holisticarkansas.com Blog

It has indeed been a while since I have written anything for this blog -but part of learning and growing, I suppose. Many things have changed in my life in recent times, including the marriage of my younger daughter last month.

I am also trying to digest the fact that Holistic Arkansas has been around now for a year (we put the site up in its trial version in November, 2005). I have met SO many wonderful people in this past year, from all over the state – aromatherapists, nutritionists, massage therapists of all kinds, yoga pracitioners, and holistic healers who come from many different perspectives.

It has been such a joy to both put this site together, as well as to work with all of you, including those of you who are people seeking healing for yourself or for others. I felt all “smiley” inside at a recent presentation at a local health food store – although it was a small gathering, everyone there was so sincere and so joyful and loving toward each other. It was a blessing to be there and to help share some of the information I have gleaned in more than two years of both studying on my own and in learning from all of you!

Having just completed an eight week course and discussion group on Voluntary Simplicity has also had its effects, I am also very thankful to realize that there are many more people out there who think and feel much as I do about issues of caring for ourselves and others, as well as for our environment. Now, with much of the Earth’s climate topsy-turvy and the resultant changes in our day-to-day lives, it seems we must continue on the path of clarity and focus on these higher goals that will help both the Earth and each other.

Now is the time to be thankful, and perhaps to think about the fact that the idea behind the occasion is to stop and be aware. To slow down and to be present with our family and friends is a gift in and of itself.

I sincerely hope your holiday is a blessed and a safe one!

L.

Well, this is a launch experience for me, a non-blogger. Sharing via a blog is another tool that combines the personal feel of an email and the publishing world. In other words, I know that potentially this thing is public to all who can read it.

So, the experiences leading up to Holistic Arkansas have, so far, been quite unique, and continue to present quite a fascinating path. As a yoga student since 1997, I have often been told to “turn inward” during meditation or sivasana, or the relaxation pose at the end of a session.

Such an inner-directedness has helped me stay positive and focused on the goals of an enterprise like Holistic Arkansas, which will potentially encompass much more than just a website, to include a forum, this blog, and even maybe a print publication at some point.

the day to day experiences, in the meantime, go something like this – up and get a cup of green tea, then usually straight to the two computers in the office to check out the day’s business. Email and phone calls much of the day. But every now and then there are very nice surprises like there was today. I was treated to a free “mini” life coaching session today with a person who will soon formally announce their business. Seems this was a way for the neophyte coach to practice and gain confidence in skills.

This was definitely all right with me, as it never hurts to have a life ‘tune-up’ if you will, including a reminder, either verbal or written, of not only one’s life goals, but also one’s spiritual growth, emotional availability, and openness to the bounties that life has to offer, as well as acknowledging that we all struggle with something.

Then, I went to a yoga class tonight, the first one that I had attended in more than two months now, I think. Yoga is very comforting to me- it almost always reminds me of my kindergarten days. You do some exercise, maybe spend some time talking, and then you are asked to lay down on your mat to take a nice little nap. The voice is often soothing, like your kindergarten teacher may have been. The mats are close together, and you can hear each other’s breathing.

Usually no one really goes to sleep, but sometimes they do, and if this is the case, (even in yoga), no one seems to mind.

Yet the nice thing about yoga is that you bring your own mat in and out of the space, and you get to recreate this space in mind and body and spirit each time, but each time the outcome is a little different.

Enjoy………