Classes/Workshops
Exploring Paradox: February 20 - March 13, 2007
Exploring the Gifts and Opportunities of Mid-Life:A Jungian Perspective
Free Talk at Rogue Valley Metaphysical Library
258 A Street, Ashland, Oregon
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
One Sunday a month beginning September 23rd, 2007
Click for further details:
Enneagram Point Groups with Carl Marsak
PAST
Shadow, Defense Mechanisms & Self-love
Free talk: Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Workshop: Sunday, October 25, 2008
Click here for details
Exploring Shadow through Film
Tuesday evenings, April 7-14-21-28, 2009 from 6:30 - 9:30
Wednesday, April 29, 2009 6:30 - 10 pm
EXPLORING RELATIONSHIP THROUGH FILM
SCREENING & DISCUSSION OF THE FILM AMY'S O
Click for more information
Embracing the Dark Night of the Soul
OPENING ART SHOW RECEPTION WITH SPEAKER
MARLA ESTES
Saturday, October 3rd, 6:30 pm
Talent Art Gallery, 108 S. Market, Talent, Oregon
Exploring the Masculine: Inner and Outer
“The thousand and one statements that are made every day – “Isn’t that just like a
man…women are more sensitive than men” – have to be swept from the mind like
tattered autumn leaves from the garden path before it is possible to think clearly
at all.” – Margaret Mead (1949)
Our relationships with the other sex start from the inside; what I mean by this is
that within each of us exists templates, or archetypes, created by early personal
and collective conditioning (family, society, school, religious institutions,
trauma). In order to change the outside, our inner landscape needs to change.
What I am hoping to do through this series of classes is to explore which templates
are in operation within each one of us, and see if there are ways that we can open
up to a broader spectrum of our experience of maleness, using film as the main
way into these questions.
The other component of our exploration will be in which ways masculine traits
exist inside of us. Jungians offer the thought that the feminine brings us into the
depths and the masculine shows us how to get things done out in the world. (This
isn't about which gender we are ~ it's about how we use masculine and feminine
principles inside of ourselves). We'll have a look at who the male inside of us is, how
he helps or hinders us in the world, and how we project him outside
The Global Forum: Asking the Great Questions of Life
R. Lang, R. Moeschl, J. Excell, Roy Kindell, Ed Hirsch, Marla Estes, Steve Scholl
Sunday, October 18th ~Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 87 Fourth Street
For more information Click here
Exploring Relationship through Film
Many of us want to move into new paradigms of love and relationship. How might
we wean ourselves from the myth of romantic love? How can we keep the beauty
of romance and yet break the spell of its illusion? How might we drop projections
and expectation of the Other? How can we move away from family of origin issues
in our marriages? How can we grow as individuals in our relationships? How can
we get over what John Bradshaw calls "Post-Romantic Stress Disorder"? How does
the "Battle of the Sexes" play into our relationships? What does the statement 'only
those who are already married can actually get married' mean? What is the
relationship between love, loss and dependency? How do affairs fit in? These are
some of the mysteries that we will be exploring in this class.
Awakenings Through Film
Presented at OLLI at SOU ~ 5 Thursdays, Feb 11 - Mar 11, 1 to 4 pm
We will be exploring various kinds of awakenings in films and how we can use
them to help us to awaken more fully in our own lives.
Exploring Women's Themes through Film
Presented at OLLI at SOU, Medford campus ~ 5 Thursdays, April 1-29, 1 to 4 pm
Exploring the arc of transformation in women's lives through a series of 5 films
EXPLORING THE UNLIVED LIFE
Marla Estes, M.A. and Mary Marquiss
August 13 - 14, 2010    Bend, OregonSliding Scale - $75 - $95 / Limit: 8 Students
All of us have a long black bag we drag behind us filled with all the aspects of
ourselves that weren't safe to show or that were rejected by our growing-up
environment. This is called our "shadow." Some of us think of the shadow as the
evil or bad parts of ourselves, parts that we want to be rid of. But to be whole we
need to integrate all of our facets and embrace all that we are. For instance,
anger is an emotion that, particularly for women, is discouraged by our culture.
Yet there is a lot of power and ability in the constructive use of anger. Also, many
of us have put our creativity in the black bag; we may have been shamed or
found "not good enough" when we were young. And it takes a lot of energy to keep
the shadow hidden, like a beach ball that you try to hold under water.
Which parts of you have remained in your "shadow"?
Through this one and a half day workshop, explore parts of yourself that may be
unlived, hidden or repressed through creating art and discussion.
The Battle of the Sexes: Dead or Alive
Is the Battle of the Sexes really over? Do we give lip service to how things should
be, but keep the “Battle” alive unconsciously? How does it show up in our personal
relationships? What can we do to create something new?
Join Our Conversation to Explore These Questions
Thursday ~ June 24, 2010 ~  Ashland Public Library, Gresham Room ~ Free
“As we began to look at all our personal concerns from a global perspective, we
could see that the patterns ofcontrol, denial and projection that sabotage intimate
relationships are the very patterns that endanger the world. To change these
patterns is to change not just our social lives but our relationship to the planet.”
~Terrance O’Connor
Who Does She Think She Is?
Film Screening, Art Exhibit and Discussion
Friday, Sept 24th, 2010, 6:30 - 9:00
RCC/SOU Presentation Hall, 101 S. Bartlett, Medford        Admission Free
Click here for more information
Exploring the Chaos of Relationship
"By refusing chaos, we are in danger of losing eros too" ~ James Hillman
Delve into the mystery of dynamics of relationship in this 6-session course
Facilitators Dr. Zan E. Nix and Marla Estes, M.A.
Click here for flyer
Exploring Hatred
A One-Day Workshop: Sunday, October 17th - $30-80, sliding scale
"Mind blowing, life changing, life enhancing. It has opened me up to Love."
~ Betsy Lewis, past participant
Hatred is one of our culture’s strongest taboos, even more taboo than anger. It is
considered “politically and spiritually incorrect.” But hatred is simply an emotion
that comes “naturally.” We only have to look at young children to see this,
especially with the birth of a younger sibling. Acknowledging and owning our
own hatred and finding a safe way to express it is in fact a way to our wholeness.
Much work along this same way of thinking has been done in the past decade
regarding the emotion of anger.
The School of the Examined Life
presents New Outlooks in Two Evenings:
White Privilege ~ Weds, February 9 ~ 7 to 9 pm
Rethinking Hatred ~ Weds, February 23 ~ 7 to 9 pm
Peace House, 543 S. Mountain, Ashland
Click here for details
Exploring Father & Daughter Relationships
Feb 26 ~ Mar 26 ~ April 16 ~ May 28 ~ June 18, 2011
Click here for details
Exploring Self~Love
Can we fully take in our own beauty? Can we have a love affair with our true
nature? What blocks us from self~love?
Delve into these questions in a small group setting thru inquiry & art.
Sunday, May 1st ~ 10 to 6pm  Sliding Scale: $35 – 80
Click here for details
Exploring Fathers and Sons through Film
For men, whether you're a father, a son, or both, this class will allow you to
explore the dynamics that have been (or still are) alive for you. For women,
whether you are a sister, wife, mother or daughter, this class will give you an
opportunity to explore men’s experience.
Click here for more details
Exploring Transitions through Film For Women
A One-Day Workshop
Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly.
Passages mark the end of something, but they also forecast a new beginning.
In a small group of women, using discussion, exercises and an inspiring film,
explore the hopes and fears of your current transition, whether it be through
divorce, loss, job change, empty nest or any change of life stage.
Saturday, May 26th ~ 10 am – 6 pm Sliding Scale, $50 – $100
Click here for flyer

"This workshop was one of the best one day-ers that I've ever been to; your
attention to detail & all the layers and levels of working with shadow, both
personal & collective, was superb. " ~ Jack Leishman, Ashland, OR

"Ms. Estes is exceedingly learned in the psychology of relationships and personal
development which renders her guidance at once both scholarly and intimately
personal. The experience is deep; it's moving, and it's informative. It definitely
creates an opening for important breakthroughs to new levels..."  
~ R.N., Ashland, Oregon

"Marla’s work is both transcendental and practical, profound and down to earth."
~ S.L. Ashland, Oregon
For more information or to register for classes, please email
marla16@charter.net or phone 541 482 4948

Introduction to The School of the Examined Life:
A One Day Workshop
“The unexamined life is not worth living” ~ Socrates
Using film, discussion and self-inquiry, we will be pondering what it is to live as a
fully feeling human being, exploring some of the emotions that we may have
pushed aside. Space limited to 9 participants
Apr 21 ~ June 2
Special Introductory Price: $20



Exploring Emotions through Film Series
"Emotion is the chief source of all becoming-conscious. There can be no
transforming of darkness into light and of apathy into movement without
emotion." ~ Carl Jung
In these one and a half day workshops, we will explore various emotions through
watching film, lecture, exercises and discussion.
Envy
Friday, April 12         6:00 to 10:00 pm
Sat, April 14                  10 to 5 pm    
          
Betrayal: May 31/June 1    
Space limited to 9 participants ~ $75
Sliding Scale Available (upon request)
Nurture & Nourish Workshop
"Treat your body so well that your soul has pleasure living in it."
* What truly nourishes you? * What obstacles do you face in nourishing
yourself? * How can you feed yourself physically, emotionally, spiritually?
Through yoga, film, discussion & self-inquiry, explore these questions & more.
Nutritious snacks and lunch included.
Friday, October 26th, 2012 ~ Saturday, October 27th, 2012
$75 – 115, sliding scale
Co-Facilitator: Sarah Swales, Certified Yoga Teacher
Exploring Mothers & Daughters through Film
"When I stopped seeing my mother with the eyes of a child, I saw the woman who
helped me give birth to myself." ~ N. Friday
There are two kinds of mothers: too much and too little (or both!). Whether you
are a mother, a daughter, or both, join us in exploring Mother/Daughter
relationships through film & discussion in an intimate group of 10 women.
One Sunday per month   1 – 6 pm: Sept 30 ~ Oct 28 ~ Nov 25  ~ Dec 16 ~ Jan 27
~ Feb 24 ~ Mar 31 ~ Apr 28 ~ May 26
Cost: sliding scale starting at $270 to $720 ~ 9 sessions
CLASS FULL
Exploring Dying as a Way to Live More Fully
“How Shall I Live, Knowing I Will Die?" ~ Wayne Muller
In this ongoing group, explore your relationship to life, death & dying through
film, discussion & self-inquiry.
Space limited to 9 participants
Saturday afternoons: Feb 16 ~ Mar 30 ~ April 20 ~ May 25, 2013
1 pm to 6 pm
4 sessions $160, sliding scale available upon request
CLASS FULL