Birthing New Life
by Candace on Sep.01, 2010, under Introduction to Vidya Yoga
Although I said I would be writing again in May, it seems that now is the perfect time to share an experience dear to my heart. I was offered an opportunity that brought me to tears as my client, Erin, requested my support during the latter stages of her pregnancy, and for labor and delivery. It was an incredible journey to participate as Erin swam and practiced yoga in our regular, small group classes and added some private, pre-natal sessions.
Birthing her baby with the support and assistance of her lovely husband, her wonderfully hands on doctor, and me, Erin exuded grace, strength and courage during this intense but beautiful odyssey. I would say there is an anticipation of what may shift in anyone’s life as they welcome a new baby into their world as they know it. This could be looked upon as a rebirth, as one sheds the old to bring in the new and goes into darker times to bring in the light. Some might say labor can be a bit dark at times, especially during a contraction, but this may not be the case for everyone. A woman can go into an animalistic state as she allows nature to guide the opening of her womb as she partners with her baby as he/ she is born.
Summer Solstice, on June 21st, is a time of intensity, renewal and great potential. The Sun is the light of our consciousness. It is warming and fires our passions. Summer Solstice is a time of rebirth as the sun stands still in the northern sky before returning south again. With each day, after the Summer Solstice, we head into shorter days with less light and we are given an opportunity to go inward to move forward with awareness and if we intend, more love. The greatest wisdom comes from stepping into the depths of our hearts and a woman impregnated with new life is ecstatic with the potential that lives within. This miracle that is created is nurtured by a mother’s inner peace, joy and contentment as she carries her baby in safety until it is time for their first meeting face to face. Erin moved me each time we met, glowing and determined to elevate her being to it’s highest source of knowledge throughout the practice.
Although it’s almost September and in less than a months time we will enter the Autumnal Equinox, I would like you to consider what your rebirth has been this summer. Ask yourself what has shifted within you in these last few months. Even if you don’t think anything has shifted about you or within you, I bet if you look closer you may see differently. The energies on the planet right now are such that many will be going through major life transitions and shifts. Consider what this may be for you.
For Erin, her husband, and son, it was the preparation for a new life that would expand their family with a great blessing of baby girl, Lucy. A tremendous time as the last 3 months of 9 had fast approached watching a seedling grow into a beautiful baby happily immersed in Erin’s womb. I was honored when Erin asked me to support her through this amazing transition from internal life to the emergence of this new being birthed with a mother and baby’s divine intention. Erin’s goal of having a successful V-Bac, (vaginal birth after Caesarean section) is a huge accomplishment for a mother as the rate for this happening in the US is not as high as one might think. My presence and practice with Erin consisted of leading her through yoga postures, mantras, using hands on therapeutic touch and aromatherapy and creating a conscious and pure intention that Erin could live and create over and over again, along with her baby as we honored the sacred within. We worked together as Erin connected to a deep and beautiful place within her heart and to awaken the harmony that awaits our presence if we call it forth. This time of active change as the body continues to prepare for the birth is one that Erin embraced honestly and with great humor and joy.
When one can see the connectedness and purpose in all things, one can awaken their hidden potentials. I believe Erin’s journey as she carried her baby in the womb until the early morning of August 18 th, she deeply connected to herself, her family and her new baby, Lucy, with an unveiling of energetic excitement that is the sum total of her physical, mental, emotional and spiritual bodies opening up during this divine time of conscious awakening. Erin, your presence is absolutely beautiful, courageous, generous, funny and imaginatively thoughtful. Supporting you and being witness to your birth experience gave me the opportunity to open the doorway towards expanding my own potential. As one sees new life being born, it is inherent that witnessing such a miracle and extraordinary journey of a woman’s spirit, that we consider how extremely powerful and limitless we are if we tap into the energies that live within and guide us each day if we are wise enough to pay attention. Lucy Murphy-Graham is a bringer of light and grace. Lucy means light and when I was in her presence in the first moments of her life, a deep sense of peace came over me. With one cry and contently eating for one hour as she nursed, the room was filled with a light, beautiful and graceful being named Lucy.
Building Dreams
by Candace on Jan.23, 2010, under Introduction to Vidya Yoga
Welcome to Vidya Yoga
Thank you for your visit. It’s so nice to have you here.
Explore Vidya Yoga was born from a desire to share my love of movement – my deep, passion for yoga and evolution – and my desire to create a sense of ambience for people. My goal has been to create an overall experience for adults and children that allow them to find a deeper, holistic, ritualistic way of living.
From my first yoga class, I was hooked. Pretty shortly thereafter, I began dreaming about starting my own yoga practice. Wow, starting my own business was a pretty scary idea! However, I stayed true to my heart and followed my dream. On this journey, I have faced many challenges, setbacks and successes; every step of the way I have been learning invaluable life lessons.
I have been asking to find great people to work with along this journey. And great people have come along. It has not always been a match but understanding how every relationship we put ourselves whole-heartedly into whether in business or romance, we learn and are guided to great things. Most important as we enter a new day, a new relationship, a new venture that we experience all of this for our own evolution. We are here to find fluidity with the ever changing circumstances called life. It is not black or white.
I have learned over time to watch my own emotional patterns of getting stuck in any one feeling or circumstance for too long. This is a daily practice of yoga, watching the ebb and flow of the breath and the ebb and flow of emotions and circumstances. They come and go. Even the good times, come and go. So what is constant? Our breath, the universal support here to guide us and the ability to adapt our perspective to our ever-changing circumstances.
I would like to share these lessons, as I am sure you can relate:
- Even when I failed, it was another step towards my success. And, when things have not gone according to plan, I remind myself of the fact that I’m reaching for my dream – which is success in itself!! Anything else I find along the way is a bonus.
If you have felt like you failed at something, please be kind to yourself. Give yourself credit for risking something and just because it did not work out the way you thought it would, please, please recognize and give thought to how this failure has taken you closer to your dream.
-Whenever I’ve fallen – and I’ve fallen often while building this – I realize I’m starting out from a slightly more successful standpoint. Taking note to each lesson gives me valuable wisdom that will carry me forward. When we take the time to learn from all of our experiences, we end up with a tool box worth transporting.
- There are moments when things haven’t gone in the right direction. In fact, it is a part of daily living that we face challenges and obstacles. I realize that’s why it’s so important to have trust and faith in myself and my dreams. I firmly believe that there is a universal support that surrounds all of us all the time. So when I feel myself faltering, I pray, ask for help and work extra hard to have faith in me and the divine sources that surround all of us. What does faith mean to you?
As I move forward on this journey, I keep dreaming, learning, and laughing while looking ahead and doing my best to keep focused on what I truly want. I trust that if I follow the signs, open my mind, and breathe deeply and evenly I will be somewhere in that moment towards my goal. That is truly an amazing gift!!!
I look forward to continue sharing my personal stories with you, as well as discussion on great oils, poses and much more. It is my hope that you will join me and share. I’d love to hear from you.
What are your dreams? Are you thinking about going for them or actively working on building them? What lessons or nuggets of wisdom have you learned on your journey?
