During the coronavirus crisis, Rachel's regularly-scheduled classes are held virtually over Zoom. The logins for all classes are on this password-protected page -- email Rachel for the password.
Observing the breath, the muscles in the face, the brow, and the jaw, as well as the hands – are they clenched in fists or slightly open? There is so much to pay attention to with a person that is actively dying. Paying attention with presence and meeting people where they are in their transition […]
Letting Go – Aparagraha – A Practice for Autumn. Often, I find myself carrying constriction/tightness/tension in my body for no apparent reason. It could be the mid to high level of anxiety that is normalized in our culture. It could be (perceived) unmet needs around belonging, connection, and feeling unsafe in a world increasingly […]
Blessings For Those Tender of Heart. You of tender hearts who by now ought to have grown weary of loud voices and the pandering of cynics and self-appointed leaders. Perhaps you retreat often to regroup/renew/restore and reemerge, and also perhaps your tender heart is often mistaken for weakness. What strength is required for deep listening […]
On a perfect late summer evening, spread out on the grass on all sides of the pavilion, people stood in clusters carefully opening the envelopes that held painted lady butterflies. Some of the butterflies lingered, tentatively moving their wings, others set out right away flying and swooping. One woman walked past me, tears streaming down […]
The Voice. Her voice. Raw. Unfiltered. What did you feel when you first heard this voice? I heard the ancestral cry of Irishwomen. I heard the sound of someone burning as brightly as the Sun and as equally familiar with the dark side of the Moon. How does one live with that level […]
The roof of my mouth is sore. My nostrils and eyes both burn and there is a slight ache in my throat. The wildfires that continue to burn in Canada have impacted the air quality as far west as Colorado and Montana. Air quality in the Midwest and Mid Atlantic states is expected to be […]
Yesterday in our Yoga Class Curator Pilgrimage & Puja Community Practice, founder and teacher Susanna Barkataki led us in an inquiry around devotion. She referenced Yoga Sutra 1:39: Meditating on that which is elevating. She gave us some inquiries for reflective journaling and the focus on meditating on what elevates is still unfolding within me. I am […]
What is this thing called Presence? What comes to mind when you think of Presence? How do you know if you are experiencing Presence? It is a word heard often from many wellness professionals. We are often informed that “being present” is a desired state in this world of overstimulation. Mark Nepo in The Book […]
Dolores Whelan, teacher of Celtic spiritual and wisdom traditions guides explorations of how ancient wisdom can form and shape values in which a new society can be formed. Joanna Macy, eco-Buddhist and source teacher for the Great Turning applies this as well to her work. Joanna is one of my teachers and these teachings, across Cosmologies resonate […]
Cancel culture cloaked in self righteousness is easy to access. It is this reactive, defensive mode that is readily available to most of us (including me for full transparency). Fortunately, yoga philosophy gives us a framework to navigate, regulate and show up grounded, resolute, open minded, open hearted and willing to learn and grow. […]