For the Tender Hearts

Last week on Valentine's Day, I was reminded of this poem I had written on Feb 14th back in 2015 after I had attended a group breathwork workshop.  Even though this is three years old, it still feels relevant and is a great depiction of how I feel about living in the world with a sensitive, empathic, tender heart.  

So I'm bringing it back as my love letter to you.  

Untitled design-8.jpg

 

"Lying on my back
In the dark, soft candle-lit space
Sandwiched between two yoga blankets
Held in support by the others lying in the room with me
Guided by a heart-centered healer
I breathed

First into the belly
The second chakra
The place where emotions and relationships and lost, almost forgotten, memories are held

Then second into the heart
Center of love
Center of compassion
Center of light

And then lastly out my mouth
Released
Let go
Returned to the Earth and to Source
To be re-used, transformed, healed

Belly, heart, open mouth
Again and again
Over and over
Through the awkward stage of dry mouth in the beginning breaths
And through anxiety that's telling me it's impossible to breathe this fast
this deep
for this long

But as I relaxed my body
And surrendered to the moment
Surrendered to the breath
Surrendered to the feelings in my body wanting to bubble out
Surrendered to Mama Earth who was rising to meet and support my back
The movement of energy began to flow

First in waves of anger
Long time held
Distant
Ancient anger
Coming out in a yell that had been suppressed for years

Then sadness, sorrow, grief
Rising up from my legs, torso, chest
Emerging from my breath in sobs, wails, tears

And with surprise
Laughter!
Hysterical bouts of giggles, belly laughs, joyful chuckles
Released freely, loudly, openly
As if to remind me
"Healing ain't got to be soooo serious!"

Back to the breath
Belly, heart, mouth
Hearing the person next to me
Holding the rhythm, the beat
While I take a moment to express
Before returning back to the breath
Belly, heart, mouth
Belly, heart, mouth
Belly, heart, mouth

And as the energy moved through my body
Touching on places of pain and joy
Blocks and openness
I came to a resting place in my heart
My tender heart
My deep and passionate feeling heart
The heart I protect
The heart I give from
The heart that holds so much

And in this space of primal, raw, humanness
I realized how hard life can be when you have a tender heart
When you feel all the feels
(Or avoid feeling all the feels)
And how important it is for us
To honor and hold and express
In order to not harden our tender hearts
Or hide them away from this hard
Beautiful, messy, difficult life
We need self care, soul care
Self love, soul love
And permission and sacred space
To go deep
Or just be
Present with our tender hearts
In connected solitude
Community and tribe."



 

Breathwork is my medicine for my tender heart (along with nature, my puppy, being truly seen by my loved ones, and connecting with Spirit). But it's not for everyone.

My #wednesdaywish for you is that you find the medicine that is a perfect match for your big, beautiful, brave heart. 

 

Join me this Friday for breathwork if you're a fan or if you've never tried it before. I also do private sessions if the Friday night group times don't work for you.  Everyone is welcome - no experience necessary! xo!

Feel the Love

self compassion blog-5.jpg

The last couple of years, I've declared February the MONTH of LOVE. And while love is always in style and love is the place I like to live from on every day of every month, I like having the whole month as a reminder to look for love, to spread love, to feel and receive love, and to BE LOVE.  

Because, ultimately, I believe at the core of our essence, we are Love.  

It's easy to forget this sometimes.  With all the distractions, challenges, and illusions we face in a day, we can get pulled away from who we truly are.  But even in the hustle and bustle of daily life and in the midst of this raw and very human experience, we are at the core golden.

 

This weekend, my healing practice is celebrating the fact that we are love (and that I have so much love to give!) with the theme FEEL THE LOVE.  I have several special offerings and I'd love to have you join me if you feel called! 

FEEL THE LOVE BREATHWORK
Friday 2/9 :: 7:30pm-9:30pm
at Center for Performing Arts, MPLS
$25 pre-ref/$30 day off OR $30 for two when you bring a loved one! 
*Infuse your body, mind, and spirit with love using the power of your heart and your breath. 
Deets and to pre-register: click here

FEEL THE LOVE OPEN HOUSE
Saturday 2/10 :: 2pm-5pm
at Stockheart Whole Health
*Join me and my colleagues for free demos, snacks, raffles for free sessions, and discounts on sessions booked that day. Chocolate and wine provided so you can #treatyoself
Location and parking info here. 

SOUL SUNDAY REIKI MINI-SESSIONS
Sunday 2/11 :: appts btwn noon-4pm
30 minutes for $30
*Give yourself or your sweetie the gift of relaxation, rebooting, and rejuvenation.
To schedule: https://helenburon.as.me/ 


LONG DISTANCE SESSION COUPON
So I don't leave out my long distance loves from this special weekend of events, any long distance healing session purchased from now until Valentine's Day will be 20% off with my newsletter coupon code: BELOVE.
Book your breathwork or esoteric healing session for some extra self-love here! 

 

Thank you for being here with me: doing this life with love and courage and tenderness.  I wouldn't have it any other way. xo! 

Winter Welcome

Adopt the pace of Nature..jpg

Welcome to the New Year!

There's something about the energy of the new year that I just love.  New beginnings are kind of my favorite thing.  That's one reason why I love new moons, birthdays, the first of the month, Mondays, and the inhale of each breath.  It's an opportunity to start fresh.  Begin again.  

Change, adapt, revamp, re-dedicate, renew, transform.  

While I believe we can START something whenever we want, at any time, it is fun to utilize the energy of a new year as motivation.  To ride the wave of anticipation, planning, and intention setting. 

While you are making your resolutions, intentions, or just following your desire to feel better, for those living in the Northern Hemisphere, this is also just a reminder that with the Winter Solstice on December 21st, we've entered into the WINTER SEASON.  

Winter is the perfect time for DREAMING.  

For planning and planting the seeds you wish to bloom and nurture in the spring.  This energy from the start of 2018 is really a perfect match for this dreaming part of the season. 

Winter is also about RESTING.  

As the trees and the earth have gone dormant, bears are hibernating, and other animals stay cozy in their nests and burrows, so too are our bodies ready to hibernate.  It's the time to eat hearty and warm soups, stews, broths, and roasted foods.  It's the time to support our immune systems with vitamin d supplements, teas, sleep, and warmth.  It's the time for getting quiet and reflecting and resting.

My gentle reminder to you is this: 

As you feel the resolve to cut out sugar, get back on the exercise bandwagon, jumpstart your yoga practice, plan to meditate daily, or make progress in your career (or do nothing different at all - that's okay too!), remember that it is also completely valid to rest and slow down.  Listen to your body and give it the care it needs so you can accomplish all of your desires and needs. 

Let me know one thing you're excited to get started on in this new year and one way you will rest this winter!

Happy Winter-ing!

 

Resources for Supporting Your Intentions:

Bubbling Birthday Blessings

It's my birthday week!  And I have to tell you, no matter how much older I am turning, I LOVE my birthday.

IMG_2354.jpg

There's just something about that day that feels special no matter how ordinary my schedule is for that day and, the minute I open my eyes in the morning on the 14th of December, I feel such a deep, profound gratitude and giddiness to be alive.  

Maybe this love started when, as a kid growing up, my parents would always decorate the kitchen and put out the red "You are Special" plate at the head of the kitchen table for our birthdays.  There would be streamers strung from each corner of the room, a new table cloth,  and our chair would be all dolled up to match.  Even without the trappings of presents and crepe paper and ribbons, I still to this day feel this sense of anticipation upon waking... anticipation that it's my sparkling, glittering, bubbling day to be special.  (Of course, we are special and important EVERY day of our lives, but it's fun to have a particular day to really receive and celebrate that!)   

Ever since starting my own healing practice, I've always wanted to do this, but it never really worked out or it wasn't the right time.  This year, however, is the year!: 

So in honor of my birthday, this week all hour long healing sessions (in person or long distance) can be purchased for $20 off and scheduled sometime from now until the end of March.  I also offer a package of 3 healing sessions for those who want to have more regular self-care/healing work in their life or want to share the healing vibes with a session for a friend as well as themselves. 

Birthday Sessions Special Sale-3.jpg

 

Energetic and emotional healing work has truly changed my life for the better in so many ways and it is such an honor to be able to share the tools I've studied and practiced on myself.  If you feel called to do some inner work so your outer life can feel more easeful, full, and vibrant, it would be my pleasure to go on that journey with you. 

And thank you for being here!  One of my joys in this life is to write and having you here to read my words is something I feel such gratitude for.  As I celebrate myself, reflect on the past year,  and dream of all the magic in my next year to come, I send deep and gracious love from my tender heart to yours!