Happy Earth Day!

     My Yoga hike was rained out today so I went to a yoga class  dedicated to honoring Earth Day instead. Not a bad compromise. The teacher reminded us of our deep connection to the earth physically and beyond. Every breath we take is mirroring the natural pulse of nature; expanding and contracting, waxing and waning, birthing and expiring. The native americans believe we have an umbilical cord attached from our navels to the earth. With this awareness every action is considered as if mother earth were a living, breathing entity.

      Yesterday, a friend treated me to a kayak river run down the Cacapon River near Berkely Springs, West Virginia. Wild flowers and woodpeckers kept calling out 'look at me, look at me'. The rapids and the view called the loudest. Another Earth Day reminds us of this precious life & planet we have been given. We are stewards and have been entrusted to care for our earth mother. Steve Van Matre in Earth Spirit says 'We need to tap into life's universal flow and 'learn to love ourselves less and the earth more'. Pause today for a few moments to give thanks and contemplate what you can do to care for our home. One tiny movement creates a rippling effect.

The Happy Woman Way

     'Spring is about waking up' says Sara Avant Stover, author of The Way of The Happy Woman.  I have been following her blog and book for the past year and could not pass up the chance to hang out with her at a mini retreat when she came to D.C. this past weekend. Practicing what I preach brought me to a lovely yoga studio called Tranquil Space near Dupont Circle. For three hours I just focused on me. We spent some time reflecting and engaging in a yin/yang yoga practice to honor the emerging energy & light of spring but also grounding & staying close to the earth. The Metro was the easiest means of transportation, arriving just a few blocks from my destination. The walk took me through a hip urban residential area alive with city sights, sounds and smells.

     Tranquil Space (TS) is a chic, environmentally friendly & nurturing space that has 2 locations, the second in Arlington. More info on Tranquil Space is available on the web or facebook under that name. TS is 'a lifestyle-focused yoga destination named among the top 25 yoga studios in the world.' Blog, youtube and twitter followers can connect as well through their webpage. 'The beautiful street level shop is located right in the heart of Dupont Circle's 17th street neighborhood. Decorated with damask-covered walls, exposed brick, and a dramatic chandelier, the space is warm and inviting -- a calm respite from the outside. Some of the special design touches enlivening the boutique include dressing rooms made from reused pallet that delivered our building materials, benches made from a Virginia barn supported on reused tree grates, and shelving made from old floor joists.' A definite must go destination.
     Spring is a perfect time to pause and do some inner and outer housecleaning. If you have wanted to start a yoga practice there is plenty to choose from in and around Frederick. Yogafinder.com has the most updated list by state and city. Retreats are available as well. There is still room in my half day retreat Spiral Gatherings on Sunday April 29th from 9 - 1 pm. For more information just send an email to livingbalancedwithjulie@gmail.com. So take a pause this Spring, reflect, renew, nourish yourself, & plant seeds to create your year!

Blissology Project

After some effort today (metro maintenance & shuttles) I arrived at Studio D.C., Dupont Circle to attend a much anticipated workshop with Eion Finn, creator of The Blissology Project, which is "a manifestation of his life mission to be a conduit for the force of Love." The effort to get there was so worth it as Eoin is an exceptional teacher that lives and breathes his philosophy of love, joy & kindness. His linking of yoga to nature holds a special place in my heart as I have discovered this connection years ago and have been incorporating that in my own practice and teaching message. Through remembering to find our  inner places of stillness on a regular basis, discovering our life's purpose and that the Earth is our home Eion playfully invites us to "find maximum joy, awe, love and bliss". For more information on this effort go to www.Blissology.com.

Falling Into Autumn - a GAEA Excursion

Sunday morning started out foggy & chilly but this determined group of women took off down the C & O Canal towpath anyway from Brunswick and headed for Harpers Ferry.  Before starting out we took a moment to align with the earth and her autumn rhythms & warmed up with some gentle stretching & yoga. The sun quickly began to burn through the mist & by the time we arrived at the clearing above along the Potomac River scenic views began to appear. Sixty degree temps greeted us after we had traveled the 5.5 miles to our destination. After a brief tour of town we headed back to Brunswick where a yummy brunch awaited us.

GAEA Excursions was created to provide opportunities for women to get outside, realign with nature's rhythms, bond with other women and do something pleasurable; all activities that boost feel good hormones and reduce stress. This is an organic program that is constantly evolving & producing new adventures as the seasons unfold. Get your 'wild girl self' on & go to www.livingbalanced.org  for the latest events!

In The Flow

Recently, my schedule allowed a week long yoga retreat at Kripalu in Lenox, Massachusetts. Kripalu is one of the largest yoga retreat centers in the U.S. and a lovely place to slow down and unwind. My program was an immersion with Shiva Rea that included meditation, ayruveda for summer, fluid power yoga, kalari martial arts, trance dance & time in nature. Learning to flow without constraints around time was a main focus of the week. Kripalu is an Oasis for many.  No need to worry about meals as they are all prepared with love and abundance.  Took a few days to recover from the long ride (7 hrs from Frederick) and needed to pull back and rest more before my energy returned.

First night, lights out by 10 pm. The next night was 4th of July. Disappointed when the much acclaimed fireworks from nearby Tanglewood did not appear. However, when returning to my room that evening some loud noises out side my bedroom window caught my attention. And there they were, beautiful & spectacular fireworks right from my bedroom window!  Splendid weather appeared the next day as well so  a bike ride through local Lennox was a must.  The beautiful New England mansions were so enthralling, I did not see the pot hole. Still too far to walk, kept riding while the air slowly leaked out of my back tire, feeling the sensation of wheel to pavement without the cushion of a tire tube.  Fortunately,  a local gardener  heard the loud noise my flat tire was making. She insisted on hoisting my bike to the roof of her van and taking me the remaining 2 miles back to Kripalu.

The next day was again gorgeous. The evening agenda called for a fire pit ceremony creating a sense of anticipation for many of us. However, shortly after dinner the wind picked up and a  thunderstorm rolled in forcing the fire event to be cancelled. Some of us stood outside to watch the clouds blow over,  witnessing a beautiful summer storm.  All let out exclamations of joy when a double rainbow appeared! The next day was very slow with built in time to to spend some alone time in nature.  A grassy place off the beaten path caught my eye to throw out my yoga mat and lie under a tree. After all the yoga & meditation during the week a sense of sifting was happening within me, unnecessary gunk dissolving and finally washing through me into the earth as I lay there quiet & still.

Lessons from the week included an awareness of what happens when one learns to wait or stay. Something will always shift.  Trust in this process. Even when life brings disappointment something else is just around the corner even if  the exact timing is unknown. Learning to stay or shift one's attitude will carry us through. Returning to the seasonal flows can help as well. Summer seems like a more active time but it is really when we need to rest or slow down more especially during the hotter times of day. Learning to pay attention to our own energy levels is crucial to preventing burn out, fatigue & malaise. So as the "dog days of summer" approach, pay attention to your energy levels, create space for rest and stillness, play or move but in the cooler times of the day,  find joy in summer's simple pleasures and flow at a slower pace.

Gaea Excurions

     Gaea Excursions, nature based activities for women, was launched this week when a group of women joined me to kayak down the Shenandoah River on a summer afternoon. The concept of Gaea Excursions was born years ago as a way to create opportunities for women to experience the healing aspects of nature, bond with other women and participate in a pleasurable activity. As a psychotherapist, I see on a regular basis the disconnect many of us feel as we move through our busy lives, overscheduling & overworking ourselves until we are just existing, burned out, burned up, burnt to a crisp. Being in nature instantly brings one into sacred space, slows the pace of life & allows the body to relax & renew itself. 

     These outings also provide women opportunities to focus on themselves more and the needs of others less and engage in activities that they may never try on their own. Gathering in a group returns us to our tribal nature where we all evolved from & getting us out of the sense of isolation many may feel. Many long for this sense of reconnection which is often restored when back in nature. Nature based experiences allow one to come back into balance & align with nature's rhythm. When the breath & the systems of the body slow down, true healing can begin. When we learn how to be quiet & experience silence, a deeper listening can occur.

     Most of us have a childhood memory of a favorite place in nature. Memories can be accessed to create your own nature experience if time and resources are limited. Or just step outside in the morning at dawn to greet your day & give blessings to the sun; walk barefoot in the grass or in a nearby park on your lunch break; bask in the light of the moon or stars to close your day. Nature meditations & ways of linking our minds to nature are always available to us, we just have to create space for them & remember our connection to the planet & all living things.

     So stay tuned for future events that will take us outside & back in touch with our inner wisdom. Upcoming activities include hiking, biking, outside yoga, camping & more! To find out about these events go to www.livingbalance.org. See you on the path somewhere!

A Gift of Life

     April is National Donate Life Month, a time to celebrate the generosity of those who have given the gift of life through donating organ, tissue, marrow or blood. I recently attended a Donor Appreciation Reception sponsored by the Georgetown Transplant Institute and Medstar to recognize the tremendous sacrifice people do all the time, sometimes anonymously, so that others may live and often without much fanfare. I had the opportunity to be a living donor last October for my sister, Susan. And as was said often that evening, "the process changes you". The Doctors involved shared their observations of being in the unique position as facilitators and witnesses to this modern day miracle. The surgery process now is so refined that the recovery process for the donors can happen quite quickly.  If you are planning to donate to someone but are not compatible you can be a part of  the paired kidney exchange program which connects you to other individuals in the same situation.

     Personally, I felt almost 100% within 2 weeks and one donor ran the Boston Marathon 8 1/2 weeks post surgery. The presenting physicians used the concept of donation as an example of how the world would be a better place if more of us made this type of sacrifice. They mentioned that 50% of donors are now living and that it almost seems easier to convince a live person to donate than to get folks to agree to give upon death. The act of giving is so powerful that it has a positive physiological effect on the giver. The most moving part of the evening was hearing from the donors and their family members. The stories were full of so much gratitude for restoring the health of a loved ones life or granting an individual a new lease on life without dialysis or constant pain & feeling unwell. One recipient, a pastor, was so grateful to his donor that he convinced his city council to declare a day in her honor. He said that "God sends angels to deliver his blessings' to describe his experience. Families frequently make the donor an honorary member of their family.

     We have opportunities every day to give of ourselves. Maybe not all of us can be an organ donor for various reasons but there are many ways to give of yourself. Initially, just give some thought to being a donor. If you need more information contact your state donor registry. Your decision to donate could enhance or save up to 50 lives. For more information check out www.organdonor.gov. Most communities have volunteer opportunities as well. Go forth & give in some way. You will feel better. What are you waiting for?