Yosemite Association Brings Nationally Renowned Writer Natalie Goldberg to Yosemite for Writing Workshop

Best selling author, featured on the Oprah show, to coach April 12-14 creative writing session.

Nationally renowned author, Natalie Goldberg, will be the 2005 featured guest author for the Yosemite Association’s popular writing workshop. The workshop, entitled “Natalie Goldberg: The World Come Home to Me” – will take place April 12 through 14 in Yosemite Valley.

Workshop attendees will have the opportunity to mingle with Ms. Goldberg at a welcome reception at The Ahwahnee hotel on April 12. Throughout the next two days, the best-selling author will lead a variety of coaching exercises using non-traditional teaching methods and first-person experiences to inspire greater creativity and artistry. Several optional activities, such as guided interpretive programs, meditative walks and sensory awakening exercises will be offered as an accompaniment to the writing skills sessions.

Ms. Goldberg is the author of Writing Down The Bones: Freeing The Writer Within in 1986, which broke open the world of creativity and started a revolution in writing practices in this country. The book has sold over one million copies and has been translated into nine languages. Since then, she has written eight additional books, including: Banana Rose; Living Color: A Writer Paints Her World; and her latest release The Greatest Failure. Ms. Goldberg is also an accomplished painter, and her lively watercolors are exhibited in a Taos, New Mexico art gallery.

For the past 25 years, Ms. Goldberg has been practicing Zen meditation and teaching life-changing seminars to people from around the world. She has earned recognition for her inspirational coaching methods and has been featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show.

The course fee is $196 for Yosemite Association members and $230 for non-members. YA members can receive 20% off lodging at The Ahwahnee and Yosemite Lodge for the workshop dates. Advanced reservations are required and space is limited. For more information and to register, call (209) 379-2321 or visit online at www.yosemite.org.

Founded in 1923, the Yosemite Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to the support of Yosemite through its volunteer, publishing, outdoor education, and other programs. Since its inception in 1971, the award-winning Outdoor Adventures program has been growing steadily, reflecting the public’s continuing interest in quality outdoor education. Over 80 courses are offered January through November and are taught by experienced park rangers, professional naturalists, photographers and field scientists.

Yosemite Association memberships start at $35 per year and benefits include discounted room rates in and around Yosemite, a 15% discount on all outdoor adventures, subscription to Yosemite, the Association’s quarterly journal, regular email newsletters, and a 15% discount on all books, maps, posters and calendars sold by YA.

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