What I Offer
My thoughts, philosophies & beliefs...
and what I do in workshops & retreats
In the workshops, retreats, etc we do ancient shamanic techniques as
a way of relaxing and having a laugh. The Huachuma tradition of
Shamanism is a practical experience - a way of life that is thousands
and thousands of years old. It is not a religion, philosophy or
alternative therapy. And we need to remember that the word 'shaman' or 'saman'
was originated in Russia as a way of describing the healer, medicine
men, herbalist, priest
or priestess.
In the workshops we start by allowing our body to remember how to
breathe properly. We sing songs, or chants. We might even do a dance,
'The Dance of the Universe' - all as a celebration of life and who we
are.
Over time I have travelled and become aware just how much we are all the
same - how easy it is for our thoughts to get caught up in certain
patterns. Really we are just all 'different'. We've learnt to think,
behave and feel in different ways.
I talk about the different areas of the Peruvian way of life - our
physical, mental, emotional and spiritual 'self'. I talk about my
youngest granddaughter - when I first held her I became aware that she
could be put into any family in any culture - in any country. As human
beings we have the ability to learn any language - and the potential to
be anything we want, to adapt to any culture, belief, etc.
The Western world has become very judgmental, having to put 'difference'
into little boxes, forgetting that all we really need is love, food and
shelter.
This realisation is 'freeing' for us all. We no longer need to get
caught up in the dramas of everyday life. And we start to 'listen' to
our thoughts and what we say to our-self. Initially I couldn't stop my
thoughts from giving me an exceptionally hard time, so I used a mantra
or chant, to still my thoughts. This then allowed me the space to
analyse the 'boxes' I had put my-self and others in, then gradually
dismantled my thoughts. I still sometimes catch them wandering into old
patterns, then I have a laugh at my-self, shifting the thoughts - moving
energy from 'dark' to 'light'. And then my body relaxes - my breathing
changes - and I can 'see' life more clearly.
So in the workshops we start by allowing our body to remember how to
breathe properly. I have a memory of Tony [my teacher] telling me to
breathe, and I replied that I breathed OK, even when I had a cigarette
in my hand! I have learnt some since then.
When we breathe we take in more than just air, we take in the essence,
the energy, the life-force of all that is around us - the plants, Mother
Earth, Father Sun, Mother Moon - everything. It is like being cleansed
when we walk in the rain. When we breathe this essence flows into our
lungs, which in turn moves into our blood stream and affects all parts
of our being.
We also sing songs, chants. Again we are working on our breath, but the
different sound vibrations affect different parts of our body.
Various philosophies over very many years have talked about 'blocks' in
the energy flow in our bodies, which cause sickness, ageing, etc. This
is why we use the ancient sounds, postures, meditations, dances - to
release the 'blocks', to shift the flow of energy - shift the thought
processes and we then begin to glimpse or remember our potential, who we
are and where we belong.
Food is another point of discussion. Eating food that is 'alive' and
full of essence - no sweets - affects our physical, emotional,
psychological and spiritual well-being.
When I first experienced that we are all one, all connected in a very
beautiful and profound way, as you can imagine, my thoughts, my emotions
- everything made sense. This is how we can feel or sense what is
happening to those around us - our family, friends, animals - even
Mother Earth and our environment on a larger scale. Picture a new born
baby - it breathes in a relaxed, rhythmical way, the mother and father
are generally 'in tune' with it's needs, learning what different cries
might mean. The baby is in a conscious form, acutely aware of everything
around it and using all it's senses. A baby knows it is connected.
All this is within us - not without! Everyone is different and we all
find different ways to re-connect, come back to our-self and remember
who we are.
A workshop, retreat - or an individual session - is just a beginning. I
had to practice and practice, to look at my thoughts, perceptions,
assumptions - my lack of self-confidence and self-discipline, my
behaviours. We can never really know what someone else is thinking - as
much as we waste energy guessing! And I realised I didn't want to keep
doing the same thing over and over again. I instinctively knew I had to
do something, that life is a joy - and it took a long time for me to
meditate, to listen to my thoughts, my body - and slowly I began to
change everything about me - and my life.
I know I was looking for a quick 'weekend transformation'! Over time I
became aware that it is a life-long process.
And I began to trust, to accept my-self. To trust and accept that we are
all connected and that there is a flow to everything in our daily life
and our world. I can accept that as a human being I make mistakes, so no
anticipations and not to expect too much of my-self or others. Just to
relax.
I love being with people. When I am working in a workshop or an
individual session, we usually have a bit of a laugh, are a bit serious,
and we explore different options for living our lives. I don't pretend I
can help or rescue anyone - I see my role as a facilitator, to draw out
your strengths, dreams, goals - and simply offer some guidance towards
them. Everyone has potential - you have joy, happiness, peace - all
within you. Step by step you will begin to relax, to remember how to be
still. You will draw away from comparing your-self with others, to
understand if we become angry it is because of our own thoughts,
perceptions about someone else's actions or words.
Many people live their lives from fear. Over ten years ago I had panic
attacks, anxiety and was afraid of heights. Now I am happy to teach
others how to move away from creating this stress, depression. We become
acutely aware on many levels how we are our own worst enemy - and really
how simple it is to change, simply by making one decision, to heal
our-self.
And I have come to understand that if I heal my-self, others are healed
- and visa versa. It is the ripple affect. As one heals, others around
them are benefited. And on a larger scale we are healing our planet -
our environment.
It is healing from our heart, not our mind or ego. When I work with
people, workshops, etc, I become 'charged' and feel 'lighter'. LIFE IS A
CELEBRATION! Most days when I wake, I give thanks to being alive, I give
an offering to all that we are - and happily greet the new day. A sense
of warmth envelopes me as I stretch and smile, listening to the sounds
of Nature awakening.