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Restorative Yoga to De-Stress

Arguably, two of the most well-known quotes are those of Albert Einstein and Mahatma Gandhi. Einstein reminded us that when we continue to repeat the same mistakes (war–Vietnam, Afghanistan, etc.) but expect different outcomes (peaceful co-existence), we are investing our…

Helen Maupin

The Politics of Power

This past weekend, good friends listened to me ranting about political parties that feel they can only succeed with “majority rule”, and using such rationale to call an election with two years of their mandate still remaining. What happened to…

Helen Maupin

Big Events = Big Awakenings = Big Results

Painting by Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov Given the chaotic change and heightened stress of the past 18 months, one could arguably say what’s bigger than a COVID pandemic into its fourth wave. I suspect that the drought-induced pestilence (i.e., grasshoppers, war,…

Helen Maupin

Suffering Is Optional

A familiar yoga adage comes to mind as I consider the loss of a relationship in my life — Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional. Truthfully, there is no sense in avoiding pain. It is a natural part of life…

Helen Maupin

Movement Opens Up Mastery

photo by Blair Dunn Whether exercising our physical body, reading a novel, or practicing a spiritual teaching, we open ourselves to learning something new. Within any of these experiences, the opportunity exists for us to move our knowledge needle closer…

Helen Maupin

No Point of View In All Relations

In my youth, critical thinking was highly valued as the primary skill of a problem solver. Of course, in the western worldview of North America, rational science was god. Hence, children were trained to analyze data, diagnose problems, and choose…

Helen Maupin

Left Loving

There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved. George Sand During COVID’s social distancing requirements, so many of our intimate, loving relationships have been limited to drive-by kisses, elbow rubs or online chats. The absence of…

Helen Maupin

Truth Telling

We now know that perception dictates reality, and for many, reality is seen as truth. During conflict mediations I tell my clients, truth is coloured by perceptions, desires and beliefs. Thus, there are as many truths in any given situation…

Helen Maupin

Fear Crushing

When people live under prolonged fear of any life-threatening situation — COVID, war, violence, social oppression, bullying, etc. — they experience trauma. Although Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has traditionally been associated with war survivors, we now know that trauma is…

Helen Maupin

Reflection and Restoration

Summer is my time to fully surrender to nature’s call outdoors. Over 30 years ago, I committed to readjusting my “internal rhythm” to match that of the four seasons. For instance, instead of revving up my energy in September to…

Helen Maupin

Easing into Urdhva Dhanurasana (Upward Bow) — Part III

Do you wonder why so many children can effortlessly pop up into Urdhva Dhanurasana (UD), regardless of their gender or strength, only to quickly lose this capacity as they age? As you may recall, by the time we reach age…

Helen Maupin

Easing into Urdhva Dhanurasana (Upward Bow) — Part II

The aging process is most often marked by a spine that slumps forward. When our inner core and spine are no longer strong and flexible, we further demonstrate aging by hunching the shoulders up and forward. Both these misalignments are…

Helen Maupin