Dancing with Stress, Managing Overwhelm

What IF I could live in such balance that the energy needed for my everyday commitments was an OVERFLOW out of the peace and natural enthusiasm I carry within me? What if I could re-set myself, when I was thrown off balance? And make recovery an art form?

This has been my developing goal since the ’80s. In various periods, I have achieved it and as my commitments have grown, I have studied how to maintain balance in many different ways. For a decade I helped to teach corporate folks the practices of centering, blending, and grounding oneself in the moment through the practices that come from Aikido. The kinesthetic base and basic communication forms from that time, inform my life and help me constantly.

Much of the experience of stress is due to how our internal beliefs, our reactions out of patterning and our self-talk frame or interpret our experience. Self -reflection is essential in developing a willingness to grow out of unconscious knee-jerk reactions. We can all learn how to respond, rather than to react. One can learn to see problems as opportunities and grow one’s courage to engage with life. One can learn to come from “discovery” rather than expecting ourselves to achieve “perfection.”

If you have a desire to improve your life or perhaps you are looking for something to motivate you further in order that you might develop the willingness you need. In order to improve your life, it is not necessary to make many changes all at once. Joan Sotkin, author of “Building Your Money Muscles,” has said ”As a matter of fact, the process of change is more effective if it is done gradually. So, all you really need is the willingness to take little steps – to make small changes, one at a time.”Balancing the emotional base of our modern world is very like dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The shocks to our collective experience since 9/11 show a new challenge. The speed and flow of information has challenged the average person to find balance too. External and internal sources of stress will be examined and a new relationship with oneself inspired.

Mary Jo Coulehan and I begin this series of three sessions for Women, with a focus on health and self-care because we recognize the challenge of busy lives. We both know too that Pagosa Springs has many natural and social resources that can help. It is our hope that these three mini-retreats will nurture and support us as professional individuals and creating community. More than learning about time management or assertiveness, our capacity for stability, resilience and creativity can be enhanced together as we explore together what it takes to be effective and feel satisfaction, while carrying many roles.

Dr. Nicola St. Mary, a respected Naturopath from Durango (and young mother) will share her wisdom about “Dancing with Stress.” I will talk about “Managing Overwhelm” which is something I deal with consistently. We both agree that performance health and happiness are grounded in the skillful management of energy.

Join us for a three hour session RESCHEDULED TO MARCH 21st, 2013 from 4 to 7 pm at our beautiful Springs Resort Eco Lux Hotel for $7.00 which includes wine/beer and or snacks in the last hour.

About the Author: Puja Dhyan Parsons is the co-owner and CEO of Growing Spaces LLC.