The Art of Healing
  • Home
  • Services
  • About
  • Kundalini Corner
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Manifesto
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Services
  • About
  • Kundalini Corner
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Manifesto
  • Contact
Search by typing & pressing enter

YOUR CART

6/4/2021 0 Comments

Summer: A Soft Opening into Skillful Action

Picture

Tenderness does not choose its own uses.
It goes out to everything equally.
~Jane Hirshfield

The season of summer is a time of joy, celebration, vitality and expansion as it's the most "yang" or peak time of the seasonal cycle of a year and relates to the element of fire. Fire has two distinct transformational purposes: it releases or purifies (think of heat creating sweat that eliminates toxins) and it creates new possibilities and gathers together (consider how a stove cooks food or a campfire draws people into more intimate conversations).

Summer solstice falls on June 20/21 this year and marks the longest, lightest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. It's often the time of year when we might feel the most active and outgoing as we make plans to travel or spend more time outside in nature. However, this year isn't like others that have come before. Just a year ago we were in "lockdown" and living under vastly altered conditions. Many have been temporarily separated from or permanently lost loved ones, navigated dramatic economic and familial changes that have necessitated
 career transitions, moving households, or shifting schedules to account for virtual/homeschooling and the list goes on.

Every single human being on this planet has been, in some deep way, changed forever. As the world begins to open up many will feel the breath of fresh air as masks are dropped and restrictions are lifted. You may feel like dancing in the streets inviting the neighbors to celebrate the return to living. Others will feel tentative, protective of their 6 foot space, a bit disoriented and unsure of how to have a normal conversation. Where do we even begin? Perhaps you feel a little of both. Or something entirely different. Whatever the case, I vote for a soft opening back into the world where we do our best to meet and greet ourselves and others with equal tenderness, big hugs and plenty of emotional space to discover and create, together, what's next.

Summer is the season of action. I'd like to offer the distinction between action and motion that we make in yoga. The practice of yoga is the science of action and action is movement with intelligence. In a yoga pose, for example, here is the difference: I might say "Step your left foot open wide and turn toward the long edge of your mat." That cue signals a movement that you will make to come into the pose. Once you are in, let's say Warrior 2 pose, I might add: "From the core of your pelvis, root down evenly through both feet. Sense the tailbone and crown of your head lengthen away from each other in space. Inhale and gather energy into your center and exhale, extend energy from the center of your body to the edges of your skin." Those particular cues suggest a quality of attention that will deepen your awareness. That is what makes it Yoga: skillfulness in action. 

Let's take that wisdom with us upon our re-entry this month and beyond. What actions will support you in defining the new opportunities and possibilities that are available to you? How will you use the skills you have developed over the last year to explore how you will more articulately and purposefully move through the world? Consider what the fruits of your particular  actions might yield? 

To support your transition into summer, please enjoy this 25 minute Yoga Nidra Meditation practice for shifting from Spring to Summer. Yoga Nidra is most commonly understood at "yogic sleep." The word Nidra comes from two words: "​Ni" means "void" and "dru" means "to draw forth from or reveal." It's a beautiful practice that invites us to move through the various states of consciousness with effortless awareness. Learning to use technology to share my voice and heart with you this last year has been its own kind of drawing forth of my own deep desire to serve the personal and collective awakening of our greatest human potential. It has proved to be a challenging, yet rewarding growth edge! I truly appreciate your engagement with my offerings. May it bless you in the highest and best ways. 
​
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti. Peace, Peace, Peace 💜 


I'll be taking some time off for my annual summer sabbatical at the end of this month and will return to teaching in August. I look forward to continuing the journey of growth and expansion with you in the second half of 2021! 
*Nidra script from Tamara Verma
0 Comments

    Jenny Clarke

    Archives

    June 2021
    April 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

What My Clients Are Saying:



"I know that “life changing” is a bit over used but it best describes how I feel about what Jenny Clarke offers with "The Courage to Create" course. She uses the metaphor of the labyrinth. A twisted turning path with hidden chambers that takes you to the center and then back out again with new insights. I took the private version of this program. The weekly lessons took me to the core of who I am. Along the way looking into some long closed chambers where we cleared out a few ghosts and discovered some buried gems. At the end of the course I emerged forever changed with a new understanding and appreciation of who I am. You can not get lost in a labyrinth as long as you keep moving forward. The journey begins when you take the first step. I highly recommend that you take the first step and sign up for the Courage to Create!" ~L.H.

My experience with the circle was amazing. I have been told that circles have power. And I am now a believer. I felt like my intentions of gaining insight and tools for my life and the lives of those I am blessed to work with were fulfilled. It confirmed so much of what I have learned over the last few years. I felt validated. The way the materials were presented was so well thought out and simple to follow. I gained so much support from the souls inside the circle and I gave a ton of support to them. That was also my personal intention for class. My experience was life changing. Jenny has changed my life for the better MANY times through her work and healing. Thank you Jenny Clarke ~Kevin S.

The series was an experience like none other! What was covered and how was truly impressive. Our group of participants were amazing – a small intimate, non-judgmental group. As a domestic violence survivor, I have participated extensively in many avenues of self-awareness and growth; individual cognitive therapy sessions for years, specialized group therapy sessions, read many books, am part of online groups and researched endlessly many self-growth and psychological disorders and topics online. I’ve done a lot of this work on different levels but this series really encompassed everything I have worked on and more in one workshop in 6 weeks. It put it all together (plus more) in an easy streamlined way. I was able to start to understand that I am my own life expert and I realized that I was seeking external advice or validation instead of listening to my own inner compass. I liked having a partner and the group circle. We did some hard inner work and I think sharing with others cultivated acceptance and moving forward. The group created a non-judgmental space that welcomed this. The struggles shape us into who we are. I was presented with the opportunity to give and receive support. It was interesting to hear others perspectives of me. I realized I do not see what they see in me (strength, courage, openness etc.) and that has stuck with me. Because of this, I realized I need to be easier on myself. I can’t wait for the next circle! 
~Anonymous/The Art of Fulfillment participant 


"Jenny’s coaching was full of gentle reinforcement that inspired me and provided loving guidance  to help me create a connection to my heart by taking small steps toward my desires. I get so much from her feedback emails after each session. The practical skills and wisdom (both personally and professionally) are exactly what I needed during this time of flux. Jenny really helped me stay focused on the details of the moment without getting confused or losing sight of the big picture." ~K.E.


Connect with Me

    Subscribe Today!

Submit