Words & Pictures

Jouissance Kickstarter Campaign LIVE!

on May 21, 2019 No comments

The Kickstarter campaign for Jouissance ~ Poetry of the Deep Feminine is now LIVE! This is my first book and to print and self publish it I am asking for your support.  

I am longing for a world where we have forms of language that recognise and respect the deep feminine and women’s experience for the good of us all. Poetry is one form that can reach to the heart of the matter. It has the capacity to speak to parts of us that are dormant, denied or forgotten and can lead us into deeper intimacy with ourselves.

About Jouissance

Jouissance is a selection of poetry that I have written over the past 5 years that wants to be spoken and shared. The idea just wouldn’t leave me alone, so eventually I followed it and here I am.

If you would like to know more or pledge click this link https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jouissance/jouissance-poetry-of-the-deep-feminine 

Thank you for being a part of it!

Carly x

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Carly MountainJouissance Kickstarter Campaign LIVE!

Jouissance ~ Poetry Pamphlet and Crowdfunder Launch

on March 28, 2019 No comments
JOUISSANCE: a form of women’s pleasure or sexual rapture that combines mental, physical and spiritual aspects of female experience, bordering on mystical communion. Jouissance can be described as the source of a woman’s creative power that delights in being limitless. 

On Monday 20th May I will be launching my first poetry pamphlet. To mark this, I would be delighted if you would join me for an intimate sharing of some of the poems from the book woven into an experiential talk about poetry, female creativity and my own personal journey. 

Jouissance is a selection of poetry that I have written over the past 6 years. It formed alongside the Butterfly work which was a part of my own Inanna journey. So for anyone thinking about signing up for Butterfly next year this evening would be a good chance to get to know more about me and the roots of the work.

We live in a world where the feminine has been in exile within our collective psyche and that manifests itself in our wider societal structure and ourselves. Even our language is based in masculine structures and yet poetry can take us beyond the structure of words to the heart of the matter. I am passionate about poetry’s ability to connect, heal and awaken us to what needs to be heard. We live in a world severely lacking in words that describe and recognise the female experience. Though there is so much more writing and poetry out there which gives voice to the feminine, I am craving more and feel that there is certainly room for more. So, this work is a part of my endeavour to answer my own prayer and it is my hope that my words may support others who are also walking this path.

Honouring the feminine is a huge part of my path. But I recognise that this is not just a personal endeavour but a collective one. We cannot do it alone with one big gesture, but through many small but courageous gestures from many people. For this reason, this event will also be the launch of a crowdfunder so that if you feel inspired to you can help give this work flight. The crowdfunder will go live on 20th May, there you will find various offerings including copies of the book in exchange for your donation. I am hoping that through your support I can send at least 10 free copies of the book out to others holding circles, scattering the seeds of poetry on the wind.

This FREE launch event will be held at Jo and Ben’s lovely new yoga space Mudra, 151 Sellers Wheel, Sheffield S1 2NU. Though there is no charge to attend I do ask that you book in advance. So if you feel inspired to join me you can reserve your space online via the Mudra website here. Once on the site, go to EVENTS (via the top left menu on laptop or top right dropdown on mobile) and enter your details to reserve you place. I hope to see you there and feel free to share with your friends. Thank you for your support. 

With love and gratitude, 
Carly    
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Carly MountainJouissance ~ Poetry Pamphlet and Crowdfunder Launch

Kim Rosen Sheffield Retreat Febraury 2019

on November 9, 2018 No comments

I am absolutley thrilled to announce that Kim Rosen will be back in Sheffield to offer a three day workshop again in February. I have worked with Kim for the last 5 years and it’s no exaggeration to say it has been life changing and so much of her work informs my own. I highly recommmend her!

All information attached below and bookings are being taken via gill.upham@gmail.com.

Hope to see you there,

Carly

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Carly MountainKim Rosen Sheffield Retreat Febraury 2019

Encounters with Angels

on October 10, 2018 No comments

“Even if I don’t ever see it again — or ever feel it,
I know that it is — and that if once it hailed me
it ever does –” ~ Marie Howe

How do we experience Angels? What names do we give for those presences in our lives that we cannot see but can on some level feel?

To end the year, we have a very special candlelit Poetry Dive on Angels. The poems will explore encounters with that which is beyond and a part of the mystery of our lives and will also explore, the very varied ways in which poets depict and refer to angels.

I am delighted to welcome guest speaker, John Hillman my Teacher, Guide and Friend who first introduced me to poetry.

We hope this will be a unique and atmospheric dive to enliven your senses and nourish your being.

Advanced booking click here to book £16 per person. There is one assisted place at £8 if anyone is struggling with money and would like a reduction please email me info@carlymountain.com.

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Carly MountainEncounters with Angels

A Dynamic Music Fuelled Yoga Night Devoted to Prince

on May 10, 2018 No comments

Join Carly for this fluid, moving yoga sequence to a purely Prince soundtrack. Includes deep lunges, rolls and yoga postures both conventional and unique. Finishing with a free dance finale to your favourite Prince tracks.

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Carly MountainA Dynamic Music Fuelled Yoga Night Devoted to Prince

Moving From the Heart – Yoga based workshop at Yoga Kula Leeds

on May 10, 2018 No comments


I enjoyed teaching this workshop so much earlier this year I am offering it again. This time at Yoga Kula in Leeds. So come and nourish yourself with an afternoon of heart lead hatha flow yoga, poetry and yoga nidra. Both yoga and poetry can be practices of intimacy which can lead us into the unknown or unheard realms of our being. When we uncover these less familiar aspects of ourselves we can start to feel and re-member them as a part of us.

In this workshop we will dive into the heart center as the doorway to this listening. We will work with a fluid yoga sequence that moves from the heart into relationship with the whole body. Inviting us to open and close, reach out and draw inwards, exploring the landscapes of the heart and the wisdom held within.

So often yoga workshops prioritise opening the heart, but there is a maturity in recognising that the close is equally as valuable as the open. This sequence lends itself to both of these polarities the reaching out and the turning inwards as well. The sequence includes balances, backbends, forward bends and twists and is combined with a beautiful soundscape to evoke your emotional and physical bodies. Thereby inviting you to feel how they interweave into expansion and return until eventually winding down to a heart lead yoga nidra to finish.

Booking via Mindbody here

“Your hand opens and closes and opens and closes.

If it were always a fist or always stretched open,

you would be paralysed.

Your deepest presence is in every small contracting and expanding,

the two as beautifully balanced and coordinated

as birdwings.”

~ Rumi translated Coleman Barks

 

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Carly MountainMoving From the Heart – Yoga based workshop at Yoga Kula Leeds

Verse Matters Wednesday 7th March In Celebration of International Womens Day

on March 5, 2018 No comments

I am excited to be speaking some of my own poetry at Verse Matters this Wednesday 7th March at the Theatre Deli Sheffield.

This is the description from their website –

Verse Matters is an intersectional feminist arts collective based in Sheffield, founded by Rachel Bower. Verse Matters runs events at The Moor Theatre Deli in Sheffield and provides a supportive space for poetry, spoken word, storytelling, music and comedy, showcasing the work of talented people in a friendly, safe environment. Each event has a mix of experienced and new performers.

Events are always open to all. Each night includes two featured artists, and an open mic session with six performers (five minutes each). The structure is non-hierarchical, and door profits are split between performers.

Verse Matters was set up to attest to the structural inequalities in society and the arts. To remember that ‘women’s rights’ are diminished without racial equality and economic justice. To bring people together in solidarity. To create a forum for debate, challenge and pleasure.

Some of our performers tell stories that have been erased by society: refugees, detainees, prisoners. Others might read a page of their favourite book, speaking in public for the first time. Others are experienced poets, puppeteers, dramatists and performers. All are respected and appreciated.

These times call for solidarity and for resistance. We need outlets through which to articulate our anger, our sadness, our joy. Verse Matters exists to provide this space.

This is a special Verse Matters in collaboration with SHE Fest a fringe festival in Sheffield that celebrates International Women’s Day and I am delighted to be involved.

Come down and bring your friends.

 

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Carly MountainVerse Matters Wednesday 7th March In Celebration of International Womens Day

Moving From The Heart – a yoga based workshop

on February 1, 2018 No comments

Come and nourish yourself with an evening of heart lead hatha flow yoga. How do we move from the heart? This fluid sequence will lead us from the heart centre into relationship with the whole body. Inviting us to open and close, reach out and draw inwards, exploring the landscapes of the heart and the wisdom held within. Yoga can be a way of coming into a more loving relationship with yourself. It is also a great way to spend time with friends or your partner. So come and join us.

We will move freely before transitioning into a flowing yoga sequence, finally winding down to a heart lead yoga nidra and tea to finish.

To book please click this link I hope to see you there.

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Carly MountainMoving From The Heart – a yoga based workshop

Leading from the Heart – Poetry Dive

on December 21, 2017 No comments

 

If your heart had a voice what would it set as an intention or hearts prayer for 2018? This poetry dive will centre around the heart, listening to the wisdom of the heart, your hearts longings and losses, desires and strength. This is an opportunity to set time aside to turn towards whatever is arising for you at the start of the year in conscious transition into 2018.We will move, dance, sound and dive into poetry, music, writing and sharing.

Whilst I continue to feel into and hone the craft of offering poetry dives this event will once again be donation based. All proceeds will go to the SHE College Fund www.shecollegefund.org a wonderful charity set up by my Teacher Kim Rosen.

Pre booking essential, to book please email me info@carlymountain.com. I would be delighted if you can join me.

 

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Carly MountainLeading from the Heart – Poetry Dive

Women’s Full Moon Retreat Day

on October 26, 2017 No comments

Join me on Sunday 3rd December for the last Full Moon of 2017 to consciously welcome in the end of the year and reflect on the months gone by…..

Once upon a time it was commonplace for people to have parties, hold rituals, make love and dance under the light of the full moon. The moon offers a different kind of light to the sun, a light that can illuminate deep feelings, longings and directions that are not always visible in the bright light of day. This Women’s Retreat day will give space to stir the cauldron of your inner being, to uncover, nourish and behold whatever needs to be felt, celebrated and released as we journey towards the end of the year. Through yoga, dance, poetry and creative reflection we can liberate our inner most expression and evoke and nourish the inner landscapes of our being.

We will begin the day with meditation and yoga followed by lunch and a sumptuous and restful yoga nidra. In the afternoon, we will work with dance, poetry and reflective work in partners and in circle. You do not have to have any knowledge or experience of working with poetry before. Like movement practices, poetry is a form which can cut through to the heart of things, thereby taking us beyond our habitual patterns and awaken us to fresh experience and perspectives.

“At night, I open the window
and ask the moon to come
and press its face into mine.
Breathe into me.

Close the language-door,
and open the love-window.

The moon won’t use the door,
only the window.

– Rumi translated by Coleman Barks

A wonderful way to spend the last full moon of the year, clearing a pathway towards 2018.

Date: Sunday 3rd December

At: Instinctive Health, Kelham Island, Sheffield

Time: 10.30 – 5.30pm

Cost: £28 early bird if booked by November 5th £35 thereafter.

To book click here and scroll down to the bottom of the page

Note: Anyone interested in signing up for the new Year 1 Butterfly group starting in January, this retreat will have a flavour of the butterfly work and would be a good opportunity for you to experience the space I hold and feel into if it is the course for you. You can find out about Butterfly course dates and content on the Butterfly page. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to get intouch. 

 

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Carly MountainWomen’s Full Moon Retreat Day