Of course, you can go to the website, which I have posted many times already, but: www.Inanitah.com. There are also quite a few videos on you tube, such as this one, which I really enjoy because it brings back a fun day when I was here in November 2010:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFS94qqnZAQ
But I would also like to sink into sharing something more personal as well of my experience here. This community is just 26 months old. It's a baby, and looking around the "baby" analogy works very well on many levels. There are only 3 real structures in place, the temple (classroom), the kitchen (original small one still in use, new one work-in-progress), and the bodega (tool shed). Oh, Gaia and Paul's house as well, but that doesn't count as community space. The living accommodations are tents and hammocks around the property. The social structure is fluid within a daily routine as follows: 5:30 a.m: meditation (5 rhythms dance, OSHO, zazen, other...), 6:30: breakfast, 7 a.m: community meeting (discuss flow of the day), 7:30-12: working on projects collectively or individually, 12 noon: lunch, 1-3: siesta/relax, continue projects, 3:30 p.m: yoga, 6:30 p.m: dinner, evening circle/activity/movie, quiet time.
Everyone's usually in bed by 9 p.m.
It's a really sweet flow, where I've found that I am loving being held by this community. I feel that I am supported to go deep here into my own process and given the opportunity to hold space for others in a way that empowers me. I am not asked to do things that I am not interested in doing or that feel obscure. All of my time and energy can go into developing massage programs and deepening my connection with the earth, spirit, and other humans around me.
This lifestyle is something I have always known is good for me. It feels very healthy and gentle.
During my years of living outside of community, I have missed this soft space of having other loving people nearby who are available to connect with me whenever I need it. This is extremely important for me as a single woman. I think Erika, who has lived her for the past year now, said it best the other day. To paraphrase her, "I remember feeling so lonely living in the states. If I wanted to visit with someone, I needed to schedule an appointment. I haven't felt lonely since I've been here."
I remember the ridiculousness of that feeling as well. How hard it was to realize that in order to spend time with people I loved I needed to schedule them in my calender. This was a brutal feeling, especially since there were many nights I would spend alone in my house, wanting to connect with others but not feeling like putting out the effort to get in my car and drive somewhere or hang out in a bar with really loud music or TV blaring in the background. It all felt so challenging a lot of the time.
So, I am thriving being in community right now. I am eating from the earth. Finding the abundance of the garden so nurturing, 80-90% of our food is from our own earth or the neighbors and we take turns cooking. Practicing yoga everyday and teaching it as well.
I walk around barefoot a good amount of the time. I haven't seen a mirror since I arrived. I lost my hairbrush a week ago, and I don't give a damn.
Feeling blessed with this time here. Just wanted to share that joy with whomever reads this blog.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Loving Community
So, the second round of basic massage training is complete! Now, we are working on pulling together a deep tissue course at the beginning of May, 2-6. It will expand on the training that the Nicaraguan grads already have and give them a means to go a little farther with their work. Here's the course description:
Reserve your spot now with a non-refundable deposit of $55
Intercultural Professional Massage Training: Deep Tissue Massage Intensive
To support the creation of new economic opportunities for local Nicaraguans, we are offering a ongoing professional massage training for Ometepe residents. Graduates of the course will be given skills that will allow them to offer massages at InanItah and local area hotels.
This class is the next step in therapeutic massage education and designed specifically for people with a basic massage training who are looking to expand their skills. We will focus on deepening our understanding of anatomy while integrating techniques to treat common musculoskeletal issues in the body. During the 5-day course we will address leg, hip, low back, shoulder, and neck pain, utilizing a combination of trigger point therapy, stretching, and myofacial release techniques.
A minimum of 50 hours Classical/Swedish massage training is required for all participants.
The course will taught in English and translated into Spanish.
About the Facilitator
The course facilitator is Valerie Cherrin, who has been a practicing massage therapist since 1997 and a massage instructor since 2003. Her passion for bodywork is equaled only by her passion for travel, and she has traveled far and wide, incorporating techniques from teachers in Thailand, China, India, Australia, Hawaii, and Europe. She recently completed her yoga teacher training at Nosara Institute in Costa Rica. To learn more about Valerie, visit her website: www.bodywisdommassage.org.
Contribute $195 to the workshop.Reserve your spot now with a non-refundable deposit of $55
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Massage Course: round 2
Back at Inanitah (www.Inanitah.com) teaching another basic intercultural massage course. There is a lot less work for me this time due to already having done it once, just in November of last year.
I have found myself gliding through the processes without having to do a lot of preparing outside of the class time, which runs 7:30-3 p.m, M-F for 2 weeks.
We will be done with class this Friday, April 1. No kidding! I am planning to teach a second level course for the three Nicaraguans who have gone through the first level and are ready for more. There are two out of the initial 5 who have been dedicated, practicing and coming to clinic hours every week and are now working in the local hotels where we are promoting our program. It's really exciting to see how much they have improved over time and are now gaining experience from working on paying clients in hotels.
I really enjoy being back here and being in community this time and it feels like home in many ways. Everyone comes together here to share their gifts, passions, and hearts in community. It's a special place for sure. I will blog about life at Inanitah in the near future. It's worth a good story.
5:42 a.m March 31.
I have found myself gliding through the processes without having to do a lot of preparing outside of the class time, which runs 7:30-3 p.m, M-F for 2 weeks.
We will be done with class this Friday, April 1. No kidding! I am planning to teach a second level course for the three Nicaraguans who have gone through the first level and are ready for more. There are two out of the initial 5 who have been dedicated, practicing and coming to clinic hours every week and are now working in the local hotels where we are promoting our program. It's really exciting to see how much they have improved over time and are now gaining experience from working on paying clients in hotels.
I really enjoy being back here and being in community this time and it feels like home in many ways. Everyone comes together here to share their gifts, passions, and hearts in community. It's a special place for sure. I will blog about life at Inanitah in the near future. It's worth a good story.
5:42 a.m March 31.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Yoga Retreat Picture~ Las Mujeres
WOMENS' YOGA RETREAT SANTA FE, PANAMAAfter teaching 6 classes a week during the month of February, Michelle and I decided to take the show on the road. We called our retreat, "Inquiry Into Yoga", and had 3 days of fun and yoga in the mountains, 3 hours north of Santa Catalina. Pictured above left to right: Jen, Diane, Valerie, Michelle, and Rose.
gringos
I know that the flow of this may not make any sense, but I'm going to do my best to blog more often now that I'm in a faster internet zone, Nicaragua. I'm in San Juan del Sur today. It's a strange little beach town which seems to be a gringo party spot.
I am here on a mission, not really by choice. A friend of mine from Santa Catalina, Panama is driving back up to his home town of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He was nice enough to put my massage table, tent, and sleeping bag in the back of his truck and drop them off here, as it's not too far off the Pan-American Highway.
I have been playing in Bocas del Toro with my dear friend, Janey, who came down to visit me from Boulder, CO on her vacation. I am so blessed with good friends! She and I had 9 days of fun and travel in which I didn't need any of that stuff cause she sported the hotel rooms all the way across Panama and Costa Rica.
I did the boarder crossing from CR to Nica today at Penas Blancas. Some of you may recall the first time I crossed this border last Feb. I wrote a mass email about it because I found myself wandering in and out of the Costa Rican border station asking "Excuse me, where is Nicaragua?" until some kind soul finally informed me that I had to walk about 1/4 mile down the road in order to get to the entrance of Nicaragua.
Today, I am proud to announce that I do learn from experience! This and the fact that I am much more facil with the spanish language than I was a year ago. So, I was able to not only find my way through to Nicaragua without problem. I was also able to fend off the 10 or so Nica taxi drivers who kept telling me there was no bus to where I was going while I asked a WOMAN where I could catch a bus. She told me and she was right. These MEN, I swear! They are scammers. Not all of them, but they give the ones that aren't a bad name.
I also have to state, for the record, that Nicaragua has no signage on how to enter their country at this border. None. Nunca. It's a series of buildings spread out across a rather wide area with lots of fences, police, and random scammers running around and nothing posted about where one should proceed. They expect you to know. And if you have to ask someone, you will have to pay them for a correct answer.
Now, I don't want to make Nicaragua out to be like this. This is just the border crossing. The rest of the country is awesome and friendly. I was able to catch a bus (technically, they are right, you need to catch 2 buses to get to San Juan del Sur) and will head up to Inanitah tomorrow after a little night on the town here.
I am here on a mission, not really by choice. A friend of mine from Santa Catalina, Panama is driving back up to his home town of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He was nice enough to put my massage table, tent, and sleeping bag in the back of his truck and drop them off here, as it's not too far off the Pan-American Highway.
I have been playing in Bocas del Toro with my dear friend, Janey, who came down to visit me from Boulder, CO on her vacation. I am so blessed with good friends! She and I had 9 days of fun and travel in which I didn't need any of that stuff cause she sported the hotel rooms all the way across Panama and Costa Rica.
I did the boarder crossing from CR to Nica today at Penas Blancas. Some of you may recall the first time I crossed this border last Feb. I wrote a mass email about it because I found myself wandering in and out of the Costa Rican border station asking "Excuse me, where is Nicaragua?" until some kind soul finally informed me that I had to walk about 1/4 mile down the road in order to get to the entrance of Nicaragua.
Today, I am proud to announce that I do learn from experience! This and the fact that I am much more facil with the spanish language than I was a year ago. So, I was able to not only find my way through to Nicaragua without problem. I was also able to fend off the 10 or so Nica taxi drivers who kept telling me there was no bus to where I was going while I asked a WOMAN where I could catch a bus. She told me and she was right. These MEN, I swear! They are scammers. Not all of them, but they give the ones that aren't a bad name.
I also have to state, for the record, that Nicaragua has no signage on how to enter their country at this border. None. Nunca. It's a series of buildings spread out across a rather wide area with lots of fences, police, and random scammers running around and nothing posted about where one should proceed. They expect you to know. And if you have to ask someone, you will have to pay them for a correct answer.
Now, I don't want to make Nicaragua out to be like this. This is just the border crossing. The rest of the country is awesome and friendly. I was able to catch a bus (technically, they are right, you need to catch 2 buses to get to San Juan del Sur) and will head up to Inanitah tomorrow after a little night on the town here.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Hey, photos!
Above: Yoga deck at "La Buena Vida"; Santa Catalina.
Above: Looking out from Rancho Estero onto Estero Beach, Santa Catalina.
Above: View from Visitor Center, Coiba National Parque
Above: Blue Chevy Van with shade structure and bike parked in front.
Above: Adan cutting off alligator head with machete on Lagatero Bay.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Santa Catalina
As of Jan 30th, I have moved into the town of Santa Catalina. It's a small place, about 10K from where I was living the two months prior.
My bicycle has been given a rest from the continual back and forth of living in Lagatero, out in the sticks (est pop: 100 persons, 50 chickens, 25 dogs, and 10 alligators) to the bustling metropolis of Santa Catalina; (est pop: 400-500 ). The folks at Hibiscus Garden just didn't have enough work to keep me there. We mutually decided it was best to end our initial agreement of me staying there until mid March.
For a fleeting moment, I entertained thoughts of traveling for 6 weeks until Janey arrives in the beginning of March. That was before my friend Michelle, owner of "La Buena Vida", and fellow yogini, asked me to stay in Catalina and design/teach a series of yoga classes with her, it was an easy choice.
I have committed myself to the practice and study of yoga while I'm here. I am teaching 3 or 4 classes a week, taking another 3 classes each week from her, and expanding my own practice on the luxury of her yoga deck in the treetops.
It's really a beautiful thing to have dedicated myself to this immersion. We are organizing a women's yoga retreat in Santa Fe, Panama Feb. 23,24, 25. It's a mountain town about 3 hours north of here where we are going to spend 2 sessions a day teaching basic yoga techniques as an introduction for beginners to the practice, with time for a long mountain hike one day.
Blessings from Panama.
Om, shanti.
My bicycle has been given a rest from the continual back and forth of living in Lagatero, out in the sticks (est pop: 100 persons, 50 chickens, 25 dogs, and 10 alligators) to the bustling metropolis of Santa Catalina; (est pop: 400-500 ). The folks at Hibiscus Garden just didn't have enough work to keep me there. We mutually decided it was best to end our initial agreement of me staying there until mid March.
For a fleeting moment, I entertained thoughts of traveling for 6 weeks until Janey arrives in the beginning of March. That was before my friend Michelle, owner of "La Buena Vida", and fellow yogini, asked me to stay in Catalina and design/teach a series of yoga classes with her, it was an easy choice.
I have committed myself to the practice and study of yoga while I'm here. I am teaching 3 or 4 classes a week, taking another 3 classes each week from her, and expanding my own practice on the luxury of her yoga deck in the treetops.
It's really a beautiful thing to have dedicated myself to this immersion. We are organizing a women's yoga retreat in Santa Fe, Panama Feb. 23,24, 25. It's a mountain town about 3 hours north of here where we are going to spend 2 sessions a day teaching basic yoga techniques as an introduction for beginners to the practice, with time for a long mountain hike one day.
Blessings from Panama.
Om, shanti.
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