. Are there unrealized dreams that need voice or do you simply need an open canvas on which to paint next steps? We will use life maps, visioning and time outdoors to examine who we were, who we are and what really matters as we move forward. Join Michele and Cindy to explore what is next in your life, ‘finishing strong’.

Cost: Participants pay for meals and lodging ($175 for the full weekend) and are asked to make a tax-deductible tuition contribution at the end of the weekend based on the value they received from the workshop, ability to pay and interest in supporting Prairie Oaks Institute. (Bring a checkbook or credit card.)

Times: We will start at 7 pm Friday evening and finish by 1 pm on Sunday. Participants are asked to minimize usage of electronic devices during the workshop to facilitate full immersion and intentional cultivation of contemplative and creative space.

Michele Rusinko is a teacher, writer and resiliency coach. Michele has spent her entire career integrating the life of the mind with the wisdom of the body. Navigating her cancer diagnosis gave her new skills which allowed her to feel empowered and joyful as she adapted to the changing landscape. It is these skills, and this dance, she enjoys sharing with students of all ages and backgrounds.

Cindy Johnson is Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. She holds sacred all things wild and is especially interested in conservation. Reconnecting with the natural world and cultivating these connections in the “next stage” of life is vital to transitions. Lessons from the natural world enrich our understanding of transitions / change. To live deeply within the natural world is to savor the breath within each of us that cycles among all living beings, rocks and clouds.

How can you speak so people will listen?

Are you using the full capacity of your voice in service to your intentions, visions, and purpose?

What gifts reside deep inside you that are yearning for expression?

These complex, challenging, and exciting times are calling you to “show up” with authenticity, integrity, and courage.  As important as our voices are, few of us know how to use them to their full potential. Working with your own full voice makes you a more skillful listener as well.

We’re thrilled to welcome Barbara McAfee back to Prairie Oaks Institute. Please join us for this extraordinary day, Saturday, July 30, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.   Then stay (and invite your friends and family to come too!) for a fantastic, free potluck meal and community sing with Barbara at the Granary, on the edge of the prairie overlooking Robert Creek.

For more information and to register (on a “sliding scale suggested donation” basis), please visit  www.fullvoicepoi.eventbrite.com today!  Optional overnight lodging is also available Friday and Saturday in either the Farmhouse or Harvest House, with a light breakfast the following morning. Come early, stay late, or make it a full weekend!

More about Barbara:

Barbara McAfee is a voice coach, singer/songwriter, keynoter, and author who merges lessons from 12 years in organization development with the transformative power of sound.  Her book, Full Voice: The Art & Practice of Vocal Presence (Berrett-Koehler Publishers) was a #1 Amazon bestseller in Business Communication. The book is based on her 25 years of supporting people from many professions in learning how to access the full power and expression of the voice in service to their work and relationships.

Barbara’s work blends practical content, sophisticated humor, and thought-provoking questions on topics including voice, leadership, and engagement.

She was “the band” for Margaret Wheatley’s Women’s Leadership Revival Tour, which visited 15 North American cities. She also appears with author Peter Block.  Barbara has produced seven CDs of mostly original music and is founder of the Morning Star Singers, a volunteer hospice choir in the Twin Cities.

She lives across the street from the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA