The Network for People Fighting for Fat Rights
Abundia is Coming! Abundia is Coming!
Hi All!
So, last year, I had my first wonderful experience at Abundia. I'm so excited to be going back!
The deadline for early registration is August 17th. What is Abundia? you ask? Please check it out at www.abundia.org. In short, it is a weekend gathering for fat women. But words can't even begin to tell you how fun and inspiring and uplifting this weekend is! One must experience this great community of beautiful, talented, funny, illuminating, warm, supportive women for oneself. It is a different vibe and a different space than NAAFA or ASDAH (which both have their own wonderful vibes and experiences and people).
Abundia is held each year just outside of Chicago. This year, it will be October 23rd to 25th. If you can make it, see you there!
Here is the press release that Leeann Enright posted on the ASDAH listserve:
Fat Women Converge on Lake Michigan
For the third year in a row, fat women are predicted to converge on the shores of Lake Michigan, just north of Chicago, in late October. Reportedly, these women---who are of various ages, walks of life, and sizes of large---all reject the tyranny of thinness in their culture. Instead, they intend to support one another in a journey of body-acceptance. For them, this weekend is an affirmation that their fat bodies are acceptable, just as they are today.
Eyewitness reports of these “Abundia Retreats” document fat women laughing, swimming, walking on the beach, and engaging in pleasurable movement activities---all while being fat! They also share meals, attend workshops, exchange clothing, and talk frankly about fat issues. Can anything be done to stop them? No. Can you join them? Yes!
Retreat At-A-Glance:
October 23-25, 2009
Illinois Beach Resort & Conference Center, Zion, Illinois (www.ilresorts.com).
Room rate is $92 per night, up to 4 guests per room.
Program fee includes all retreat activities and meals. $260 if paid by August 17; $280 if paid after August 17.
About the Retreat:
Abundia is an annual weekend retreat, featuring speakers, workshops, activities, and vendors, all of which embrace size-acceptance and the Health At Every Size (HAES) philosophy. The retreat is open to all women of size who are starting or continuing on their journey of self-acceptance. Previous retreats have featured water aerobics, body-painting, fat politics, intuitive eating, body-image workshops, and private massage. Attendees are encouraged to attend as many or as few of the activities as they choose. By offering both serious and fun messages, Abundia gives women tools for navigating a world that is increasingly fat-phobic. The Abundia experience is unique, which is why many women return year-after-year.
So, last year, I had my first wonderful experience at Abundia. I'm so excited to be going back!
The deadline for early registration is August 17th. What is Abundia? you ask? Please check it out at www.abundia.org. In short, it is a weekend gathering for fat women. But words can't even begin to tell you how fun and inspiring and uplifting this weekend is! One must experience this great community of beautiful, talented, funny, illuminating, warm, supportive women for oneself. It is a different vibe and a different space than NAAFA or ASDAH (which both have their own wonderful vibes and experiences and people).
Abundia is held each year just outside of Chicago. This year, it will be October 23rd to 25th. If you can make it, see you there!
Here is the press release that Leeann Enright posted on the ASDAH listserve:
Fat Women Converge on Lake Michigan
For the third year in a row, fat women are predicted to converge on the shores of Lake Michigan, just north of Chicago, in late October. Reportedly, these women---who are of various ages, walks of life, and sizes of large---all reject the tyranny of thinness in their culture. Instead, they intend to support one another in a journey of body-acceptance. For them, this weekend is an affirmation that their fat bodies are acceptable, just as they are today.
Eyewitness reports of these “Abundia Retreats” document fat women laughing, swimming, walking on the beach, and engaging in pleasurable movement activities---all while being fat! They also share meals, attend workshops, exchange clothing, and talk frankly about fat issues. Can anything be done to stop them? No. Can you join them? Yes!
Retreat At-A-Glance:
October 23-25, 2009
Illinois Beach Resort & Conference Center, Zion, Illinois (www.ilresorts.com).
Room rate is $92 per night, up to 4 guests per room.
Program fee includes all retreat activities and meals. $260 if paid by August 17; $280 if paid after August 17.
About the Retreat:
Abundia is an annual weekend retreat, featuring speakers, workshops, activities, and vendors, all of which embrace size-acceptance and the Health At Every Size (HAES) philosophy. The retreat is open to all women of size who are starting or continuing on their journey of self-acceptance. Previous retreats have featured water aerobics, body-painting, fat politics, intuitive eating, body-image workshops, and private massage. Attendees are encouraged to attend as many or as few of the activities as they choose. By offering both serious and fun messages, Abundia gives women tools for navigating a world that is increasingly fat-phobic. The Abundia experience is unique, which is why many women return year-after-year.
Comment
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Comment by Kathy Barron on August 19, 2009 at 7:09pm
- No you won't feel strange! You'll be totally welcomed and you'll feel totally happy and glad you came! I came by myself last year -- although I did know a few people when I got there. It is a very welcoming, inclusive group -- prepare to be hugged and to laugh a lot! :))
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Comment by Heidi on August 19, 2009 at 9:13am - Oh I would SO love to attend this. I've never heard of this website...or this retreat. Would I feel strange coming by myself and not knowing anyone?
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Bring your daughter, Vivienne! :))
Kat -- I know! Summer is flying by! We have to get together! I'm promising myself to SLOW DOWN this weekend -- maybe catch a movie. I'll call you!
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Comment by Vivienne on August 12, 2009 at 8:37pm - This falls during my daughter's fall break from college :>( boo! It is a fairly close drive for me, too.
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Comment by PixieKat on August 12, 2009 at 11:04am -
Hi! I just wanted to share my take on the Abundia Retreat. I talked about the retreat in my Personal Interest Statement that I submitted with my application for the MSW program. This is what I said:
"Participants see the retreat as a haven where they may take part in any number of activities related to health issues, body awareness, relaxation, movement, self esteem, self acceptance, or any number of other issues. At the core of the retreat is a feeling of sanctuary and the knowledge that the attendees are in a safe place where they can “come as they are,” regardless of their size, weight or shape. Here, there is no judgment or pressure from society to lose weight and they are able to feel comfortable in their own bodies, some for the first time in their lives."
I'm glad to see that you are as excited as I am about the retreat (even though it means that the summer is sliding quickly away)!
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