{"id":109739,"date":"2026-02-24T12:54:19","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T17:54:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fxv.digital\/cool\/?p=109739"},"modified":"2026-03-17T22:51:46","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T02:51:46","slug":"workshops-that-inspire-creativity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fxv.digital\/cool\/2026\/02\/24\/workshops-that-inspire-creativity\/","title":{"rendered":"Creativity First: Creating Spaces That Inspire"},"content":{"rendered":"

At CoolSpeak<\/a>, we believe engagement starts with connection. Before strategies, before outcomes, before the lesson plan even begins, there\u2019s a feeling we create in the room to inspire creativity. For poet, educator, and spoken-word artist Natasha \u201cnatty\u201d Carrizosa<\/a>, that feeling starts with something simple yet powerful: breath.<\/p>\n

In this reflection, natty shares how creating \u201cbreathing room\u201d helps students feel safe enough to take risks, find their voice, and step into their creativity.<\/p>\n

Breathing Room: Creating Workshops That Inspire Creativity from Students<\/h4>\n

The word inspire<\/strong> comes from the Latin inspirare<\/strong> – to breathe into.<\/p>\n

Before I write, speak, teach, perform, before I ask a single question, I think about breath. How can I breathe life, laughter, love, and acceptance into them\/this classroom\/this teacher – whatever they need to find creativity; how can I do\/be that?<\/p>\n

Because a stranger can take your breath away.<\/p>\n

The unknown, anxiety, judgment, fear – all of these things can take your breath away.
\nBut, so can a poem.<\/p>\n

So can the young star who never speaks but got enough courage to share because of something I said or did.<\/p>\n

What I Do:<\/h4>\n

I always ask this question<\/strong>: \u201cRaise your hand if you don\u2019t like writing?<\/p>\n

This question normalizes resistance, surfaces fear without shame, and lets students know I see them before asking them to produce anything.<\/p>\n

The responses I get:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. It makes my hand hurt.<\/li>\n
  2. I don\u2019t know what to write.<\/li>\n
  3. Someone told them they couldn\u2019t.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    My goal: make them feel brave and seen.<\/strong><\/p>\n