Two weeks ago I attended a workshop on Salt Spring with 13 others for five days. The group was one of the most diverse groups of individuals I have had the pleasure of working with in a workshop setting. At times, it felt as if the only thing we had in common was that we’d all decided to attend this training.

In our current age of social media, we are often grouped with folks with a common interest and opinion. Rarely are our views and opinions challenged. Rarely do we find ourselves uncomfortable.

So, as I sat in circle with these 13 souls, I really came to appreciate difference, diversity, and even discomfort. I thought to myself, this is a true community — a group of humans from different walks of life coming together to learn from one another.

The experience made me realize how much we all need to sit with difference — especially now.  We need to appreciate one another and learn about our diverse experiences and opinions. Consider this the next time you come into the clinic or studio and sit down next to someone. In addition to appreciating that they too are there for healing, learning, and introspection, maybe say hello – be curious about your neighbour.  You may just have something to learn or offer.

And . . . in case you’re in the mood to build more community on the mat, there are a few fun events taking place in August!

Susie will be leading an awesome in-depth week-long early morning practice. Plus, we’ll be hosting another Satsang on August 9th. What better way to connect!

Check the events page for more details.

In community,
Michael

The Moss Street Paint-In is one of our favourite days around here. As thousands of people
wander by, admiring the art festival that runs the full length of Moss Street (11am-4pm), many people also wander in to Hemma to say hello. We LOVE this! To coincide with this community fun, we have an OPEN HOUSE on that day. On July 2oth, we invite you stop by Hemma for prizes, sales, high fives and hugs, in addition to our regular Saturday schedule!

Now is the time to stock up on your favourite 5 treatments for $85 acupunch cards or plan the rest of your summer yoga routine with 5 classes for $55 (on sale July 19-22, in person, over the phone, or online!).

Over the years working in the clinic I have learned that regardless of a persons health concerns, one of the most important contributors to health and well-being is Rest – Deep Rest –for the mind, body, and spirit.  Rest is the state our bodies need to digest, repair, mend, and heal. Unfortunately for many of us, rest is an increasingly scarce experience, despite the notion that Summer is restful time of the year.

Deep Rest only happens when you consciously rest.  Different from sleep, deep rest can be cultivated with the help of acupuncture, meditation, lying in shavasana.  Acupuncture helps by inducing a deep state of relaxation, making it easier to rest and quiet the brain.

Resting doesn’t always come easy, there are often a million things rattling around in our brains at any given moment — the grocery list, the argument we had with our friend, the school assignment, work tasks, the news, etc.  Yet, when we take time out to Rest Deeply, our bodies and minds have a chance to catch-up, to heal.  As a result we feel better, we perform better, and we are just more fun to be around!  So remember to make rest a priority in your life this summer!
-Michael