Michele Ford Yoga

Sacred  Sanskrit chant for awakening and honoring the sacred and powerful aspects of the feminine in all forms:

Shakti Ma, Om Shakti Ma

Hey Ma Durga, Hey Ma Durga

Maha Devi, Maha Devi

Om Kali Ma, Kali Ma, Kali Ma

Jai Ma!

–Mantra and translation compiled by Sean Johnson

From the hills of Virginia we ventured southeast to Durham, NC for our next workshop scheduled for later that week.  We stayed with Dawn, a good friend of mine, and her new and expanding family; Dawn and Nate are expecting their second child this November.  The timing of our visit allowed Brandon and I the opportunity to be apart of one of the greatest forms of creation…that of a child.  Creating doesn’t end after the initial point of conception, but rather that point is a marker for the beginning of growth and expansion into full potential.  Creation and creativity springs forth from the feminine aspect of ourselves, the aspect of our being that is intuitive and reflective and truly knows that we are but an interwoven part of a greater whole.

Rainie, nearly 2, drew me in with her clear deep brown eyes, playful nature and shining innocence. At first, I felt a sense of resistance to her and the settled family life; after all we are exploring freedom, and to me at this point in my life, raising a child seems like a lot of work rather than an opportunity to experience freedom. Not having spent much time with young kids, I have often felt this responsibility to be an obstacle to ones own growth. But Rainie’s undiscriminating love persisted and I soon craved to experience this world we all live in in such a way that NOW is all there is. To give so completely to another being in such a simple and uncomplicated way made my heart sing.

Our new roadie/chauffeur; she works for naps.

She even tunes instruments.

The night before our workshop we had the good fortune to attend a yoga class with a vibrant Jivamukti teacher and friend, Allison, at Carborro Yoga, Inc.  The next evening our workshop was hosted at Hillsborough Yoga & Healing Arts by owner, Paula Hoffman.  Paula specializes in teaching pre- and postnatal women.  She is currently experiencing the manifestation of 17 years of teaching, having just birthed her lovely studio and healing center with her daughter, Judith, at the end of last year.  Thank you to both of you for sharing your creative energy with us, your students and the world.  We shared in an inspiring evening with some who we had practiced the night before with, Gwen, a new Jivamukti teacher (check her out in Danville, VA), a couple from the Krishna temple (thank you for the beautiful garlands), and other wonderful beings. Blessings to all!

Tour stop #2: Hillsborough Yoga & Healing Arts.

I have often thought that to be in touch with and to express my creativity and to create what it is that I want in my life, I must first be free from all that is holding me back from that wide open space from which creation springs forth.  But maybe I have had it reversed and to be free you must first create. Honoring the feminine aspect of ourselves (no matter our gender) and listening to our own innate wisdom and the uniqueness that come from this eternal well spring. Our uniqueness and the expression of this uniqueness is the essence of all the beauty in this world. From creation springs growth, as with a child or a new business endeavor; spiritual growth (growth with awareness of the whole) moves one in the direction of intention and ultimately sets our true Self free. Maybe creation, with its constant companion of growth, is actually the key to being free…