To Kim

Some of my purest moments of joy happened on my mat with your instruction. Especially when you’ve cracked a joke and I’m falling out of a pose laughing. Doubly so when you’ve made me the example and are both working me to my edge and cracking me up in front of a room full of people at the same time! How blessed am I that so many of those delicious memories reside with me on my mat?

Read more

Welcome to Vata Season!

The transition from Summer to Fall is a sensitive time for many human bodyminds. The summer’s heat and activation stay in our bodies much the same way our brick homes and studio retain heat from baking in the summer sun. As days grow shorter and cooler, the heat seeks release in the form of cold- and allergy-like symptoms (and sometimes actual sickness), increased anxiety, decreased sleep, feeling scattered, and inflammation.

Read more

Evolition Summertime Workshop Poll: Give your opinions!

Hello friends! The Akasha Collective teachers are discussing a summertime workshop series. If I were to give a 2-3 hour long workshop on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon in August or September, what would you like to see me do?

Shadow and Structure: Reflections on a Coaching Intensive

Though I’ve been interested in shadow work for some time, I realize now that I’d only danced around my own. Even during 6 months of eating disorder treatment with a Jungian Psychoanalyst, I had only scratched the surface. Because that’s the nature of shadow. Shadow is the parts of ourselves that are unbearable to look at—and our psychologies artfully hide it so that we don’t have to see them.

Having mine dragged into the light felt like having my skin set on fire. The physical discomfort I experienced in those first couple of days was barely tolerable. I had experienced a profound amount of similar discomfort since the onset of our blended family experiment a year and a half ago. This was like all of that discomfort happening at once.

Read more

Mercury Retrograde early Libra-late Virgo, September-October 2022

The planet Mercury goes retrograde on Sunday, 9/11/22 at 8 degrees 53 minutes Libra, and enters direct motion again on Monday, 10/3/22 at 24 degrees 14 minutes Virgo.

But what does this mean?

Retrograde motion is an astronomical phenomenon whereby, due to the planets orbiting the sun at different rates, a planet appears to be moving backward from the Earth’s vantage point. Think of it as an optical illusion.

In astrology, retrograde motion is a symbol of a lessening of or interference with the planet in question’s energy, sort of like a reverse tarot card. Mercury rules the daily mind—our thought processes—communications, commutes, siblings and neighbors. During Mercury retrograde, we may find ourselves thinking less clearly, making poor decisions, feeling like we just can’t get our point across, and miscommunicating.

Mercury retrogrades typically happen 3-4 times per year. They are generally considered to be inauspicious times for making major decisions, negotiating, or signing contracts because of the potential to overlook important details.

The planet Mercury

The planet Mercury.

As in all of astrology, however, energies that seem daunting are often blessings in disguise. If you have a problem plaguing you, the retrograde may usher in new perspective. Things may cross the mind that haven’t in a while, like an old friend or activity you used to enjoy. As with all things, it’s the attitude that you hold that often determines your experience.

That is doubly true with this particular retrograde through early Libra and late Virgo. Virgo is the ruler of our house of health and attitude and Libra the experience of our personality in the context of relationships. Over these next few weeks, we may be called to observe our attitudes and how they play out in the larger world, especially in our relationships with those close to us. Conversely, to understand how our close relationships impact our health.

If we’ve fallen into pessimistic or critical thought patterns, how are our relationships affected? What about our overall health and vitality? If we cultivate more productive, positive attitudes, do things improve?

Under stress, Virgo energy can lead to a paralysis by analysis pattern, where we overthink situations to the point of getting stuck or making ourselves unwell. Likewise, unbalanced Libra energy may place us in a bind between opposing forces, opinions, or needs that prevents us from moving in any direction because we can’t find the middle ground.

In the event that you find yourself in such waters these next few weeks, hang tight. Clarity will catch up with you by mid-October!

The Vishuddha Chakra in the throat region is ruled by the planet Mercury. Over many years, I’ve noticed that, by the end of a retrograde period, stiff necks and shoulders arise. Keep them moving and mind your sleep posture. Sarvangasana (All Parts Pose/Shoulderstand) and Sirsasana (Headstand) are auspiciously practiced during this time, provided your form is good and you’ve robustly warmed your body for your practice.

Please mind that all of these things are generalizations; to know more specifically how any astrological phenomena will affect you, we’d need to compare them to your birth chart specifically. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.