Story Fragments:
Weaving Nature, Memory, and Meaning
In yoga, there is a practice called pratyahara, often described as a turning of our attention inward. Instead of being pulled around by every sound, sight, or thought, we pause and really notice what’s here. In this community, we’ll treat our time on the island as a week-long pratyahara practice, using our senses not to get overwhelmed, but to quietly listen for what feels meaningful, beautiful, or alive in the everyday.
Each day we’ll slow down enough to feel the breeze, notice the light on the water, or overhear a small moment of conversation — and then gently turn that experience inward, asking what it stirs in us. From there, we’ll create simple “story fragments” in words or small sculptures made from found natural materials. This is pratyahara as finding the sacred in the mundane: letting our senses open the door, and then following the thread inward to insight, imagination, and connection.
About Emily Arnold
Emily is a poet, professional facilitator, and yoga teacher. She holds an undergraduate degree in creative writing and environmental studies from Georgetown University and a master’s degree in development studies from the University of Cambridge. Professionally, she designs and facilitates experiential learning programs for adults in research commercialization and startup acceleration. Her work includes creating immersive peer-learning curricula that encourage creativity, reflection, and shared discovery. She integrates principles from Theory U, drawing on Jungian and anthroposophical frameworks for deep listening and collective insight. As a 500-hour certified teacher in vinyasa and Jivamukti yoga, Emily brings practices of pranayama, meditation, and embodiment into all her programs. Her background in designing transformative learning experiences and her own artistic practice as a poet, singer, and illustrator make her uniquely skilled in guiding creative exploration. She believes art is a way of connecting deeply to place, discovering community, and engaging with stillness.