Affirmations: Powerful Allies

Affirmations can be such powerful allies on the journey of creative recovery or creative living. You can sing them, hum them, chant them, whisper them, shout them, think them, write them, draw them and beckon them as often as you'd like. 

They are forever on-call and it's up to us to call on them.

Affirmations can be like the friends (we had once or never had) who believe endlessly in us and are willing to be still, steady and constant, even when we feel most challenged to be just that for ourselves. They can our most trusted guardians or like a militia-squad-of-love who pledge to infuse us with hope, self-love and courage even in the face of the most insidious and heartless of thoughts, beliefs, doubts, structures, systems and/or naysayers. 

One of the most challenging sources of power to reclaim, is personal power. It takes guts, consistency, courage, grace, support and a willingness to explore, accept and claim an inherent KNOWING that we are each SO POWERFUL. And it can involve coming to terms with all the people and places and things that (intentionally or unintentionally) have historically and/or currently eroded, dismissed, shamed or dimmed our personal power. And this can be a hard awakening. It is also a rich awakening. Richness that can't be purchased. Richness that already and has always existed, within. 

Affirmations can help us to stay in a place of personal power and if we find that we are floating aimlessly away, they can be like boats or bridges back to our true inner source, to our true KNOWING of who we truly are. Powerful. Creative. Alive. 

I'd like to share one of my favourite affirmations. It's helped me through many blocks and inspired mucho growth. It continues to inspire me and pull me through scary patches of growth, in both my professional and personal journeys. The 'safe' part of this set of affirmations is what anchors me and reminds me that, when I'm in my personal power, I am responsible for creating, expanding and upholding (defending and protecting if necessary) my personal space, the space in which I affirm, value and allow happiness, joy, intuition and creativity to sprout, ebb, flow and flourish.

Affirmations: 
It is safe to be happy, it is safe to be intuitive, it is safe to be creative. I allow happiness into my heart and life. I allow, value and listen to my intuition. I allow myself to be creative and create spaces for creativity to unfold. I listen deeply to my creative longings, urges and impulses. I courageously create, nourish and protect spaces for them in which to unfold. I actively support and affirm the intuition, joy and creativity of others. 

May your journey be gentle, through the highs and the lows and all the in-betweens. May your creative unfolding be inspired and inspire others to unfold in their own unique ways. Grow at your own pace!

With love and in solidarity,
~ elisa

CREATIVITY COACHING

NEW at Turtle Toes Wellness: Creativity Coaching!

Are you looking for a personal cheer-leader who BELIEVES in your capacities to imagine, create and sustain a creative lifestyle, dream, project or hobby? Would you like some tender, loving and inspiring coaching to nudge you towards your creative goals and wishes? Then let's chat! Guaranteed to engage and inspire your inner courage, determination and commitment. 

If this interests you or if you have any questions, please send me an email: elisa.hatton@yahoo.ca 

It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare.. It is because we do not dare that they are difficult. ~ Seneca saying.

'Buried Dreams' Quick Creative Activity 

Adapted from Julia Cameron's book The Artists Way

List the following in a fast & frivolous manner... (don't think about it much!!!)

* 1 hobby that sounds fun *

* 1 class that sounds fun *

* 1 thing you would personally never do that sounds fun *

* 1 skill that would be fun to have *

* 1 thing  you used to enjoy doing *

* 1 silly thing you would like to try just once *

Pick one of these items (the one that seems the most possible: affordable, imaginable, risk-able) and do some exploring. For the next few days, see if you might possibly allow yourself to imagine what it would be like to actually do one of the items from your list. What would it take to carve out a bit of time for this activity? What kinds of resources would you need? Where would this activity take place? See if you can allow yourself to daydream and imagine taking the steps to actually create time and space in your life for this activity. How does that feel? Is there someone in your life who would encourage you to to explore this area of  your life? Do you feel like you could actually allow yourself to try (!!!) one of the items on your list? At the very least, can you allow yourself to imagine the fun you might have? Then, no matter what you do or don't do, take yourself out for a tea and journal about your experience. How did you feel? Scared? Excited? Bored? Invigorated? If you'd like, let the activity go here, as soon as you close your journal. Or, if you'd like, choose another  item on your list to explore next week! And if you want, send me an email about your experience! I'd love to read about it :)

* TAKE YOUR TIME * BREATHE * BE KIND TO YOURSELF  * EXPLORE * BE CURIOUS *

* Contact me for more info: elisa.hatton@yahoo.ca (sliding Scale available) *

Wanted On The Journey

'You do not have to be good.

You do not have to walk on your knees

for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting,

You only have to let the soft animal of your body

love what it loves. Tell me about despair,

yours, and I will tell you mine.

Meanwhile the world goes on."

~ Excerpt from poem Wild Geese, by Mary Oliver

Being An Effective Ally: A Multi-Faith Youth Leadership Community Art Project

'Wanted On The Journey' is a dynamic workshop series for youth, aged 18-30 years, who are members of a Faith community and interested in developing or strengthening skills in the areas of advocacy and leadership within their Faith-based communities, as well as other Faith-based communities, through expressive arts.

Starting November 1st, over a period of several months, Turtle Toes Wellness will be guiding the development of a multi-faith art installation that will be an expression of youth participants learning outcomes related to leadership and advocacy.

'Wanted on The Journey' will be comprised of approximately 5 workshops, which will include guest speakers, expressive arts, yoga, art-making, conducting research and presentations. There will be lots of opportunities for dialogue and self-reflection. Guest speakers will present alternative and creative ways to play a leadership role around engaging and advocating on behalf of marginalized members of a variety of Faith-based communities. Materials and snacks will be provided.

Along with opportunities to develop leadership and advocacy skills, personal growth and community development, a final outcome will be the creation of a community-based art-installation created by participants and community partners, that will explore the complexities, challenges and creative responses that come from being a part of this process. 

The final art-installation will be presented at various venues throughout U of T (Toronto & Mississauga campuses) in 2014.

For more information, please scroll down the right hand side of this blog page and look under 'Current Offerings'. 

The workshop is now underway and registration is closed. 

This project is made possible by the direct support of the Religious Diversity Youth Leadership program at the Multi-Faith Centre (University of Toronto).

SATURDAY BOOTCAMP @ CHRISTIE PITS (October Only)

Want to up your fitness game in an inspiring, encouraging and supportive, challenging atmosphere? 

Join Dave Samuels (Fitness Enthusiast, Personal Trainer Extra-Ordinare) from FUSION CIRCUIT FITNESS and Elisa Hatton (Yoga Instructor) from Turtle Toes Wellness for a special Autumn Promotion. Regular prices (and back to indoor spaces) will resume in November so come on out for the month of October and catch the vibe while its here. * Where: Saturdays at Christie Pits * Time: 10-11.30am * Sliding Scale: Drop-in $10-$15 or 2 for $15-$25 (AWESOME DEAL).

 Who's in? I am! 

I'll be there to sweat it out with y'all and also lead some yogic yum (stretching, breathing & affirmations) to wrap it up. 

Let's have fun together.

Let's stretch, sweat and strengthen together.

Let's breath together.

Contact me or Dave for more info or just show up!

www.fusioncircuitfitness.com (Dave)

www.turtletoesyoga.blogspot.com (Elisa)

emails: elisa.hatton@yahoo.ca or dsamuels1114@rogers.com

Grey skies or sunny skies, we'll be there.

Cancellation will only occur if its actually raining.

     

       Squat & Press
     (with Resistance Bands)

Push-Ups
(with park bench incline)

Boxing Circuit Warm-Up
(skipping & padwork)

~ Everyone is welcome ~

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Golden ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

by Jill Scott

 "I'm taking my own freedom, Putting it in my song, Singing loud and strong, Grooving all day long, I'm taking my freedom, Putting it in my stroll, I'll be high-steppin' y'all, Letting the joy unfold. Living my life like it's golden, living my life likes its golden, living my life like its golden..." 

 ♥ Let's live our lives like we're GOLDEN... Because we are ♥  

Add some delight and restoration to your day. Why not take a mini-music-moment? 

Click on this YouTube Music Video Link for Jill Scott's 'Golden':

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QCXr79Rkcw

♥

Wild Women Arts Weekend

November 8-11, 2013 

* REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED * SOLD OUT!   

Art Work by Kyra Dahlke (KiKi) 

Join a fabulous group of wild women for a weekend at the beautiful and cozy Wolf Den Nature Retreat! 

The Wolf Den is a lovely historic log and timber frame lodge with charming hosts. The central lodge includes an open concept kitchen for cooking and dining, sleeping quarters and a fantastic living room area for yoga, curling up on a couch to read, playing games or making music by the fireplace. We will have our own private 5 person bunkhouses as well as rooms in main lodge, private use of the cedar sauna, campfire area and, yes, hot showers! This inspiring weekend is all about exploring our creativity and expressing ourselves in fun, grounding and new ways. All while enjoying the beauty of nature at a wonderful time of year in Algonquin Park, a scenic 3 hour drive from Toronto or Ottawa. Pre-Registration is required. LBT+ 

Program Highlights

Dance Workshop: ‘Being The Flame’ 

(facilitated by Elisa Hatton)

Nourish the flame of your divine feminine soul through a dynamic and unique experience of an exciting and transformational Dance Our Way Home (DOWH) dance workshop. In this workshop we will explore, experience, luxuriate and bask in the experience of BEING THE FLAME. Creative fire dwells within each of us and it urges us to seek a fuller, more embodied expression of who we really are as creative beings. DOWH is grounded in sacred principles that acknowledge and honour the divine feminine within us all. It is a facilitated, movement- based, barefoot and non-verbal practice. No previous dance experience is required, only a willingness to move and be moved!

Nature Photography for Beginners 

(facilitated by Lee Roy)

For this fantastic workshop participants do not need fancy photography equipment as they will learn skills that they could apply using any camera; from the most basic cell phone through to DSLRs. Participants should already know the basics on their own camera. The session will start with a short discussion on some outdoor and wildlife photography techniques before heading out into nature. Further instruction will be provided while out on the trail and Lee will be available during the day for any questions or to critique photos taken during the workshop.

Sensual Painting, Texture and T-shirt Making… 

(facilitated by Kyra Dahlke, aka 'Kiki')

Tap into the wild and embrace your juicy nature to nurture your creative side. Explore the forest and ground in its earthy energy then embark on a journey through joy and imagination. These workshops are about connecting to the creative energy and allowing yourself the freedom to play with colours. There will be a basic introduction to painting techniques, mixing colours and how to identify the sensual lines of nature. Following a guided walk through the forest observing the contrast of light and shade, the glistening water, and the soft textures of moist moss and the rough bark of the trees. We will then return to explore our wild impressions of nature and through paint and brush allow our sensual creativity to unfurl onto paper and the fabric of our choosing.

Yoga Workshop: ‘Seeds of Intention’ 

(facilitated by Elisa Hatton)

Plant and nourish your creative ‘seeds of intention’ through asana, pranayama, guided visualization and relaxation. This workshop will offer a gentle yet invigorating creative exploration of the physical, emotional and wisdom bodies and the senses as vehicles for creative discovery and expression. There will be many opportunities for creative reflection. Creative journaling will be encouraged and materials will be provided.

COST: $395 (includes all meals, workshops and skills clinics, 

3 night accommodations in shared cabins).

To register please visit:

http://www.wildwomenexpeditions.com/store/cart/

A September Love Poem, from my heart to yours...

UNBOUND UNBOUND UNBOUND UNBOUND UNBOUND UNBOUND

By Nancy Levin, author of Writing For My Life

We may never know

How we hold

All we can

Or how the light catches us when we are out of breath.

It’s a sign of healing to be feeling again.

The real breakthrough

Can only arise from heartbreak.

That which ails

Cures

Reminding us

That it’s always about beginning
And then beginning again.

As the waves crash me

I trust the sand

To polish me edges smooth

Dissolving denial

Revealing real while

Courage and confidence

Ignite my core.

Contraction and expansion

Let the light stream in,

And the stillness.

After so much thrashing about

Allow the body to wring

The sorrow out.

As freedom floods shadows may persist.

Know your undertow

As you alchemize the dark

And remember

That you always have

The strength to choose

How to engage.

The clouds unveil the view

When you are ready to climb.

Now its time to notice

The miraculous moments In your life

As they are happening.

This

Is the making

Of me

And we will walk

Courageously

Into daybreak

From the night

Shining our light

Together ♥