hOMnaturale - yoga & lifestyle with Rebecca J. Briggs

Wisdom from a Mayan Elder regarding 2012

2012-01-22T12:18:00.000-08:00

Hello all,

I recently got a link via a facebook friend that shared a Mayan Elders' view on the year 2012.

First off, as relayed by the Mayan Elders interviewed for the article, the Mayan calender does not end in 2012 because it was considered the end of the world, but rather the year marks a transition from an old system or cycle, to a new cycle that flows from year to year, called the "Fifth Sun".

The new cycle, or shift, is from our egocentric positioning (basically) to one based on the element of ether. The ether element is ENERGY itself, waves or vibrations of ether affect all of life on earth and in the universe.

Here are some of Mayan Elder, Carlos Barrios', thoughts:

We live in a world of energy. An important task at this time is to learn to sense or see the energy of everyone and everything -- people, plants, animals. This becomes increasingly important as we draw close to the world of the Fifth Sun, for it is associated with the element 'ether' -- the realm where energy lives and weaves.

Go to the sacred places of the Earth to pray for peace, and have respect for the earth which gives us our food, clothing and shelter. We need to reactivate the energy of these sacred places. That is our work.

A simple, but effective prayer and meditation technique is to light white or soft blue candles and set an intention as you gaze into and through the energy of the light. Think of peace. Think of a moment when you were peaceful and the energy around you or the planet appeared as peaceful.

Speak your intention to the flame and send the light of it to all the leaders who have power to make war or peace. Send the light of it directly to your own heart and turn your heart into a conduit of the peace which you will be able to share with every person, animal, plant and space you encounter. Spreading peaceful energy where you walk.

Have a lovely snowy Sunday and Namaste,
I honor the light that is in me, and in you, and in all of us, may we shine it on!!

Rebecca

A NEW YEAR set with NEW INTENTIONS

2012-01-08T14:55:00.000-08:00

It's been far too long since I've blogged, but vacations are always great to refresh one's incite.

My staying away from the internet was not to retreat from cyber stimulation, but more because I haven't had a computer to access at home since my mac hardware broke down last May. It was also in big part due to some major changes in my social life, which distracted me from networking via the web, while at the same time expanded my networking in real time relations. All good in retrospect.

I am joyfully still a single mom, yoga teacher and healthy lifestyle advocate. I teach yoga and Pilates at two well established locations in the community I live in, and also work at the local Alternative Food Cooperative, where I am the organic produce buyer and educator.

In June my son and I moved from the pasteural seaside village of Matunuck, into the heart of the cool little southern RI town of Wakefield, and we now get to walk and bike to work and to school. All good things.

I met new people via a summer job waitressing, and became enamored with one young fellow and indeed have many new, exciting and different friends. A mix of people full of challenging complications due to their own personal attachments to alcohol, drugs, sex and work. I've seen myself revisit a few old patterns, both painful and joyful.

Yes, I've been happy. That's my nature; it's all of our nature to be happy; it comes from within and is easily accessible when we open our hearts. But through all the new relations I lost focus on my highest intentions for my son and I. Something I remind my students never to forget.

My highest Intention for the new year is to be more professional and mindful while providing for my self and my son. To dream big and aim high, and to put the work in.

Yes, I've been inspired by a new love and friendship; these heartfelt human attachments have made me recognize how important connecting with people is, and how we are all mirrors of each other reflecting our darknesses and light. But I've also recognized that my desire to be in the company of others has fragmented my focus on self and family; distracted by, or addicted to an impossible love. A love I know I need to transform into a flexible friendship, so to move on and grow personally and as a parent. The love will always be there as a respectful friendship, as long as my heart stays honest with what's important to me.

Regardless, recognizing the lessons I've learned through 2011, with no regrets or self-judgement, I am now ready to come back hOMe to my highest self and truest intentions. It's time to refocus on aspirations for growth and prosperity, to live the life I want for my son and I, and to be able to give back to others and explore what the world has to offer.

What is your intention? How do you wish to be in 2012?

Remembering that all you wish to be is already within you; it's truly a matter of putting effort into practice.

Look inside. What do you like about yourself? What do you wish to change? I said in class today, "we need to churn all the parts of who we are, dark and light", so that what rises up from the milky ocean of chaos and dreams is true to who we are and to our highest hopes. Accept the poison that rises up and transform it into something beautiful.

I wish you all success in the fulfillment of your intentions and resolutions. Go to your edge, respect your limitations and always treat yourself with self regard.

Namaste,
Rebecca

TOES to the EARTH and SKY!! OUTDOOR YOGA with REBECCA Tuesdays 9:15 AM / Saturdays 4:15 PM

2011-05-14T17:45:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to all of the mothers I love and respect!

2011-05-08T06:06:00.000-07:00

On Children
by Kahlil Gibran

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts.
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.

My Birthday Weekend - Crossing the Threshold into May and the Beltane Shakti Bhakti Blooming of Life

2011-05-01T19:57:00.000-07:00

These buds are soaked and ready for shakti sun beams. In the Tantric Yoga Philosophy and mythic story, Shiva, the male energy, is the sun ... the powerful presence; Shakti, the female energy, is the sunbeam ... the creative essence. Shiva's the rainstorm's rainbow; Shakti's the light beaming colors of the rainbow. Basically, You need the idea of the ONE, to have the creation of the ONE.

Speaking of needs, most of this early spring I've been feeling S.A.D. (seasonal affective disorder) and have been eagerly awaiting more sun, some warmth and the color. I've been eager to evolve, to make some breakthroughs through my mainly self-constructed mental barriers.

, The gentle rains have been good though, and I know we need the cleansing and nourishing effects of a good downpour. And even without the rain, the shadow of a looming cloud cover can draw us inside for some deep reflection.

Keeping our internal conversations positive takes fortitude and devotion if we want to break through melancholy, depression, self-doubt or denial and instead bnurture our strengths and potential. Bhakti yoga practices celebrate Devoting ourselves to our Higher Good and to God. (Bhakti is the yoga of devotion.)

Waking up and Celebrating the 'WOW'ness of life through the Bhakti practices of japa mantra, prayer, inspirational song or kirtan/chanting, as well as practicing the physical art of asana in hatha yoga, are ways to quickly flow within the currents of the heart, which helps us lead an authentic life.

Also When we purposefully take time to pause and be mellow, to settle the mind and meditate, we can sit in a stillness that is not melancholy. Instead, like a raindrop's ripple on a placid pond, we can settle without attachment to expectations or fears, and let incite reveal waves of big ideas and happy out looks.

I celebrated my 48th birthday this weekend (April 30th) and it was a lovely day, albeit cloudy and grey. The day before and the day after were both sunny and bright, which I celebrated by meditating on the ocean wall at the Pier in Narragansett. A shout out to the magnificent sea!

April started out tough, but by my mother's birthday mid month, and the family outing of bowling and birthday wishes we shared, I was feeling the essence of a creative renewal. A turning of the tide, and the April showers and sweet sprinklings became really lovely- fun opportunities for my son and I to revel in.

My yoga practices have deepened as well, and my teachings and students are evolving beautifully. They are all so generously appreciative of my classes, which makes me feel even more opening of the heart which is especially nice after recently releasing heart stings to the man I've been in relationship with off and on for the past six and a half years. I now feel more compassion than ever for others.

My son Shane and I have been spending more quality time together than we did most of the winter when many of my days were spent stressing over needing to buy a car, dwindling finances, getting over the flu and relationship dramas.

At last, I'm over all that, and feel as if I've made it through a threshold this spring. It's beauty in the making. My son has made wonderful progress too as a student and young gentleman. He received an "OUTSTANDING EFFORT" award at the end of March and has grown physically so much too since last April 2010 and even has his two front teeth! (check out photo of us on the beach a year ago compared to him on the wetlands crossing at Trustom pond.) Wow!

How do we appreciate each day, and each moment? By savouring the preciousness of each smile, each funny remark, each amazing spark of wit and beam of wisdom, and holding it all dear without being attached to the fear of seeing it pass. It's like springs newness fleeting into the full blooms of summer.

Spring is so innocent in it's effort to be something fuller. It's the innocence of nature's potential breaking through. It's the intelligence of the Divine cycling with patterns of certainty and chaos. A windmill blowing spaciousness into currents or a raindrop pattering ripples on still water. Lovely predictability and awesome wonder. It's in us during this time, and it's all around us.

We have to wake up to it. To set intentions to live each day to our full potential; the sudden death in April of my dear friend and community farmer, Mac Hedgpath, reminded me of that. He lived with a permanent smile on his face, and stood tall to the task of teaching and feeding others. What an offering of heart. His life fulfilled such glorious dharma.

Living life as we want it to be, as our message, and being the change we want to see in this world as Ghandi said, can be living with effortful ease. I feel strongly that Fortitude and Love will help us break through the thresholds that hold us back. We must do the work, like an acorn bursting through it's hard exterior to sprout and grow into a hardy Oak.

I've been practicing Sianna Sherman's Anusara Mythic Yoga Classes this weekend in celebration of the Bhakti Beltane Tour being held outwest amongst the Anusara Yoga Kula (community). I'd love to be with my dear friend SamanthaShakti at the Shakti Yoga Shala in Boulder Creek, dancing the dance of Nataraj and May's flowering, with the fortitude of Durga and beauty of Uma, but I enjoyed being there in spirit and celebrated my bday with a lot of yoga and Thai Massage sessions- which bought me and Shane an awesome to-go TRIO chowder dinner on the wall Friday night, and a night of spirited folk music. ANd then for Saturday, a bottle of Petite Syrah (Syrah grapes are what Bradley grows at Big Basin Vineyards) and organic vegetables for a home-cooked birthday meal.

Shakti Yoga Shala above Big Basin Vineyards Winery, Boulder Creek, CA. www.shaktiyogashala.com and w

Durga riding the lion with fortitude.

Fortitude comes in the form of developing and being steadfast with practices that serve your highest purpose; for me it's my regular practices of Yoga and meditation, it's journaling for self reflection and it's chanting mantras or singing songs that make me smile, and strengthen my will to push myself to do my very best, to be a leader, to evolve.

I trust my practices will continue to support my highest intentions to be the best mother and teacher I can be. It takes steadfast courage and fortitude. The word courage comes from the french word, Coure - from the heart, and it's courage that keeps me focused on my higher purpose, aligned with the current of my heart. It takes courage and fortitude to be "out there" marketing my skills. It takes courage and fortitude to live a life of purpose and beauty and earn a living doing it. It takes courage and fortitude to maintain the practices necessary to make breakthroughs were needed.

May the threshold of spring bring this light and fire into your heart, and may your greatest dreams come true.

Namaste~
Rebecca

This takes fortitude:
"You've got to GET up every morning with a SMILE on your face
And show the WORLD ALL the LOVE in your HEART,
Then people are gonna' treat you better,
Your gonna' find, yes you will,
That your BEAUTIFUL,
As you Feel."
Carole King
Tapestry www.caroleking.com

Un Earth the Earth in you - Ground with Nature and Flow with the Pulsations of Life

2011-04-22T10:05:00.000-07:00

"If we persist on this path of healing and growing.
We may find ourselves in a new set of conditions
where the patterns of opportunities correspond directly
to the pattern of our own nature."
JG Bennett

Use the early spring rains as an inspiration to cleanse your physical and emotional self and make room for a fresh flow of new opportunities.

This blog post and yoga practice highlights has sprung from a recent class I took with Anusara yoga teacher and graceful goddess, Virayoga founder, Elena Brower (as brought to me via the wonderful Yogaglo cyber-connected kula). Elena presented me with an opportunity to open up to what lays rich inside of me, in my silent space. I pass segments of her class on to you here in part, so that maybe you too can soar from the soil of your own incite and compassion.

During our lifetime many of us become attached to patterns of behavior, or to people and things that do not serve our greater purpose.

These attachments can be in the form of addictions to people, or to drugs, alcohol, tobacco, coffee or even to the expectations we have of ourselves and others, or most commonly to our own negative thought patterns.

These addictions, or attachments, are not in line with our higher truths, and limit our choices in life, causing us to be emotionally off centered, fearful and reactive. When we respond to people or situations in this way, wether held internally or expressed externally, our anger gets harbored in the liver like toxic waste.

The liver and gall bladder are our primary chemical processing factories. The liver stores whatever toxins our body does not eliminate. The liver also manufactures and breaks down hormones; it holds vitamins, minerals and glycogen, which when working well eventually releases glucose (sugar) into the bloodstream to fuel our bodies, but when worn out or slowed down by toxins the liver can make us very ill.

A simple home yoga flow that begins with an intention to be more attentive and sensitive to our liver and gall bladder can help cleanse and restore these organs and open our lives up to possibilities more in line with our higher good. Begin by first greeting yourself by bowing your chin to your chest and by placing your left hand beneath your right rib cage to where the liver, the largest gland in our body sits at up to 4 pounds; we can then begin to inhale a big, grace-filled breath into the organ, letting the warm blanket of our hands rise with fullness.

Warm your body up with a few sun salutations, letting the simple and essential breath lead the way. Flow into a pigeon pose while hugging the front and back knees in toward each other lifting your organs up, creating space, and then root your tailbone down toward the earth to ground and settle into a seat of possibility, like a bird perched yet ready to fly.

Next flow into another round of sun salutations and then come sweetly down to your knees preparing for ustrasana (camel pose) with toes tucked under and heels hugging in. From this steady and strong foundation gently flow with the breath as you lift one arm up and over your head to the back of your thighs or heels, which will open up the liver and gall bladder channels. Proceed with the lifting of the other arm being steady and strong in the legs while you lengthen your spine and lift up from your heart. Keeping your thighs spirally in towards each other and back toward the wall behind you feel the spaciousness of the back body and tuck your tailbone toward the earth further grounding into a strong foundation while you lean into the support of the universe in the back body.

Follow in a soft peaceful acceptance of Self in a gentle forward fold in child pose; softening your heart to the floor as you keep your knees wide apart to keep the liver channel (along the inside of your legs) open and flowing. Rest your forhead on the earth and bring your hands into prayer pose (anjale mudra). Here rest and restore your organs and your mindset by melting between your shoulder blades and softening your brow toward your heart as opposed to scrunching it up toward the unnerving, chattering mind. Be open to grace, and of a newfound freedom from struggle.

"If we persist on this path of healing, we may find ourselves in a new set of conditions where the patterns of opportunities correspond directly to the pattern of our own nature." --- the flowing peaceful nature of being more sensitive to your organs and to the possibility of freeing yourself from the restricted choices that no longer serve you or those you love.

God bless your intentions, especially in this, the season of rebirth and renewal.

Namaste,
Rebecca

The Risk it takes to bloom...

2011-04-03T12:16:00.000-07:00

"And then the day came when the risk to remain
tight in a bud was more painful than the risk
it took to blossom."

~Anais Nin

Poetry that Inspires - what is it telling you? Listen with the ear of the heart.

2011-03-31T17:50:00.000-07:00

I've recently been scrutinizing an emotion inside of me which has affected how I perceive the challenges I'm faced with at work - my day job - not teaching yoga, but advocating, educating, and providing organic produce to my community as a not-for-profit natural food cooperative's produce buyer. It doesn't pay much and it's part time, but I am devoted to supporting healthy lifestyles and being a part of the organic whole foods community which supports sustainability = shopping and eating local and organic (and in bulk) whenever possible. Since my days as a URI college student when I first began to make my own food purchases, I've been a working member of this cooperative; that's since the early 80's.

Granted, I am extremely grateful to have a job, but what a drag, when I feel a lack of respect among a few of the people I work with. I must not be respecting myself, for this to be occurring. So I ponder... why don't I utilize more of my skills and practice my yoga off the mat... why do I work with heart, yet feel that my heart is squandered there? After all, I am the captain of my own Soul.

I recently watched the movie Invictus starring Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela. The film tackles the challenges that faced South Africa in 1995, when newly elected President Mandela had the enormous task of inspiring a nation to forget their past (which was irrevocably stained by aparthaid's violent hatreds and isolationism), and to instead let go of revenge and forgive the oppressiveness befelled by their fellow countrymen. President Mandela from his first days in office looked forward with pride knowing that this nation of individuals, blacks and whites, could become united under one flag, one national anthem, and one encouragable Rugby team; a team which with President Mendala's encouragement represented the country's will to change, and determination to excell beyond expectations.

I think of how minor my challenges are compared to what the South African people faced. The poem that inspired President Mandela to persevere while in prison for over 27 years, also inspired the South African Springbok Rugby team captain to accept the possible; that poem, Invictus, has been presented to me as well via the film and oddly coincidentily in a piece on NPR today.

In every circumstance we must recognize that are own thoughts, words and actions can change our perceptions and our realities. I know that when I gracefully align my life with my highest aspirations for myself, and with the grace of universal goodness that flows within me and throughout, then I can live a life more worthy of what my spirit and soul has to offer. It's up to me to feel better at work, and no one else's actions can change that. It's up to me to respectfully grow beyond what is seemingly bringing me down, because ultimately it is my own misgivings and perceptions of what ails me, that only I can accept and then let go of. Only I can change my story and create the life I want to lead.

Nelson Mendala's spirit was continually uplifted when he recited to himself this old English poem, Invictus, written in 1875 by English poet, William Ernest Henley. Read the poem yourself, just as the captain of the South African Rugby Team did when his President shared it with him. Let the ear in your chest speak to your soul and renew your courage and spirit to go beyond who you are today, with more acceptance and willingness to grow.

Invictus Poem

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

Invictus Poem by William Ernest Henley.

KICK YOUR BOOTS OFF YOGA - Next Session: April 10th "Live in the Soul, and Dance with Shri!"

2011-03-19T21:07:00.000-07:00

Big Thank YOU to my many dedicated students who made February and March's KICK YOUR BOOTS OFF YOGA workshops so much fun and full of shri!

PHOTO is of a SUNDAY morning Rebecca Yoga Class in the beautiful River Bend Athletic Club Yoga Studio, winter 2011.

I know it's not easy to give your Sunday afternoons to a few extra hours indoors when family is wanting us around and/or we're wanting family around, or we're just plain needing down time, so it is that I again thank those of you who were and are able to come out to free your toes by kicking your boots off and deepening your yoga practice (some even after practicing that morning with me). And for those of you who are curious we have the third workshop coming up on Sunday, April 10th, same time 11:20-2 pm.

Having a more intimate group and being able to first share tea, soup, salad and discussion is what I most enjoy(ed) about the sessions. Going deeper into Anusara Yoga's Universal Principles of Alignment(tm) with each pose, and working with partners at the wall and with props it is easy to see how the principles become more deeply understood with a full mind, body and spirit awareness, And with the unfolding of your graceful, 'inner body brightness' in each asana.

Anusara Yoga's Universal Principles of Alignement(tm)(UPA'S): Opening to grace, Muscular Energy, Inner and Outer Spiral and Organic Energy help us bring our poses to life! A fuller brightness from the inside out is an expression of your hearts and this is what I saw in each of you.

In the third KYBO yoga workshop we'll continue to work on our practice with meditation, pranayama and whole body awareness, with a special focus on Inner and Outer Spiral to refine are alignment. An alignment that safely and effectively can free up poor posture and brighten any shrinking self esteem. This practice with the UPA's can bring you places you've only dreamed to get to on and off the mat.

Bakasana, crow pose, if once seemingly difficult, can become your most exuberant pose. I've seen some of you express A steady upward and downward facing tree pose and full on, straight armed, and open hearted backbend after never feeling you'd get there. When you use the UPA's, and you feel the pride and joy of a full expression of your heart in the poses, your beams brighten the room. That's Anusara yoga.

This next workshop is called, "LIVE IN THE SOUL, and DANCE with SHRI!" I'm excited to talk more about cleansing the body and to introduce you to pressed wheat grass juice and more delicious spring greens to help bring out your true vital force.

Please take a look at the SHRI ME SPRING CLEANSE below to follow through the next few weeks or to perhaps review and bring questions to the table during the next KYBOYoga Workshop. Cleansing is best to do when the weather is in the 60s, your immunity is up and you can take the time to pause, reflect and release what both emotionally and physically you may be holding inside. Sometimes our work and family life is hard to manage when we are in the midst of an internal cleanse, so having the support of your yoga teacher can be key. Go lightly with yourself and don't fret if it's just not in the cards.
Blessings!
Rebecca

APRIL 10th - SHRI ME! Live in the Soul and Dance with Shri!

Remembering that ‘All we wish to be is already within us’ we’ll practice leading with the breath into the fullness of our potential, inwardly and outwardly spirally in hip openers & gentle to full back bends such as Dhanurasana (bow pose); Eka Pada Rajakapotasana (one legged king pigeon pose) and Natarajasana I & II (standing king dancer pose). A spring green salad, and fruit & nut snack will be offered to fill you with life’s vital energy, aka SHRI !

QUESTION: If anyone knows the name of this beautiful tree in Narragansett please let me know. ANd please feel free to comment below if you'd like. Namaste! Rebecca

Shri Me Spring Cleanse - Freedom & Vitality

2011-03-19T16:24:00.000-07:00

Sometimes we need to still the water to see life more clearly. We need to clean out our internal physical system to make more room for spring's fresh new growth, and to make more clear and free up our heart's true intentions toward living. Take time this spring to honor what your body is telling you naturally to do, after a winter of eating heavier foods, like all of nature it wants to be renewed; refresh and feel freedom. Clear your system with cleansing foods and liquids and bring more vitality into your life. Here's my annual Shri Me Spring Cleanse to guide your way.

SHRI ME! SPRING CLEANSE
7-8 Day Program
3-day lead in, 1-2 day fast, 3-day transition off

Shri (shree) – full of vitality, and the essence of spring!

A safe and effective path to a cleaner, clearer, healthier you!
TO DO everyday of program (and of your life!):
1.) Eat organic!
You’re cleansing, ridding your body of toxins, so don’t add pesticides, herbicides and other unhealthy processes to your body.

2.) Drink fluids!
First thing in the morning, before lunch, dinner and bedtime:
Drink four 8oz glasses of water daily, some with lemon, all with no ice!

Can be in hot water, or in part in a cleansing tea like:
Traditional Medicinal or Yogi Tea formulas in tea bags, like
Cranberry-weightless, De-Tox, or Dandelion Root blends.

3.) Get plenty of rest, fresh air, exercise & time for reflection… Exercise is great for the body, mind & spirit, but be mindful you don’t overdue it while cutting down on calories (which fuel the body). Be sure to make time for silence. Stillness keeps us in tune with our intuition. Deep rest restores us, body & soul.

4.) Set an intention every day…
..to be open to Grace and possibility.
It’s important to begin where you are, with acceptance, and not put off being well for some later date.
Life’s a daily practice in remembering who we truly are.

If you sometimes forget your divine goodness, and feel agitated, anxious, or self-sabotaging (with impulsive eating or over reactivity) sip calming herb tea blends with passionflower, chamomile, skullcap, St. John’s wort or kava.

Yogi Tea’s Kava, Stress Relief is my fave! Kava is also a gentle, cleansing diuretic. Milk Thistle seed (Silymarin), regenerates liver tissue and can be ground and sprinkled on food, or taken as tea or extract. Read all labels, and take as directed any medicinal herbal supplements/teas. If you have a chronic liver condition or frequently drink alcoholic beverages, ask your physician before starting a cleanse, taking supplements or drinking detox teas.

DAY 1 & 7:
I. Enjoy bitter, leafy greens in salads or steamed dishes (w/ little or no oils or dressings, a pinch of sea-salt is ok)
Whole grain rice, quinoa & vegetarian or bean soups are good, as are pale, low sugar, fresh (not dried) fruits/juices.

MEAL IDEA: Start the day with lemon water and a bowl of gluten-free complex carb (quinoa, amaranth, &/or brown rice) and have a lunch and dinner of steamed vegetables, and detox, herb tea. This helps push out toxins, and eliminates any foods you might be allergic to (wheat, dairy…)

II. Eliminate all dairy, meat, nuts and processed or whole grain breads, pastries and other sugary carbs (most fruits & fruit juices, cookies, chips and candies). Eliminate all grains on days 3-5.

CLEANSING GREENS:
Organic leafy lettuces and bitter greens, arugula, chard, chicory, collards, celery, dandelion greens, kale, parsley, spinach & wheat grass are all excellent during first and last days of a cleanse.
CLEANSING PALE FRUIT:
Organic avocados and low-sugar, high enzyme, pale fruits such as pears, pineapples, grapefruits and kiwis are easy to digest and good to eat on the first and last days of a cleanse (as whole, fresh fruit, not dried).

Note: The deep blue, purple, red, orange and bright yellow fruits (like bananas) are very sweet and can zing you out while cleansing, even though they are high in Vitamins A, C and other great antioxidants (the blues, reds & purples especially=proanthocyanadins and flavonoids). Bring them back gradually after the cleanse. Remember, eating organic, seasonal, local (when possible) fruits and vegetables is worth every penny, for your health, the environment and the local & global economies.

SHRI ME! SPRING CLEANSE
DAY 2 & 6:
I. Enjoy one or two 1 oz shots of wheat grass and/or 6oz carrot juices with added greens, beets & ginger, or eat lightly steamed, al-dente carrots & small amount of beets. Or begin the “Master Cleanse” drink, see recipe below.

II. Sip and savor warm veggie soup broths, detox teas and lemon water. (Rapunzel Vegan Veggie Bouillon, $3.29/16 serv.)

MEAL IDEA: keep it simple, mainly liquid & easy

FRESH, ORGANIC CARROT JUICE: (at home, or in town @Alternative Food Coop, 341 Main St.)
Carrot juice with celery = good in evening, very calming.
Carrot juice with beets, ginger and parsley = good during day.
Note: Vegetable juicing stimulates digestion and circulation (especially with ginger) and nutrients are easily absorbed into the bloodstream. Note, beets turn everything red!

HOT VEGAN SOUPS: try one of the Coop’s 3 delicious vegan (no animal ingredient) soups, like Thai Tofu (soy) Stew (every Monday) or Carrot Ginger Soup. $3.99 eat in/$4.99 to go. 789-2240

NOTE:
*Odwalla, and other store bought juices, are often too sweet, but if the only way you will comply, go for it! Odwalla’s Superfood with Spriulina is best, if cannot make fresh juice.
*Carrots are naturally sweet, so watch your blood sugar. Add wheat grass, parsley, kale, lemon and ginger to balance out the sweetness.
*Raw (un-juiced) veggies have a fibrous cell wall that needs to be broken down before digestion, so that the assimilation of nutrients is possible, hence the benefit of juicing or lightly steaming before savoring. And chew well, as the "Juiceman" used to say, "Drink your food."
* Red apples are too sweet on a spring cleanse (they’re more suitable in the fall),
although adding a half of small apple to fresh carrot juice is common. Bananas are also very sweet, if adding to a non-frozen, fruit smoothie, be sure to include a veggie protein supplement, such as soy or spirulina to balance out the carb rush.

III. Eliminate coffee & chocolate (caffeine) consumption, gradually, if need be. Withdrawal Headache First Aid:
Sip ginger tea & massage peppermint oil into your temples!

NOTE: You can substitute coffee with Cafix or Teechino, yummy coffee like sensations, or with an earthy dandelion root tea. Wheat grass shots give boosts of energy and make you feel so green, a dark drink seems unpalatable. Drink detox tea blends, or veggie soup broths, and add the Master Cleanse formula on days 3-5, in place of your coffee time fix.

SHRI ME! SPRING CLEANSE
DAY 3 & 5:

I. Enjoy any combination of cleansing fluids such as the Master Cleanse, lemon water, herbal (detox & calming) teas, light veggie juices (no beets), wheat grass, or clear soup broths. An all MC fast is optional.

II. Eliminate all processed foods, sweets (no fruits, accept lemons), animal foods (meat, milk, eggs, cheeses), nuts, grains and caffeine.

MEAL IDEA:

Master Cleanse
from Dr. Elson Haas, author of Eat Right for the Seasons, and The New Detox Diet

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon (or lime) juice
1-tablespoon pure maple syrup
1/10-teaspoon cayenne pepper
8 ounces spring water

Mix and drink 8 - 12 glasses throughout the day. Eat or drink nothing else except water, laxative/detox herb tea, and peppermint or chamomile tea (for tummy health). Keep the mixture in a glass container, or make it fresh each time.

*Note: Rinse your mouth with water after each glass to prevent the lemon juice from hurting your teeth enamel.

SHRI ME! SPRING CLEANSE
DAY 4 - FAST

I. Enjoy Master Cleanse, &/or clear fluids only - no fruit or veggie juices, accept wheat grass, and, if desired, you can add
one ounce shots of immune boasting, lymphatic draining herbs, Black Elderberry or Echinacea angostifolia (up to 4x/day).*

II. ADD shot(s) of Black Elderberry herbal extract if want to stimulate lymphatic drainage, especially if you have an imbalance of flora, (aka, an excessive nonbeneficial yeast growth of Candida albacans) or if you have chronic or acute cases of eczema, acne or swollen glands. This herb safely moves lymph, so toxins will move into the blood stream, and out of the body with ease and speed. (Herb Pharm Black Elderberry 1 0z )

II. ELIMINATE all of the same foods as in day 3, plus veggie juices and soups, accept clear broths. Eliminate any vitamin or mineral supplements in tablet or capsule forms. It is up to you how many days to liquid fast, 1-3.

III. VERY IMPORTANT – After fasting:
Take a Pro-Biotic supplement (preferably a high strain acidophilus, with FOS); try to get at least 12 billion strains of mixed flora. Pro-biotics restore your colon with the beneficial flora (good bacteria) that you may have flushed out of your system during cleansing (along with the bad bacteria).

BONUS: You can stimulate circulation and the removal of dead skin cells with a no water, pre-shower scrub down. Using a loofa brush start at your chest and scrub out to the peripheral, moving from the heart to hands and feet; end your shower with cold water.

TWO IMPORTANT REASONS WHY WE CLEANSE:
1. Due to the huge quantity of today’s environmental contaminants, regular cleansing is vital to maximize the body’s energy and to prevent chronic illness.
2. During the winter we tend to eat a more acidic, high protein diet, which can cause the intestines to secrete a heavy mucous coating, decreasing the absorbtion rate of nutrients. Too much acidic food also causes the intestines to harbor harmful bacteria, toxins.
These two problems can lead to constipation and autointoxication, causing the intestines to re-absorb toxic materials back into the blood stream. A seasonal cleanse helps clean the colon and the hold toxins have on your life.

“Healing may not be so much about getting better as about letting go of everything that isn’t you—all of the expectations, all of the beliefs—and becoming who you are. Not a better you, but a realer you.” 
—Rachael Naomi Remen, M.D., The Human Patient (Anchor Books, 1980)

When we clean the physical body in a slow, meditative fashion, we simultaneously wash away negative thoughts and emotions. While engaging in the above detoxification techniques, think about the significance of a clean body, mind and soul as a way to better understand your true self and achieve greater success in your physical, emotional and spiritual life. 

If you have comments, questions or just need some inspiration to stay on task and get through this cleanse, feel free to call, email or visit me. It helps to know you are supported in this effort to revitalize your life. It’s time to live with Shri- the essence of spring, full of vitality!
~Rebecca

Rebecca J. Briggs, RYT, CN
Yoga teacher, Natural Health Educator, Herbalist, Thai massage therapist
Call: 401-533-0116
Email: rebeccabriggs9@gmail.com
Blog: www.hOMnaturale.blogspot.com
Visit me while at work:
@ the Alternative Food Coop 341 Main St. Wakefield
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays 9:30-3pm 789-2240

The SPANDA of SPRING - Universal Pulsations of Manifestation and Liberation

2011-02-23T15:18:00.000-08:00

KICK OFF YOUR BOOTS YOGA
A FUNTASTIC SUNDAY WORKSHOP SERIES continues with a March 13th, Sunday Yoga Workshop 11:20-2 PM $25
@ RIVER BEND Athletic Club 401-789 - 9585 315 Columbia St., Peace Dale, RI www.riverbendac.com

The Spanda of spring ~ Manifestation and Liberation (Planting arm balancing poses from Bakasana to handstand and twisting back again) with save hand and arm positioning that will sustain your freedom.)

Through the first to last OM we’ll practice being in tune with two natural currents in life, that of manifestation and liberation. One current draws in to its source - as in the density of a tulip bulb, and the other liberates into an unlimited source of creative energy- as in the dynamic blossom peaking with powerful fragrance and diversity.

Through the art of balanced action we’ll use the biomechanical principles of Muscular Energy (manifesting) and Organic Energy (liberating) in arm balancing poses such as Bakasana (crow pose); Astavakrasana (a twisted arm balance) and Adho Mukha Vrksasana (downward facing tree pose, aka handstand); we’ll also liberate our hips in Svarga Dvijasana (bird of paradise pose) and Urhdva Dhanurasana (downward facing bow pose). A light lunch of raw veggies & fruit, with a spring green salad (optionally to begin a 10-day cleanse) will be offered.

CELEBRATE THE HEART: Open to the Grace Within and Throughout KICK YOUR BOOTS OFF YOGA Workshop #1

2011-02-05T20:26:00.000-08:00

CELEBRATE THE HEART
FEBRUARY 13th SUNDAY 11:20 AM -2:00 PM @ RIVER BEND ATHLETIC CLUB Columbia St. Peace Dale, RI $25

Open to the flow of grace that dwells within and throughout. Beginning with heart healthy sips of soup and tea, we'll share poetry, story and a peaceful meditation. Then we'll begin asana practice with lessons on optimal biomechanics for gentle to full-on backbends, twists and forward folds. Following principles that first help us to open to our full potential with a bright inner body that yields a soft, unrestraining heart and beginners mind, and then into a deep embrace of that fullness and light so that we can more directly flow from the heart with the current of our breath into an honest expression of all that we really love.

The workshop will follow my regular scheduled 1 hour Sunday 9:45 AM class. Gathering together at 11:20 in the River Bend Lounge with a light brunch, we'll then proceed to River Bend's spacious and sunny Yoga Studio for a 2.5 hour Funtastic Yoga Workshop, CELEBRATE THE HEART. River Bend Members have an opportunity to save when signing on for two or more workshops.

This first workshop's intention is to deepen participant's understanding of the method of yoga I am so passionately dedicated to, Anusara Yoga(tm). ANUSARA translates as "Opening to the Current of Grace". Through precise principles of alignment and heart centered themes the practice becomes a celebration of the heart - a celebration of opening to something bigger than ourselves.

One and half hours of the workshop will be asana practice with lesson specifics, demonstrations, and partner work, plus 20 minutes of guided pranayama and meditation. Chanting and Japa Mantra, the repetition of a word or phrase, will further us into the current of universal Grace and Supreme Consciousness, that which is in us, with us and all about us.

We have all been afflicted with wounds to the heart and spirit, and some of us have battled with heart disease, high blood pressure and/or other heart aliments. The side effects of this blissful practice will be a positively healing and peaceful spaciousness. Celebrating the heart is celebrating all that we love, and all that we do for and in the name of Love. It is celebrating the depths of our heart and the freedom that lies within that depth to make wise choices, where we listen to our inner teacher and take pause to reflect on what is important to us. May this workshop help you practice and celebrate that knowing.

MARCH 13th - THE SPANDA OF SPRING ~ Manifestation and Liberation 11:20 - 2:00 PM SUNDAY
Through the first to the last OM we'll practice being in tune with the two natural currents in life, that of manifestation and liberation. One current draws in from the universal to its source - as in the density of a tulip bulb, and the other liberates into an unlimited source of creative energy- as in the dynamic blossom peaking with powerful fragrance and diversity.

Through the art of balanced action we'll use the biomechanical principles of Muscular Energy (manifesting) and Organic Energy (liberating) in poses such as Urdva & Adho Muka Vrksasana (upward and downward facing tree pose); Svarga Dvijasana (bird of paradise pose) and Urdva Danurasana (upward facing bow pose, aka wheel pose). A light lunch of raw veggies and a spring green salad (optionally to begin a 10-day cleanse) will be offered.

APRIL 10th - LIVE IN THE SOUL & DANCE with SHRI ~ Remembering that "all we wish to be is already within us" we'll practice leading with the breath into the fullness of our potential, inwardly and outwardly spiraling in standing poses, arm balances and twists.

My Favorite Valentines. My Mom and Dad, Allie & Lou, in 1951.

2010-12-08T18:18:00.001-08:00

When I look at this picture I feel lucky to be one of this lovely couple's (at the time imagined) children. In fact I was their unexpected tie breaker, their fifth child and third girl, born the last day of April in tumultuious 1963.
"The girls won!" my sisters cheered when they heard I wasn't a boy. After me my parents had two more children, my brother Michael and sister Jane.

When lovers see each other for the first time and dream deep into the excitement of sharing years together through sparkling eyes and beaming smiles, there felt is the current of cupids arrow searing into their hearts and lifting them into the wonderment of tomorrow with hope's halo surrounding them and love's bond uniting them- two hearts as one.

-just a little prose inspired by my mom and dad's love and the 60 Valentine's Days they shared, including this year, for love is held forever dear in the hearts of true Valentines.

Final Goodbyes to a Father We Adored... Frederick A. 'Allie' Briggs, Dad (July 28, 1928 - Nov. 12, 2010)

2010-11-21T20:01:00.000-08:00

We were all by our father's side as he surrendered his soul from the gifted physical form his parents' blessed him with over 82 years ago. My father, Allie, left this world after leading a full life, rich with joys and sorrows, and he left a legacy far beyond creating probably the world's greatest donuts. His legacy was his story, now a part of my story, and the thousands more he has touched.

My Dad fulfilled dreams that his God granted soul blessed him with creating. He steadfastly took opportunities when his spirit stirred and his good karma offered. He had a sharp and witty mind that had plenty of time for contemplation (farm work and cutting donuts is very meditative). He gave back when he could, first providing for his family, and then the youth of his community and New England; he had fun when it was rightfully deserved.

My eight year old son Shane looked up at the clouds the other day while we were driving to town, and began to chuckle, and then robustly laugh out loud... he saw Grampa up in heaven, playing catch with his Uncle Ricky; "Mom, Grampa's waving to me... Oh no, he lost his shoe! Now he's running along side the car"- (probably to tell me to "Be Careful"), and then with a surprise-- my son jumped back in his seat and with wide eyes, joyfully gasped, "Mom, Grampa just threw me the ball!!"

Sweet!! Thanks Dad, I love you so much! I'm so glad my son got a piece of you.

Re-structure your inner and outer lives, with harmony as your ultimate INTENTION during this autumn season and Libra sun cycle.

2010-09-29T21:00:00.000-07:00

When we accept conflicting undercurrents inside and throughout, they don't take on momentous proportions when we regard them as natural, and sometimes fascinating. If the Buddha MarriedChpt 29, Feeling Peace

We have such possibility... all of us. It's inspiring to see our friends, students, work-mates, teachers and loved ones excel. It's even more empowering to feel ourselves rise to an occasion, working hard and long at something which reaps benefits for many.

This week The Alternative Food Coop, where I work part-time (although recently well over FUll time!), recently reopened after over a month of being closed due to structural damage which needed to be repaired in order for us to realign with our intention and be on a rightful path, ultimately serving the community with whole, organic food and products that are fairly, lovingly and sustainably created.

It has been encouraging to see so many of us employees, working members, loyal customers and even strangers enjoy ourselves even in the high stress pockets of this cleansing process. To destruct fully before repair was the hardest, but there was still so much laughter, conversation and companionship. There was satisfaction all along the way. These moments of remembering to enjoy ourselves will help us all to remember how it feels to put forth effort with an ease of attitude and a flow of grace.

This season, set a foundation to rise to your own occasion; to "re-open" if you will. What do you want to restructure, scrub clean and build again- with new sheen, illumination and purpose? Setting an intention to be in the flow of grace, recognizing the motivating power of having a good attitude, ready and steady and open to the possibility of healing, feeling good, achieving what you may have once felt was a long haul away, is half of the work. Remembering that You Already Are who you think you want to be, and practicing that remembrance, is the other half. Trusting in your foundation and Divine Goodness, will ultimately align you with the Universal flow of energy toward even more Grace, Bliss and full potentiality.

IN PHOTO: AFCoop workmate, Allison Kennedy, scrubbing shelf number 88.... we gave up counting and just kept on keeping on.

TEJAS - Bring out your Inner Light -

2010-09-04T10:03:00.000-07:00

Tejas

I recently opened an email from a yoga studio I frequent when in the bay area, and this illuminating image and the sanskrit word TEJAS beamed out at me. This paragraph followed (from YOGA TREE in SF):

In Sanskrit the word tejas means inner light, luminosity, or essence of fire. If there's anything that brings out your inner light—that bright, shining spark that makes you who you are—it's a regular yoga practice. Each time you unroll your mat or sit for meditation, some of the things that shield your inner light—tension, fear, insecurity, etc.—slowly begin to chip away, so your inner light can shine a little more brightly.

This Sept 24th, one of the first full days of autumn, will mark the beginning of a special 6 week yoga series I am presenting at RIVER BEND Athletic Club in Peace Dale, RI (401-789-9585 riverbendac.com).
The series, titled 40 DAYS of TEJASE will immerse new and on-going yoga students in the revelation of their own INNER BRIGHTNESS and POTENTIAL, both on and off the yoga mat.

My foremost intention is to offer a clear and concise introduction to, and deeper familiarization of the style of yoga I practice and am training to teach, Anusara Yoga(tm). This series will be recorded as a part of my teacher training and Anusara-Inspired(tm) teacher certification process. Anusara tm), like many systems of Yoga, progresses it's teachers and students sequentially, just as Anusara(tm) Yoga's Universal Principles of Alignment(tm) sequentially deepen all students' physical and energetic awareness and alignment in postures.

As a student of Anusara(tm) Yoga since 1997, I have great respect for the style and for all of my teachers, including John Friend, Anusara's founder. My hope is that through the art of asana and practice of pranayama and meditation, along with each weekend's dharma (purposeful philosophical discussion on yoga's relativity to our day to day life) we will all beam brighter, just as my teachers have taught and encouraged me through the years.

Each Friday afternoon will carry into the rest of the weekend and ensuing weeks, transforming all of our lives along with the autumn landscape. Attending my other Pilates and Yoga classes through the week can enrich the Immersion, but is not mandatory, and Private Yoga Sessions are always available with me upon request.

Through my twenty years of yoga study in several lineages, and almost ten years of teaching experience, it has been over the past four plus years of intense Anusara Yoga(tm) Teacher Training and self study that I have become convinced of the importance of knowing consistent, safe and effective alignment principles. Anusara Yoga(tm) offers an elegant and heart centered method of alignment which can help students help themselves in the prevention, and often healing of injuries, especially those caused from trauma, or from repetitive movements in yoga, work or play.

I am also empowered by how setting and returning to an Intention, on and off the mat, can transform "doing yoga" into "practicing yoga" as a lifestyle. Yoga reminds us to attune to our own divine goodness and inner wisdom, to come from our center. This is a practice which is always challenging, for life naturally flows with waves of highs and lows, times illuminated with remembrance and dark with forgetting.

This first FALL Yoga series, 40 days of TEJASE, offers a unit of six 90 minute classes, which attendees must commit to. The series fee of either $48 for River Bend members, or $72 non-members, is divided between RB and me, for the extended class time. EACH week we will work on progressing deeper into using the UPA (Universal Principles of Alignment(tm)) during standing and arm balancing poses, pigeon pose variations, backbends and handstands. Other seated and forward bends that are on Anusara Yoga's Syllabus I, may also be practiced, and each student's individual needs will always be addressed.

Some of the classes will be video taped for my Anusara Yoga Teacher Training Certification process. My teaching and your progressive practices will be recorded for my training purposes only, and will not be published. If you prefer not to be filmed that can be arranged.

Each class will begin with the recitation of Anusara Yoga's Invocation (a non-dogmatic, cool chant that aligns our intention with that of the greater good, the wise teacher and divine light -tejase-within and throughout.) Discussions on aspects of Anusara Yoga's Tantric (non-dualistic) Philosophy will take place in a non-judgemental atmosphere conducive to sharing.

I look forward to working more indeptly with many of my regular students, and with new individuals of all levels of physicality and yoga experience.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions. My email is

rebeccabriggs9@gmail.com

.
I am available before or after my regular classes at River Bend: Saturday 9:45-11 am and Sunday 9:45-10:45 am, and Thursdays 8-9 am Pilates. Through the fall I will also be teaching yoga Wednesdays 8-9 am and Fridays 9:15-10:15 am.

I provide private yoga, pilates and Thai massage sessions on request; time slots are arranged through me as scheduled in conjunction with River Bend's avail space, or in the comforts of your home. My Rates are based on a sliding scale $60-$120, and private sessions are 60, 75 or 90 minutes long.

Begin where you are, begin now, begin again!

Namaste, and TEJASE~ I honor your light within.

Rebecca

Missing Shane - the bicoastal parenting predicament

2010-08-10T21:25:00.000-07:00

SHANE TURNS 8 tomorrow, August 11th and he's 3000 miles away with his Papa. I love him so much.
I'm glad he and his Papa are together, and I'm psyched they visited my dear friend Darrah today, so he at least got a Mama like love hug from her.

He's quite the charmer and sincere, sweet little character. She said he walked through her garden and said, "Wow, it's even more big and beautiful than last year!"... so Shane, always recognizing the beauty around him. A true reflection of his own bright light. Letting my heart find it's own inner light while he's away is my challenge this month, but it's both fun and a lesson in remembering who I am.

What an Anniversary Celebration:

2010-07-27T16:28:00.001-07:00

58 years of marriage, and my Dad finally comes home after 3 and a half months in the hospital to a wife he promised to grow old with ("because the best was yet to come!") I'm so happy for my father to live again in the comfort of the familiar.

My prayers are now centered around the spreading of joy, peace and love within every thought, word and action in his world. I hope my sister Anne comes home to Rhode Island soon too, and that my mother and father get along, struggle free, with Grace and God, and good health, fully in their lives.

Lives in Motion, with Slowin' Potion - My CA Girlfriends, grow with the flow, as my Father slows in his final years. Shiva/Shakti energy & God at work

2010-07-24T15:20:00.000-07:00

Samantha Shakti Brown and three month old baby, Kiran, in their lovely abode, Big Basin Vineyard's Surya Chandra Temple Home, Boulder Creek, CA July 11, 2010

Cara Judea Alhadeff and I celebrate our friendship on her new apartments rooftop in downtown Oakland, CA (there's a playground right across the street, and a view of the Bay bridge and SF from on high. July 10, 2010

I recently went out to California where I got to spend brief, but quality time with two of my most inspirational and supportive friends, both yoga teachers of mine, both former travel companions and housemates, both friends twelve and eight years my junior. Both going through mid thirties life changes that are slowing their face paced world down.

Cara, the world traveler, yoga teacher, lecturer and erotic-art photographer, was my roomie when we lived in San Francisco's Haight (Janice Jopplin used to live in the same apartment building). Cara's an Iyengar Yoga teacher extraordinaire and an amazingly creative photographer (www.carajudeaalhadeff.com) with shows all over the world, from Amsterdam to Korea. Just three days prior to my welcomed arrival, she had left her east coast bases in NYC and PA to be carried over the threshold of a door newly opened to a world which has the hopes of 'settling' her down. With the hopes of having a child soon, Cara is prepared to be in a "slow me down" mode; let's hope she doesn't crack with the destruction-creation (Shiva-Shakti) faze that will or will not bring a calm to her chaos when the dust settles. Chaos, afterall, is often what we thrive in!

Samanthaji, married now for two full and happy years, gave birth to her first child, Kiran (ray of light), in April. (A confirming jolt of lightning struck moments after Sam asked her baby, then in belly, what he thought of her liking the name Kiran.) I found Sam and her husband Bradley absolutely glorious; happiness and Mama love radiated from Sam and her own bright light was as inspiring as ever. She hula hooped, breast fed, swam laps, breast fed, worked out with a boot camp video, and kept busy around the house, always present, always loving. Still the go-getter, Sam set an intention to "have fun through the process of loosing her Mama weight", Always filled with positive intentions to fill her life with grace.

The day after I left the VIneyard, Sam took a Mama break and went horseback riding (something my intuition told me seemed a little much...); her horse spooked, threw her to the ground, and proceeded to step on her leg and 'brake' it. Apparently, If a new born can't slow you down, a broken leg will. Sam is an extremely health conscious eater and with all the Anusara yoga and Universal Principles of Alignment her body is programed to it's ultimate blueprint, so it's no wonder that her soft tissue is healing well, and with the help of a plate placed in her leg, she is once again moving forward with the presence of Grace. Sam's text to me after the injury proclaimed with positive light, "this will make me a better teacher!" She's already a great teacher, and her positive attitude in the face of Shiva - Shakti forces is one of her best teachings yet!

What creative lives we live... every day a different page to an ever evolving story. And with the chaotic patterns life brings, moves, injuries, births, deaths, we need not let these chapters fix onto us, for we are separate from the stories. With destruction comes creation, with creation comes destruction, and with all the change is growth. Do not get fixed on one chapter, live as if the breath that moves through you. Enjoy your days with grace and a positive attitude, like Sam; open to the unknown and to possibility like Cara, and share in these two women's courage, a knowing consciousness, that life is filled with destruction and creation, Shiva Shakti energy. We must first be open to the breaking down of our attachments, patterns, and stories, in order to create something new, something different, something better... us.

Looking at the Big Picture ... How's your View?

2010-07-23T13:40:00.000-07:00

Block Island, Rhode Island from Shane's and my airplane window.
Shortly after take off for our trip across country, we were fortunate to catch this beautiful sight of Block Island, RI, plopped 12 miles off the coastal beaches near our home in Matunuck, where Shane goes to school, September thru June.

It was as if we were flying over our "Big Picture", seeing our Rhode Island home pass below, as we flew westward to California where his father lives, and where much of our lives unfold and gather steam. This "Big Picture", living on and with the infulences of both coasts, has 'little picture' challenges that make relationships complex, finances stressed and work schedules strained. Yet, having both coasts in our lives, and his father's love and time, is indeed a big picture I hope we can sustain, without further undue stress and strain. I pray to be in the winds of Grace. I need to work more pointedly on increasing my earnings wherever I am, to get financially secure and comfortable enough to support a bi-coastal life, for both of us, without any reliance on friends and family, other than what should duely come our way from Shane's father (even if it means our time out west are only "visits.")

In my "big, big picture", I dream to be financially able to build a "green" home in the Pecos Mts of New Mexico, where I'll write, practice and teach yoga, and watch the sun set glowingly over the desert hues. To explore my wisdom years with the comforting echoes of pinions and juniper hollowed hills would be glorious. Hmmm... 'still unfolding these images. I currently, and actually have had on and off over the past five years, a love relationship with an interesting man that seemingly keeps keeping on and I really can't imagine it ever stopping. It's an odd one, but I do hope my relationship with this man continues, as long as it's an "us" relationship, well into our wisdom years and wildest traveling dreams. And I do hope and have intention to explore more of this great big wonderful world with my son Shane too. He is and I bet would really be an interesting sort to travel abroad with. These "big pictures within my big picture" have yet to be drawn in the clouds of our undefined, deep and abiding ways. My real goal is to now come truly into myself as a money maker while being of service as an Anusara (tm) yoga teacher, natural health educator, informational and creative writer, memoirist, mother and traveler.

In the mean time... Shane is now in week two with his Papa in the Redwood forest of northern Sonoma, with three and half more weeks to go. We talk daily at length, mainly about his day and LEGOS. I appreciate my relationship with my son, and value it's deep bond of respect, trust and love, and it's lighter level of joyfulness and play. I never tire of his company and although I miss him dearly, I am extremely happy for his growing time with Daddy, and with California (which is it's own separate relationship to be in).

I also got to be with my mother and father after my weekend in CA. It was a short, but expansive few days, from Tuesday to Friday, where I got to explore my relationship with my father while he regains what healthy days he has remaining in his vital but elderly and ill self. It's time warping, being with aging parents, as images and memories of my life prior to the time of my send off from "home" as a college student, clash with the years I became an adult afterward. My Dad's big picture includes almost sixty years with my loving, precious mother, and has led to his now old age and traumatic illnesses and triumphant comebacks (from Lung cancer and other ailments, that have occured since his April 7th admittance to the hospital). What a full circle we live from birth to death, what frameless pictures and stories we create as our souls intermingle and flow from body to body in God's glorious big picture.

Like the above Galaxies spiraling from energy centers to expansive releases, we live with so many unknowns, so many possibilities, so much chaos and so many patterns, of life and death, creation and destruction, beauty and beastiness. In Sanskrit, the language of yoga, we call the magnificent occurrances, Liela, the predictable ones Karma and the process of destruction and parrallel creation Shiva/Shakti energy. All the chaos creates "big pictures" and the true beauty is in the presence of GOD, the Supreme Intelligent One, whom connects the flow of our souls, so we are all ONE, in this Universe of Divine Consciousness together.

What is your big picture? Accept that it is to be filled with the chaos of the unknown, but project the images of a defined existence being lived with a fulfilled heart, and an ever burgeoning soulfueled story.

Open your Sails to the Winds of Grace

2010-07-05T20:07:00.001-07:00

Shane and I have enjoyed some nice beach time. Here he is on Matunuck Beach with Block Island in the background. June and July in Rhode Island have been hot and sunny. But soon we're off to CA, and me to FL to take care of my father for four days.

We leave Friday, July 9th for San Francisco. Shane gets to be with his Dad for five weeks, and I'll get to visit Samantha and her new born baby boy, Kirtan, in Boulder Creek on Big Basin Vineyard, for a few days before flying to FL to take care of my Dad and relieve my sister Anne.

It will be nice to remember what it feels like to be a Californian again, if only for a brief time. The energy of the west coast is so full of Shri, It humbles my own energy with its majestic prowess and New Agey - in your face -spirituality; which I am drawn to, yet repelled by at the same time.

Shane is so looking forward to seeing his Papa and to being in the energy of MendoNoma county. His dad lives deep in the high redwood forest, northwest of the Dry Creek wine country, and twenty miles east of the Pacific Ocean.

As seen in this picture, the north Atlantic has a friendlier shoreline than the northern Pacific, both beautiful in their own magically natural way. In the distance is Block Island, and sailers catching the wind of Grace. I hope that through our week of travels- to CA, FL and back home to RI, we are in the flow of Grace, that our sails are open, and we are free from struggle and full of happiness and contentment.

Peonies in Springtime, Bursting with Lifeforce and Inspiration. And an Acceptance of Impermanance, with a Recognition of Grace and the Divine Within.

2010-05-30T20:21:00.000-07:00

Prose for Peonies, from Mary Oliver... (also sited in my March 2009 blog)

Peonies

This morning the green fists of the peonies are getting ready
to break my heart
as the sun rises,
as the sun strokes them with his old, buttery fingers

and they open ---
pools of lace,
white and pink ---
and all day the black ants climb over them,

boring their deep and mysterious holes
into the curls,
craving the sweet sap,
taking it away

to their dark, underground cities ---
and all day
under the shifty wind,
as in a dance to the great wedding,

the flowers bend their bright bodies,
and tip their fragrance to the air,
and rise,
their red stems holding

all that dampness and recklessness
gladly and lightly,
and there it is again ---
beauty the brave, the exemplary,

blazing open.
Do you love this world?
Do you cherish your humble and silky life?

Do you adore the green grass, with its terror beneath?

Do you also hurry, half-dressed and barefoot, into the garden,
and softly,
and exclaiming of their dearness,
fill your arms with the white and pink flowers,

with their honeyed heaviness, their lush trembling,
their eagerness
to be wild and perfect for a moment, before they are
nothing, forever?

~Mary Oliver

It's been a tough month or two, or three... Rhode Islanders are still recouperating from the flood, but I feel are ready to raise from the murky water to a blooming and abundant summer, full of more preparedness, aka acceptance, patience and Grace, less struggle.

And with spring in full force, inspiration is everywhere- in the life affirming blooms, green grass and fully open leaves. People are on the bike paths and driving less, hiking and surfing more- and not just the internet, but the waves of life and the waves of the Atlantic. Free from the dramatically detrimental Gulf oil spill, we must feel grateful for our still pristine wetlands and shore, and send out our hopes and prayers for the people and wildlife of Louisana. It's a scary time, but one when more than ever we must grasp the eternal, as we accept the impermanant, like a Peonies fleeting beauty.

My father, Allie, has not been well; since early April he has been in the hospital in FL, post op after lung cancer was removed along with two thirds of his right lung. Our Rhode Island and VA family members have been lovingly and sacrificially at his side. I am so grateful for them, and for the time that I was able to go and be with him, if only for a few days. I held his hand, and had mine squeezed all night, while he was in intense pain from an infection. I knew he wanted me there through the night, and I knew that was the only place I wanted to be... with him, and as closely as possible. I still wish I could be there.

I am grateful I was able to speak to him of love and Grace, and to feel his love back so deeply, and to see his smiles between the winces. I heard his whispers over the trache, read his lips, and his often terse or sweet and tender words perseveringly written on a clip board. Ah, he is a courageous one, stubborn as any Swamp Yankee has ever been, but a fighter with a true, and authentic heart, earnestly dedicated to his loved ones. He is also absolutely adorable, with his teddy bear like stuffing, fluctuating with his grizzly bear attitude, and muscular still strong physique. A superman. He's always been a doer for sure, and raised seven children, and a landmark business, while maintaining a loving relationship with my mother for the majority of their over 58 years together. He is still learning to let go of his anger, fear and might, so to reign in God's Grace and ever present compassion. I love my Dad, especially for his mostly positive example; his life is one full of inspiration, and even when I disagree with him, I learn from him.

On Saturday a local farmer brought Peonies to the Alternative Food Coop where I work, and their silky, lace-like beauty impressed me from the start. On Sunday I went back for them, then forgot them at the register. Slowly fading, their example of Shri, like my father's, is staying with me. In my heart, I am knowing how their scent and presence makes me feel even when they are not in sight, like the hero I see my father as, they inspire me. But surely my peonies' petals will wilt, their tips will brown, and the Shri will fade away with the wasting of a picked blossom does, as it is pulled from it's source.

I am memorializing my peonies before their time, but as the weekend of appreciating those whom inspire us, or fight for us, is upon us, my flowers are symbolic of the glory in the jewel like beauty of the presence, that Rumi speaks of. I will always be one with their Grace, because I have known it, and I will always be thankful for our mutual connection-the Shakti within us- that aligns us with the Divine. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti

Returning to Source, Body Flowing out of Spirit, Spirit Flowing from Body... In Memoriam with Hope

2010-05-28T16:26:00.000-07:00

Listen to the story told by the
reed of being separated.

'Since I was cut from
the reed bed
I have made
this crying sound.
Anyone separated from someone he loves
understands what I say.

Anyone pulled from a source
longs to go back.

At any gathering I am there,
mingling in the laughter
and the grieving,
a friend to each.

But few will hear the secrets
hidden
within
the
notes;
No ears for that.

Body flowing out of spirit
spirit flowing from body.'

Rumi
13th Century Mystic Poet

Working as a Flute & The Law of Least Effort

2010-05-13T17:44:00.000-07:00

When you work you are a flute through whose
heart the whispering of the hours turns to music.
... And what is it to work with love?
It is to weave the cloth with threads drawn from your
heart, even as if your beloved were to wear that cloth....

~Kahil Gibran, The Prophet

Everyone has a purpose in life ... a unique gift or special talent to give to others.

What Kahil Gibran prohetically wrote is of an exultation of spirit that arises when we are being of service to others, the ultimate goal of all goals. Drawing the threads of our day from our heart, our life's work can be worn like a cloak by the Divine.

It is a fortunate thing to be able to work for a good cause, or to involve oneself in work that moves energy and people towards positive actions. Life, even in the best of circumstances, isn't always perfect though, which can be a good thing if we grow in times of challenge, but if we feel stuck, then how do we get back to the flute weaving our work into music?
When we feel our spirit is crushed, or we feel derailed from purposeful tasks, how do we regain the rhythm of the heart? Sometimes the workplace is not a healthy place. Ask your self how you feel, content or undervalued? appreciated or manipulated? When do we know when to move on, or how to move on to more fulfilling occupations of our time? It is so important to do what you enjoy, but also to enjoy doing it.

Sometimes in the workplace we spend wasteful energy defending our position, or we become aware that others are being ineffectively defensive. The cycle can go round and round. The weave of threads in our day gets knotted, and returning to Grace with a responsible harmonious word, action or deed is our soul way back to the fluid weave of flute-like days.

As Deepak Chopra states in his early 90's best seller, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success , "When you feel frustrated or upset by a person or a situation, remember that you are not reacting to the person or the situation, but to your feelings about the person or the situation."... "These are your feelings, and your feelings are not someone else's fault." ~ Deepak Chopra

One of the components of Chopra's Law of Least Effort is responsibility. "Responsibility means not blaming anyone or anything for your situation, including yourself. Once we accept our circumstance we then have the ability to have a creative response as it is now."

ALL PROBLEMS CONTAIN THE SEEDS OF OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CREATION OF SOMETHING NEW AND BEAUTIFUL, AND EVERY SO CALLED TORMENTOR OR TYRANT WILL BECOME YOUR TEACHER. Reality is an interpretation. And if you choose to interpret reality in this way you will have many teachers around you, and many opportunities will evolve. Deepak Chopra's The Law of Least Effort

In your yoga practice on and off the mat, try the The Law of Least Effort. Practice using a creative response to turning your problems and obstacles into a teaching experience, an opportunity for growth. And if you are not sure what the lesson is you are to learn, try this piece of poetic advice from Rumi:

Hear the wordless subtleties, and understand what catches not the understanding.

It takes meditation.
Before your yoga practice, set an intention to meditate on the silent subtleties.
Each morning, set an intention to meditate on what catches you, or what you choose to ignore.
Plant a seed, take a creative response, and Work as a flute, with the Law of Least Effort.

My father used to say how much he always liked to get up in the morning, because he loved what he was doing.
Twenty plus years of rolling dough, cutting doughnuts and selling thousands a day at his namesake business, Allie's Donuts, was what occupied a huge part of my father's best years (and mine growing up). These years were filled with people working hard along side him, with music and conversation, sweat and sometimes very heated arguments, but still the days were lively, and every one was different, though the patterns of the day stayed fluid. The fluid predictability of the day and the sounds of the bustling "backroom" and friendly "frontend", with its lines of anxiously awaiting, but profoundly patient Rhode Islanders in lines out the doors, was a weave of many thoughts, actions and deeds. People getting their Allie's dozen, jimmy donuts, glazed crullers, hot honey dip and chocolate frosted raise for a relative down at the beach or a nice neighbor. Serious stories were told while my sisters and I powdered donut holes, or silly jokes were shared to pass the monotony of trays of raised yet to be frosted. It all sang.

When bad moods arose, the moment would freeze with tension; the radio still played, but the music died. It was only when someone took responsibility for the moment, usually with humour or kindness, that our creative juices would continue to jam, and the customers would feel the positive, buzzing energy and we'd all be served a little more love.

This frail vessel thou emptiest again and again,
and fillest it ever with fresh life. This little flute of
a reed thou hast carried over hills and dales, and
hast breathed through it melodies eternally
new .... Thy infinite gifts come to me only on
those very small hands of mine. Ages pass, and
still thou pourest, and still there is room to fill.

~ Rabindranath Tagore, Gitanjali

M'aidez Art Show and Mother's Day Gratitude

2010-05-07T22:49:00.000-07:00

I'm so grateful to be a mother and to enjoy parenting so much. Today I volunteered at my son's school and at the end of the day they had their monthly Recognition Assembly. Well I'm glad I was there, because apparently for seven months my son has sat through his fellow classmates getting recognized for various achievements, which although happy for them, he's shared was also upsetting, an obvious unsettling to his self esteem, wondering, " why not me?" Well after talking to him about goals he can achieve with a little more effort, he got that it just wasn't his time to be rewarded. But today he beamed, happy and proud to finally be recognized, and he was So glad I was there! His turn and smile towards me lit up the world.

Another day to be proud and pleased came with great weather on top of it. Last weekend was absolutely gorgeous, and after a Saturday morning receiving a 7 am produce order at the Alternative Food Coop, and teaching an 8 am yoga class, I returned to beautiful downtown Wakefield with my son to enjoy a stroll along the Saugatucket River Walk admiring many splendid works created by South Kingstown's elementary, middle and high school art students. Above are some shots, my first graders piece that was selected he self titled, "Symbol of Life". Kids got some depth. I love it. I love him.

I love being a proud mom and a mom that's needed for the tough times too, like teaching him to return the coins from the money counting cup in his classroom (he wanted to give it to me because he knew times were tough and I needed money- oops!). I explained how "Instant karma's gonna get ya", as John Lennon sings, if you don't return the change and rid yourself of the heavy feeling of doing something you shouldn't have done. Well, he lost his DS charger soon after, and he does think it's his dishonest action of taking the change, as well as his inefficient clean up of play space, that has made him pay a consequence of no DS game playing for a while. (Yeah!-it's limited and not good, I know.)

Discussing karma, honesty, efficiency and respect, as well as compassion and love for all beings, are great value gathering moments. Memories that are deep seeded lessons, reflecting my love and concern for him. These times are just as moving moments of motherhood as are occasions of pride and joy. I wish such moments and impressions to all- may you experience the gratitude that comes with pride, joy and nurturing others. Happy Mother's Day!

My birthday in 1968 (April 30th) - East Greenwich, RI, with sister Cindy (May 4th)

2010-04-29T22:05:00.000-07:00

The risk it takes to bloom...

2010-04-27T19:51:00.000-07:00

"And then the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."
~ Anais Nin

My spring seedlings are growing taller; their risk to remain tight and not germinate is one they haven't opted to take, instead they're sprouting, reaching toward my kitchen window's northeast sun, yearning to be cilantro, collards and chard. Are you still yearning to be more of who you know you are? What risks do you take by not going toward the light of that promise? Isn't the risk of growing, better?

I've taken the risk to direct my energies toward living in line with my Soul, teaching yoga, working in the "green" natural foods industry (again), and writing, writing, writing, spreading the good works and efforts of many, while being in support of numerous consciencous causes. The risk has meant doing so for less than I value my time at being worth. Not that there is not immense value at working for the heart, the cause, and the good karma. These are all wonderful reasons, for the risks of not being able to give and be of service is far greater than not honoring your path.

At the risk of not ever having a child of my own (and granted the path of parenthood is not for everyone) I chose to bare, and raise, a child as a single parent, often at the risk of being stuck in some pretty muddy waters. Like as of late, I finally made it through the muddy abyss of late spring; like a lotus flower rising forth from the murky bog, my roots have not had stable ground to hold fast to since the RI Flood, which occurred on the eve of April's Fool's Day. Alas though, I am out of high water emotionally and financially, and I'm back in black, regaining light and feeling growth again.

Money is a necessary nutrient to our spirit and livelihood, providing for our basic needs and helping to enrich our lives with opportunities. It's lack of and/or mismanagement of, can often mentally and physically hold us back from the growth we seek. I am grateful to have had some new shoots of income come to me this week. Plant the seed, and work to bare the fruit!

Another good sprout shooting up is that my father is doing a bit better; after over three weeks in the hospital following lung cancer surgery, he's hopefully gaining the strength and momentum to begin to breathe on his own again. My family is reassuring me that although I so very much want to be near my father, it's best I stay home where my son needs me most. It's a risk I'm taking, not ever seeing my father again, but my faith is feeding me on this one.

Another budding, is my relationship with the man I can't seem to get out of my heart. It's a risk I just can't stop taking, to love and accept what comes. As Rumi so poetically puts it, ... "Love flows down. The earth submits to the sky and suffers what comes, does the earth fare any iess for giving in like that?" I've got to just love him, the risk of not hurts too much.

I tend to always start blooming in late April, in sync with the trees, and my birthday. My mother's sweet card arrived for me today, three days early, but with perfect timing. It sang to me just when I needed it. Thanks Mom! My little guy asked me how old I'll be when he's my age. We imagined what life will be like when he's 47, and I'm 87... It was a very interesting conversation. I told him I hope he has a child, and he said he wants six! I said, "then you better keep doing your very best in school and make good money to support your family." He said he wanted to invent solar panel cars that hover, and be a palentologist and scientist. Reminded me of when my mom used to say to me, "you better marry a millionaire, Becky!" I always had a load of cool things on my plate, but somehow she thought I'd need a man to do it all. I kind of think that energy stuck, but I keep trying to disprove it. (Note, I was engaged to a millionaire I dated for seven years, but left that dream for another that loomed larger. Having a child and growing even more as an individual!)

When I think of the lessons I'm still either ignoring or practicing to learn, I wonder what lessons are instore for my son. I pray for Grace to help us both continue to age with joyfulness and intelligence. I pray for my son, and for all of the young and old yet to come, to risk to live out their dreams. To risk to learn their lessons, to make choices, to dive deeper, to spend wisely, to work harder, to listen smarter, to laugh when wanting to cry, to cry when wanting to laugh. To risk is to feel and give love, instead of live with the hard emotions of fear and anger.

To dream is to risk. To envision and define clearly what you want, is to risk it's arrival, and it's changing. And, to risk growing in the chaos of the muddy process, is to risk learning your lessons, for to remain stuck, is to risk not growing at all. Dive deep in the hazy waters, hold fast to your intentions, and bloom from the bud of your wildest dreams!

There are Love stories and there is obliteration into love.
We are walking the ocean's edge, holding up our robes to keep them dry.
We must dive, naked and under. Under a thousand times deeper.
Love flows down. The earth submits to the sky and suffers what comes.
Tell me, does the earth fare any less for giving in like that.

Jelaludin Rumi

Bhavana and Shri

2010-04-22T19:10:00.000-07:00

Shri - Sh ree "life-affirming energy," "that which diffuses lights," the essence of spring!

Bhavana- the active resting in the natural unfolding beauty of being.

This weekend's yoga classes have a theme set around Shri and Bhavana. How can we carry the life-affirming energy of spring into each of our deeply set, personal intentions while living with both the necessary will and much needed Grace (no pun intended)? It's a process that takes practice, on and off the mat. To begin...

The mantra for starting any new ventures or undertaking any good and new works is:

Om Shri Ganeshay Namah

I came across this mantra when exploring the website of a new yoga studio that has recently cropped up with in northern RI. Yes, another yoga studio in little RI! Shri Studio in Pawtucket.

My own community yoga studio is still in the process of unfolding (in Matunuck at Broadview Yoga Barn or maybe elsewhere- we'll see!). It's still in the seed germination stage, and I must continue to put every thought, word and action toward it's bloom, while remaining patient. I must resist rushing the fruits of my passion, but rather have the patient unfolding, or Bhavana, along with Shri.

Bhavana~
There is no need to rush the unfolding of a flower, to be in the beauty of the process, is to live life at its fullest.

Imagine seeing consciousness, our heart, mind and soul, our entire being, as a flower that is unfolding. Bhavana is taking an active role in one's opening, to consciously involve oneself in the process.

How does a flower open?
It opens when light, water and nuturients in the soil nurture it.

But why hurry to open?
Why hurry towards the so called end of flowering?

Bhavana is the active resting in the natural unfolding beauty of being.
Alan Clements, www.WorldDharma.com
as shared with me by my first Anusara Yoga teacher and dear friend, Hanneli Francis back in 2001

Om Shri Ganeshay Namah

Kid' ng and Caring

2010-04-20T19:19:00.000-07:00

The sounds of my sisters conversing and breathing with my Dad, talking sweetly to my Mom, giggling amongst themselves and buckling down with the nurses where my dad is being cared for, is in a constant rhythm above my brow. I love this fun cellphone photo they sent from their "girl's night out", while attending Mom's bowling night. (That's a pic of me they're holding, a downloaded presence, since I can't be there in person.) I'm helping from up here, they say, and with the swift aide of modern day technology I've been able to send cheery Shane quips, and text'd synthesis' of my Dad's condition, via the very appreciated aide of my dear friend, "the doctor".)

My Mom's an awesome bowler... no kidding, 'though "kid-ing" is something we all need more of. As I'm sure my sisters are filling every available non-heavy moment with. I'm so glad I have my little guy to keep me smiling and laughing.

Today, I unpacked his backpack from a day at the Roger Williams Park Zoo (a trip he enjoyed with the YMCA spring breakers) and to my sweet surprise I found a rather wilted, but brillant bouquet of dandelions that he had picked for me on the playground at the Y. My heart melted. What a sweetie! He asked a friend for his empty gatorade bottle to stuff them in. Ragged and weary, they're a symbol of so much. Filled with the Shri of childhood and apparent warmth that sincere care can bring. They lit up my day, and his sadness at their condition was heartening.
Oh how I can't help but love, cherish and appreciate these wonderful days while my little guy is so darn cute and adoring.

May moments like these enrich the lives of every human. Love is something.
Here's to Care-giving of all kinds, and to what fills us up!

Good news too. My Dad's doing better... the tracheotomy today has helped tremendously, to bring him hope, his own breath and the recognition that there are brighter days ahead! Big love and breaths full of Grace to all.

Springtime buds and free-time play ... what a way to spend the day!

2010-04-11T16:06:00.000-07:00

Open to Grace. WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY YOGA Practices/Classes - Dedicated to those needing wellness and to those as witness of process.

2010-04-06T17:55:00.000-07:00

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7th's and FRIDAY's APRIL 9th's yoga practice/class theme is Opening to Grace, with a dedicated practice for my father who is going in for lung cancer surgery tomorrow at noon. Grace and empathy is especially needed by health care givers, as they treat and aide elders and the unwell and often become hardened to the "care" side of health care. As much as Grace and faith is needed by the ill, it's needed by the nurses, radiologist and doctors. It's an often cold and lonely process, getting well, going in and out of hospitals, test after test, chemo, radiation.... To send out wishes of Grace for all those involved is hugely needed. Kindness is so underrated, and yet so valued. Please be tender to my father, and may all be filled with Grace and free from struggles of all kind.

Broad View Yoga Barn 1010 Matunuck Beach Road, Matunuck, RI
$5-$15 Sliding Scale Fee // Call for more info: 401-533-0116

Wednesdays (Beginning April 7)
11 am-12:30 pm & 4-5 pm
Fridays (Beginning April 9)
11 am-12:30 pm & 5-6 pm

Walks on the beach optional!! More classes to come. Comment with Email address to be on Mail list.

We are the Resurrection, for we Embody Christ and the Supreme Divine Consciousness dwells within!

2010-04-04T15:35:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter weekend! And what a beautiful spring spell we are in, with temps in the 60s and long days of sunshine, you can't help but feel revived. After the deluge of rain, the grass is bright green and the scent, feel and sight of Shri permeates the air. The affirmation of life (Shri) is everywhere, budding from the bare grey bends of oaks, maples and elms; tweeting from the bright red cardinals that flit to and fro the branches till dusk, and infused in the play of children everywhere, on the rocky beaches, the egg sprawled grass and the sun speckled porches. We are blessed with a time to rejoice and are filled with the energy of the Divine, as we resurrect the embodiment of Christ in our own being.

This morning Shane and I went to Easter service at Peace Dale's Unitarian Universal Church. It was our first time actually making it there, we've tried before when they were on break. I am often teaching yoga on Sundays or busy at a Yoga Teacher Training or Workshop, childsitting friends' little ones, or watching over my son resting from from one of the viruses or bugs he caught this year.

We had a lovely Easter Sunday, after Church he enjoyed an egg hunt with the congregation, and another egg hunt here in our yard with the neighborhood kids. Then we enjoyed a neighborhood Easter dinner, as we each brought a plate, shared food and sat on our porches in the sun and feasted! Jeff baked the ham, yams and potatoes; Shane and I decorated an egg shaped cake and made Arugula salad, while Joyce had the twins and dished it all out lovingly with her big smile and generous heart. Before that we all went to the Green Hill Beach and flew kites, dug holes and stacked rocks.

It was a great day to celebrate life. Especially after a week of cleansing. Even Shane had carrot juices and fruit smoothies in place of breads and meats this week, and I did the full Master Cleanse for a few days easing in and out of the fast days with salads, juices, soups and wheat grass. I feel fresher, lighter and full of Shri! Coffee has no appeal to me- I sipped a bit today, and had to say no thanks.

I'm still cleansing and restoring myself emotionally, after letting go of yet another attempt to reunite with my x. It's been a challenging week. I also am deeply praying, as my father goes in for lung surgery this week, Wednesday, to rid his right lower lobe and windpipe of a centimeter of cancer. My mom went through a tough week as well, and spent a few horrible days in the hospital after what was feared to be a stroke/tvi. All is well now with them, although Dad's week awaits. It's very disconcerting to know they are going through so much. I am glad my sister Anne is flying down there today to be with them during this next challenging week. I pray that there is peace and Grace in every moment so we handle all fear, pain and longings with God's divine love, which we each embody, but may forget to embrace.

With that said, May we be filled with the promise of a renewed life, the embodiment of Divine Christ energy and the resurrection of Hope, as we bud and grow through the rest of springs dawning.

Shri Me! Spring Cleanse

2010-03-30T23:10:00.000-07:00

Rain, Rain...Shri Me! Spring Cleanse

2010-03-30T22:00:00.000-07:00

It's raining. It's pouring, springtime is soaring
Soon stillness and soaking, start the ground poking

Then sunshine's warm haze, will brighten our days
with buds on the trees, Easter color and bees

Green grass and more trowels
Daffodils and more flowers

We cleanse and awaken
What we must not forsaken

Our planet and our body
Restart to grow hardy

We cleanse and renew
Feel fresh like dawn's dew

The Shri that we feel
Is life full of zeal!

Be full of divine Grace
Wear a smile on you face

Spring is here, life is dear
and a reawakening is near!

~Rebecca

Create your reality

2010-03-19T20:24:00.000-07:00

My Daily OM from yesterday was...

By choosing how to interpret and define each moment with your thoughts, you truly create your reality.

This affirmation is gonna last me awhile, and I think I'll teach it this week to my yoga students, since I teach best, what I most need to learn.

Indeed, "Our only true reality is the present moment", and it is in our best interest to not merely accept that life is happening to us, but rather, we can harness the power of our thoughts and actively create a positive reality. Through our thoughts we move the unformed energy of the universe into form, which gives us direction for our words and actions."

We can choose to appreciate the beauty around us, rather than focus on the crazy traffic. We can look for admirable qualities in the people we deal with rather than focusing on the negative. We can see the time we used to spend at a job we may no longer have, as new opportune time to go deeper toward what we need serious contemplation to fully vison and hence create.

Throughout the day, practice creating a reality rich in possibility, by first monitoring your thoughts; you may catch yourself investing energy in limiting beliefs— instead pull your focus back to the infinite possibilities of the present. Taking a deep breath will help you center your thoughts on being in your body right now.

Beginning or maintaining a regular meditation is a way of gaining mastery over our minds. Yoga and mediation are practices that still thoughts to focus on the pureness of being. We may miss the experience of living in the present, by mentally dwelling on the past or the future. Setting and visualizing goals is wonderful, but we can bring our thoughts into our current experience by taking steps to create them now.

As the weather warms, and days lengthen with sunshine, the earth creates new life, rich with Shri - vitality, beauty and so much possibility. Be in the moment, spring forth with all that you want to grow, and nurture your garden with golden thoughts of loving optimism.

The Velvet Tree and Wild Iris

2010-02-22T23:19:00.000-08:00

Two sweet cell phone calls and text photos sent to Shane and I on Valentine's Day truly made our day.

The Velvet Tree Papa sent to Shane... This lovely moss covered beauty is up the hill behind Greg's house in Annapolis, CA. We ooh and ah'd, and then Shane proudly remarked, "that's in my back yard!"

He's talking lots about his father and adventures he's had in California lately. His stays with his dad over the summer are vital for the bonding and love to hold fast in his little heart. He said today he'd like to hug his six year old friend, Joe, when he gets back there this summer. Sweet. He's always talking about hikes with daddy and Max, "the 19 year old German" who shared time with Shane and his dad last summer. That friendship was golden for Shane.

The Wild Iris on the Pacific Coast was sent to me by dear and lovely friend Darrah, while she retreated to a quiet spot on the Pacific for a moment of pause and prose. She's an incredible poet. www.luminouswings.com

The photos bring more than just a pretty scene, they bring a feeling. From 1996-2001 I'd spend two weeks every month driving from San Francisco to Williams, OR, while visiting natural food stores as a rep for Herb Pharm. I'd take Rte. 101 and loop around to Rte. 5. So splendid were those years when I filled many journals and took hundreds of photos to someday reflect upon. It's nice to know Darrah has those same feelings. I always knew that coast would be a part of my life forever, actually ever since I drove up and down it with my xhusband Mike back in the summer of 1986, when Elk and it's rows of Eucalptus trees made a dream like impression on me.

"Wildflowers don't care where they grow", sings Dolly Parten, well these lucky blooms and trees must have good kharma, as do all those who spot their glory blowing in the sea spray or hidden in the forest.

It really does make a difference when you share your love with messages, cards, photos, phone calls and a good old fashion visit or summer together! Family and friends are the best part of living - nature fills the compassion and makes the love even greater.

Make a call, send a card, snap a picture and share a smile. It feels good for all.

Original Valentines' in the computer age!

2010-02-10T14:00:00.001-08:00

How to get your computer crazed kid to cut construction paper and paper doilies... put some iphoto fun into the mix.
Shane and I laughed like crazy making these! Have fun!

Capturing Memories, Faces and Personality

2010-02-08T22:10:00.000-08:00

Thank you technology for photography - what a treasure trove we sow as our youngins smile and grow! A recent e-news from friend and photographer, Robyn Ivy (www.robynivyphotography.com), has spurred my desire to look back on my recorded life in celluloid and pixels.

Unfortunately, last March, my seven year old son accidently dropped my lap top, which caused my hard drive to irreparably crash. Yes, I lost a lot of unsaved docs and many, many photos, my fault- I wasn't the greatest back'er'upper.

I'm hoping that I have back up disks and digital photo cards tucked in a box somewhere, along with the zillions of pre-digital printed photos and albums I own. It's been a year, and I can't believe I haven't gone to my storage and checked.

Thankfully, I just flipped through my Facebook albums and found some precious favorite thumbnail photos of my son's first few years when we lived in our splendid home on Broad Rock Rd in Wakefield. A house that we sold just before his fifth birthday. He doesn't remember much of those days, so I'm glad these photos have resurfaced. Photos rock! To think of how we click away digitally, as if creating an ever ceaseless motion picture was something we've been doing for centuries, forgetting just how powerful preserving moments truly is.

When I see his little face in these photos I see the charming and funny little guy that he was as a baby and toddler; I also recall all the unknowns.."Will my little guy be respectful?"; "Will he grow to be a productive, happy adult?" HIs personality is in full bloom now, and I can see how he is his own little man, but also a sponge and keen observer of what goes on around him. Parenting is of course both fun and challenging. We need to uphold a responsibility to be good examples of habit and manner, while also allowing our children to develop their own sense of Self and soverignty.

Being the "involved" PTO and hands on kind of parent that I am; I've volunteered to produce his elementary school's yearbook, a collection of photos that I hope will add up to rich childhood memories for every one of the 400 students in his wonderful elementary school. If captured and shared, they're remembered... how you feel is remembered, how those around you felt. Photo collections carry emotion and are a powerful way to reflect on what we have imprinted on our lives. Snap away!

Tea with Thomas Jefferson & Yoga with Intention

2010-01-19T21:13:00.001-08:00

"It is neither wealth nor splendor,
but tranquility and occupation,
which give happiness."
~Thomas Jefferson

I came across this quote in Natural Home magazine, accompanied on the page by a beautiful pot of tea and an orchid. I tucked it in my journal with the intention to share it with my friends and students. I recently found the page outside my door, half buried in the snow, waiting for its duty to empower.

I've since shared the quote and taught the yoga asana, Eka Pada Rajakopatasana (one legged pigeon prep) as a physical expression of Jefferson's sentiment. The pose imbues a dove-like grace and knowingness of purpose.

How do you occupy your time? Do you love what you do, and do what you love? Do you make the time to go within, and find a place and time for reflection and tranquility?

Set an intention to live the life you want, and practice aligning yourself physically, mentally and spiritually with that intention. This mini yoga sequence, featuring the hip releasing and heart opening Eka Pada Rajakapotasana (one legged king pigeon pose), is a great place to start on the mat, encouraging you to feel secure, confident, courageous and abundant, off the mat.

Living the life you want, means a daily practice of holding fast to your true Self, the divinely good you. Start by being Open to Grace and to Possibility. Focusing on your breath, flow through Surya Namascar A & B (Sun Salutations) - to warm up, igniting the transformation of dormant intentions, creativity and passions to align into action.

Flow into Eka Pada Rajakopatanasana to begin to gently free up stagnate energy in the ligaments and joints of your hips and thighs, clearing the body's lower chakras so energy can flow upward through the higher level chakras to the heart, throat and brow. Eka Pada Rajakopatansasa in its most conscious, full expression, exudes a qualilty of grace and positive attitude, and is not a dormant pose, but one of action. Using muscular energy set your foundation (hug to the bones, from your periphery to your inner divine self). Root the front leg's shin down and back, isometrically, while also hugging the back leg in toward your mid line; this action keeps the muscular and energetic action of your limbs engaged for balance, and allows you to shine forth from a place of knowing. From this 'contained' place you can organically rise up more solidly, and pour your energy through the chakras with a direct flow.

In Eka Pada Rajakaotasana Bhekasana (one legged frog pose) variation, maintain the hug inward for stability as you bend the back leg forward in pose. Maintaining the hug of muscles to your bone, keep both side bodies long, and both hips squared, as you reach back and hold your same side's foot with your hand or elbow. Press the back foot and shin down toward your outer hip, while the opposite hand remains by your hip for extra support or reaches back to join with the foot.

In full Eka Pada Bhekasana> (frog pose) your foot may go all the way to the floor, or you can connect both arms and hands in a backbend, with your head touching your foot or feet in Dwi Pada Rajakapotanasana. Go easy; yoga is directional. Be where you are, accepting and breathing into the pose. This Eka Pada Bhekasana variation releases stagnate energy held in the upper thigh, which can relate to any unfulfilled or long held intentions. Soften your heart and then Hug your muscles to the bone and to your inner divine goodness. Sitting deep in the pelvis, tuck your tail bone to rise up through the lower belly, and then gently arch back tilting your head toward your back toes, dristi (gaze) to the sky - let your 'solar' plexus and heart beam, while breathing steady, Open to Grace.

"Listen with the ear in the center of the chest, and hear", as the 13th Century mystic poet, Rumi, says, "what's behind what i say.".

To help the back bend, Create an active loop of energy from your postures highest focal point, the upper palate through the back of your skull. Releasing your shoulders down your back and in toward your heart, looping the action back up through the center of your chest and back to the upper palate at the roof of your mouth. This loop will keep the back of your neck long, even as you gaze upward, allowing a clear passageway of prana (lifeforce) to move through the chakras, from your pelvis and hips, through your solar plexus and heart, and up through the back of the throat, to the Janu, or wisdom center at your brow, and then up through the crown of your head.

Open to Grace. Free yourself from struggle, in the pose and in your life, and soften your heart between your shoulder blades. With inner body brightness, beam like a white dove, full of peace and purpose. Maintaining the hugging in to your foundation and heart, offer your free hand to the sky, either with a wide open palm Abaya mudra (fearless hand gesture) or in the Janu mudra (wisdom hand gesture), thumb to middle finger, symbolic of the connection you are making to your higher self. Maintaining the shoulder loop, gaze upward and breathe deep in this pose for five exhalations as you organically lift your chest to the sky like a pigeon soaring high with a powerful message.

Take pause afterward, and rest your chest forward on the floor, over your front knee, opening your hips futher in this long holding, Yin pose (yin: feminine, cooling), a complement to the more firey nature of theYang salutes and back bending pigeon. When ready, release into Ado Muhka Savasana- (downward facing dog) and then switch sides.

Let the beauty we love be what we do.
There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.
~ Rumi

Follow Eka Pada Rajakapotanasan with another downward dog for five breaths, and then swing forward into a seated postition. Sit tall in Dandasana (staff pose). Dandasana being symbolic of a staff used to climb a mountain of spiritual heights and dharmic fulfillment (your life's true purpose). After five breathes in Dandasana, plug your shoulders in to your torso, and then extend your arms over head; maintaining that same shoulder loop practiced in the pigeon pose, fold forward into Pachimottanasana (forward sunset pose), bowing in humility, for the opportunity we have during this lifetime to graciously walk the path of our Soul, is an honorable one. Let the forward bend be a chance to be still and look inward... to feel tranquil; sure of yourself, not anxious, but rather nurtured and content.

You may want to continue the practice with Ardha Matsyendrasana (seated twist) or Sirsasana (headstand). These poses offer the opportunity to root down and rise up while either "twisted" or "inverted". A worthy practice as life throws us many challenges.

As always, end your practice with Savasana(corpse pose), and allow for the ultimate in tranquility and occupation, the passing of our physical self into the continuation of our ceaseless soul's journey.

Winter 'Wonder'land: entering 2010 with gratitude, forgiveness and the practice of transformation

2010-01-02T07:51:00.000-08:00

“Authentic consciousness... settles into a glance that sees only a radiant infinity in the heart of all souls and breathes into its lungs only the atmosphere of an eternity too simple to believe." Ken Wilber, from Integral Spirituality, Translation and Transformation

With that quote in mind, why sweat the small things? Forgive, accept, set intentions and move-on. Go with the flow of Supreme Consciousness (God's grace) and live with an "authentic consciousness"; breath into your lungs a more simpler, radiant space full of heart and soul energy, right? Oh, if it were all so easy. That's why practicing these intentions with a yoga and meditation practice are so important, so we can remember... the infinity of our soul. This life, this new year, it's all a soul's ride through stardust and moonbeams.

This year I do need to both heal and let go, restore and dream big. First off I am grateful for my family and friends, for love felt and yet to be felt, for graceful snowfalls that slow into stillness, and help us to reflect and accept what comes in the middle of our dark nights or grey days, and I am grateful for a little boy's snowball that hits me smack in the neck! Gotta love the snow with a seven year old!!

I am smiing with the hopefullness and lightheartedness of forgiving myself and others, and with a freedom that is rooted in being true to my ever blooming heart- presently a bit pained, yet ready to give and receive again to my dreams and to others. I hope to be of more service to this world in the decade that comes, and to transform with my practice of yoga and meditation.

Whatever your religion, or practice, may it lead you into a transformative awarenesses that fills you with gratitude, forgiveness, peace and serenity. Through our prayers and series of practices, sadhana or satsang, shikan-taza or yoga, we can translate and transform our spiritual selves. Through being one with community our hearts will never be alone.

The great masters —Padmasambhava, to St. Teresa of Avila, to Gautama Buddha, to Lady Tsogyal, to Emerson, Eckhart, Maimonides, Shankara, Sri Ramana Maharshi, Bodhidharma, Garab Dorje, have always the same message: let this consciousness be in you that is in me.

Happy New Year and onward to infinity! In God's name, Amen.

Merry Christmas 2009!

2009-12-25T12:07:00.000-08:00

QUESTIONS, I'll wait for answers on, pending in THE NEW YEAR? How long am I going to be single- for the rest of my life? Is it best for me to be alone? I hate dating. I love Brien. But I can convince myself that being an on again, off again girlfriend for almost five years is not good for me. I thought this time was going to be different. I was wrong. It must be for a reason. "Accept what comes to you, woven in the pattern of your destiny, for what could more aptly fit your needs." Marcus Aurelis, 1 AD I think I need to take time for me and my practice, and I'm looking forward and happy with my present of now.

WHAT DO I REALLY WANT FOR MYSELF? for my son and for our little family? for our future(s), since I know my son's future is separate from mine... ah, that needs details.

WHAT WILL I DO DIFFERENTLY THIS YEAR TO MAKE THINGS "HAPPEN"? Remembering that true "happiness" is to "let things happen" with acceptance and an open heart, so as to not be resistant or hardened to change, I will align my will, the fire of my desires, with my heart's passions and with a mindful intent. With silent listening and a clear conscious I will set intentions for what I would like to have spring forth in my life.

I will study and practice yoga and meditation every day and every night, which I love doing, so this shouldn't be such a challenge to make time for. Although sometimes I/we put off what we know to be truly good for us, because we are afraid of happiness. I will, with and without Shane, sit for daily meditations, and attend group meditations and yoga gatherings. This means also getting myself to Ananda and/or The Unitarian Church for group sadhana and services. (On the Sundays and weeknights that I am not teaching yoga).

I will immerse myself in Self study and the growth process, which I value immensely and recognize as being beneficial to all those I am in relationship with. I will be disciplined in my study of Anusara Yoga and the Self study that takes place when enrolled in a Teacher Training program. I have committed myself to this training and will set aside the necessary time and funds to make it happen through the spring. A $1500 commitment.

I will be of service to others as a yoga teacher and writer, while making money and providing for my self and my son. I will direct energy towards raising awareness and funds for causes my heart is inspired to help.

I will bring to fruition what I hold dear in my heart: writing books for causes with Shane, like our first effort: "Don't let the Rhinos get extinct like the Dinos", which we've already begun, and I can clearly vision as published and read. This is to be a fundraiser for Save the Rhinos foundation.

I will work smart at writing grants, a new worthwhile career in line with my dharma, for non-profit endeavors I believe in. Starting with one for the Alternative Food Coop, which I'd like to help make an educational resource center for whole foods cooking, "green" shopping and natural wellness.

I will make the amount of money I wish for in detail. An amount of money I need to live the lifestyle I want for my son and I; the amount I desire to fulfill humble, but life giving activities and a sanctuary Shane and I can call home. I will plan for our future, for the summer and for another school year in Matunuck renting.

I will work with and meet people whom will help me grow in areas I'd like to be educated on. Shane wants to be a vegetable and goat farmer, and have a little stand in front of his home garden... next summer. We will prepare for a garden and for a summer with some travel- back to CA and perhaps some dinosaur excavation sites.

I am not a farmer, or a carpenter, but someday I would like to build or live in a simple, "green" home, with light and love and tremendous nurturing qualities. I will do what I can to make this possible, one day at a time, one penny at a time, one grant at a time, one book at a time, and one relationship at a time. Honestly, I know I do not have the ability to do this on my own, but who knows if I go toward it I may get the help I need. I have a lot to learn in this respect and I really feel I need a loving partner to do this with, someone with patience, creativity and good money management. It sure would be nice if we were in love too. I was liking my mutual interest in this area with ... oh, but I may need to move on...

I want to write, plant, travel and teach, and always practice yoga. Yes, always practice yoga, for in practice we grow, and in teaching what we practice, we offer what we have in abundance to the world, and often that is an abundance of lessons yet to be learned.

Dream big, let go of what you no longer need. And be free from struggle, accepting and open to possibility!

Namaste~ and HaPpy NEw YEar!!

Snowfall Reflections & Wishes for 2010

2009-12-20T21:36:00.000-08:00

It's been so dark lately, but this weekend's snowfall has shined lots of light on the darkness, and is creating quite a lot of reflection. Everybody's dark sides are coming to light, and bouncing off each other. It's part of nature, but it can often be a painful time and hard to accept. During this winter season sparkling with Holydays, I pray that all beings everywhere withstand the darkness, and see their own light as divine goodness, shining on the serene, the beautiful and the sacred, and when dark corners are unveiled into light, may we be accepting without overreaction but with grace and equanimity. With this we can shine light on the possibility of growth and healing.

I need to remember this as I deal with the realities and unrealities that I am faced with, on this darkest night of the year. I thought he loved me. If he loves me I'll stick it out. I just don't know anymore. He says I never come to the middle, yet that's what I do and request all the time, to take a break when stressed, instead of being reactionary. To apologize when we've over reacted. I can not be his dream girl, the perfect woman- the one 'like mother, but without mother's faults.' We all have a dark and a bright side. It takes acceptance to understand that. I am not his mother. This snow is just glaringly mirror-like in all directions, and it's shining lots of light on dark corners. Everything he says about me, I swear he could be saying to his own reflection, and he probably thinks the same of my words. It's very confusing. What can simplify things is acceptance and opening to Grace, not over reactivitiy. So I must move on and look forward with an open heart.

It Takes A Village - West coast, East coast - no difference, it takes hard work and dedicated villagers to make the changes needed in this world!

2009-11-29T16:00:00.001-08:00

ORGANIC PRODUCE at The ALTERNATIVE FOOD COOP - in the heart of Wakefield, RI Colorful food and all kinds of friendly folks and characters make this community mainstay a happening place!

California, the west.... indeed a lot of health conscious movers and shakers are out there, but they are here in Rhode Island too. Have you heard about the SK Public School's Community Learning Program (CLP)? sksclp.edu -

Have you experienced shopping, eating, learning or volunteering at Wakefied's Alternative Food Cooperative (AFC)? alternativefoodcoop.org

AFC is one of the last small cooperatives in the US, with working volunteers and an all-organic, primarily local produce section. AFC now has one of southern Rhode Island's most loved and revered chef's heading the kitchen, with vegan, gluten free and all organic choices from Thai Tofu Stew to Gluten-free, Chocolate, Raspberry Muffins! Yum! - Yes, now at AFC is Chris Bassett of Pepper's and Wileys at Middlebridge fame? Great stuff with more to come, like more cooking classes and education from the AFC board members, staff, volunteers and customers!

It takes a village to create the change we want to see in the world! Start with your own life, then see how you can be a part of the bigger picture - be creative, volunteer, share your gifts, create income out of what you offer, educate and help us all grow, organically, into a more sustainable community and world we feel proud of!

I was inspired to write this after reading a link offered up from a fellow friend, yogini and facebooker. Here's the link: read and come back.

Back to the Land - And the Pursuit of Happiness Blog - NYTimes.com

kalman.blogs.nytimes.comNovember 26, 2009, 8:32

Creating change out west, in the tofu eating, electric car driving mainstream, can be just as difficult as anywhere else, and only gets more possible when the community is there to support it. Communities in CA may be the pioneers of change and idealistic goals may get underfoot decades before the east coast even has enough wishful thinkers of the idea, but positive change can occur anywhere. It just takes gumption, perserverance, dedication and community networking and support!

Before Alice Waters's Edible Schoolyard, was Earth Save's (John Robbins' effort), "The Healthy School Lunch Project," that originated in Santa Cruz,CA. Both projects emphasize(d) educating students on where their food comes from, on how it is prepared, and how to relax and eat it. I worked as a volunteer in Santa Fe, NM's public schools in the mid 90's with a combo project of these two programs. We had local chefs volunteering in the classrooms, sharing simple, whole food preparation and easy recipes with the kids; the dishes made were incorporated into the hot lunch choices that week after some education and training of the food service workers. It was a lot of work! Before all that we had to deal with lessening the food service's robotic dependence on subsidized canned food- high in sodium, fat and preservatives, and selling whole food prep to them with time constraints was a challenge.

The lack of interest and will within all levels of the Santa Fe PS district's administration was also a challenge, as making any changes to the state and federal programs that fund their schools was a definite no, no -appropriations of funds and the subsidized over stocked processed foods that fill school kitchens is figured according to the number of low income students getting free lunch. Would kids eat healthier food?-- many pessimist said no. Having local businesses, respected physicians, Naturopaths, health food stores, coops, restauranteurs, teachers (especially health teachers) and parents supporting the change and convincing the school board, was a huge political plus. One day a week we managed to have local restauranteurs', shops', farmers' and artisians' produce, breads and cheeses purchased with "Healthy School Lunch Program" grant money, and the food was used in the classrooms and lunch program. Even if we didn't get the institutionalized food to change 100% the healthy choices were well received and kids LEARNED that fresh and whole foods are not only more delicious, but fun and healthy alternatives. Making positive changes in a stubborn environment, is a challenge where ever you are, but set an intention, do your best and work with other like minded citizens. Together, we can make differences that add up to change, slow but sure!

Indian summer hikes with tikes! Reflections on: ancient rocks, courageous saplings and changing seasons.

2009-11-19T20:20:00.000-08:00

Do you think you can? ...

Take a walk? Climb a rock? Hug a tree? And yes, take a pee (off the trail)? When nature calls are you listening?? Do you respond with a drive to, and then hike in, your local nature preserves or wildlife refuges?

Apparently doctors are beginning to recommend a simple hike in nature as a bit of panacea for the ailing and depressed. See Shannon Baer's 'Backyard Mama' blogsite and the Washington Post article she links to, for a very interesting take on the healing power of nature.

Personally, I think we all know that 'a hike a weekend' would do wonders for our psyche. Hiking within our inner-self, and in our great big world, as well as with others proves that our interconnectedness is clear. The examples are everywhere: fallen leaves- greying hair; determined saplings - determined boys; toppling walls and useless boundaries (efforts gone a rye, yet still appreciated-the long dead farmers who set their pasteur boundaries, and the hundred years of moss and mold living off their walls). I appreciate every hollowed and rotted snag for the old trees are homes to insects, birds, squirrels and more. Indeed, we are all connected in the cycles of being.

We are all changing matter sharing this planet.

I love this video of our little friend Elliot climbing, inch by inch, up an old rock at The Francis Carter Preserve in Charlestown, RI. If you remember, there's nothing quite like reaching the top of a dinosaur size rock in a forest full of wild things, and as a parent, it's so sweet to hear the call, "Look at me, Mom!". A true parenting and childhood mile"stone".

If you didn't read my recent article, "Wildlife Biology- A career for nature- loving kids", as printed in the Nov. 11th Narragansett Times, or in the Nov. 18th Charlestown Press, then check out: SKSchoolsCommunityLearningProgram.blogspot.com. Connecting children with the wonderful cycles of wildlife is both a service to yourself, and to them. You're fostering their love of the natural world, and hence cultivating their interests into potential careers in the biological and earth sciences, plus a good hike enriches your relationship.

Enjoy the natural world... get to know your wildlife refuges and nature preserves.

I know you can get out and feel better, reach milestones, and enjoy an any season hike!

Now it's November - thanks for the hour!!

2009-11-01T19:22:00.000-08:00

Okay, I went the whole month of October, which was full of stories, without writing one single blog.
What's that about?? Too busy, and too tired, really? Really. Well, today I got that extra hour so I have no excuse. Besides writing, I pulled over and took a walk on the wild side today, along my hometown's fabulous bike path. What did you do with your extra hour?

I had a GREAT OCTOBER and feel very inspired to keep striving for happiness. Ever since I quit the job that just wasn't right for me (June 30), I've been riding a better wave. The sun has since moved through Leo, Virgo, Libra and is now in intense Scorpio, I think I've come full circle with firey Sagittarius right around the corner. I'm intensifying my new placement in this lifetime with a deeper devotion to whom and what I love, and with immense gratitude. It's so nice and healthy to be able to lead my life with complete integrity.

If you're feeling dis-eased, reacces where you work, who you work with, and who you work for, and if you're not working at all right now, start volunteering in a field you love, or with people you can relate to. Helping others will lead you to being helped; being of service relieves depression and isolation.

Letting go of what you no longer need, or releasing what is not working for you, is being true to yourself. Give the job you hate to someone who will love it and flourish. I've learned that being financially in a hole for a season or two is worth the chance to plant new seeds and bloom anew. Make room for what you WANT to do, and do it. Your needs will be fulfilled in time, and abundance may even follow. Stay in the dream with a great big picture. Create the life you want and get the support from the UNIVERSE by being true to your heart.

I am finally doing ONLY what I love, advocating, supporting and teaching what I believe in. Living a lifestyle of health and sustainability are key to my being well in spirit, as well as in body and mind. I'm teaching yoga and Pilates at two locations that both support motherhood - with onsite childcare- and I am working and volunteering at my community's Alternative Food Coop and at my son's school. It's great being back in the natural foods/products industry, and it's wonderful being back in schools. I taught elementary school for seven years, and in the natural health field for seven as well, so indeed I've come full circle.

My intention for November is to continue to strive to be happy, healthy and giving and to deepen my connection to others and to helping others heal. I am truly Thankful for where my arduous journey has taken me. Where has your journey since summer taken you, and are you grateful for the lessons you've learned and the fruit you're now harvesting?

Being Present: Back deck science needs an audience; be there or be square.

2009-09-22T09:47:00.000-07:00

I can remember when my son was a newborn and my mind and heart were in a continual tug of war; "Do I continue to wriggle toes to silly songs, or do I attend to the house work, bills and all of life's looming responsibilities?" How do I do my best and remain guilt free if my attention is compromised by the distraction of ambiguous priorities?

The question as to how to be 100% present for our families, while maintaining balance, begs to hear the answer to first let go of expectations and just do your best. If I let go of what I 'think' will make me more centered (no dishes in the sink, or getting that office email out before dinner) and instead make time for reflection, meditation or "sharpening the saw", as Stephen Covey suggests, then the chaos and ambiguity of a world full of important tasks falls away, and what rises is a clearer focus on the big picture and "first things first".

A good intention to begin with is to be present, and to do our very best in everything we do; when we do so there is no room for self-guilt or disappointment. This is one of Deepak Chopra's 'Seven Spiritual Laws for Success' and one of the most common incentives I offer up to my son. That and being open to growth and acceptance to change.

I was so happy to record Shane on the back deck experimenting with water balloons. He'd been at it for almost a half hour, still playing in his pj's till well after noon on a sunny, sniffly nose Sunday. His cold kept him home from school the following day and we had to be flexible to get work done even when 100% was hard to give.

I had to take pause to reflect on 'the big picture', that striving for happiness, wellness and peace was of utmost importance to me and that my being present for my son, and in all that I do, will surely add up to a world of great worth and fond memories.

Humming Children - and the freedom to play, dream, and rest

2009-09-21T18:44:00.000-07:00

Where friends meet friends,
we smile.

Where rain meets earth,
we splash.

Where music meets hearts,
we sing.

Where song meets soul,
we dance.

Where years meet story,
we see.

Where moonlight meets path,
we walk.

Where darkness meets light,
we dream.

We dream.

Rachel Isadora, from the children's book, Caribbean Dream

All over the world children hum as they walk to school, chew a snack, or color a rainbow sky. Their head thoughts are heart songs that sing their soul into the moment, sweeping their imaginations into play, or stilling their busy beats into a melodic daydream.

When you find a picture book with prose and images that capture the laze and daze of being carefree, don't you just want to stay awhile? Sharing someone else's story makes us all one and the same; we all want the peace to be sustaining.

Children's book author, Rachel Isadora, connects every child whether from South Africa, Haiti or America, to the universal rhythms of calm, and brings the differences we have, as to how we eat and sleep, work and play, into a place of understanding and relativity.

One of the most sustainable things you can do is check out library books. One of the most precious things you can spend your time doing is reading the books with your child. One of the most mind expanding and heart felt things you can do is read about families from around the world and how they sing, dance, laugh and play.

Grace under Pressure

2009-08-20T17:21:00.001-07:00

How do we keep our cool when the temperature rises in our blood? Do we count to ten and breathe deep like our elementary school guidance counselors used to tell us, or do we take the stress in and spit it out with volcanic eruptions?

This weekend in New England, the barometric pressure is high, a storm is brewing and celestially and energetically we are all being affected. So keeping our cool is being put to the test. More on that after I reread and recap a recent astrological report that shook me up a bit with warnings.

In any case, and there are many out there, try this during an emotional thunder storem: shut your eyes, look inward at your third eye (the calm) and try to heed your intuition's silent advice which is to just be still. Let it rain, Let it rain, Let it rain, but remain the calm in the eye of the storm.

Let every mean and cruel, volatile word or action swirl around you and stay still, even when you are accused of avoiding the situation, stay calm and yes breath a whirl of fresh ocean air in and about the rocky coastline of your being, now bruised and a bit eroded, but still beautiful and full of Grace.

Accept the storm, know it will pass, and prepare to no longer accept the damage and violations to your spirit that your unsettled feelings have stirred. Be the beach at low tide and just let the seaweed and driftwood find a still place to settle on your shore, knowing that the calm is always the best place to be in a storm, even in the midst of it.

hOMe Shanti Shanti Shanti

I lost a Dear Friend and the world lost a Soulful Teacher- Mike Occhi, Dec.17, 1963-July 30, 2009

2009-08-08T14:50:00.000-07:00

DEATH is a dialogue between
The spirit and the dust.
“Dissolve,” says Death.
The Spirit, “Sir,I have another trust.”
Death doubts it, argues from the ground
The Spirit turns away,
Just laying off, for evidence.
An overcoat of clay
Emily Dickinson

Although Emily Dickinson died in the mid 1800's she left poetry and teachings that are her legacy, and hence continues to inspire and change people's worlds by her words. My dear friend Michael Occhi was an English teacher inspired by Emily's soulful prose. He too has passed and left admirers and students in his wake, raw with grief yet inspired by his example and teachings. Mike led a life lived with compassion and kindness for others. Mike's genuine regard for all living things was a conviction. It was surrounded by his heart, not by piousness, but by an unpretentious self assurance that his way (genuine compassion) was the only way for him to live.

Mike's soul picked him to lead such a life of giving and compassion. His Soul and God got lucky, for he fulfilled a great deal on his path and fulfilled so much of his life's purpose. Teaching High School English in Central Falls for fourteen years was a big part of his dharma, and many, many lives can attest to it's worthiness. Mike is now helping God with even greater work, but even within the circumstances of his tragic death Mike continues to teach. And for all of us that are so fortunate to have known him, we can learn from his Grace to walk to the beat of our own drum, and to fulfill our dharma.

--------

A teacher is a person who can inspire someone else to be interested in a subject. Someone who is enthusiastic about something; to impart the knowledge of; to give intelligence concerning; to inculcate as true or important; to exhibit impressively; to direct, as an instructor; to manage, as a preceptor; to guide the studies of. Teaching is one of God’s highest callings for His children ... ask God it might be you !

Mike dwelled with peace in his heart, awareness in his mind and grace in his deeds.

JULY Yoga: Root Down to Rise Up

2009-07-17T14:27:00.000-07:00

Tis' the season of growth; every garden is getting greener, every forest thicker, every child taller, and with this season's rainy days and most welcomed bright summer sun, there's inevitably a rash of spontaneous sprouting- stories filled with love and adventure, and rich memories that are the fruit of life.

With all the growth and ripening fruit we can sometimes forget that it is our roots that first connect us with our Source, and it is the integrity of our soil, a metaphor for our values, that helps create our dreams and the life we strive to fulfill.

How well we're nurtured, just as how well we nurture our own soil, is vitally important for the development of our integrity and garden of life. In "Rooting down" and then drawing up the earth's energy into our physical and energetic body, our heart and wisdom center receive the support of the earth and allow us to grow along with and into the flow of Universal intent. When we go against the Unviersal flow of energy toward happiness and bliss, we often are going against our own heart's wishes, but when we root down, and connect with our Source and our roots, we can rise up with integrity.

In our yoga practice, both on and off the mat, we must first consider our foundation; how we plant our feet or hands on the earth, and how we walk our talk. Our Dharmic path comes from a knowing that lies deep within and is nurtured by the soil of our upbringing. When we forget about our roots, or travel around in a mental and physical world that fails to plant roots, and set intentions, then there is a lack of directed creative force enriched by a foundation of values. When we have the confidence that our home is in our heart, and is endlessly supported by God's love, then we can fill it with purpose and values and within this nourishing environment plant seeds, then "root down and rise up" being the best we can be.

How will you know the
Difficulties of being human,
if you're always
Flying off to blue perfection?

Where will you plant your
grief-seeds?

We need Ground
To scrape and hoe,
not the sky of
unspecified desire.

Rumi

Apex Asana: Vrksasana & Adho Mukha Vrksasana (Tree & Downward Facing Tree-handstand prep and practice)

Missing Shane - the bicoastal parenting predicament

2009-07-08T14:25:00.000-07:00

First off if you want to see an adorably healthy little power yogi, check out my son going from downward dog to to a humingbird like fury of "star, pencil, star, pencil", aka jumping jacks. It's too cute. ---Oops, too big to upload here, visit my Facebook page: Rebecca J. Briggs. Second off, this is long. Sorry. I needed to journal this out.

Tonight is a Green Drinks South County pot luck - an event I get to go to minus my little guy. His green little being is in CA with his papa who lives off the grid in the redwood forested wine country of northern Sonoma along the Mendocino County border. Shane's dad is the real thing when it comes to living wild and sustainably-- Biodiesel old Mercedes, fruit trees in the yard, no refrigerator... a generator, the very hot "sun belt" sunshine, and a battery are the wood stove heated house's only power (tunes, tv & late night lights). I'm sure they've been chopping wood, bushwacking through the forest, and nailing down deck planks.

Papa's got a slew of projects any little boy would cherish being able to do with his father's loving eye and aide. Shane's even got his own bedroom to paint, and a keyboard to take piano lessons on. Shane started art classes this week at Gualala's Art Center and is loving it; it's so adorable hearing him share his culinary and arts n' craft projects with me. I call nightly, but I know Shane isn't big on talking if his heart hurts - sometimes he just doesn't want my distraction. He rather stay present, feeling the pangs of missing one of his parents when they are far away is not easy. I call him nightly and when he asks, "So What are you doing Mommy?" I just gasp with love and fondness, savoring the sound of his high pitched adorable little voice (sounds like my mom - voices are maternal you know).

I feel happy for both him and his father, for sharing time together is bliss and their God given right- Shane was with me through his entire kindergarten school year, 'cept for 10 days over the holidays. But what is a mother to do, when the father wants his son on the West Coast year round, while mom and son have been happily homesteading on the East Coast? Papa loves CA, lives almost rent free, and feels he has more work out there (as a Structural Integration Practitioner, aka Rolfer) and he does; although it's tough in this economy. He does not want to come East at all, and it was only last minute that he got himself east at Christmas time- the ole' money, time from work, bla bla bla, as if those are not issues for me as well. Our family and loved ones have shared our bicoastal travel expenses on more than one occassion, mind you.

The real issue here is, he doesn't like me or RI, and while I love Northern CA and have lived out west for more than 12 years of my adult life, and will take a risk with my personal time and money for a CA adventure whenever I can squeeze it out, he is more financially conservative to say the least. CA is outrageously gorgeous, and full of peace and nature loving friends new and old and yet to be made. And yes, I'm a sucker for not receiving any child support during the year from my son's father since we last moved from beneath the Pacific Sky back in Feb of 2007- it's sort of been an unsaid pack that he doesn't have to pay me atnything cuz he doesn't have any $ and it was my choice to move back to RI. (Note, with pleads I've gotten some financial reimbursement on some of Shane's after school care). Yes, Papa can be a difficult Pr-ck to communicate with, which of course he also says about me. We try to do our best with our dharmic & kharmic paths, and I most often give him the benefit of the doubt, because my intuition and heart know how much he cares for and loves his son... until I get another person's opinion, and until I think about how other moms in my position, facing what they may see and have to embrace, would respond or do in my situation. Most women would never get them selves in such predicaments.

It's a tough balancing act, but I do want to get along, for all of our sakes. Life is just too short to waste time fighting. I think, and I may be wrong, because I DO NOT have all the answers, nor do I want to have them, that Shane's father is angry at me for not being who'd he rather of had this amazingly wonderful child with, and i am indeed a symbol of responsiblity- a parent, an authority figure - I am not his parent, but I am one, his son's, and in so doing we are mirrors to each other and all parents. Moreover, our Mercury's are SQUARED - which is an energy of constantly conflicting communication.

Bottom line is I am a mother and I want my son to have a stable footing, and secure feelings regarding his families love and support for him. I want his roots with us to always be supported with nuturance and enriched with a fertile soil of experiences, education and role modeling that will supply him with the confidence to be who he is, a charming, creative, gentle but courageous spirit, loved and loving, silly and smart, sweet and special to us all. His happiness, safety and overall well being, along with love for himself and others are the underlying principles for Shane's upbringing and I do not want him to be a witness to verbal abuse. I must keep my balance around his father, which often means avoiding situations where he becomes an agressor or defender in a mindcreated war that there is no need for. I am learning more about Verbal Abuse and have a few of Patricia ?'s books ordered- I anxiously await there arrival. (Counselors so far have sucked.)

Moreover, I have lived in CA, and love the great beauty and openess, but feel the east coast is a more grounded environment to raise a child in, with outstanding schools and for me a large base of family and friends and a far lesser -in your face- drug culture, that I do not want to have an impressionable child having to deal with on a regular basis. I love both CA and RI and feel confident with my directed effort I can do what I love where ever I am - teach yoga and educate and advocate natural health and sustainability. Thankfully, Shane, God bless his soul, loves travel and adventure and both coasts. Shane does get very attached to people, places and things though, be it his LEO nature, and he has often stated that he wants to go to Matunuck School still, and I would like this as well, for as a former elementary school teacher in both the private and public sectors, out west and in RI, The Matunuck Elementary School, Principal Deb Zepp and the faculty, especially Matunuck's Speech specialist are far above outstanding!

I also have a loving relationship here in RI, though we've never lived together like a family would, we are finally ready to try it. I matter that in as part of my well being and that of my son's, for love and happiness and positive role modeling of loving, respectfully communicative adults is huge. I wish my dad was more respectful to my mom; he's getting better in old age... at least I think he is. I really think and feel I have a keeper relationship, with a responsible, loving man. I feel supported, balanced and loved, and I feel appreciated and respected, especially when I can work on issues of verbal abuse and mental health with this man. That's important, especially when my son has seen his fare share of dysfunctional adult relationships. Lord help us help ourselves.

So I pray daily for peace and freedom from struggles such as verbal abuse, and perhaps if I continue to direct my energy on the positive and envision the very best scenario for all of us all of our energies will flow towards a happy bicoastal situation where my work brings me to both coasts and all of our lives flourish with love and abundance within the two environments.

California Dreaming

2009-07-03T18:44:00.000-07:00

well here I am in Sebastopol, CA. Shane is with his father for the summer. We had a nice few days together as a family, hiking around the Gulala River and around his Papa's Anapolis home, and if it wasn't for the male figure's inability to be a mature adult and calmly converse with me about common parenting responsibilities without feeling threatened I'd still be up in Mendonoma spending a nice fourth of July weekend with them. I tried to politely inquire about concerns that other parents would take up as priorities, apparently he felt I was hovering and being controlling. I just don't know what to do. My intuition tells me to just let him be a parent on his own, make his own mistakes, and hopefully he'll make sure that his son is not damaged or injured by his choices and behavior. Shane is "learning how a guy lives."

My main concern is that Shane continues to have a weak role model when it comes to an adult male communicating respectfully to women, especially to me, the mother of his child; the child he didn't want to have with me, but now loves incredibly. What am I to trust, when a father rolls his eyes when the mother explains the summer homework their child's speech teacher asks for follow through on, and then scuffs at an inquiry over whether he has a first aid kit handy (i mean after all, living off the grid in a mountain house thirty minutes from the nearest town where cutting wood, bushwacking through forest and cliff hiking are common practices, does make one wonder about where the aide is if something sudden and unexpectedly happens.) I wasn't judging him, I was inquiring about the well being of my son. But what really got me was how defensive said father got when I inquired about his plan for childcare when he was at work. You'd think I was asking about his habits! My heart still hurts.

I had to leave so that the father role and appropriate adult behavior could kick in, because unfortunately I apparently create an energy around him that makes him revert back to an antiauthority disrespectful, irrational adolesent. I'm sorry. I will need to keep clear of conversations that triger this distrust in me of him, and trust in his love for his son, that all will be well. I want to do my best to insure my son's well being, as all mother's do, and I do try my best to do so, without interferring with a father's parental duties???, but is the situation I see acceptable? I guess it needs to be. what am i saying?? help!! I'm trying to figure this out as I go along and it's hard.

My Santa Rosa based friend Darrah is in LA and I'm in Sonoma alone waiting to I guess, fly back East. I have three days to wait out, and have very little left financially to work with. I have a number of choices to make right now, and am waiting for some guidance. I'm heading to Healdsburg to camp and we'll see what happens next.

Inspired by the Aperion Institutes Sustainability Fest

2009-06-07T20:14:00.000-07:00

A few weekends ago my son and I went to the Aperion Sustainable Living Festival in Coventry, RI. I worked back stage on both afternoons and enjoyed the music entirely, especially the Providence trio, The Low Anthem; you must download at least their song Charlie Darwin. The Low Anthem is both earthy and airy, deep but laid back, and all three muscians are very accomplished and uniquely creative, from clarinet to cell phone solos, they're a must see live mellow, mind blowing sensation.

What I got most out of the Festival though, is my intensified aspiration toward further pursuing a career in LOHAS, most especially sustainable building, along with ecology and natural health education. I want to advocate "Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability" by teaching yoga and natural living alternatives; traveling around sharing the needed information, closing the contracts on green actions, and aligning green entrepreneurs with individuals, schools and businesses needing their products and services.

I made some great contacts, Dave Eger from Boston, Katrina Lutz from People's Power and Light, and all the nice folks at Aperion, plus so many more, like the good folks at Asteris and Clean Energy Builders; all well educated and experienced in building, renovating and maintaining a sustainable planet. I need to direct my life's resume of inspiration and experience and try to be of service to this burgeoning path by helping direct it's flow toward action now. I want to be a part of moving the whole world forward towards social and environmental sustainability one act at a time. I want to be a part of this and can only listen to my truth and start the pursuit to fulfill my dharma wholeheartedly, and "let the beauty I love, be what I do" - I love this planet and the natural paths to make it last and be most at peace and in concert with nature.

Today my horoscope reads:
"Allow your optimistic attitude to envision successful outcomes. Even if you are experiencing doubts, give yourself permission to dream big. This will help you stretch beyond what you had believed was possible. Your energy and purpose could allow you to break through barriers today that you had previously been unable to move through. "

Good thing because my son's father and I are booking flights for Shane and I to fly out to California shortly after the last week of Shane's school year - via the help of his family (Thank you, Thank you!) I'm not sure if we are moving out on the 20th or 26th, but either way I need to get my things into storage or into the new house that I hope to rent as a year round. I'll need to rent it out while in CA and come up with $1,700 by July 1rst or 15th. I think I can, I think I can. Or am I, we, going to be staying... living with Brien?

I will spend a week out in CA getting Shane settled in and checking out the area and community in which his father lives and who hopefully meeting some of the people Shane will be spending time with. If SORI has their ducks in a row I'll stay more than a week; if not I'll be back and honestly either way is fine with me. Ideally, I would like to work for SO through mid July (selling into August and then fly out west again to Denver for the Wanderlust yoga and music conference if I can afford to. But trying to make ends meet is hard enough as it is, but I do need to have money saved for the my time in CA in August and for his birthday, and our return after August 17th. I'll have only two weeks before school starts again before I go full on teaching yoga and pushing my company, hOMnaturale: yoga, thai massage, natural home and family health.

Wish me luck... with energy and purpose I'll break on through!!

Taking the risk to bloom, pulling weeds first

2009-05-14T19:04:00.000-07:00

Inspired by President Obama's commencement speech and drive. Inspired by Kevin's enthusiasm, Natale Design and Build's interest, and inspired by my enjoyment of the Green Drinks gathering last night at the Shady Lea mills... I put my notice in today at the magazine. I really don't like selling advertising and I'm not good at it, especially in a depressed economy when I see so many businesses struggling. Advertising will get people wanting, but if they don't need it, no ad is going get them spending money they don't have. And besides, It's been costing me more money to work then I bring in and my spirit gets killed every press week. It should be rewarding and its damaging to me instead.

Even with a positive attitude and when most of the time I'm enjoying my work - the drives, the people, the magazine, the creative expressionism, even the busy systematic work with all it's challenges (slow email, no printer, gas money and time consuming drives). What kills me the most is the pressure to be perfect in areas that I'm not very good in - that is killing me, emotionally, spiritually and financially.

I know I've given this work a great deal of my best, but I'm needed to release it (the job) and like Obama said, do what inspires me what interest me, what I"m good at, and do it full on. " Let the beauty I love, be what I do." rumi My son, his art, our art, my passion for sustainable living and natural health, yoga, nature, dancing and music, community outreach, being of service, evolving spirits, these things interest me and I am very drawn to them. "Let yourself be silently drawn to what you really love." rumi

I am excited and relieved even with all the scary aspects I face. ( I hate to even state them here... people will think I'm crazy!)
I must stay positive, and feel all the abundance energy around me as a support when doing what my soul guides me to do. I will be happy - I am a happy person and choose happiness over sadness. But I am sad to and mourning many things, ideas and relationships.

Most importantly is my child's well fare. Our secure, stable existence is of utmost importance and I am going to give that/him/us my 100% attention - we will survive and thrive happily, yes with some adventure, but never again with such insecurity.

Thank you God, government and my own talents, grace and courage.

Thanks for listenting. Wish me luck and success and the spirit to perservere and do my best.

what do i really want

2009-05-07T23:16:00.000-07:00

okay i'm just going to put it out there. i want to live yes, in the country- as my recent facebook challenge tested me on, but also in a sustainable lifestyle, so I'd like to walk to places I frequent or at least bike or drive less than what I am doing now living in beautiful Matunuck on the outreaches of the great little town of Wakefield, RI. I love being by the beach, by the ocean enough to hear the waves, feel the mist and smell the sea breeze and ocean roses.

I like seeing the red bird sweep cross my path on Green Hill Beach Road and I love the drive along Matunuck School House Rd, but I'm always late and in a rush - so the sweep of nature is more of a tug at my heart than the calming pulse of it when the earth is beneath my feet. So I want to be in nature more and to be a part of my community more as a servant volunteer that is happily giving and receiving, and I want my boy Shane along side me.

I want a job... job... what a weird word. where or what did that word derive from? any one know, please do tell.
I want work that is not as competitive and heart breaking and as much a test of my ills. Sure I know you get what you need, and the perks are tremendous pluses. I love the friendly exchanges I have with my clients and seeing the communities evolve with progress, or change with seasons, in repair and disrepair, vacant buildings and spruced up ones. like today in Hope Valley - what a joy of a day working with Jon at URE outfitters and Doug at the Hack and Livery and having a Dels and checking out James' new digs all cool cafed out there. I was very impressed and pleased, because I need all the internet cafes I can get - that have style and appeal.

Okay, I want a man that I can love and who loves me back, unconditionally, and he must have the desire to grow and expand with me and my little family. I love to travel and want to explore the world with my son, and continue to cross the country with him on trips and extended stays in California, the other state I just absolutely love (besides Rhode Island- less the accents and the egos, RI is a sweet little state with a big heart and so much to offer and enjoy from simple pleasures like a walk on a beach to grand pleasures like sunset over the Newport bridge and dinners at BRuna's Table, Valuna or CAV or a movie at the Cable Car or sailing out to sea (which I haven't done enough of).

I want a career where I can continue to teach yoga and support my life mission, to spread LOHAS and LOVE, while also fulfilling my responsibilities with financial stability and security for my son and I, as well as the enrichment of our minds, spirits and soul through adventures of the heart and seeking out our interests and fulfilling dreams.

I'd love to be able to build or renovate a green home, simple,small and sustainable with views and tubs and decks or porches, flowering weeds and rock walls, maybe staw bale with big fat walls and stain glass windows.

I want to meet a man who is into this too, and wants to work with me to fulfill this dream, and also the dream of having a yoga studio in the communities we live in (physical and virtual) that are also proud and humble examples of sustainable living and community service *like the homes we live in. I want to help more mothers get on their mats and receive the guidance and support for self empowerment and connection that they need, whether in my own home towns or in a impoverished country around the world.

I want to help Shane see his father in the greatest light possible and to be a good, gentleman himself with confidence and artistry and productivity that serves others and provides a good life for himself that would make us all proud and grateful. Amen.

Wise words I sought in response to my cry

2009-05-05T23:51:00.001-07:00

I want you to pay ultimate respect to yourself. Understand your power as a potent prophet of your own life. Flush away the images running around your imagination that are not in harmony with your life goals. Create images that encourage you to be your best. Cultivate feelings and ideas and imaginations that are in alignment with your highest ideals and deepest desires.

Rob Brezney

Merury in retrograde, Rebecca in retrograde

2009-05-05T23:03:00.000-07:00

Ugh. the ups and downs of life, the steps forward and the retro back.

thank God for my little boy. he is pure joy, my shining star, the love of my life. Oh, but I did think I'd have true love in this life time too. a partner one day. what ta f___k. men. what is meant for me? what is going on?

i feel like screaming help. like crying and retiring into the woods on a long, long walk to regain my sense of self, my true natural state of me. where am i leading my life? what do i want? how can I create the life I want. first i need to figure out what specifics I need to self actualize.

more exuberant yoga and dance. more sunshine and greenery. more fresh air and friends. margaritas with less sugar and more zing in an outdoor seating with a view setting.

more love with love coming right back or surprisingly first.
less hives. less fear. less anger. less frustration. less poverty.

more abundance. more optemism. more scrupulant observations of self. more Shane.
more creativity actualized on my end. more step by step prioritizing and productivity.

more practice at patience. more breath. more prayer. more meditation.
less struggle. more grace.

Inspired Ramblings after an afternoon with Douglas Brooks

2009-04-27T19:24:00.000-07:00

"We are all connected - even if you can't see how, just being in the world changes the world. We are all connected and anything can happen." Douglas Brooks Northampton, Ma 4/25/09

It was a gorgeous, early spring afternoon at the lofty Yoga Sanctuary in beautiful, Shri filled Northampton, MA when and where I was fortunate to sit with the well known and respected Tantric philosopher, Douglas Brooks. In true form, Douglas beamed his light on a group of us eager students of Anusara yoga, as he spoke effortlessly clear about Shri, Kharma and Lela and about how the Universe and Consciousness are always changing and how being Open to Grace and to the promise that anything is possible, we align ourselves more willingly to the Universal Divine Consciousness that flows with out organization, but rather in chaos gracefully aligned in organized patterns of pure Grace. Satchitananda.

I have always believed, this is me, Rebecca, speaking now, that life as we know it - in our bodies, on this planet, at this time, is purely for our soul to travel and adventure through while fulfilling Dharma, and that the adventure is an ever changing, infinite Universal path. Douglas confirmed this notion.

"Reality is essentially dynamic - there is a dynamism of Consciousness and the Universe is always singing, always moving, the discourse never ends." Douglas Brooks

This soulful life adventure I speak of, and as Douglas calls 'dynamic', can be expressed as Shri (shree) in Sanskrit. Another one of my great Anusara yoga teachers, Deb Neubauer, describes Shri as the manifestation of all of the earthly and unearthly force that it takes to make a white lacy bloom spring from the green fist of a peony*. (*Read Mary Oliver's poem in my March blog post.)

Shri is the active manifestation of our Dharma, our soul's mission in this lifetime, and as the sum of all life, Shri holds the energy of all souls.

Our mind's path to our soul is in itself our ever-changing, full of chatter, consciousness, and because we are all a part of and in access of Divine Consciousness when we open to Grace, we can find peace and contentment and hence manifest Shri more completely. Opening to Grace helps us to accept what happens to us, and when we can hold on to what we need and let go of what we don't need (to have or do) then we remain open to all possibilities and can progressively change and grow, create and release.

What else is there to measure our lives by if we are not listening to and acting with respect to the guidance of our soul? Ah, but wait, every thing else is not wasted time, as I recall Douglas illuminated on how life throws us unexpected surprises, both negative and positive (Lela) along with causable expectations (Kharma). It's just part of the infinite mystery.

Whether now or at the time of the dinosaurs or precambrian algae, all life has been in constant movement, continuously changing. Change is the only true constant, and there is Kharmic change and there is Lela - the unknown, without reasonable cause change - Lela's extremes being the very evil and the very blessed behaviors and occurrances that are unexplainable. And Kharma being that which we caused and could prevent or manifest willfully. Both manifest as part of Shri - the life we affirm while on this path. "What is revealed is also hidden"; "in order for everything to be equal everything must be different"; "as it was then, so it will be next time" , and in contrast,

"shit happens, God happens."

Douglas Brooks, not all in that order, and in great reverance to the Bhagavagita.

Of course the questions remain and are an infinite part of the narrative that Kharma and Lela create as a part of Shri. If not for the continuation of our soul's journey, then why live at all? And if we don't embrace our ever changing life from embryo to corpse then how are we to travel in the path of Divine Consciousness on this never ending journey?

Green fists of the peonies: Shri, life, manifesting

2009-03-25T19:44:00.000-07:00

Peonies

This morning the green fists of the peonies are getting ready
to break my heart
as the sun rises,
as the sun strokes them with his old, buttery fingers

and they open ---
pools of lace,
white and pink ---
and all day the black ants climb over them,

boring their deep and mysterious holes
into the curls,
craving the sweet sap,
taking it away

to their dark, underground cities ---
and all day
under the shifty wind,
as in a dance to the great wedding,

the flowers bend their bright bodies,
and tip their fragrance to the air,
and rise,
their red stems holding

all that dampness and recklessness
gladly and lightly,
and there it is again ---
beauty the brave, the exemplary,

blazing open.
Do you love this world?
Do you cherish your humble and silky life?

Do you adore the green grass, with its terror beneath?

Do you also hurry, half-dressed and barefoot, into the garden,
and softly,
and exclaiming of their dearness,
fill your arms with the white and pink flowers,

with their honeyed heaviness, their lush trembling,
their eagerness
to be wild and perfect for a moment, before they are
nothing, forever?

~Mary Oliver

Anugraha and Dreams

2009-03-06T21:15:00.000-08:00

Dreams surely are difficult, confusing, and not everything in them is brought to pass for mankind. For fleeting dreams have two gates: one is fashioned of horn and one of ivory. Those which pass through the one of sawn ivory are deceptive, bringing tidings which come to nought, but those which issue from the one of polished horn bring true results when a mortal sees them.

Homer

This quote, and another lovely passage, was sent to me via email from my dear friend and fellow yoga teacher, Kelly Blaser (Santa Cruz, CA). Kelly shared her year's theme, Anugraha, which means 'Grace" in Sanskrit. Anugaha fits as a perfect title for my year as well.

As Kelly wrote:

Anugraha is the deepest kind of grace, that can well up in any situation, no matter how unlikely. Anugraha is the clear chartering of a course, and simultaneously is the grace that allows a course to be changed, even against fierce odds. In the midst of chaos, under pressure, at the mountaintop, up against the wall, grace. This is my dream. Under all circumstances and under all stresses, may we each find grace in our own hearts, and may grace also be bestowed upon us from the place beyond our knowing. May we remember that Anugraha, grace, comes from the convergence of Anu - which means holding tight to - and graha - letting go of... thus- the capacity to know what to hold close and what to release is the essence of grace, and each of us holds the choice in our own hands.

Recently the Anusara Teacher Training that I was planning on attending beginning in mid March was postponed until fall. Being extremely pumped up for the year long training to begin, I found myself very disappointed, and along with several other students, rather devasted. But alas, grace in the unfolding... Anugraha and Bhavana will prevail... I can follow through with a 30 hour teacher training out west, while also providing my son and his father an opportunity to spend precious time together. I got a great deal on both our airfare and the training, now my only problem will be missing work in my territory and finding an economical way to stay and be fed in San Francisco for a week. Anugraha help me stay the course!

If we all set a course with ample grace -Anugraha, we will be better able to accept the consequences that come along with the inevitable zigs, zags, dips and snags, peaks and soars that come our way. By being cognizant of our purpose and present in the process of practicing grace we will no longer be reaching for some distant success, but rather we will be living in graceful recognition of our dream's unfolding- Bhavana.

Chanting with Krishna Das and Friends

2009-02-10T19:45:00.000-08:00

What a wonderful night last Friday, the 6th of February, was. Greeted by friends with abundant smiles, sincere hugs and mutual anticipation for the love that was about to flow even more abundantly all around us, I was one of the fortunate beings that gathered for Krishna Das' soulful repetitive prayers. A churchful of yogis and nonyogis alike we chanted our souls out in a gleeful and peaceful meditative choir of praise, love, hope and gratitude; a kirtan couldn't have been more timely for me and apparently for all of us.

Thank you Kyle for the lovely gift - your friendship rocks! Thank you Joanie for re-inspiring me with the mirror of a yogis beauty and joy when teaching wholeheartedly, and thank you Sarah for watching my son Shane and for being the most precious friend and most graceful teacher I have in my midst.

And oh how I look forward to sharing quality Anusara yoga time with Johanna and Niki!

The Practice of Yoga & Opening to Grace

2009-01-25T14:28:00.000-08:00

Patanjali's first Yoga Sutra defines yoga...

Atha yoga nusasanam ... With prayers for divine blessings, now begins the practice of yoga.
Yogah cittavritti nirodhah ... Yoga is the stilling of vibrations (vritti) in the consciousness.
Consciousness (citta), is the path taken by the mind (intellect and ego) to the soul.
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The phrase "It's all yoga" was repeated to me several times this past week; when said, an air of grace was released into what could have been a tense moment. I thank all of my teachers for their patience and guidance.

There's nothing like grace to stop the mind, our intellect, and our ego from bringing up associations (samscaras) that may cause us to over react or become defensive in what we perceive to be a battle. As Patanjali suggests, through the practice of yoga -from the adherence and observances of the yamas and niyamas, to breath awareness and the proper alignment of our attitude and actions in asana- are minds can be freed from the "bad vibrations" (more samscaras) that plague us. We can develop the ability to sit in meditation- empty, yet full of grace- ready to take the path towards pure consciousness (samadhi).

May each of our paths be taken with grace...

In moments when bad vibes prevail, and when beginning asana, practice "Inner Body Bright" - the first Anusara yoga Universal Principle of Alignment:

Shine light on your path first and foremost by setting an intention to be open to grace. Recognize your divine goodness within, and shine that brightness from the inside out by actively puffing up your chest with breath and filling the back body behind your heart. Soften any tension in your heart by releasing the space between your shoulder blades; lengthen your side bodies from your waist to your inner arm pits, and plug the head of your arm bones back. Now let your heart's light shine.

We all have love and light in our hearts - just think of what you truly love in life - think of everything and everyone you love and feel your chest expand. When you walk, talk and practice yoga with your inner body bright you are opening yourself to bliss, the universal soul path. When you begin an asana bright you begin with intention and the path clears... the vritta begins to fall away and makes room for possibility.

ACTION OVER FORM... on and off the mat

2008-10-25T06:47:00.000-07:00

I've chosen to begin my autumn series of yoga classes with the theme of "action over form". This basic premise of Anusara yoga's Universal Principles of Alignment and of life itself can help us "let go" of our mind's fascination with results, or what we look like (ego mind attachments) and instead align us with yoga's true virtues through the utilization of our own divine energy which is always within us - awaiting activation. Act for the sake of action.

" You have a right to your actions,
but never to your action's fruits.
Act for the action's sake.
And do not be attached to inaction.

Self-possessed, resolute, act
without any thought of results,
open to success or failure."

Bhagavad Gita 2.47

We've all heard the euphemism, "the way things look aren't always as they appear"; in some asanas and in our 'doings' through out our days, we can have the appearance of looking effective even with little effort, in these cases we are not practicing yoga; we are not in an asana if we are not in the "seat of our soul".

An Anusara yoga practice values the importance of "action over form"... physically we experience the internal heat of muscular energy as we isometrically root into the earth while simultaneously hugging into our midline. By hugging our muscles to our bones we experience something and create change. This action is so much more productive than just holding ourselves up in a "form".

A central idea within the Universal Principles of Alignment is to uphold the 3 A's: Attitude, Alignment, and Action.

This is a foundational concept within the Anusara method in which every pose is infused with meaningful intention connected to the grand purposes of yoga* through the awareness of specific postural alignment, and balanced action between stability and freedom.

* Yoga is a powerful path to fulfill all of our deepest spiritual longings.
What do all people fundamentally want?
A: Happiness, love, health, peace, well-being, inner knowing.

To rephrase the Tao Te Ching:

Do your work, then step back.
The only path to serentiy.

It is sooo time for CHANGE...

2008-10-16T21:06:00.000-07:00

I am thrilled that Barack Obama is closer than ever to be becoming our next president. Yee Ha! ...to the end of these miserable and frightening Bush years!! I am so excited that my liberal and imaginatively innovative son will be able to creatively partake in a green economy under the leadership of Barack Obama.

I just spent an hour listening to the second most powerful person in the US, and hence world... CA Democrat, Nancy Pelosi. The succinct, intelligent and honest Speaker of the House of Representatives, answered questions as asked by Charlie Rose on his PBS program. (Yes, I missed Jon Stewart's The Daily Show and the Colbert Report to hear her speak.) She, to me, is the clearest and most to-the-point speaker of any politician and governmental official I have ever heard.

"Educate, innovate, compete and prevail!" Nancy respectfully chants is the direction she sees Congress and our new President taking the country if indeed Barack Obama becomes our next President. She is confident of Barack Obama's ability to run the White House in a fair, bipartisan way, almost revolutionary to what we have seen for the last decade. Having hopefully 150 Democrats in the House and maybe 60 in the Senate... but always having a strong 2 party representation. It's what makes this country work... we need more moderate Republicans to be elected though, not the ultra right conservative cronies that have created such wide divides (not to mention fear and isolationism for millions, which is the opposite of true freedom.)

Nancy also states, what clearly is not understood by McCain-Palin supporters who rant "drill, baby drill!", that "in maybe TEN years we'll see a 2 cent reduction at the pump with the proposed increased drilling in Alaska, not a reduced dependence on foreign oil. The US uses 20% of the world's oil and we only have 3% of it in reserve- drilling the 3% is not as important as conservation and innovation in the long or short run of things. We have the ability NOW to create a new economic model and energy infrastructure via green technology and education; we need a president who'll encourage government incentives and who says YES to rebuilding our country's infrastucture, and NO to spending billions on Iraq's infrastucture; YES to health care for every American and easier paths to higher education, and NO to the millions of dollars in tax payer subsidies that have been given to wealthy oil companies making 40 billion dollar yearly profits.

Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi will change this country by saying yes to our country's patiently waiting potential... " the dirt will fly" she says, meaning the changes and growth potential will begin right away and new opportunities will abound. We've been waiting for a President to make the decisions that matter and President Bush has avoided them, ignored them, or said no to them, well we can rest asure that with Barack Obama in the White House, change is gonna come!

Now, in my personal life... economic pressures have continually led me to spend more time selling the creativity and talents of others than in pursuing my own talents and abilities. I know I can earn a living if I put my mind to it, but my minds always elsewhere, if not on the struggle to survive, then on the tasks at hand. Everyone's Dharma is to find what they do best and enjoy most which in some way can serve others. I feel a natural pull to follow my soul's path, which is also the path of all souls- for it is the flow of Universal energy toward happiness and bliss, towards the fulfillment of Dharma and one's heart's desire.

The time has never been better to honor one's path by being truthful, why with all the tumultous change currently occurring, the mix, as ugly and difficult as it is, is getting rid of falsehoods and clearing the path for heart opening flow. I am setting an intention to honor my heart, and to be not only free from struggle and full of grace, but to also dedicate more time and energy to the "beauty I love" ... to my son, my yoga and our community and the beautiful natural world, and through our creative, giving spirits we'll have fun!

"Let the beauty you love be what you do... there are a thousand ways to kneel and kiss the earth" - Rumi.

hOMnaturale: accessing my website for now

2008-09-24T02:26:00.000-07:00

web.mac.com/rebeccabriggs9

I'm still working on getting my URL to be hOMnatuale.com
In the mean time please go to the above site address. There you'll find more info on me, my classes, the child care program at Yoga School of South County and lots on ANUSARA yoga.
Know anyone who'd like to be my "techie"? ... Rebecca

Returning to my dharmic path... I'm teaching yoga again!

2008-09-22T21:44:00.000-07:00

Ohmmmm, I am so excited and feeling really content... I'll be back teaching in the community of Wakefield, RI beginning Oct. 2nd, with two weekly classes, Thursdays 7-8:15 pm, and Saturdays 11:30am - 12:45pm. The 8 week sessions run through Nov. 22nd, and for only $62/session, that's less than $8/class. I have to thank Rose and Richard of the YOGA SCHOOL of SOUTH COUNTY and SK Parks and Recreation for the opportunity. Thank you, thank you!

ANUSARA is the fastest growing yoga style in the world, yet there are currently no certified Anusara yoga instructors in RI, but many eager practitioners. I myself will be teaching a vinyasa yoga class that emphasizes ANUSARA's Universal Principals of Alignment and heart opening wisdom. I am still in the process of becoming an ANUSARA Inspired Instructor, and it's an even longer process to become an ANUSARA Certified Instructor. I've seen many friends of mine in California go through the process. It's like getting your PhD in yoga. All I know is I enjoy learning and teaching and am delighted to have so much to offer to my students, new and previous, whatever level they are at. For lack of a better word, Anusara's teachings are impressively affective. The classes are fun, therapeutically mindful and spiritually enlightening. You'll see!

More good news, we are in the midst of starting a cooperative childcare program that will make coming to class less stressful for parents. Rose offers a Mom's Yoga Class, Fridays, 9:30-11am and I hope to also have child care covered during my Saturday 11:30-12:45pm class. Basically, we are providing you with highly responsible babysitters working for yoga trade or tips. Some of these baby sitters are yoga students with children of their own who are willing to sacrifice a class now and then to cover the child care shift in exchange for a free class.

The YSSC via SK Parks and Recreation has provided a comfortable, safe space for young kids to play while their parents are in class. There is a cap of 8 kids/class, ages infant and up. We've got primarily wooden toys, some dress up clothes, trucks, trains, dolls and lots of books to play with. The beautiful yoga studio is located in the lower level of the Peace Dale Office Building on Kingstown Road (the old post office), conveniently located adjacent to the Village Green playground (across the creek from the Neighborhood Guild and across the street from the Peace Dale Public Library.

Please see my hOMnaturale website, or link to the YOGA SCHOOL of SOUTH COUNTY's (makeitsoyoga.com) or the SK Parks and Rec Dept.'s website to review their fall schedule and access more information. My classes will not be found in the printed Parks and Rec book for fall, since they were added post printing.

I Hope to see you smiling in savasana soon!

Autumatic Change... tis the season to get it together

2008-09-08T19:29:00.000-07:00

It's September 8th, the beginning of autumn and I am feeling the task master Virgo's influence. Astrologically Virgo helps us "autumatically" change for the better. Virgo's influence helps us create order and to align us with the purest of our intentions, that of our soul path. I've been trying to converge my life mission with all the changes, still in a chaotic state whirling about me like a hurricane blowing leaves. I'm feeling exhausted from all the recent changes and am still detoxing from a stressful summer.

My son Shane started kindergarten last week, the day after we moved into our new rental home in the Green Hill Beach section of Matunuck in South Kingstown, RI. It's been the easiest move I've ever made, mainly because this is a winter rental with furniture and kitchen supplies already in place. So my move has been simplified.

I've also recently connected with a yoga studio and teachers that I respect and look forward to teaching along side. I loved where I used to teach here in RI, but I am looking forward to working in a studio that is open to having childcare available for students.

I'd love to change my life by actually pursuing one of my life long dreams- to teach yoga and have less stress in my life and in my students' lives over trying to find childcare for our little ones during class time. I don't see any major changes approaching like a steady relationship that develops into a live in mate, or making enough money to hire a babysitter every time I want to teach or practice. But I do know that I can move forward toward all of this by doing what I love.

Afterall " Let the beauty you love be what you do, " as Rumi poetically shares, and yes "there are a thousand ways to kneel and kiss the earth," as he continues.

I believe that when we help ourselves we also help others, and vice versa. We can also help the world by all doing what we love, and if we find a way to serve others on this path, then world peace may very well prevail. May we all go towards, and create the changes necessary to make this happen in our lives.

hOMnaturale...a walk in the budding woods

2008-05-10T09:34:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day weekend '08 - finding silence, reclaiming wisdom... taking a walk to listen

My five year old little boy Shane just gave me a lovely mom's day gift made at his preschool...an old sneaker repurposed as a flower pot with a blossoming fuchsia; wrapped in a hand designed reusable canvas bag... it is the perfect gift... great job teachers and Shane's so proud of it.

Shane and I returned to my native Rhode Island in February of this year, after living six months in California, nearer to where his father lived in the Santa Cruz mountains. Shane (named after the rouge and regal cowboy in the b&w film) loves the west- it's our classroom to the world filled with open minded friends (eco-conscious yogis and dinosaur diggers alike) with a grand appreciation for what we feel innately connected to- lifestyles of health and sustainability.

We also love Rhode Island with its smooth beaches and large leafed maple trees- the deer tick returns as our nemesis, where as mountain sickness and aerial spraying (to kill the light brown apple moth) were the cons to living in CA. We returned to Rhode Island in February, after living 6 months near where his father lived in the Santa Cruz mountains. We sold our RI home after a year on the market and it was California here we come... until that dream unraveled.

Papa actually just called, now living further north in Sonoma County, some 3,000 miles away- Shane, even with his Saturday morning cartoons off, was not interested in talking. His father understood, but that meant talking to me for a bit... and inevitably we argued. Hmmm.... more OM needed to unify this broken home.

Shane and I are going to take a walk now... I need silence or the sounds of nature to reconnect me with my feminine side... my nurturing mother side...