Another busy week at the Centre

There's been a lot happening again this week with more work in the garden - it's looking really good, yoga classes, lots of therapies and a mindfulness course.

Tonight at 7pm one of our therapists, Ranbir, is giving a talk and demonstration on Tui Na. This is an ancient form of Chinese massage, Rambi described it to me once as being a bit like acupuncture without needles! I was lucky enough to try out this massage and I really enjoyed it. Rambi really knows the body and though it's not gentle, it really feels like it's doing some good. In fact when I stood up afterwards I felt like I'd had a great workout and as if lots of toxins had been drained from my body! If you're not sure then come and meet him tonight and find out more about it or just call into the Centre for more information.

Tomorrow as part of the 8 week mindfulness course we have a Saturday workshop which I'm looking forward to. Since starting the course 5 weeks ago I have found myself slowing down and appreciating things more. I've also become much more aware of my body and the feelings within. It's very enlightening and the challenge for me I think will be keeping up the daily practice once the course has finished. But I'm going to give it a really good try.

I thought I'd finish on another lovely, thought provoking poem that came from the mindfulness course last night.

WILD GEESE  by Mary Oliver

You do not have to be good.

You do not have to walk on your knees

For a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.

You only have to let the soft animal of your body

love what it loves.

Tell me about your despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.

Meanwhile the world goes on.

Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain

are moving across the landscapes,

over the prairies and the deep trees,

the mountains and the rivers.

Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,

are heading home again.

Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,

the world offers itself to your imagination,

calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting --

over and over announcing your place

in the family of things.