PFTS training has given me the skills and confidence to lead my own painting workshops, and do it in my style. But the most satisfying result of the training is having a network of fellow leaders who are personally and professionally supportive beyond anything I imagined before I began the training.
- Mego Johnson, River Guide and Dir. of Friends of The River, CA. (PFTS Training PFTS graduate).
Being exposed to Aviva's unique facilitation style and mission, I learned for the first time the meaning of teaching from my heart not from my head.
- Susan Brew, Art Teacher and Poet, PA (PFTS graduate).
The PFTS training was a very deep and rewarding experience on the spiritual, creative, intellectual and emotional levels; added much joy and color to my life.
- Jill Pries, Psychotherapist, N.J. (PFTS graduate).
In addition to skill, technique, and the PFTS Process, I got so much more, self discovery and empowerment.
- George Herrick, Psychotherapist and Painter, CT.
Powerful!! The training program has empowered me to be the leader that I always wanted to be. Aviva Gold is truly a wise, experienced teacher.
- David Fitch, Student of Acupuncture, NY
The time I spent in the training with Aviva was absolutely amazing. What Aviva shares about the painting process, and her commitment and willingness to really teach teachers from the depth of her heart has forever changed my work and, me.
- Shelley Torgove, Herbalist, CO
Aviva is a master teacher, guide and facilitator for this process, and I highly recommend this training for anyone who wants to deepen their own painting and creative processes as well as those who wish to innovate new ways of sharing it with others.
- Sondra Sprinkling, Painter and social activist , NY
Aviva Gold is an Art Medicine Woman "Extraordinaire." Her Teachers Training Program has changed my life.
- Sally Perham, Restaurant owner. CT
Aviva, you are a maverick, a blazing comet, a visionary, and wise woman. I am so blessed to have had the benefit of your wonderful Teacher Training and to know you.
Thank you for everything.
Love, Julia Burr
Dear Prospective "Painting From The Source"® Training Participants,
Following are the basic details for PFTS future training programs.
1. LENGTH OF TRAINING is 1 year, with 4 five-day sessions spread out over 3-month intervals. Each 5-day session will begin before dinner on a Wednesday evening and end after lunch on a Monday afternoon.
Session dates to
announced.
2. THIS ONE YEAR WILL BE "AUDIT" STATUS. This means that the successful completion of the 4 sessions will give you a "certificate of completion" but not legally entitle you to call your self PFTS Practitioners or use the PFTS name or logo for your flyers and advertisements. After successful completion, you may, of course, add "1-year study of PFTS with Aviva Gold" to your resume and Bio.
3. WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT AND RECEIVE: Emphasis will be on developing and deepening your own painting and personal process with in depth study of Aviva's book and training manual with emphasis on tailoring a program to individual needs. The part of the process where we embody and express our painting through voice (music), theater, movement, poetry (using Gestalt Techniques), which is unique to Aviva's work, will be practiced and taught in depth. Between session's there will be reading (from a variety of suggested books that support the process) painting assignments, and for those wanting it, support sessions on telephone or e-mail (for international students) available at a minimal additional cost.
Those in mental health or healing arts fields and/or working with various populations like children, prisoners, terminally ill, or yoga students will gain the necessary process painting skills and experience, to incorporate the painting process into your work with any population. The basic skills and information will also be available for those desiring and ready to offer their own process painting workshops close or far from home.
The PFTS training will aid you in establishing your own ongoing painting practice as well as enhance your personal growth, including more clarity on how to best use your gifts in the world. Many areas of your life besides creative and occupation will develop, mature and evolve. (Click here to view paintings from the Trainings). You will have fun and a tribe of people who will be a support system to you long after training is over. Other skills you will learn (and thus be prepared to teach) include:
- Trusting your intuition for problem solving and guidance.
- Learning how to access and use creative techniques and dreams for relaxation, guidance, and wisdom.
- Learning group processing techniques to build a safe productive community.
- Overcoming shyness and in general ask for and get what you need in work and personal life.
- Unblocking creative flow, enabling more spontaneity, fun, sensitivity and access to experiencing and expressing emotions (connection with body).
- Creating art that emanates authenticity and soul beauty from which you will gain a sense of accomplishment, self worth and empowerment that spills over into all experiences of life.
- Riding out fear of the unknown and trusting the process through which core beliefs such as "the universe is basically hostile" are replaced by "the universe is basically supportive".
- Learning techniques and new paradigms for reframing and accepting previously
- Perceived negative/detrimental situations and character traits, thus enhancing self-image, health, intimacy and well-being.
- Learning effective teaching techniques to open free flow of creativity and health for children, students and clients of all ages.
4.TRAINING LIMITED TO 12 PEOPLE
5. SESSIONS WILL TAKE PLACE AT: Meditation Mount, Ojai, California. 1 hour south of Santa Barbara, 1 1/2 hours from Los Angeles.
http://www.meditationmount.com
6.TRAINING FEES: To be announced.
7. REQUIREMENTS: To be considered into the program, candidates must attend a recent workshop and Aviva clearly remember your process. If not remembered or not considered ready, you may need to attend an additional workshop before consideration. Other requirements include: Completion of a 5 page application, completion of Aviva's book, financial ability to pay fee, above age 30, have working e-mail that is checked at least a few times a week, willingness to be in personal therapy, no active addictions (includes tobacco smoking).
TRAINING WORK SCHOLARSHIPS
As mentioned in the Training Information Letter above, there are 2 work scholarships available. These are offered to people not only in financial need, but people who have taken a number of workshops over the years and very successfully assisted Aviva before. Geographic proximity is also a consideration.
Note from Aviva
Some of what I have learned about training others:
For years workshop participants have asked me to teach them to do what I do. In 1999 I jumped at the challenge, but did not really know what would happen. It was a grand experiment.
Today, after training two groups (a 2 year group and a 1 year group), I have some answers.
- I can very effectively offer a safe container for each trainee's individual leadership and teaching style to emerge. ...same space that I offer for participants paintings to emerge.
- Trainees can go deeper into their painting process than previously thought possible.
- No matter how gifted, charismatic, knowledgeable the trainee, if they are fearful of putting them self out there, resistant to charge money, I cannot teach courage and motivation to lead their own workshop. Sometimes it is the support of the group (and personal therapy) that melts the fear.
- Probably the most impressive, profound, constant and unexpected result is the "friends for life" tribal community bond that forms within each group. Rooted in love and mutual support, this bond sprouts a growth spiral, flowering into our best self.
I can only guess that painting, learning, doing sacred rituals, honest sharing of deep self, all together, periodically over an extended amount of time, is a chemical recipe for growth, a yeast for personal empowerment.