Was there anyone out there that would be able to give an hour of their time for a Yin and Yoga Nidra practice, to help her promote her studio?  She’d have Erika take photos of this event and use them to update her website for Freedom Yoga Studio.

Four of us responded to her request.  It ended up that all three “seasons” from Dianne’s yoga teacher training school were being represented.  Me, from the first year.  Anne and Erika from the second year.  Three yogini grads from the most recent class.  It was amazing to think about how we had all come together – through our interactions at the studio, via social media and finally our mutual love of yoga.  I find myself in awe when my worlds swirl together like that.

I finished my Saturday morning appointments at the clinic and then headed on over to her home studio.  Got there early, without rushing around.  Anne offered her hospitality and a cup of tea.

Eventually, we stepped into Anne’s home studio…and I could feel the serenity right away.  The four of us settled onto our mats while Anne started guiding us through a slow Yin flow.  Erika snapped pics but after awhile, I don’t think I even noticed.  Especially when we moved into the restful Nidra practice.  I’m pretty sure that I was awake for all of it but I was suprised about how I lost track of time as I listened to Anne’s hypnotic voice.

When the practice finally came to a close, we all had to take a pause.  What a wonderful experience!  Although I’m speaking for others, I sensed that the four of us felt that we had received something very special in our time on the mat.  It was truly an hour of surrender or ishvara pranidhana.

And to top it all off, Anne fed us with appetizers and more tea afterwards!  She said her grandma had drilled in her the need to feed guests.  Kudos to her grannie.

This was a gathering that left a positive impression.  There was a real sense of community.  An honest and free offering of help.  An exchange of goodwill (is that the tea and appetizers talking to me?) from the teacher to the students.  I’m so fortunate to have met these ladies and share my love of yoga with them!  It is in this practice and by working together that we can transcend and become more than just the one.

Just as in my yoga practice, I’m going to my edge and growing my blogging skills.  Some of the challenges were in areas that I’d been avoiding.  I’m still wary of posting photos, videos and audio of myself on the web since I fear that someone will hack it.   I took the plunge anyhow.   I’ve learned so much about social media, self-promotion, networking all over the world (a shout out to Christine Sang at animalawakening.com for a chance to explore her blog), how to use and post video & audio and finding other blogs in my niche.

In all honesty, I’ll need a little break after this.  I’ve worked hard and finished a good handful of challenges each week.  It will be interesting to see who are the top three bloggers.  The Hunt ends this Friday.

Addendum:  The three FPM Scav Hunt winners (from 1st-3rd) were Neil Rees, Credible Copywriter and Gem Avery.  Rebekah Jones won the Killer Beginner Prize.  Congrats to all!  It was wonderful to have met you and all the other contestants.  Thanks to FPM for putting on the Hunt.  :)

What’s that, you say?

Danny Iny is a fellow Canadian who’s producing some great stuff on how to increase the exposure of your blog.  Over the past few months, I’d been thinking of ways to grow D3.  I made a few false starts but nothing was motivating me.  Then I listened to a free live webinar where Danny presented ideas about gathering an audience to you, finding out what it is they want and then providing it to them in a way that no one else can.  It’s almost like a busker’s festival, where the performer draws the crowd in and then gives them a performance that keeps them engaged.  Hmmm….that was food for thought.

Then Danny said that he and his team were organizing a free on-line event where, by playing a scavenger hunt game, you could learn more about creating an on-line presence that would attract an audience.  He had me at the word “game”.  Brilliant really.  Learning while playing.  That’s the kind of thing that the best university professors do to keep their students engaged and learning, without being an entertainer.

And so this week, because I happen to have a few more days off than I expected, I’m looking at my Scavenger Hunt Challenge List and ticking off the items.  At first, the list looked daunting.  I’m not a pro-blogger.  But then I thought, I’ve got nothing to lose and an opportunity to expand my cyberspace horizons.  I let those “monkey mind” thoughts float in and away.  Because I was able to let go and just enjoy the game, I got hooked.  I was having fun.

It’s only been 7 days and the game runs for 5 weeks.  There’s still plenty of time to sign up so go to the Firepole Marketing website and just do it.  And when you create your page for Tumblr, could mention that you heard about the Hunt from me, Downward Dog DVM?  That would be very nice, please and thank you!

Check me out on my Tumblr page.  It’s such a great platform for social media.  Better than Facebook and Twitter, I think, but I would never have known about it unless I played the FPM Scav Hunt.  Here’s to gamification!

I noticed the blood on the wall, as soon as I walked back into the room.

How was I going to explain this one?

I opened the window to let in some fresh air and give myself time to think.  There was too much evidence to hide.  The blunt, shiny, handheld instrument.  The signs of struggle.  The sad eyes from the body that lay still and unmoving on the bed.  My husband would be here any minute.

From that moment onwards, I promised myself that I would never trim my dog’s nails at home again.

I started writing to explore how yoga could help me through a stressful time of transition. And it did.  This gut-churning period in my life was a true test of Self.  By joining the studio, I found skills through yoga and writing that have allowed me to live better.  I have chosen to work a little less and curb my spending.  Among many things, it means fewer new shoes, dinners out and taking a really long time to build my house…one day it’ll be finished!  I’m grateful to my husband, my family, my friends and my colleagues for their support.  I’ve grown so much.  I still have my triggers (my family can attest to that!) but I’d like to think that I’ve become a little more aware of them.

I wish the blog had more stories about pets and their owners or more posts describing difficult cases with amazing outcomes.   If you’ve noticed, when I do talk about people, I rarely use names and I speak about things in generalities but with enough detail to make the story interesting.  There have been many other veterinarians who have authored books and done this type of story-telling much better than I could.  Instead, I’ve chosen to write about how it feels to work with worried owners and sick animals.  There isn’t as much focus on this side of the veterinary profession.  I have described a little about my experience in veterinary acupuncture.  It’s still progressing.  I’m taking my time to understand Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine so bear with me as I learn more.  I’ll share more when I feel ready.

In the last 3 months, I’ve tried three times to write something to mark the occasion.  I didn’t feel that I was hitting the mark.  So I gave myself permission, and more time, to think.

What is “D3″ all about?

It’s my exploration into finding and expressing my True Self.  My nature is to help and please others.  Sometimes, I do this at a sacrifice to myself.  So, it becomes a lifelong journey to balance the two.  How best can I spend time in this “mortal coil”?  What can I do to serve?  How to I help myself so that I can continue to do this?

D3 is a place for me to integrate and express my thoughts on what I’ve been reading and learning.  I am grateful to live in the age of the e-library and the Internet.  Lately, my interests turn to fiction about Faeries, werewolves, the science of neuroplasticity, meditation, veterinary acupuncture and yoga.

As I read, I fall into the fantasy world that my favourite authors have created.  I’m fascinated how they can turn simple words into vibrant characters and worlds.  I wish that I could do that.

Meditation has given me the skill to observe my thoughts, pause after they happen and then continue to breathe after I let them pass.  A little less reactive, I hope.  Research in neuroscience has shown that meditation improves blood flow in the brain and creates new neural pathways, even as we continue to age.  How good is that?

My chronic hormonal cramping led me to getting treatments with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicines.  I was tired of popping a whole bottle of Advil every month.  I had an inkling of interest in this, how it might help my animal patients, and that motivated me to pursue training in veterinary acupuncture.  Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine gives me a different insight into the disease and treatment process.

And yoga?  It’s my refuge.  My place to feel grounded, energized and supported by a wonderful local community.  I love sharing the practice with others.  Yoga asana has taught me to be more aware of my body.  Holding postures on my mat helps me tune into my body’s sensations.  I’m slowly getting better at sensing the edgy feeling that precedes those hormones as they start to kick into full gear.

I also dream that D3 is a space where readers can find inspiration, and maybe refuge, in work and life.  I hope that more veterinarians, veterinary technicians and animal health care providers can read from this blog and find tidbits of advice that help them deal with the stresses of our wonderful, exciting, stressful, unpredictable profession.  It is exciting to know that my American veterinary colleagues are offering mindfulness training.  It’s a step in the right direction.

That’s what D3 has been about so far.  Maybe I should focus my writing more on one area?  Something to work on…I had to start somewhere, two years ago.  I’m continuing to refine what I want to accomplish in this blog.  Stick with me and you’ll get to see what happens.

“Where are you going?”, the officer asked.

“The airport. To attend a veterinary meeting in Chicago on mindfulness & meditation”, I replied. I’d rehearsed my response as I was waiting in the car. It’s always best to keep answers simple & straightforward.

Without blinking an eye, he continued. “Is it going to be fun?”

“I think so”, I said.

Actually, I didn’t know what to expect. I was going to meet a group of veterinarians that had taken up weekly meditation in an on-line forum. These sessions in cyberspace were led by Dr. Michele Gaspar and hosted by the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). I was curious to meet like-minded veterinarians who were using a tool that I’d found, through my experience with yoga, to cope with stressful times in life and work. I wanted to talk to them and share their experiences. But I had no idea who these people might be.

Mindfulness is a new idea on VIN and it was being introduced through simple, basic vipassana meditation. No chanting or religion involved.  Meditation has been scientifically studied as having positive effects on the brain.  Our counterparts in human medicine have been using this technique for themselves and their patients for some time now.

Out of virtual reality, Michele organized a weekend at The Cenacle Sisters Conference Centre in Chicago. A group of 6 vets (and that included me) responded to the invitation. As chance would have it, there was a seminar by the Israeli-Palestinian Peace Christian Coalition that same weekend. Our small gathering was overwhelmed by the energy of this animated group. Several times, an individual would come over to introduce themselves and ask what church we were from. One conversation with an NGO presenter from Tel Aviv went something like this:

“Hi, my name is so-and-so. What church are you from?”, she asked.

I replied, “Actually, we’re not with your group. We’re veterinarians here for a meditation retreat.”

“Wow. Meditating veterinarians. Hmmm. How unique. Say that one 3X quickly.”

“Yeah, and we all met on-line. We’ve never seen each other before this.”, I added.

I couldn’t help myself. It was one of the best 30 second elevator speeches that I’ve ever made up!

All joking aside, the VIN vets were a kind, thoughtful and intelligent group. It was one of those rare occasions where veterinarians could talk and have their colleagues listen with full attention and care. A chance to let down our guards in a non-judgemental space. An opportunity to be heard.

With the cafeteria meal times acting as the backbone for our schedule, the days included meditation, presentations, conversation and time on our own. We got tips from an expert in mindfulness, who was herself a living example of her teachings in action. We learned simple stretches to help manage the tension that builds up in our bodies from chronic stress. Some of us got pampered by with a massage. Others took a leisurely walk to the Chicago lakefront.

The group meditations lasted 40 minutes. I’d sat and shared a space with others in this way but never for that long before. We sat three times a day. The meditations passed by faster than I expected, with lots of thoughts flowing in and out. I’d notice this was happening and try to bring my focus back to my breath or a sound in the room. Sitting on my zafu pillow on the floor, my legs often fell asleep towards the end. I was glad to try out the meditation bench that one person had brought along. I think I’ll have to buy one for myself.

We shared our personal stories. We questioned and probed ideas that we’d mulled over individually but couldn’t answer alone. As animal health care professionals, we discussed how we’re expected (or rather, that we expect it of ourselves!) to be the ones in charge or the ones that will fix things. We came to the realization that we’re all doing the best that we can, in whatever situation we’re in.

Michele is running a second session on Mindfulness in the VIN Rounds and she plans to organize a weekend retreat next year. Kudos to her and Paul Pion at VIN for providing this resource for our profession. As veterinarians, we need this.

I still have so much to digest from our time together. It helps to share with others, to know that I’m not alone in some of the thoughts that arise in my work and life. I’ve made a lot of changes in the last few years to get to where I am now. It wasn’t easy but I “worked the program”, so that I could better hear my own inner voice & rediscover my True Self.  I’m comforted to know that the path I’ve taken has been the right one for me.

May I be peaceful.
May I be full of gratitude.
May I simply be.

May you be peaceful.
May you be filled with gratitude.
May you simply be.

May all of us be peaceful.
May all of us be filled with gratitude.
May all of us simply be.

D3

]]> http://downwarddogdvm.com/uncategorized/thanksgiving-2012/feed/ 0 http://downwarddogdvm.com/yoga-philosophy/the-fearless-heart-a-workshop-with-michelle-marchildon/ http://downwarddogdvm.com/yoga-philosophy/the-fearless-heart-a-workshop-with-michelle-marchildon/#comments Sat, 22 Sep 2012 02:10:00 +0000 downwarddogdvm http://downwarddogdvm.com/?p=4624 Continue reading →]]> Witty, former journalist.  Soccer Mom.  Yogini.

You can add eloquent and insightful to the list of words that describe Michelle Marchildon.

She’s the author of “Finding More on the Mat: How I Grew Better, Wiser and Stronger through Yoga“.

For its seven-year anniversary, the studio was hosting weekend workshops with Michelle.  Dianne had met her at a yoga seminar out in Colorado and, through circumstance, the two became fast friends.  When I heard that Michelle was going to teach, I bought a copy of her book to try and get a feel for her persona.  It was a surprising read, a real page turner. I hadn’t been expecting it.  She wasn’t just witty and all funny stories.  She’s been through stuff (well, I think MM would phrase it another way if you let her…).  And her words rang with authenticity, written in a voice that seemed to speak to me as I read them from the page.  I don’t want to tell you all the details, but if you’re interested in learning how to live your yoga, this book is a must.  Of her many poignant stories, Michelle had one that involved her dad.  Without giving it all away, I’ll quote from the movie “Pirates of the Caribbean”…”Aye.  Sea turtles.”.

I went to “The Fearless Heart” class on Saturday morning.  Full house.  Good energy from our local yoga community.  Guess the workshop held the night before was a bit more in the challenging style that is common on the West Coast.  So I wasn’t really sure what to expect.

And then in walked this petite brunette with a confident smile.  Apparently, Michelle is agorophobic but found the gumption to fly all the way from Denver, Colorado to visit us in Canada.  It was only a 24 hour trip but she was excited to share her insight and teachings with us.  She was using her Fearless Heart!

Michelle got us settled in right away with her story about why it was important to cultivate a Fearless Heart.  If you really wanted something bad enough, she said, then that desire will help you overcome any obstacles that may be in your way.  Practicing yoga asanas on the mat was one way to work on developing this attitude.  After a brief warm-up, Michelle surprised us by leading us into handstand at the wall.  The idea here was that it’s sometimes better not to know what you’re about to face.  Just follow your heart, throw yourself off the cliff and perhaps be surprised how you can rise to the challenge.  I didn’t get into handstand that day but it felt good to try it and see where it would take me.

Michelle led us through more poses, some that I still consider as being a work in progress for me.  I’m learning to be ok with stepping outside of my comfort zone, especially when I give myself permission to play, experiment or back off if needed.  I did what felt right in my body and enjoyed the practice.

We continued on with shoulder opening poses.  With my twitchy left hamstring, it’s only been 3 weeks since I’ve been getting back to the mat.  So I was careful to modify and pace myself during this extended practice.  I was happily surprised that I could do Urdhva Dhanurasana (or Wheel pose) by the end.  I was opening up my own Fearless Heart!

Another crop of eager yogis started at shala this past Sunday.  This is the third season that Dianne is taking students for training at the studio.  I’m glad to be an assistant again, along with two other teachers at ESY.

It was fun to watch the yogis (10 female and 1 male, so I’ll use that term generically) interact during the first Sunday afternoon.  I got to experience it through their beginner’s eyes.  We had a 30 minute practice on the mat, talked about the yamas and niyamas (the first 2 out of the 8 limbs of yoga), and generally got to know a little more about each other.

How will the next 6 months come to shape them?  It’ll be interesting to see.

May they enjoy the journey!

Students go back to school. Parents and teachers have to get ready. I should include students of all ages, since several of our summer clinic staff are going back to college or university this week. You should have been with me at Staples yesterday. I went shopping for pen refills (I’m very particular about my writing implements), out of morbid curiousity. It was a mad house!

Driving to the clinic is a little slower. I usually try to time it so that I miss the congestion that occurs when the big yellow bus stops to pick up the children. It’s amusing to watch the groups of kids as they wait, some with parents and the occasional dog.

Summer vacation time is done. No more staying up late. Many seasonal tourist attractions start to wind down. Actually, “off-season” is my favourite time of year to travel since it’s less crowded.

I’m engulfed by the events at this time of year. “Back to school” ads for clothing, stationary, groceries…the barrage is endless. For the last few weeks, I’ve been reminding clients to mimic their Fall timetable so that their pets aren’t too confused once everyone leaves the house for the day. As for the rule about “no wearing white after Labour Day”? I only own one pair of white capris so it’s not a big deal for me.

We all seem to reset our schedules.

What I’ve enjoyed about entering September is the chance to look back at what I did this summer and what awaits me in the months ahead. This year, I’ve used it as an opportunity for reflection instead of regret over what I have or haven’t accomplished. It’s good to pause and take a look around. I need these markers in time to help me be mindful of the passage of days.

And to be honest, I’m glad that I don’t have to go back to school anymore!