A movement and writing workshop with Jessica Donley and Raina Zelinski

Instructor: Jessica Donley and Raina Zelinski

Date and time: Saturday, July 15 from 9am-4pm

Location: 5 Press Gallery, 600 Homer Plessy Way, New Orleans

Ground to Grow is a movement and writing workshop. Facilitators Jessi and Raina will guide participants through exercises exploring the idea of grounding and feeling centered in oneself. These exercises will include movement/mindfulness, imagery, and writing. Participants will learn mindful movement, practice moving from the inside out, journal, and create personalized haiku centered on their own experiences and desires for growth. Each participant will leave the workshop with a personalized series of mantras and movements that they can incorporate into their daily practices. No experience with movement or writing is required for this workshop and all movement abilities are welcome.

Enrollment is limited to adults 18 and over. 

A minimum number of students must enroll in this class for it to make. If fewer students enroll than are necessary, the class will be cancelled and full refunds will be issued. If we have to cancel the class, we'll make every effort to notify students at least one week before the first class meeting.

Jessi is a lifelong mover and creator. She incorporates movement from her extensive dance training, healing modalities (such as Somatic Experiencing and yoga), nature, spirituality, world travels, and her own cultural experiences in her work. She was born in New Orleans and raised outside of the city on the bayou and is currently teaching and speaking nationally and internationally about movement, culture, somatic healing, and embodiment.

Raina is a New Orleans writer and educator currently teaching at the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts. She is the co-founder of Lucky Bean Poetry, a small press and reading series dedicated to developing and empowering novice writers. Her chapbook "diminution" was published in 2019. Her poetry has recently appeared in nurture: a literary journal, Tilted House, Trampoline: a Journal of Poetry, and DYNAMIS. Her poetry will be featured in the forthcoming New Orleans Poetry Anthology from NOPJ.

By registering for this class ("the Activity"), which is offered by the NOCCA Foundation, you represent, covenant, and agree, on behalf of yourself and your heirs, assigns, and any other person claiming by, under, or through you, as follows:

1. You acknowledge that participating in the Activity involves certain risks (some of which you may not fully appreciate), and that injuries, death, property damage or other harm could occur to yourself or others. You accept and voluntarily incur all risks of any injuries, damages, or harm which arise during or result from your participation in the Activity, including any associated travel, regardless of whether or not caused in whole or in part by the negligence or other fault of the NOCCA Foundation, NOCCA, and/or its or their departments, trustees, affiliates, employees, officers, agents, or insurers ("Released Parties").

2. You waive all claims against any of the Released Parties for any injuries, damages, losses, or claims, whether known and unknown, which arise during or result from your participation in the Activity, regardless of whether or not caused in whole or part by the negligence or other fault of any of the Released Parties. You release and forever discharge the Released Parties from all such claims.

3. You agree to indemnify and hold the Released Parties harmless from all losses, liabilities, damages, costs, or expenses (including but not limited to reasonable attorneys' fees and other litigation costs and expenses) incurred by any of the Released Parties as a result of any claims or suits that you (or anyone claiming by, under, or through you) may bring against any of the Released Parties to recover any losses, liabilities, costs, damages, or expenses which arise during or result from your participation in the Activity, regardless of whether or not caused in whole or part by the negligence or other fault of any of the Released Parties.

4. You have carefully read and reviewed this Waiver, Release, And Hold Harmless Agreement. You understand it fully, and you execute it voluntarily by registering for the Activity.

This class is hosted by the NOCCA Foundation, NOCCA's nonprofit support and advocacy organization. Proceeds support an array of programs for NOCCA students, faculty, and the community.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

5 Press Gallery, 5 Homer Plessy Way, New Orleans, United States