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…
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,…
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…
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…
Today, I remind myself not to be buffeted by narratives of the past or belittled by negative opinions in the present. Although neither serve any valuable purpose, it took me many years to shed the social conditioning associated with pleasing…
This is my first blog following a five-day yoga retreat I led for a group of committed students. As always, after such a deep experience, we all need time to rest, recuperate and reflect on its impact. Over the millennia,…
On August 17, I teach my annual five-day yoga retreat. This whole-being intensive is meant to build capacity and release tension by tapping into every bodily system or sheath — physical, energetic, mental-emotional, spiritual including our bliss or joy. This…
My heart is full having shared a Folk Festival virtual viewing with dearly loved friends. Note the Folk Festival wrist bands. This welcome gathering was safely allowed due to 10 days without the appearance of new COVID-19 cases. In the…
As our national birthday approaches, our provincial borders begin to accommodate greater travel due to relaxing COVID 19 physical distancing restrictions. The heat of summer is upon us and with it brings the celebration of graduations and vacations. Positively speaking,…
In these days of “hurry up to catch up”, taking the time to treat ourselves with physical and mental relaxation and deep rest is often overlooked. The common excuse given for not embracing the healing benefits of daily relaxation is…
Madness, as in the theme of my soon-to-be-published poetry book, is a relative experience. For instance, the three weeks leading up to Xmas day can be fraught with the chaos of gifts to buy, trees to adorn, lights to hang…
As I spend my delicious summer days gardening winter’s ice from my veins, I feel utterly embraced by nature’s beauty, truth and goodness. All personal worries and other warts fall away with each weed picked and blossom admired. The earth…
© Copyright 2026 – Helen Maupin/Right to Joy – All rights reserved
