Hello Dear Ones  –

Kayf haal–ik?…How is your heart…in this moment? When I ask ‘how are you?’, this is really what I am asking. I want to know what is breaking you open and what is anchoring you? What is it that brings you deep gladness and who encourages you to dance?

All too often when we ask someone how they are, we are given the litany of ‘to do’s on their list or are shown the badge of overwhelm and busyness that our culture so prizes. And truth be told, when we ask, how many of us really wish to stop and listen to the truth of the heart in all its pain and all its joy? This inquiry has become so habitual and automatic that often we ask and keep moving without even waiting for reply. But want if we really asked…how are you…really, how is your body, mind, heart, soul…in this moment?…and give space for a truthful, heartfelt answer. What if we could allow for the truth and not have to fix it or change it or take it on, but simply with-ness it? Give the person’s heart/soul the airtime they deserve and the kind presence we all crave. I think this would go so far in quelling the angst and loneliness that is so prevalent in our age of modernity.

If someone were to ask me in this moment, how is your heart? I would have to say that I am tired, a little numb and also really enjoying the humidity after a wild rain that is so rare here in Central Oregon. I am craving connection and solitude in equal measure and taking the time to track what is needed in any given moment. I am so grateful for the dips in the cold creek today and the beauty of the wild flowers up high that renewed my aching heart. This is my truth…right now.

And there is another thing that I know…the truth that all, and I do mean ALL, things change. By the time you read this, no doubt I will be in a different place on all levels. And this is part of the practice…to check in moment to moment, and not try to fix a person or their experience in time and space but to allow for the truth of the moment and the ever shifting experience of Life. Trusting this fluid process can be such a powerful practice especially when the feelings are BIG. But this is the purpose of the tools I teach and the unsticking of the nervous system from habits of survival. We can learn to be with these big feels and hold them generously and loosely and with-ness them instead of believing this is all there is and ever will be. This is when a walk outside is crucial, and if not available due to smoke or bodily limitations, then a nourishing indoor project (like writing a newsletter…wink!).

So my invitation to you, and me for that matter, is to inquire into the heart/soul of another with a true interest and willingness to hear. Perhaps using the different language of how is your heart in this moment? Perhaps really stopping in your tracks and waiting for the answer. And see if moments of connection and intimacy may actually help keep things moving inside and between us. We need this.

May we cultivate a genuine curiosity about another’s heart/soul experience 

May we practice asking meaningful questions and offering deep listening 

May we find the ways to trust the ever-changing nature of our experience and emotions 

May we bring wild blessings and fierce love to all we encounter

Practice Prompts:

• Practice asking one person a day how their heart is? Let them know you really would like to know the truth. Let yourself hold that with them without trying to change it, fix it or in any other way save that person or make yourself more comfortable.
• Take a moment each day to gently place your hands on your heart and inquire…how am I, in this moment? And sit with the truth of you without shame or commentary or judgement…simply being with what is.
• Asking and then truly listening to the answer internally or externally is a profound and needed practice. Try it.
• I offer one to one sessions, in-person in Bend, Oregon, and virtually all over the world. These sessions are centered on supporting you find nervous system capacity and resiliency through various practices including but not limited to Somatic Experiencing, embodied movement and sensory perceiving. Please email me or schedule a free 20 minute Exploratory Session.

Live Streaming Practice Opportunities:

• Yoga for Resilience, Mondays, 9:30-11am PT, livestream through Body of Insight
• All Levels Yoga, Sundays… Aug 11, Sep 29, Oct 20, Nov 17, Dec 15, 9:30-11am PT, livestream through Two Dog Yoga
• On Demand Yoga Practices…All Levels… through Two Dog Yoga
• Save the Date…May 16-18, 2025…Embodying Presence; Continuum Inquiry and Deep Perceiving Retreat at Breitenbush Hot Springs!!!

Inspirational Wisdom: