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From the June 2007 Newsletter

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT 

Dear Members of Cuyamungue,

As we approach the Summer Solstice, the Cuyamungue Board of Directors will be gathering at the Institute for our annual summer meeting. We are welcoming three new board members: Nancy Sharp from Espanola, NM, Chris Shirer from Columbus, OH, and Pam DeCaro from Kansas City, MO. Each brings talents that support the changes that are unfolding in our work. Nancy is an experienced grant writer and served as president for a non-profit retreat center in Ohio. Chris owns a web development firm and is working with me to expand our presence on the Internet. Pam's background as a master teacher is an asset in developing our teacher training and certification program. I am delighted that they are joining us.

When Kathy Brown, our former administrative assistant, moved to Washington, DC, we asked Judy Morse to rejoin the Cuyamungue community as our financial administrative assistant. Judy lived at the Institute for many years and was our original administrative assistant. Her experience and skills in organization will be a great asset.

We also want to welcome Holly Sanchez, who now lives in the old adobe house. While technically our renter, she and Frances have established a powerful daily presence on the land. Read more about Holly in the article about her later in the newsletter.

Our workshop offerings this summer reflect the diversity of our international network of teachers. Ki Salmen participated in last summer's International Gathering and is returning from Germany to teach two workshops. We experienced a fascinating sample of her creative weaving of ecstatic trance and fairytales last year. Read more about this exploration of spirit and psyche in Ki's ariticle in this newsletter. Jill Schumacher and Meredith McCord return for the annual Masked Trance Dance, integrating Egyptian indigenous spiritual traditions with the Masked Dance. They are gifted teachers and healers, and guide workshops toward profound experiences for all participants. Bat-Sheva Koren teaches Dance Movement Therapy in Israel and Toronto, and will bring her work to the new dance space at the Institute. She came to Ohio last fall to share her wonderful integration of Authentic Movement and Ecstatic Trance. She is a deeply intuitive and creative teacher, and offers new approaches to working with ritual postures.

This spring we have invested in maintenance, upgrading the adobe house so that rental income can provide us with a sustainable source of revenue, and in managing drainage so that we do not lose soil to erosion and to keep the five buildings from flooding. We will be building tent platforms and permanent beds in the bunkhouse (newly renamed Zia Lodge), and are exploring several yurts as more comfortable accommodations throughout the seasons. Our land is truly magical and we want to make it accessible to those who can appreciate the spiritual presence that resides there. When you visit, we welcome your feedback and suggestions.

There are many projects that we will be discussing at the Board meeting. I am eager to share news of them with you in the next newsletter.

Until then, many blessings,

Belinda

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The Ecstatic Experience
Healing Postures for Spirit Journeys
By Belinda Gore
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