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 […]
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 […]
. January 26th. Night descends around 5:30 pm. I sit at my desk wrapped in wool from head to toe. I wrap my hands around my large tea mug to keep them warm. Outside my window, the brightness of the snow contrasts with the darkening skies and the streetlights throw shadows across the frozen mounds […]
A friend posted this a few days back and it captured perfectly my sense of myself and the current state of affairs in January 2022 two years fully into the pandemic with no clear end in sight. ************************* January in Southwest Pa. the nights are dark and long, the days cold and gray. The […]
WHEN THE HOLY THAWS A woman’s body, like the earth, has seasons; when the mountain stream flows, when the holy thaws,when I am most fragile and in need, it was then, it seemed, God came closest. God, like a medic on a field, is tending our souls. Our horns get locked with desires, but […]
The dawn tentatively emerges. The angle of the earth to the sun this time of year softens the light. The trees, whose presence blended into the night sky gradually make their presence known as light increases. I remain astonished at the intricate design of branches and the stark revelation of trees without leaves. Last week […]
Picture above is my dog Little Man who is always dreaming! I don’t often remember my dreams. My husband does a lot of dream work and has done this for years and is able to vividly recall details, symbols and ideas and uses this to work in the subconscious. These are his mornings. Mine are […]
Human beings are a fascinating combination of fragility and resilience. I have the privilege as well as the ongoing heartbreak of witnessing this in many arenas. I see the fragmentation of soul, spirit, mind and body in those who have been subjected to a horrific act of violence and/or repeated acts of violence whether that […]
I have felt lately like I am being swallowed whole by the overwhelming fear, mistrust, divisiveness and polarization that is our current state of affairs. This state is unlikely to reverse unless courageous beings grounded in compassion, peace and love show up committed to building bridges, cultivating relationships, listening deeply, witnessing the suffering of […]
Oh Earth School! The best laid plans of mice and men are but insignificant pieces of nonsense in your all knowing greater scheme of things!! We have been exploring the second limb of yoga in my yoga classes this past month, the niyamas, the observances. Purity. Contentment. Discipline. Self Study and now Surrender with the […]