Verbal Flow Archives
Building a Cathedral
A story goes that a man traveling comes to visit a village in Italy, where, for all time, stone cutting has been the trade of the men. Curious about the trade and what these men are doing, he walks into the local stone cutting yard and approaches…
Birthing the New
Starting something new, changing something old, can feel like stepping into a dark place--the kind of darkness that often freezes the body, or in which we fumble into confused movement. Like deciding to start a new habit or change something…
Receiving the Year, and Letting it Go
The body is a great teacher. If we pay attention, we can witness the ways in which we were divinely made to receive and to let go. Revealed ever and always in the constant stream of breath, our body, without any conscious effort from us,…
Light in the Dark, Winter Solstice 2019
Each year, for the past 10, Jala and the surrounding community come together on the longest night of the year, the Winter Solstice, with the intention of adding some light to a dimmed world. We do this by moving body and breath…
On Hope and the Dimming Light of December
The light is dimming and the season of interruption is upon us. If you celebrate the holidays of this season, there is interruption. For me, both the lack of outer light and the holiday season can feel both welcome and frustrating. Yet,…
Winchester’s Space for CommUNITY: A Thank You
About a year before I opened Jala in Winchester, VA, I walked the streets of the Historic Downtown, dreaming up the studio I'd bring to this area. Two months later, walking this same street, I discovered a lovely, new to the walking mall…
Every Day Giving Thanks
Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash
Piglet noticed that even though he had a very small heart, it could hold a rather large amount of gratitude.
~A.A. Milne
I believe we're invited to celebrate life daily, to share in joy and the…
A Space For CommUNITY, A Space For You
What does it mean to "make space?" I use this expression often and as I contemplate it, many ideas and understandings unfold for me. Space: I think of this as something that is both within and without. I often say that I "hold space" for people…
A Container That Can Carry It All, Peace Project by Jake White
During teacher training, I often speak of the importance of creating a strong container. Us humans are asked to be and do so much on a daily basis--as friends, co-workers, spouses, parents, etc. I know that when I feel most overwhelmed and incapable…