Breathe

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While Co-creating this Mandala image, my beginning inspiration, was to imagine the center circle as a cross section of one of my Bronchial tubes that caries my breath to my lungs.  Then I designed images feeding into that center tube, that represented the molecules of Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide, Water, warm air, cold air, the DNA of the cells along the pathway of air, the interconnections of cells and the experience of wind in a sailboat on Lake Michigan.

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Many of us want the experience of being in the flow, those moments where we feel deeply connected to what is happening inside of us, what is happening between ourselves and others, and a sense of being supported by life…feeling “on track” with our yearnings for intimacy, meaning and purpose. Spirit is often compared to the wind…you can’t see it but you know it’s there.

Whether we are Catholics with a capital “C” ( as Merriam Webster defines: of or relating to the Roman Catholic Church)  or with a small “c”  having many interests, inclusive, and whole, we might find inspiration from the Psalm reading from Pentecost Sunday.


“Send out your breath and life begins; You renew the face of the earth.” Psalm 104:30

 
Many of us have awakened to our participation and co-creation with The Holy Mystery that many of us call God.  Breathing is a very basic way that we can co-create to keep ourselves healthier, and renew the face of the earth that is you and me! The Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide molecules that are exchanged in our lungs, were produced in the Super-nova explosion 5 billion years ago  …  the same explosion that led to the gathering of stardust into our planetary system.

Paradoxical breathing is also called shallow breathing.  It happens when the abdominal muscles contract during inspiration, and relax during exhalation.  When this happens, the abdominal muscles occupy the space that the diaphragm needs to expand for a full breath. Deep breathing keeps us healthier.

  I noticed that I have a pattern of shallow breathing that began during a stressful time of my life, and I’m realizing it may be a habit that is keeping me in the “fight or flight” mode. It may even be a survival technique used by the body, for really quick energy during the times when we may have faced tigers!  But continuing with shallow breathing, as a habit, seems to keep me feeling anxious, and not what I would call “in the flow”.

For more motivation to breath healthier, I invite you to do search on the benefits of healthy breathing.  There are many! I learned that I could release tension and toxins, relax my mind and bring more clarity to my thoughts, increase effective digestion, massage the nearby organs…my heart, lungs, liver etc.

It’s OK…let your belly hang out, when you breath in…
don’t worry, you’ll suck in your abs when you exhale!

The next time you notice feeling anxious, while waiting in traffic, a disturbing unfolding at work, a misunderstanding with loved ones, press the pause button and ask “How am I breathing in this moment?”  Just notice how you feel after a few deep breaths.

Today we can “renew the face of the earth” with the simple gesture of breathing!

“Prayer is nothing but inhaling and exhaling the one breath of the Universe.”

                                 ---Hildegard of Bingen 

Fall Program News...

Evolve, Thrive, Relate:

The Art of Evolving Relationships

Awakening to Radical Self- Authority
and the Feminine Essence of Power.

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• Monday Afternoons 1:00-3:30  8 sessions
• Sept 29, October 6,20,27  November 3,10,17
• No Class on October 13, Columbus Day
• November 17, the last class will end at 4:00.
• Personal Coach and Facilitator:  Carol Cummins

 

Do you feel the impulse to evolve yourself toward love and realize the greatest potential of your relationships, gifts and talents?

 Are you yearning for deeper intimacy and connection in all areas of your life?  Would you like to find and express your authentic voice confidently and clearly?

…Then partner with me this Fall, to learn this life-changing work!

Unlike Masculine ways of power, which is a way to create things that are within our control, feminine ways of power involve co-creating things that are beyond our control.  It includes those things we most yearn for…intimacy, belonging, relatedness, creative expression, authentic community, and meaningful contribution.

We need both forms of power to become evolved, whole and healthy human beings.

This course will include the best of both worlds…personal coaching to support YOUR evolution, thriving and relating, AND a community of support to share integration with creative expression as we grow with the principles and practices.

 This course will give you the tools for transformation that will make your life radiant with new ways of being.  Come to learn and experience what can be awakened in you!

Scheduled Personal Coaching: 225.00  (www.evolvethriverelate.com)

Integration: 7 Classes: 140.00  (Well Registration)     Total Fee: 365.00

AN EVENING OF DANCE AND SONG

KiVo

Monday, September 8, 2014
Celebrating the Singing Moon

Monday, November 10, 2014
Celebrating the Sassafrass Moon

Facilitators: Carol Cummins, Page Kennedy

7:00- 8:30 pm  Kavanaugh Chapel
The Well Spirituality Center

 Kinetic Voice (KiVo®) is a vocal practice that uses the whole body and a dance form that includes the voice.

A celebration of community with song and dance. KiVo is simply the dance/song of the human family on earth as we circle and celebrate, honoring each other and nature.

The call and response format allows your mind to relax, clearing the energy channels of the body and mind, promoting health and happiness. Dance can be a soul pathway to achieve congruence and alignment with our soul’s purpose.

We welcome every level of movement ability, you don’t need to know how to sing or dance already, KiVo will open you up and point the way.  We will also have some opportunities for drumming and using rattles so bring them if you have them.

Carol is a certified KiVo® Facilitator and Page is our Drum Circle Leader. Lis Addison created KiVo, and the music to accompany the celebrations.

COST: $20      Register at The Well Spirituality Center.

As with any movement program, if at any point you feel faint, dizzy or have physical discomfort,
stop immediately and consult a physician.
If you believe you have any type
of medical condition, please seek medical or professional
advice before commencing.

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