People of Poetry Foundation (POP)
Spoken Word Workshop
POP’s
workshop for NAMI presents 75 minutes of art expression through poetry and
positive probing questions. The exercises are geared to encourage mental health
and build the following attributes:
Confidence
Passion
Originality
Transparency
Humor
Solidarity
Compassion
The
beginning of the course opens with a brief 5 min detailed personal account in
front of the class of one of the member’s mental health journey (preferable not
the facilitator) and how writing (or learning to write) can aid to release negative energy or express
intense joy. They also share why they decided to sign up for the workshop. This
portion breaks the ice and helps others present feel comfortable with opening
up later in their writings as the workshop progresses and speaking in front of
the class.
The next 45 min
of class time are devoted to the poetry exercises as outlined in section 1A (will be emailed separately). The
strongest attributes in this section is confidence, transparency and
originality. Poetry is powerful when we share our feelings in its purest and
genuine state confidently and this will get easier with each exercise as
individuals come to the front of the class to share their writings. Encourage
students to not feel limited to their poems having to have rhyme sequences.
Poetry does not have to rhyme at all so never feel restricted, in fact most
poems don’t. What makes poetry unique is its transparency and honesty. Also open
students’ minds to how words can be used differently to enhance imagination and
expression. For instance giving action and personality to inanimate objects (I
miss my favorite chair with its warm smile). After each poetry exercise choose
4 -7 volunteers to come up to the front of the class depending on the class
size and read their poems. Facilitator in the section strongly inspires
confidence for each volunteer by explaining all honest expression by default is
beautiful and as a poet to stand behind your writings. If a student makes an
excuse about their poem as they approach the front of the class, playfully have
the student sit back down and loudly re-announce his name and encourage the
rest of the class to clap loudly. Do this for each volunteer.
The 25min section
1B is a series of 14 positive
probing questions to enhance mental health. This closing section encourages
positive thinking through introspection and provides the class with a since of
compassion and solidarity. Choose two students for each question to stand up
from their seat and read their answers.
Last but not
least as the closing tell the students to take specific poems along with their
probing questions and read them and the answers as much as they can. Before
bed, at night, etc. Place on
refrigerator, bedroom, journal or wherever most comfortable. When sad or
feeling any negativity- refer to these positive exercises. Good health to you.
