THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 26, 1995 TAG: 9510240548
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DAWSON MILLS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 96 lines
Self-improvement is hot. Books, tapes and videos on the subject are constantly finding their way onto best-seller lists, with some demonstrating considerable staying power.
But until recently, there hasn't been - outside of academia - a place where one could go to sample a variety of self-improvement ideas with others in an informal, lighthearted and fun manner.
Andrea Evans, 40, of Norfolk hopes to remedy that. On Oct. 3 she opened the ReSource Practice in the 2200 block of Colonial Avenue in Ghent. Armed with a mailing list and the support of like-minded friends and colleagues, between now and December the center has scheduled 17 workshops, seminars and productions.
Included are such topics as ``Drawing Out the Best in You,'' ``Care of the Soul'' and ``Your Ideal Life.'' There's also ``Drum Making'' (in the Native American tradition) and ``Tool Kit for Journaling.'' Programs vary from one to 10 sessions; some last a full day. Evans has rounded up a lengthy list of facilitators, teachers, spiritual counselors, performers and others to conduct the sessions.
For the holidays, the center has scheduled two performances each of ``Tidewater's Own Tool Timers Meet Designing Women and Exchange Christmas Gift Ideas'' and ``A Dickens Kind of Christmas.''
Evans is betting the rent that there are enough people in Hampton Roads who will come to informal and interesting non-credit workshops and events. Before opening the ReSource Practice she quit her job at Old Dominion University, where she had worked for nine years as a TV producer, to devote herself full-time to her dream.
``You sink your life savings into something like this,'' Evans explained. ``For the past three years I've been saving money to do this. I've started it on a shoestring. But while at ODU, I'd gotten involved with a lot of self-improvement, professional and personal growth. I knew I wanted to start my own business. It just came to me that I had done enough experiential workshops to convey motivational and informational ideas to others.''
She currently is conducting a four-session workshop entitled ``Daring to Live on Purpose'' that began meeting Oct. 11. While working at ODU, Evans, an award-winning producer, was responsible for more than 100 national and international live broadcasts and video productions, primarily dealing with ``people'' issues.
It appears that she may be on to something.
On a recent evening, four people came to meet for two hours to learn about journaling. Pamela Brothers-Denyes conducted the class, leading her students through a series of exercises designed to increase their awareness and skills.
Each received a two-page list, ``Tips and Tools for Journal Journeys,'' and a one-page resource list containing 16 titles for additional reading on the subject. Afterward, all four spoke highly of the experience.
Linda Daniels, 54, of Virginia Beach, is the proprietor of Lymphodynamics. She had learned of the ReSource Practice from a friend and patient.
``I used to journal and wanted to get started again,'' she said. ``I wanted a little motivation to get going. Right now it feels like it worked.''
Joan Ruffin, 54, also of Virginia Beach, had come with Daniels. A customer service representative for an insurance company, Ruffin explained that the course ``gave me some new tools. I liked the participation; she lets you participate. You really get some deep thoughts, soul searching.''
Ghent resident Jackie Ball, 40, had heard about the course directly from Evans.
``I got a lot of what I wanted,'' she observed. ``It blows me out of the rut. It's not often adults get a chance or place to play.''
Todd Corbet, 46, an architect from Virginia Beach, had learned about the ReSource Practice at the Unity Church in Chesapeake that he attends.
Describing his efforts at keeping a journal, Corbet noted:
``I'm not terribly good at it. I decided to come down to pick up some pointers. I'm trying to expand my understanding of myself. It brought up techniques I think I can use. It was fun.''
The course offerings strike a nerve with many people, especially middle-class baby-boomers taking a midlife inventory and deciding a few course corrections - minor or major - might be in order. For the generally well-educated clientele Evans hopes to reach, the message is that it's never too late to learn something or have fun. Her goal is to offer both at the same time.
``People need a place to put tools into action,'' Evans explained.
Only the Heritage Bookstore and Dolphin Tales, bookstores in Virginia Beach, offer programs that are even similar to hers, she says. But by bringing together so many disciplines that contribute to the nurture of the inner self, she envisions a specific niche for the ReSource Practice.
In the not-too-distant future Evans plans to add seminars on African art, parenting, productivity and storytelling to broaden the appeal of her course offerings. MEMO: For more information on the ReSource Practice, call Andrea Evans at
489-1112.
ILLUSTRATION: Photo by DAWSON MILLS
Andrea Evans opened ReSource Practice in early October.
by CNB