I sit at my desk tonight and see two totally different announcements.  One is the celebration of a new birth and the other is the Loving memory of a one year old.

I look at both cards and I shake my head.  How precious life on this earth is.  It reinforces the saying…live every moment to it’s fullest.

I now wake up in the morning and wonder how many miracles I will witness today.  I am in gratitude for all that I experience and the beauty around me.   Some experiences appear so hard to understand, yet there is always growth on some level.

One thing is certain…we will all leave this physical plane at some moment.   We have choice on how we experience each moment.  Do we smile or cry…do we forgive or hold on….do we love or hate…are we in fear or peace.  It is up to us, from within.  No external forces can make us feel a certain way.  It is truly up to us, how we respond.

Do we react or do we respond?  I have found meditation to be so helpful in learning about who I really am.  I learn more about who I am from the inside out.  There is an inner peace that is there all the time and I am able to glimpse at it from time to time.

Join us in meditation and find out who you really are.

See the web page for times and place.

The post Birth and Death appeared first on HeartWind Wellness Centre - Therapy and Training.

Ah the beauty of nature.  The month of May has been very productive.  Yes the trees are out in full bloom and the tulips are almost finished making room for all the perennials to peek their head out into the sun.

Well, the birds, as you can see by the pictures have been busy too.  My front door is the busiest on the street with clients coming and going.  Mama and Papa mourning doves decided that my porch would be the perfect place for their little darlings.  

Thursday I noticed some twigs on the front shelf…removed them.  Friday, more twigs…removed them.  On Saturday by the end of the day were twigs and an egg.  Ok, parents…I get the hint you are to stay.  I looked it up…shared parenting happens here…Papa does the daytime shifts and Mama does the night shift. and they usually pair for life.

Two weeks, clients have been walking by and looking straight into Mommy and Daddy’s eyes.  This week we now see two little beaks peeking out from under the parent’s bellies.

What an honour to witness the miracle of nature right outside my doorstep.  So, of course, I look into what does it all mean.  What is the message for all of us.

I looked up Doves in Animal Speak by Ted Andrews…

“The doves’ song is its most distinctive characteristic.  The voice of the dove is the rain song.  Out of its mourning, it invokes new waters of life.  Its song should remind us that no matter what our life conditions, new waters and new life are still possible. The Earth is a female planet, and this should remind us that creation and new birth is available to all of us upon it.”

Reflecting on this week’s tragedy in England, let us remember we have the power and strength to keep the peace.   Mother earth shows us that all possibilities are available.  It starts with each one of us…finding the peace and love within through stillness and meditation.

Imagine if everyone took the time to connect within and created this stillness, which would ripple out to others.

Join us in meditation.  See the web page for times and place.

The post Lesson from the Doves appeared first on HeartWind Wellness Centre - Therapy and Training.

Martha Beck has an 8 minute video (link included below) that highlights exactly how I feel about the future of our society and the gentle awakening that is occurring.

In spite of the turmoil happening around the world can we stop and listen, smell, feel, see the miracles that are happening every day. As I wake up each morning,  I say to myself;  I wonder how many miracles I will witness today. I notice the miracle of the crocus and tulip coming up once more after a long winter sleep.  I observe the tips of the trees swelling and see a hue of green. I hear the birds singing their sweet song.

There is beauty all around us. As we acknowledge this beauty our hearts will shine and the love and compassion will emanate out to others around us. In the link, Martha explains this ripple effect with the metaphor of dropping a pebble into the pond.

Stepping into all that is. Are you looking for a community to share the same feelings?

Come join us in the neighbourhood meditation. Remember who you really are. The power within and share the love.  Check out the webpage for location and time.

The link is through YouTube…the pyramid and the pool by Martha Beck.

The post The Power Within appeared first on HeartWind Wellness Centre - Therapy and Training.

To inspire myself to step out and explore the forest ground and hopefully  to see no ice, I read some of my running experiences over the winter months:

A life dream was fulfilled with a self discovery journey into the country of Bali,  a place that has been on my list for years.  So blessed and honoured to be here.  Early the other day I decided to go for a run, instead of yoga.  As I stepped out from my room I could feel the humid air encouraging the sweat to start.  I am in the country side surrounded by rice paddies and noticed the sounds of the neighbourhood waking up.  Thinking it would be a quiet peaceful run, I soon discovered it was a run that I would have to be fully present, no day dreaming.  I had spiritual offerings of beautiful flowers on the ground to dodge and dogs eating these offerings to acknowledge.  The most disturbing was the scooters and cars that flew by with only inches from my legs.

Puddles of water to move around, cracks and holes to miss…yet I was greeted with smiles on faces of people I passed and sounds of the local birds and insects in the early morning  before the heat of the day took over.  Of course the roosters on duty announcing the time of early morning rising.

There is a balance here between nature and the people of this land.  A honouring and respect. Mental note, will not be running that road again.

Another day of running in a totally different location…

Today, the run was wonderful.  Notice a mom and dad  with a young child walking along the road.  Acknowledging the sounds of the birds in the rice fields and trees competing with bug sounds.  Warm humid air encouraging sweat on my skin and quiet scooters are parked along the side of the road with flip flops resting beside them while workers are in the rice fields. Ducks splashing in the pools of water along side of the road.  A elderly couple walking hand in hand. A squashed body of a rat on the road with intestines spewing all over the ground. Men with hoes and tools walking along the side of the road and women carrying large bundles.

Recognizing the contrast of beauty and the ugly….yet do I judge or just notice in neutrality?

So blessed to have experienced the energy of Bali.  Witnessing the rain feeding the lush green in the mountains and the energy exchange with a 90 year old shaman with a gentle heart. Untouched by the outside world, there is knowledge to share.

Continuation of jogger in BARBADOS

Running along the ocean, I hear the waves crush onto shore.   I feel the wind on my warm skin and smell the salt in the air.  The sky is many hues of blue which continue into the ocean.     As I step one foot in front of the other I dodge a morning dove and a small pile of sand that has washed up onto the board walk.

I feel the power of the ocean and know that I am just a speck of sand, yet realize a very important speck of sand.   If I wasn’t here there would be a void.  I am here for a reason, a purpose…the remembrance of what that is …is the journey.

One step at a time…one moment ….present …right here right now.

Come join me to explore your journey and the importance of your speck of sand. Either through gentle yoga, meditation or hands on energy work.  Check out the webpage.

Off I go for that run in the Ontario forest on a sunny March day.

The post A joggers journal appeared first on HeartWind Wellness Centre - Therapy and Training.

The one thing we cannot live without….Breath.

As I witnessed the miracle of birth, I realized, life is all about breath.  The mom breathing the new little being through the birth canal, the infant taking her first breath.

We breathe all the time.  It is an unconscious activity our life depends on.  We hold our breath in stress, gasp for breath in excitement.  We slow the breath in peace.  We focus on breath in meditation.

Our life on earth begins with an inhalation and ends with an exhalation.  How many breaths have we taken while on this planet?

We use breath to move energy through our physical body, we use our breath to blow out candles on a birthday cake in celebration of yet another year.

We hold our breath as we feel the warm ocean water surround us.  We have machines to help us breathe, a regulator for scuba diving and life machines while sick and the body cannot breathe on its own.

We control our breath in breath of fire during yoga class and allow our breath to take over while resting in a deep sleep.

Come breathe with me.

Come join Karen Dermody in Stouffville and explore the benefits of meditation and yoga with conscious breath, creating your heart’s desires.

The post Breathe appeared first on HeartWind Wellness Centre - Therapy and Training.

August 2016

As I sit on a 27 foot sail boat and feel the water rush below me and the wind passing through my hair, I am reminded of the beauty of nature and the importance of staying in touch with mother earth.

I remember my oneness with nature and recognize how easy it is to become disconnected from our source of guidance and healing.

The article below by Rachelle Williams explains the purpose and how to connect with Nature.

As we move into the Harvest season and express our gratitude for all that is around us, come join me in meditation, yoga or/and Ayurvedic teachings in the fall

by: Rachelle Williams

It is well known that the elements of nature have always been recognized in various forms and respected by cultures, both past and present. All aspects of life such as art, language, ceremonies, and medicine have been influenced by nature’s beauty and wisdom.

Today, as we move further and further indoors and into our tech-supported lifestyles, it’s easy to see how society has become disconnected from that which has been a source of healing and guidance. Feeling grounded, peaceful, and energized are a few of the benefits of regularly “hanging out” with nature. Luckily, we don’t have to go on a wilderness retreat to experience these benefits!

Connecting with Nature

Nature was born from stillness and it is from stillness that we connect with her. Stillness can be found in different ways for different people, from running to doing dishes. However, there is something special about connecting with the primordial elements of nature that triggers the notion that there is a bigger picture and the potential for something more.

Smelling wet sand after a rain, standing on a mountain top and feeling the wind whip around you, or listening to the crashing of ocean waves are examples of experiences that can invoke a renewed sense of self-awareness and fortitude. If you think back to similar moments and recall not having such heightened perceptions that is perfectly fine. Perhaps what was missing at the time was awareness. 

Importance of Awareness

Awareness comes with knowledge and experience. When you have awareness regarding the importance of nature and her influence on you and vice versa, you can fully engage in the moment. Author Eckhart Tolle states in his book, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose, “Awareness is the greatest agent for change.” You will discover the truth of this as not only how you look but where you choose to look will vastly change. Over time the ripple effect can profoundly improve your life.

So how do you activate this awareness and invite the benefits of nature into your life? You first begin with an understanding of the five elements, according to Ayurveda.

The 5 Elements

Ayurveda recognizes five great elements, or pancha mahabhutas, representing the most important foundational aspects of nature and matter: space, air, fire, water, and earth. These elements are considered the building blocks of all material existence. Ayurveda also observes these same five elements within the human body and mind—as it exists in nature, it also exists within you. Everything in life is created with varying proportions of these five elements.

Here are a few of the qualities of each element:

1 Space or akasha, is the subtlest of the elements. It is expansive, empty, and has no resistance. It is the source of all matter and houses the space within which it exists. It allows for growth and change to take place. It is the space between your cells, your breath, and your thoughts.

2 Air or vayu, is movable, changeable, light, dry, mobile, and dynamic. It represents the capacity for motion and gives flight to ideas or goals. Externally, it is seen as wind; internally, it is the movement of breath, circulation, and nerve impulses.

3 Fire or tejas, is hot, light, intense, powerful, and transformative. Externally, we see it as the sun or fire; internally, it drives digestion and cognitive processes.

4 Water or jala, is smooth, flowing, cool, and movable, and can be solid. It transports, connects, and provides protection and nourishment. Both your body and the planet are roughly 70 percent water.

5 Earth orprithvi, is heavy, solid, stable, constant, and rigid. It represents all solid matter and the structure of the universe. Earth gives form to the human body and to all of creation.

Take a moment to observe and you will begin to notice these qualities all around you. The more you shift your attention and explore the elements, the more you will be able to understand and relate to the entire universe. The best way to start connecting with the five elements is to meditate on their natures.

A Meditation Exercise for Exploring the 5 Elements

The following is a simple meditation exercise to help you begin exploring the elements. This can be done on its own or combined with an established meditation practice. Remember, there is no right or wrong way to perform this. The total time to complete this is approximately 25 minutes.

1 Gather items that represent, in your mind, each of the five elements. This is good way to practice awareness and use your intuition. Here are some examples:

•Space – picture of the night sky or anything that inspires a sense of lightness and growth

•Air – feather, dried herbs

•Fire – candle, statue of a god or goddess

•Water – bowl of water

•Earth – gemstone, plant

2 Find a quiet place within your home and arrange the items you have gathered around you in whatever fashion you choose. Have a notepad and pen close by, just in case.

3 Sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes and take a few deep belly breaths, allowing your body to relax. Do this for two minutes.

4 Open your eyes and place your attention on your chosen symbol to represent earth. For the bowl of dirt, you can smell it, feel it, and maybe even taste it! Engage with using your senses. Do this for one to two minutes.

5 If you’re able to, hold the item gently in your hand or place it close by you. Slowly close your eyes and bring to mind the qualities of the element as listed above. Begin to watch where your thoughts go and notice any feelings without judgment. Maybe you feel heaviness—try exploring it and simply observe. Continue to do this for five minutes.

6 Open your eyes, thank your symbol, and set it aside. Feel free to jot down quick notes regarding images or feelings.

7 Continue this exercise with each item by repeating steps four through six.

8 Upon completion, take a moment to close your eyes and take a nice deep breath in, then release and exhale all the air.

This exercise is meant to help expand awareness and harmonize your relationship with all of nature—but it’s only the beginning of your journey. Exploring the five elements through meditation will encourage you to move beyond the physical expression and into deeper meanings as they pertain to each of us. There is an expression in Ayurveda that states, “As is the human body, so is the cosmic body. As is the human mind, so is the cosmic mind.” This essentially describes human intelligence as not separate from nature’s intelligence. They are intimately intertwined and when you open your heart and mind to this, you will find that Mother Nature has been patiently waiting for you to be still, listen, and learn what you have only forgotten.

The post How to incorporate the 5 Elements into Meditation Practice appeared first on HeartWind Wellness Centre - Therapy and Training.

As I seat on the huge Redwoods on Vancouver Island, feeling very small,  I find the inner peace that is available to all of us.  Found a great article by Deepak Chopra on the importance of maintaining inner peace.

by: Deepak Chopra, M.D.
More than in the past, people are recognizing the value of having inner peace. This represents a shift away from an earlier value system that put the highest priority on consumerism, career success, competition, and unending distractions. But wanting inner peace is only the first step. Actually having inner peace as a lasting experience involves a journey inward. This can be accomplished through the following four goals, which are challenges that cannot be met passively.

1. Locate Peace Inside

The first item, locating peace inside yourself, can be accomplished by anyone through meditation. By simply going inward and transcending the constant activity of the mind, one experiences a deeper region of awareness, called the zone of peace. Here, silence and stillness become a real experience. More importantly, peace begins to be valued over other experiences that we have been conditioned to value in the past.

2. Return to the Place of Peace at Will

Returning to the place of peace at will means that you actually want to be at peace when the situation around you is in a state of non-peace, marked by stress, obstacles, resistance, ego drives, and negative emotions.

In the tradition of Yoga, the quality of complete non-violence is Ahimsa, and, although the word came to be identified with political nonviolence in the era of Gandhi and Martin Luther King, the full meaning implies a state devoid of anger, anxiety, envy, and resentment. To be at peace any time you want to be at peace isn’t possible if you find yourself struggling against insecurities and negative emotions to get there—that’s why the third challenge, letting go of all aspects of violence, is so important.

3. Let Go of All Aspects of Violence

Letting go of all aspects of violence is critical because you cannot fight against non-peace in order to have peace. The result of such a struggle will only be that your adversary—such as anger, resentment, or envy—goes deeper underground. Letting go happens when you shift your allegiance away from the ego, with its built-in insecurity and negative emotions, to the true self. It turns out, in moments of peace during meditation, we are actually encountering a completely new self that has no need for non-peace. Its very nature is peaceful, and once we become accustomed to meeting this peaceful self, we start to absorb it until, in time, the true self is simply the self.

There is no war with the ego to make it let go. As we meditate, Ego values quietly weaken, become less enticing, and eventually fall away. Many people, from both the East and West, are intimidated by the prospect of letting go, because without the ego and its focus on “I, me, and mine,” what kind of self will they have? This isn’t a question that can be answered in advance. The true self, also called the higher self, is extolled in the world’s wisdom traditions as the source of truth, love, beauty, evolution, creativity, and peace. Yet until you begin to absorb those values personally, they remain at a distance from the everyday self you are used to.

4. Expand the Experience of Peace Every Day

The fourth challenge, allowing peace to expand every day, is the same as saying that you make choices every day to follow the silent voice of the true self instead of the loud voices all around and inside you. Silence can co-exist with the thinking mind. Peace doesn’t make you passive and dull. In fact, the very opposite is true. Once you stop wasting excessive psychological energy on anger, resentment, insecurity, and the other baggage of the ego, more energy is left over for love, inner growth, and creativity.

With this brief overview, you can see why achieving inner peace has been considered so desirable over the centuries, despite the outward appearance of humankind’s taste for war, rivalry, crime, and hostility. The zone of peace is real, and if you want it to be your home, the way is always open.

Come join Karen Dermody in Stouffville and explore the benefits of meditation and creating your heart’s desires.

The post 4 Ways to Create and Maintain Inner Peace appeared first on HeartWind Wellness Centre - Therapy and Training.

One of the most inspiring and powerful things you can do as a human being is to visualize what it is that you want to manifest, and then make it happen. The power of the mind is astonishing and, when coupled with mindfulness-based practices like meditation, you can increase your ability to make leaps and bounds toward creating the life you truly desire.

Goal setting is the catalyst for making this happen. The purpose of setting a goal is to achieve a desired result. When applied carefully with intention, action, momentum, and focus, setting and achieving goals gets you from where you are now to where it is you want to be. But first you have to know where that is. The “where” begins with your vision.

The first step is to start with the end in mind and work backward. The end result is your highest vision for a given area of life—be it health and fitness, relationship, family, career, or finance. Once connected with your vision, you then need to set specific goals that will aid you in actualizing the vision.

Many people mistake the goal for the vision thinking the goal is the end result. They set a goal without thinking ahead to what that goal will allow them to be, to do, or to have in the long run. To make the most out of your goal-setting process, it’s important to link it up to the quality of lifestyle you ultimately want to be living. For the purpose of creating some clarity, let’s outline the key differences between a vision and a goal.

Your Vision vs. Your Goal

Your vision isn’t something that needs to be created—it already exists within you. You just need to get in touch with it. Your vision is the big picture of your desired outcomes. It’s an internal representation of what is most important to you; it’s exciting, inspiring, compelling, and filled with positive emotions.

A goal, on the other hand, is a specifically designed milestone that requires completion if you are to get to the end of your yellow brick road. The downside is that a goal may not necessarily provoke positive emotions. Goals are simply stepping stones on the path that lead you to your ultimate destination.

A popular and effective way to set goals is to use the acronym SMART, which stands for specific (clear and precise), measurable (you can quantify or measure progress), achievable (meaning, it’s realistic), resources (you have the resources needed and you aren’t relying on divine intervention or other people), and time (there is a start and end date).

Using highly detailed, vivid imagery is an extremely powerful way to train the mind to go after—and get—what you want. Professional athletes use mental visualization to help them become more agile in their game. For example, Tiger Woods has been using visualization techniques to improve his game since he was a teenager, and World Champion Golfer, Jack Nicklaus, was quoted as having said, “I never hit a shot, not even in practice, without having a very sharp in-focus picture of it in my head.” Former NBA All-Star, Michael Jordan, used mental imagery to get into what he referred to as “the zone” to make his game-winning, three-point shots. Many public speakers practice anchoring themselves to a state of motivation prior to taking the stage in front of their audiences.

If professional athletes and stage presenters use visualization techniques to enhance their ability to be the best of the best, you too can utilize this approach to making your own dreams come true.

10 Meditation Steps for Achieving Your Goals

Try the following steps to practice a guided visualization on putting a goal into the future:

1. Begin with an area of your life in mind. Choose an area where you have been struggling or would like to experience some transformation.
2. Now begin to imagine the highest possible outcome that you would like to be living in this area of your life 6 to 12 months from now. Imagine living your life the way you would envision if all your hopes and dreams were to come true. What is your ultimate reality? Try not to get hung up on limitations or negativity; instead, just allow yourself to get carried away with your wildest aspirations.
3. Next, connect with one goal you would like to achieve in the next three months. Make it a good one. If you choose a goal that doesn’t carry a lot of weight or isn’t all that meaningful, the end result (if you even bother getting there) won’t feel all that special. So be sure to choose something that is big enough that, once you’ve carried out this goal, you will be left with a high level of accomplishment and feeling super motivated to set your next goal. Run the goal through the SMART acronym to make sure it meets all the proper criteria. Then, you’re set!
4. Now that you’ve connected with your goal, imagine what your life will be like once you have completed it. Create a picture or movie in your mind and step inside the visual representation as if you are inside it and looking through your own eyes. Adjust all of the qualities of sensory perception (taste, touch, sight, sound, smell) to create the most positive and most real feelings. Who is there with you? Where are you? What is happening around you?
5. Next, step out of the image you’ve created and imagine floating up in the air above where you are now, taking the mental image with you. Take a deep inhale and as you exhale, use your breath to energize the image, filling it with positive energy and intention. Do this five times.
6. Now it’s time to imagine floating out into the future and visualize dropping the internal representation of your goal down into your life below you at the date and time you’ve set for this goal to reach completion.
7. Notice how all the events between then and now re-evaluate themselves to support you in accomplishing your goal. Visualize this process to make it feel real.
8. Once you feel complete, come back to now and, with your eyes still closed, consider what action steps you will take in the next week to move you closer to your goal.
9. Take a few deep breaths to ground yourself before opening your eyes. Write down your list of action steps and do any journaling about your experience.
10. Last, you must take action and maintain your focus. Every single day, do something that moves you closer to realizing your goal and living your dream.

Do this process once a week or upon completion of your action steps so that you continue moving powerfully forward toward achieving your goal and living your vision. Seeing is believing, so use your mind to create your most compelling future.

By Trish Thorp

Come join Karen Dermody in Stouffville and explore the benefits of meditation and creating your heart’s desires.

The post How to use meditation to visualize your goals appeared first on HeartWind Wellness Centre - Therapy and Training.

Come join us in Stouffville on Wednesday mornings 8:00am to 9:00am.

The power of many.

With meditation the body shifts into a state of restful awareness. Extensive scientific research demonstrates the value of meditation for our well being on all levels; not only the physical but has been proven to:

• heal emotional trauma
• create more happiness
• increase inner peace
• increase mental clarity
• extends your life
• resolve long-standing emotional problems, including fear, anxiety, depression, anger and substance abuse
• enhances your sleep patterns

The post Neighbourhood Meditation appeared first on HeartWind Wellness Centre - Therapy and Training.

As I stand facing the ocean in Mexico and wobble back and forth in the sand, it reminds me of life.   The challenges, forgiveness and learning to grow from the mistakes.

Below I included part of an article by Jennifer Partridge, discussing the benefits of challenging yourself.

Come join me and explore yoga together.   My classes are appropriate for all levels.

Have you ever been to a yoga class and the teacher demonstrates a perfect balancing pose that looks so easy and simple. Yet when you try it—bam! You meet the floor.

Trying a new yoga pose in class can be scary and intimidating, especially if failure means falling flat on your face. Yoga is not about being perfect. It’s about challenging yourself—knowing that even as you wobble or flop to the ground, every great master has fallen many more times than you have tried.

The same lesson exists in life; the only way to grow is to make mistakes, forgive yourself, and learn along the way. When you give yourself permission to make mistakes, it gives everyone else permission to do the same. If you’re ready to challenge yourself and take some risks, try these  yoga poses. You’ll improve—even as you fall—and you might even have some fun.

Warm up your body with a series of sun salutations before you begin. You may also want to prepare some comfortable blankets or pillows around you for a softer falling spot.

Vrksasana (Tree Pose with Eyes Closed)

Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Ground all four corners of the left foot into the floor. Take your right foot and place the sole on your upper inner thigh above your kneecap. If this is too difficult, place your foot below the knee. Never place it directly on the knee. The toes of your raised foot should be facing the ground.

Drop your tailbone so that it’s angled toward your toes, this will engage the lower energetic locks known as Bandhas.

Once you feel stable, bring your arms into prayer position in front of your heart, or raise them to the sky. Now comes the challenge: See how long you can close your eyes. Start by closing one eye first. Once you feel comfortable, try closing both eyes. You will probably wobble; try to enjoy the dance. Take five breaths while in this pose and then return the right foot down. Follow with the left side.

Natarajasana (Lord of the Dance Pose) 

Speaking of dance, this next pose will have you looking like a ballerina. Begin in Tadasana (Mountain Pose), which is used as a starting point for many other poses. Activate your right foot. As you exhale, bring your left leg back toward your buttocks with your left hand. Make sure your navel is drawn inward as you move the tailbone down. Keep your torso straight and upright.

If you need to extend the opposite hand for balance, take care not to strain the lower back as your torso moves forward. Pull the shoulders down as you arc into the pose. Stabilize the body on the standing leg, and hold the pose for 30 seconds or longer. To release the pose, exhale, and bring the leg down slowly. Center yourself in Mountain Pose, and then repeat on the other side.

The post Yoga. Exploring who you really are appeared first on HeartWind Wellness Centre - Therapy and Training.