Photos show scenes from prior NY IRTs. Photos by A. MacDonald.

"The daily celebrations / mournings and the level of intimate sharing when in a large or small group …the smiles and the eye contact…"

- Ines, NYI 2006

"...they were like butterflies fluttering near my heart…"

- Phoenix, NYI 2006

"When I recognized my shift from grieving to hope and possibility I felt joy and delight and gratitude because my need for choice, personal power and learning concrete skills were met."

- Cathy, NYI 2006

To spend an extended period of time, as I did at the first NY Intensive, drinking in this model through practice, discussion and more practice, gave me the confidence and understanding I needed to implement this process in my marriage and job.

- Marty, NYI 2004

Sample Daily Schedule

To give you an idea of the daily schedule, here is last year's schedule. Although the schedule is subject to change, the program elements - several sessions during the day, each with multiple offerings, empathy groups, and evening offerings - have been consistently offered at all of the prior New York Intensives.

Session offerings before dinner are facilitated primarily by our training team. The evening program has traditionally consisted of offerings by our experienced support team, invited guests and participants.

Program Components

• Sessions: As noted elsewhere, the content of the sessions are determined by the entire community - both trainers and participants. Typically, early in the intensive, participants discuss with the trainers the topics which they would like to see covered. The trainers then use the participants' requests, as well as information from daily feedback and requests, to determine the content of each day's sessions. Last year, over 80 different presentations were made by our trainers - covering all of the topics our participants requested! Rich opportunities for learning and deepening your NVC practice await you!

• Evening Program: The evening program is based on the recognition that participants bring their own knowledge and skills to the intensive. There are typically multiple offerings during the evening program, just like during the formal training sessions. In past intensives, participants have used this opportunity to present many different kinds of offerings. These have included innovative ways of teaching NVC and descriptions of their use of NVC with specific communities such as in business and educational settings. Participants have even practiced how they might share NVC in their community and received feedback from community members. In past years, we have also brought in presenters whose offerings we believed would complement the learning of the community, such as a PlayBack Theatre group led by one of the participants and an introduction to focusing. Be ready to share, learn and play!

• Empathy Groups: A much appreciated component of the New York Intensive is the empathy groups. Participants are placed in groups of three or four based on their preference and experience with NVC. Groups meet daily for at least one hour. Groups with participants who are new to NVC have a support team member who participates in the group and supports the group in giving and receiving empathy. As staffing levels permit, groups with members who have participated in empathy groups before the Intensive may also have a support team member as part of their group. Through deep empathic connection, you can experience the beauty of having your needs deeply heard. Empathy groups contribute to healing, community building and learning.

• Meal Topics: Learning and connection also continues outside the scheduled programs. We support participants in organizing discussion tables during meals. A participant who is interested in a certain aspect of NVC might wish to talk and collaborate with other participants who share that interest. Meal topics at past intensives have included such issues as NVC and Social Justice, NVC in the Mental Health Professions, and NVC in Business. Come prepared to network with others who share a passion for what brings you alive about NVC.

• Rememberings, Celebrations and Mournings: Each morning, we begin with a remembering. Rememberings are activities presented by a community member which help connect us with our purpose in learning NVC and being in community together. Rememberings vary widely and have included readings, music, movement, and touch. Trainers typically offer the first few rememberings. Many participants also enjoy the opportunity to share a meaningful experience with the community. In the evenings, the community has space to share their celebrations of needs met and mournings of needs not met related to the day, the retreat, or some other aspects of their lives. As with the rememberings, celebrations and mournings connect us to each other, allowing us to create a shared experience that meets needs for connection, meaning, and understanding.

• Experienced Support Team: A support team of experienced trainers will be available for private empathy, mediation and coaching sessions. Trainers who comprise the support team all have extensive (40 - 100+ days) experience in NVC workshops. Support team members are available to meet with participants during sessions as well as during free time. In prior years, participants have used the support team for a variety of reasons (e.g. to mediate a long-standing conflict between folks who knew each other prior to the intensive; to receive empathy and healing on painful relationships; to learn strategies for staying in NVC consciousness with difficult family members; to discuss in greater detail some of the material presented during sessions). Support team members are eager to contribute to participants. We invite you to approach any of us, at any time.