Compassionate Communication
with Lori Grace and Katrina Vaillancourt
at Open Secret Bookstore in San Rafael

(we also teach at other locations- see attachments below!)

Deepen and broaden your skills using Nonviolent Communication(TM), AKA Compassionate Communication, in these lively, informative, role-play-oriented practice evenings.

The practices of Compassionate Communication empower you to navigate life's challenges with the wisdom of your own emotional intelligence and confidence in your ability to create positive change. Compassionate Communication can help you have more love in your life and be more centered when facing challenging situations.
In these practice groups—using role-plays of conflicts pre-planned as well as suggested by the group — you will grow in your ability to:

• Listen and ask question that encourage others to share their feelings and motivations for action; leave other feeling understood and appreciated.

• Communicate your feelings and needs in a way that is easy for others to understand.

• Discover new strategies in which everyone experiences that their needs matter.

• Learn to create win/wins as a way of life.

We always offer group members an opportunity to present situations for role-play, from their own lives and currently "alive" for them. This is completely voluntary. When you choose to present a situation you may either play one of the roles yourself, or you may ask the facilitators or other participants to act it out for you to watch and gain insight. Or, you may just want to observe. There's no pressure to actively particiate; you choose your own level of participation.

• Offer a situation and participate in the role-play;
• Offer a situation for others to act out as you watch; or,
• Just observe.

Occasionally, we assign a theme for the evening, such as using Compassionate Communication in business/work settings, or in challenging situations with loved ones, or in the realm of activism and social change. However, even on those evenings, we are always open to role-playing whatever is most present and alive for the group.

While we prefer all participants to have some knowledge of the Nonviolent Communication basics, everyone is welcome, even with no previous experience. We do our best to help you feel welcomed and to be included.

A private introductory session, prior to the Practice Group, may be arranged, for a nominal fee, if you wish. Please call the office to make arrangement.

Cost: $15
Register ahead of time and receive a certificate for a free class!
Register by calling 415-924-7824
Drop-ins welcome!
Open Secret Bookstore: 923C Street, San Rafael 94901 415-457-4191

To learn more about Sunrise Center classes and events, visit us at www.sunrise-center.org