on balance + beltane | midspring 2023
hello all,
It’s in-between spring and summer now, and I’m consuming lots of nettle and evening primrose and turmeric and oregano for the brutality that is Ohio Hay Fever (“OH, F!”). Hope you are managing the seasonal shift well and feeling supported in the unfurling, gorgeous chaos of it.
Projects abound in almost every direction for me at the moment, and I’m asking myself how I want to expand in my work. Reiki, a form of energy therapy, seems to keep coming up around me at various times, even though I don’t have much knowledge of or past experience with the practice. In that way, these accumulating hints of it rolling into my purview feel sibyllic.
Since beginning my bodywork training, I’ve also begun to understand the importance of work/life balance, physical/emotional balance, power balance, etc. But as these networks become more abundant and dynamic, they also become more complicated to manage. Figuring out ways to create more clearance for flow in these multiple circuits is paramount. So—Reiki?! For me? For you?
For those of you who also don’t know much about Reiki, here’s a brief description provided by The Reiki Center in Columbus:
Developed in Japan in 1921 by Mikao Usui and brought to the United States in 1938, Reiki is a light touch healing technique which gently facilitates each person's own ability to find and maintain balance in body, mind and spirit. The technique is based on the belief that there is an energetic flow in and through all living things. When this energy is low or blocked, we are more likely to get sick and feel stressed. The Chinese intention of “moving chi" to bring harmony into the body is also the foundation for the proven modalities of acupuncture, acupressure, tai chi, and qi gong. A Reiki session restores this flow of energy, naturally helping the body's own innate ability to rediscover wellness.
Curious what my clients’ and fellow bodyworkers’ experiences are with this practice and whether there seems to be a community need for more practitioners in the area. Drop me a line and let me know!
crackling
delighted shrieks splitting clam spines and snail shells,
gibbous waxing moons calcifying in mounds beside
hulls and berries, middens of seed and shit on waterlogged drift
rising above the current, a sundial beneath the stars,
casting shadows into river depths,
hiding silver fish from feasting paws and gnashing teeth,
crackling echoes of springtime raccoon gatherings
hugging the riparian, reminding of the everywhereness of home
by emma loomis-amrhein
(evening primroses)
BIZ NOTES
MASKING UPDATE
It’s very important to me that my clients feel comfortable in my space. As we transition away from the heightened threat of COVID, most of my clients have felt most comfortable unmasked. I have masked off and on depending on the viral weather, peak social seasons, and client or personal comfort. An air purifier continues to run in my office all day, and there is usually at least an hour of air filtration between clients.
Just an update here to say please keep taking care of yourselves, stay home if you don’t feel well, mask if you want to. If you choose to mask, I will also mask, no questions asked.
ILLUMINATIONS
Lanshin Massager Tool by Acera
A handheld tool made of tourmaline porcelain that you fill with near-boiled water for really comforting heat + massage therapy. As someone without a microwave—and therefore no access to heated rice bags—this tool has been heaven for my neck. Thank you to Cheryl Durgans for the rec!
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Movement Classes + Personal Training with Terry Hempfling
This Winter I took Terry’s Stretch Strengthen + Align class (pairing Qigong + Pilates) at the Wellness Center and really appreciated their fluid way of guiding us through movement. With a long history of professional dance and fresh personal trainer creds, she currently offers a variety of classes and training independently via Zoom + in-person. Check out Terry’s website for the schedule, and shoot an email to thempfling@gmail.com to sign up for a free first week of classes!
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Trickster’s Journey Tarot Deck by Jia Sung
I’ve been admiring American-Singaporean painter, Jia Sung’s work for years now, and she recently published the most beautiful tarot deck + guidebook. If you find this kind of thing helpful to your wellbeing, do check it out!
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^ + header photo by Shelly Dunnegan (Getting Clear by Anne Kent Rush)
COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
In sponsership with the Yellow Springs Community Foundation, a couple of friends and I are co-founding a new addition to the village: a Creative Reuse Center! Sister Trillium will be a nonprofit, brick + mortar secondhand art supply store + learning exchange space.
Here are a couple examples of what a CRC can look like:
SCRAP Creative Reuse, Portland OR
Indigo Hippo, Cincinnati
Right now we’re focused on collecting startup funding and material donations. If you feel excited to see this vision come into fruition and can help by donating funds, check out our crowdfunding campaign here! If you have creative materials to donate, please get in touch with me to schedule a drop-off or you can bring them to your next appointment.
Thanks, and stay tuned via our instagram page, or come see us at our YS Farmers’ Market booth 2nd and 4th Saturdays!
