Garden Contest Entry!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kXq-XtdflI&feature=youtu.be

I made this little video for a contest in sharing garden tips and entered it in the "how to select plants" category.  Please go take a look and like it to vote for me! (I don't so much want to win as to get the word out about saving "at risk" medicinal plants).
Twenty plants that are commonly used for medicinal purposes are now considered "at risk" because of over-harvesting in the woods of North America. Another twenty two plants are on the "to watch" list because their popularity is sending more and people and natural health corporations after them in their wild abode. Many of these plants are easy to grow and simple to utilize for health care purposes. Thanks!!!

Dates and an Upcoming Special Cohort

We've got the dates up for the 2016-17 training year.  The new cohort starting next fall gets the special treatment since the class will, instead of meeting Mondays through Fridays, meet from Thursday through Monday.  This is an experiment and an attempt to better meet the needs of colleagues who work in agencies and have been having difficulty getting away for our training.  Even though this is many months away we already have students making appointments for their application interview, so if you are interested let us know.  Space is limited!

DATES for 2016-17: 

YEAR ONE:      November 3-7, 2016        February 23-27, 2017     May 25-29, 2017

YEAR TWO:     October 17-21, 2016        February 6-10, 2017      April 24-28, 2017

YEAR THREE:  September 12-16, 2016    January 23-27, 2017       April 10-14, 2017

Stalking the Vital Force

Last night I was having a conversation with a friend who, having experience with both, was discussing the similarities between Core Energetics and the another therapeutic approach.  I was uneasy with the comparison.  Then this morning in yoga the teacher mused, "Does the leaf let go of the tree or does the branch release the leaf?"  This question helped me to articulate what I believe to be the difference between Core Energetics and other paradigms. 

It is clear to me that the leaf falls when the Life Force, the Vital Substance, is withdrawn from the leaf.  In Core Energetics it is this substance that we work with, learning to track how the Vital Force which emanates from the Core of our being, manifests into matter; into our body shape, our emotions, thinking patterns, behaviors, belief systems, attitudes and more.  It is a concrete thing that is actually happening right before our eyes, something we can track physically.  It is not just an idea, theory, or concept. 

There are so many valid and useful approaches in the world, but I like Core because it is tangible, and it is always the "Now".  In Core we can learn to bring space and light into our body to allow our Vital Substance to manifest our true self into the world.  For it is clear from the leaf metaphor that when the Vital Force is held back or withdrawn there is no longer connection! 

Getting to the Heart of Things!

One of my favorite lectures in the curriculum during the first week of class at Seattle School of Body-Psychotherapy is the one that combines information from the Heart Math institute, practices from Plant Medicine Healers in the Amazon, and Core Energetics.

Last week while the students were practicing Heart Perception I went to sit under my Hawthorn tree. When I opened my eyes I saw I that I was surrounded by dozens upon dozens of Hearts, the print design of the leaves of these baby Milk Thistle plants that came up with the fall rains. What a nice synchronicity!

September!

We had a super great week last week with the second year students.  We explored a new character structure, looked at issues about gender in the context of a Magical world that operates in different ways than we can even fathom,  and we did some dream play including dream theater and some journeying.  One evening the students all picked Hops to take home and make a tea for a nice relaxing sleep.  And the best part of all was the students taking turns leading our Core Energetic exercises every morning!  It was so much fun to get be a participant while they took the helm and I am so pleased with how much they are learning.

Time is short but I still have room for a couple of good people to join us in the new class starting in October.  Even though we deal with deep concepts and often difficult material, we always manage to have a blast and everyone is growing and changing and many are developing a new professional presence.  Check it out and consider joining us this year at SSBP!

July!

I usually think I don't have favorites and then July comes along... what a marvelous month with its big sky and everything expanding into the height of life itself.  It is a wonderful time to explore new experiences, to change your routine, to sit by the river and contemplate.  It may even be a great time to consider the program here at Body-School of Psychotherapy!  Whatever it is you do, follow the Golden Thread and see where life can take you and how you can expand with that at the peak of this year. 

“All perceptible matter comes from a primary substance, or tenuity beyond conception, filling all space, the akasha or luminiferous ether, which is acted upon by the life giving Prana or creative force, calling into existence, in never ending cycles all things and phenomena.” – Nikola Tesla