Reflections
Attuning to ‘Radical Wholeness’
Book Review Philip Shepherd’s book Radical Wholeness is an interesting mix. He anchors his perspective in the roots of self-awareness while casting a broad net including culture, learning and habits of being. Importantly for our work, he offers a keen analysis of how Western/European culture builds upon a false idea of the mind-body split. An…
Read MoreGetting back to work — 7 of 7: What it feels like seeing clients again
Taking all these steps can feel daunting. If you feel like you’re not sure it’s worth it, take a peek at what these birds are willing to do: National Geographic Birds of Paradise. Thankfully, our work is simpler than that! After taking care of all the practical steps, we come to the moment of beginning…
Read More4 phase strategy echoes managing my auto immune diet
The current 4-phase plan to reopen from COVID-19 sheltering in place makes a lot of sense to me. It sounds familiar. Since February, I’ve been struck by COVID’s onset socially echoes my experience with earlier health challenges. On an individual level specifically, it reminds me how I navigate dietary restrictions on inflammatory foods. The moment…
Read More‘Holding Space’ at Taliesin, the home of Frank Lloyd Wright
Last fall, we visited Taliesin, Frank Lloyd Wright’s home in Wisconsin. It was a thing to do during a family visit, something I hadn’t expected or known much about. I had heard of Wright, of course, but didn’t know much about his way of working. The ways humans shape their spaces is something that I’ve…
Read More“Gathering Moss” guides me into quiet observation of nature
Looking for some solace and expansion during this ‘at home time,’ I’ve been reading Gathering Moss, by Robin Wall Kimmerer, a Environmental and Forest Biology professor and member of the Potawatomi tribe. (Gathering Moss, University of Oregon Press, 2003) You may have heard of her other book–which is fabulous, BTW– Braiding Sweetgrass. In both books,…
Read MoreGetting back to work during COVID-19, Part 3: Taking care of ourselves
Earlier this month, I described my fingers as lonely. It’s been so strange to not touch people — in greeting or departing, just passing by casually, and of course, with our work. I know I’m not alone in this. We massage practitioners like touching people so much, believe in the power of touching people. We’ve…
Read MoreGetting back to work during COVID-19, Part 2: Practical Considerations
On April 6th, the WA State Board of Health gave us guidance about how to work with clients while the COVID-19 public health isolation protocols are in effect. Some of us have shut down our practices completely, some of us are seeing a few clients. One thing is for sure: when we begin practicing again…
Read MoreWash Your Hands: one of my favorite COVID-19 era poems
Wash Your Hands We are humans relearning to wash our hands. Washing our hands is an act of love Washing our hands is an act of care Washing our hands is an act that puts the hyper-vigilant body at ease Washing our hands helps us return to ourselves by washing away what does not serve.…
Read MoreA comforting reminder: Lost, by David Wagoner
Lost Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you Are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here, And you must treat it as a powerful stranger, Must ask permission to know it and be known. The forest breathes. Listen. It answers, I have made this place around you, If you leave it you…
Read MoreThe Two Wolves – a good reminder
Likely you’ve come across this story. These days, it’s been on my mind as I meet the unknowns of the disruption of COVID-19. The Two Wolves An old Cherokee was teaching his grandchildren about life. He said, “A battle is raging inside me…it is a terrible fight between two wolves. One wolf represents fear, anger,…
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