Fusion Wellness Weekend:
A Creative Exploration of Scoliosis and Spinal Fusions with martha carter (MOVEMENT) AND patricia horvath (WRITING)

Hosted by samamkāya yoga back care & scoliosis collective
May 20 & 21, 2023

IN-PERSON or ONLINE OPTION

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP
Join scoliosis specialist Martha Carter and writer Patti Horvath for a wholehearted exploration of spinal fusions! Designed for people with scoliosis and spinal fusions, this unique workshop combines movement and guided writing to address how this confounding condition affects the whole self—body, mind, and spirit. Through a gentle blend of breathing, yoga, somatics, and freestyle movement, Martha’s comforting approach to movement will help participants to better understand their bodies—with the goal of replacing stiffness and fear with mobility and freedom. Patti’s guided writing sessions encourage freewriting—stories, memories, emotions; not to mention reflections on the crazy medical moments!—that can either be shared or stay private. Engaging in this experience with other scoliosis warriors is helpful and freeing.  

As one previous student wrote:

“The TOPS Fusion Retreat was a life-changing experience that allowed me to connect deeply with myself and others who have gone through spinal fusion surgery. I came away with a self-care practice and a community of wonderful fusion sisters that I will carry with me forever.”

ABOUT THE HOST STUDIO
Samamkāya Yoga Back Care & Scoliosis Collective is a therapeutic, worker-owned yoga studio. Their aim is to make yoga accessible and healing to students of all ages and abilities who are living with back injuries, chronic/acute pain, differently shaped spines/bodies, scoliosis and spinal fusions.

About Martha Carter
Martha is as a therapeutic movement specialist for scoliosis and spinal fusions, offering classes, workshops and retreats in Gentle Yoga and Somatics. Synthesizing her knowledge as a dance artist with her love of therapeutic methods, she guides participants to discover increased strength, length, alignment and mindfulness in the whole soma—body, mind and soul. Her welcoming approach is accessible to all levels and abilities. Martha is a certified teacher of both Yoga for Scoliosis based on the teachings of Elise Browning Miller, and Essential Somatics™ based on the work of Thomas Hanna. She has also studied Energy Medicine and Trauma Release techniques, which she weaves into all her classes to help participants with pain relief while enhancing their movement potential. Martha is the founder and director of Twisted Outreach Project for Back Care and Scoliosis (TOPS), a Canadian-based non-profit that provides a range of holistic and creative approaches to working with back care and scoliosis. Martha’s full bio can be found here.

About Patricia Horvath
Patricia Horvath is the author of the memoir All the Difference (Etruscan Press) about her experiences with scoliosis and spinal fusion, and the recently released collection of stories But Now Am Found (Black Lawrence Press). A recipient of New York Foundation for the Arts fellowships in both fiction and literary nonfiction, her stories and essays have been published widely in literary journals. She teaches creative writing at Framingham State University and is an editor at The Massachusetts Review. Her website is: https://patricialhorvath.com/.

Workshop Package includes:

  • One 15-30 minute online private conversation with Martha to discuss your back before the workshop

  • Yoga, movement, meditation, and relaxation classes with Martha Carter

  • Writing practice and discussion guided by Patricia Horvath

  • Access to recordings of movement classes

  • Link to Martha’s ‘Somatic Explorations for Scoliosis And Fusions On A Chair’ video

  • Writing handouts

NOTE: Sessions can be purchased separately, but we strongly recommend taking all three – there is momentum and a depth that is reached through the experience across both days. Each session includes both movement and writing portions.

Cost:
(Early bird pricing if registered by May 8)

  • Full Weekend: $115 ($130 after May 8)

  • Two Sessions: $80 ($90 after May 8)

  • One Session Only: $45 ($50 after May 8)

  • Drop In: $55

REGISTRATION IS HANDLED THROUGH SAMAMKAYA (follow the links below):

Fusion Wellness Weekend Schedule

Schedule for Saturday:

  • 2:30-3:45pm ET | 11:30-12:45pm PT — Movement with Martha

  • 3:45-4:00pm ET | 12:45-1:00pm PT — Short Break

  • 4:00-5:15pm ET | 1:00-2:15pm PT — Guided Writing and Discussion with Patti

Schedule for Sunday:

  • 12:30-1:45pm ET | 9:30-10:45am PT — Movement with Martha

  • 1:45-2:00pm ET | 10:45-11:00am PT — Short Break

  • 2:00-3:15pm ET | 11:00-12:15pm PT — Guided Writing and Discussion with Patti

  • 3:15-5:00pm ET | 12:15-2:00pm PT — Late Lunch / Tea Break

  • 5:00-6:15pm ET | 2:00-3:15pm PT — Movement with Martha

  • 6:15-6:30pm ET | 3:15-3:30pm PT — Short Break

  • 6:30-7:45pm ET | 3:30-4:45pm PT — Guided Writing and Final Discussion with Patti

For anyone interested, Martha writes a serial blog here: www.twistedoutreachproject.com/blog where she continues to explore thoughts and revelations around her own fusion story, as well as discussions around scoliosis, health, and wellness in general.

Cancellations made up to one week in advance will be refunded, less a 20% administrative fee. There are no refunds for cancellations made within one week of the workshop.