Starting school

I arrived back in the States (from Mexico) with lots of mixed emotions and trepidation.  Although everything fell into place easily and rapidly, even an affordable place to live, in walking distance to the school since I was without a car, I was uncertain about returning to school.  I was concerned about my learning style, being a visual learner, and knowing that not all teachers recognize different learning styles in their approach.  And, I was doubting myself, that I could actually remember the content that was needed to become a bodyworker.  I struggled with my own imperfections and the need to perfect, when the reality of it was that I wanted to let go of that self-critic.  My focus was just to be me, in all my human-ness, including the imperfections.  Yet, despite my fears, I was excited to be in Sedona, and to be learning something new.  I had done the same thing for over 20 years and it was something that did not bring me the joy that comes with embarking on a new course.  I walked into the school with the determination to be authentic and to let things unfold, and to embrace the new.  And, I could feel the excitement throbbing throughout my body and spirit.
 

These were tough economic times and many people were not investing in education.  The school had reduced their tuition in order to accommodate the economic times, but still people were afraid to invest in something when they were struggling financially.  As a result, my class was quite small and intimate.  This had its pros and cons.

The smallness met my need to not be in a large traditional classroom.  I was much more comfortable in a smaller group.  There was a mix of ages, which shouldn't have made a difference, but it did.  I was relieved to have more mature classmates, assuming that these people who had walked through life a bit, had done some of their own emotional and spiritual work.  Due to this, from the beginning, I presumed that our intention would be similar - to be focused and committed to learning.  After the initial day, I felt that the younger students seemed to have a similar intention as well.  However, as time progressed, I was reminded that assumptions and first impressions aren't always accurate.  But, no matter what transpired, it provided opportunities of addressing our issues, going with the flow, and letting go those things that didn't resonate with us.

The school provided time for all of us to get acquainted before we jumped into the material, and before we had to touch each other during the massage lessons.  One of the get acquainted activities was a hike in the Red Rocks.  It was amazing!  Yet, I was challenged by my own self concern about my abilities of performing while being in a group.  I tended to do physical activities on my own, concerned by my inabilities or under performing compared to the group.  I realized that this school experience was going to give me unexpected opportunities to address some life-long issues, and to let them go.

Hiking became a daily ritual for me, whether it was with the class, a classmate, or by myself.  My meditative morning walks supported my shift to focusing on my body and my health, physically and emotionally.  As the program progressed, I realized that I was not only here for the schooling, but to become physically health, and to release some of the weight and the resistance I had around being disciplined in this area.

Even from the beginning, I knew that I was in the right place.  And, that I was following my dream of living fully and accepting who I was on all levels.

After those three days of orientation, we began the formal lessons, starting with anatomy and Swedish massage.  Once we started, I began to gain confidence that I could actually do this - be successful in the learning of it all.


Bell Rock   Cathedral Rock

A Trip to Remember ~ who you are! 
Sedona is magical and the energy is experienced differently for each individual. 
Wherever you are on your path, Sedona will lead you through many new doorways.
We are gathering as empowered souls, journeying to Self. 
Expect Miracles!!