WANDERLUST FESTIVAL :GUEST SCRIBE HEATHER HOLLANDER: BUST OUT AND BE RAD

Posted by Guest Scribe on 7/18/13 in Inspiration

 

Have you ever felt a wild urge inside your being to unleash the unique superhero that lives inside?

Maybe this urge is so strong it feels like frustration…

Maybe it is gentle and nudges you in your dreams…

Maybe the stresses of everyday life are louder than the urge to break through…

If you have NO idea what I am talking about, I can relate.

Honestly, it was my beloved angel dog  “Bodacious” (aka. Bodes) that finally got through to me.  One day, when I was drowning in the physical and emotional challenges that had overwhelmed my reality, he changed my life forever. 

I remember how helpless and disconnected from life I felt as I watched “Bodes” absorbed in play that day. He was pulsing with life force, absorbed in the magnificence of nature and adventure. I felt so separate from his experience; I was consumed by thoughts about how lucky he was to be a wild black lab instead of a human being facing the stresses of life.

 

All of a sudden he targeted me. It was as if he heard me and the story I was barraging myself with. He playfully began racing laps around me, at points to staring me down and barking at me incessantly. His heart was expanding beyond his body almost knocking me over, slobber was wrapped around his nose, and the fire of life was blazing out of his eyes.

I was frustrated, angry, and tired! First I yelled at him to STOP.  Honestly, all I wanted was to get back to the couch for Oprah.

And then it happened, in a split second my frustration flipped into an overwhelming urge to be like him! A surge of energy rushed through my body, I let out a playful cry and started mimicking him.  It was the first time I felt ALIVE in years.

Consider for a moment that your inner superhero is longing to break through – freeing the playful, creative, Bodacious nature that lives inside of you.

The time is Now, I invite you into the full experience of the life you were born to live!

Seriously, just “Bust Out & Be RAD”!

Bodacious Life Tips:

1. Adventure to your favorite place in nature

The elements of nature carry wisdom and medicine. Playing in nature is one of my favorite ways to charge up and breakthrough.

• Feel the breeze on your skin
• Open your heart to the sunshine
• Move and Breathe – explore and play with nature

2. Plant your Roots

The Latin root of radical is radicalis “or having roots”. Being RAD starts with planting your roots.  Just like a seed busting through it’s shell to grow roots to rise and blossom.

• Place your bare feet on the raw earth and/or in wet sand at the oceans edge
• Lightly bend your knees and focus on rooting down to straighten legs – slowly pulse up and down
• Take time for rest and reflection in nature

3. Have Fun

Whether you are facing a crazy yoga pose that eludes you, or a real life challenge, a good sense of humor and playful attitude are the gateway to freedom.

• Receive a deep breath and shake off all tension with a big vocal exhale
• See the hilarious side of the challenge and lighten up with some laughter
• Try something new, playfully bust through what used to limit you

 

 

 

 Heather Hollander is a lover of nature and life. Aligned with her dharma to inspire passion and purpose, she founded lifestyle brand Bodacious Living in 2007. Nature Yoga Play is Heather’s favorite way to connect with the magic of life.  Adventure with Heather at Wanderlust California for Nature Yoga Play in the Squaw valley Canyons of Lake Tahoe. 

Tags: guest scribe, Heather Hollander, inspiration

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Sedona Arizona was a very sacred place to visit during winter solstice 2012. In the midst of a fast pace life accepting the invitation from Carissa Schumacher to slow down, connect with nature, and turn attention to prayer and shaman ceremony was a blessing. This land of red rock and mystic history is stunning!

Winter Solstice 2012 was extra special this year as it was also 12.21.2012 which marked the end of an age according to the Mayan Calendar. Taking time out to honor these gateways of time and cycles that nature moves us through is an incredible way to feed the soul and synch up with nature.

 Led by Joseph Grey Wolf and Carissa Schumacher, we turned our attention to the immense natural beauty around us. As we hiked out to Shaman’s cave, known as a site for prayer and ceremony for many ages, Grey Wolf introduced us to the traditions

honoring the resonant frequency and aliveness in all of nature. Joseph explained that the Native American’s hold great reverence for the “Rock People” and the “Tree People”.

We stopped on the path to breathe through our eyes, with our eyes closed, as a practice to strengthen the visual connection to the magic we were surrounded by. This level of awareness heightened my connection to this important transition of time and the honoring of all that has been, and the visioning of all that will be.

Our afternoon at Shaman’s Cave was surreal. We sat for intentional meditation and sent blessings and prayers out to the world, we danced and drummed, and explored the phenomenal red rock that held the cave.

 I challenged my fear of heights and practiced hugging to the mid-line stronger than ever as I explored nature yoga within the edge of the cave’s natural window.

On the eve of 12.21.12 our group ventured out to sacred Apache land for an intentional medicine wheel sunset walk and night time fire ceremony under the stars.

We each offered something to the fire and danced in celebration of all that we intend to create in our lives. Blessings and love were pouring out into the world from our little spot on the planet that night!

 Our last morning in Sedona we hiked up into the majestic rock for our morning stillness practice. I brought my cozy bear “Teddy” along for the adventure to inspire a more playful journey.

 At the peak we sat in stillness with the morning sun on our faces and breeze in our hair. At first I felt tired and relieved to have reached the peak safely again challenged by my fear of heights.

Softening and focusing on slowing down my breath I eventually found the gateway to stillness. Practicing breathing through my eyes as the shamans had encouraged, I opened my inner vision to  the magnitude and aliveness of the red rocks supporting us. Turning my attention to feeling the actual frequency of life in the rocks I thanked the “rock people” and felt the stability of the rock supporting me.

High on the red rocks near the ledge, I noticed my legs feeling weak and a bit shaky as I stood up and started to stretch. Exploring natures platform I slowly began to move, deepening my breath and finding trust I focused on hugging all my power into the mid-line of my body. Leaning back into the support of the rocks, I breathed into them, and before I knew it I was  trusting the rocks to support me and surrendering to opening….and screaming in delight:)

These moments of spontaneous nature yoga play continually amaze and fulfill me…within moments of connecting with my breath and the pulsation of life in the elements of nature around me I find myself catapulted from limitation to inspiration again and again! I’m so grateful for these moments that remind me how energy and passion pulse right thru me….WOW…I am humbled.

 I hope these images inspire you into gratitude, imagination and playful exploration….I hope you will pause at times for a few moments of “breathing through your eyes”.

I was deeply honored to lead yoga alchemy sessions for the group each morning by the pool. I love working with groups who are focused on a shared intention and journey.

Surrounded by blooming lavender and awakening hummingbirds, we circled up each morning as the sun rose over the desert to synch our breath and intentions with movement.

I was so touched and inspired by each soul as they showed up fully dedicated to their personal evolution and deeply connected to their hearts even though most had never “done” yoga before.

Ready to elevate their lives and claim their power,  these self proclaimed “un-flexible” “non-yogi’s” found their connection to the life force within and went for it!