Days 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, June 23rd - 28th, 2008

Logan - GIM Training

This past week I attended a GIM training - level 1 in Logan, Utah. I have to say I experienced many new things every day, and am very grateful for these experiences. A lot of the new experiences are very personal, so I will just share a few of the new things I experienced.

First I will give a brief synopsis on what GIM is. Not many people have heard about it. GIM is another extension of music therapy, in a psychotherapeutic form. It stands for Guided Imagery in Music. It is a therapeutic process using music and a trained facilitator to create an environment in which one can experience personal insights and possibly provide answers and guidance for important life issues. During a GIM session the therapist, after an assessment, chooses specific music to play during the session. Sessions last from 1 - 1.5 hours. The client is prepared through relaxation and breathing techniques, and given thoughts or images to think about. As the music is playing the client in a sense goes on a "journey" into their sub conscious mind, where they are able to explore things that they are currently experiencing or questions they may be having. The music helps with the journey. It was amazing to witness and experience how the music truly helps you though issues you may currently going through. As the journey takes place, the client is very much aware of what is going on around them, as well as inside, so you are not hypnotized at all. The client tells the therapist what they are experiencing throughout the event. After the experience they process what happened. It's such an amazing experience, and one that I am grateful to have been able to experience. It has helped me through several things in my life at this time. It has also intrigued me into going on to become a GIM therapist. There is a lot more schooling and training that needs to occur, but it will happen at the right time. I was also able to be trained a bit in Music and Imagery. This is a technique with the use of mandalas. These are drawings drawn in a circle to specific music. After, the pictures may be looked at or processed, as they generally contain things occurring in our sub conscious. It's a great problem solving technique, or a way to see what is occurring in our hearts at this time. This was a REALLY long week, and I came home last night exhausted physically, emotionally and mentally. I wasn't planning on it, but I stayed the weekend as well to attend several workshops at the Mountain West Songfest and Symposium occurring.

Things that I will share is on Monday, I went with a fellow trainer to Cafe Ibis in Logan. We were driving around looking for a place to have lunch, and thought it would be a good place to try. I went out on a limb and tried the tofu stir fry wrap. The tofu wasn't bad, actually I didn't even notice it. It tasted like any other kind of meat.

Tuesday and Thursday mornings, I woke up early (on own), and went for really long runs in the neighborhood I was staying at. Logan is absolutely gorgeous at this time of year!

Wednesday, my friend I was staying with took me and another friend also staying there out on Logan river and I was able to experience kayaking. This was so much fun! I laughed at myself several times trying to figure out the right way and pressure needed to row the boat correctly.

I actually drove home Friday night to return the company car, and then drove back up to Logan with a friend to attend the Saturday workshops. During our lunch break we drove out to Pepperidge Farm's company and went to their outlet store. They had T shirts with gold fish crackers on them. A lot of fun things, and really cheap cookies. It smelled SOOOOO good in the store.