Mondays In May

Gentle Yoga Flow II

May 5, 12, 19, 26

SpiritWind Centre
64 Oxford Street, Kensington Market

4 Week Series (5.30-6.30pm

Cost: Drop-In $10-$20 or Pre-Register $40-$80

(sliding scale spots available)

     

     *Pre-registration is required! 

       Sign up asap as space is limited. 

        To register or if you have questions, please send an email: 

elisa.hatton@yahoo.ca 

Gentle Yoga Flow II: This class is for anyone interested in exploring, infusing and strengthening flow and growth in their daily lives. We will seek out, make space for and nourish the spaces in our bodies, hearts, souls and minds where wisdom, love, strength, compassion and joy live. Classes include groovy tunes, guided visualization, teachings and a practice which will inspire you to bud, bloom or blossom in new ways. Come explore, unwind and grow in an empowering and engaging community setting. 

*This is a non-competitive space in which to explore and share a community yoga practice. It is a welcoming space for anyone who is interested in  being a part of a diverse community class where all identities and orientations, abilities and self-expressions are welcomed and affirmed. 

Yoga classes are one of the many services offered by Turtle Toes Wellness. We offer unique and fun classes, retreats (rural and urban) and private sessions in the areas of yoga + dance + creativity. 

'And then the day came... when the risk it took to remain tight in a bud,

 was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.' ~ Anais Nin

~ Audio-Visual Quote (Orchid Blooming with Anais Nin's voice over) ~

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BB9TSJu4-2I

Spring is finally on its way in Toronto !!! 

I'm happy to announce that registration is finally open for my first Spring Series! Come warm your winter hearts and embody - in your heart, body, mind and soul the emerging spring sweetness that is surely coming our way.

Mondays in April with Turtle Toes Wellness 

 ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥ 

Be bold, be bodacious, be brave, be beautiful, be you!

Spring is on its way and I'm happy to announce that REGISTRATION IS OPEN for my first Spring Class! 

Mondays in April | Gentle Yoga Flow | 5.30-6.30pm
$40-80 (Sliding Scale) * Works out to be $10-20 per class

4 Week Series ~ April 7, 14, 21 & 28 (2014)

Spirit Wind Centre, 64 Oxford Street, Kensington Market
Instructor: Elisa Carlass Hatton

This is a great class for beginners and experienced folks alike!
Offering a sweet, nourishing, uplifting and relaxing flow to to ease your body, mind, heart. 

Our time together will include groovy tunes, guided visualization and a gentle yoga flow. 

This class offers a non-competitive space in which to explore and share a community yoga practice. It is a welcoming space for anyone who is interested in being a part of a a diverse community class where all identities and orientations, abilities and self-expressions are welcomed and affirmed. 

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED! Registration is now closed. 

Space is Limited. Please sign up soon! 

 ♥ Lets learn, grow, rest and rejuvenate together ♥

To register or if you have any questions, please send an email to: elisa.hatton@yahoo.ca

Stay tuned for MORE Spring yoga, dance and creativity classes, events and local retreats 

for April & May (I will be posting them very soon!!!!)

Feel free to share this information with anyone who you think might be interested!  

with love,

♥ elisa

Loving Yourself Is A Radical & Powerful Act

'Out beyond wrong-doing and right-doing there is a field. 

I'll meet you there. 

When the soul lies down in that grass, 

the world is too full to talk about. 

Ideas, language, even the phrase 'each other' 

doesn't make any sense." 

~ Rumi ~

'At times our own light goes out and is rekindled
by a spark from another person.
Each of us  has cause to think with deep gratitude
of those who have lighted
the flame within us.'

Over the past few weeks, I've been reflecting on the concept and experience of compassion...I've been reflecting on this idea of sheltering others with an emotion or 'vibe' of an all-encompassing sanctuary of forgiveness, empathy and upliftment (not the actual definition but the aspect that I've been reflecting on). 

Today, especially, I was moved by a friend sharing that they had an 'AHA' moment based on considering (for the first time) that compassion could be directed towards themselves versus and/or in addition to being directed externally towards others. 

Compassion is often defined as 'the feeling of empathy for others... the emotion that we feel in response to the suffering of others that motivates in us the desire to help.' 

Some meditation practices do suggest that we start with offering this compassion externally and then to ourselves, while others suggest that we offer this compassion first to ourselves and then extending it out to another person, community, global community and ultimately the universe. A wise teacher once asked a group class that I was a part of to consider starting with the part of ourselves that was our body and identities in the world right now, and moving inwards (vs outwards) to extend that compassion to the many inner levels of our being (body parts, organs, systems, bones, muscles.. emotions, sensations, thoughts...moments in the past, choices, experiences... especially our childhoods) and to ultimately drench ourselves and wrap ourselves abundantly with the vibe of compassion towards our self as a radical practice. 

And it IS a radical practice, especially if all of your life, for one reason or another, systems and people have tried to tell you that you aren't enough or that you are too much or that you aren't lovable as you are.

That teaching has stayed with me. I am grateful for it. I practice it often. Sometimes I do forget about it though and need to be reminded. 

When I return to an active practice of self-compassion, I'm filled with new hope, new resilience and new strength. 

Spread the word. Spread the teaching. That is what it is there for. It's important to note that the concept of a practice of compassion, including self-compassion has roots in Buddhism and Hinduism and is spoken of as a virtue in many world religions. Although there are those that claim to be the founders of the concept of 'self-compassion', the truth is that it comes from traditions and belief systems that mastered the tools and art of practicing compassion, both inwardly and externally focused, many years ago. These practices have been shared with global citizens in order for us to experience personal transformation and be play an active role in global transformation. 

"It is possible to travel the whole world in search of one who is more worthy of compassion than oneself. No such person can be found." Buddha

Be the spark. Share the message. Inspire, invoke and invite others to consider a different way. A gentler way. A simpler way. A way that doesn't require anything or anyone but YOU.

Self-love, self-forgiveness and self-directed empowerment are radical acts. Important and life-affirming gestures. These acts can be our saving grace, our life-lines. The fuel that sustains us. These acts are crucial practices, however they are practiced, that can sustain us and/or help us recover from the big and little traumas of our lives as well as prepare us for the journeys ahead.

These ancient and timeless practices infuse many of the classes - whether yoga, transformational dance or creativity sessions - that I offer at Turtle Toes Wellness. I seek to offer spaces in which we can love ourselves and each other, across the bridges of sameness and difference, across the bridges of hope and love, across the bridges of our histories, our nows and our futures. 

There are so many ways to approach the practice of self-compassion. We can build and strengthen the muscles of our self-compassion (read: self-love) through guided meditations, subtle or dynamic movement, through daydreaming, through creativity or just by simply breathing. And we can practice using these muscles in our every day lives, as we move through the world interacting with others and even ourselves (sometimes we can be our harshest critic). There are endless ways to practice. However we do need to fill the well and make sure we have an ample supply stored up for the days where we need a whole lot of it. And when we forget that we have access to this incredible tool, may we be graced with someone who reminds us gently and kindly to return to our practice, to go gently, first and foremost with ourselves. 

May these words spark and light you up and may you in turn spark and light others.

Go gently!

Please stay tuned for the Spring Schedule of Classes for 2014. 
It will be posted by the end of March. 

Love,
elisa

Meditation for March: FIREFLY Meditation

Find a comfortable place to sit or lay down. Close your eyes or allow them to be unfocused and soft. Begin to withdraw your awareness from the immediate environment and become focused and aware of all the parts of you that are being supported (by a chair, the ground, etc). Give your body permission to be supported. Allow your outer and inner being to give over to this moment, supported by whatever you are sitting or laying on. Begin long deep breathing. Bring your attention to the breath. Focus on the sensation of the inhale and the exhale. Begin to lengthen and deepen the breath (gradually to a count of 4). On the inhale, imagine yourself filled with golden light (or the colour of your choosing...one that fills you with feelings of empowerment and nourishment). On the exhale, imagine the light (the same colour that you chose for the inhale) pouring out of all of your pores. Continue with this breathing pattern and imagery for as long as you like (3-10 minutes suggested). To come out of this meditation, allow your breathing to return to its regular pattern. Before you open your eyes, wiggle your toes, fingers and nose. Let your eyes gently open and/or your perception return to the present moment before you continue through your day. 

Fireflies by Owl City ~ A Musical Moment for Your Day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psuRGfAaju4

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).