Greetings Dear Reader!
As summer melts into autumn's arms, I offer you a story. I hope you enjoy it. I think it will go very well alongside a cup of your favourite tea.
Prologue
We find ourselves in dark times, and many of us are feeling the strain of this. I know that I am.
These days I find myself caught in the whirlpool of epic family feuds and second-guessing my life choices. I have been feeling that something is coming to a necessary end… but I don’t know what is coming next on the horizon. The not knowing makes me restless.
It is my business to know how to regulate myself through breath, movement and self-reflection, and I use all my tools. Still, it feels as if something is missing and I’d like to discover what it is. I remember a self who was able to bounce back more easily than now.....
I reached out the other day to a friend, who reminded me that a lot of sensitive people are having similar experiences these days. Is this true for you, dear reader? This helped me remember that I was not alone, and my energy began to open up again. As it began to flow, it brought a gift of insights. One of these insights was about the stories we tell ourselves, the ones written on our bones. We relive these stories in our emotions, nerves, hormones and psyches as often as we recite them to ourselves and to anyone else who will listen. They become stronger with repetition and over time.
Stories of suffering prolong suffering in every fibre of our beings. Stories of joy ignite joy and vibrancy in every cell of our physical and spiritual beings. The stories we choose to tell most frequently shape us and the energy around us. Those around us respond to this energy. Children and animals are often the clearest mirrors of these energies.
So, I decided to write a happy story, or perhaps it decided to write itself through me. In either case, it feels good to soak up the energy of remembering joy.
You may know that I have a great love for horses, but you may not know how this came to be.
The Story
Once upon a time, there was a young girl who LOVED horses and wanted more than anything to take riding lessons! The stars were not aligned at that time, alas…so she drew pictures, sewed little four-legged dolls, and acted out adventures. And eventually, life went on in other directions.
The girl became a woman and she was blessed with a handsome son. He grew up and found his destiny as a soldier. When he was called away to war, she was torn between love and sorrow, as you can imagine. She knew she needed to stay strong for both of them. Luckily, the fates, ancestors and angels (earth and sky) held them in a loving embrace. She was given help, and she was given medicine to help her along her path.
The medicine was simple and powerful. She was counselled to bring joy into her life, actively and regularly... It could be anything, but it needed to be very special and taken in generous doses. The answer came quickly.
It was time to fulfil her childhood dream of riding horses! As luck would have it, everything fell into place to make it so. She looked forward to her lessons and time in the barn with great anticipation. Joy put a spring in her step and a smile on her lips. It filled her and shone through her. Joy gave her strength and helped her to shine for herself and for her son.
Epilogue
This story has a very happy ending! The son returned safe, sound and strong. His mother continues to spend time with horses and to learn their language and ways. She hopes that their gentleness, generosity and sensitivity will continue to rub off on her. It feels really good to slow down and drop into sweet silence together. She is very, very grateful for the goodness in her life.
Stay tuned for another horse story next month. In the meantime, please look for your own special joy and make sure you have a big serving every day!
Sending Love and Light to you.
~ KN
art credit: Alice Mason
|
|
What do I teach?
I teach movement medicine for body, mind and spirit, based on a lifetime of exploration in dance, anatomy, yoga and qigong. My offerings include:
Traditional hatha yoga. Blending movement, breath and concentration to create equipoise.
Women's QiGong. Sensing and cultivating energy In order to skilfully clear stagnation and build health and inner resources.
Yoga Nidra. Cellular rest, amplified by guided imagery to cleanse and refresh psyche and soma.
Classes are small, which allows me to customize for your needs. My training as a yoga therapist gives me many tools to help you balance your biomechanics, your nerves, your hormones and your emotions while having fun and learning new skills!
|
|
September Public Classes
Fall classes officially begin Sunday Sept. 10. All classes are held in the Amenity Room at 21 Nassau St. Please enter through the garden pathway west of main doors. Mats and props are supplied.
Sundays
Hatha Yoga 10:30am-noon. $15
Mondays
Hatha Yoga 5:30-6:45pm. By donation.
Women's QiGong 7-8:15pm. $15.
Wednesdays
Hatha Yoga 9am-10:15am. $15
~ no class Wed. Sept. 13 ~
Thursdays
Yoga Nidra 7-8:15pm. $20.
Private classes, Yoga Therapy & Tarot available by appointment.
|
|
|
The Hanged Man
Either you are choosing, or Life is choosing for you. Either way, the message is to surrender, stop and witness. You may even feel that your world has been turned upside down! Be patient, you cannot rush this. You are being called to step back, to rest, and to take a look at things from another perspective. Like the caterpillar hanging upside down in the chrysalis, you are recalibrating and reforming yourself. Give yourself the gift of time and gentleness as you are transformed.
The Star Tarot by Cathy McClelland
|
|
|
|
Tarot communicates through a language of image, symbol, colour and feeling. It awakens our intuition and opens us up to new possibilities and potentials that lie just beyond our usual patterns. A reading can help you if you would like a fresh outlook on any aspect of your life; the cards are very loving and direct in their guidance. I would be delighted to read for you in person, by Skype or by email.
|
|
|
|
Beaming Love and Light to you right now, Dear Reader!
May all beings in all worlds know contentment, and may all hearts be at ease.
Namaste,
Karusia Nirmala
|
|
|
|
