814 Grounded Pod

Three Point Practice- #0001

5 Practices to Open Your Heart
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 […]
Rachel
Presence
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 […]
Rachel
Beltaine. Passion, Power & The Celtic Wheel
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 […]
Rachel
Ahimsa & Satya. Fierce Tenderness
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. […]
Rachel
Holy Week 2023
Jesus wept. This is the shortest verse in the Bible. John 11, verse 35. This is the story where Jesus is grieving due to the death of his friend Lazarus, already laid in the tomb having been prepared and wrapped for burial. Jesus wept. Jesus had bodily functions such as blood, sweat and tears. […]
Rachel
Truth. Honesty. The Current State of Affairs.
In this time of folx saying whatever they want, does truth matter? is truth a matter of perspective? Is there such a thing as broader, universal truths? What is the relationship between truth and integrity, truth and courage? How do we speak truth to injustice without screaming into the void and creating more chaos? How […]
Rachel
Longing & Light
6:50 AM. The morning light is slowly brightening through the orange curtains into my yoga space, formerly my home studio. Prior to this slow turning toward the sun, in the quiet of dark, a lone bird chirps on a branch. The sound opens a tender space in my heart. Is it vulnerable and courageous […]
Rachel
Curiosity: A Practice for These Times
The curious mind is a healthy mind. Merging inquiry without judgement is akin to a childlike state of wonder and awe. Certainty to me […]
Rachel
Threshold Time: Dream Life to Waking Life
In my dreams last night, a golden eagle flew overhead swooping down around me and eventually landed on my arm, its large talons wrapped securely around my forearm. In waking life, I likely would have shrieked and attempted to ward off a large bird with razor sharp talons diving from the sky towards me, […]
Rachel
Existing in These Times, Thriving in These Times.
Here we are, right before what we call, “The Holidays.” “It is a strange and wonderful fact to be here, walking around in a body, to have a whole world within you and a world at your fingertips outside you. It is an immense privilege, and it is incredible that humans manage to forget the […]
Rachel