Description
“Poetry is just the evidence of life. If your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash.” —Leonard Cohen
Poetry and nature are good medicine. One part creative writing, one part nature connected journey, one part earth community, Write Your Wild River is an invitation to explore the magical alchemy that can happen when we take the time to slow down and listen, really be present with Earth and all aspects of ourselves, and create from that place.
“Instructions for living a life: Pay Attention. Be astonished. Tell about it”—Mary Oliver
This 6-week workshop explores the play/craft of creative writing through an embodied, earth-centered, liberatory lens, and simultaneously, explore our embodied, earthy, multi-faceted selves through the exploration of poetry.
We will create a river of words that tap into Earth as poet and the melody of our whole, multi-faceted, messy, brilliant selves. Each week will focus on a different theme (see below), using open conversation, embodied practice, and visualization as inspiration for creative experimentation. Each week includes generative writing prompts, somatic solicitations, readings of poems, spaciousness for exploring particular energies, and generous mirroring in a relaxed, supportive online environment.
No previous poetry or creative writing experience required. All levels welcome.
The joy of creative writing and poetry isn’t something that belongs only to a select few. Everybody contains a treasure trove of poetry and heart-stories just waiting to be unlocked and nature beckons as a mirror inviting exploration. This workshop is for anyone who would like to explore the creativity that lives within them with wild nature as co-creator.
IN THIS ADVENTURE INTO NATURE, YOUR MULTIDIMENSIONAL SELF, AND POETRY YOU WILL:
- 🌻Embody practices for cultivating your natural poetic and creativity
- 🌻Practice accessing and experimenting with aspects of your wholeness, including goofiness, grief, anger, sensuality, your unique voice, stillness, and play
- 🌻Learn to see and experience nature as a mirror for reflecting what lives inside you
- 🌻Deepen your capacity to slow down to hear with all your earts what is authentic
- 🌻Sharpen your senses as a guide to shape your writing
- 🌻Be inspired by the poetry and creative writing of your peers
- 🌻Cultivate a deeper connection with nature and a purpose that serves collective liberation
- 🌻Explore different poetic forms, style, and images
THE MODULES:
- WEEK 1: Lazy, Luscious River (Dipping Your Toes In | Cultivating Your Pace and Pollinating Purpose)
- WEEK 2: Playtime in the Big River (Make a Splash | Everything is an Experiment | Instructions on Making a Perfect Ker-Plunk)
- WEEK 3: Raging River of Tears (Flowing Sacred Grief | Lending Your Tears Back to Watershed | Re-arranging the Landscape)
- WEEK 4: Get Wet (The Creative Erotic | Ecosensual Embodiment | Writing Desire) – with guest co-facilitator Katie Baptist, a Sacramento-based writer and kink-affirming, poly friendly, cis gender female, heterosexual, LGBTQIA+ ally psychotherapist)
- WEEK 5: Dams & Dreams (Tear Down Those Dams | Writing Towards Collective Liberation | Co-Weaving Words)
- WEEK 6: To the Sea (From the Headwaters to the Mouth of the Great Mystery | Sitting in the Waves | Shapeshifting Shorelines
WHO IS THIS FOR?
- For those wanting to explore various aspects and energies of their whole selves in a creative, earthy way.
- For anyone who loves nature and likes to play with words and imagery.
- For both brand new and experienced poets and creative writers.
- For anyone wanting to explore their creativity in a safe, unique, and evocative container with others.
WHEN: 6 Sundays, February 15 – March 22
Time: 9am – 11am Pacific Time | 11:00am – 1:00pm EST
Where: ONLINE – Zoom (and practices on the land between classes)
RECOMMENDED: $199
Other options: $159-$219
Register below or send your amount via Venmo: RyanVanLenning
Contact Ryan with questions: ryan@wildnatureheart.com
Facilitator: Ryan Van Lenning
My name is Ryan Van Lenning, Founder of Wild Nature Heart, and I am an earth-lover with a deep desire to be of service in the work of re-connection, re-membering, and re-inhabiting the animate web of life. I started Wild Nature Heart to support people at a crossroads to re-connect with the wisdom of both inner and outer wild nature, to live their soul callings into the world, and to assist in the work of repairing broken belonging. I am a threshold guide and barbarian poet of the Great Turning (author of Re-Membering, From Inside These Wild Ones, One Bright and Real Caress, An Ambitious Silence, Trust the Ceremony, F*ck the Ceremony, and Trust the Ceremony, Then Yeses Come Bubbling, Within the Cave Something Pulses, and High-Cooing Through the Seasons: Haiku From the Forest. I am trained as a rite-of-passage/wilderness ceremony guide through the School of Lost Borders, certified as an Ecotherapist through The Earthbody Institute, where I teach the Level 1-3 ecotherapy courses, and am a Certified Wilderness First Responder through Foster Calm. Prior to moving to California 18 years ago, I taught Comparative Religion, Philosophy, and Environmental Ethics at Sinclair College in Ohio. I live among the forest and rivers in northern California, ancestral Wiyot and Yurok land. I like cinnamon ice cream, fantastic fungi, and river ottering.
Testimonials:
“Ryan is a purposeful, playful, permission-giving guide for creative quests! I had so much fun in this workshop! I sometimes surprised myself with the writing that emerged, and was inspired and delighted by my fellow poets’ writing and our collaborative creations. What a joyful journey that enlivened me and helped me birth something new into the world!” —Gemma Armstrong (Write Your Wild River, Spring 2025)
“The writing class was really so great and I can’t thank you enough for that offering! I learned a lot about myself and enjoyed hearing your writing and the writing of other poets that you shared. I became inspired to write Limericks and it’s all just flowing out of me! —Erin (Write Your Wild River, Fall 2024)
“It’s been so meaningful to be connected to such fun and sincere energy that wants nothing from me but to show up as my Authentic self.” —Raina (Write Your Wild River, Fall 2024)
“The ‘Write Your Wild River’ course was so valuable in improving my writing technique, expanding my overall poetry knowledge, and providing inspiration and a creative catalyst for my writing. It also served as a very valuable personal development course through the prompts provided and sharing that was encouraged. The thought, care, and energy Ryan put into this course was evident and his warm and intelligent style made it a welcoming, comfortable, and effective environment to learn in. I highly recommend this multifaceted course!” —Anne Williams, LPC (Ecotherapist, Fall 2024)
“Thank you so much Ryan for a wonderful two months together! Your course provided so much new excitement and inspiration for me. It was really eye opening and truly deepened my sense of ecological connection. Thank you for guiding us through this beautiful course.” —Nicola Gailits (Deep Belonging 2025)
“I have worked with Ryan in different courses and contexts, both virtually and in person on the land. I find him to be a skilled guide, gentle but powerful, who creates invitations to experiences that provide safety to swim in liminal spaces where deep work blossoms into growth, all in the absence of ego. Not only is Ryan very knowledgeable but he listens deeply and provides mirroring that leaves you feeling seen and honored. The spaces he creates encourage productive struggle and growth with a healthy dose of play.”—Kim Bielmann (Deep Belonging 2025)
“I went to an event with Wild Nature Heart on the River, and it was magical! Ryan and Katie were excellent guides and mirrors, and made me completely comfortable sharing my story- even personal at times. I feel more at peace, and a passion for writing has been rekindled; it also doesn’t hurt that they found a beautiful and secluded location 🙂. If you love writing, nature, community or even need a safe space to explore who you are, I highly recommend them!” – Candace C., Writing Wild Gathering, Sacramento
“Thank you for awakening not only my inner playful poet but for allowing me to remind myself all that is in there… including nature and everything in it. What is true reveals itself as I am ready for it, through you guiding us. It’s all unique to everyone; more an ‘unfoldment’ than ‘class’ or exercises. You guys, if you didn’t make it, you are really missing out!” – Karen S., Fremont
“I have never thought of myself as a poet, or even very good with words. Until fairly recently, most poetry left me feeling lost. Ryan helped me discover my “inner poet” by using nature as a means of finding it. It was surprising how easily I slipped over the line from non-poet to poet! Ryan has a gentle way of helping us feel more connected to nature, and thus, to ourselves. I highly recommend trying out his nature poetry events, even if you don’t “feel” like a poet.” — Diane Dew, Oakland
“I find myself repeatedly touched by the depth of your caring for Earth and all her beings and by your dedication to practice and evolving new pathways of relationship and culture. I am moved by the presence that you bring to deep listening and your willingness to explore different perspectives. Your ability to express through poetry and action what’s in your heart and your desire for healthy relationship among all beings is a source of inspiration for me.” —Marianne B. Rowe, MS, LMFT, Summer 2022 Level 3 Ecotherapy Training, Earthbody Institute
“Ryan is a deeply earthy, magical, inspiring poet and person. Katie is a courageous, heart-full, dynamic storyteller and writer. You will be amazed and forever touched by learning and creating with them!” — Ariana Candell, Psychotherapist, Ecotherapist, Dance Movement Therapist, Founder of The Earthbody Institute, Oakland
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