Words of Gratitude

I have great news to share! I have been accepted into graduate school and will begin studying Occupational Therapy this June! I am overjoyed and want to thank everyone who helped me achieve this. My husband Roberto and our son Bear for their unconditional love. My parents for continually believing in me. My sisters for their support. My references, Janet Evergreen, Brendan Clancy, and Professor Hawks for their encouragement. My friends and relatives for their prayers. Thanks to everyone in the OT department. And to all my professors this and last semester! I could not have done this without you all!

I look forward to discovering what Occupational Therapy will mean to me as a professional. It is a growing field, with diverse practices, embracing both physical & mental health. This will be an education of a lifetime!

Again thank to all! I am overflowing with gratitude for this opportunity!

Season's Greetings!

I took a hiatus from blogging this Fall, as I am back in school. I am still actively coaching, and learning craniosacral therapy on the side. I hope to be admitted to graduate school this summer, and study occupational therapy. This solid base of knowledge about the body and mind will make me better at what I do, and help me move forward professionally. I appreciate so much the support of friends and family I have at this time!

One thing I learned in craniosacral class with Janet Evergreen this Fall, was to ask for what I want. When we declare what it is that we truly want, we are bound to get it. As I work toward graduate school, I find that if I am willing to be 100% in my decision, then those I reach out to will see that. It feels good to make a decision and then put all of my energies into achieving it. It puts in perspective the times in my life when I have inwardly fought against the choices I was making, and just how exhausting that is.

Another thing I have learned with Janet that stands out in my mind, is to use peaceful words in speaking about health. I think this is an area that has not yet come to be fully understood in mainstream health, but surely will in the future. An example would be using the word "difficulty" instead of "trauma." Because trauma implies something has been broken, or ruined forever. It is just a word, but it conjures in our minds something scary and permanent in nature.

In craniosacral therapy, it is understood that the body experiences three basic rhythms through craniosacral motion. The Cranial Rythmic Impulse which cycles about 8-12 times per minute. The Mid-Tide, which cycles 2.5 times per minute. And the Long Tide, which cycles every 100 seconds. The body is always experiencing all three, but during a session the person can experience directly the positive healing effects of the Long Tide, which may not be a conscious part of their everyday experience. The Long Tide is a slow rhythm, that expands far out into space, into a place where health is never lost, and wellness always exists. I bring this up because in acknowledging this place of universal well being, we acknowledge that some part of us is always whole and well, no matter what else may be manifesting in our bodies.

In using peaceful language to discuss the body, we acknowledge the innate wellness that resides there. On that same note, words are words, and the truth prevails that we have innate health and well-being no matter what is said or thought of us, or by us. The use of peaceful language is something I hope to bring to my future practice however, and to integrate into my own life. 

Thanks for sharing today! Many blessings of good health and strength for the holidays and coming New Year!

Physical Healing

I have been given a gift recently of the opportunity to attend cranio-sacral classes with Janet Evergreen. She is an incredibly advanced practitioner who studied under the greats. She has been on sabbatical leave for 3 years, and is now looking to decide what direction to go in with her practice. For the purpose of exploring that question more, and to stimulate community, she is holding a five day meditation retreat at her studio space this week. I am going to attend the first day, and am very interested to see what this may hold for me.

I have never done very much meditating, however I see other forms of meditation in my life, and their effects. Walking in the fields or the woods, sitting by the stream, laying or sitting quietly and staring at the ceiling or trees out the window. My thoughts just seem to swirl by. These are the times when the world gets quiet enough for me to work things out, to balance feelings in my head and heart. To get back in alignment.

One of the great things about cranio-sacral therapy is that the recipient does not have to understand the process to benefit from it. Viewed as a purely mechanical alignment tool it still does wonders for bringing people's bodies into balance, and their minds soon follow. When we see the genius of the practice, when we embrace the beauty, a world of richness is opened to us as well. A world of healing.

I have had some tough inner challenges present themselves these past days, as well as moments of bliss. I sensed my beloved place in the universe coming out of a cranio-sacral session, and also felt confused and alone at times. I share this as a reminder of the ongoing process we all have, and to offer insight into my own. No one is "ill" or "broken" in the eyes of the Circle of Life. We are all perfect, whole, and complete. We can access that part of ourselves by tuning into our health and resources that are never-ending, always present.

    May we all remember the health that is always existent, and know we are perfect, whole, and complete.

Exploration of Inner Space!

When we explore inner space, we begin to realize that we exist in all places and at all times. That is what I love about the notion of exploring who we are. The closer we get to our own spirit core, the easier we find it to understand and incorporate our external experiences.

When I work with clients using guided visualization, they find space to explore experiences, and find parts of themselves represented in inner landscapes both real and imagined. When it is time to come back to the present moment, the energy of self must then get pulled back into the body and present time, almost like a fishing net being reeled back in from the ocean.

So where is inner space if it's not inside our bodies? I believe that although our bodies appear solid, they are permeable, and are interacting on many planes of life, not just the physical. All of our experiences affect us, our communities, our planet, and beyond, as we grow together in an understanding of our reason for being.

When we take time to explore our own feelings, experiences, fears, personal stories and themes, we honor and affirm our own innate intelligence. We begin to recognize our own significance and ability to live as we choose, and to take responsibility for our life path. This results in closer and happier relationships, freedom of expression of the true self, comfort with one's life and body, as well as a sense of richness in one's daily experience.

When we realize that we exist in all times and places, we begin to recognize our own ability to create richness as we simultaneously experience the creation of our lives.

I believe this is why we are here and what we are meant to be doing. I welcome you to come explore with me!

Successful Photo Session

A big thanks to my husband Roberto for helping me take some fantastic personal shots for my website. We should be able to go live in just a day or two now.

I still have this hilarious image of us in my head, him with a wooden stool held high over his head (for me to sit on), me with my red and blue blazers - still on their hangers - held above my head like flags, as we waded through nearly waist high grass on my parents' property. We had to walk through the creek both ways on our way up to the woods, and came back with our legs covered in scratches from the wild roses and blackberries. I even gave my arms and legs a Tecnu bath after we returned from our adventure, as one of our photo spots was right near a bunch of poison ivy. I laughed when I saw the look of discomfort on my face in those particular photos. I was leaning in one direction away from the poison ivy, and in the other direction to avoid getting a cedar branch in my eye! It seemed so appropriate though, after all I've been through in the last 19 months, that the journey to a personal portrait be challenging. Just as the decision to go off the beaten path in my own life has been.

Almost Ready to Publish yourinnerspace.com!

Wow! This has been a long time coming. I am so excited to finally be publishing my website! For those of you finding me in these beginning stages of the journey, my name is Kyla and I am a life coach. I am also the founder of Inner Space, which is a life coaching practice. I intend for Inner Space to have a life of its own, as it grows into what will be a larger family of coaches/practitioners, and clients. This work is so important. We can all support each other and realize the universal desire to explore one's experience on an individual, community, and global  level.

Let me tell you a little about myself. I have studied art since the age of 5. I love singing and dancing. I volunteered in Upstate NY as an Americorps volunteer and taught environmental education for 2 years. I attended college both in the States and abroad in Mexico, and have a BA degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. I taught Spanish to children for 2 years at a small private school. I have also taught storytelling and watercolors. I have been a practicing life coach since May 2010.

I believe in the importance of inner exploration and finding ones own answers. I believe in learning to listen to one's self. We can strengthen our inner selves, to the point of feeling strong and confident in who we are and what we are doing.

I just want to take a moment and thank all of the people that have made it possible for me to succeed in launching my practice, my clients, my friends and guides. I owe so much to Charlotte James, Elizabeth and David Farrell, Beth Neville, Heather Hightower, Dara Parker & Diana Eichles, Kirby Moore, Helene V. Ramos, Emetchi, and Dr. Gelburd. Thanks to Mike Craig, Dara Parker, and Aerian Oesch for helping with my website. Sue-Ryn Hildenbrand-Burns, Ryan McArdle, and Heathir Brown for inspiring me. My parents & sisters, my husband Roberto, son Bear, and many more! I feel so blessed to be supported by you all. Thank you for pushing me forward!