yoga with a broken heart
In the cool morning air I rolled out my yoga mat. Before I knew it I was laying belly down to the earth, head turned to the side, womb and heart surrendered, prostrate, drinking in the embrace of the Great Mother Earth below me, and giving her the [...]
Walking our Talk
Women have always been the angels in my life – the ones to hear me, to believe in me, to inspire me, to teach me to trust in my own capacity to heal. For over 20 years I have been involved in women’s spirituality and women’s circles. The [...]
Did you girls hear the gossip??
A class of 14 year old girls were having difficult social issues at school and I was asked to spend some time with them to help support understanding and harmony amongst the group. To begin I always ask for some agreements. "What would each of you need to [...]
Who’s afraid of Vagina Wolf?
I haven't read Naomi Wolf's new book, Vagina: A New Biography, but I am enjoying the public controversy over of the content. Thanks for bringing up the subject, Naomi. Author of The Beauty Myth, Naomi Wolf is known for her capacity to incite women to question accepted [...]
cry of the black cockatoo
Languid fog clung to the valley like a sleepy child to a mother's breast, as if keeping it's eyes shut could stave off the inevitable, hold this perfect wet moment eternally the valley too wished for time to standstill trees proudly took up their posts, confident branches reached [...]
Say What?!!
Let's wake up to the power of words. I'm in the queue at the fruit and veg market. On the wall is a large photocopied photo of a smiling baby. So cute. I gush with the warm fuzzy feeling as my eyes delight in the image. Now I see [...]
Yoga: On the Left
Modern life can be hectic. We are constantly looking at straight lines. On the road, on the keyboard, on the screen, on the calendar. Right angles are everywhere: windows, doors, floors, straight, flat, level. Our days are ordered, sequential, following the clock rather than the arc of the [...]
Travelling slooow
One of the facets I love about travelling is the rare glimpse of clarity and perspective briefly available upon re-entry into my 'normal life'. Whether travelling to new vistas, or inner journeying during retreats that stretch the mind and heart, or even the journey of debilitating illness, each [...]
Her Mother’s Thighs
'The cultural power of the body is it's beauty, but power in the body is rare, for most have chased it away with their torture of or embarrassment by the flesh.'- Clarissa Pinkola Estes The female form is exquisite. Not just SOME women's bodies, ALL women's bodies. Each unique [...]
My yoga mat, my refuge
A grandmother was talking to her granddaughter about how she felt. She said, 'I feel as if I have two wolves fighting in my heart. One wolf is the vengeful, angry, violent one. The other wolf is the loving, compassionate one.' The granddaughter asked her, 'Which wolf will [...]
Attitude of Gratitude
Being close to nature saved my life when I was a depressed teenager, and for that I will be forever grateful. So when I see a delicate blossom, a lizard, a sunset, hear a bird’s morning call, feel the wind on my face, I give thanks. Thanks for [...]
Six minutes
I've been on the road with my thumb out a few times, and although it left me with stories to tell, it also left scars on my abilityto trust. Now I always pick up girls hitchhiking. By her very blonde hair, her travelling bag, and her somewhat lost [...]