The Radical Exhale (a.k.a. Where I've Been)

June 5, 2016

So, I disappeared.

I had good reason, though, I promise. Or really reasons. Like: new job, change of address, family shiftings . . . and that's all on top of my preexisting #momlife and teaching dance fitness and all things She of the Wild.

Basically, I got really, really tired from all the new changes. Good changes, but still . . . exhausting ones.

And now? I'm trying to rest. To be gentle with myself. To live in the release of the exhalation rather than the active inhalation.

This is not easy for me (is it easy for any of us, really?). It is not my go-to mode. When things get hard, I tense up, muscle up, and try to bludgeon my way through to relief. Which has worked for me . . . sort of. But the older I get, the less effective it is, and I imagine that will only become more true the more years that I accumulate.

So I'm going rogue, taking the radical way -- I'm loosening my grip, unclenching my jaw, and exhaling. Like, a lot.

Last weekend I slept in more than I have in decades -- or at least, certainly since having children. Yesterday I spent a good portion of my day sitting and listening to the full soundtrack of Hamilton: The Musical (yum) -- but without doing anything else while I listened. I took days off exercise when my body needed it. I went to bed early (although you better believe that I'm staying up tonight to watch the newest episode of Game of Thrones).

I've been letting (read: trying to let) myself exhale, rather than holding my breath until some circumstance shifted toward ease. I choose the ease, as much as I could. Imperfectly, yes, but perfection is not the point.

SO. All this to say -- hi. It's me. I'm back, and trying to go gently while not giving up, which I was sorely tempted to do at times. Instead of running, I'm staying, but breathing, resting, exhaling, being.

How do you cope when it's hard and you just want to sleep through the hardness? I'd love to know. And, um, pick up a few tips. :)

p.s. Although I've been living in the exhale as much as possible, there are still a number of exciting She of the Wild updates I want to share with you. Check out what's been going on . . .

Write Yourself Wholly Alive

The Poetry Is e-course has gotten a significant makeover and is now called Write Yourself Wholly Alive. I feel that this better represents the content of the course, and it's just much yummier. :) Also, the price on the course is going up to $150 this coming week -- but you can still get it for $97 until Tuesday, June 1. If you've been on the fence about enrolling, this is your time. Hurry up and grab it before the new price goes into effect! Learn more and sign up HERE (and also enjoy the first full week of content for free!).

She of the Wild Shirts

Dude, these shirts are so comfy I can't even stand it. I'm practically living in mine (photos coming soon, I swear . . . watch Instagram!). Check out the current She of the Wild shirt HERE, available for just three more days.

SHE Zine

Issue two is out and issue three is in the works. You can subscribe or purchase individual issues HERE. And if you want to join in the conversation about the zine as you receive yours, be sure to use the tag #SHEzine on Instagram, Twitter, and your favorite social media platforms.

Holistic Creativity, Journaling, and More

SPECTRUM, the holistic creative journaling course that I'm teaching a part of, has gotten off to a delicious start. My workshop made its debut last week, and the students have created some really amazing work in response. Interested in learning about creative journaling with us? Check out all the details HERE.

A New She of the Wild E-Course

I've got something new brewing. I'm not quite sure what to call it (and this title? it's history as soon as I can figure out this new offering's true name). But I do know that it's going to be about developing artful rituals that are simple to access + fit in to our daily lives. When I think about this e-course, I think of quiet, of sacred space. Does that sound intriguing to you? Read more about it HERE, and then let me know in the comments what you think.

The She of the Wild Community

The members of the She of the Wild community on Facebook have been producing AMAZING work in #SheWritesPoetry2016, our year-long writing challenge. Want to be a part of it? It's free! Find all the details HERE.

Whew! That's about it . . . although I do have an exciting announcement coming this week. Tell me what have you been up to? I'd love to know!

Holistic Creative Circle: An Interview with Hali Karla

March 30, 2016

Recently I had the fantastic opportunity to be interviewed by the amazing Hali Karla, who is the mastermind behind the fantastic holistic creativity class, SPECTRUM (which I also am delighted to be a part of).

In our conversation, I share about a time when creativity was a catalyst for healing, and we also talk about balancing the tough stuff with the ability to soften in our day-to-day. Dance may also have come up. ;) You can watch the interview here:

Thanks for checking it out! If you're interested in learning more about SPECTRUM, you can do so HERE.

An Exciting Announcement! {Giveaway CLOSED}

January 15, 2016

UPDATE: The giveaway is now closed. Congrats to Melissa G., the winner! You'll be contacted shortly. And thank you so much to everyone who participated! If you'd like to register for Spectrum 2016, head over to THIS LINK. The course is open for registration AND $10 off until February 3rd!

And! If finances are prohibitive, Hali is offering a limited number of need-based scholarships. If you'd like to apply, head over HERE and scroll to the bottom of the page.

Again, thanks so much to everyone who participated in the giveaway! I'd love to see you all in the Spectrum classroom in May, getting our holistic, healing creativity on together.

I have some exciting news to share today: I am going to be a guest teacher in Spectrum 2016 this year -- and I have 1 spot to give-away here at my blog as part of the Give-Away Blog-Hop!

Spectrum is an online Holistic-Creative workshop going on its third year, and organized by Hali Karla of Hali Karla Arts. Spectrum 2016 will be guided by 20 NEW featured teachers and more than 20 returning contributors offering a variety of workshops, inspiration and invitations - all intended to empower, nurture and celebrate your innate creative expression, healing journey, and personal development!

There will be weekly inspiration & reflective activities related to mixed-media art-making and journaling, guidance on integrating your creative process and holistic awareness into your day-to-day life, and a variety of opportunities to connect, support and share with others in the growing Holistic-Creative online community.

The themes that will loosely guide our 2016 Spectrum experience are Forgiveness, Shifting Perspective, Navigating Uncertainty, Integration, Alchemy, Connecting with Nature, Honoring Body, Trusting Joy, and Expressing One’s Truth! You can expect a variety of perspectives on these -- and so much more.

To learn more about the details, including all of the contributors and workshop offerings for this course CLICK RIGHT HERE.

The workshop I'm contributing to Spectrum is called Empowering Yourself Through Creativity. Here's what we'll be exploring:

Are you ready to reclaim your power, inner strength, and courage? In this workshop, we will dive into writing and movement exercises to help you tap back into the wild nature that resides within you, powerful and untamed even in the face of all this world has thrown at you. You will learn tips on how to find your words, unleash your voice, and trust your intuition -- all while having a damn good time and creating some luscious poetry.

And don't let the word "poetry" scare you -- we'll be tackling the process in a wholly accessible and empowering manner so that even the rustiest, most dubious non-writer will find herself staring down in wonder at a fresh poem penned by her own hand. Get ready to (re)introduce yourself to your empowered self.

Pre-registration for Spectrum 2016 officially opens on February 1, 2016 (and the program will begin on May 2). So be sure to bookmark this page (or link) so that you can check back to see if you win the giveaway here or sign up just as soon as it goes on sale.

About the Give-Away:

Like I mentioned, I have one spot for Spectrum 2016 to give-away to a lucky winner in our January blog-hop - but if you follow the blog-hop list below, you will have an even better chance of winning a spot by entering the other give-aways as well.

All of the new teachers are playing along -- and quite a few of the returning contributors volunteered to join in the fun, too -- so there are over 30 chances to win a free pass!

To enter the giveaway, enter your email in the form below, then click the blue button that says "Go!" and you are good to go!

Enter the giveaway!

You'll also receive a complimentary copy of 31 Days of Writing Wild. Win!

For a bonus entry, share this link on social media, then comment on this post to let me know that you've done so.

I will announce the winner of my free Spectrum pass here on February 1, 2016 -- the same day pre-registration opens for Spectrum 2016!

Just below is a list of the other teachers who are playing along in the Spectrum 2016 blog-hop, with the dates their give-away goes live -- so be sure to visit their site and enter there, as well:

13 January:
Hali Karla http://www.halikarla.com/blog/

14 January:
Andrea Schroeder http://www.creativedreamincubator.com/blog
Angelique Arroyo http://schoolformedicinewomyn.com/

15 January:
Bebe Butler http://www.bebebutler.com/
Beth Morey http://www.sheofthewild.com/

16 January:
Briana Goetzen http://www.orangespiralarts.com/
Carissa Paige http://carissapaige.blogspot.com/

17 January:
Cat Caracelo http://catcaracelo.com/
Catherine Anderson http://catherineandersonstudio.blogspot.com/

18 January:
Chris Zydel http://creativejuicesarts.com/
Effy Wild http://effybird.com/

19 January:
Elloa Atkinson http://www.elloaatkinson.com/
Grace Howes http://www.redbarn-studios.com/

20 January:
Gretchen Miller http://www.gretchenmiller.wordpress.com/
Kara LC Jones http://motherhenna.blogspot.com/

21 January:
Kelly Johnson http://www.wingswormsandwonder.com/
Kitty Oppegard http://handoverheartstudios.blogspot.com/

22 January:
Kristal Norton http://kristalnorton.com/
Lisa Hofmann http://dandelionseedsanddreams.blogspot.com/

23 January:
Lisa Wilson http://www.beingbreath.com/
Lucy Pearce http://dreamingaloud.net/

24 January:
Malini Parker http://www.maliniparker.com/
Meghan Genge http://www.meghangenge.com/

25 January:
Melissa Harris http://www.melissaharris.com/
Michelle Turbide http://michelleturbidestudios.com/

26 January:
Petrea Hansen-Adamidis http://www.arttherapist.ca/blog
Rachael Rice http://rachaelrice.com/

27 January:
Robin Hallett http://www.robinhallett.com/
Shelley Klammer http://intuitivecreativity.typepad.com/

28 January:
Suki Ciappara Ka'Pinao http://sukihealingarts.com/
Tara Leaver http://taraleaver.com/

Enjoy the blog-hop, good luck on the give-aways, and I hope to see you in Spectrum in a few months!

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