The Nature of Healing

Sunlight, Moonlight and Rituals

Nature has such a way of instructing me. She is within and around us every day; her lessons are everywhere. Her breath is in the wind, her voice is in the waves, her warmth in the sun, her inspiration in the stars, her wisdom in the trees, and her guidance in the light of the moon.

In Ayurveda, the sister science to Yoga, humans experience both a 24 hour circadian-cycle as well as a lunar, seasonal and yearly circadian cycle. These cycles are the pillars of living an Ayurvedic life bringing balance between our body and the natural environment. As we live in alignment with the natural rhythms and cycles of the earth, we feel a sense of connection with nature and all her elements.

Our relationship with nature is reciprocal. If we spend more time in nature, we come to recognize the medicine and importance of natural spaces. We are more inclined to maintain and protect the natural space around us because we have a relationship with it.

The Majestic Sun & The Healing Moon

The sun has the ability to make our skin glow and our soul shine. We feel cheerful, happy, healthy, and radiant in the sun!

And yet, there is something magical, mysterious and mercurial about the moon. The moon is not always recognized or appreciated like the sun, because her most bright light shines when we are asleep.

As I have become more aware of my various phases, and those of my daughters, I have become more curious about the phases of the moon.

Lately, I find myself walking outside at night to witness the shape and the quiet beauty of the moon. This night-time ritual that helps me remember that even during our dark hours, there is light that exists within the world and within us all.

One late summer night, during a particularly dark phase, I went outside and stared up at the bright full moon. I was feeling grief, worry, and fear during this period. I was grieving the changing seasons of motherhood and the loss of my children’s pure innocence. I was worried about how I would be able to guide them in such a chaotic and confusing world. I was feeling into some fears about my future, not knowing what was to come. During darkness, I was searching for light.

On that particular night, I spent some time standing there, observing this magnificent sight, taking in her light. Barefoot, on the side of the road, with tear filled eyes, I placed my hands on my heart and silently observed her exquisite beauty. In that moment, as I stared up at her with curious eyes, it seemed that she saw me too.

I saw her in me and me in her.

Healing is an act of love, an act of the soul.

Like most humans, I struggle with anxiety, worry, fear, and stress. I feel a lot of pressure in my life. And, I grieve loss and change.

During these times, I ask for space. I go inward. I search for light. And always, I find light within the darkness. I come away from each experience, just a little more healed and with a little more self-awareness than I had before. My heart opens.

Life has a way of wounding us and breaking our hearts. None of us is exempt from life’s ups and downs. When we take time to draw inward, we discover the story of the heart. When we tend to the garden within, we grow.

Healing is an inner journey and a path to becoming the highest version of ourselves.

Learning to truly love myself has been key to my healing. How can I love others if I do not love myself? Without loving oneself, there is no authentic relationship with others. Yet learning to love ourselves, all of ourselves, is a journey. It takes patience, courage and acceptance.

Will you be explorer who dares to sail into unknown waters and brave the wilderness?

How Yin Heals my Soul

As often as I can, I treat myself to a yoga class where I am not the teacher, but rather, I get to be the student. Recently, I had a beautiful and healing experience take place within me during a Yin class.

As I slowly shifted from one pose to another, while using my breath as a tool, I began to feel my body open and my mind relax. As our final pose, before rest, we were called to Bound Angle / Butterfly Pose- Baddha Konasana. This therapeutic pose opens the hips, stretches the lower body and improves circulation. It can also relieve the symptoms of stress, mild depression, tension and fatigue. As well as symptoms of glorious menopause (insert sarcasm here)!

As I sat in this pose with my body butterflying open, I invited imagery into my practice. I was present, calm, relaxed, and at peace. Tears fell from my eyes.

I was so moved by my experience, so I pulled out my journal and began to write. This poem is the product of my experience that day.

Butterfly, and the Moon

She imagines herself a butterfly

Seated. Wings open wide.

Teardrops, like raindrops, fall upon her feet.

Her head, an umbrella protecting her body.

Do not force a woman to hold in her tears.

For water flows, and cleanses the Earth.

Clouds forming in her sky, great storm clouds.

The dark night humbles her spirit.

With each breath she takes, her mind becomes quiet.

Thoughts floating, she feels some distance.

Her vision opens. So tender, so wise.

Enlightened and aware. Alive, again.

Sensations of stardust; Swirls of radiant yellows.

Let her speak; let her shine.

Shedding light on all

Encircled in her wings, the woman in the moon.

He is the Sun, She is the Moon.

We are the light givers, healing beings.

Present. And, paving new ways,

Reflecting light to the dark night of the soul.

So, let her fade into the dark.

Do not fear. Light always returns.

Until her last breath in, her constant companion,

Her breath of life.

by, Holly Ashton Wallin

New Season, New Moon, New Intentions

One of the most simple healing modalities I use in my work and in my life is that of sankalpa. In Sanskrit, San means “to become one with” and kalpa means “time” or the “subconscious mind.” According to yogic philosophy, sankalpa is the word for intention. Typically, it is a self-created short phrase or sentence, clearly and concisely expressed. Sankalpas foster focus, motivation, determination, paticence, and perseverance- all qualities that enable us to develop, sustain, and deepen our meditation practice. Sankalpa represents a heartfelt intention reflecting our highest ideals and points us towards our heart’s deepest desire.

In Yoga Therapy, we use sankalpa as a yogic tool to help the client design a personal intention, a resolve to bring about positive change in their life. We interweave sankalpa specifically into meditation and deep relaxation practices.

A sankalpa is often resonant during yoga Nidra, a state of deep relaxation. It is believed that when the mind is relaxed, the sankalpa can be written on the subconscious mind and in the heart.

New seasons naturally feel like a time for me to evolve my personal rituals and practices. With the arrival of a new season and the symbolism of Fall Equinox, I felt inspired to re-design and re-commit to my own personal sankalpa. I’ve been interweaving my sankalpa into my personal meditation practices as well as introducing it to my students and clients this week.

I recently began working at an addiction recovery center, integrating yogic practices and yoga therapy into small group settings. This has been a humbling and rewarding experience for me. On Fall Equinox, I was working at the center with a small group of clients. We began our practice with a grounding exercise themed around new seasons, a new moon and new intentions.

We moved through a sequence of practices, including breath work, movement and grounding. I invited them to take a few quiet moments to create and write down their own sankalpas. Then, they had the opportunity to share any reflections. They were focused, engaged and present. The reflections and intentions shared were beautiiful, poetic, and heartfelt.

Finally, we ended with a deep relaxation practice. As they rested, I scanned the room and observed each person. I was moved by the way they were able to be still and calm. On that lovely fall morning, healing took place.

To watch others heal is a gift. To experience my own healing take place at the same time is icing on the cake.

I honor all those who are in the space of healing. There is so much work to be done, and yet, I see it happening all around me. I am grateful for those who show up in healing spaces and hold space for so many others. I am thankful for the wisdom and teachings of those who have gone before us and introduced these beautiful concepts and practices. We stand on the shoulders of giants.

These simple tools can enhance our practices and give our lives direction and purpose. As we commit to daily acts of love and self-care, we are changed.

Tonight, we welcome a new moon which represents a new phase of the moon cycle. It is a perfect time to create and develop a personal sankalpa. I encourage you to reflect for a few moments today. Perhaps, write out a sankalpa. Keep it simple and personal for you. Memorize it. Then, next time you find yourself in a moment of stress, worry or fear, sit down for a few minutes and take a few deep, long breaths. Bring to mind your sankalpa. Say it to yourself several times. Visualize what it looks like, and imagine how it feels to live in this way. And then move forward with your day with a sense of confidence and trust.

This, my friends, is the work of the soul.

May we heal our relationships with ourselves, with one another and with our beautiful Mother Earth. Let us not underestimate the power of healing that can come through the sun, the moon, and the stars.